Useless (song)

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“Useless”
Single by Depeche Mode from the album Ultra
B-side	Various remixes
Released	October 20, 1997
Format	Vinyl record 12", CD
Recorded	1997
Genre	Synthpop
Length	4:54
Label	Mute Records
Writer(s)	Martin Gore
Producer	Tim Simenon
Depeche Mode singles chronology
"Home" (1997) "Useless" (1997) "Only When I Lose Myself" (1998)

"Useless" is Depeche Mode's thirty-fourth UK single, released on October 20, 1997, and the fourth and final single for the album Ultra. It was released with "Home" as a double A-side in the US due to "Useless" getting airplay on US radio stations before "Home" was even announced, so both were released at once.

"Useless" is a hard-rock track in the vein of "Barrel of a Gun", with a more pop twist. The single remix, by Alan Moulder, changes the intro, has an updated beat (similar to the changes done to the 7" versions of Walking In My Shoes and Condemnation) and adds some extra synth during the chorus. The "The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session" is a very prominent remix by the DJ duo of the same name.

There are no actual B-sides for "Useless", except for remixes and live versions of itself, but on some CD versions you can put them in a PC or Mac and play the music videos for "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good".

The 1997 music video for "Useless" would be the last Depeche Mode video to be directed by Anton Corbijn in over eight years. Though he still did work for Depeche Mode on album/single covers and tour projections/designs, the band decided to experiment with new directors for music videos from then on until December 2005, when Anton filmed the video for "Suffer Well".

[edit] Track listings

 Music sample:

Depeche Mode "Useless" (1997)

x second sample from Depeche Mode's "Useless".

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[edit] 12": Mute / 12Bong28 (UK)

1. "Useless (The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session ™)" (9:10)
2. "Useless (CJ Bolland Funky Sub Mix)" (5:38)
3. "Useless (Air 20 Mix)" (7:56)
   • Remix by Carl Craig

[edit] CD: Mute / CDBong28 (UK)

1. "Useless (Remix)" (4:53) (remixed by Alan Moulder)
2. "Useless (Escape from Wherever: Parts 1 & 2)" (7:17) (remixed by Barry Adamson)
3. "Useless (Cosmic Blues Mix)" (6:57)

• Includes a bonus "Barrel of a Gun" video.

[edit] CD: Mute / LCDBong28 (UK)

1. "Useless (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar Mix)" (6:03)
2. "Useless (The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session ™)" (9:10)
3. "Useless (Live)" (5:21)

• Includes a bonus "It's No Good" video.

[edit] CD: Mute / CDBong28X (EU)

1. "Useless (Remix)" (4:55)
2. "Useless (Escape from Wherever: Parts 1 & 2)" (7:17)
3. "Useless (Cosmic Blues Mix)" (6:57)
4. "Useless (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar Mix)" (6:03)
5. "Useless (The Kruder + Dorfmeister Session ™)" (9:10)
6. "Useless (CJ Bolland Funky Sub Mix)" (5:38)
7. "Useless (Air 20 Mix)" (7:56)
8. "Useless (Live)" (5:21)

• Includes both "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good" videos.

• The third CD is the 2004 re-release

[edit] CD: Reprise / n/a (US)

1. "Useless (Radio Edit)" (4:44)
2. "Useless" (5:12)

• All songs written by Martin L. Gore
• "Useless [Live]" recorded April 10, 1997 in London, England.

[edit] Home/Useless

In November 1997, "Home" and "Useless" were released as a Double A-side single in the US and Canada. The front cover art has the "Home" cover on the front, with the Home tracklist, and the back cover art has the Useless cover art, with the Useless tracklist.

[edit] 7": Reprise / 7-17314 (US)

1. "Home" (5:46)
2. "Useless (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar Edit)" (4:06)

[edit] CD: Reprise / 9 17314-2 (US)

1. "Home" (5:46)
2. "Home (Air "Around the Golf" Remix)" (3:58)
3. "Useless (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar Edit)" (4:06)

• Above released ((November 18))

[edit] CD: Reprise / 9 43906-2 (US)

1. "Home" (5:46)
2. "Home (Grantby Mix)" (4:38)
3. "Home (LFO Meant to Be)" (4:26)
4. "Home (The Noodles and The Damage Done)" (6:22)
   • Remix by Skylab
5. "Useless (CJ Bolland Ultrasonar Mix)" (6:00)
6. "Useless (CJ Bolland Funky Sub Mix)" (5:38)
7. "Useless (Kruder + Dorfmeister Session ™)" (9:10)
8. "Useless (Escape from Wherever: Parts 1 & 2)" (7:15)

• Released November 11
• The CD can be put into a PC or Mac that met requirements and you can watch the videos for "Barrel of a Gun", "It's No Good", "Home", and "Useless".
• Packaged in a clear plastic case with sliding pull-out disc tray.

• All songs written by Martin L. Gore
• Martin Gore sings lead on "Home", David Gahan sings lead on "Useless"

[edit] External links

• Useless information from the official Depeche Mode web site
• Home/Useless information from the official Depeche Mode web site