Depeche Mode 'Strangelove' 1987

MUTE RECORDS INFORMATION

DEPECHE MODE NEW RELEASE "STRANGELOVE"

DEPECHE MODE - The Prodigals return with a new witgle - "STRANGELOVE" after an eight month absence.

Having completed lengthy world tour last August, Depeche Mode took an eight month sabbatical during which time they have been writing material for a new single and album.

Deciding to approach recording from a new angle Depeche Mode entered a different studio (Studio Guillaume Tell) in Paris and worked with engineer/producer Dave Bascombe in February 1987. Completing work on the single and a number of album tracks at the end of March, the band have now returned to the UK to oversee the release of the single.

Entitled "STRANGELOVE" b/w "PIMPF" (BONG13 and 12BONG13), the single is released on Mute Records this Monday, 27th April and is available an both 7" and 12". The 12" includes two mixes of "STRANGELOVE" namely the "maxi-mix" and the "midi-mix" and a reworking of the 7" B side - "FPMIP". As usual the single is packaged in a typically luxurious picture sleeve.

A video has been filmed to accompany "STRANGELOVE" directed by Anton Corbijn (his second for Depeche Mode) in his custom black and white, filmed in location in Paris.

Depeche Mode will be returning to the audio in the near future (once again a different one) to complete work on their sixth album and expect an Autumn release. Long term plans include a further worldwide bour - details of which to follow.

Depeche Mode "Strangelove"

Single Released on 13 April 1987 in the UK

The original version of "Strangelove" is a fast-paced pop track. Though successful, this did not seem to fit with "Music For The Masses" darker style, so Daniel Miller made a slower version that became the album version.

There are two B-sides for "Strangelove", both instrumental. "Pimpf" is a dark instrumental that is mostly piano, named after a magazine of the Hitler Youth organizations. "Pimpf" later shows up as the final track on "Music For The Masses". There is also a remix available on some "Strangelove" single releases called "Fpmip" ("Pimpf" backwards).

The second instrumental is "Agent Orange", named after the herbicide used in the Vietnam War. At the end of the song, you can hear some Morse code. Rumoured to mean "If anybody can hear this, please help me", it is actually just gibberish (LAXI ".-.. .- -..- ..", several times repeated). "Agent Orange" later shows up as the first bonus track on the CD/Cassette version of "Music For The Masses".

7" single (BONG13) UK

A

"Strangelove" (Single Version) 03:45

B

"Pimpf" (Single Version) 04:33

● MATRIX: RUNOUT

Other B:   Made in England

Runout A:   7 BONG-13-A1. MT 6 EXCHANGE DAMONT L MUSIC FOR THE MASSES - VOLUME - 1

Runout B:   7 BONG-13-B. 4 MT. JONZ DAMONT WE DO ANY STYLE S

Vinyl record format:   45 RPM/STEREO

12" single (12BONG13) UK

A

"Strangelove" (Maxi Mix) 06:32

B

"Strangelove" (Midi Mix) 01:38

"Fpmip" (Single Version) 05:21

● MATRIX: RUNOUT

Other B:   Made in England

Runout A:   12•BONG-13 A1 PAG P 2 MUSIC FOR THE MASSES VOLUME 1

Runout B:   12-BONG-13B1 WE DO ANY STYLE PAG JONZ P 2

Vinyl record format:   45 RPM/STEREO

Semi-glossy cover. Generic die-cut inner sleeve with rounded corners.

L12" single (L12BONG13) UK

A

"Strangelove" (Blind Mix) 06:31

"Pimpf" (Single Version) 04:33

B

"Strangelove" (Pain Mix) 07:19

"Agent Orange" (Single Version) 05:05

● MATRIX: RUNOUT

Other:   Made in England

Runout Side A:   PAG L-12BONG-13 A1 Exchange C

Runout Side B:   PAG L-12BONG-13 B1

Vinyl record format:   45 RPM/STEREO

CD single (CDBONG13) UK Release 1987

①   "Strangelove" (Maxi Mix) 06:31

②   "Pimpf" (Single Version) 04:33

③   "Strangelove" (Midi Mix) 01:40

④   "Agent Orange" (Single Version) 05:01

⑤   "Strangelove" (Single Version) 03:44

● MATRIX: RUNOUT

Other:   Made in England

Runout:   CD BONG 13 : MASTERED BY NIMBUS

Made in England. The first Depeche Mode single issued on the CD format. Original issues are in a cardboard sleeve. Track 5 is not the LP mix as stated on the sleeve. Comes with black text on CD.

Limited Edition Cassette Single (DanceBONG13) UK

SIDE 1

"Strangelove" (Blind Mix) 06:31

SIDE 2

"Strangelove" (The Fresh Ground Mix) 08:07

Cassette: Made in England. Numbered on sleeve and cassette.

12" Single (DanceBONG13) 1987 UK

A

"Strangelove" (Blind Mix) 06:31

B

"Strangelove" (The Fresh Ground Mix) 08:07

● MATRIX: RUNOUT

Runout Side A:   DANCE BONG-13·A-1 EXCHANGE DAMONT MT. 1 D

Runout Side B:   DANCE BONG-13·B-¹ EXCHANGE JONZ DAMONT MT. 1 D

The Fresh Ground Mix is exclusive to this release. The mix contains a sample from Cameo - Word Up! that was not cleared. Phil Harding confirmed many times it was NOT one of his mixes : Latest confirmation on August 09th 2021 : ""This sounds like my Pain Mix sample vocal 'Piano' parts and someone has remixed the whole track again and added the extra 'Cameo' samples on top of it - definitely not me!!"

Strangelove

Release 13 April 1987

Written by Martin L. Gore

Produced by Dave Bascombe, Depeche Mode

Video directed by Anton Corbijn

Note: Video shot on super 8 and monochrome in Paris.

PRODUCTION DETAILS TRACKS

"Strangelove" (Single Version) 03:45  •  Produced by Depeche Mode and Dave Bascombe at Studio Guillaume Tell, Paris. Engineered by Dave Bascombe.

"Pimpf" (Single Version) 04:33  •  Produced by Depeche Mode and David Bascombe. Engineered by David Bascombe.

"Strangelove" (Maxi Mix) 06:32  •  Produced by Depeche Mode and David Bascombe. Engineered by David Bascombe.

"Strangelove" (Midi Mix) 01:38  •  Produced by Depeche Mode and David Bascombe. Engineered by David Bascombe.

"Fpmip" (Single Version) 05:21  •  Produced by Depeche Mode and David Bascombe. Engineered by David Bascombe.

"Strangelove" (Blind Mix) 06:31  •  Remixed by Daniel Miller and Rico Conning at Guerilla Studios.

"Strangelove" (Pain Mix) 07:19  •  Remix by Mix Master Phil Harding at P.W.L.

"Agent Orange" (Single Version) 05:05  •  Produced by Depeche Mode and David Bascombe. Additional production and help from Daniel Miller. Engineered by David Bascombe.

"Strangelove" (The Fresh Ground Mix) 08:07  •  Remix by Mr. Mix Master Phil Harding.

THE 18th SINGLE

discussion single

1987