Depeche Mode.. The Best 80's Band

For more than 20 years I’ve had a love affair with someone other than my husband…the band Depeche Mode.

Depeche Mode is sometimes rock, a lot of new wave, a sprinkling of goth, almost always good dance music and DEFINITELY an 80’s band. They consistently pass the critical car test.. which means that at any time you can find a Depeche Mode song to play in the car and sing to it, no matter what time of day or what mood you’re in.

Don’t get me wrong.. I am not stuck in the 80’s. I like a lot of the more recent music like BuckCherry, Papa Roach, Kid Rock, Linkin Park and The Offspring. But I do still listen to and love a lot of 80s music. I graduated high school in the 80's and witnessed the birth of MTV.

Depeche Mode is 80s, but they’re also 90’s and in the 2000’s.

For those of you who have never heard of the band, they were formed in England back in 1980- originally as a foursome, but they’re now a trio with Martin Gore (chief songwriter, keyboards, guitar and vocals), Dave Gahan (lead vocals) and Andrew Fletcher (keyboards).

Some rock n roll aficionados often make fun of this band because they don’t have a drummer- just a drum machine. Therefore- they’re not a real band in their opinion. My opinion? Who cares.. they sound good which is all that matters. And millions of others agree…

According to Wikopedia, “Depeche Mode are one of the longest-lived, most successful and influential bands to have emerged from the New Romantic and New Wave era.” They are popular in both the U.K. and the U.S., have had several number one albums and 45 songs on top singles charts. Worldwide record sales exceed 100 million copies.

The band is still together, is currently working on their 12th studio release and are planning a 2009 live “Tour of the Universe”. This will be Depeche Mode’s first ever stadium tour in which they’ll perform in 28 cities across 21 countries. The tour will launch on May 10, 2009 in Israel. Their last European tour sold 1.8 million tickets across 87 shows and smashed sales records.

Here are my Top 5 favorite Depeche Mode Songs:

"Just Can’t Get Enough": “When I’m with you baby, I just go out of my head- and I just can’t get enough.. I just can’t get enough”. This song is so happy and upbeat, you can sing and dance to it and it has a very catchy keyboard riff. This was Depeche Mode’s third single, released in the UK in ’81 then the US in ’82, and included on the album Speak and Spell. It is physically impossible to be in a bad mood while this song is playing.

"Strangelove": “There will be times, when my crimes, will seem almost unforgivable. I’ll give in, to sin..” This is the ultimate, dance club hit. Great beat, a little edgier and darker than some of the earlier stuff. It was Depeche’s 18th single, released in ’89 and included on the album Music for The Masses. I also love the song "Behind The Wheel", their 20th single also from Music From the Masses.

Jumping into 1990, "Enjoy the Silence" was their 24th single. “All I ever wanted, All I ever needed, Is here in my arms, Words are very – unnecessary, They can only do harm.” Another great car song, dance song, easy to memorize song. Has a great, somewhat calming feeling to it.

"Home", from the Ultra album released in ’97 is a slow, mysterious, beautiful ballad. You could consider this Depeche Mode’s make-out or slow-dance song. “And I thank you for bringing me here, For showing me home, For singing these tears, Finally I’ve found that I belong here.”

In closing....If you are a huge Depeche Mode fan like me, I salute you! Thanks for helping to support this incredible band. Please share your comments about Depeche below.

If you are new to Depeche Mode, I hope I’ve inspired you to want to listen. You have 11 CDs to choose from!! See The Essential Depeche Mode below.

Copyright © 2008, M. Reynolds, All Rights Reserved