Death's Door
Death's Door
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| Song | Death's Door |
|---|---|
| By | Depeche Mode |
| Songwriter | Martin L. Gore |
| Produced by | Depeche Mode |
| Recorded at | Alan Wilder's home studio (Cricklewood, London) |
| Length (mm:ss) | 3:53 (soundtrack version) 6:38 (Jazz Mix) |
| Tempo | 112 BPM |
| Time signature | 3 4 |
| Key | G Major |
| Engineered by | Steve Lyon |
| Mixed by | Depeche Mode Steve Lyon |
| Mixed at | Konk Studios (Hornsey, London) |
| Recorded | Spring 1991 |
| Originally released | 10 December 1991 |
| Live performances as Depeche Mode | 60 times * |
| Total live performances | 60 times * |
"Death's Door" is a song by Depeche Mode. It was released on the accompanying soundtrack album to the film Until the End of the World on 10 December 1991.
Notes
The Jazz Mix of "Death's Door" was released as a B-side to the single "Condemnation" on 13 September 1993. Engineer Steve Lyon describes the group's desire for more traditional instrumentation during the recording of the song:
"Dave [Gahan] I think was around for the [recording] but [the song was] for sure a "Martin [Gore]" song [...] We pushed for "real" instruments on this one I think to fit with the soundtrack [...] 2–3 days [and it was] all done and dusted."[1]
Alan Wilder recalled in 2025:
"I just remember we were asked by Wim Wenders (the film's director) if we might have an exclusive song to contribute to the film. We were told there were a few other interesting artists contributing to the soundtrack – like Nick Cave – and it was suggested that we might record something specifically. My memory is not strong on this, but I reckon the others were a bit non-plussed by the idea; however, Martin must have said "I've got this spare song, but I don't really know what to do with it" or something along those lines – so I said, "I"ll try to put something together at home." And the end result of that is what was submitted. I played the version to Martin, and he recorded his vocals to it – or maybe he did the vocals first, and I created the version around the voice. I just can't quite recall the sequence of events. I do know it was all recorded at 173 Walm Lane in Cricklewood, where I was living at the time. I had a 16-track set-up there, with a few samplers and synths. I've got a feeling I may have sequenced the whole thing in the Emulator 111, but again, my memory may be playing tricks. I know I used some out-take samples from session player Nils Tuxen, who had played pedal steel on the 'Violator' album. There's a bit of Twin Peaks Lynch – R.I.P David – in there as well."
Lyrics
Death's Door
Well I'm knocking on death's door
Will I take my rest, among the blessed
Mother, are you waiting
Father, are you pacing
I'm coming home
I'm knocking on death's door
Will I take my rest, in my Sunday best
Mother, are you anxious
Father, are you gracious
I'm coming home
I've been away too long
For so long you've been strong
I've been away too long
I know that it was wrong
But I'm coming home
Well I'm knocking on death's door
Will I take my rest, have I passed the test
Mother, are you praying
Father, I am saying
I'm coming home
Songwriter: Martin L. Gore
Publishing Information: ©1991 Grabbing Hands Music Ltd/PRS. All rights reserved.
Live performances
- Main article: Available recordings of "Death's Door"
- Main article: List of dates where "Death's Door" was played
References
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