Favourite Depeche Mode singles (1981-1990)

In chronological order (with brief commentary):

Just Can't Get Enough - Rhino named their New Wave comps after this great song, but it didn't appear on any of 'em
Everything Counts - the B-Side ("Work Hard") was also excellent, as was its extended 12" (In Larger Amounts) single
People Are People - the first song of theirs I remember liking in real time (I misheard the lyrics, though! )
Never Let Me Down Again - if I had to choose only one, this may well be my ultimate pick
Personal Jesus - I actually prefer Johnny Cash's cover of this, but the original is no slouch, despite overplay

 

Never Let Me Down Again
Blasphemous Rumours
Personal Jesus
Policy Of Truth
Enjoy The Silence

I heard their big hits on the radio when they came out but wasn't really a fan. Recently I listened with fresh ears and realize I missed the boat for decades.

 

People Are People
Master and Servant
Personal Jesus
Policy of Truth
Blasphemous Rumours

 

Very difficult.

Enjoy the silence
Never Let Me Down Again
Stripped
Everything Counts
Leave in Silence

 

I went for..

New Life...just a great breakthrough single for them (the original Mute CD master on the '..Singles' album sounds amazing
Just Can't Get Enough...TBH, these days I prefer the 'Schizo Mix' to the original.
Everything Counts (btw, where was the live version that was released as a 45 during this time frame?)
Never Let Me Down Again
Enjoy The Silence...probably their greatest single moment.

 

Man, just about every single they had from "Everything Counts" onwards was insanely good, wasn't it?

 

Man, what a tough vote. Seriously, i grew up listening to these singles on Radio One. Get The Balance Right I remember listening to on an early compilation cassette on my walkman in '84. So the early years upto 83 are great then the later singles are awesome too. Need to have a serious think about this one, great idea for a thread, glad ive seen it.

 

Stripped
Never Let Me Down Again (especially live and doing the arm swaying)
Enjoy The Silence

Amazing band live !

 

Okay, 5 choices is tough but..............

Get the balance right
Everything Counts
Never let me down again
Blasphemous Rumours
Leave in silence

Even that list annoys me as it misses out so many of my favourites.

Impossible choice. But i'll stick with this list.

I think

 

As this wasnt a huge radio hit for the band in the UK i didnt know it until i bought the early singles compilation, where upon i fell head over heels in love with it, great track. Possibly not such a great single choice though.

 

This is really awkward, so many good singles and I’m only allowed to pick 5.

• Just Can’t Get Enough – the first time a consciously learned about them. The live version was a massive hit in my country. With a friend, a drum machine and 2 synth we were quite good in recreating it.
• Everything Counts – critical comments on society never sounded so poppy. Very good flow in the choruses. Both lyrically and melodically. Personally I think this is their best track ever.
• Stripped – massively seductive and yet simple lead synth pad. Very stripped song indeed.
• Policy Of Truth – I don’t think that Violator was their best album, but it did have great singles. I love the build up of layer after layer of synths in this one. Very subtle and complex.
• World In My Eyes – It starts with that awesome bassline, and then the drums kick in. It just gets better and better.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a lot of other DM tracks too, but I just love the above ones better.

 

Ironic as it was voted by listeners of Radio 1 the following year as 'Best Single' for the annual Brits ceremony. I do remember it reaching the Top 10 at the time, too. Maybe it was a late bloomer for mainstream audiences after its initial chart run...

 

This was so hard to choose only five...

 

Number 18 in the UK apparently. Didnt know about the best single award.

 

New Life
People Are People

 

Voted:

• Dreaming of Me: I just love how unpretentious it is. Very simple, nice and warm analogue synths. A bit punk in its approach.
• A Question of Time: the single version is really excellent IMO, and that's the start of Corbijn for their image, which was a giant step up. Still love that clip, in fact I was watching it again just a few minutes ago.
• Behind the Wheel: a wonderful salacious laidback song (on very good purpose).
• Policy of Truth: there's something really magical in the break here. And I can't really describe the genre of this song either. Two really good points for me.
• World in My Eyes: just the beat of the song. That bassline. The 1993 live version is even better. "Let me take you on a trip", indeed.

 

Shake the Disease
Blasphemous Rumours
A Question of Lust
See You
Policy of Truth

I don't know that I've heard some of the later ones (although I have some of the CDs).

Edit: added Policy of Truth after giving it a listen

 

Yes, they really are. All of them. I'd pick them all, except for The Meaning Of Love and It's Called A Heart maybe, and I still really like those two. Tough poll.

 

I love the production on A Question Of Lust. Every element is ridiculously BIG.

 

Announced as Isle Of Wight Festival headliners for 2018

 

I saw a Little 15 CD single on eBay. Which includes the Moonlight Sonata. Is it any good?

 

Wow, missed this the first time around. Went with:

See You (love those barbershop harmonies!)
Leave In Silence (just so moody and rich)
Master and Servant (best noises)
Shake the Disease (fantastic melody)
Enjoy the Silence (their undisputed classic)

 

PM'd you a sample.

 

Wow, this is hard. DM is one of my all time favorite bands. I went with:

Master and Servant
Shake the Disease
Stripped
Never Let Me Down Again
Enjoy the Silence