After watching the Hall Of Fame ceremonies last week, it's left me wondering whose next? There are some obvious choices, which I listed a few days ago...but there are others who are less easy to tell. To me, Depeche Mode is a no-brainer. But whenever I bring them up in conversation, my friends give me smirks and pats on the head, like when you congratulate your kid for trying really hard. Is DM really an outrageous thought to make the Hall of Fame? Today's release is their 12th album. They've been selling out stadiums now for over 28 years. Countless big time artists cite them as a major influence. And not just bands who play $2 beer night at the local pub. I'm talking about the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Linkin Park, and The Killers.
As with most big time bands...hall of famers...I can't break down their entire career into one best of list. Great bands re-invent themselves decade-to-decade. As with Depeche Mode...their career has had many ups and down...I can't even remember how many times I've read they're breaking up and then re-uniting. But I think that's what the greats do. And if over the neext three days...with the countless amount of incredible songs...that doesn't convince you that this band should be invited to Cleveland...well then...you don't deserve to listen to music anymore.
Here are the 11 Best Depeche Mode Songs of the 80s:
1. But Not Tonight (Black Celebration)
2. Never Let Me Down (Music For The Masses)
3. Photographic (Speak and Spell)
4. Everything Counts (Construction Time Again)
5. Blasphemous Rumors (Some Great Reward)
6. Strangelove (Music For The Masses)
7. Somebody (Some Great Reward)
8. Stripped (Black Celebration)
9. Lie To Me (Some Great Reward)
10. Shake The Disease (Catching Up With DM)
11. Sacred (Music For The Masses)
Buy the new Depeche Mode album, Sounds of the Universe now!! (only $3.99)
dead on with your top 11 EXCEPT i'd drop #11, move #3 to #11, drop #1 to #2, #2 to #3. THEREFOR the new #1 would be....Enjoy the Silence
ReplyDeleteI disagree. What about Dreaming of Me, Just Can't Get Enough, Master and Servant or Get the Balance Right?
ReplyDeleteGreat topic.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine:
1. Strangelove
2. Master and Servant
3. Just Can't Get Enough
4. Dreaming of Me
5. Behind the Wheel
6. New Life
7. Little 15
8. Lie To Me
9. Puppets
10. Tora tora tora!
11. See You
Technically, I could sneak Personal Jesus on there, since it was released as a single in 1989, but I won't. This list gives a chance for Depeche Mode songs not on Violator to shine.
Even though I've only got two of your top 11 in my top 11 (Strangelove and Lie to Me) I like all of the songs in your list, though Sacred is my least favorite. Even though Somebody didn't make my list, it has really grown on me over the years, and keeps climbing up my rankings. It's such a beautiful song. If it weren't for the line about my perverted views! Shake the Disease, Photographic, and Everything Counts are great Depeche Mode songs as well. I'm glad to see you have something from Speak & Spell on there, as I have several on my top 11 list.