| The Great Commandment | |
| Cover: | Camouflage – The Great Commandment.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Camouflage |
| Album: | Voices & Images |
| B-Side: | Pompeji |
| Released: | September 1987 |
| Genre: | Synth-pop |
| Length: |
|
| Label: | Metronome |
| Next Title: | Strangers' Thoughts |
| Next Year: | 1988 |
"The Great Commandment" is a song by German synth-pop trio Camouflage. Originally recorded in 1983, the song was re-recorded in 1987 and released as their debut single in 1987. It was included on their 1988 debut album, Voices & Images.
The single gave Camouflage their only number one dance hit. "The Great Commandment" stayed at the top spot for three non-consecutive weeks.[1] The single became popular on independent stations and crossed over to the mainstream American pop charts, peaking at number 59 in February 1989.[2] In their native Germany, "The Great Commandment" went to number 14, and reached the top ten in more than twenty countries.
The music video depicts the band members amongst a crowd of children in a factory, who appear to be protesting against a spokesperson of some kind. One of the children discovers a control panel underneath the stage, and proves that the spokesperson is in fact a robot controlled by the mechanism. This causes the spokesperson to malfunction and fall over, after which the band and children leave.
| Peak position | ||
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[3] | 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 59 | |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| The Great Commandment 2.0 | |
| Cover: | Camouflage - The Great Commandment 2.0.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Camouflage |
| Released: | 9 April 2001 |
| Recorded: | 2001 |
| Genre: | Synth-pop |
| Length: | 3:55 (radio edit) |
| Label: | Polydor |
| Prev Title: | Thief |
| Prev Year: | 1999 |
| Next Title: | Me and You |
| Next Year: | 2003 |
In 2001, Camouflage re-recorded their debut single "The Great Commandment" and released it that year as a comeback attempt at their label's suggestion. Vocals were also re-recorded. The single was produced by London trio "Toy" and drums were provided by Christian Eigner, former tourmate of Depeche Mode. It reached number 85 on the charts.