Enjoy the Silence

"Enjoy the Silence"
Single by Depeche Mode
from the album Violator
B-side	"Memphisto" "Sibeling"
Released	16 January 1990[1]
Format	Vinyl 7" 12" cassette CD
Recorded	1989; (Puk Studios, Denmark) (Logic Studios, Milan)[2]
Genre	Synthpop[3] dance-pop[3]
Length	4:16
Label	Mute
Writer(s)	Martin Gore
Producer(s)	Flood Depeche Mode
Certification	Gold (RIAA)
Depeche Mode singles chronology
"Personal Jesus" (1989) "Enjoy the Silence" (1990) "Policy of Truth" (1990)
Music video "Enjoy the Silence" on YouTube Violator track listing "Waiting for the Night" (5) "Enjoy the Slience" (6) "Policy of Truth" (7)

"Enjoy the Silence" is a song by the English electronic band Depeche Mode, taken from their seventh studio album, Violator (1990). The song was recorded in 1989 and released on 16 January 1990 as the album's second single.

The single is Gold certificated in the US and Germany.^[4] The song won Best British Single at the 1991 BRIT Awards.^[5]

It has been recorded by many other artists, including Tori Amos, Anberlin, Failure, Breaking Benjamin, Hybrid and Keane.

"Enjoy the Silence" was re-released as a single in 2004 for the Depeche Mode remix project Remixes 81–04, and was titled "Enjoy the Silence (Reinterpreted)" or, more simply, "Enjoy the Silence 04".

B-sides

There are two instrumental B-sides to "Enjoy the Silence". "Sibeling" (the 12" B-side) is a soft piano-tune while "Memphisto" (the 7" B-side) is a darker, eerier track. The title of "Sibeling" refers to Finnish classical composer Jean Sibelius. According to Martin Gore, "Memphisto is the name of an imaginary film about Elvis as a Devil, that I created in my mind".^[6]

Music videos

Original versions

The Anton Corbijn-directed music video for "Enjoy the Silence" references the themes and storyline of the philosophical children's book The Little Prince. Footage of Gahan dressed as a stereotypical king wandering the hillsides of the Scottish Highlands, the coast of Portugal and finally the Swiss Alps with a deck chair is intercut with black-and-white footage of the band posing. Brief flashes of a single rose (which is also on the album cover of Violator) appear throughout the scenes.

When Corbijn presented the concept of the video to the band, which at the time was simply "Dave dressed up as a king, walking around with a deck chair", they initially rejected it. They changed their minds, when he explained that the idea was that the King (Dave) was represented "a man with everything in the world, just looking for a quiet place to sit"; a king of no kingdom. Andy Fletcher jokes that he favoured the video because "[he] only had to do about an hour's worth of work".

The video uses a slightly different mix of the album version of the song (the most notable difference being a new and extended introduction) that has not been released in any audio format. The final long shots of the king walking through the snow are not Gahan but rather the video's producer, Richard Bell. Gahan had left the set, tired of the cold in Switzerland (recounted by Gahan in the intro to The Videos (86-98) and to the DVD of The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1).

There are in fact two edited versions of the Corbijn-directed video. One version-which appears to be the earlier version- begins with Andy Fletcher looking towards his right as the song begins. Shots of Dave Gahan dressed as a king singing directly to the camera are intercut with scenes of his walking through the Scottish Highlands, the coast of Portugal and the Swiss Alps. The video ends with Gahan singing the last line, "Enjoy the silence.", then putting his finger in front of his lips as if to quiet the viewer.^[7] The other version begins with Martin Gore looking to his right as the song begins. This version omits the shots of Gahan singing directly to the camera. The video ends with Gahan sitting on a deck chair in the snow while the last line, "Enjoy the silence.", is sung.^[8] There are also differences in the group shots of the band standing together between the two versions.

World Trade Center Promo Video

In 1990, a promotional video for "Enjoy the Silence" was shot by French TV (for the TV Show "Champs-Élysées" with Michel Drucker) featuring Depeche Mode lip-synching the song while standing atop the World Trade Center at the WTC rooftop World observatory, south Tower #2.^[9]

