I Feel You – Depeche Mode | Text and Photos by Jude Bautista

Written by

Jude Bautista

A tire screeches several seconds unbearably, turning into an electric guitar with an electronic drumbeat. Then, almost suddenly we hear the cool voice of Dave Gahan: “ I feel you… Your sun it shines… I feel you… Within my mind…

It’s not like any love song you’ve ever heard before, but a song about love as only Depeche Mode can make it. The lyrics can be as romantic as any. The melody more rock, blues and electronica.

The sound, especially the intro represents the jolt of sexual attraction. When you are so enamored physically by someone, she overtakes what you see and think. The sound of that can’t be a slow ballad. The screeching tires commands your attention.

English actress Lysette Anthony

I feel you… Your heart it sings… I feel you… The joy it brings…Where heaven waits

Those golden gates… And back again…You take me to… And lead me through

Oblivion… This is the morning of our love

The ecstasy, the pain, the highs and the lows, it’s all the same, all part of the experience of love. Powerful, overwhelming the senses.

Worldwide Hit

I FEEL YOU was released in 1993 as a single. It reached number one on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks and number three in Hot Dance Club Play Charts and number eight UK Singles chart. The song was one of the most successful for Depeche Mode.

The sound is a return to their use of instruments like the electric guitar by Martin Gore and drums by Allan Wilder.

Allan Wilder

“The band wanted the sound to be looser and less programmed. Tracks such as “I Feel You” included drums performed live by Wilder which were then sampled and sequenced to form drum loops using Cubase, in a different structure to how they were originally performed, keeping all the dynamics and inherent mistakes of a human performance. Embellishments like reversed cymbals were added later at the behest of Wilder, who often suggested such experimentation.” From Wikiwand.

Allan Wilder

Turbulence

The song was a part of Songs of Faith and Devotion album (released March 1993). The album was both a commercial and critical hit. It was the first album for DM to debut on both U.S. and U.K. charts.

The problem was, the turbulence and conflict that resulted during its production. The recording sessions were made in three different cities: Madrid, Hamburg and London. No matter where they went they had to deal with their own personal issues.

Vocalist Dave Gahan’s heroin addiction affected his performance up to their concert tour. Martin Gore was dealing with alcoholism. Andrew Fletcher had his own problems with depression. The combination of all these along with Allan Wilder feeling unrecognized for his efforts as co-producer made him feel left out and unwelcome. Songs Of Faith and Devotion was the last album Wilder was involved with as he left in 1995. Through all the conflict, however, the album was considered their best.

DM has since cleaned up its act and produced six albums thereafter. In some ways building on the success they’ve had. Albums ULTRA, EXCITER etc have been received well by critics.

Recently, longtime collaborator, filmmaker Anton Corbijn has produced a feature film / docu SPIRITS IN THE FOREST. It follows the band’s 2017/ 2018 Global spirit Tour which saw DM play to over 3 million fans at 115 shows around the world. To purchase the BLU ray or DVD set Log on to: https://www.depmode.com/

English actress Lysette Anthony

I FEEL YOU

Official Music Video

The official video was similarly shot and directed by renowned Dutch photographer / director Anton Corbijn. It also featured English actress Lysette Anthony, who was heralded as the ‘Face of the Eighties’ by British photographer David Bailey. Lysette also appeared in Bryan Adams’ SUMMER OF 69, SOMEBODY, HEAVEN AND RUN TO YOU.

English actress Lysette Anthony

She went on to have a prolific TV and film career in Hollywood and the U.K.. Recently, she made public allegations that Harvey Weinstein raped her in the late 1980s, via an interview with The Sunday Times in October of 2017.

I Feel You Official video