List of Recoil sample sources by album/Bloodline

Glossary Terms used in this article

In audio production, sampling refers to the use of a portion (or sample) from a sound within another recording. During Alan Wilder's tenure with the group, Depeche Mode were among the most prolific acts to make use of sampling technology within a traditional pop music format. Following his departure from Depeche Mode in 1995, Wilder would continue to employ sampling as a means to enhance the atmosphere of his music through the Recoil project, including passages of contemporary music, film soundtracks, sample library audio, and samples from his past work with Depeche Mode. The analysis of these sample sources and how they are manipulated is a popular topic of discussion amongst fans of both groups.

Key
Official	The sample is confirmed to have been used in the specified song by a past/present member of Depeche Mode, an individual involved in its production, or band archivist Daniel "BRAT" Barassi.
Confirmed	The sample is independently confirmed to have been used in the specified song.
Likely	The sample is likely to have been used in the specified song but has not yet been confirmed.
Unconfirmed	The sample is not yet confirmed to have been used in the specified song.
Disproven	The sample is confirmed to not have been used in the specified song.
Unknown	It is unclear if the sample was used in the specified song.

Information

This page aims to document all verifiable sound sources utilised by Alan Wilder in the production of the 1992 Recoil album Bloodline.

Due to the manipulated nature of the samples described in this article, there is unavoidable potential for error or sample misattribution. To ensure accuracy, this article strives to use verified quotes from band members and recording personnel with citations wherever possible, audio examples, and independent research voluntarily contributed by Depeche Mode and Recoil fans across the world. This article serves to provide an interesting document on this topic in a tabular format that is organized, well-researched, and reasonably accurate. Please bear in mind that due to the limited number of relevant quotes for each sample from band members or associates involved in the production of the music described on this page, audio samples that lack official confirmation are not guaranteed to be accurate.

This article differentiates samples by their origin: Self-made samples, which describes any material originally recorded by Depeche Mode or Alan Wilder for the Recoil music project, and Sourced samples, which describe samples which were not originally recorded by either group. In addition to confirmed samples, this article also covers samples that are commonly misreported as having been used but have been directly refuted by a member or associate of Depeche Mode or Recoil.

As ever, if you notice an error, wish to contribute or request the removal of information contained within this article, please feel free to contact us.

Bloodline (1992)

"Faith Healer"

"Faith Healer" Recoil 1992	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Vocal, choir elements	A section of audio featuring choral elements originally recorded for Depeche Mode's "Fpmip" is utilised throughout the chorus sections of "Faith Healer".			✖
	Tom drum fills	An ambient drum sample originally recorded for use with 1983's "Pipeline" is utilised in combination with a tom drum sound (itself originally recorded for use with 1987's "I Want You Now") to form a series of two unique drum fills preceding each verse section.			✖
	Xpander 'zap' and Pro One synth bass sweep	A layered Xpander/Pro One bass synth part originally recorded for use during the chorus sections of "Enjoy The Silence" are utilised during the chorus sections of "Faith Healer".			✖
	Vocal elements	A sample of a vocoded vocal originally recorded for use with the "Dub In My Eyes" remix of "World In My Eyes" is used as a rhythmic element throughout "Faith Healer".			✖
	Vocal elements	A looped male solo vocal pad originally heard during the opening minutes of "Clean" is used sporadically throughout "Faith Healer".			✖
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Guitar riff and other elements	The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - "The Faith Healer" - 1973	Confirmed	A manipulated guitar riff sampled from the original recording of "Faith Healer" by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band is utilised throughout the Recoil cover.	✖
	Guitar elements	Fleetwood Mac - "Black Magic Woman" - 29 March 1968	Confirmed	A guitar chord featured in the intro of Fleetwood Mac's 1968 single "Black Magic Woman" is utilised sporadically throughout "Faith Healer". The guitar sound was performed by Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green, who achieved its distinct shimmering effect by playing a D minor triad on the 17th fret with vibrato.	✖
	Snare drum	Fad Gadget - Fireside Favourites - "Newsreel" - 7 November 1980	Confirmed	A manipulated snare derived from the opening moments of "Newsreel" from the 1980 Fad Gadget album Fireside Favourites is utilised throughout "World In My Eyes". Notably, this sample would also see use in the outro of "Personal Jesus". Former Depeche Mode member Alan Wilder recalled the snare drum sound of "World In My Eyes" in an undated Q&A on Shunt, the official Recoil project site: "[...] I think we made it from scratch or it could be a combination of analogue and a sample."	✖
	Bass guitar/piano	Emulator III OMI Universe of Sounds Volume 1 - Funk Bass - "Funk Bass E1", "Funk Bass G1", "Funk Bass A1", "Funk Bass C2", "Funk Bass D2", "Funk Bass F2"	Confirmed	A dark piano/bass guitar stab heard throughout "Faith Healer" is partly comprised of a series of bass guitar samples derived from the Emulator III Universe Of Sounds Volume 1 voice "Funk Bass".	✖
	Electronic drums, other elements	Sasha - Airdrawndagger - "Fundamental" - 5 August 2002	Confirmed	A section of audio derived from "Fundamental" by Welsh DJ Sasha is utilised mid-way through the live arrangement of "Faith Healer" as it was performed on Recoil's 2010-2011 Selected Events tour.	✖

