"Just Can't Get Enough" - 1981
Courtesy Mute Records
"Just Can't Enough" is representatitive of Depeche Mode's early, very melodic new wave pop sound. This was the last song written by founding member Vince Clarke, later of Yaz and Erasure, and is the only video including him. The song was the group's first top 10 single in the UK and a breakthrough dance hit in the US. It was covered in early 2009 by the Saturdays.
"Everything Counts" - 1983
Courtesy Mute Records
"Everything Counts" has been referred to as the first industrial pop hit. Depeche Mode began using clanking, clanging sounds that evoke industry. This style was reportedly influenced by group member Martin Gore attending a Einsturzende Neubauten concert. The subject matter of the lyrics in "Everything Counts" also took a turn away from love songs to commentary on greed and poverty. It was a top 10 pop single in the UK and a top 20 dance hit in the US.
"People Are People" - 1984
Courtesy Mute Records
This was Depeche Mode's breakthrough pop single in the US rising to #13 on the pop singles chart. It utilized the industrial pop approach, but the melody was significantly more mainstream pop than most of the Depeche Mode music of the time. Martin Gore believes it is one of his least favorite Depeche Mode songs due to its lack of subtlety.
"Strangelove" - 1987
Courtesy Mute Records
"Strangelove" was released as a single in a version the band later believed was possibly a bit too poppy and not dark enough for the album Music for the Masses, so they commissioned a darker mix that became known as "Strangelove '88." This became the group's first #1 dance hit in the US. The video was director by Anton Corbijn toward the beginning of his long association with the band.
"Personal Jesus" - 1989
Courtesy Mute Records
"Personal Jesus" was inspired by the Priscilla Presley book Elvis and Me and her descriptions of the relationship between herself and Elvis Presley. The 12" single of "Personal Jesus" became the biggest selling 12" single on Warner Brothers up to that point. It was the first single from the group's biggest hit album Violator.
"Enjoy the Silence" - 1990
Courtesy Mute Records
"Enjoy the Silence" became Depeche Mode's biggest pop single in the US. It reached #6 in the UK and #8 in the US. The video Anton Corbijn directed for the song references components of the children's classic book The Little Prince.
"I Feel You" - 1993
Courtesy Mute Records
"I Feel You" is the first single from Depeche Mode's album Songs of Faith and Devotion. It brought out an intense rock side of the band. The result was a #1 modern rock hit in the US and another top 10 pop hit in the UK. The song has a quite memorable screeching synthesizer introduction.
"Barrel Of a Gun" - 1997
Courtesy Mute Records
"Barrel Of a Gun" was the first single for Depeche Mode after a series of difficult events including Alan Wilder leaving the band and Dave Gahan's near death from complications of heroin addiction. The song hit #4 in the UK. Three singles have reached that peak, but none have gone higher.
"Precious" - 2005
Courtesy Mute Records
Martin Gore revealed that "Precious" was written referencing what he imagined his children's feelings were while he was going through a divorce with their mother. The song was featured on soundtracks for multiple TV shows and hit #4 in the UK.
"Wrong" - 2009
Courtesy Mute Records
"Wrong" is the first single from the album Sounds of the Universe. It is supported by a disturbing video of a car with a bound and gagged passenger rolling out of control through the streets.
