Lyric differences

This page lists lyrical differences between album, demo, and live versions. Some lyrical oddities on the remaster releases are also described.
Many lyrical errors / mistakes / transposition of verses, etc. during live concerts are represented in the "Something Went Wrong" compilation, and don't qualify for inclusion on this page.
== Demo and studio outtake differences ==
*On the demo for Ice Machine, Dave sings "The ice machine, the ice machine" at the end of the song. He also does this at 1980-10-30 Bridge House, London, England, UK, but not at the next available concert with a recording at 1980-11-14 Technical College, Southend-On-Sea, Essex, England, UK or at any concert in the future.
*Minor differences on Vince Clarke's original demo for Television Set compared to later live versions:
**"I'm just a mass of communication" (live versions all say "for communication")
**The final "a" in the chorus line "I'm just a television set" is not sung at the end of the demo snippet.
*Vince's original demo lyrics for Just Can't Get Enough says "and when it rains, you're shining out for me" (see Bong Magazine 24 to the right), compared to the studio version "shining down". "Shining out" is what Dave sings live as late as 1981-06-01 Bridge House, London, England, UK. By the time of 1981-06-27 Crocs, Rayleigh, Essex, England, UK, he sings "shining down".
*The demo for Told You So has a change in the second verse; see Demos & Studio Outtakes / Told You So (Demo) for the exact differences written out and audio of the demo.
*The studio pre-mix for Master And Servant has some female backing vocals not present on the album version. Listen at Demos & Studio Outtakes / Master And Servant (Studio Pre-Mix).
*The demo for If You Want has a very minor word transposition; in the final line of the song, the demo says "even though you still may not want to", while the album and live versions say "even though you may still not want to". Oddly, the demo lyric is reflected on the 2006 remaster artwork and also on depechemode.com's archive section.depechemode.com official archive section: "If You Want" lyrics The error on the official site archives is not correctable because the site must match the latest official release's artwork, even if it is inaccurate. You can listen to the demo on the song's page.
*The demo for Shake The Disease has some changed lyrics for the second verse; see Demos & Studio Outtakes / Shake The Disease (Demo) for the exact differences written out and audio of the demo.
*The demo for Here Is The House has some changed lyrics; see Demos & Studio Outtakes / Here Is The House (Demo) for the exact differences written out and audio of the demo.
*The studio pre-mix for Strangelove has Martin's backing vocal "it's important" before "pain, will you return it / I won't say it again", which is not on the album version or any live versions, and is not heard officially until the Strangelove '88 remixes. Listen at Demos & Studio Outtakes / Strangelove (Studio Pre-Mix).
*The studio pre-mix for I Want You Now uses a completely different vocal take. Listen at Demos & Studio Outtakes / I Want You Now (Studio Pre-Mix).
*The studio pre-mix for Halo uses a completely different vocal take. Listen at Demos & Studio Outtakes / Halo (Studio Pre-Mix).
* The studio outtake versions of Hole To Feed and Come Back have several differences to the album versions; see Demos & Studio Outtakes / 2009 Sounds Of The Universe Era for transcribed lyrics of the outtake versions and audio excerpts.
=== "Perversion" demo tape differences ===
Thanks to an anonymous ex-label employee, several songs' lyrical changes found on the "Perversion" demo tape are now known. Differences to the album version are emphasized in bold.
==== World In My Eyes ====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "World In My Eyes" lyrics	"Perversion" demo
That's all there isNothing more than you can feel nowThat's all there is 	That's all there isI don't mean to drag you downBut that's all there is
Album version 	"Perversion" demo
Let me put you on a ship On a long, long tripYour lips close to my lips	Let me put you on a ship On a long, long tripAnd you won't be feeling seasick
==== Waiting For The Night ====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "Waiting For The Night" lyrics	"Perversion" demo
I press my hands to my earsIt's easier here just to forget fear 	I put my hands to my earsI've soon forgotten all my fears
==== Blue Dress ====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "Blue Dress" lyrics	"Perversion" demo
Please don't question why 	Don't you question why
==== Sea Of Sin ====
Album version 	"Perversion" demo
It gets better and betterAs it gets wetter and wetter	And it gets better and betterAs we get wetter and wetter
Album version 	"Perversion" demo
You look cheaper and cheaperAs we sink deeper and deeper	And you look cheaper and cheaperAs we go deeper and deeper
Album version 	"Perversion" demo
Here under God's skyHis watchful eyeAnd all of the liesMy consolation prize	Why save it for a rainy day?When we've got here and nowWhy save it for a rainy day?Anyhow
Album versiondepechemode.com official archive section: "Sea Of Sin" lyrics	"Perversion" demo
When I'm in doubtMy hands reach outAnd I'm never alone 	My mind's in needAnd my body feedsSo I'm never alone
Album version 	"Perversion" demo
It gets wetter and wetterAs it gets better and better	And it gets wetter and wetterAs it gets better and better
Album versiondepechemode.com official archive section: "Sea Of Sin" lyrics	"Perversion" demo
Sea of sinKnow where you've beenYes I'm aware 	Lines not present in demo
Album versiondepechemode.com official archive section: "Sea Of Sin" lyrics	"Perversion" demo
Sea of sinKnow where you've beenAnd I don't care 	Second repetition of these lines at end of song not present in demo
===Sounds Of The Universe Box Set Demo CD===
A collection of demos ranging from 1987 to 2009 included as the third CD in the Sounds Of The Universe box set.