Track listing

7", Cassette: Mute / Bong18, CBong18 (UK) "Enjoy the Silence" – 4:15 "Memphisto" – 4:02 12": Mute / 12Bong18 (UK) "Enjoy the Silence" – 4:15 "Enjoy the Silence (Hands and Feet Mix)" – 7:18 "Enjoy the Silence (Ecstatic Dub)" – 5:54 "Sibeling" – 3:14 12": Mute / L12Bong18 (UK) "Enjoy the Silence (Bass Line)" – 7:40 "Enjoy the Silence (Harmonium)" – 2:41 "Enjoy the Silence (Ricki Tik Tik Mix)" – 5:27 "Memphisto" – 4:05 12": Mute / XL12Bong18 (UK) "Enjoy the Silence (The Quad: Final Mix)" – 15:30 CD: Mute / CDBong18 (UK) "Enjoy the Silence" – 4:16 "Enjoy the Silence (Hands and Feet Mix 3" Edit)" – 6:41 "Enjoy the Silence (Ecstatic Dub Edit)" – 5:45 "Sibeling" – 3:15 released as 3" CD, rereleases as 5" CD CD: Mute / LCDBong18 (UK) "Enjoy the Silence (Bass Line)" – 7:40 "Enjoy the Silence (Harmonium)" – 2:41 "Enjoy the Silence (Ricki Tik Tik Mix)" – 5:27 "Memphisto" – 4:05 released as 3" CD CD: Mute / XLCDBong18 (UK) "Enjoy The Silence (The Quad: Final Mix)" - 15:27 CD: Mute / CDBong18X (EU) "Enjoy the Silence" – 4:15 "Memphisto" – 4:02 "Enjoy the Silence (Hands and Feet Mix 3" Edit)" – 6:41 "Enjoy the Silence (Ecstatic Dub Edit)" – 5:45 "Sibeling" – 3:15 "Enjoy the Silence (Bass Line)" – 7:42 "Enjoy the Silence (Harmonium)" – 2:41 "Enjoy the Silence (Ricki Tik Tik Mix Promo Version)" – 5:59 "Enjoy the Silence (The Quad: Final Mix)" – 15:30 This CD is the 2004 box set re-release Promo 12": Mute / P12Bong18 (UK) "Enjoy the Silence (Bass Line)" – 7:40 "Enjoy the Silence (Hands and Feet Mix 3" Edit)" – 6:41 "Enjoy the Silence" – 4:15 Promo CD: Mute / CDBong18R (UK) "Enjoy the Silence" – 4:15 "Memphisto" – 4:02 12"/Cassette: Sire/Reprise / 0-21490 / 4-21490 (US) "Enjoy the Silence (The Quad: Final Mix)" – 15:27 "Enjoy the Silence (Ecstatic Dub)" – 5:54 "Enjoy the Silence (Bass Line)" – 7:40 "Enjoy the Silence (Hands and Feet Mix)" – 7:20 "Memphisto" – 4:05 CD: Sire/Reprise / 21490-2 (US) "Enjoy the Silence" – 4:15 "Enjoy the Silence (Hands and Feet Mix)" – 7:18 "Sibeling" – 3:15 "Enjoy the Silence (Bass Line)" – 7:40 "Enjoy the Silence (Ecstatic Dub)" – 5:54 "Memphisto" – 4:02 "Enjoy the Silence (Ricki Tik Tik Mix)" – 5:27 "Enjoy the Silence (Harmonium)" - 2:41 Promo CD: Sire/Reprise / PRO-CD-3976 (US) "Enjoy the Silence" – 4:18 "Enjoy the Silence (Hands and Feet Mix)" – 7:20 "Enjoy the Silence (Bass Line)" – 7:40 Bootleg "Enjoy the Silence (Lasteon Remode)" – 4:12

Reception

Pitchfork Media included the song at number 15 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.^[10]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1990) Peak position Australian ARIA Singles Chart[11] 71 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12] 13 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13] 4 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[14] 14 Canada Dance (RPM)[15] 5 Denmark (Tracklisten)[16] 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[17] 3 France (SNEP)[18] 9 Germany (Official German Charts)[19] 2 Ireland (IRMA)[20] 3 Italy (FIMI)[21] 5 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[22] 5 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[23] 40 Spain (AFYVE)[24] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[25] 5 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[26] 2 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[27] 6 US Billboard Hot 100[28] 8 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[28] 6 US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks[28] 1

End of year charts End of year chart (1990) Position U.S. Billboard Hot 100[29] 66 Sales and certifications Region Certification Sales/shipments Germany (BVMI)[30] Gold 250,000 United States (RIAA)[31] Gold 0 ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

Cover versions

• In 1998 Failure covered the song for the tribute album to Depeche Mode, For the Masses.
• A cover version of this song was on the Matthew Good Band EP Lo-Fi B-Sides in 1998 and subsequently on In A Coma in 2002.
• Polish band Moonlight released a cover of this song on their 1999 album Inermis.
• Gothic metal band Entwine covered this song in 1999 for their album The Treasure Within Hearts.
• In 2001 Tori Amos released a version, reinterpreted from a woman's perspective, on her concept album Strange Little Girls.
• Punk rock band No Use for a Name recorded a cover of this song for the 2001 Warped Tour Compilation Album.
• Evergreen Terrace included a cover of this song as a hidden track on their 2002 album Burned Alive by Time.
• In November 2005 Sylvain Chauveau & Ensemble Nocturne released the album Down to the Bone, an acoustic tribute to Depeche Mode, which includes a cover of this song.^[32]
• Anberlin covered this song for the 2006 album Punk Goes 90's
• It Dies Today covered this song on the 2006 re-release of their 2004 album, The Caitiff Choir.
• Keane released a cover of this song as a B side to their single A Bad Dream in 2007
• Alternative Rock band Division Day recorded a cover of this song in 2008.
• Gregorian chant group Gregorian covered this song for the album Masters of Chant Chapter VII in 2009
• Indie rock band Maritime performed a version of the song in April 2010 for The A.V. Club's A.V. Undercover series.^[33]
• Hardcore rockabilly band The Brains covered this song for their 2010 album Zombie Nation
• Indie rock band Nada Surf covered the song on their 2010 album If I Had a Hi-Fi
• Breaking Benjamin included a cover of this song on their 2011 greatest hits album Shallow Bay: The Best of Breaking Benjamin.
• In 2011 Hussey-Regan recorded their version for the debut album Curios.
• In 2012 Hybrid covered this song for their compilation album Classics.
• Choral composer and conductor Eric Whitacre covered the song and released it on EP in November 2013.^[34] In 2016, he arranged the song for mixed chorus.
• Susan Boyle covered the song for her album Someone to Watch Over Me.
• Common Richard covered the song for his debut album Home Made Fade In in December 2014.

