Useless

Useless
Song Artist Depeche Mode Album Ultra Songwriter Martin L. Gore Produced by Depeche Mode Tim Simenon Recorded at Abbey Road Eastcote Westside Strongroom RAK (London) Electric Lady (New York City) Larrabee West (Los Angeles) Label Mute Records Length (mm:ss) 5:12 (album version) 4:53 (single remix) 4:44 (album edit) Tempo 94 BPM Time signature 4/4 Key B Major Programming Kerry Hopwood Engineering Q Engineering assistance Paul Hicks Guy Massey Lee Fitzgerald Tom Rixton Gary Forde Lee Phillips Jamie Campbell Jim Greg Audie Chamberlain Robbie Kazandjian Mixing Tim Simenon Q Mastering Mike Marsh Keyboards Dave Clayton Percussion Danny Cummings Drums Gota Yashiki Keith LeBlanc Vocal coach Evelyn Halus Art direction Anton Corbijn Colour prints Brian Dowling Sleeve design Area Recorded January, 1996 - February, 1997 Originally released October 20, 1997 Played live 122 times * Total live plays 144 times *

Notes

When Depeche Mode started recording an album in November 1995, 'Useless' was one of the three songs that Martin Gore had ready as a demo.

Martin Gore in Bong issue no. 37, 1998:

"It's one of the rockiest pieces that we’ve ever done and it's probably up there with 'I Feel You'. I think we're on that right side of another line when it comes to rock, but I don't think we'll ever be a rock band or a heavy metal band. We might branch out and do things like pop or we might do some rock but we'll still retain some identity."

Lyrics

Useless

Well it's about time

It's beginning to hurt

Time you made up your mind

Just what is it all worth

All my useless advice

All my hanging around

All your cutting down to size

All my bringing you down

Watch the clock on the wall

Feel the slowing of time

Hear a voice in the hall

Echoing in my mind

All your stupid ideals

You've got your head in the clouds

You should see how it feels

With your feet on the ground

Here I stand the accused

With your fist in my face

Feeling tired and bruised

With the bitterest taste

All my useless advice

All my hanging around

All your cutting down to size

All my bringing you down

All your stupid ideals

You've got your head in the clouds

You should see how it feels

With your feet on the ground

Songwriter: Martin L. Gore
Publishing Information: ©1997 Grabbing Hands Music Ltd/EMI Music Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dates with available recordings of Useless

There are currently 87 recordings of Useless available.

