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Useless (song)

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This article is about the Depeche Mode song. For other songs with the same title, see Useless (disambiguation).

"Useless"
Single by Depeche Mode
from the album Ultra
B-sideVarious remixes
Released20 October 1997
RecordedJanuary 1996–February 1997
Abbey Road, Eastcote, Westside, Strongroom, RAK, London
Electric Lady, New York
Larrabee West, Los Angeles
Length5:12 (album version)
4:53 (single remix)
4:44 (album edit)
LabelMute
Songwriter(s)Martin Gore
Producer(s)Tim Simenon
Depeche Mode singles chronology
"Home"
(1997) 		"Useless"
(1997) 		"Only When I Lose Myself"
(1998)

"Useless" is Depeche Mode's thirty-fourth UK single, released on 20 October 1997, and the fourth and final single for the album Ultra. It was released with "Home" as a double A-side in the US due to "Useless" getting airplay on US radio stations before "Home" was announced. "Useless" features a distinctive bass contribution [1] performed by seasoned bassist Doug Wimbish, known for his work as a session bassist and as a member of Living Color.

The single remix, by Alan Moulder, changes the intro and has an updated beat (similar to the changes done to the 7" versions of "Walking In My Shoes" and "Condemnation"), and adds some extra synth during the chorus. It also contains more grainy vocals. "The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session" is a very prominent remix by the DJ duo of the same name. On the US 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", accessible when the disc is inserted into a PC.

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 And 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

12": Mute / 12Bong28 (UK)

  1. "Useless" (The Kruder + Dorfmeister session ™) (9:10)
  2. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Funky sub mix) (5:38)
  3. "Useless" (Air 20 mix)" (7:56) (remixed by Carl Craig)

CD: Mute / CDBong28 (UK)

  1. "Useless" (remix) (4:53) (remixed by Alan Moulder)
  2. "Useless" (Escape from Wherever: parts 1 & 2!) (7:17) (remixed by Barry Adamson)
  3. "Useless" (Cosmic Blues mix) (6:57)
  • Includes a bonus "Barrel of a Gun" video.

CD: Mute / LCDBong28 (UK)

  1. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar mix) (6:03)
  2. "Useless" (The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session ™) (9:10)
  3. "Useless" (live) (5:21)
  • Includes a bonus "It's No Good" video.

CD: Mute / CDBong28X (EU)

  1. "Useless" (remix) (4:55)
  2. "Useless" (Escape from Wherever: Parts 1 & 2!)(7:17)
  3. "Useless" (Cosmic Blues mix) (6:57)
  4. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar mix) (6:03)
  5. "Useless" (The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session ™) (9:10)
  6. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Funky sub mix) (5:38)
  7. "Useless" (Air 20 mix) (7:56)
  8. "Useless" (Live) (5:21)
  • This CD is the 2004 re-release
  • Includes both "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good" videos.

Promo 12": Mute / P12Bong28 (UK)

  1. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Funky sub mix) (5:38)
  2. "Useless" (The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session ™) (9:10)

Radio promo CD: Mute / RCDBong28 (UK)

  1. "Useless" (remix) (4:53) (remixed by Alan Moulder)
  2. "Useless" (Escape from Wherever: parts 1 & 2!) (7:17) (remixed by Barry Adamson)
  3. "Useless" (Cosmic Blues mix) (6:57)

Promo CD: reprise / n/a (US)

  1. "Useless" (album edit) (4:44)
  2. "Useless" (5:12)

"Home"/"Useless"

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.

7": reprise / 7-17314 (US)

  1. "Home" (5:46)
  2. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar edit) (4:06)

Charlie Production

CD: reprise / 9 17314-2 (US)

  1. "Home" (5:46)
  2. "Home" (Air "Around the Golf" remix) (3:58)
  3. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar Edit) (4:06)
  • Above released ((18 November))

CD: reprise / 9 43906-2 (US)

  1. "Home" (5:46)
  2. "Home" (Grantby mix) (4:38)
  3. "Home" (LFO Meant to Be) (4:26)
  4. "Home" (The Noodles and The Damage Done) (6:22)
  5. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar mix) (6:00)
  6. "Useless" (CJ Bolland Funky sub mix) (5:38)
  7. "Useless" (Kruder + Dorfmeister Session ™) (9:10)
  8. "Useless" (Escape from Wherever: parts 1 & 2) (7:15)
  • Released 11 November
  • The CD can be put into a PC that met requirements and you can watch the videos for "Barrel of a Gun", "It's No Good", "Home", and "Useless".
  • Packaged in a clear plastic case with sliding pull-out disc tray.
  • All songs written by Martin L. Gore
  • Martin Gore sings lead on "Home", David Gahan sings lead on "Useless"

Charts

Chart (1997) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[3] 134
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[4] 42
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[5] 17
Germany (GfK)[6] 16
Poland (LP3)[7] 25
Scotland (OCC)[8] 28
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 16
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 28
UK Indie (OCC)[11] 4

References

  1. ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_(Depeche_Mode_album)#Personnel
  2. ^ http://www.depechemode.com/video/television/victorias_secret.html
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 45. 8 November 1997. p. 24. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Depeche Mode: Useless" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Depeche Mode – Useless" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  7. ^ "Polish Singles Chart |".
  8. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  9. ^ "Depeche Mode – Useless". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  11. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
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