Depeche Mode: A band, its music, and the cult

A short essay with song analyses

Term Paper , 2005 , 20 Pages , Grade: 1,5

Communications - Miscellaneous

“Depeche Mode are a modern religion including comfort and salvation, adoration and belief, cloister and resurrection.“ (Quotation of an unknown fan)

For more than twenty years Depeche Mode have been filling their fans with enthusiasm. A band that seems to stay always the same: Never getting enough, always being left out a bit of the music scene, but although steadily playing at first front. The electronic Pop music of the 1980’s and 1990’s was mainly influenced by Depeche Mode. How could three teenage boys in the early 80´s, bringing a quite new sound and style into the Pop music scene, become one of the most successful bands of all times? This paper is going to follow Depeche Mode from their early beginnings to their later stardom, taking a close look at their special kind of music and style.
So, reach out and touch faith! (Quotation from the song “Personal Jesus“, released in 1989)

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Preface
• Biography
  • The 80s
  • The 90s
  • since 2000
• Their music
  • Musical roots of Depeche Mode
  • What's New Wave?
• The Cult
  • What is Cult?
  • And what about the Depeche Mode cult?
• Analysis of ...
  • "Blasphemous Rumours"
  • "Personal Jesus"
  • "Walking in my Shoes"
  • "John the Revelator"

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive look at the band Depeche Mode, tracing their journey from their early beginnings to their later stardom. It delves into the band's unique musical style, explores their influence on electronic pop music, and examines the formation of the Depeche Mode cult following.

• The evolution of Depeche Mode's music and style
• Depeche Mode's impact on the electronic pop music scene
• The development of a cult following around Depeche Mode
• Analysis of specific Depeche Mode songs and their impact on the band's popularity
• The influence of Depeche Mode's music on contemporary music culture

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Preface: The preface provides an introduction to the band Depeche Mode, highlighting their enduring popularity and their impact on the music scene. It outlines the paper's focus on tracing the band's development and their unique musical style.
• Biography: The 80s: This chapter details Depeche Mode's early years, starting with the formation of the band "Composition of Sound" and their first recordings. It describes their encounter with Daniel Miller, their initial success with singles like "New Life," and the departure of Vince Clarke, leading to the arrival of Dave Gahan as lead singer. The chapter concludes with the release of their second album, "A Broken Frame," which solidified their status as rising stars.
• Biography: The 90s: This section highlights Depeche Mode's continued success in the 1990s, with the release of the album "Violator" in 1990. It discusses the album's global success and its influence on the band's popularity worldwide.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Depeche Mode, electronic pop, New Wave, synth-pop, cult following, music analysis, "Blasphemous Rumours," "Personal Jesus," "Walking in my Shoes," "John the Revelator," cultural impact, musical innovation.

• College: University of Siegen
• Course: Poetry and (Rock) Music
• Grade: 1,5
• Author: Tonia Bernhardt (Author)
• Publication Year: 2005
• Pages: 20
• Catalog Number: V64626
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638573870
• ISBN (Book): 9783638767576
• Language: English
• Tags: Depeche, Mode, Poetry, Music