Shake The Disease

Shake The Disease
Song	Shake The Disease
By	Depeche Mode
Songwriter	Martin L. Gore
Produced by	Depeche Mode Daniel Miller Gareth Jones
Recorded at	Hansa Mischraum (Berlin)
Length (mm:ss)	4:48 (7"/single/album version) 3:59 (fade) 8:45 (12" version)
Tempo	116 BPM
Time signature	4 4
Key	D Minor
Recorded	March 1985
Originally released	29 April 1985
Live performances as Depeche Mode	386 times *
Total live performances	394 times *

"Shake The Disease" is a song from the 1985 compilation album The Singles 81→85 by Depeche Mode. It was released as a single on 29 April 1985.

Notes

Martin Gore in the 1985-08-17 issue of Hitkrant (translated from Dutch):

The song tells the story of a one-sided relationship between a girl and a boy. They realize that it is as good as over for them. So it's a poignant song, but not real life. Christine [Friedrich, girlfriend] and I are still doing very well. A breakup is definitely out of the question.

Gore explained in the 1989-04-15 issue of Melody Maker:

Sometimes [the links between songs] are very obvious, there are things like references cos I really like references to other songs. In 'Shake The Disease', there’s a reference to another song. You know it says: 'Now I've got things to do / and I've said before that I know you have too.' And in another song [Stories Of Old] it said: 'Now I've got things to do / you have too.' I really like those kind of references.

Gore also told the June 24th 1985 issue of Mädchen Magazine (translated from German):

The lyrics are about the problems of maintaining a long-term relationship. This requires tolerance, empathy, but also a portion of egoism. Basically, the song is a thank you to our wives, because all four of us live in happy relationships. But our girlfriends definitely don't have it easy with us...

Andrew Fletcher in the July 1985 issue of Popcorn magazine (translated from German):

We are all in happy relationships, and this song is our thank you to our women, who must not have always had it easy with us. The text deals with the problem of how difficult is to keep a relationship in our situation, because we are so often separated. But we can't write it without a shot of egoism, in our opinion. It is important that you openly state the things that bother you - and that's what 'Shake The Disease' is mostly about.

Dave Gahan on ITV's show 'No. 73':

It's basically a love song, and it's really about the problems of not being able to get across what you really mean, in love, when you're actually trying to talk to someone that you, let's say, fancy, you know, you fancy someone at school or whatever and you're trying to talk to them. Sometimes it's very difficult, you know, and that's what it's basically about. And he's trying to shake that disease of not being able to talk to people.

Dave Gahan in the 22 February 1986 issue of No. 1 Magazine:

I can't work in England anymore. It's funny. [Hansa studio] is right next to the Berlin Wall but none of us has ever been to the East. Martin tried once but they refused him entry. Didn't like the way he was dressed. Thought he was a hooligan. People imagine we work here because it's wow, you know, really heavy, but I don't feel that. The place is quite suburban. Berlin's like Brixton. [...] Oh, yeah. [The cellar] is a bit weird, innit? I was down here doing the vocals for ‘Shake The Disease’ in the dark, last time we were here, and I was terrified. I had all noises in me headphones like whispers, and apparently sometimes you can see the shadow of a projectionist. It's a bit haunted, this studio.

1985 photograph of Martin Gore with the EMU Emulator II sampler keyboard during the recording of 'Shake The Disease'. Photo by eBay seller magicmomentsug4u, retrieved via Facebook group “Depeche Mode Classic Photos And Videos”.

Gore says in the commentary track on the DVD of '101' in 2003:

We really struggled with a title for this song. And it's just a small part from one of the lines of the song. I think it was actually Daniel [Miller] was like, 'Oh, that line sounds good as a title.' It stuck after that. But it was obviously from one of the lines of the song, but all the other lines sounded so bad as titles, [like] "Understand Me".

Gore in the 1985-08-17 issue of Hitkrant (translated from Dutch):

"With "Shake The Disease", we should finally succeed in the States. Our past dance tracks have all hopelessly disappeared. So we thought it was a good idea to attack the U.S. market with this slow, delicate track.

When Depeche Mode was interviewed about the songs on the '101' CD for the April 1989 issue of French magazine 'Best', Fletcher said (translated from French):

It's one of the songs we've been playing for a long time. Every time I hear it, it reminds me of the music video. I cannot forget the music video. I had to stand on some kind of machine and allow it to drop me to my side. I had no confidence in this device that was supposed to hold me back in my drop. I thought I'd die that day.

