Blasphemous Rumours – Depeche Mode (1984)

Description

Additional information about this Depeche Mode vinyl art.

Depeche Mode – The Artist

Depeche Mode are an English electronic band formed in Basildon, Essex in 1980. The group consists of founders Dave Gahan (lead vocals, co-songwriting), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, chief songwriting), and Andy Fletcher (keyboards, bass guitar). Depeche Mode released their debut album Speak & Spell in 1981, bringing the band onto the British new wave scene. Founding member Vince Clarke left after the release of the album; they recorded A Broken Frame (1982) as a trio. Gore took over the lead songwriting and, later in 1982, Alan Wilder joined to fill Clarke’s spot, establishing a lineup that continued for 13 years.

Blasphemous Rumours – The Song

‘Blasphemous Rumours‘ / “Somebody” is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It is their twelfth UK single and first double A-side single, released in 1984. Both A-side songs are from the album Some Great Reward. “Somebody” is the first single with Martin Gore as lead vocals, one of three to date (the others being “A Question of Lust” and “Home”). The music videos for both songs were directed by Clive Richardson.The verses to “Blasphemous Rumours” describe a 16-year-old girl who attempts suicide but fails. She experiences a religious revival but is killed in a car accident at age 18. The chorus uses these incidents to conclude, “I don’t want to start any blasphemous rumours / but I think that God’s got a sick sense of humour / and when I die, I expect to find him laughing.” Like other songs on Some Great Reward, the song uses a dense sound with extensive sampled percussion. When Depeche Mode announced that they were planning to release “Blasphemous Rumours” as a single, pushback from the religious community resulted, and consequently, the band decided as a compromise to release the single as a double-A side with “Somebody.”

Saved – The Shape

This record is modelled into a silhouette of Jesus. Inspired by the songs lyrics which tell the tale of a girl who fails in a suicide attempt only to die in a car crash a few years later, despite her near death experience turning her to religion.

Need Help?  Contact Us