In 2003, Martin released Counterfeit, a solo cover album follow-up to his 1989 Counterfeit EP. Both feature his takes on other people's material, and he has stated publicly before that he considers himself not the most prolific songwriter, and prefers to keep his own material for Depeche Mode albums.
In 2012, he released an instrumental techno album in collaboration wiith former Depeche Mode member, Vince Clarke, under the moniker VCMG. The album was called Ssss.
In 2015, he released an electronic instrumental album called MG, under the moniker MG.
I Cast A Lonesome Shadow
Martin L. Gore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the lamplight shining on me projects my lonely gloom
My counterpart in agony mocks each tear that falls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
He's always by my side at night no matter where I go
He lurks out in the darkness or in the neon's glow
He follows me across the steps and up and down the halls
I sit and watch the candle and the flicker of the flame
My writhing shadow twists and turns as though it is in pain
I'm trying to escape the memory my heart recalls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
The image of a love I lost and all the things I'd planned
Are as empty as the bottle that I hold in my hand
My soul is buried in the depths of love and life's pitfalls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
The lyrics to Martin L. Gore's song, "I Cast A Lonesome Shadow," depict the singer's intense feelings of loneliness and sorrow. The song opens with the singer describing the ritual he performs each evening when the sun goes down- sitting alone in his room. He remarks on the way the lamplight shines on him, projecting his "lonely gloom." The singer also refers to his "counterpart in agony," which we later learn is his shadow. The shadow "mocks each tear that falls," serving as a reminder of the singer's pain.
The presence of the singer's "counterpart in agony" is a constant presence, never leaving no matter where he goes. The shadow follows him in the darkness or neon glow, across steps and down halls. The second verse also reveals that the singer watches the candle's flickering flame and the way his shadow twists and turns as though it's in pain. The singer is trying to escape the painful memory his heart recalls, but even in this moment of solitude, his shadow serves as a reminder of the loneliness he feels.
The third verse contains some of the most emotionally charged lyrics of the entire song. The singer says that the image of the love he lost and all the plans they made are now empty- empty as the bottle he holds in his hand. He is buried in the depths of love and life's pitfalls, and there seems to be no escape from his feelings of sorrow and loneliness, which the chorus reinforces once again. The song ends with a repetition of the line, "I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls," driving home the singer's sorrow and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
Every evening when the sun goes down I sit here in my room
I am alone every evening when the sun goes down, sitting in my room.
And the lamplight shining on me projects my lonely gloom
The light from the lamp highlights my sadness, creating an atmosphere of loneliness.
My counterpart in agony mocks each tear that falls
My reflection in the mirror shows my emotional pain and seems to taunt me as I cry.
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
My presence in this room seems to project an aura of loneliness onto the walls around me.
He's always by my side at night no matter where I go
My inner torment and pain follow me wherever I go, even at night.
He lurks out in the darkness or in the neon's glow
My pain is ever-present, whether it's dark or bright, it never leaves me.
He follows me across the steps and up and down the halls
My pain is like a shadow that follows me everywhere I go, up and down the hallways.
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
No matter where I go, the aching loneliness that I feel seems to follow me and fill the walls around me with sorrow.
I sit and watch the candle and the flicker of the flame
I sit in the dark watching a candle as it flickers and moves.
My writhing shadow twists and turns as though it is in pain
My shadow seems to writhe in pain along with me as I try to escape my memories.
I'm trying to escape the memory my heart recalls
I'm desperately attempting to forget the memories that continue to haunt my heart and soul.
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
Despite my attempts to escape, I still can't shake the feeling of loneliness that permeates everything around me.
The image of a love I lost and all the things I'd planned
I'm plagued by the memories of a love that I've lost and all of the dreams and plans I had for the future.
Are as empty as the bottle that I hold in my hand
My sense of emptiness is as profound as the bottle that I hold in my hand - a substance I've turned to in an attempt to numb my pain.
My soul is buried in the depths of love and life's pitfalls
I feel as though my soul has been consumed by the pain and hardships of life, particularly in regards to love.
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
Despite everything, I still can't escape the all-encompassing feeling of loneliness that is ever-present in my life.
I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
This statement is a summation of everything expressed in this song - that no matter what happens, the singer cannot escape the pervasive sense of loneliness that has taken over everything in their life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Zsinóros N.
Every evening when the sun goes down I sit here in my room
And the lamplight shining on me projects my lonely gloom
My counterpart in agony mocks each tear that falls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
He's always by my side at night no matter where I go
He lurks out in the darkness or in the neon's glow
He follows me across the steps and up and down the halls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
I sit and watch the candle and the flicker of the flame
My writhing shadow twists and turns as though it is in pain
I'm trying to escape the memory my heart recalls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
The image of a love I lost and all the things I'd planned
Are as empty as the bottle that I hold in my hand
My soul is buried in the depths of love and life's pitfalls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
Sgefrascz 81
Martin really gives this Song such a dark tone, kinda ghosty sounds- very well done. Wish the Depeche Mode Songs would gain a bit more depth in melody like this peace of Art. Martin is still a genius. 🥰
stanislav 182000
That's cool cover. Martin's voice is perfect!
Andrea Zsinóros N.
Every evening when the sun goes down I sit here in my room
And the lamplight shining on me projects my lonely gloom
My counterpart in agony mocks each tear that falls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
He's always by my side at night no matter where I go
He lurks out in the darkness or in the neon's glow
He follows me across the steps and up and down the halls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
I sit and watch the candle and the flicker of the flame
My writhing shadow twists and turns as though it is in pain
I'm trying to escape the memory my heart recalls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
The image of a love I lost and all the things I'd planned
Are as empty as the bottle that I hold in my hand
My soul is buried in the depths of love and life's pitfalls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
iesus68
my fav from Counterfeit II, absolutely outstanding. Lovin' the obscurity that he has injected on the song.
stjarna 3
Lost in the stars is nice as well.
Casparus Kruger
The dad of a buddy of mine wrote this song back in the 60's.
Vintage Western Productions
+Casparus Kruger Negative...this song was not written in the 60's it was written in the late 50's and sung by Hank Thompson.
Casparus Kruger
The song was written by Lynn Russwurm and Hank Thompson.
SymbioticDivisions
Correction PsychobillyEntertainment. The song was recorded in December 1961, released July 1962. Check your facts first before trying to shoot someone else's comment down. Casparus Kruger was correct.
Shawn Decker
It’s a wonderful song. Thanks for the info.