Dave Gahan, Alan Wilder, and Andrew Fletcher discussed Shake The Disease in an October 1985 interview with British magazine No. 1:

Dave Gahan: "Another one of those tracks which I think is a great song where we didn't really give it enough in the studio. We were touring and trying to make a record at the same time. It was the first single where we had nothing to do with the mixing."
Andrew Fletcher: "When we came back from America there were loads of things we didn't like about it."
Gahan: "It was crying for a great big chorus but it didn't happen."
Alan Wilder: "It is a great song. [Should] have been a very big hit. It did very well elsewhere [...] It was the sort of song you needed to hear a few times."

They said the same in the 1985-10-26 issue of Melody Maker:

Fletch: "To some extent we had put this one out. You need to keep in the public eye, and it's not fair to the fans to put nothing out for a year and a half."

Dave: "This one was different because we were on tour in the States and we left Daniel and Gareth Jones to mix it. We were all freaked out when we heard it because there were bits all over it that we didn't like."

Martin Gore's 1985 home demo

"Martin Gore 1985 home demos" second generation cassette tape.

'Shake The Disease' is one of several song demos prepared by Martin Gore for the 1986 Black Celebration album. Martin's demo version of 'Shake The Disease' closely resembles the album version in terms of structure and overall sound. The second verse has some differing lyrics compared to the album version. The differences are italicized below:

Some people want to be
Permanently together
Lovers devoted
To each other forever
That's not what I mean
That's not for us
We want a different scene
But when I'm not there
In spirit I'll be there

There are a couple faithfully performed instrumental covers of this demo version. See the entry on the fake and misattributed tracks subpage.

Lyrics

Shake The Disease

I'm not going down on my knees

Begging you to adore me

Can't you see it's misery

And torture for me

When I'm misunderstood

Try as hard as you can

I've tried as hard as I could

To make you see

How important it is for me

Here is a plea

From my heart to you

Nobody knows me

As well as you do

You know how hard it is for me

To shake the disease

That takes hold of my tongue

In situations like these

Understand me

Some people have to be

Permanently together

Lovers devoted

To each other forever

Now I've got things to do

And I've said before

That I know you have too

When I'm not there

In spirit I'll be there

Here is a plea

From my heart to you

Nobody knows me

As well as you do

You know how hard it is for me

To shake the disease

That takes hold of my tongue

In situations like these

Songwriter: Martin L. Gore
Publishing Information: ©1985 Grabbing Hands Music Ltd/EMI Music Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

Composition

Sample sources

"Shake The Disease" - Depeche Mode 1985	Sample overview
	Click to display/hide audio
	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Synthesizer, organ elements	A processed organ sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with another musical element to form the melodic hook audible throughout "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a customized edit to Partial 1 of Synclavier II System Disk timbre "1213 ORGAN" produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the organ timbre as heard throughout "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer, bass elements	A processed sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with other musical elements to form the bassline audible throughout "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre using two Partials produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the timbre as heard throughout "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer, bass elements	A synthesized bass sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is performed with other musical elements to form the bassline audible throughout "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard throughout "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer, bass elements	A synthesized bass sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is performed with other musical elements to form the bass sound audible sporadically throughout "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard sporadically throughout "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer, organ elements	A processed synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is audible during the chorus and outro sections of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard during the chorus and outro sections of "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre designed for use during the verse sections of "Everything Counts" is layered with a separate musical element to form the melody performed throughout the verse sections of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard during the verse sections of "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with multiple other musical elements to perform a melody audible during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with multiple other musical elements to perform a melody audible during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom timbre utilising all four available Partials of the Synclavier II produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard in the middle eight of "Shake The Disease". A sawtooth ramp waveshape is enabled for the vibrato waveshape setting of all four partials.
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with multiple other musical elements to perform a melody audible during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".
	Melodic elements	A celeste-like element is layered with a variety of other musical parts (including a separate bell sample and synthesized parts. This distinctive sound would also see use in several other Depeche Mode songs recorded during this era, including "It Doesn't Matter Two" and "But Not Tonight") to form a melodic part audible during the post-chorus sections of "Shake The Disease".			✖
	Percussive elements	A manipulated sample featuring percussive elements originally recorded for use throughout "It Doesn't Matter" is repurposed for use during the post-chorus sections of "Shake The Disease".			✖
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II Resynth Library Disk #4 - 4464 Harp	Confirmed	A harp-like synth pluck sound derived from the "Harp" timbre of Synclavier II Resynth library diskette #4 is layered with a separate sampled sound to form the lead melody heard during the chorus sections of "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example Note: In this example, a selection of audio derived from "Shake The Disease" is compared to the source sound as produced by the Arturia Synclavier V, a Synclavier VST emulation (Resynth timbre "4464 Harp" courtesy of Synclavier co-inventor Cameron Jones via "Timbre Share" Facebook group).
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #3 - 2337 Chimes #1 and Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #1 - 2136 Calimba #2	Confirmed	A combination sound utilising two Synclavier partials (featuring edits to Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #3 "Chimes #1" and Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #1 "Calimba #2") is used to play a brief melody during the post-chorus sections of "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Mandolin, synthesizer elements	Emulator II factory library disk #25: Nylon Guitar & Mandolin and Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank B: "CALIOPE"	Confirmed	A mandolin instrument derived from Emulator II factory library disk #25 "Nylon Guitar & Mandolin" is layered with an edit to Yamaha DX7 factory Rom #1 program "CALIOPE" to perform a melody audible during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Synthesizer, piano elements	Synclavier II Resynth Library Disk #1 - 4151 Clavinet 1 and Emulator II factory library disk #04: Grand Piano - SAMPLE 1, SAMPLE 2	Confirmed	A processed synthesized sound based on an edit to Synclavier II Resynth library diskette #1 timbre "4151 Clavinet" is layered with an edit to Emulator II factory library disk #04 "Grand Piano" to form a melody audible during the verse sections of "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Drum elements, bass drum	Yamaha Corporation - Yamaha RX-11 digital drum machine - 1984	Confirmed	A series of edited bass drum samples derived from the Yamaha RX-11 programmable drum machine are utilised throughout "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Drum elements, snare drum	Yamaha Corporation - Yamaha RX-11 digital drum machine - 1984	Confirmed	A snare drum sample derived from the Yamaha RX-11 programmable drum machine are utilised throughout "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example

