Meditate with Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode have over 200 songs catalogued through 17 albums. Their sound has changed through time, but their electronic base and funky tunes remain as relevant and catchy as they were back in the day. Many know the greatness of their early work with hits like Just Can’t Get Enough, People Are People and Enjoy The Silence. Whatever your favourite era of the band is, there’s no doubt the band have produced a handful of masterful songs. When I saw Vocal’s challenge to produce a Zen playlist and write about it, the first thing that came to mind was Depeche Mode.

This playlist contains 20 tracks which is about a 10th of their entire catalogue. Whilist it does not contain all the hits, it’s a selection with some of my favourite songs and ones that I think are wonderful and give me that meditation vibe.

With this playlist, I have selected a portion of some of their greatest songs, with some underrated gems. I think these songs are perfect to meditate too because they’re soothing, world-building and inspiring. The lyrics contain political turmoil, poetic thoughts within the mind and overwhelming desires. Even though their music comes across as dark and underground, it has universal appeal.

I knew I had to include Enjoy The Silence on this list. Their 1990 album, Violator is one of the most perfect albums I ever listened to and their hit album, The song has a wonderful atmosphere which makes it perfect for relaxation. “Words are very unnecessary.” It’s as if the song is telling you to sit back and relax.

Until I made the playlist, I had no idea about Zenstation. A perfect world play with sensation. It’s a lovely instrumental with lovely harmony vocals added in. Their instrumentals are underrated purposely because Dave Gahan’s tenor vocals are cherished by the raw tone. On the odd occasion when Martin Gore does lead vocals, it adds another dimension of depth because he’s the chief songwriter. The instrumentals prove that Depeche Mode can also stand on their own and can make an amazing soundtrack.

The majority of the songs are taken from my favourite Depeche Mode albums: Violator, Black Celebration and Songs of Faith & Devotion. The production behind the songs give them a dark, calming and mystical atmosphere. The lyrics feel poetic, sometimes erotic, romantic and political. Their music just stirs up so many emotions for me. There are also several b-sides that I think stand just as well as their a-side counterpart.

I hope you enjoyed this playlist, Meditate with Depeche Mode. I really feel as if the music takes you to another place even when you’re still in the same place. If you give this playlist a go, you will understand why Depeche Mode are my favourite band.

1. Zenstation - a b-side to Freelove, taken from their 2001 album, Exciter.

2. Enjoy The Silence - The hit single from their 1990 album, Violator

3. Home - taken from their 1997 album, Ultra.

4. When The Body Speaks - taken from their 2001 album, Exciter.

5. Only When I Lose Myself - taken from their compilation album, Singles 86-98.

6. Pipeline - taken from their third album, Construction Time Again.

7. Waiting For The Night - taken from their seventh album, Violator.

8. Clean - also taken from their seventh album, Violator.

9. In Your Room - taken from their eight album from 1993, Songs of Faith & Devotion.

10. I Want You Know - Taken from their sixth album, Music For The Masses.

11. Slowblow - a b-side for It’s No Good which is from their album, Ultra.

12. It Dosen’t Matter Two - A song from their fifth album, Black Celebration.

13. Freelove - single from their album, Exciter.

14. Condemnation - ballad from their 1993 album, Songs of Faith & Devotion.

15. Walking In My Shoes - Taken from Songs of Faith & Devotion.

16. World Full Of Nothing - Taken from Black Celebration.

17. Sweetest Perfection - Taken from Violator.

18. Death’s Door - Taken from the soundtrack from the 1991 film, Until The End Of The World.

19. Damaged People - Taken from their 2005 album, Playing The Angel.

20. Sister of Night - taken from their 1997 album, Ultra.