"Electro Blues For Bukka White"

"Electro Blues For Bukka White" - Recoil 1992	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes
	Bass sequence	Musician Ehron VonAllen confirmed in a YouTube analysis of his remix collaboration with Alan Wilder that the latter employed a bass sequence originally recorded for use with "Waiting For The Night" in "Electro Blues For Bukka White".
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes
	Bukka White vocal performance	Bukka White - The Sonet Blues Story - "Shake 'Em On Down" - 1963	Confirmed	The sung vocals audible throughout "Electro Blues For Bukka White" are derived and manipulated from a 1963 recording of "Shake 'Em On Down" by American delta blues musician Bukka White.
	Bukka White spoken phrases	Bukka White - The Sonet Blues Story - "Remembrance Of Charlie Patton" - 1963	Confirmed	The various vocal phrases present throughout "Electro Blues For Bukka White" are derived and manipulated from a 1963 recording of "Remembrance Of Charlie Patton" by American delta blues musician Bukka White.
	Filtered synth percussion	The Human League - "Being Boiled" - 1980	Confirmed	A sample of filtered percussive noise derived from a synthesizer heard in the intro of The Human League's "Being Boiled" is utilised throughout "Electro Blues For Bukka White" starting from the fourteen second mark.
	Piano elements	David Bowie - Aladdin Sane - "Aladdin Sane (1913–1938–197?)" - 13 April 1973	Confirmed	A sample of audio derived from "Aladdin Sane (1913–1938–197?)" by David Bowie is utilised in the outro of "Electro Blues For Bukka White".

"The Defector"

"The Defector" Recoil 1992
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Dialogue, vocal elements	Jonathan Demme - The Silence of the Lambs (film) - 14 February 1991	Confirmed	A series of treated samples featuring dialogue spoken by Anthony Hopkins in character as cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lector in the 1991 psychological horror film The Silence of the Lambs are utilised throughout "The Defector". The sampled dialogue originate from several scenes in the film, and include the following lines: "Closer please. Closer", "Oh no, no, no, no", and "What is its nature?".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Piano/bass guitar stab	Emulator III OMI Universe of Sounds Volume 1 - Funk Bass	Confirmed	A bass guitar stab heard throughout "The Defector" is derived from the Emulator III Universe Of Sounds Volume 1 voice "Funk Bass". Notably, this sound would also see use throughout Depeche Mode's "Policy Of Truth" and Wilder's "Eurotech" remix of Toni Halliday's "Time Turns Around".	✖
	N/A	LFO - "El Ef Oh" - 1991	Unknown		✖

"Edge To Life"