====Clean====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archive section: "Clean" lyrics 	Demo
I don't claim to knowWhere my holiness goesI just know that I likeWhat is starting to show	I don't claim to knowWhere my holiness goesBut I know that I likeWhat is starting to show
</blockquote>
====Walking In My Shoes====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archive section: "Walking In My Shoes" lyrics	Demo
Morality would frown uponDecency look down uponThe scapegoat fate's made of me 	Morality would frown uponDecency look down uponThe scapegoat they've made of me
</blockquote>
====Only When I Lose Myself====
Single versiondepechemode.com official archive section: "Only When I Lose Myself" lyrics 	Demo
Something beautiful is happening inside for meSomething sensual, it's full of fire and mysteryI feel hypnotisedI feel paralysedI have found heaven	Something beautiful is happening inside for meSomething sensual, it's full of fire and mysteryI feel hypnotisedI feel mesmerizedI have found heaven
</blockquote>
====Surrender====
Single versiondepechemode.com official archive section: "Surrender" lyrics 	Demo
Laying on your holy bedBy the hallowed doorFeeling like an infidelNot worthy of your call	Laying on your holy bedBy the hallowed doorFeeling like an infidelNot worthy of your floor
</blockquote>
====Nothing's Impossible====
This change is also present in bare and live recordings of the song.
Album versiondepechemode.com official archive section: "Nothing's Impossible" lyrics 	Demo
How did we get to be this far apartHow did we get to be this far apartI want to be with you have something to shareI want to be here I'm not there	How did we get to be this far apartLet's take a chance, go back to the startI want to be with you have something to shareI want to be here I'm not there
</blockquote>
===Delta Machine demos===
====Secret To The End====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "Secret To The End" lyrics 	Demo
When I look around this roomThere must be something I can doCan I convince you that it isn't trueWe've come to the end	When I look around this roomThere must be something I can doI can't convince you that it isn't trueWe've come to the end
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
The problemShould have been you (should have been you)Should have been you (could have been you)Should have been you (would have been you)(Should have been you, would have been you)If it hadn't been me	You must have the secretIs there a secret?A secret for love
</blockquote>
The "rough" version also contains the "is not for you" lyric.
Album version 	Demo
Thank God I'm not the same as youYou always know exactly what to doIt's who I am, it's not like youWe've come to the end	I know I'm not the same as youYou always know exactly what to doWho I am, is not for youSo we've come to the end
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
Did I disappoint youI wanted to believe it's trueThe book of love was not enoughTo see us through	Did I disappoint youI wanted to believe in youThe book of love was not enoughTo see us through
</blockquote>
====My Little Universe====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "My Little Universe" lyrics	Demo
Here I am kingI decide everythingI let no-one inNo-oneNo-oneNo-one 	And here I am kingI decide everythingI let no-one inNo-oneNo-oneNo-one
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
Limited consciousnessPreserves meIt protects meAnd just connects enoughTo keep the wolves at bay	My veil of consciousnessSupports meIt protects meAnd just connects enoughTo keep the wolves at bay
</blockquote>
====Slow====
At the end of the song, a different verse is repeated.
