List of Depeche Mode sample sources by album/Exciter

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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. As pioneers of the electronic music genre, Depeche Mode were among the most prolific acts to make use of sampling technology within a traditional pop music format. Among the many original samples recorded and utilized by Depeche Mode to enhance the atmosphere of their musical output are many that originated elsewhere, including brief passages of musical recordings by other artists, snippets of audio from television shows, radio broadcasts, films, environmental sounds, and more. Analysis of these sample sources and how they are manipulated is a popular topic of discussion amongst fans of the group.

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 for many of the musical parts used by Depeche Mode in the production of their 2001 album Exciter.

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 worldwide. This article provides 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 producing the music described on this page, audio samples that lack official confirmation are not guaranteed to be accurate.

This article differentiates samples by origin: Self-made samples, which describe any material initially recorded by Depeche Mode or Recoil, and Sourced samples, which describe samples not initially recorded by either group. In addition to confirmed samples, this article also covers samples commonly misreported as having been used but directly refuted by a member or associate of Depeche Mode or Recoil.

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

Exciter (2001)

1. "Dream On"

"Dream On"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Orchestral, choral elements Claude Debussy, Carlo Maria Giulini, Philharmonia Orchestra - Debussy: La Mer and Nocturnes - Nocturnes, L. 98 - III. Sirènes - February 1963[footnotes 1]
Confirmed
A manipulated orchestral phrase derived from the third movement of a 1963 or earlier performance of Claude Debussy's 1900 impressionist composition Nocturnes, L. 98 conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini with the Philharmonia Orchestra is utilised mid-way through "Dream On".

Click to display/hide audio example

Synthesizer elements Roland Corporation - Roland JV-1080 - PR-A (Preset A Bank) - 091 AmbienceVibe - 1994
Confirmed
A synthesized pad sound derived from an edit to the Roland JV-1080 factory patch "AmbienceVibe" is utilised sporadically throughout "Dream On".

2. "Shine"

"Shine"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Guitar elements Paul Weller - Wild Wood - "Another New Day" - 6 September 1993
Confirmed
A section of audio featuring guitar elements derived from "Another New Day" by Paul Weller is utilised throughout the chorus and outro sections of "Shine".

Click to display/hide audio example

3. "The Sweetest Condition"

"The Sweetest Condition"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Orchestral elements Claude Debussy, André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra - Debussy: La Mer ∙ Three Nocturnes - La Mer, CD 111, L. 109 - I. De l'aube à midi sur la mer - 1999[footnotes 2]
Confirmed
A manipulated orchestral phrase derived from the first movement of a 1983 performance of Claude Debussy's 1905 orchestral composition La Mer, CD 111, L. 109 conducted by André Previn with the London Symphony Orchestra is utilised during the second verse section of "The Sweetest Condition".

Click to display/hide audio example

4. "When The Body Speaks"

"When The Body Speaks" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

5. "The Dead Of Night"

"The Dead Of Night" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

6. "Lovetheme"

"Lovetheme"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Ambient elements Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain - "Concierto De Aranjuez (Part One, Alternate Take)" - 1997[footnotes 3]
Confirmed
A reversed, manipulated section of audio derived from "Concierto De Aranjuez (Part One, Alternate Take)" by Miles Davis is utilised throughout "Lovetheme".

Click to display/hide audio example

7. "Freelove"

"Freelove"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Synthesizer elements Herbert Eimert, Robert Beyer - Cologne - WDR: Early Electronic Music - "Klangstudie II" - 1992[footnotes 4]
Confirmed
A series of three audio samples featuring synthesized sounds derived from Herbert Eimert and Robert Beyer's 1952 musique concrète work "Klangstudie II" are utilised throughout "Freelove".

Click to display/hide audio example

Orchestral elements Eartha Kitt - Purrfect - The Eartha Kitt Collection - "Let's Do It" - 2000[footnotes 5]
Confirmed
A non-seamless looping audio sample featuring orchestral strings derived from the opening moments of Eartha Kitt's 1951 cover of "Let's Do It" is utilised in the bridge section of "Freelove".

Click to display/hide audio example

8. "Comatose"

"Comatose"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Orchestral, clarinet elements Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Marcel Moyse, Marlboro Festival Orchestra - Serenade No. 10, K.361 / Sonata For Bassoon & Cello, K.292 (Gran Partita) - V. Romance: Adagio; Allegretto; Adagio - 1988[footnotes 6]
Confirmed
A manipulated series of clarinet phrases derived from the fifth movement of a 1975 performance of Mozart's 1781 or 1782 serenade Serenade No. 10 by Marcel Moyse with the Marlboro Festival Orchestra are utilised sporadically throughout "Comatose".

9. "I Feel Loved"

"I Feel Loved" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

10. "Breathe"

"Breathe"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Orchestral elements Claude Debussy, André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra - Debussy: La Mer ∙ Three Nocturnes - La Mer, CD 111, L. 109 - I. De l'aube à midi sur la mer - 1999[footnotes 7]
Confirmed
A manipulated orchestral phrase derived from the first movement of a 1983 performance of Claude Debussy's 1905 orchestral composition La Mer, CD 111, L. 109 conducted by André Previn with the London Symphony Orchestra is utilised in the latter half of the bridge section of "Breathe".

Click to display/hide audio example

Synthesizer elements Roland Corporation - Roland JV-1080 - PR-A (Preset A Bank) - 091 AmbienceVibe - 1994
Confirmed
A synthesized pad sound derived from an edit to the Roland JV-1080 factory patch "AmbienceVibe" is utilised throughout "Breathe".

