The History of Depeche Mode

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The History of Depeche Mode Formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, England, Depeche Mode is one of world's biggest and most successful electronic acts. Experimenting with sampling and synthesizers on their pop sound, the group made a name for themselves with singles like "Just Can't Get Enough," "Personal Jesus," and of course, "Enjoy the Silence". In this WatchMojo.com video, we take a look at the history of the English band, Depeche Mode.

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The History of Depeche Mode

Line-Up

Electronic band Depeche Mode formed in Basildon, Essex, England in 1980. Originally a foursome, the group has been a trio since 1995. Its current line-up consists of vocalist Dave Gahan, guitarist Martin Gore and keyboard player Andy Fletcher.

First Top 10

While Depeche Mode was playing gigs around London, they were approached by Mute Records. Soon after, they released a number of singles. These included “Dreaming of Me” and “Just Can’t Get Enough,” and this song was their first top ten U.K. hit.

Debut

The group’s debut, Speak & Spell, came out in 1981. Despite mixed reviews, the synth-pop album hit the top ten on the UK charts. Due in part to the song-writing of original member, Vince Clarke, the effort was much lighter in tone than later Depeche Mode material. Clarke left the band shortly after its release.

Sophomore Effort

After Gore took over song-writing duties, the group released several singles. These included the UK top-ten song, “See You.” After a couple of shows, they came out with album number two, A Broken Frame, in 1982.

Third Album

The official addition of keyboardist Alan Wilder to the band produced a more synthesizer and sample-heavy sound for their next album. Influenced by industrial music, 1983’s Construction Time Again generated the top ten UK hit “Everything Counts,” and this track showcased the record’s socio-political themes.

"People Are People"

In 1984, the group came out with Some Great Reward, and this record concentrated on more personal topics. The album was their first to enter the U.S. charts and contained single “People are People.” That song reached the top-five in several European countries, and broadened Depeche Mode’s success outside of the UK.

Fifth Record

The record, Black Celebration, dropped in 1986. On this album, the band’s industrial pop style was melded with an atmospheric sound, and the lyrics were markedly darker. Singles included the songs, “Stripped” and “A Question of Time.”

Sixth Album & American Success

The next year, Depeche Mode released Music for the Masses. This album experimented even more with synthesizers, and became their highest-charting U.S. release thus far. It generated a few modestly successful singles, such as “Behind the Wheel” and “Strangelove.” A breakthrough American tour followed, and this was chronicled in the 1989 live album and concert documentary, “101.”

"Violator"

However, it was the 1990 record Violator that turned Depeche Mode into worldwide superstars. The best-selling disc became their first to reach the Billboard 200 top-ten. It also spawned some of their biggest hit singles: “Policy of Truth,” “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy the Silence,” which became one of their signature tunes.

Eighth Disc

1993 saw the release of the band’s next album. Songs of Faith and Devotion featured both grunge and gospel influences on their dance and electronic sound. The opus debuted on the top spot of both the UK and U.S. charts and yielded successful tunes like “Walking in My Shoes” and “I Feel You.” The subsequent tour was documented in the Grammy-nominated concert video “Devotional,” which was released later that year.

Another UK Number One

Following Wilder’s departure and Gahan’s stint in drug rehab, Depeche Mode came out with Ultra in 1997. It was another number one in the UK and peaked at the fifth position on the U.S. Billboard chart. Notable singles included “Barrel of a Gun” and “It’s No Good.”

Tenth Record

Three years after releasing the compilation, The Singles 86-98, the album, Exciter came out. The more minimalist-sounding disc received mixed reviews and spawned the single, “Dream On.” It was followed by a tour and the 2002 live DVD, “One Night in Paris.”

Eleventh Effort

The remix compilation, Remixes 81-04 came out two years later. Depeche Mode then released the album, Playing the Angel in 2005. The disc charted within the top ten in the UK and U.S., and had a hit with “Precious.” Playing the Angel was also the first to have Gahan as a co-writer, and his work is seen on such singles as, “Suffer Well.”

Album Number Twelve

The greatest hits collection, The Best of Depeche Mode, Volume 1 came out in 2006. Three years later, their twelfth record was released. Sounds of the Universe received mostly positive reviews and peaked within the top five in the UK and the U.S. The Grammy-nominated effort included the singles, “Peace” and “Wrong.”