So Cruel

So Cruel
Song	So Cruel
By	Depeche Mode
Songwriter	Paul Hewson
Produced by	Depeche Mode
Length (mm:ss)	6:02
Recorded	2011
Originally released	26 October 2011
Live performances as Depeche Mode	0 times *
Total live performances	0 times *

"So Cruel" is a cover of the U2 song of the same name recorded by Depeche Mode for the tribute album AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered. The tribute album was released in the United Kingdom on 26 October 2011, and was subsequently released via iTunes as an album-only track. Note that this is the only track that Depeche Mode has ever recorded without a producer overseeing the project. It was recorded at Martin Gore's and Dave Gahan's home studios in Santa Barbara and New York City.

Notes

Martin Gore told Q Magazine:

"We first heard Achtung Baby working on Songs Of Faith And Devotion with Flood. It was the closest our bands ever got: U2 had become more electronic while Depeche Mode were working on a new rock vision. But there was never a rivalry. Bono used reverse psychology in his email, saying he totally understood why we'd say no. We just thought, Why not? 'So Cruel' is Bono at his best, words-wise. And we couldn't tackle 'One' - that would be almost sacrilegious."

Michael Lyons, Fletcher's brother-in-law, said at the time:

"There was some doubt initially from the DM camp as to whether they should contribute to this project. However Bono was key in making it happen. He is over the moon with the result saying [via an email to Martin] dm did with the song what U2 couldn't. He has been unbelievably complimentary towards the band for what they produced."

Dates where So Cruel was played

So Cruel has never been played live.