New Life
Depeche Mode (Jonathan's CD Collection) Lyrics


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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

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Depeche Mode's song "New Life" paints a bleak picture of a person standing on a shady street as they watch a stranger pass by. The second line of the verse suggests that the singer is not easily known, and that people only think they know them when they turn on the light. The second verse speaks of transitions to another place, where time passes more slowly and the features of a person become more pronounced. The final line of the verse suggests that the person is looking for answers, but finding none.


The chorus of "New Life" speaks of new beginnings and new opportunities. To "operate" and "generate" are both actions that imply creating something new. The song suggests that no matter what has happened in the past, there is always the potential for a new life.


One of the most interesting facts about "New Life" is that it was the first single released by Depeche Mode on their new label, Mute Records. The song was originally recorded in black and white, and the video for the song was shot in a single day. Another interesting fact is that the song has been covered by a number of other artists, including Trent Reznor, who performed it live with Depeche Mode. Other notable covers include those by Computer Club, Exit Strategy, and Luminous.


Line by Line Meaning

I stand still stepping on the shady streets
I remain motionless while standing on a suspicious and dubious area.


And I watched that man to a stranger
I observed a particular individual who is unknown to me.


You think you only know me when you turn on the light
You assume that you fully comprehend me when you brighten up the darkness.


Now the room is lit, red danger
However, now that the space is illuminated, there is a sense of alert or caution.


Complicating, circulating New life, new life Operating, generating New life, new life
This phrase serves as a chorus, highlighting the transformative and progressive theme of finding new beginnings.


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
This verse speaks of change leading to a perception of time deceleration. At the same time, it describes how an individual's characteristics blend and produce darkness, much like a familiar movie.


Your face is hidden and were out of sight And the road just leads to nowhere
Your identity is concealed, and we are nowhere in particular on this course.


The stranger in the door is the same as before So the question answers nowhere
The anonymous individual entering the scene has no resolution to the uncertainty of his identity, leaving the inquiry unresolved.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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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