• 1997-04-10 Adrenalin Village, London, England, UK/Source 1
• 1997-04-10 Adrenalin Village, London, England, UK/Source 2
• 1997-05-16 Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 1
• 1997-05-16 Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 2
• 1997-05-16 Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 3
• 1997-05-16 Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 4
• 1998-09-02 Song Festival Grounds, Tartu, Estonia/Source 1
• 1998-09-02 Song Festival Grounds, Tartu, Estonia/Source 2
• 1998-09-05 Olympiski, Moscow, Russia/Source 1
• 1998-09-07 SKK Indoor Arena, St. Petersburg, Russia/Source 1
• 1998-09-07 SKK Indoor Arena, St. Petersburg, Russia/Source 2
• 1998-09-09 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland/Source 1
• 1998-09-11 Valby Multi Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark/Source 1
• 1998-09-12 Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden/Source 1
• 1998-09-12 Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden/Source 2
• 1998-09-13 Globe, Stockholm, Sweden/Source 1
• 1998-09-15 Sports Hall, Prague, Czech Republic/Source 1
• 1998-09-15 Sports Hall, Prague, Czech Republic/Source 2
• 1998-09-16 Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria/Source 1
• 1998-09-16 Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria/Source 2
• 1998-09-18 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany/Source 1
• 1998-09-18 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany/Source 2
• 1998-09-18 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany/Source 3
• 1998-09-19 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany/Source 1
• 1998-09-19 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany/Source 2
• 1998-09-20 Messehalle, Erfurt, Germany/Source 1
• 1998-09-22 Forest National Stadium, Brussels, Belgium/Source 1
• 1998-09-23 Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, Germany/Source 1
• 1998-09-23 Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, Germany/Source 2
• 1998-09-25 Hallenstadion, Zürich, Switzerland/Source 1
• 1998-09-26 Palasport, Bologna, Italy/Source 1
• 1998-09-26 Palasport, Bologna, Italy/Source 2
• 1998-09-27 Forum, Milan, Italy/Source 1
• 1998-09-29 Wembley Arena, London, England, UK/Source 1
• 1998-09-30 Wembley Arena, London, England, UK/Source 1
• 1998-10-02 Nynex, Manchester, England, UK/Source 1
• 1998-10-03 NEC, Birmingham, England, UK/Source 1
• 1998-10-05 Cologne Arena, Cologne, Germany/Source 3
• 1998-10-06 Cologne Arena, Cologne, Germany/Source 1
• 1998-10-07 Bercy, Paris, France/Source 1
• 1998-10-09 Messehalle, Hannover, Germany/Source 1
• 1998-10-10 Messehalle, Leipzig, Germany/Source 1
• 1998-10-11 Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany/Source 1
• 1998-10-13 Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany/Source 1
• 1998-10-15 Sports Palace, Zaragoza, Spain/Source 1
• 1998-10-16 Palau Saint Jordi, Barcelona, Spain/Source 1
• 1998-10-17 Velodromo de Anoeta, San Sebastian, Spain/Source 1
• 1998-10-27 Centrum, Worcester, MA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-10-28 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA/Source 1
• 1998-10-29 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA/Source 2
• 1998-11-01 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-11-01 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA, USA/Source 2
• 1998-11-05 SkyDome, Toronto, ON, Canada/Source 1
• 1998-11-05 SkyDome, Toronto, ON, Canada/Source 2
• 1998-11-06 Molson Centre, Montréal, QB, Canada/Source 1
• 1998-11-11 Patriot Center, Washington, DC, USA/Source 1
• 1998-11-13 Miami Arena, Miami, FL, USA/Source 1
• 1998-11-13 Miami Arena, Miami, FL, USA/Source 2
• 1998-11-13 Miami Arena, Miami, FL, USA/Source 3
• 1998-11-14 Orlando Arena, Orlando, FL, USA/Source 1
• 1998-11-15 Ice Palace, Tampa, FL, USA/Source 1
• 1998-11-18 Compaq Center, Houston, TX, USA/Source 1
• 1998-11-19 Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX, USA/Source 1
• 1998-11-24 Rosemont Arena, Chicago, IL, USA/Source 1
• 1998-11-25 Rosemont Arena, Chicago, IL, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-01 Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-02 Idaho Center, Boise, ID, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-04 PNE Coliseum, Vancouver, BC, Canada/Source 1
• 1998-12-06 Rose Garden, Portland, OR, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-07 Key Arena, Seattle, WA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-07 Key Arena, Seattle, WA, USA/Source 2
• 1998-12-09 Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-11 Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-14 America West Arena, Phoenix, AZ, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-14 America West Arena, Phoenix, AZ, USA/Source 2
• 1998-12-15 Cox Arena, San Diego, CA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-18 Forum, Inglewood, CA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-18 Forum, Inglewood, CA, USA/Source 2
• 1998-12-19 Forum, Inglewood, CA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-20 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-12-22 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA, USA/Source 1
• 2017-10-18 Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 1
• 2017-10-18 Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 2
• 2018-02-16 SKK, St. Petersburg, Russia/Source 1
• 2018-06-26 Volt Festival, Sopron, Hungary/Source 1
• 2018-06-26 Volt Festival, Sopron, Hungary/Source 2
• Something Went Wrong (compilation)

Dates where Useless was played

1997 Ultra Parties

Useless was played 2 times during this tour.

• 1997-04-10 Adrenalin Village, London, England, UK
• 1997-05-16 Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA, USA

1998 The Singles Tour

Useless was played 64 times during this tour.

