Little 15
Encyclopedia
"Little 15" is a Depeche Mode
single, released on 16 May 1988, and the fourth single from the album Music for the Masses
.
The song was never intended to be a single; in fact, it barely made it onto the album, but a French record label wanted to release the song as a single, and as such, it was released in France. While it has been said that the single was only released in France (for instance, on the back cover of The Singles 86>98 compilation), it was released in the UK on import and became a minor hit, reaching #60 on the UK Singles Chart - to date the lowest UK singles placing for the band). The single did not use the BONG designation for its catalog number as previous Depeche Mode singles (since 1982's "Leave in Silence
") had. The song's title, as well as its status as a minor release, contributed to its special catalog number "LITTLE15". In this vein, it can be seen as a "little" release between BONG15 ("Behind the Wheel") and BONG16 ("Everything Counts [Live]"). Ironically, "Little 15" didn't chart in France, but it was also released as a single in West Germany
, where it hit #16, in Austria
where it reached #25 and in Switzerland
where it entered the Top 20 at #18.
There was no remix of the song "Little 15" at the time of release (the 12" and 7" versions were the same); however, there are two instrumental B-Sides, both piano tunes performed by Alan Wilder
. The first is "Stjärna" (mislabelled "St. Jarna"), which is Swedish for 'star', written by Martin Gore
. The 12" B-side also contains a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven
's "Moonlight Sonata #14
." According to his website`, Wilder did not intend for it to be on as a B-Side, he was merely performing it for fun, but Gore stealthily recorded it. Wilder did not perform the song perfectly (his error occurs near the end of the song). Both instrumentals are only produced by Depeche Mode alone (as opposed to the A-side which was produced by the band, plus Daniel Miller and Dave Bascombe).
The music video for "Little 15" was directed by Martyn Atkins, who had done previous design work for the band.
Between the Buried and Me
covered this song on their 2006 album, The Anatomy Of
.
The CD was released in 1991
"Little 15" and "Stjarna" written by Martin L. Gore. "Moonlight Sonata" is written by Beethoven
.
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
single, released on 16 May 1988, and the fourth single from the album Music for the Masses
Music for the Masses
Music for the Masses is the sixth studio album by Depeche Mode. It was released by Mute Records on September 28, 1987, and was supported by the Music for the Masses Tour.-Mainstream success in the United States:...
.
The song was never intended to be a single; in fact, it barely made it onto the album, but a French record label wanted to release the song as a single, and as such, it was released in France. While it has been said that the single was only released in France (for instance, on the back cover of The Singles 86>98 compilation), it was released in the UK on import and became a minor hit, reaching #60 on the UK Singles Chart - to date the lowest UK singles placing for the band). The single did not use the BONG designation for its catalog number as previous Depeche Mode singles (since 1982's "Leave in Silence
Leave in Silence
"Leave in Silence" is the sixth UK single by Depeche Mode originally released on 16 August 1982. It is the first Depeche Mode single in the UK with the "Bong" label, which is still used to this day. It is also the first Depeche Mode song to have more than one remix of itself."Leave in Silence"...
") had. The song's title, as well as its status as a minor release, contributed to its special catalog number "LITTLE15". In this vein, it can be seen as a "little" release between BONG15 ("Behind the Wheel") and BONG16 ("Everything Counts [Live]"). Ironically, "Little 15" didn't chart in France, but it was also released as a single in West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, where it hit #16, in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
where it reached #25 and in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
where it entered the Top 20 at #18.
There was no remix of the song "Little 15" at the time of release (the 12" and 7" versions were the same); however, there are two instrumental B-Sides, both piano tunes performed by Alan Wilder
Alan Wilder
Alan Charles Wilder is a British musician, formerly of Depeche Mode. His current musical project is called Recoil, started as a side project to Depeche Mode. When he left the latter in 1995, it became Wilder's primary project...
. The first is "Stjärna" (mislabelled "St. Jarna"), which is Swedish for 'star', written by Martin Gore
Martin Gore
Martin Lee Gore is an English songwriter, lyricist, singer, guitarist, keyboardist, remixer and DJ. He is a founding member of Depeche Mode and has written the vast majority of their songs...
. The 12" B-side also contains a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
's "Moonlight Sonata #14
Piano Sonata No. 14 (Beethoven)
The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2, by Ludwig van Beethoven, popularly known as the Moonlight Sonata , was completed in 1801...
." According to his website`, Wilder did not intend for it to be on as a B-Side, he was merely performing it for fun, but Gore stealthily recorded it. Wilder did not perform the song perfectly (his error occurs near the end of the song). Both instrumentals are only produced by Depeche Mode alone (as opposed to the A-side which was produced by the band, plus Daniel Miller and Dave Bascombe).
The music video for "Little 15" was directed by Martyn Atkins, who had done previous design work for the band.
Between the Buried and Me
Between the Buried and Me
Between the Buried and Me is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina. They have released a total of five studio albums, as well as a cover album, an EP and a live DVD/CD...
covered this song on their 2006 album, The Anatomy Of
The Anatomy Of
The Anatomy Of is the first cover album by the American progressive metal band Between the Buried and Me. It is the second release to include Dan Briggs, Blake Richardson, and Dustie Waring.-Track listing:-Reception:*Allmusic [ link]*Lambgoat...
.
12": Mute / 12Little15 (UK)
- "Little 15" – 4:16
- "Stjarna" – 4:25
- "Moonlight Sonata No. 14" – 5:36
CD: Mute / CDLittle15 (UK)
- "Little 15" – 4:16
- "Stjarna" – 4:25
- "Moonlight Sonata No. 14" – 5:36
The CD was released in 1991
"Little 15" and "Stjarna" written by Martin L. Gore. "Moonlight Sonata" is written by Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
.