"Edge To Life" - Recoil 1992	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes
	Italian female spoken vocal	A female vocal spoken in Italian from the Strange video compilation can be heard throughout the song. Spoken by Ippolita "Poppy" Santorelli, the Italian actress prominently featured in the music video for "Behind The Wheel". Italian: Allora, io sono Ippolita, Ippolita Santarelli. I miei amici mi chiamano Poppi. Un giorno, stavo girando per la campagna con la mia Vespa quando vidi un ragazzo con le stampelle. Era la prima volta che vedevo Dave. Noi viaggiammo insieme e ci divertimmo molto. Lui È il mio piccolo Marlon, e mi piace molto ballare con lui. Mi persuase a diventare un pezzo da museo ed io non l'ho pi˘ visto. Mi piacerebbe uscire e ballare ancora con lui. Forse, un giorno, chissà! English: So, I am Ippolita, Ippolita Santarelli. My friends call me Poppi. One day, I was riding around the countryside with my Vespa when I saw a boy on crutches. It was the first time I saw Dave. We traveled together and had a lot of fun. He is my little Marlon[?] and I love dancing with him. He persuaded me to become a museum piece[?] and I haven't seen him since. I would love to go out and dance with him again. maybe... one day... who knows... ciao.
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes
	"Metallic" hi-hat	Emulator II factory library disk #71: DAS Synth	Confirmed	A lo-fi synthesizer sample derived from Emulator II factory library disk #71 "DAS Synth" is played several keys above its root key to produce a metallic ticking sound that is used in place of a hi-hat throughout "Edge To Life". Notably, this sample is also used throughout Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus".
	Led Zeppelin "When The Levee Breaks" snare drum	Led Zeppelin - ""When The Levee Breaks"" - 1971	Confirmed	A sequenced snare drum pattern audible throughout "Edge To Life" utilises a snare drum sample derived from Led Zeppelin's "When The Levee Breaks".
	Orchestral strings	Emulator II factory library disk #05: Marcato Strings	Confirmed	The outro section of "Edge To Life" features orchestral string chords played using the "Marcato Strg" preset of Emulator II factory library disk #05 "Marcato Strings".
	Orchestral strings	Gustav Mahler, Zubin Mehta - Symphony No.5 in C sharp minor - IV Adagietto: Sehr Langsam. V. Rondo - Finale: Allegro - Los Angeles Philharmonic - 1977	Confirmed	"Edge To Life" employs orchestral phrases sampled from a 1977 performance of the fourth movement of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5 Adagietto (Sehr langsam), conducted by Zubin Mehta and performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
	Piano elements	David Bowie - Aladdin Sane - "Aladdin Sane (1913–1938–197?)" - 13 April 1973	Confirmed	A sample of audio derived from "Aladdin Sane (1913–1938–197?)" by David Bowie is utilised in the instrumental break section of "Edge To Life".
	Bass guitar	Emulator III OMI Universe of Sounds Volume 1 - Funk Bass - "Funk Bass E1", "Funk Bass G1", "Funk Bass A1", "Funk Bass C2", "Funk Bass D2", "Funk Bass F2"	Confirmed	A reversed dark bass guitar stab heard during the instrumental break section of "Edge To Life" is comprised of a series of bass guitar samples derived from the Emulator III Universe Of Sounds Volume 1 voice "Funk Bass".

"Curse"

"Curse" - Recoil 1992	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes
	"Breathing" accordion loop	The "breathing" effect originally recorded for use in "I Want You Now" is re-purposed for atmosphere throughout "Curse". The sound is produced by an accordion being inflated and deflated without depressing a key.
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes
	Diamanda Galás vocal sample	Diamanda Galás - Unidentified source	Unconfirmed
	Punchy snare and "whirly" bassline	Digital Underground - "The Humpty Dance" - 1990	Confirmed	The "whirly", evolving bassline and fat, punchy snare heard in "The Humpty Dance" by Digital Underground (itself derived from "Theme from the Black Hole" by Parliament) is used throughout "Curse".
	Punchy snare	Parliament - "Theme from the Black Hole" - 1979	Confirmed
	Vocal, spoken - "Three, two, one, kick it"	N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton - "Parental Discretion Iz Advised" - 8 August 1988	Confirmed	A manipulated vocal derived from the intro of "Parental Discretion Iz Advised" by N.W.A is utilised as a fill throughout "Curse".
	"You're blind, you're blind from the facts" vocal	Public Enemy - "She Watch Channel Zero?!" - 1988	Confirmed

