Useless (song)
"Useless" | ||||
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Single by Depeche Mode | ||||
from the album Ultra | ||||
Released | 20 October 1997 (1997-10-20) | |||
Studio |
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Length |
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Label | Mute | |||
Songwriter(s) | Martin L. Gore | |||
Producer(s) |
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Depeche Mode singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Useless" on YouTube | ||||
"Useless" is a song by English electronic music group Depeche Mode, released on 20 October 1997 as the fourth and final single from their ninth studio album, Ultra (1997). It was released with "Home" as a double A-side in the United States due to "Useless" getting airplay on US radio stations before "Home" was announced. "Useless" features a bass contribution performed by bassist Doug Wimbish,[1] known for his session work and as a member of Living Color.
Release
The single version of "Useless" was remixed by Alan Moulder, and is not only shortened but also features several alterations (similar to the changes done to the 7-inch versions of "Behind the Wheel" and "Condemnation"), such as having a different beat and is slightly sped up. Several elements have also been mixed to sound harsher, such as the synth on the second chorus. On the US double A-side single, the single remix is replaced by the CJ Bolland Ultrasonar Edit.
There are no actual B-sides for "Useless", except for remixes and live versions of the song. Some versions of the CD single feature the videos for "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good". The 1997 music video for "Useless" was the last Depeche Mode video to be directed by Anton Corbijn for more than eight years. Though he remained working for Depeche Mode on all their album/single covers, press images and tour projections/designs, the record label decided to experiment with new directors for music videos. Corbijn's next video project with Depeche Mode was for "Suffer Well".
Depeche Mode licensed the Kruder & Dorfmeister remix of "Useless" to Victoria's Secret, for use in their "Natural Miracle Bra" ad campaign. It aired on US television for a few weeks.[2]
Track listings
All songs were written by Martin L. Gore. The live version of "Useless" was recorded on 10 April 1997 in London, England.
UK CD single[3]
- "Useless" (remix)
- "Useless" (Escape from Wherever: Parts 1 & 2!)
- "Useless" (Cosmic Blues mix)
- "Barrel of a Gun" (video)
UK limited-edition CD single[4]
- "Useless" (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar mix)
- "Useless" (The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session™)
- "Useless" (live)
- "It's No Good" (video)
UK 12-inch single[5]
- A1. "Useless" (The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session™)
- AA1. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Funky sub mix)
- AA2. "Useless" (Air 20 mix)
"Home" / "Useless"
"Home" / "Useless" | ||||
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Single by Depeche Mode | ||||
from the album Ultra | ||||
Released | 18 November 1997 (1997-11-18) | |||
Length |
| |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | Martin L. Gore | |||
Producer(s) | Tim Simenon | |||
Depeche Mode singles chronology | ||||
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In November 1997, "Home" and "Useless" were released as a double A-side single in the US and Canada. The front cover art has the "Home" cover on the front, with the "Home" track list, and the back cover art has the "Useless" cover art, with the "Useless" track list.
Track listings
All songs were written by Gore. Gore sings lead on "Home", and Dave Gahan sings lead on "Useless".
CD and cassette single[6][7]
- "Home" – 5:46
- "Home" (Air "Around the Golf" remix) – 3:58
- "Useless" (remix) – 4:06
Maxi-CD single[8]
- "Home" (album version) – 5:46
- "Home" (Grantby mix) – 4:38
- "Home" (LFO Meant to Be) – 4:26
- "Home" (The Noodles & The Damage Done) – 6:22
- "Useless" (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar extended mix) – 6:00
- "Useless" (CJ Bolland Funky Sub mix) – 5:38
- "Useless" (Kruder + Dorfmeister Session™) – 9:11
- "Useless" (Escape from Wherever: Parts 1 & 2) – 7:15
- "Barrel of a Gun" (video)
- "It's No Good" (video)
- "Home" (video)
- "Useless" (video)
7-inch single[9]
- A. "Home" – 5:46
- B. "Useless" (remix) – 4:06
12-inch single[10]
- A1. "Home" (The Noodles & The Damage Done) – 6:22
- A2. "Home" (LFO Meant to Be) – 4:26
- AA1. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar extended mix) – 6:00
- AA2. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Funky Sub mix) – 5:38
Charts
Chart (1997) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[11] | 134 |
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[12] | 42 |
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[13] | 17 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[14] | 16 |
Scotland (OCC)[15] | 28 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[16] | 16 |
UK Singles (OCC)[17] | 28 |
UK Indie (OCC)[18] | 4 |
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[19] with "Home" | 15 |
Release history
Region | Version | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | "Useless" | 4 August 1997 | Alternative radio | Reprise | [20] |
United Kingdom | 20 October 1997 |
| Mute | [21] | |
United States | "Home" / "Useless" | 18 November 1997 |
|
| [22] |
References
- ^ Ultra (UK CD album booklet). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. CD STUMM 148.
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- ^ Useless (UK CD single liner notes). Mute Records. 1997. CD BONG 28.
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ignored (help) - ^ Useless (UK limited CD single liner notes). Mute Records. 1997. LCD BONG 28.
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ignored (help) - ^ Useless (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Mute Records. 1997. 12 BONG 28.
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ignored (help) - ^ Home / Useless (US CD single liner notes). Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1997. 9 17314-2.
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ignored (help) - ^ Home / Useless (US cassette single sleeve). Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1997. 9 17314-4.
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ignored (help) - ^ Home / Useless (US maxi-single disc notes). Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1997. 9 43906-2.
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ignored (help) - ^ Home / Useless (US 7-inch single sleeve). Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1997. 7-17314.
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ignored (help) - ^ Home / Useless (US 12-inch single sleeve). Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1997. 9 43906-0.
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ignored (help) - ^ "Australian (ARIA) chart positions outside the top 100 provided by ARIA, through response to chart inquiry received 5 June 2015". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 29 July 2015 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 45. 8 November 1997. p. 24. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Depeche Mode: Useless" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "Depeche Mode – Useless" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "Depeche Mode – Useless". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "Depeche Mode Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ "Be on the Lookout". Gavin Report. No. 2166. 1 August 1997. p. 47.
- ^ "Useless". depmode.com. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ Sandiford-Waller, Theda (15 November 1997). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 46. p. 87.
Both Depeche Mode's "Home" and [...] arrive at retail Nov. 18.
External links
- Single information from the official Depeche Mode website
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