11. "Easy Tiger"

"Easy Tiger"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Ambient elements Puracane - Things You Should Leave Alone - "Went Away" - 21 March 2000
Confirmed
A reversed, manipulated section of audio featuring ambient elements derived from the intro of "Went Away" by Puracane is utilised mid-way through "Easy Tiger (Full Version)".

Click to display/hide audio example

Synthesizer elements Roland Corporation - Roland JV-1080 - PR-A (Preset A Bank) - 091 AmbienceVibe - 1994
Confirmed
A synthesized pad sound derived from an edit to the Roland JV-1080 factory patch "AmbienceVibe" is utilised throughout "Easy Tiger".

12. "I Am You"

"I Am You"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Orchestral elements Maurice Ravel, Orchestre Symphonique De Montréal, Charles Dutoit - Ravel: Orchestral Works - Ma Mere L'Oye - Tableau IV: Petit Poucet - 1988[footnotes 8]
Confirmed
A manipulated orchestral phrase derived from mid-way through the fourth movement of a May 1983 performance of Maurice Ravel's 1911 orchestral suite Ma Mere L'Oye by Orchestre Symphonique De Montréal with Charles Dutoit is utilised sporadically throughout "I Am You".

Click to display/hide audio example

Orchestral elements Maurice Ravel, Orchestre Symphonique De Montréal, Charles Dutoit - Ravel: Orchestral Works - Ma Mere L'Oye - Tableau III: Les entretiens de la Belle et de la Bête - 1988
Confirmed
Two manipulated orchestral phrases derived from mid-way through the third movement of a May 1983 performance of Maurice Ravel's 1911 orchestral suite Ma Mere L'Oye by Orchestre Symphonique De Montréal with Charles Dutoit are utilised sporadically throughout "I Am You".

Click to display/hide audio example

Ambient elements Puracane - Things You Should Leave Alone - "Went Away" - 21 March 2000
Confirmed
A reversed, manipulated section of audio featuring ambient elements derived from the intro of "Went Away" by Puracane is utilised to briefly bridge the gap between "Easy Tiger" and "I Am You".

13. "Goodnight Lovers"

"Goodnight Lovers"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Synthesizer elements Roland Corporation - Roland JV-1080 - PR-A (Preset A Bank) - 091 AmbienceVibe - 1994
Confirmed
A synthesized pad sound derived from an edit to the Roland JV-1080 factory patch "AmbienceVibe" is audible in the middle eight section of "Goodnight Lovers".

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes

"Dirt"

"Dirt"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Drum elements Iggy and the Stooges - Fun House - "Dirt" - 7 July 1970
Confirmed
A series of audio samples derived from "Dirt" by The Stooges are utilised throughout the 2001 Depeche Mode cover of the song of the same name.

"Easy Tiger (Full Version)"

"Easy Tiger (Full Version)"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Ambient elements Puracane - Things You Should Leave Alone - "Went Away" - 21 March 2000
Confirmed
A reversed, manipulated section of audio featuring ambient elements derived from the intro of "Went Away" by Puracane is utilised mid-way through "Easy Tiger (Full Version)".
Synthesizer elements Roland Corporation - Roland JV-1080 - PR-A (Preset A Bank) - 091 AmbienceVibe - 1994
Confirmed
A synthesized pad sound derived from an edit to the Roland JV-1080 factory patch "AmbienceVibe" is utilised throughout "Easy Tiger (Full Version)".

"Freelove (Flood Mix)"

"Freelove (Flood Mix)"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Orchestral elements Eartha Kitt - Purrfect - The Eartha Kitt Collection - "Let's Do It" - 2000[footnotes 9]
Confirmed
A non-seamless looping audio sample featuring orchestral strings derived from the opening moments of Eartha Kitt's 1951 cover of "Let's Do It" is utilised in the bridge section of "Freelove (Flood Mix)".

"Freelove (Deep Dish Freedom Remix)"

"Freelove (Deep Dish Freedom Remix)"
Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Drum elements Ten City - Foundation - "That's The Way Love Is (Deep House Mix / Extended Version)" - 1989
Confirmed
A manipulated section of audio derived from the "Deep House Mix / Extended Version" remix of Ten City's 1989 single "That's The Way Love Is" originally utilised as a drum loop throughout Depeche Mode's 1990 "Enjoy The Silence" is re-purposed for the "Deep Dish Freedom" remix of "Freelove".

"Dream On (Remix)"

"Dream On" (Remix) - Depeche Mode
2001

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes
N/A Kraftwerk - "The Robots" - 1978
Unknown

References

Notes

  1. Advertised as a new release in "Six New Brilliant LPs," Gramophone magazine, February 1963, Supplement, pg. 3.
  2. Registrazione effettuata: 12. & 15.IV. 1983, Abbey Road, London. Digital remastering ℗ 1988.
  3. Recorded at 34th Street Studio, NYC, Nov 15th 1959, Nov 20th 1959 & Mar 10th 1960.
  4. Composed in 1952.
  5. Recorded in New York City on 5 October 1951.
  6. Recorded at Marlboro, Vermont, 1975.
  7. Registrazione effettuata: 12. & 15.IV. 1983, Abbey Road, London. Digital remastering ℗ 1988.
  8. Recorded at St. Eustache, Montreal, May 1983.
  9. Recorded in New York City on 5 October 1951.