Lacuna Coil version

"Enjoy the Silence"
Single by Lacuna Coil
from the album Karmacode
B-side	"Virtual Environment"
Released	June 2006
Format	CD, digital download, vinyl
Recorded	2005
Label	Century Media
Producer(s)	Waldemar Sorychta
Lacuna Coil singles chronology
"Our Truth" (2006) "Enjoy the Silence" (2006) "Within Me" (2007)
Music sample Enjoy the Silence "Enjoy the Silence" from Karmacode

"Enjoy the Silence" is the second single by Lacuna Coil from their album Karmacode. It made the New York Post's Top 100 Cover Songs list.^[35]

Music video

There is a UK version of the video and an International one. Both videos, shot with Closer music video on 12 March 2006, came out on June 2006, include the band performing in a dark room, but aside from that the UK version shows live clips of the London Forum show, while the International one shows scenes of a city (Portland, Oregon), the countryside, and a bay.

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[36]	41
Italian Year-end Singles Charts[37]	1

Track listings

There are three "volumes" of the single.

Volume I "Enjoy the Silence" - 4:08 The Edge (Live) - 3:28 Fragile (Live) - 4:40 Video Interview (Enhanced Video) Volume II "Enjoy the Silence" "To the Edge" (Live) "Fragile" (Live) "Tight Rope" (Live)

Volume III (Picture Disc) "Enjoy the Silence" "Silence" Digital Single "Enjoy the Silence" - 4:06 "Virtual Environment" - 5:23 "To the Edge" (Live) - 3:28 "Fragile" (Live) - 4:40 "Tight Rope" (Live) - 4:54 "Enjoy the Silence" (Live) - 4:22

External links

• "Enjoy the Silence" single information
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
• Enjoy the Silence arranged by Eric Whitacre for SATB

References

1. Malins, Steve (2001). Depeche Mode : A Biography. Andre Deutsch. p. 272. ISBN 978-0-233-99430-7.
2. Cranna, Ian (April 1990), "Insidious", Q magazine: 77
3. Cinquemani, Sal (29 September 2003). "Depeche Mode - Violator". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
4. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Enjoy the Silence')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
5. "1991". BRIT Awards. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
6. "Info for the masses". Agent Orange > A Greek Depeche Mode site. Archived from the original on 2 January 2004. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
7. Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence (Official Music Video). YouTube. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
8. Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence (Remastered Music Video). YouTube. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
9. DEPECHE MODE Enjoy The Silence ► WTC Twin Towers full clip on YouTube
10. "Staff Lists". Pitchfork. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
11. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
12. "Austriancharts.at – Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
13. "Ultratop.be – Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
14. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved 20 March 2015.
15. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved 20 March 2015.
16. "Danishcharts.com – Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence". Tracklisten.
17. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
18. "Lescharts.com – Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence" (in French). Les classement single.
19. "Musicline.de – Depeche Mode Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
20. Irish Charts Type 'Enjoy The Silence' into Search by Song Title. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
21. "Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: D". Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
22. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Depeche Mode search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
23. "Charts.org.nz – Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence". Top 40 Singles.
24. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
25. "Swedishcharts.com – Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence". Singles Top 100.
26. "Swisscharts.com – Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence". Swiss Singles Chart.
27. "February 1990/ Archive Chart: 24 February 1990" UK Singles Chart.
28. "Depeche Mode - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 May 2009.
29. "Billboard Top 100 - 1990". Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
30. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Depeche Mode; 'Enjoy the Silence')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
31. "American single certifications – Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
32. "Sylvain Chauveau & Ensemble Nocturne - Down to the Bone". Retrieved 31 October 2014.
33. "Maritime covers Depeche Mode". Retrieved 19 March 2013.
34. "Enjoy The Silence - News - Eric Whitacre". Retrieved 16 December 2013., from ericwhitacre.com.
35. Huhn, Mary; Shen, Maxine (18 July 2007). "THEY'VE GOT IT COVERED - THE 100 BEST COVER SONGS OF ALL TIME". New York Post. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
36. "Official Charts Company". Retrieved 20 March 2015.
37. "Top 10 2006". MTV Classifiche. Retrieved 20 March 2015.