• 1998-09-02 Song Festival Grounds, Tartu, Estonia
• 1998-09-03 Jurmala Tennis Hall, Riga, Latvia
• 1998-09-05 Olympiski, Moscow, Russia
• 1998-09-07 SKK Indoor Arena, St. Petersburg, Russia
• 1998-09-09 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland
• 1998-09-11 Valby Multi Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
• 1998-09-12 Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden
• 1998-09-13 Globe, Stockholm, Sweden
• 1998-09-15 Sports Hall, Prague, Czech Republic
• 1998-09-16 Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria
• 1998-09-18 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany
• 1998-09-19 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany
• 1998-09-20 Messehalle, Erfurt, Germany
• 1998-09-22 Forest National Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
• 1998-09-23 Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, Germany
• 1998-09-25 Hallenstadion, Zürich, Switzerland
• 1998-09-26 Palasport, Bologna, Italy
• 1998-09-27 Forum, Milan, Italy
• 1998-09-29 Wembley Arena, London, England, UK
• 1998-09-30 Wembley Arena, London, England, UK
• 1998-10-02 Nynex, Manchester, England, UK
• 1998-10-03 NEC, Birmingham, England, UK
• 1998-10-05 Cologne Arena, Cologne, Germany
• 1998-10-06 Cologne Arena, Cologne, Germany
• 1998-10-07 Bercy, Paris, France
• 1998-10-09 Messehalle, Hannover, Germany
• 1998-10-10 Messehalle, Leipzig, Germany
• 1998-10-11 Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany
• 1998-10-13 Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
• 1998-10-15 Sports Palace, Zaragoza, Spain
• 1998-10-16 Palau Saint Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
• 1998-10-17 Velodromo de Anoeta, San Sebastian, Spain
• 1998-10-27 Centrum, Worcester, MA, USA
• 1998-10-28 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA
• 1998-10-29 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA
• 1998-11-01 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA, USA
• 1998-11-05 SkyDome, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 1998-11-06 Molson Centre, Montréal, QB, Canada
• 1998-11-08 Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH, USA
• 1998-11-09 The Palace, Detroit, MI, USA
• 1998-11-11 Patriot Center, Washington, DC, USA
• 1998-11-13 Miami Arena, Miami, FL, USA
• 1998-11-14 Orlando Arena, Orlando, FL, USA
• 1998-11-15 Ice Palace, Tampa, FL, USA
• 1998-11-18 Compaq Center, Houston, TX, USA
• 1998-11-19 Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX, USA
• 1998-11-20 Alamodome, San Antonio, TX, USA
• 1998-11-22 U.N.O. Lakefront Arena, University Of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA
• 1998-11-24 Rosemont Arena, Chicago, IL, USA
• 1998-11-25 Rosemont Arena, Chicago, IL, USA
• 1998-11-29 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, CO, USA
• 1998-12-01 Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
• 1998-12-02 Idaho Center, Boise, ID, USA
• 1998-12-04 PNE Coliseum, Vancouver, BC, Canada
• 1998-12-06 Rose Garden, Portland, OR, USA
• 1998-12-07 Key Arena, Seattle, WA, USA
• 1998-12-09 Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA, USA
• 1998-12-11 Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA, USA
• 1998-12-14 America West Arena, Phoenix, AZ, USA
• 1998-12-15 Cox Arena, San Diego, CA, USA
• 1998-12-18 Forum, Inglewood, CA, USA
• 1998-12-19 Forum, Inglewood, CA, USA
• 1998-12-20 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA, USA
• 1998-12-22 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA, USA

2001 Exciter Tour

• Useless was not played during this tour.

2003 Paper Monsters Tour (Dave Gahan solo)

Useless was played 22 times during this tour.

