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Depeche Mode: Songs of Faith and Devotion Originally released in 1993, Depeche Modes Songs of Faith and Devotion was unveiled to a stunned U. S. and U. K. audience. The band had undergone a transformation of truly gothic proportions.
Gone were the short crew cuts, the sole use of synthesizers, and the Gap image. In its place were long and flowing Jesus-like hair, distorted guitars and full drum sections, and a look that some described as the heroine junky mode. Much to the surprise of die-hard fans, the album was a commercial success, spawning a full length live album, 5 top twenty Billboard hits, and a relentless 18 month tour which ended abruptly when keyboardist Alan Wilder quit the band after 16 years. The content of Songs of Faith and Devotion came out of an era of confusion and redemption for the band, and namely from lead singer Dave Gahans fight with heroine and cocaine addiction. After spending 3 years in seclusion after the release of Violate in 1989, the band reunited in early 1992 to begin recording a new album. The tone of the album would be so overtly religious that some fans were initially turned off by the constant references to God, holiness, redemption, suffering, and the like.
The most glaring example of Depeche Modes new-found religion is the song Walking in My Shoes. The song was written by Martin Gore in response to the public outrage regarding Dave Gahans new bad boy image, with his constant public misbehavior, his new adoration for religious tattoos, and his striking new resemblance to Jesus. The lyrics tell a tale of a man whos life has been turned upside down by trials and tribulations. Like Job before him, many of the problems that Dave Gahan had encountered were beyond his control. The creative tension between Martin Gore and Alan Wilder, the constant touring and public appearances, the death of his mother and father, and a long legal battle with Sire records had taken their toll on Daves psyche.
Martin Gore was always the first to confront Dave, but in this case it was through music that he would best serve the purpose of bringing Dave back from the brink of despair. The first verse of the song introduces us to the characters point of view, with an emphasis on things that are done to him, rather than what he has done to himself I would tell you about the things they put me through The pain Ive been subjected to But the Lord himself would blush The countless feasts laid at my feet Forbidden fruits for me to eat But I think your pulse would start to rush The first three lines give the impression that his suffering is not because of God, but in spite of it. The second line has a connection with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Adam indeed had a feast laid at his feet, and the final line seems to imply that the character has more to tell us, but is afraid that we would not be able to understand, or possibly to believe, what he has to offer us.
The second verse gives the impression that the character has been made a scapegoat, and is being made an example of Morality would frown upon Decency look down upon This scapegoat fates made of me But I promise now, my judge and jurors My intentions couldnt have been purer My case is easy to see. The first three lines talk of morality and decency, and this is important not only to identify the character as a good person, but also as one who is suffering through no fault of his own. The last three lines talk of intentions, which seems to relate quite literally to the relationship between Job and God. In the Bible, Job suffered so that God might make a point to Satan, and therefore his intentions could be seen as good. While it should be noted that at no time does this character ever profess any type of religious preference, the choice of words leads one to believe that his experiences are of a holy nature. The constant religious references throughout the album give it a very dark and somber mood, but also leaves the work open to interpretation.
Some would say that the album is that of doom and gloom, others would say it is probably one of the most uplifting pieces of music ever written. As with the bible, or any religious work, the frame of mind of the reader is key to the interpretation of its message. Bibliography Depeche Mode, Songs of Faith and Devotion The Bible, King James Version
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