New Life
Depeche Mode Lyrics


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I stand still, stepping on the shady streets
And I watched that man to a stranger
If you you only know me when you turn on the light
Now the room is lit, red danger

Complicating, circulating
New life, new life
Operating, generating
New life, new life

Transition to another place
So the time will pass more slowly
Your features fuse and your shadow's red
Like a film I've seen, now show me

Complicating, circulating
New life, new life
Operating, generating
New life, new life

Your face is hidden and we're out of sight
And the road just leads to nowhere
The stranger in the door is the same as before
So the question answer's nowhere

Complicating, circulating
New life, new life
Operating, generating
New life, new life

I stand still stepping on the shady streets
And I watched that man to a stranger
You think you only know me when you turn on the light
Now the room is lit, red danger

Complicating, circulating
New life, new life




Operating generating
New life, new life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Depeche Mode's "New Life" are somewhat ambiguous, allowing for multiple interpretations. However, one idea that can be gleaned from the lyrics is the notion of transformation and reinvention. The song seems to suggest that life is full of constant change and that a person can never truly know themselves or others completely. The first verse talks about watching a man who is a stranger, suggesting that even people we think we know well can be mysterious and unknowable. This idea is reinforced later in the song when the singer describes a face that is hidden and a road that leads to nowhere.


It seems as though the singer may be struggling with his own sense of identity and may be yearning for a new start or a new direction in life. The lines "complicating, circulating" and "operating, generating" could be seen as representative of the complexities and challenges of everyday life, while the refrain of "new life, new life" suggests a desire for something fresh and unknown. The final lines of the song, which repeat the refrain about "complicating, circulating" and "new life," leave the listener with the sense that life is a cycle of transformation and renewal.


Line by Line Meaning

I stand still, stepping on the shady streets
The singer is standing in a dubious part of town


And I watched that man to a stranger
The singer watches an unknown man


If you only know me when you turn on the light
The singer wants others to see them in the dark and light


Now the room is lit, red danger
When the light is turned on, it's alarming


Complicating, circulating
Life is complex and always moving


New life, new life
The singer wants to start over with a new life


Operating, generating
The singer wants to make changes to start a new life


New life, new life
The artist continues to repeat the desire for a new start


Transition to another place
The artist wants to go to another location


So the time will pass more slowly
The artist wants to slow down time


Your features fuse and your shadow's red
The change in setting affects one's appearance


Like a film I've seen, now show me
The artist wants this new experience


Complicating, circulating
Life is always in motion


New life, new life
The singer wants to start anew


Operating, generating
The singer wants to change things to make a new life


New life, new life
The artist continues to repeat their desire for a fresh start


Your face is hidden and we're out of sight
The artist and the unknown person are unseen


And the road just leads to nowhere
The path to a new life seems to be unknown


The stranger in the door is the same as before
The person at the door is still unknown


So the question answer's nowhere
The answer to the question is unknown


Complicating, circulating
Life continues to present challenges


New life, new life
The artist is still seeking a fresh start


Operating generating
The singer wants to take action to make changes for a new life


New life, new life
The artist wants to start over




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Vince Clarke

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tomasaki2298

I stand still stepping on the shady streets
And I watched that man to a stranger
You think you only know me when you turn on the light
Now the room is lit, red danger
Complicating, circulating
New life, new life
Operating, generating
New life, new life
Transitions to another place
So the time will pass more slowly
Features fuse and your shadow's red
Like a film I've seen now show me
Your face is hidden and were out of sight
And the road just leads to nowhere
The stranger in the door is the same as before
So the question answers nowhere
I stand still stepping on the shady streets
And I watched that man to a stranger
You think you only know me when you turn on the light
Now the room is lit, red danger



All comments from YouTube:

@photoshoott2022

I am 57 now and was a teen when I first heard their sound, their music, dancing to it in the new wave club, dressing into clothes to fit the music and just had fun. We used to enjoy going to their concerts and all that was about 80s brings back amazing memories and part of those memories is DM. They were a huge part of it, we just couldn't get enough of their music. Still listen to it all the time.

@burnmedina

amen

@pavelmeridian3428

Аналогично ! Привет из России и Германии 🤝

@photoshoott2022

@Pavel Meridian 👍👍🤚

@pavelmeridian3428

@Photoshoott Photography 😁🌹🔨

@MampsUK

Depeche mode 1 of my fav bands of all time so many brilliant tunes I struggle to make a top 5 of my fav tunes. Whats ur fav tunes

9 More Replies...

@rw8733

I was 16 in 1981 and I still remember how exciting this new sound was. I'd do anything to go back there. ☺

@davidhickman2451

With you on that kid👍

@traceyhaze75

Defo would like to be there with all the amazing songs

@rw8733

@modern tart Sadly yes. We all did! 🤣

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