THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

968-Depeche Mode-Useless.

1997-Number 28 single.

Best Bit-At 3.03. I do not condone the use of recreational drugs at all, but there is no doubt that all the way through Pop Music history the use of drugs has aided some of the greatest songs ever to be written. This song is called ‘Useless,’ but it could so easily have been called ‘Use Less.’

Depeche Mode (see also best songs 261 and 134) were formed in Basildon, England, in 1980, by Dave Gahan, (lead vocals) Martin Gore, (keyboards, and guitar) Vince Clarke, (keyboards and guitars) and Andy Fletcher (1961-2022) (keyboards, and bass guitar.) Vince Clarke (see also best songs 700 and 451) would leave the group in 1981 after the release of their debut Album ‘Speak & Spell,’ on which he had written 10 of the 11 songs. He was replaced by Alan Wilder, (keyboards, piano, and drums) who would be a band member until leaving in 1997, before the release of the ‘Ultra’ Album. Following the death of Andy Fletcher in 2022, the band remain active, with the only official members now being Dave Gahan, and Martin Gore, for the discography of Depeche Mode see best songs 134. Depeche Mode’s longevity is very unusual in the ever changing fads of Pop Music, to remain relevant, and to survive this long you obviously need natural talent, but you also have to have the ability to not be a one trick pony. The Depeche Mode of 1980 sounds very different to the sound of Depeche Mode in 2023.

‘Useless’ was the fourth and final single released from Depeche Mode’s ninth studio Album ‘Ultra,’ from April 1997, it was written by Martin Gore, with the production being by Tim Simenon, although Alan Moulder was brought in to produce the tracks single release, which was shortened, and slightly sped up, with a different beat. In America and Canada, ‘Useless’ was released as a double ‘A’ side, with the song, ‘Home,’ which was also taken from the ‘Ultra’ Album. In America and Canada ‘Useless’ failed to make any impact on the chart, but in Europe it made Number 17 in Finland, and coincidentally Number 16 in Germany, Italy, and Sweden.

‘Useless’ and it’s parent Album ‘Ultra’ were produced by Tim Simenon, who had previously worked on one of the remixes of Depeche Mode’s 1983 song ‘Everything Counts,’ and had stated that he had always been a big fan of the band dating back to 1981. Depeche Mode were looking for a new producer in order to freshen up their sound, as they took their music in a different direction, exploring ‘Alternative Rock, and ‘Trip-Hop.’ Tim Simenon was born on June 21st, 1968, in London, England, and had his greatest success in the late 1980’s, and early 1990’s working under the alias ‘Bomb the Bass,’ experimenting with Electronic Music, and ‘Hip-Hop,’ and using many ‘samples’ in his music. It is said that his 1988 debut single ‘Beat Dis” contains 72 different samples, including ‘Hip-Hop,’ ‘Funk,’ and dialogue clips from television shows such as ‘Dragnet,’ and ‘Thunderbirds.’ As ‘Bomb the Bass’ Simenon released six studio Albums between 1988-2013, and 14 singles between 1988-2008. In the UK, six of those singles reached the top 40, with ‘Beat Dis” charting the highest at Number 2 in 1988. Simenon was also the co-producer of ‘Buffalo Stance,’ (see also best songs 839) in 1988, which made Number 3, in both the American Billboard Hot 100, and UK singles chart.

‘Ultra’ was the first Depeche Mode Album following the departure of Alan Wilder who had become disillusioned with life as a member of Depeche Mode, mainly due to the drug problems that his fellow band members were going through.’Useless’ is a song of self loathing, the songs writer Martin Gore, and singer Dave Gahan both have suffered personal drug addiction throughout much of their adult lives.

‘Here I stand the accused, with your fist in my face feeling tired and bruised, with the bitterest taste. All my useless advice, all my hanging around, all your cutting down to size, all my bringing you down.’