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)
Should Be Higher
Depeche Mode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I dare to believe you're the answer
When the shame and the guilt are removed
And the truth appears
With the touch of your hand
I'll lose who I am
If I want to
I tried to resist but succumb to the bliss
Of your kiss
You should be higher
I'll take you higher
Oh don't be afraid
You'll just have to pray
Your lies are more attractive than the truth
Love is all I want
Your lies are written down there in your book
Love is all I want
Your arms are infected
They're holding the truth
Oh, stop all your crying
This one you'll lose
You should be higher
I'll take you higher
Don't be afraid
You'll just have to pray
Your lies are more attractive than the truth
Love is all I want
Your lies are written down there in your book
Love is all I want
You should be higher
You should be higher
Love, love
Love, love
The lyrics of Depeche Mode's song "Should Be Higher" are filled with a sense of longing and desire for a deeper connection. The first two lines express the singer's dream of a day when they can believe that their lover is the answer to their deepest desires. They long for a day when the shame and guilt are removed, and the truth is revealed. This could mean that they are hiding something from their lover or that they are struggling to be honest with themselves.
The lyrics also express the idea that the touch of their lover's hand has the power to make them lose their sense of self. They try to resist the temptation but ultimately succumb to the bliss of their lover's kiss. This could be interpreted as an addiction or a deep sense of longing that they cannot ignore.
The chorus is the most straightforward part of the song, where the singer tells their lover that they should be higher, and they will take them there. They ask their lover not to be afraid and to pray for what they want. The lyrics suggest that their lover's lies are more attractive than the truth, but all they want is love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Should Be Higher" express a sense of deep longing and desire for love, but also a struggle to be honest with oneself and one's lover.
Line by Line Meaning
I dream of a day
I hope for a future day
When I dare to believe
When I have the courage to believe
You're the answer
You are the solution to my problems
When the shame
When I feel embarrassed
And the guilt are removed
And my feelings of remorse are gone
And the truth appears
The reality becomes apparent
Of the touch of your hand
When I feel your hand on mine
I lose who I am
I become so overwhelmed I forget who I am
If I want to
If I allow myself to
I try to resist but
I attempt to resist but
Succumb to the bliss
I give in to the pleasure
Of your kiss
Of your embrace
You should be higher
You deserve more
I'll take you higher
I'll help you achieve more
Well don't be afraid
Don't be scared
You'll just have to pray
You have to hope for the best
Your lies are more attractive
Your dishonesty is more appealing
Than the truth
Than being honest
Love is all I want
All I desire is love
Your lies are written down now
Your deceit is documented
In your book
In your record
Your arms are infected
There is something wrong with your embrace
They're holding the truth
They have the truth
Oh stop all your crying
Quit being so upset
This one you'll lose
This time you won't win
You should be higher
You deserve more
So don't be afraid
Don't be scared
You'll just have to pray
You have to hope for the best
Love, love
Love, love
Love, love
Love, love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Gahan, Kurt Uenala
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MICEVVV
Depeche Mode is the drugs we all need, with no side effects.
@garfield5130
Uauu. :D
@DJJezzebella
Then your prescription shall read,
"Take two in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening" and call me in the morning! Says Dr DM.
@jaceknaglo2266
👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️
@annicksoetens7194
You just get addicted 😂
@ileanaghilus1704
Indeed
@luismode-
Dave’s vocals here were insane, really insane. One of their best songs if not the best post alan wilder era, a truly masterpiece. Only god knows how much I love this band, they are a real inspiration for me.
@lauracoccia8623
Dave is incredible dancing around, swishing and sashaying and teasing...def a front man with his stage presence. Always an fantastic band through the years
@EmpressDiino
Imagine the bands view 😮🤩
@petemander1777
Rest in Power Andrew,, Depeche mode Never dies