Heroes

David Bowie 1947 - 2016

"Heroes" is a cover of the David Bowie song of the same name, recorded as a tribute to the late musician by Depeche Mode. This track holds significance in the early history and formation of the band. Before adopting the name Depeche Mode, the ensemble was known as Composition Of Sound, consisting of Vince Clarke, Andrew Fletcher, and Martin Gore. It was during a rehearsal that they heard Dave Gahan performing 'Heroes', leaving them impressed with his rendition and leading to his invitation to join the group.

The song was subsequently added to the band's setlist during the 2017-2018 Global Spirit tour. Its inaugural performance took place at New York's Highline Stages on August 3rd, 2016. This performance was recorded and filmed, later becoming available on YouTube, while an audio-only version was included on the 'MODE' box set.

Notes

Dave Gahan told Classic Pop magazine in March 2017:

"When we started rehearsing I brought up the idea of maybe doing a Bowie cover especially after losing him. Martin and I are both huge fans, and still are. So it just seemed right, Martin was into it. It's got a real early Depeche flavour to it."

Live versions

This section provides examples of live versions of Heroes from each tour that it was played. The recording from 2017-09-09 New York is generally regarded as the best sounding version out of these examples.

2017-2018 Global Spirit Tour

• Play 2017-05-05 Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden (Audience)
• Play 2017-05-20 Štadión Pasienky, Bratislava, Slovakia (In-ear monitor)
• Play 2017-05-22 Groupama Aréna, Budapest, Hungary (In-ear monitor)
• Play 2017-06-25 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy (In-ear monitor)
• Play 2017-06-25 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy (In-ear monitor/Audience matrix)
• Play 2017-09-09 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA (Assistive listening device/Audience matrix)
• Play 2017-09-11 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA (Assistive listening device/Audience matrix)

Lyrics

Heroes

I, I will be king

And you, you will be my queen

Though nothing will keep us together

We can beat them, for ever and ever

We can be heroes, just for one day

And you, you can be mean

And I, I'll drink all the time

'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact

Yes we're lovers, that is that

Though nothing will keep us together

We could beat them, just for one day

We can be heroes, just for one day

I, I wish I could swim

Like the dolphins, like the dolphins can swim

Though nothing, will drive them away

We can beat them, just for one day

We can be heroes, forever and ever

What d'you say?

I, I will be king

And you, you will be queen

Though nothing can keep us together

We can beat them, forever and ever

We can be heroes, just for one day

I, I can remember (I remember)

Standing by the wall (by the wall)

And the guns shot above our heads (all around us)

And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)

And the shame, it fell on the other side

Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever

We could be heroes, just for one day

What d'you say?

We can be heroes

Just for one day

We can be heroes

Though nothing will keep us together

Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay

We can be heroes

Just for one day

Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh

Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh

We can be heroes

Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh

Just for one day

Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh

Just for one day

Songwriter: David Bowie
Publishing Information: ©1977 RCA Records. All rights reserved.

Live performances

Main article: Available recordings of "Heroes"

Main article: List of dates where "Heroes" was played