Never Let Me Down Again

"Never Let Me Down Again"
Single by Depeche Mode
from the album Music for the Masses
B-side	"Pleasure, Little Treasure" "To Have and to Hold (Spanish Taster)"
Released	24 August 1987 (1987-08-24)[1]
Recorded	February–July 1987
Studio	Guillaume Tell (Paris)[2] Konk (London) Puk (Gjerlev)
Genre	Synth-pop[3][4] dance-rock[5] EBM[3]
Length	4:47 (album version) 4:20 (radio edit)
Label	Mute
Songwriter	Martin Gore
Producers	David Bascombe Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode singles chronology
"Strangelove" (1987) "Never Let Me Down Again" (1987) "Behind the Wheel" (1987)
Music video
"Never Let Me Down Again" on YouTube

"Never Let Me Down Again" is a song by the English electronic band Depeche Mode. It was released as the second single from their sixth studio album, Music for the Masses (1987), on 24 August 1987. It reached No. 22 in the UK, No. 2 in West Germany, and the top-10 in several other European countries such as Sweden and Switzerland, topping the Danish charts. In the US, it entered the Billboard Hot 100.

Background

Depeche Mode had released their album Black Celebration in early 1986,^[6] followed up with a supporting tour which lasted through the middle of that year.^[7] In late 1986, the band assembled at Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris to record material for their new album.^[8] Daniel Miller, citing growing tension in the studio during the recording of Black Celebration, had stepped away from producing Depeche Mode's music for the new songs,^[9] and instead they worked with David Bascombe, who had just completed working as a recording engineer with Tears for Fears on their album Songs from the Big Chair (1985).^[10]

Recording

Former member Alan Wilder and the other members of the band considered the track an "obvious single" with much potential,^[10] with the song's writer, Martin Gore, calling it a "stand-out" track.^[11] Although primarily known as an all-synth band, the song included a strong guitar riff, albeit "heavily treated and processed", played by Gore, as they had done as far back as 1982 when recording their single "Get the Balance Right!".^[10][12] To make the song dramatic, they mixed the Led Zeppelin-influenced drum patterns and Martin Gore's guitar riffs are forward in the mix.^[10] Gore's guitar work in the song was described in 2025 as "simple, repetitive riffs [that] just sit on a groove, adding another textural element and human grit into the mix."^[13] Bascombe noted that both he and the band had brought a "library" of samples to the sessions, which they used for the song.^[14] The Snare drum in the song was sampled from "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin, augmented in the studio because the original audio was too low-fidelity to use alone.^[14] The tom-tom drum sound was a sample the band re-used from their earlier single, "Stripped" (1986).^[14]

The guitar intro of the song on the album was not originally intended, according to producer Bascombe, who said that "the sequencers we were using in those days, that guitar was sampled and it just ran on the count-in over the start of the track but it wasn't supposed to be. We all went, 'That's great' and so that was a happy accident."^[15]

During recording, Wilder and Bascombe disagreed on how to edit the mix for the single version.^[14] Wilder wanted to remove certain parts for the single mix, such as the piano bridge between the verse and chorus, but Bascombe overruled him.^[14] Years later, Bascombe admitted the Wilder had probably been right.^[14]

The coda of "Never Let Me Down Again" references the Soft Cell song "Torch".^[16]

The main remix version of the track, known as the "Split Mix", was created with direct involvement of the band.^[10] Years later, after remixes began being made by various hired producers, Wilder suggested that the band should have kept making their own mixes instead of farming them out to others.^[10]

Lyrics

The lyrics of the song, starting with the strident vocals of "I'm taking a ride with my best friend", are generally regarded as reflecting drug use,^[16][10] with the track being labelled by NME music journalist Jane Solanas as a "masterpiece" that well conveys the feeling of "drug euphoria".^[10]

In a 1987 interview, Gore said that the song "has nothing to do with relationships. It's about the concept of fleeing from reality and the evil awakening afterwards. Any kind of fleeing. Drugs, alcohol, or whatever."^[15]

Release

"Never Let Me Down Again" was released as a single on 24 August 1987.^[17] In the UK, Mute Records released the single on 7", 12", and limited 12" vinyl with catalogue numbers 7BONG14, 12BONG14 and L12BONG14, respectively.^[18] A 12" promotional vinyl release, P12BONG14, was made available as well.^[18] In West Germany, Intercord Records released the same 3 single formats as well with catalogue numbers INT 111.850, INT 126.868 and INT 126.869.^[19] Remixes of the b-side, "Pleasure, Little Treasure", were made by John Fryer and Paul Kendall.^[19]

Music video

The music video, directed by Anton Corbijn,^[20] appears on Strange (1987), The Videos 86>98 (1998), the DVD of The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1 (2006) and on Video Singles Collection (2016).

