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Barrel of a Gun

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This article is about the Depeche Mode song. For other uses, seeBarrel of a Gun (disambiguation).
"Barrel of a Gun"
SinglebyDepeche Mode
from the albumUltra
B-side"Painkiller"
Released3 February 1997(1997-02-03)
Studio
Genre
Length
  • 5:35(album version)
  • 5:29 (single version)
  • 4:00 (radio edit)
LabelMute
Songwriter(s)Martin L. Gore
Producer(s)Tim Simenon
Depeche Modesingles chronology
"In Your Room"
(1994) 		"Barrel of a Gun"
(1997) 		"It's No Good"
(1997)
Music video
"Barrel of a Gun"onYouTube

"Barrel of a Gun"is a song by Englishelectronic musicbandDepeche 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 USBillboardHot 100and number three on theCanadian Singles Chart.

Song meaning

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"It's about understanding what you're about and realising that you don't necessarily fit into somebody else's scheme of things," said keyboardistMartin Gore.[2]SingerDave 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

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Larry FlickfromBillboardwrote, "One of the true pioneering acts ofelectro-popends a lengthy break from the airwaves with a thoroughly satisfying if often caustic blend oftechnosynths 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. ProducerTim Simenonwisely underlines the track with the kind ofhip-hopmotion 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 fromMusic & Medianoted 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 ofNine Inch Nailsto the party. "[5]A reviewer fromMusic Weekrated 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

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Themusic videofor the song, shot inMoroccobyAnton 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

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All songs were written byMartin Gore.

Credits and personnel

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Credits are taken from theUltraalbum booklet.[18]

Studios

  • Recorded atAbbey Road,Eastcote, Westside, Strongroom,RAK(London, England),Electric Lady(New York City), andLarrabeeWest (Los Angeles)
  • Mastered at The Exchange (London, England)

Personnel

  • Martin Gore – writing (as Martin L. Gore)
  • Dave Clayton – keyboards, keyboard programming
  • Victor Indrizzo– percussion
  • Tim Simenon– production, mi xing
  • Q. – mi xing, engineering
  • Kerry Hopwood – programming
  • Mike Marsh – mastering

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Barrel of a Gun"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Sweden (GLF)[49] Gold 15,000^

^Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Barrel of a Gun"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 3 February 1997
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 Mute [50]
17 February 1997 Limited-edition 12-inch vinyl [51]
Japan 18 June 1997 CD [52]

References

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  1. ^DiGravina, Tim."Depeche Mode - Barrel of a Gun".AllMusic.Retrieved26 August2015.
  2. ^Trakin, Janet (28 April 1997)."It's a Mode Mode Mode World".Hits.Retrieved27 May2019.
  3. ^Harding, Sven."Interview with Depeche Mode, The Videos 86>98, Mute MF033 and Videos 86>98+".Mute MF042.Retrieved27 May2019.
  4. ^Flick, Larry(25 January 1997)."Reviews & Previews: Singles"(PDF).Billboard.p. 60.Retrieved4 December2020.
  5. ^Pride, Dominic (25 January 1997)."Reviews: Singles"(PDF).Music & Media.p. 21.Retrieved8 December2020.
  6. ^"Reviews: Singles"(PDF).Music Week.25 January 1997. p. 28.Retrieved8 May2022.
  7. ^"Depeche Mode Biography 1997".Retrieved27 May2019.
  8. ^Barrel of a Gun(UK CD single liner notes).Depeche Mode.Mute Records.1997. CDBONG25.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^Barrel of a Gun(European CD single liner notes). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. 74321464902.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^Barrel of a Gun(UK 12-inch single sleeve). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. 12BONG25.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^Barrel of a Gun(US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Depeche Mode.Reprise Records.1997. 0-43828.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^Barrel of a Gun(UK limited 12-inch single sleeve). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. L12BONG25.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^Barrel of a Gun(US CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records. 1997. 2-17409.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^Barrel of a Gun(US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records. 1997. 7-17409.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^Barrel of a Gun(Canadian CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1997. CD 43828.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^Barrel of a Gun(Australian CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Liberation Records, Mute Records. 1997. D1560, LCDBONG 25.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^Barrel of a Gun(Japanese CD single liner notes). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. TOCP-50225.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^Ultra(UK CD album booklet). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. CD STUMM 148.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun ".ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  20. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun "(in German).Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  21. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun "(in Dutch).Ultratop 50.
  22. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun "(in French).Ultratop 50.
  23. ^"Depeche Mode Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved10 November2019.
  24. ^"Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 7856."RPM.Library and Archives Canada.Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  25. ^ab"Top National Sellers"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 14, no. 9. 1 March 1997. p. 15.OCLC29800226– via World Radio History.
  26. ^"Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 14, no. 8. 22 February 1997. p. 11.OCLC29800226– via World Radio History.
  27. ^"Depeche Mode: Barrel of a Gun "(in Finnish).Musiikkituottajat.
  28. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun "(in French).Les classement single.
  29. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun "(in German).GfK Entertainment charts.
  30. ^"Top National Sellers"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 14, no. 8. 22 February 1997. p. 15.OCLC29800226– via World Radio History.
  31. ^"The Irish Charts – Search Results – Barrel of a Gun ".Irish Singles Chart.Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  32. ^"History"(in Italian).FIMI.Retrieved2 June2022.Set "Ricerca per" on "Titolo", then search "Barrel of a Gun" and click "Classifiche".
  33. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun"(in Dutch).Dutch Top 40.Retrieved31 May2022.
  34. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun "(in Dutch).Single Top 100.
  35. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun ".VG-lista.
  36. ^"Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.
  37. ^Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005).Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002(in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid:Fundación Autor/SGAE.ISBN84-8048-639-2.
  38. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun ".Singles Top 100.
  39. ^"Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun ".Swiss Singles Chart.
  40. ^"Depeche Mode: Artist Chart History".Official Charts Company.Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  41. ^"Independent Singles"(PDF).Music Week.22 February 1997. p. 26.ISSN0265-1548– via World Radio History.
  42. ^"Depeche Mode Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  43. ^"Depeche Mode Chart History (Alternative Airplay)".Billboard.Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  44. ^"Depeche Mode Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)".Billboard.Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  45. ^"Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 14, no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. 7.OCLC29800226– via World Radio History.
  46. ^"Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts – 1997"(in German). GfK Entertainment.Retrieved17 April2018.
  47. ^"Årslista Singlar, 1997"(in Swedish).Sverigetopplistan.Retrieved27 April2021.
  48. ^"Best of '97: Modern Rock Track".Airplay Monitor.Vol. 5, no. 52. 26 December 1997. p. 30.
  49. ^"Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998"(PDF)(in Swedish).IFPI Sweden.7 March 1997. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 17 May 2011.Retrieved14 March2019.
  50. ^"New Releases: Singles"(PDF).Music Week.1 February 1997. p. 31.Retrieved4 July2021.
  51. ^"New Releases: Singles".Music Week.15 February 1997. p. 31.
  52. ^"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] (in Japanese).Oricon.Retrieved16 November2023.
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