Only When I Lose Myself

Notes

Depeche Mode said in the Singles 86-98 EPK:

Martin: "It's a ballad that's quite slow for us to put out as a single, generally our faster stuff does a bit better, always tends to, anyway. But I think it's got a really good atmosphere, something quite obsessional about it."

Dave: "I think it's a continuation of what we did with 'Ultra', but we got a lot more soulful. During the making of 'Ultra', I've become a lot more confident about my singing. I felt like I was doing something that was from me and not for everybody else. I challenge myself to, like, I wanna get better at this. I wanna feel myself improving at something, and for a long time now I felt like I wasn't improving. I lost my way a little bit there, and fortunately I am very grateful for the opportunity to make to 'Ultra'. I had the chance, musically, to feel like I'm actually producing something that really adds to it, [and] is really part of the sound of Depeche Mode. I think 'Only When I Lose Myself' is like I went to a place in the song that felt good inside. I have to think about the words that Martin has written but how I see them, how I feel about them. I think we all influence each other like that. Even though we don't know directly that we're doing it, I think that we bounce off each other, and I think that's what makes Depeche Mode still work."

Martin Gore told Allstar Magazine:

"'Only When I Lose Myself' is a bit more soulful, and it's quite slow for us. Kind of like a ballad, but it's a bit of a rockin' ballad. It's about relationships, one of my favorite topics. I've always found love quite obsessional. People talk about co-dependency; to me I've always found there's something co-dependent about being in love - that's what love is all about."

Martin Gore in Bong issue no. 37, 1998:

"I see this song as a soul song. I think that Depeche Mode does soul on the right side of the soul line again."

Lyrics

Only When I Lose Myself

It's only when I lose myself in someone else

That I find myself

I find myself

Something beautiful is happening inside for me

Something sensual, it's full of fire and mystery

I feel hypnotised

I feel paralysed

I have found heaven

There's a thousand reasons

Why I shouldn't spend my time with you

For every reason not to be here

I can think of two

To keep me hanging on

Feeling nothing's wrong

Inside your heaven

It's only when I lose myself in someone else

That I find myself

I find myself

I can feel the emptiness inside me

Fade and disappear

There's a feeling of contentment

Now that you are here

I feel satisfied

I belong inside

Your velvet heaven

Did I need to sell my soul for pleasure like this

Did I have to lose control to treasure your kiss

Did I need to place my heart in the palm of your hand

Before I could even start to understand

It's only when I lose myself in someone else

That I find myself

I find myself

Songwriter: Martin L. Gore
Publishing Information: ©1998 Grabbing Hands Music Overseas/EMI Music Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dates with available recordings of Only When I Lose Myself

There are currently 100 recordings of Only When I Lose Myself available.

• 1998-09-02 Song Festival Grounds, Tartu, Estonia/Source 1
• 1998-09-02 Song Festival Grounds, Tartu, Estonia/Source 2
• 1998-09-03 Jurmala Tennis Hall, Riga, Latvia/Source 1
• 1998-09-03 Jurmala Tennis Hall, Riga, Latvia/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
• 1998-09-07 SKK Indoor Arena, St. Petersburg, Russia/Source 3
• 1998-09-09 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland/Source 1
• 1998-09-09 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland/Source 2
• 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 1
• 1998-10-05 Cologne Arena, Cologne, Germany/Source 2
• 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 1
• 1998-10-29 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA/Source 2
• 1998-11-01 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA, USA/Source 1
• 1998-11-05 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
• 2003-04-22 Nalen, Stockholm, Sweden/Source 1
• 2003-04-24 E-Werk, Cologne, Germany/Source 1
• 2003-04-26 Docks, Hamburg, Germany/Source 1
• 2003-04-26 Docks, Hamburg, Germany/Source 2
• 2003-04-28 La Cigale, Paris, France/Source 1
• 2003-04-28 La Cigale, Paris, France/Source 2
• 2003-04-30 Alcatraz, Milan, Italy/Source 1
• 2003-05-02 Astoria Theatre, London, England, UK/Source 1
• 2003-05-02 Astoria Theatre, London, England, UK/Source 2
• 2003-05-06 Mayan Theater, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 1
• 2003-05-06 Mayan Theater, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 2
• 2003-05-07 Mayan Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 1
• 2003-05-07 Mayan Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Source 2
• 2013-03-15 SXSW, Brazos Hall, Austin, TX, USA/Source 1
• 2013-03-24 MuseumsQuartier, Vienna, Austria/Source 1
• 2013-03-24 MuseumsQuartier, Vienna, Austria/Source 2
• 2013-05-29 O2 Arena, London, England, UK/Source 1
• 2013 Delta Machine Live (compilation)
• Something Went Wrong (compilation)

Dates where Only When I Lose Myself was played

1998 The Singles Tour

Only When I Lose Myself 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

• Only When I Lose Myself was not played during this tour.

2003 Paper Monsters Tour (Dave Gahan solo)

• Only When I Lose Myself was not played during this tour.

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

Only When I Lose Myself was played 8 times during this tour.

• 2003-04-22 Nalen, Stockholm, Sweden
• 2003-04-24 E-Werk, Cologne, Germany
• 2003-04-26 Docks, Hamburg, Germany
• 2003-04-28 La Cigale, Paris, France
• 2003-04-30 Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
• 2003-05-02 Astoria Theatre, London, England, UK
• 2003-05-06 Mayan Theater, Los Angeles, CA, USA
• 2003-05-07 Mayan Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA

2005-2006 Touring The Angel

• Only When I Lose Myself was not played during this tour.

2009-2010 Tour Of The Universe

• Only When I Lose Myself was not played during this tour.

2013-2014 Delta Machine Tour

Only When I Lose Myself was played 8 times during this tour.

• 2013-03-15 SXSW, Brazos Hall, Austin, TX, USA
• 2013-03-24 MuseumsQuartier, Vienna, Austria
• 2013-05-07 HaYarkon Park, Tel Aviv, Israel
• 2013-05-19 Usce Park, Belgrade, Serbia
• 2013-05-29 O2 Arena, London, England, UK
• 2013-06-11 Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
• 2013-07-05 Esprit Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany
• 2013 Delta Machine Live (compilation)

2017-2018 Global Spirit Tour

• Only When I Lose Myself was not played during this tour.