Live performances

The song became permanent part of the band's live act.^[17] Notable in the 101 video is when Dave Gahan waves his arms in the air toward the end of the song, and the sold-out crowd of 60,000 mimics Gahan's movements, which the German magazine Music Express has termed a "wind in a cornfield" simulation.^[21]

Live versions of "Never Let Me Down Again" have been released on 101 (1989), Devotional (video) (1993), One Night in Paris (2002), Touring the Angel: Live in Milan (2006), Tour of the Universe: Barcelona 20/21.11.09 (2010), Live in Berlin (Depeche Mode album and video) (2014), and Spirits in the Forest (2019).

Notable cover versions

The Smashing Pumpkins recorded a cover of the song and released it as a B-side on their 1994 CD single "Rocket" as well as on the Depeche Mode tribute album For the Masses. Discussing the cover, Martin Gore said he had "always liked" the Pumpkins cover, while Dave Gahan said he "particularly liked it", and even thought it was "a lot better" than the Depeche Mode original.^[22][23]

In popular culture

The song was featured in the HBO series Euphoria. It played during the third episode of the second season, "Ruminations: Big and Little Bullys".^[24]

"Never Let Me Down Again" appeared two times on the TV show The Last of Us. Its first appearance came in the series premiere, "When You're Lost in the Darkness".^[25] Craig Mazin, the co-creator of the series, chose the song due to its blend of upbeat sounds and dark lyrics. He felt its title referred to the relationship between Joel and Ellie, and noted it would recur later in the season in a different manner.^{[26]: 40:25} In the wake of the song being featured on The Last of Us, the amount of streams of "Never Let Me Down Again" tripled overnight.^[27] The song returned in the sixth episode of the first season, "Kin", where it is performed by Mazin's daughter Jessica, to demonstrate Ellie feeling let down by Joel.^[28][29]

Track listings

All songs written by Martin Gore.

7-inch: Mute / 7BONG14 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down Again" – 4:20
2. "Pleasure, Little Treasure" – 2:52

12-inch: Mute / 12BONG14 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down Again (Split Mix)" – 9:34
2. "Pleasure, Little Treasure (Glitter Mix)" – 5:34
3. "Never Let Me Down Again (Aggro Mix)" – 4:53

12-inch: Mute / L12BONG14 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down Again (Tsangarides Mix)" – 4:22 (Remixed by Chris Tsangarides)
2. "Pleasure, Little Treasure (Join Mix)" – 4:53 (Remixed by John Fryer & Paul Kendall)
3. "To Have and to Hold (Spanish Taster)" – 2:33

Cassette: Mute / CBONG14 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down Again (Split Mix)" – 9:34
2. "Pleasure, Little Treasure (Glitter Mix)" – 5:34
3. "Never Let Me Down Again (Aggro Mix)" – 4:53

CD: Mute / CDBONG14 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down Again (Split Mix)" – 9:34
2. "Pleasure, Little Treasure (Join Mix)" – 4:53
3. "To Have and to Hold (Spanish Taster)" – 2:33
4. "Never Let Me Down Again (Aggro Mix)" – 4:53

• Originally released in Cardsleeve [1987]
• Rereleased as 4track CD single in Slim Jewel Case in 1991.

CD: Mute / CDBONG14 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down Again" – 4:20
2. "Pleasure, Little Treasure" – 2:52
3. "Never Let Me Down Again (Split Mix)" – 9:34
4. "Pleasure, Little Treasure (Glitter Mix)" – 5:34
5. "Never Let Me Down Again (Aggro Mix)" – 4:53
6. "Never Let Me Down Again (Tsangarides Mix)" – 4:22
7. "Pleasure, Little Treasure (Join Mix)" – 4:53
8. "To Have and To Hold (Spanish Taster)" – 2:33

• The second CD is the 1992 re-release.

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Never Let Me Down Again" Chart (1987–1988) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[30] 82 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[31] 29 Denmark (Tracklisten)[32] 1 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[33] 15 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[34] 5 France (SNEP)[35] 29 Ireland (IRMA)[36] 12 Italy (Musica e dischi)[37] 19 Italy Airplay (Music & Media)[38] 12 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[39] 80 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[40] 15 Spain (AFYVE)[41] 5 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 7 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 7 UK Singles (OCC)[44] 22 UK Indie (MRIB)[45] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[46] 63 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[47] with "Pleasure, Little Treasure" 12 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[48] with "Pleasure, Little Treasure" 29 US Cash Box Top 100[49] 75 West Germany (GfK)[50] 2

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Never Let Me Down Again" Chart (1987) Position Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[51] 74 West Germany (Media Control)[52] 53

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[53]	Gold	500,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

