Speak & Spell (album)
Encyclopedia
Speak & Spell is the first album from the British electronic group Depeche Mode
, recorded and released in 1981. The album peaked at #10 in the UK Albums Chart
.
as a member of the band. Clarke wrote most of the songs for the band, before departing to form the synthpop duo Yazoo
with Alison Moyet
and, later, the duo Erasure
with Andy Bell
.
The album is significantly lighter in tone and melody than their later work, a direction which can largely be attributed to Clarke's writing. After he left, Martin Gore
took over songwriting duties, writing almost all of the band's material. Later albums written by him would explore darker subjects and melodies.
The album title alludes to the then-popular "Speak & Spell
" electronic toy.
When interviewed by Simon Amstell
for Channel 4
's Popworld
programme in 2005, Martin Gore and Andrew Fletcher both stated that the track "What's Your Name?" was their least favourite Depeche Mode song of all time.
and Violator
) as part of Mute's extensive Depeche Mode reissue schedule. This special edition release was a double disc set that included a Hybrid SACD
/CD and a DVD. This format included the album in 5 formats - multi-channel SACD, stereo SACD, PCM stereo CD, DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1.
In the United States, the album was not re-released until June 2, 2006. The US version was only a CD rather than a SACD/CD Hybrid, though it still included the DVD which was identical to the European one (barring some different copyrights and logos).
The re-release somewhat preserves the album as it was originally intended. As such, while it is mostly the same as the British version, North America got a completely new version with some songs that have never been released there. For example, "New Life" was the original version, not a remix, and "I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead" finally debuted (on a Depeche Mode release) in North America. However, "Dreaming of Me
", the band's very first single which was not on the original album, was put at the end. The four bonus tracks on the original CD release in the UK, were omitted from the re-issued CD, but were on the DVD.
Also included was a 28 minute documentary about the making of the album entitled Depeche Mode: 1980–1981 (Do We Really Have To Give Up Our Day Jobs?) featuring interviews with the group (including Vince Clarke) and other relevant personnel such as Daniel Miller. There is various footage of the group's appearances on Top of the Pops
including their very first appearance from 1981 performing "New Life". There is also vintage BBC
footage of the Speak & Spell Tour from the same year.
The remastered album was released on "deluxe" vinyl in March 2007.
, except for "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Big Muff" written by Martin Gore
.
Dave Gahan performs lead vocals on all songs except "Any Second Now [Voices]" which is sung by Martin Gore. "Big Muff" and the original version of "Any Second Now" are instrumentals.
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...
, recorded and released in 1981. The album peaked at #10 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
.
Overview
This was the only Depeche Mode album with Vince ClarkeVince Clarke
Vince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
as a member of the band. Clarke wrote most of the songs for the band, before departing to form the synthpop duo Yazoo
Yazoo (band)
Yazoo are a British synthpop duo from Basildon, Essex. They had a number of Top 10 hits in the UK charts in the early 1980s...
with Alison Moyet
Alison Moyet
Alison Moyet , is an English singer, songwriter and performer noted for her bluesy voice.Her UK album sales have reached a certified 2.3 million, with 800,000 singles sold, all in the UK, where all seven of her studio albums and three compilation albums have charted in the Top 40 UK Album Chart,...
and, later, the duo Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
with Andy Bell
Andy Bell (singer)
Andrew Ivan "Andy" Bell is the lead singer of the English synthpop duo Erasure. He also has a solo career, with the albums Non-Stop and Electric Blue.-Early life:Andy Bell originates from the Dogsthorpe area in Peterborough...
.
The album is significantly lighter in tone and melody than their later work, a direction which can largely be attributed to Clarke's writing. After he left, 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...
took over songwriting duties, writing almost all of the band's material. Later albums written by him would explore darker subjects and melodies.
The album title alludes to the then-popular "Speak & Spell
Speak & Spell (toy)
The Speak & Spell line is a series of electronic handheld educational toys created by Texas Instruments that consist of a speech synthesizer, a keyboard, and a receptor slot to receive one of a collection of ROM game library modules...
" electronic toy.
When interviewed by Simon Amstell
Simon Amstell
Simon Marc Amstell is a BAFTA nominated, award-winning English comedian, television presenter, screenwriter and actor, best known for his roles as former co-host of Popworld, former host of Never Mind the Buzzcocks and co-writer and star of the sitcom Grandma's House.-Early life:Amstell was born...
for Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's Popworld
Popworld
Popworld was a British television programme that was broadcast on Channel 4, offering pop news, trivia, gossip, interviews and music videos, as well as musical performances from the most recent top artists....
programme in 2005, Martin Gore and Andrew Fletcher both stated that the track "What's Your Name?" was their least favourite Depeche Mode song of all time.
2006 re-release
The album was re-released on 3 April 2006 (along with Music for the MassesMusic 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:...
and Violator
Violator (album)
Violator is the seventh studio album by the English electronic group Depeche Mode, released by Mute Records on 19 March 1990.Preceded by the hit singles "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence" , Violator propelled the band into international stardom. The album yielded two further hit singles,...
) as part of Mute's extensive Depeche Mode reissue schedule. This special edition release was a double disc set that included a Hybrid SACD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
/CD and a DVD. This format included the album in 5 formats - multi-channel SACD, stereo SACD, PCM stereo CD, DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1.
