The Meaning of Love

Depeche Mode

About The Meaning of Love

"The Meaning of Love" is the fifth UK single by Depeche Mode released on 26 April 1982 and recorded at Blackwing Studios. The single version of "The Meaning of Love" is the same as the album version from A Broken Frame. The "Fairly Odd Mix" is an extended version with electronic experimentation added to the original mix. The B-side is "Oberkorn (It's a Small Town)", an atmospheric instrumental written by Martin Gore as an intro for the A Broken Frame Tour, in the town of Oberkorn, Luxembourg. A longer version called the "Development Mix" features an ambient intro followed by the original song, and afterwards has a new arrangement of music. The video for "The Meaning of Love" was the second video with Alan Wilder, although he did not contribute to the song. The director was Julien Temple. The video was not included on the Some Great Videos VHS compilation because it was not well-liked by the band. The single was not released in the United States, but the 12" "Fairly Odd Mix" of the song features on the B-side of the "See You" US 12" single. 


Year:
1998
3:10
117 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

I've read more than a hundred books
Seen love mentioned many thousand times
But despite all the places I've looked
It's still no clearer, it's just not enough
I'm still no nearer the meaning of love

The meaning of love
The meaning of love

Noted down all my observations
Spent an evening watching television
Still I couldn't say with precision
Know it's a feeling and it comes from above
But what's the meaning, the meaning of love?

The meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love

From the notes that I've made so far
Love seems something like wanting a scar
Well, I could be wrong, I'm just not sure you see
I've never been in love before, never been in love before
Never been in love before

Next I asked several friends of mine
If they could spare a few minutes of their time
Their look suggested that I'd lost my mind
Tell me the answer, my Lord high above
Tell me the meaning, the meaning of love

The meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love

From the notes that I've made so far
Love seems something like wanting a scar
Well, I could be wrong, I'm just not sure you see
I've never been in love before, never been in love before
Never been in love before

The meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love

Tell me the meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love
Tell me the meaning of love
Tell me

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode ( /dɨˈpɛʃ/) are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan (lead vocals, occasional songwriter since 2005), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, chief songwriter after 1981), Andy Fletcher (keyboards) and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter 1980–81). Clarke left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album, Speak & Spell, and was replaced by Alan Wilder (keyboards, drums, occasional songwriter) with Gore taking over songwriting. Wilder left the band in 1995; Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher have since continued as a trio. more »

4 fans

Written by: Martin Gore

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Development
"The Meaning of Love" is an original composition by Martin Gore from the synth-pop band Depeche Mode.
Album Inclusion
This song is included in Depeche Mode's second studio album, "A Broken Frame," which was released in September 1982.
Chart Performance
"The Meaning of Love" ranked 12th on the UK Singles Chart. Despite not being the most successful single from the album, it proved that Depeche Mode had a consistent fan base that they could rely on.
Song Theme
Despite its upbeat tempo and bright synthesizer melodies, the song explores a thoughtful, introspective theme about young love's superficiality.
Music Video
An interesting fact about the song is its music video which was directed by Julien Temple. The video uses stop-motion filming techniques to align with the song's playful atmosphere.
Single Release
The song was released as a single on 26 April 1982, following the successful single “See You."
Critical reception
The song received mixed reviews. While some critics praised its distinct sound and earnest lyrics, others felt it was not as strong as other tracks on the album.
Remixes
The 12" single version of "The Meaning of Love" is a bit longer than the album version due to an extended bridge. There is also a "Fairly Odd Mix" available which has a longer runtime and quite a different arrangement.
Live Performance
Despite being released as a single, "The Meaning of Love" is rarely performed live by Depeche Mode.
Vinyl Release
"The Meaning of Love" was also released on vinyl in the UK. The cover for the single features photography by Brian Griffin, who shot many of the band's early album covers and promotional images.

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