Barrel of a Gun explained

Barrel of a Gun
Cover:DepecheModeBarrelOfAGun.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Depeche Mode
Album:Ultra
B-Side:Painkiller
Studio:
Genre:
Length:
  • 5:35 (album version)
  • 5:29 (single version)
  • 4:00 (radio edit)
Label:Mute
Producer:Tim Simenon
Prev Title:In Your Room
Prev Year:1994
Next Title:It's No Good
Next Year:1997

"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]

Track listings

All songs were written by Martin Gore.

  1. "Barrel of a Gun"
  2. "Painkiller"
  3. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld soft mix)
  4. "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix)

A1. "Barrel of a Gun" – 5:31

A2. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld hard mix) – 9:36

B1. "Barrel of a Gun" (3 Phase mix) – 5:25

B2. "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix (V2)) – 5:29

B3. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld soft mix) – 6:29

A1. "Painkiller" (Plastikman mix)

A2. "Painkiller"

B1. "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix)

B2. "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix)

  1. "Barrel of a Gun" – 5:30
  2. "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix) – 6:34
  3. "Painkiller" (original mix) – 7:28

A. "Barrel of a Gun" – 5:30

B. "Painkiller" (original mix) – 7:28

  1. "Barrel of a Gun" (single version) – 5:29
  2. "Painkiller" (Plastikman mix) – 8:39
  3. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld soft mix) – 6:27
  4. "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix) – 5:25
  5. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld hard mix) – 9:36
  1. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld hard mix)
  2. "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix)
  3. "Painkiller" (Plastikman mix)
  1. "Barrel of a Gun"
  2. "Painkiller"
  3. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld soft mix)
  4. "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix)
  5. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld hard mix)
  6. "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix)
  7. "Painkiller" (Plastikman mix)

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Ultra album booklet.[18]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1997)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[19] 3
Czech Republic (IFPI CR)[20] 1
Denmark (Tracklisten)6
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)[21] 5
Hungary (MAHASZ)[22] 1
Italy (FIMI)[23] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[24] 2
Spain (AFYVE)[25] 1
UK Indie (OCC)[26] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)! scope="col"
Position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)[27] 87
Germany (Official German Charts)[28] 100
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[29] 55
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[30] 80

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
United Kingdom3 February 1997Mute[31]
17 February 1997Limited-edition 12-inch vinyl[32]
Japan18 June 1997CD[33]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Depeche Mode - Barrel of a Gun . . 26 August 2015 . DiGravina, Tim.
  2. Web site: Hits. Trakin. Janet. It's a Mode Mode Mode World. April 28, 1997. May 27, 2019.
  3. Web site: Mute MF042. Harding. Sven. Interview with Depeche Mode, The Videos 86>98, Mute MF033 and Videos 86>98+. May 27, 2019.
  4. Larry . Flick . Reviews & Previews: Singles . . 25 January 1997 . 60 . 4 December 2020 . Larry Flick.
  5. Web site: Pride, Dominic . Reviews: Singles . . 25 January 1997 . 21 . 8 December 2020.
  6. Reviews: Singles. Music Week. 25 January 1997. 28. 8 May 2022.
  7. Web site: Depeche Mode Biography 1997. May 27, 2019.
  8. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. UK CD single liner notes. Mute Records. CDBONG25.
  9. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. European CD single liner notes. Mute Records. 74321464902.
  10. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Mute Records. 12BONG25.
  11. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Reprise Records. 0-43828.
  12. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. UK limited 12-inch single sleeve. Mute Records. L12BONG25.
  13. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. US CD single disc notes. Reprise Records. 2-17409.
  14. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. US 7-inch single vinyl disc. Reprise Records. 7-17409.
  15. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. Canadian CD single disc notes. Reprise Records, Mute Records. CD 43828.
  16. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. Australian CD single disc notes. Liberation Records, Mute Records. D1560, LCDBONG 25.
  17. Barrel of a Gun. Depeche Mode. 1997. Japanese CD single liner notes. Mute Records. TOCP-50225.
  18. Ultra. Ultra (Depeche Mode album). Depeche Mode. 1997. UK CD album booklet. Mute Records. CD STUMM 148.
  19. Depeche Mode Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs). Billboard. 10 November 2019.
  20. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 14. 9. 1 March 1997. 15. 29800226. World Radio History.
  21. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 14. 8. 22 February 1997. 11. 29800226. World Radio History.
  22. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 14. 8. 22 February 1997. 15. 29800226. World Radio History.
  23. Web site: History. FIMI. it. 2 June 2022. Set "Ricerca per" on "Titolo", then search "Barrel of a Gun" and click "Classifiche".
  24. Web site: Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun. nl. Dutch Top 40. 31 May 2022.
  25. Book: Salaverrie, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. es. 1st. Madrid. Fundación Autor/SGAE. September 2005. 84-8048-639-2.
  26. Independent Singles. Music Week. 22 February 1997. 26. 0265-1548. World Radio History.
  27. Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997. Music & Media. 14. 52. 27 December 1997. 7. 29800226. World Radio History.
  28. Web site: Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts – 1997. GfK Entertainment. de. 17 April 2018.
  29. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 1997. Sverigetopplistan. sv. 27 April 2021.
  30. Best of '97: Modern Rock Track. Airplay Monitor. 5. 52. 30. 26 December 1997.
  31. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 31. 1 February 1997. 4 July 2021.
  32. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 31. 15 February 1997.
  33. Web site: リミックス・コレクションVol.1～バレル・オブ・ア・ガン～ デペッシュ・モード. Remix Collection Vol.1 ~Barrel of a Gun~ Depeche Mode. Oricon. ja. 16 November 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Barrel of a Gun".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.