In the United States, the album was not re-released until June 2, 2006. The US version was only a CD rather than a SACD/CD Hybrid, though it still included the DVD which was identical to the European one (barring some different copyrights and logos).
The re-release somewhat preserves the album as it was originally intended. As such, while it is mostly the same as the British version, North America got a completely new version with some songs that have never been released there. For example, "New Life" was the original version, not a remix, and "I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead" finally debuted (on a Depeche Mode release) in North America. However, "Dreaming of Me
Dreaming of Me
"Dreaming of Me" is the debut single by Depeche Mode recorded at Blackwing Studios, originally released on February 20, 1981 in the UK. The single was not commercially released in the United States....
", the band's very first single which was not on the original album, was put at the end. The four bonus tracks on the original CD release in the UK, were omitted from the re-issued CD, but were on the DVD.
Also included was a 28 minute documentary about the making of the album entitled Depeche Mode: 1980–1981 (Do We Really Have To Give Up Our Day Jobs?) featuring interviews with the group (including Vince Clarke) and other relevant personnel such as Daniel Miller. There is various footage of the group's appearances on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
including their very first appearance from 1981 performing "New Life". There is also vintage BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
footage of the Speak & Spell Tour from the same year.
The remastered album was released on "deluxe" vinyl in March 2007.
Track listing
For all versions, all songs were written by Vince ClarkeVince Clarke
Vince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
, except for "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Big Muff" 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...
.
Dave Gahan performs lead vocals on all songs except "Any Second Now [Voices]" which is sung by Martin Gore. "Big Muff" and the original version of "Any Second Now" are instrumentals.
- "Shout!" (from the b-side of the "New Life" single) is listed on the CD and all subsequent releases as "Shout", without the exclamation mark.
- The versions of "Dreaming of Me" and "Ice Machine" included on this CD have cold ends like the original 7" single (as opposed to the fading-out versions on the original US album and CD single reissue).
US LP/CD
- "New Life" [Remix] – 3:56
- "Puppets" – 3:57
- "Dreaming of MeDreaming of Me"Dreaming of Me" is the debut single by Depeche Mode recorded at Blackwing Studios, originally released on February 20, 1981 in the UK. The single was not commercially released in the United States....
" – 3:42 - "Boys Say Go!" – 3:04
- "Nodisco" – 4:13
- "What's Your Name?" – 2:41
- "Photographic" – 4:58
- "Tora! Tora! Tora!" – 4:24
- "Big Muff" – 4:21
- "Any Second Now (Voices)" – 2:33
- "Just Can't Get Enough" [Schizo Mix] – 6:41
2006 re-release
Mute: DM CD 1 (CD/SACD + DVD) / CDX STUMM 5 (CD/SACD)- Disc 1 is a hybrid SACD/CD with a multi-channel SACD layer.
- Disc 2 is a DVD which includes Speak & Spell in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM Stereo plus bonus material.
- "New Life" – 3:46
- "I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead" – 2:18
- "Puppets" – 3:58
- "Boys Say Go!" – 3:07
- "Nodisco" – 4:15
- "What's Your Name?" – 2:45
- "Photographic" – 4:44
- "Tora! Tora! Tora!" – 4:37
- "Big Muff" – 4:24
- "Any Second Now (Voices)" – 2:35
- "Just Can't Get Enough" – 3:44
- "Dreaming of Me" – 4:03
Bonus tracks
In DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM Stereo:- "Ice Machine"
- "Shout!"
- "Any Second Now"
- "Just Can't Get Enough (Schizo Mix)"
Additional material
- "Depeche Mode 80-81 (Do We Really Have To Give Up Our Day Jobs?)" (28 Minute documentary video)
Charts
| Chart (1981/82) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Albums Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
49 |
| Swedish Albums Chart | 21 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
10 |
| US Billboard Pop Albums Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
192 |
Certifications
Personnel
- Dave Gahan - lead vocals
- Martin GoreMartin GoreMartin 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...
- keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocals ("Any Second Now (Voices)"), songwriting - Vince ClarkeVince ClarkeVince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
- keyboards, programming, backing vocals, songwriting - Andrew Fletcher - keyboards, backing vocals
- Depeche ModeDepeche ModeDepeche 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...
, Daniel Miller – producers - John FryerJohn Fryer (music)John Fryer is an English record producer. Best known for his production work, he also branched out as a musician as one of only two constant members of This Mortal Coil , providing keyboards, strings and synthesizer sequencing for the band, and its offshoot, The Hope Blister.- Career :Starting out...
, Eric RadcliffeEric RadcliffeEric Radcliffe is a recording engineer and producer who worked with New Wave and synthpop bands in the early 1980s in Basildon, England...
– engineers - Brian Griffin – album photography
- CDD Pre-Mastering: WCI Record Group
- Publisher: Mute RecordsMute RecordsMute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
- Label: Mute RecordsMute RecordsMute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
- Recorded at Blackwing StudiosBlackwing StudiosBlackwing Studios was an English recording studio, most notable for early Depeche Mode and Yazoo recordings in the early 1980s.-Background:The Blackwing Studios complex was housed inside a deconsecrated church in South-East London. All Hallows church was partly destroyed during The Blitz in 1941...
, LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...