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "Slow" lyrics	Demo
Slow, slowAs slow as you can goThat's how I like itI like it 	Slow, slowAs slow as you can goI want my senses to overflowSlow, slowAnd doesn't it show
</blockquote>
====Broken====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "Broken" lyrics 	Demo
You see the friend that I needCannot be foundReplaced by anotherWearing his crown	You see the friend that I knewCannot be foundYou are my brotherSo don't bring me down
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
Then you're so far awayYou're so far from hereDo you rememberA time without tears	Then you're so far awayYou're so far from hereDo you rememberWithout any fear
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
When you were a childYou'd dream all day longYou'd dream of the futureAnd get lost in your songs	When I was a childI'd dream all day longI'd dream of the futureI'd get lost in your songs
Album version 	Demo
Now that time is goneIt's lost for you nowWords long forgottenForgotten somehow	Now that time is yoursIt's yours for you nowYou have to just take itAnd take it right now
</blockquote>
====Should Be Higher====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "Should Be Higher" lyrics 	Demo
I dream of a day when I dare to believe you're the answerWhen the shame and the guilt are removed and the truth appearsOh the touch of your hand, I lose who I am if I want toI try to resist but succumb to the bliss of your kiss	I dream of a day when I dare to believe you're the answerWhen the shame and the guilt are removed and the truth appearsWith the touch of your hand, I lose who I am if I want toI tried to resist but succumb to the bliss of your kiss
Album version 	Demo
Your arms are infectedThey're holding the truthOh stop all your cryingThis one you'll lose	Your arms are infectedThey're holding the truthOh stop all your cryingThis one you'll lose
</blockquote>
Change only in the second instance of the verse.
Album version 	Demo
You should be higherI'll take you higherDon't be afraidYou'll just have to pray	You should be higherI'll take you higherDon't be afraidYou'll just have to pray
</blockquote>
====Soothe My Soul====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "Soothe My Soul" lyrics	Demo
I'll come to your houseBreak down the doorGirl I'm shakingAnd I need more 	I'll come to your houseKnock down the doorGirl I'm shakingAnd I need more
</blockquote>
The first instance of the chorus is skipped in the demo.
Album version 	Demo
There's only one way to soothe my soulOnly one way (only one way)	
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
I'm taking my placeBy your sideAnd I'm not leavingUntil I'm satisfied	I'm taking my placeBy your sideAnd I'm not leavingUntil I'm satisfied
</blockquote>
====All That's Mine====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "All That's Mine" lyrics 	Demo
I know it's hard to reach youI know it's hard to breatheI know it's hard to be you sometimesI can't imagine what that means	I know it's hard to reach youI know it's hard to breatheI know it's hard to be you sometimesI can't imagine what that means
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
This must be someone else's storyI can't follow what you've plannedHow can this be about meAm I supposed to understand	This is someone else's storyThis must be someone else's lifeHow could this be my familyI don't deserve this wife
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
Like a ship on the oceanHeading out to seaYou can hardly see it nowIt's a lot like youLost like me	Like a ship on the oceanHeading out to seaYou can hardly see it nowIt's a lot like youIt's a lot like me
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
You're still looking for redemptionStill can't find a traceIf there is nothing afterThere'll be no saving grace	We speak a different languageWe'll fight another fightCan we come togetherOh we have to get it right
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
I'm giving you control nowI need some kind of signCome take away this sorrow nowI gave you all that's mine	I'm losing all control nowI need some kind of signTo take away this sorrow nowGive me peace of mind
</blockquote>
Extra verse not in the album version.
Album version	Demo
N/A 	All of us in one stateAll of us in timeTogether with one anotherImagine what it could be like
</blockquote>
====Happens All The Time====
Album versiondepechemode.com official archives section: "Happens All The Time" lyrics	Demo
No need to feel ashamedThere's nothing to be gainedWhen your dreams are in the past 	I've no need to feel ashamedThere's nothing to be gainedI'm dreaming in the past
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
Like stars, we crash and burnOnly to returnLife goes by so fast	Like stars, we crash and burnA lesson to be learnedLife goes by so fast
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
So who is left to blameNothing's quite the sameWe can't live in the past	So who is left to blameThere's no two quite the sameI can't live in the past
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
I'm burning as hot as the sunAnd I've only just begunLove, it fades so fast	I'm burning as hot as the sunAnd I've only just begunLove, it fades so fast
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
I know I've had enoughMaybe far too muchIt's easy to be blind	I think I've had enoughYou see I'm not that toughNot easy to be kind
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
When it's just me and youI know what I have to doI can leave this world behind	When it's just me and youI know what I have to doI can leave this hell behind
</blockquote>
Album version 	Demo
Like stars, we crash and burnOnly to returnTimes they change so fast	Like stars, we crash and burnOnly to returnLove, it fades so fast
</blockquote>
== Live and bare differences ==
*During New Life performed at 1980-10-30 Bridge House, London, England, UK, Dave sings "transition to another song" instead of "transition to another place".depechemode.com official archive section: "New Life" lyrics
*I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead had an early live version with completely different lyrics and arrangement. This version's lyrics are likely where the song's bizarre title originates. Read more & listen: I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead / Early live version
*The "Spring 1981" version of "I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead" has a few minor differences compared to the album and later live versions, detailed below.
