"Barrel of a Gun" is a song by English
electronic music band
Depeche Mode, released as the first single from their ninth studio album, Ultra (1997), on 3 February 1997. The song reached number one in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain and Sweden while reaching the top 10 in several other countries, including Finland, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. In North America, the song reached number 47 on the US
Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the
Canadian Singles Chart.
Song meaning
"It's about understanding what you're about and realising that you don't necessarily fit into somebody else's scheme of things," said keyboardist
Martin Gore.[2] Singer
Dave Gahan, who was weakened from his battle with substance abuse at the time, added, "The song sums up the way I was treating myself and everybody around me. That's what life had in store for me every day. It's a really powerful statement. When you're in that kind of row, the last thing on your mind is dying."[3]
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "One of the true pioneering acts of
electro-pop ends a lengthy break from the airwaves with a thoroughly satisfying if often caustic blend of
techno synths and metallic guitars. Singer Dave Gahan has a field day digging into Martin Gore's typically heavy lyrics, comfortably swerving back and forth between hypnotic lethargy to white-knuckled intensity. Producer
Tim Simenon wisely underlines the track with the kind of
hip-hop motion needed to crack the pop market, while carefully weaving the instrumentation so that rockers and clubheads alike can happily jam on this one—and they will."[4]
Dominic Pride from Music & Media noted that Depeche Mode "serve up the sombre, industrial sound for which they've become huge in Europe, but with Simenon adding some open space to the production." He added that Gahan's "distorted vocals bring a touch of
Nine Inch Nails to the party."[5] A reviewer from Music Week rated the song four out of five, commenting, "After four years away, this atmospheric epic hints at an even darker approach from the 'Mode. As the first taster for their new album, this is a certain smash."[6]
Music video
The
music video for the song, shot in
Morocco by
Anton Corbijn, features Gahan with long hair singing with his eyes closed, with eyeballs drawn on his eyelids to make it seem like they are open.[7]
^Barrel of a Gun (European CD single liner notes). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. 74321464902.{{
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^Barrel of a Gun (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. 12BONG25.{{
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^Barrel of a Gun (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Depeche Mode.
Reprise Records. 1997. 0-43828.{{
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^Barrel of a Gun (UK limited 12-inch single sleeve). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. L12BONG25.{{
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^Barrel of a Gun (US CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records. 1997. 2-17409.{{
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^Barrel of a Gun (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records. 1997. 7-17409.{{
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^Barrel of a Gun (Canadian CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1997. CD 43828.{{
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^Barrel of a Gun (Australian CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Liberation Records, Mute Records. 1997. D1560, LCDBONG 25.{{
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^Barrel of a Gun (Japanese CD single liner notes). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. TOCP-50225.{{
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^Ultra (UK CD album booklet). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. CD STUMM 148.{{
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