Depeche Mode

Another of my favorite quotable bands. The broad majority of their songs is just about made for slash. David Gahan's rich, buttery voice insinuates itself, while the backgrounds get ever more layered as the band matures. Their last four albums have each been completely distinct from one another, each one a step in a different direction.

"Never Let Me Down Again" is one of my favorite quotables--showing up in a lot of stories--and Ultra is an M/K album except for a few songs. "Weaknesses V: Their Only Choices" was inspired by listening to "Freestate," which is one of the warmest songs I've ever heard.

Essential albums: Ultra, Violator, Black Celebration

Lyrics Sampler ("..." on a line alone shows places where I snipped out lyrics):

"Strangelove"

There'll be times
When my crimes
Will seem almost unforgivable
I give in to sin
Because you have to make this life livable
But when you think I've had enough
From your sea of love
I'll take more than another riverfull
And I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile

Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
Will you take the pain
I will give it to you
Again and again
And will you return it

There'll be days
When I'll stray
I may appear to be
Constantly out of reach
I give in to sin
Because I like to practice what I preach
I'm not trying to say
I'll have it all my way
I'm always willing to learn
When you've got something to teach
And I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile

Pain, will you return it
I'll say it again -- pain
Pain, will you return it
I won't say it again

Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me

I give in
Again and again
I give in
Will you give it to me
I give in
I'll say it again
I give in

I give in
Again and again
I give in
That's how my love goes
I give in
I'll say it again
I give in
______________________________________________________
"Nothing"

Sitting target
Sitting waiting
Anticipating
Nothing
Nothing

Life
Is full of surprises
It advertises
Nothing
Nothing

What am I trying to do
What am I trying to say
I'm not trying to tell you anything
You didn't know
When you woke up today

Sitting target
Sitting praying
God is saying
Nothing
Nothing

Always
Knows the prospects
Learnt to expect
Nothing
Nothing
______________________________________________________
"Never Let Me Down Again"

I'm taking a ride with my best friend
I hope he never lets me down again
He knows where he's taking me
Taking me where I want to be
I'm taking a ride with my best friend

We're flying high
We're watching the world pass us by
Never want to come down
Never want to put our feet back down on the ground

I'm taking a ride with my best friend
I hope he never lets me down again
Promises me I'm as safe as houses
Along as I remember who's wearing the trousers
I hope he never lets me down again

Never let me down

See the stars, they're shining bright
Everything's alright tonight
______________________________________________________
"To Have And To Hold"

I need to be cleansed
It's time to make amends
For all of the fun
The damage is done
And I feel diseased
I'm down on my knees
And I need forgiveness
Someone to bear witness
To the goodness within
Beneath the sin
Although I may flirt
With all kinds of dirt
To the point of disease
Now I want release
From all this decay
Take it away
And somewhere
There's someone who cares
With a heart of gold
To have and to hold
______________________________________________________
"Behind The Wheel"

My little girl
Drive anywhere
Do what you want
I don't care
Tonight I'm in the hands of fate
I hand myself
Over on a plate
Now

Oh little girl
There are times when I feel
I rather not be
The one behind the wheel
Come
Pull my strings
Watch me move
I do anything
Please

Sweet little girl
I prefer
You behind the wheel
And me the passenger
Drive
I'm yours to keep
Do what you want
I'm going cheap
Tonight

You're behind the wheel, tonight
______________________________________________________
"Little 15"

Little 15
You help her forget
The world outside
You're not part of it yet
And if you could drive
You could drive her away
To a happier place
To a happier day
That exists in your mind
And in your smile
She could escape there
Just for a while
Little 15

Little 15
Why take the smooth with the rough
When things run smooth
It's already more than enough
She knows your mind
Is not yet in league
With the rest of the world
And its little intrigues
Do you understand
Do you know what she means
As time goes by
And when you've seen what she's seen
You will
Little 15

Little 15
Why does she have to defend
Her feelings inside
Why pretend
She's not had a life
A life of near misses
Now all that she wants
Is 3 little wishes
She wants to see with your eyes
She wants to smile with your smile
She wants a nice surprise
Every once in a while
Little 15
______________________________________________________
"Useless"

Well it's about time
It's beginning to hurt
Time you made up your mind
Just what is it all worth

All my useless advice
All my hanging around
All your cutting down to size
All my bringing you down

Watch the clock on the wall
Feel the slowing of time
Hear a voice in the hall
Echoing in my mind

All your stupid ideals
You've got your head in the clouds
You should see how it feels
With your feet on the ground

Here I stand the accused
With your fist in my face
Feeling tired and bruised
With the bitterest taste

All my useless advice
All my hanging around
All your cutting down to size
All my bringing you down

All your stupid ideals
You've got your head in the clouds
You should see how it feels
With your feet on the ground
_____________________________________________________
"Freestate"

I can hear your soul crying
Listen to your spirit sighing
I can feel your desperation
Emotional deprivation

Let yourself go
Let yourself go
Let your feeling show

Picking up the conversations
Deep in your imagination
Tune into the lonely voices
Talking of their only choices

Let yourself go
Let yourself go
Let your spirit grow

Stop out of your cage
And onto the stage
It's time to start
Playing your part
Freedom awaits
Open the gates
Open your mind
Freedom's a state

I can taste the tears falling
The bitterness inside you calling
Yearning for a liberation
Emotional emancipation

Let yourself go
Let yourself go
Let your senses overflow

Step out of your cage
And onto the stage
It's time to start
Playing your part
Freedom awaits
Open the gates
Open your mind
Freedom's a state
_____________________________________________________
"Boys Say Go"

You don't understand
This is in demand
And I think that I have to show you

Try to look inside
Take me for a ride
In the day and the night get to know you

Boys meet boys, get together
Boys meet boys, it's forever
Don't say no, boys say go

I could run away
If you never stay
And the rain and pain and the sorrow

I'm not very sure
When you close the door
In the end it's the same as tomorrow

Boys meet boys, get together
Boys meet boys, it's forever
Don't say no, boys say go

You don't understand
This is in demand
And I think that I have to show you

Try to look inside
Take me for a ride
In the day and the night get to know you

Boys meet boys, get together
Boys meet boys, it's forever
Don't say no, boys say go