• 2003-10-27 Manchester Apollo, Manchester, England, UK
• 2003-10-29 Carling Apollo Hammersmith, London, England, UK
• 2003-10-31 Forest National Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
• 2003-11-01 Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
• 2003-11-02 Kulturarena, Berlin, Germany
• 2003-11-04 Annexet, Stockholm, Sweden
• 2003-11-05 KB Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
• 2003-11-07 Spodek Arena, Katowice, Poland
• 2003-11-08 Incheba Hall, Bratislava, Slovakia
• 2003-11-10 Gasometer, Vienna, Austria
• 2003-11-11 Zenith, Munich, Germany
• 2003-11-13 Thuringenhalle, Erfurt, Germany
• 2003-11-14 Philipshalle, Dusseldorf, Germany
• 2003-11-15 Bördelandhalle, Magdeburg, Germany
• 2003-11-17 Stadionsporthalle, Hannover, Germany
• 2003-11-18 Avo Session, Festsaal Messe, Basel, Switzerland
• 2003-11-20 Zenith, Paris, France
• 2003-11-22 Böblingen Sporthalle, Stuttgart, Germany
• 2003-11-24 Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
• 2003-11-27 La Riviera, Madrid, Spain
• 2003-11-29 Republicca, Valencia, Spain
• 2003-11-30 Razzmatazz, Barcelona, Spain

2003 "A Night With Martin L. Gore" (Martin L. Gore solo)

• Useless was not played during this tour.

2005-2006 Touring The Angel

• Useless was not played during this tour.

2009-2010 Tour Of The Universe

• Useless was not played during this tour.

2013-2014 Delta Machine Tour

• Useless was not played during this tour.

2017-2018 Global Spirit Tour

Useless was played 56 times during this tour.

• 2017-10-18 Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, USA
• 2017-11-15 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
• 2017-11-17 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England, UK
• 2017-11-19 Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, England, UK
• 2017-11-22 O2 Arena, London, England, UK
• 2017-11-24 Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany
• 2017-11-26 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
• 2017-11-28 Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, Germany
• 2017-11-30 Mannheim Arena, Mannheim, Germany
• 2017-12-03 AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France
• 2017-12-05 AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France
• 2017-12-07 Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
• 2017-12-09 Pala Alpitour, Torino, Italy
• 2017-12-11 Pala Alpitour, Torino, Italy
• 2017-12-13 Unipol Arena, Bologna, Italy
• 2017-12-16 WiZink Center, Madrid, Spain
• 2018-01-09 Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark
• 2018-01-11 BarclayCard Arena, Hamburg, Germany
• 2018-01-13 Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2018-01-15 Lanxess-Arena, Cologne, Germany
• 2018-01-17 Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin, Germany
• 2018-01-19 Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin, Germany
• 2018-01-21 Arena Nürnburger, Nuremberg, Germany
• 2018-01-24 Bordeaux Metropol Arena, Bordeaux, France
• 2018-01-27 Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
• 2018-01-29 Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
• 2018-01-31 O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
• 2018-02-02 BSA, Budapest, Hungary
• 2018-02-04 Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria
• 2018-02-07 Tauron Arena, Krakow, Poland
• 2018-02-09 Atlas Arena, Lodz, Poland
• 2018-02-11 Ergo Arena, Gdansk, Poland
• 2018-02-13 Minsk Arena, Minsk, Belarus
• 2018-02-16 SKK, St. Petersburg, Russia
• 2018-02-18 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland
• 2018-02-20 Arena Riga, Riga, Latvia
• 2018-02-22 Siemens Arena, Vilnius, Lithuania
• 2018-02-25 Olimpiyski Arena, Moscow, Russia
• 2018-03-11 Foro Sol, Mexico City, Mexico
• 2018-03-13 Foro Sol, Mexico City, Mexico
• 2018-03-16 Simon Bolivar Park, Bogota, Colombia
• 2018-03-18 Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru
• 2018-03-21 Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile
• 2018-03-24 Estadio Unico de la Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 2018-03-27 Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• 2018-05-22 Honda Center, Anaheim, CA, USA
• 2018-05-24 Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
• 2018-05-27 AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
• 2018-05-29 BoK Center, Tulsa, OK, USA
• 2018-06-01 United Center, Chicago, IL, USA
• 2018-06-03 Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
• 2018-06-06 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
• 2018-06-09 TD Garden, Boston, MA, USA
• 2018-06-11 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2018-06-26 Volt Festival, Sopron, Hungary
• 2018-07-25 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany

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6. Useless List of Ultra songs

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