A Question of Time explained
| A Question of Time |
| Cover: | DepecheModeAQuestionOfTime.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Depeche Mode |
| Album: | Black Celebration |
| B-Side: | "Black Celebration" (live) |
| Released: | [1] |
| Genre: |
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| Length: | 4:13 |
| Label: | Mute |
| Producer: |
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| Prev Title: | A Question of Lust |
| Prev Year: | 1986 |
| Next Title: | But Not Tonight |
| Next Year: | 1986 |
"A Question of Time" is a song by the English electronic music band Depeche Mode, released on 11 August 1986 in the UK as the third and final single from their fifth studio album, Black Celebration, following the similarly titled "A Question of Lust".
The 7-inch remix of "A Question of Time" runs at a slightly faster tempo and pitch than the original Black Celebration album version. A version of the remix with an even faster tempo appears on The Singles 86>98.
There is no new track for a B-side (the first Depeche Mode single, other than the double A-side "Blasphemous Rumours / Somebody" without one), but instead includes a remix of "Black Celebration" and various live tracks. The "New Town" mix directly segues into the live version on the limited 12-inch single.
Music video
The music video for "A Question of Time" is the first Depeche Mode video to be directed by Anton Corbijn, and was the start of a relationship with him and the band which still lasts to this day. It was included on the Strange video, The Videos 86>98, the DVD of The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1 and on Video Singles Collection.
Critical reception
When reviewing the single, Lesley O'Toole of Record Mirror said the song is "not quite as alluring as 'A Question of Lust', but the rabid, sequenced throb is better programmed for radioland".[3]
Other releases
Remixes ofof "A Question of Time" have appeared on various best-of compilations, such as The Singles 86–98 (1998), The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1 (2006) and (2011). Live versions appear on 101 (1989), and releases of Recording the Angel (2006) and Recording the Universe (2010).
Track listings
All tracks written by Martin L. Gore.
7″: Mute / 7Bong12 (UK)
- "A Question of Time" (remix) – 4:04 (remixed by Phil Harding)
- "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05
12″: Mute / 12Bong12 (UK)
- "A Question of Time" (extended remix) – 6:38 (remixed by Phil Harding)
- "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05
- "Something to Do" (live) – 3:50
- "Stripped" (live) – 6:21
12″: Mute / L12Bong12 (UK)
- "A Question of Time" (New Town mix) – 6:59 (remixed by Rico Conning)
- "A Question of Time" (live remix) – 4:10
- "Black Celebration" (Black Tulip mix) – 6:32 (remixed by Rico Conning)
- "More Than a Party" (live) – 5:05
CD: Mute / CDBong12 (UK)
- "A Question of Time" (remix) – 4:04
- "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05
- "Something to Do" (live) – 3:50
- "Stripped" (live) – 6:21
- "More Than a Party" (live) – 5:05
- "A Question of Time" (extended remix) – 6:38
- "Black Celebration" (Black Tulip mix) – 6:32
- "A Question of Time" (New Town mix/live remix) – 11:08
The CD single was released in 1991 as part of the singles box set compilations.
CD: Intercord / Mute INT 826.850 (West Germany)
- "A Question of Time" (extended remix) – 6:38
- "Stripped" (live) – 6:22
- "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05
- "Something to Do" (live) – 3:50
- "A Question of Time" (remix) – 4:04
12″: Sire / 0-20530 (US, 1989)
- "A Question of Time" (extended remix) – 6:38
- "Something to Do" (live) – 3:50
- "A Question of Lust" (Minimal) – 6:49
- "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05
- "A Question of Lust" (Minimal) is falsely titled "A Question of Lust" (extended version).
- Double A-side with "A Question of Lust".
Note:
- All live tracks were recorded at the NEC Arena, Birmingham, on 10 April 1986.
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Notable cover versions
- Dutch electronic band Clan of Xymox recorded the song on their cover theme album Kindred Spirits (2012).[11]
- International cover band Exit Eden covered the song[12] on their debut album Rhapsodies in Black (2017).[13]
External links
Notes and References
- 9 August 1986. New Singles. Music Week. 8. 26 August 2024.
- Web site: DiGravina . Tim . Depeche Mode – A Question of Time . . 27 August 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120802054308/http://www.allmusic.com/song/a-question-of-time-mt0027112516 . 2 August 2012.
- O'Toole . Lesley . Singles reviewed by Lesley O'Toole . . 16 August 1986 . 8 . London . Spotlight Publications Ltd.. World Radio History . 0144-5804 . 6 November 2023.
- European Hot 100 Singles . . 3 . 36 . 13 September 1986 . 12 . 29800226 . World Radio History.
- Book: Pennanen, Timo . Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 . fi . 1st . Helsinki . . 2006 . 978-951-1-21053-5.
- Web site: Depeche Mode – A Question of Time – Remix . nl . . 20 December 2020.
- Web site: SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts D . The South African Rock Encyclopedia . 20 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180503073902/http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(D).html . 3 May 2018.
- Book: Salaverrie, Fernando . September 2005 . Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 . es . 1st . Madrid . . 84-8048-639-2.
- Top Indie Singles . . 30 August 1986 . 9 . 0265-1548 . World Radio History.
- Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1986 . de . Offizielle Deutsche Charts . 20 December 2020.
- Web site: Strangeways Radio . Clan of Xymox to release Kindred Spirits ft covers of New Order, The Cure, Depeche Mode + more . 3 September 2012 . 22 January 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121219182034/http://www.strangewaysradio.com/blog/2012/09/03/xymox-kindred-spirits/ . 19 December 2012 .
- Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Web site: EXIT EDEN – A Question Of Time (Depeche Mode Cover) Napalm Records . YouTube.
- Web site: Barlow . Dave . Album Review: Exit Eden- Rhapsodies In Black . Hardbeat - By the fans, for the fans . 24 May 2021 . 2017-08-04.
