The band has been highly influential in the electronic dance music scene, especially synthpop, techno, and trance, partly due to their innovative work, recording techniques, and use of sampling. Their most successful album is arguably 1990's Violator, which reached the #2 position in the UK, #7 in the US, and sold over 8 million copies worldwide. The band has released a long series of high-charting singles over their three-decades long career. Enjoy the Silence is their most recognized song and one of history's most covered songs.
The original line-up was Dave Gahan, Martin L. Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. In December 1981, Clarke left the band and later formed Yazoo, The Assembly, and Erasure. Alan Wilder joined the group initially in January 1982 as a live keyboardist but became an official member in December 1982. He left in mid-1995 to fully concentrate on his Recoil project, and the band continued as a trio. In 2010 Wilder re-joined Depeche Mode on stage after 16 years for a performance of Somebody during a show at London's Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Depeche Mode's origins date back to 1977, when Vince Clarke and Andrew Fletcher formed a band called No Romance in China, with Clarke on vocals and guitar and Fletcher on bass. In March 1980, Clarke, Gore, and Fletcher formed a band called Composition of Sound, with Clarke on vocals/guitar, Gore on keyboards, and Fletcher on bass. Soon after the formation of Composition of Sound, Clarke, and Fletcher switched to synthesizers. Dave Gahan joined the band in 1980 after Clarke heard him perform at a local scout hut jam session, singing to a rendition of David Bowie's "Heroes" and Depeche Mode was born.
While playing a live gig at the Bridge House in Canning Town, Daniel Miller, the founder of Mute Records, approached the band, who proposed a verbal contract. The result was their first single, Dreaming of Me, recorded in December 1980 and released in February 1981, reaching number 57 in the UK charts and followed soon by a real contract with Mute.
To date, Depeche Mode have released:
15 studio albums: Speak & Spell (1981), A Broken Frame (1982), Construction Time Again (1983), Some Great Reward (1984), Black Celebration (1986), Music For the Masses (1987), Violator (1990), Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993), Ultra (1997), Exciter (2001), Playing the Angel (2005), Sounds of the Universe (2009), Delta Machine (2013), Spirit (2017), and Memento Mori (2023);
8 compilations: People Are People (1984), The Singles 81-85 (1985), Catching Up with Depeche Mode (1985), Greatest Hits (1987), The Singles 86>98 (1998), Remixes 81-04 (2004), The Best Of Depeche Mode Volume 1 (2006), The Complete Depeche Mode (2006);
5 live albums: 101 (1989), Songs of Faith and Devotion Live (1993), Recording the Angel (a series of live recordings; 2006), Tour Of The Universe: Barcelona 20/21:11:09 (2009) and Live In Berlin (Soundtrack) (2014) ;
Over 50 singles: including Just Can't Get Enough, Everything Counts, People Are People, Master and Servant, Shake the Disease, Stripped, A Question of Time, Strangelove, Never Let Me Down Again, Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, World in My Eyes, Policy of Truth, I Feel You, Walking in My Shoes, In Your Room, Barrel of a Gun, It's No Good, Home, Dream On, Freelove, Precious, Wrong and Heaven ;
14 live / video collections (VHS/DVD/Blu-ray): The World We Live In and Live in Hamburg (1985), Some Great Videos (1985), Strange (1988), 101 (1989), Strange Too (1990), Devotional (1993), The Videos 86>98 (1998), One Night in Paris (2002), The Videos 86>98 (2002), Touring the Angel: Live in Milan (2006), The Best of - Volume 1 (2006), Tour of the Universe : Barcelona 20/21.11.09 (2009), Live in Berlin (2014) and Video Singles Collection (2016)
Pleasure
Depeche Mode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Finding the whole thing hard to swallow
Everybody's looking for a reason to live
If you're looking for a reason, I've a reason to give
Pleasure, little treasure
Everybody's looking for a new sensation
Everybody's talking about the state of the nation
Everybody's failing to understand
Pleasure, little treasure
Everybody's looking for a reason to live
If you're looking for a reason, I've a reason to give
Pleasure, little treasure
Maternity frocks and paternity suits
If that's what you want, they're waiting for you
Everybody needs some reason or other
You'll find a reason when you discover
Pleasure, little treasure
Everybody's looking for a reason to live
If you're looking for a reason, I've a reason to give
Pleasure, little treasure
Pleasure, little treasure
Pleasure, little treasure
Pleasure, little treasure
Pleasure, little treasure
Pleasure, little treasure
The lyrics to Depeche Mode's song "Pleasure Little Treasure" are about the constant search for happiness and purpose in life. The opening line "Everybody's looking for someone to follow" suggests that people often look to others for guidance and inspiration. However, the following lines "Finding the whole thing hard to swallow" indicate that people are struggling to believe in what they are told to follow. The second verse continues this theme, with lines like "Everybody's searching for a promised land/Everybody's failing to understand". These lines speak to the human desire for a better life, but the difficulty in finding it.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Pleasure, little treasure" over and over again. This can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, it could be seen as a sarcastic comment on the idea that material possessions bring pleasure and fulfillment. On the other hand, it could be a more straightforward message that pleasure (in its many forms) is a small treasure that people should seek out in life. The final verse of the song suggests that people should follow their own paths in life ("Everybody needs some reason or other/You'll find a reason when you discover") and not rely on others to provide them with meaning.
Overall, "Pleasure Little Treasure" is a commentary on what it means to be human and the constant search for happiness and purpose. It encourages listeners to seek out their own pleasures and forge their own path in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's looking for someone to follow
People often seek guidance and leadership from others.
Finding the whole thing hard to swallow
Many individuals have a hard time accepting or believing certain aspects of life.
Everybody's looking for a reason to live
Most people desire a purpose or motivation for their existence.
If you're looking for a reason, I've a reason to give
The singer implies they have found meaning in their life and can help others find theirs.
Pleasure, little treasure
Having enjoyable experiences or possessions can bring happiness and fulfillment.
Everybody's looking for a new sensation
Individuals crave exciting and novel experiences.
Everybody's talking about the state of the nation
People discuss and analyze the current social, political, and economic condition of their country.
Everybody's searching for a promised land
People are in search of a perfect or ideal place or situation.
Everybody's failing to understand
Many people struggle to comprehend or grasp certain aspects of their lives or the world around them.
Maternity frocks and paternity suits
Clothing items for mothers-to-be and fathers-to-be.
If that's what you want, they're waiting for you
If these are the desires or goals you have, they are readily available for you to pursue.
Everybody needs some reason or other
All individuals require a motive or explanation for their actions or beliefs.
You'll find a reason when you discover
The singer suggests that individuals can find a purpose or explanation for their thoughts and behaviors if they continue to search and make discoveries about themselves and the world.
Pleasure, little treasure
Repeated chorus, emphasizing the concept of finding contentment and joy through pleasurable experiences or possessions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind