Perversion (partially found Depeche Mode 'Violator' demo tape; 1989)

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ViolatorSleeve.jpg

Final artwork for the album.

Status: Partially Found

Violator is the seventh album of the English electronic act Depeche Mode. Released on March 19th, 1990, it features some of their best known singles, "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy The Silence".

Lead songwriter Martin Gore would usually record demos before the band would go into the studio to work on the final product.

The Tape

DMPerversionSheet.jpg

According to the handwritten info sheet, the tape (then known by the working title Perversion) contains the following:

Song Title
Mother Me
Enjoy The Silence
Waiting For The Night
World In My Eyes
Halo
Happiest Girl
Sea Of Sin
Blue Dress
Personal Jesus
Memphisto
Sibeling (including the instrumental)
Interlude No. 3, which appears after Blue Dress on the final album.)

Of these tracks, only Enjoy The Silence, Memphisto, Sibeling and Interlude No. 3 are currently in circulation and easily found online. Though not on this tape, demo versions of Sweetest Perfection and Clean were officially released with the 2009 Sounds Of The Universe box set.

Enjoy The Silence notably started as a slow ballad, but at the insistence of Alan Wilder, it was eventually re-worked into the up-tempo version that ultimately ended up on the album. The "Harmonium" mix released on some 12" singles of the song greatly resemble the original demo.

Mother Me

Of particular note is the unreleased song Mother Me, referred to as an "Untitled Classy Track" in the above info sheet. Longtime friend and road manager of the band, Daryl Bamonte said of the track: "I remember a track called 'Mother Me, Smother Me' that I believe was recorded for Violator, but didn't make the final cut for some reason. It was a really good song, but I don't think it was even used for a b-side."

Lyrical Changes

An anonymous ex-label employee provided the Depeche Mode Live Wiki with the lyrics to the songs featured on the tape, some of which contain notable differences.

World in my Eyes

Album version "Perversion" demo
That's all there is
Nothing more than you can feel now
That's all there is
That's all there is
I don't mean to drag you down
But that's all there is
Album version "Perversion" demo
Let me put you on a ship
On a long, long trip
Your lips close to my lips
Let me put you on a ship
On a long, long trip
And you won't be feeling seasick

Waiting for the Night

Album version "Perversion" demo
I press my hands to my ears
It's easier here just to forget fear
I put my hands to my ears
I've soon forgotten all my fears

Blue Dress

Album version "Perversion" demo
Please don't question why Don't you question why

Sea of Sin

Album version "Perversion" demo
My mind's in need
So my body feeds
And it quenches my thirst
My mind's in need
And my body feeds
So I'm never alone
Album version "Perversion" demo
As it gets wetter and wetter As we get wetter and wetter
Album version "Perversion" demo
As we sink deeper and deeper As we go deeper and deeper
Album version "Perversion" demo
Here under God's sky
His watchful eye
And all of the lies
My consolation prize
Why save it for a rainy day?
When we've got here and now
Why save it for a rainy day?
Anyhow

See Also

External Links