• Rock music portal

• 1987 in music
• Depeche Mode discography
• Songs about recreational drug use

References

1. Smith, Robin (22 August 1987). "News Digest". Record Mirror. p. 17. ISSN 0144-5804.
2. "Studio Guillaume Tell". Guillaumetell.com (in French). Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
3. Terich, Jeff (5 March 2013). "Celebrate the Catalog : Depeche Mode". Treble. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
4. Rolland, David (4 October 2023). "10 Songs That Show Depeche Mode Are Synth-Pop Masters". Miami New Times. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
5. DiGravina, Tim. "Depeche Mode - Barrel of a Gun". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
6. "Depeche Mode: The Archives – Black Celebration". DepecheMode.com. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
7. Book of Love (September 1986). "Depeche Mode/Book of Love Itinerary". Love Letter. No. 5. p. 3.
8. Burmeister & Lange 2017, p. 153.
9. Blanning, Lisa (26 March 2013). "'It's almost too personal': Daniel Miller contemplates the Depeche Mode catalogue". Electronic Beats. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
10. Miller, Jonathan (2003). Stripped: Depeche Mode. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-9397-1.
11. Depeche Mode: 1987: Sometimes you do need new jokes (DVD). Mute Records. 2006.
12. Gittins 2018, p. 153.
13. Rowe, Felix (10 April 2025). "Making Depeche Mode's Music for the Masses". Retrieved 14 October 2025.
14. Vaughn George & David Bascombe (Part 1) on YouTube
15. Laing, Rob (17 January 2023). "The story of Depeche Mode's Never Let Me Down Again". Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
16. Mojo (2007). Irvin, Jim (ed.). The Mojo Collection: The Ultimate Music Companion (4th ed.). Canongate Books. p. 522. ISBN 978-1-84195-973-3. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
17. Burmeister & Lange 2017, p. 158.
18. Burmeister & Lange 2017, pp. 158–159.
19. Burmeister & Lange 2017, p. 160.
20. Freeman, John (25 October 2012). "A Strange Love: Depeche Mode's Music for the Masses Revisited". Retrieved 15 October 2025.
21. Binder, Raffaela (22 June 2009). "Depeche Mode live in München". Musik Express (in German). Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
22. "Depeche Mode's Gahan on the Tribute Treatment". MTV News. 8 May 1998. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
23. "Martin Lee Gore – Interview #13". AllStar Magazine. 1998. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2014 – via Mlgheaven.tripod.com.
24. "Every Song Featured in Euphoria Season 2, Episode 3". Ones to Watch. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
25. Bradley Russell (16 January 2023). "Here's what song was playing at the end of The Last of Us premiere – and why it's so important". gamesradar. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
26. Episode 1 - "When You're Lost in the Darkness" | The Last of Us Podcast | HBO Max, archived from the original on 20 April 2023, retrieved 17 January 2023
27. McNeal, Bria (20 January 2023). "The Last of Us Just Made 'Never Let Me Down Again' The Latest '80s Revival". Esquire. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023. According to Billboard, the song is on track to continue the music world's '80s takeover. "Never Let Me Down Again" reportedly tripled its streams overnight, going from 26,000 streams when The Last of Us premiered, to 83,000 the next day. Depeche Mode caught wind of the revival, aided fans' interest by adding "Heard on Episode 1 of The Last of Us," to the song's description on YouTube.
28. Edwards, Belen (20 February 2023). "'The Last of Us' episode 6 features a heartbreaking musical callback". Mashable. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
29. Schaefer, Sandy (20 February 2023). "The Last Of Us Ended Its Latest Episode With The Perfect Song". /Film. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
30. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 88. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
31. "Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
32. "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 39. 3 October 1987. p. 16. OCLC 29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2023 – via World Radio History.
33. "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 38. 26 September 1987. p. 14. OCLC 29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2023 – via World Radio History.
34. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
35. "Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
36. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Never Let Me Down Again". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
37. "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2022. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Depeche Mode" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
38. "European Playlist Reports: RAI - Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 40. 10 October 1987. p. 18.
39. "Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
40. "South African Charts 1969–1989: Artists (D)". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
41. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
42. "Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
43. "Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
44. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
45. Lazell, Barry (1997). "Depeche Mode". Indie Hits 1980–1989: The Complete U.K. Independent Charts (Singles & Albums). Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-95172-069-4. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
46. "Depeche Mode Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
47. "Depeche Mode Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
48. "Depeche Mode Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
49. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending February 6, 1988". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012.
50. "Offiziellecharts.de – Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
51. "European Charts of the Year 1987 > Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. 26 December 1987. p. 34. OCLC 29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
52. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1987" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
53. "American single certifications – Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 April 2025.

• Burmeister, Dennis; Lange, Sascha (2017). Depeche Mode: Monument. New York: Akashic Books. ISBN 978-1-61775-593-4.
• Gittins, Ian (2018). Depeche Mode: Faith and Devotion. London: Palazzo Editions. ISBN 978-1-78675-064-8.

External links

• Single information from the official Depeche Mode website