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)
Somebody
Depeche Mode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Share my innermost thoughts, know my intimate details
Someone who'll stand by my side and give me support
And in return, she'll get my support
She will listen to me when I want to speak
About the world we live in and life in general
Though my views may be wrong, they may even be perverted
She'll hear me out and won't easily be converted
But at the end of it all, she will understand me
Aah
I want somebody who cares for me passionately
With every thought and with every breath
Someone who'll help me see things in a different light
All the things I detest I will almost like
I don't want to be tied to anyone's strings
I'm carefully trying to steer clear of those things
But when I'm asleep I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me and kiss me tenderly
Though things like this make me sick
In a case like this, I'll get away with it
Aah
Ouuh
The lyrics of Depeche Mode's "Somebody" depict a longing for intimacy and connection with another person. The singer desires someone who will share their life and thoughts with them, even if those thoughts are controversial or unpopular. They want a partner who will stand by their side and support them, even in moments when they detest things. However, the singer is also adamant that they don't want to be tied down or controlled by their partner. Instead, they want someone who will allow them to be independent but still show them love and affection.
The song speaks to a fundamental human need for connection and understanding. It touches on the desire to find someone who will truly know and accept us for who we are, flaws and all. It also acknowledges the struggle between wanting to be close to someone and the fear of losing our independence or autonomy. Overall, the song captures the push and pull of a complex relationship and illustrates the importance of finding a partner who truly understands us.
Line by Line Meaning
I want somebody to share, share the rest of my life
I desire someone with whom I can spend the rest of my life.
Share my innermost thoughts, know my intimate details
I am seeking someone who I can share my deepest secrets and personal details without fear of being judged.
Someone who'll stand by my side and give me support
I need a companion who will provide me with unwavering support and be there for me during tough times.
And in return, she'll get my support
The person I seek will not only offer me support, but I will reciprocate their kindness and offer my support as well.
She will listen to me when I want to speak
I need someone who will lend an ear and listen to me when I am speaking, instead of being judgmental and uninterested.
About the world we live in and life in general
The person I desire will be willing to discuss the world we live in and life in general, and have meaningful conversations with me about these topics.
Though my views may be wrong, they may even be perverted
I understand that my opinions may not always be right or acceptable to others, and may even be considered bizarre or distorted.
She'll hear me out and won't easily be converted
Despite having a different perspective, the person I want will be patient and able to listen to my thoughts without trying to change my mind easily.
To my way of thinking, in fact, she'll often disagree
The person I seek will have their own unique perspective and view things differently than me, causing disagreements between us.
But at the end of it all, she will understand me
Despite our differences, I hope to find someone who will try to understand me as a person, my values and my way of thinking.
I want somebody who cares for me passionately
I am yearning for someone who will love and care for me with deep passion and emotion.
With every thought and with every breath
The person I desire will think of me constantly and deeply care for me with every breath they take.
Someone who'll help me see things in a different light
I want a person who can offer me a different perspective and broaden my understanding of things.
All the things I detest I will almost like
I believe that with the help of my companion, I may begin to appreciate and like things that I previously disliked or hated.
I don't want to be tied to anyone's strings
I do not want to feel restricted by anyone or anything, especially by any controlling partner.
I'm carefully trying to steer clear of those things
I am cautious and mindful of avoiding any situation where I may feel emotionally repressed or restricted by my partner.
But when I'm asleep I want somebody
Although I try to maintain my independence, when I am vulnerable and asleep, I crave a partner to hold me close and tenderly kiss me.
Who will put their arms around me and kiss me tenderly
The affection and warmth of someone holding me close and kissing me lovingly is something I desire deeply.
Though things like this make me sick
Despite my desire for intimacy, I often feel uncomfortable and sickened by the vulnerability that comes with it.
In a case like this, I'll get away with it
However, when it comes to loving and being loved, I am willing to take a chance and go against my own beliefs if it means satisfying my desire for human connection.
Aah
An expression of emotional yearning and vulnerability.
Ouuh
An expression of romantic longing and emotional connection.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ramona_sic
I want somebody to share
Share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts
Know my intimate details
Someone who'll stand by my side
And give me support
And in return
She'll get my support
She will listen to me
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
She'll hear me out
And won't easily be converted
To my way of thinking
In fact she'll often disagree
But at the end of it all
She will understand me
I want somebody who cares
For me passionately
With every thought
And with every breath
Someone who'll help me see things
In a different light
All the things I detest
I will almost like
I don't want to be tied
To anyone's strings
I'm carefully trying to stay clear
Of those things
And when I'm asleep
I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me
And kiss me tenderly
Though things like this make me sick
In a case like this
I'll get away with it
@MDWIMS
The song for my daughter's wedding last Saturday. As her father, I was allowed to lead her to the altar. She chose this song very deliberately because Depeche Mode is the soundtrack of my life and our family. I've never been so deeply touched. It means so much to me. Of course I cried a lot of tears of joy.
@RoTirado
Simply amazing!
@christelletichauer8539
WOW!!! How amazing! You are so blessed! :)
@MDWIMS
@@christelletichauer8539 absolutly 🙏😇
@geoffreyjonathanwilson5826
That's fantastic 😊
@user-nu9xi4eo7h
🥺👍️💓💓💐
@AmySox
RIP Andy Fletcher. Your contribution to this group and to the world of music will never be forgotten.
@peterschniedelwutz9873
I totally agree
@tinocobp
I always thought Dave would be the first to leave us.. RIP Fletcher
@guzwiz5434
when it happened? i love this guy and question of lust