Album versiondepechemode.com official archive section: "I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead" lyrics	1980 live version
Dancing with you all the time, and don't you think that it's a crime 	Dancing with you all the time, and don't you think that it's a crime
Album version 	1980 live version
I know where you go	And I know where to go
Album version 	1980 live version
You say that it's from above, and I say this is modern love	You say that it's from above, and I say this is modern love
Furthermore, in all live versions of the song currently available between 1981 and 1982, there is one additional difference compared to the album version:
Album version 	1980 - 1982 live version
Just for me and you	Just like me and you
*On all live versions of Dreaming Of Me, "filming the screening" is sung instead of the single version's "filming and screening".
*During Dreaming Of Me, Dave seemed to randomly swap out "sad" for "bad" in the second verse.
*All live cover versions of I Like It have one verse unsung compared to Gerry & The Pacemakers' original version, and there are a few other minor lyrical differences. Lyrics of Depeche Mode's rendition is available on the song's page.
*A slightly extended version of People Are People based on the "Different Mix" found on the 12" single was performed during the first seven concerts of the 1987-1988 "Music For The Masses" Tour as well as the second of three consecutive nights in Paris at 1987-11-17 Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, France. Martin sang "shouting at me / decency / sure it exists / head to your fists" during the instrumental break toward the end of the song, which matches the 12" version. At 1987-11-17 Paris, he missed the cue and didn't sing at all - probably because they hadn't performed this version for a bit over a month and a half by that point.
*The "Underground Resistance Remix" of People Are People released in 2006 makes use of the distorted backing vocals "different creeds / different needs / done nothing wrong / could I have done" in the left channel throughout the song.
*The bare studio session for Stories Of Old omits the first verse entirely.
*During 1984-12-03 Deutschlandhalle, Berlin, Germany, Martin changes a lyric during Somebody to "... somebody who won't throw sparklers at me", reacting to a fan throwing sparklers at him.
*Also during Somebody, Martin sings "and in a place like this, I'll get away with it" (though sometimes omitting the "and") after the final line of the song, during most of the performances during the 1984-1985 "Some Great Reward" Tour and all performances during the 1987-1988 "Music For The Masses" Tour.
**During the "Some Great Reward" tour, Martin first did this at either 1984-10-14 King George's Hall, Blackburn, England, UK or 1984-10-16 Barrowlands, Glasgow, Scotland, UK; as there is not a recording for the former, it can't be confirmed at which concert he first sang the line. On 1984-10-16 he sang the line, and did from then on.
**Martin didn't sing the additional line during the only time the song was performed during the 1986 "Black Celebration" Tour, at the final concert of the tour at 1986-08-16 Valbyparken, Copenhagen, Denmark, nor did he sing the line at the several performances of the song at the final several UK gigs at the end of the 1993 "Devotional" Tour, nor any tour since then.
*During Master And Servant at 1984-10-13 Odeon, Birmingham, England, UK, Martin sings "treat me like a dog" at the beginning of the song and during the instrumental break in the middle of the song.
*After 1986 "Black Celebration" Tour, during A Question Of Time live, Dave sings "I know my kind / What goes on in their minds" compared to "What goes on in our minds" of the album version.depechemode.com official archive section: "A Question Of Time" lyrics "Their" is also grammatically incorrect following "I know my kind".
*For the majority of the live performances of World In My Eyes, "now let your body do the moving" was sung instead of "my body" as on the album version. The first 5 concerts of the Devotional tour had "my". For the two concerts in Sweden, Dave sang "your" and "my" for each respective concert, and the backing vocals were opposite of what Dave sang each night. By the next concert in Rotterdam, "your" was consistently sung. The 2023-2024 Memento Mori Tour had "my" sung more consistently, although there was still the occasional swap between the two words throughout the tour. Prior tours also may have had the word swaps, but at the time of writing, no other tours have been checked in full yet.
*During Personal Jesus at 1993-07-31 Crystal Palace Sports Ground, London, England, UK, Dave exclaims "where?" after "someone who's there".
*During Mercy In You on the 1993 "Devotional" Tour, Dave sings "I'll have faith I will find" instead of the correct line "I have faith I will find".depechemode.com official archive section: "Mercy In You" lyrics
*Two lines are dropped during Rush as performed on the 1993 "Devotional" Tour and the 1994 "Exotic" Tour; see the changes below.depechemode.com official archive section: "Rush" lyrics On the album version, those lines have some overlap with the previous line, so it was probably infeasible for Dave to sing those line lives as a result.