"Bloodline"

"Bloodline" - Recoil 1992	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes
	"Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf" nursery rhyme vocal	A reversed vocal performance of the nursery rhyme "Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf" as sung by Douglas McCarthy's daughter can be heard mid-way through the song. Notably, this sample is also used in the Nitzer Ebb song "Sugar Sweet".

"Freeze"

"Freeze" Recoil 1992	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Vocal elements	A manipulated, partially-reversed sample of audio featuring sampled and live vocals (performed by Martin Gore) utilised throughout Recoil's "Freeze" is derived from the opening moments of "Fpmip", a 1987 remix of Depeche Mode's "Pimpf". Notably, aspects of this sample would see further use with Recoil's "Faith Healer" and, previously, "Stone".			Click to display/hide audio example
	Synth arpeggio	"Freeze" employs a manipulated sample derived from the outro of the "Development Mix" of "Oberkorn (It's A Small Town)".			✖

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes

"Faith Healer (Trance Mix)"

"Faith Healer" (Trance Mix) Recoil 1992	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Piano-like one-shot	A low octave, piano-like sampled synth part originally recorded for use with "Policy Of Truth" is used to atmospheric effect in 'Faith Healer'.			✖
	Tom/drum fill	The tom drum fill that bridges the chorus and verse sections of "Personal Jesus" bears a strong similarity to the equivalent part used during the chorus sections of "Faith Healer".			✖
	Xpander 'zap' and Pro One synth bass sweep	A layered Xpander/Pro One bass synth part originally recorded for use during the chorus sections of "Enjoy The Silence" are re-used during the chorus sections of "Faith Healer".			✖
	Vocal elements	A sample of a vocal processed with a vocoder originally recorded for use with the "Dub In My Eyes" remix of "World In My Eyes" is used as a rhythmic element throughout "Faith Healer".			✖
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Guitar elements	The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - "The Faith Healer" - 1973	Confirmed	Guitar elements utilised throughout Recoil's "Faith Healer" are derived from The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's "The Faith Healer", of which the Recoil work is a cover.	✖
	Vocal elements, "[...] an honest man who is stupid. A stupid man is dangerous. Like a defective time bomb, you never know when it's gonna go off on you."	Michael Cimino - Year of the Dragon (film) - 16 August 1985	Confirmed	A sample of audio featuring spoken dialogue derived from approximately the one hour five minute mark of late American filmmaker Michael Cimino's 1985 neo-noir crime thriller film Year of the Dragon is utilised in the intro and outro of the "Trance Mix" of Recoil's "Faith Healer". The sampled phrase is as follows: "[...] an honest man who is stupid. A stupid man is dangerous. Like a defective time bomb, you never know when it's gonna go off on you."	Click to display/hide audio example
	N/A	LFO - "Love Is The Message" - 1991	Unknown		✖

"Faith Healer (Conspiracy Theory)"

"Faith Healer (Conspiracy Theory)" Recoil 1992
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Guitar elements	The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - "The Faith Healer" - 1973	Confirmed	Guitar elements utilised throughout Recoil's "Faith Healer" are derived from The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's "The Faith Healer", of which the Recoil work is a cover.	✖
	Vocal elements, "I am," "I am the accursed"	Bob Telson, Lee Breuer - The Gospel At Colonus (Original Cast Recording) - "Who Is This Man" - 1988	Confirmed	A sample of audio featuring dialogue spoken by actor Morgan Freeman utilised throughout the "Conspiracy Theory" remix of "Faith Healer" is derived from a 19 September 1985 performance of "Who Is This Man", a song released as part of the original cast recording of Bob Telson's The Gospel At Colonus.	✖