Live performances

Main article: Available recordings of "Shake The Disease"

Main article: List of dates where "Shake The Disease" was played

Live versions

This section provides an example of a live version of Shake The Disease from each tour that it was played.

• Play 1984-1985 Some Great Reward Tour: 1985-07-13 Rockscene Festival, Guehenno, France
• Play 1986 Black Celebration Tour: 1986-04-10 N.E.C., Birmingham, England, UK
• Play 1987-1988 Music For The Masses Tour: 1988-01-11 Wembley Arena, London, England, UK
• Play 1990 World Violation Tour: 1990-08-04 Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles, CA, USA
• Play 2003 A Night With Martin L. Gore: 2003-05-06 Mayan Theater, Los Angeles, CA, USA
• Play 2005-2006 Touring The Angel: 2006-04-29 Coachella, Indio, CA, USA
• Play 2013-2014 Delta Machine Tour: 2013-10-11 Austin City Limits Festival, Austin, TX, USA
• Play 2017-2018 Global Spirit Tour: 2017-06-12 HDI Arena, Hannover, Germany
• Play 2023-2024 Memento Mori Tour: 2023-12-08 Pechanga Arena, San Diego, CA, USA

References

Depeche Mode songs released as singles 1981-1985: Dreaming Of Me • New Life • Just Can't Get Enough • See You • The Meaning Of Love • Leave In Silence • Get The Balance Right • Everything Counts • Love In Itself • People Are People • Master And Servant • Blasphemous Rumours / Somebody • Shake The Disease • It's Called A Heart 1986-1989: Stripped • But Not Tonight • A Question Of Lust • A Question Of Time • Strangelove • Never Let Me Down Again • Behind The Wheel • Little 15 • Personal Jesus 1990-1998: Enjoy The Silence • Policy Of Truth • World In My Eyes • I Feel You • Walking In My Shoes • Condemnation • In Your Room • Barrel Of A Gun • It's No Good • Home • Useless • Only When I Lose Myself 2001-2009: Dream On • I Feel Loved • Freelove • Goodnight Lovers • Precious • A Pain That I'm Used To • Suffer Well • John The Revelator / Lilian • Martyr • Wrong • Peace • Fragile Tension / Hole To Feed 2013-2017: Heaven • Soothe My Soul • Should Be Higher • Where's The Revolution • Going Backwards • Cover Me 2023: Ghosts Again Recoil songs released as singles 1992-1998: Faith Healer • Drifting • Stalker / Missing Piece 2000-2008: Strange Hours • Jezebel • Prey • Allelujah Dave Gahan songs released as singles 2003-2008: Dirty Sticky Floors • I Need You • Bottle Living / Hold On • A Little Piece • Kingdom • Saw Something / Deeper And Deeper 2012-2015: Longest Day • Take Me Back Home • All Of This And Nothing • Shine Martin Gore solo songs released as singles 1989-2003: Compulsion • Stardust • Loverman 2012-2015: Spock • Single Blip • Aftermaths • Europa Hymn • "Pinking" (Christoffer Berg Remix) Official releases Studio albums • Live albums • Compilation albums • Video albums • Singles