4-1-1's Full Review: Personal Jesus [Maxi Single] by Depeche Mode
In 1990, Depeche Mode was at the height of its greatest commercial success when it released one of its greatest albums -- Violator -- which featured what would become the hit singles Enjoy the Silence, World in My Eyes, Policy of Truth, and Personal Jesus.
Prior to the release of Violator (Feb. 22, 1990), Sire Records (a Warner Brothers unit) released the song Personal Jesus (Sep. 20, 1989) as an extended-play maxi-single. This single became the biggest selling EP in that company's history. Pretty amazing little fact.
For those unfamiliar with the band, most all of Depeche Mode's music was keyboard and synthesizer based (at least until 1993).
Personal Jesus and Dangerous
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This extended-play maxi-single contains five versions of "Personal Jesus," starting with the most radio friendly version and then stretching into alternative mixes. It also includes three versions of the song "Dangerous."
While I do like the song "Dangerous" and was happy to see it on this maxi-single, the focus here really is the song "Personal Jesus." I read somewhere that Martin Gore (who writes most of the music for Depeche Mode) was inspired to write this song after watching televangelists give sermons and heal people during their TV performances.
The lyrics from the first half of the song (pretty much repeated, with only minor variations in the second half):
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who's there
Feeling unknown
And you're all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
Take second best
Put me to the test
Things on your chest
You need to confess
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
I am not sure to what degree Gore was making fun or criticizing televangelists, but it does help to recall the times. In 1987, America witnessed the downfall of Jim Bakker -- who raised millions from his followers while living extravagantly with his wife Tammy Fae Bakker. Jim Bakker had an affair with a church secretary (Jessica Hahn, who later posed for Penthouse) and was later busted and served prison time for tax evasion.
Then, in 1988, Jimmy Swaggart -- who was publicly critical of Jim Bakker even though, he (Swaggart) was carrying on with relations with a prostitute at the time -- resigned his position as America's number one anti-vice crusader and his leadership at the Assemblies of God Church. (And, amazingly, even after a subsequent falling a few years later with another prostitute in Indio, California, Swaggart is back to the airwaves, raising money for "Christ" and his church projects.)
Just concentrate on three lines from the Personal Jesus song:
You need to confess
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
Examine these lines and consider the actions of Jimmy Swaggart, who used television as his medium not only to sell 15 million albums of his own music, but also to raise millions for his church, to make his own confession to the American people, and to ask forgiveness from all.
More background information and a great photo here:
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/swaggart.html
The Track Listing:
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1. Personal Jesus - (7" Version), 3'44"
2. Personal Jesus - (Holier Than Thou Approach), 5'49"
3. Dangerous - (Hazechemix), 5'36"
4. Personal Jesus - (Pump Mix), 7'50"
5. Personal Jesus - (Acoustic), 3'27"
6. Dangerous - (Sensual Mix), 5'25"
7. Personal Jesus - (Telephone Stomp Mix), 5'34"
8. Dangerous - (7" Version), 4'20"
Depeche Mode are: David Gahan, Martin Gore, Andrew Fletcher and Alan Wilder.
Price and Availability
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I purchased this CD-single at Tower Records in 1989, within a week or two of its release to the public (Sep. 20, 1989). Not because I was a particularly big fan of Depeche Mode, but more because I interested in getting an advance listen to what Violator (released in the following year) would sound like.
Currently, half.com lists this maxi-single for as little as $1 (plus $2.35 shipping and handling).
Recommendations
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A good maxi-single for Depeche Mode fans.
It is quite possible that Depeche Mode's 1993 release -- Songs of Faith and Devotion -- was their last good album. I don't know and can't be sure, but it is the last album of theirs that I did buy. If you like the songs "Personal Jesus" or "Dangerous," then consider a purchase of the 1990 album, Violator.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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