I realized that I didn’t continue the “My Favorite Mode” series with B-Sides, rarities and my top (insert number here) all-time Depeche Mode song list. I still haven’t decided how long my top song list will be yet. I thought 20 at first, but I may go top 25. We shall see!
In the meantime, I have finally thought about my list of favorite Depeche Mode B-Sides. What I love about my favorite band is that there is no shortage of little song treasures and surprises that come in the form of an additional song on a CD, 45 or 12 inch single. Sometimes I wonder why these B-Sides weren’t on the album or singles, because they are so fantastic (maybe they didn’t fit due to the overall theme and cohesiveness of the album). Whatever the case, it’s always nice that they still put out these extra song tracks. It makes waiting for the next album a little more tolerable.
I really did want to include nearly all their B-Sides, but I kept it down to ones that were absolutely what are the best of the best in my eyes.
(Pictures are in the same order as the list, going from left to right. Click on each for a larger image. All images are courtesy of Depmod.com)
Shout! – I first heard this song in concert without knowing it was not on the “Speak and Spell” album. It was only later that I found out that it was on the B-Side of “New Life”. Would this sound be considered Calypso? So many of their early songs were so good and catchy, and this is one of them.
Now, This is Fun – Definitely an early Martin song, so the lyrics are a little confusing. Either way, it’s just a cute song.
Love in Itself 4/Fools – I cannot get enough of this rendition of “Love in Itself” from “Construction Time Again”, which includes a simple drum machine, acoustic guitar and jazz piano. I call it “The Lounge Version”. I immediately learned this version on piano rather than the original (which reminds me that I need to go back and revisit it). If you ever get a chance to listen to this song, it will make you look at those Mode boys in a different light.
“Fools” is a song by Alan Wilder that was also on the B-Side of the 12 in single. It’s much brighter than “Two Minute Warning” or “The Landscape is Changing”, so I wonder if that’s why those songs made it to “Construction Time Again” and not this one.
In Your Memory – Another Wilder song, the B-Side to People are People. I’m biased, what can I say.
(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me – This B-Side to “Master & Servant” is one of the best Depeche Mode songs out there. It’s danceable, fun and I just can’t help but like how catchy it is.
But Not Tonight – Yes, this is on the US version of “Black Celebration” and yes it was released as a single in the US, but this was originally just a B-Side to “Stripped” and does not appear on the UK version of the album. The extended version gets my vote for a B-Side favorite. This is such a feel good song and sounds great while driving in a car with all of the windows rolled down. A bonus is that it appeared on the soundtrack of that 80’s classic “Modern Girls”. Yes, I’m being facetious. Only about “Modern Girls”.
Dangerous/Personal Jesus (Acoustic) – The acoustic version sounds like it belongs in a soundtrack to some kind of Western or road movie. “Dangerous” is just a good song.
Happiest Girl/Sea of Sin – Two great songs on the B-Side of “World In My Eyes”. My favorite lines from each song (respectively): “Wanted to feel the joy/Flow between our lips/Wanted to feel the joy/Flow between our hips” and “It gets better and better/As it gets wetter and wetter”. It’s a little cheesy when read out loud sans instrumentation. But with the music, it’s just ingenious.
Surrender – I had the pleasure of seeing this song performed live when I went to the Exciter Tour back on August 14, 2001 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. I remember being the only one in my section beyond excited to hear this song live. I stood up and sang every word. Out. Loud.
This song has some of the best lyrics Martin Gore ever penned. This is a song that is not only a favorite B-Side, but one of my favorite Depeche Mode songs of all time.
Shackled like an animal
Chained to my desires
Just another sacrifice
To love’s eternal fight
Tame me with your tenderness
And break my brittle heart
Easily and elegantly
Tear my world apart
I’m still indulging this need to feed my Depeche Mode hunger, so I hope you again forgive the intermission. My last two installments in the next couple of weeks will be my favorite rarities that I own (this includes hard to find items and 12 inch mixes), as well a list of my all time favorite Depeche Mode songs.
Great list, though “Dangerous” and “Route 66” are great B-sides too.
Hi DJ Edgartronic! Thanks for visitng my blog 🙂
I thought about Route 66, too…but I do have Dangerous on my list. So many good songs, it’s so hard to narrow it down, right?
Wow!!!!! What an absolute brilliant list – so many tracks to choose from you forget some of them and yes, all classics in their own right.
I must agree with DJ Edgartronic re Route 66. That is one song many years ago for me, when I was going through a rough patch and felt down just seemed to snap me out of things and put me back on track. It’s such a vibrant, bouncy song and always give me the ‘feel good factor’
Actually it’s a while since I played it (shame on me) but that will be rectified tonight 🙂
In Your Memory – OMG yes!!!!!!!! Awesome song and I think I actually played that more than People are People!
Love the ‘indulgence’ b.t.w.!!!
Hi Paul! Great to see you again 🙂
I know…I’m not sure why I had a brain glitch on “Route 66”. I think I was trying to get too “deep” in my tracks and overlooked one of the obvious. I also realized afterwards that I forgot “Pleasure, Little Treasure”. I think I’m still hurt over not going to the “101” show that I have been blocking anything from “Music For The Masses”!
Pleasure Little Treasure – yep another great song and a brilliant live track when they decide to add it (although not for a while)
Let’s be honest they are all great aren’t they and I guess being over there yes it must hurt not going to it. I of course would never have gone so whilst it’s a shame I wasn’t there I don’t have the same feelings that you do.
In respect of your Surrender comment, I had a similair thing happen when they played in London O2 wireless festival a few years ago (headline act ofc) and I couldn’t believe it. They played Photographic, me and a mate looked at each other, smiled and went potty. All the ‘kids’ were just standing there, didn’t know the song and 1 girl even said ‘What’s this song?’ hahaha
I was like OMG this is one of the classic Mode songs but I guess being younger she hadn’t checked out their back catalogue.
I have to say that was one of my all time highs at a Mode concert 😉
I love Photographic! The first time I saw that live was at the Some Great Reward tour. It’s funny how those of us who are die hard fans from way back when will react to songs like Photographic and the rest of the venue will start jumping at “Enjoy the Silence”. 🙂