1993-05-19 Lille through 1993-07-31 London:
Second verse 	Fourth verse
Open your sensitive mouthHold out your delicate handsWith such a sensitive mouthI'm easy to see through	Seen the tears in my eyesHeard my truth turn to liesSeen the tears in my eyesI'm not proud of what I do
1993-09-07 Quebec (unconfirmed, no recording available), but definitely from 1993-09-15 Toronto and on:
Second verse 	Fourth verse
Open your sensitive mouthHold out your delicate handsWith such a sensitive mouthI'm easy to see through	Seen the tears in my eyesHeard my truth turn to liesSeen the tears in my eyesI'm not proud of what I do
*In the demo / rough mix / vocal guide for Barrel Of A Gun, Martin sings "everything I've done" instead of "when everything that I've done".depechemode.com official archive section: "Barrel Of A Gun" lyrics
*During John The Revelator performed during 2005-2006 "Touring The Angel", Dave seems to sing "all he ever gives is his blame" instead of "all he ever gives us is pain".depechemode.com official archive section: "John The Revelator" lyrics For the several times the song is performed on the 2013-2014 "Delta Machine" Tour, Dave sings the correct line.
*During Photographic performed during 2005-2006 "Touring The Angel", Dave usually sings "a second past like an empty glass" instead of "a second past like an empty room" (as sung on 1986 and earlier live versions, on the Summer 1980 demo tape, the album version, and the "Some Bizzare Version").The depechemode.com official archives section lyric page for "Photographic" erroneously writes "A second boss looking into" as the lyric; the 2006 remaster artwork printed lyrics says "A second past like an empty room". Martin faithfully sings the backing vocal "a second past like an empty room".
**During the two performances of the song during 2009-2010 "Tour Of The Universe" (2010-02-17 Royal Albert Hall, London, England, UK and 2010-02-27 Esprit Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany), Dave sings "cup" instead of "glass". Martin sings "room" at Royal Albert Hall; Martin either was not singing backing vocals at Dusseldorf or his vocals are way too low in the mix to hear.
*Sweetest Perfection as performed during 1990 World Violation Tour lacked the backing vocals that are sung by Dave and Alan on the album version, most likely because the song was performed in an acoustic format with just Martin singing. Furthermore, during Martin Gore's solo 2003 tour A Night With Martin L. Gore, this line was not present, along with the final chorus.
* In nearly every performance of Strangelove during the 2009-2010 "Tour Of The Universe", Dave sings "I'm always willing to learn if you've got something to teach". The album version lyric is "I'm always willing to learn when you've got something to teach".depechemode.com official archive section: "Strangelove" lyrics Dave does correctly sing "when" at 2009-06-13 Olympiastadion, Munich, Germany, 2009-06-23 Puskas Ferenc Stadium, Budapest, Hungary, and 2009-06-28 Zenith Amphitheatre, Nancy, France, and possibly others (I need to double check all of them again).
**He also does not sing the "yes" before "and I'll make it all worthwhile" during this tour, unlike the album and previous live versions. However, "yes" is not written in the official lyrics, but is sung on the album version as well as live during the 1987-1988 "Music For The Masses" Tour and the 1990 "World Violation" Tour, so perhaps Dave is simply being completely faithful to the written lyrics during the 2009-2010 "Tour Of The Universe".
* In A Pain That I'm Used To during the 2017-2018 "Global Spirit Tour", Dave sings "pay your price for your paradise" instead of the correct line "pay the price".depechemode.com official archive section: "A Pain That I'm Used To" lyrics
== Remaster oddities ==
*In the SACD and DTS multichannel 5.1 versions of Two Minute Warning, "and you and I go hand in hand" is sung instead of the original version, stereo remaster, and live lyric of "while you and I go hand in hand".depechemode.com official archive section: "Two Minute Warning" lyrics A different vocal take must have been accidentally used in this particular instance.
**Also in the multichannel version, the vocoded backing vocals for the lines "No radio, no sound, no sin, no sanctuary / So welcome to your last" as well as the later lines "The sun, the solitude, the cemetery / So welcome to your last" are erroneously not present.
*In the SACD and DTS multichannel 5.1 versions of Here Is The House, Dave sings the first "and as it happens, it happens here in this house" along with Martin, and the vocals seem to be slightly out of sync. The second "and as it happens..." is Martin only. On the original version and the stereo remaster, only Martin sings in both instances. During the full-band performance of the track from 1986-03-31 New Conference Centre, Brighton, England, UK, both Dave and Martin sing the line both times.
== References ==