i’ve been obsessing over this one lately, some 26 years after the fact. i’ve always loved it – it belongs to an echelon of elite martin-vocal songs – but i never gave it its proper space because of the earlier ones. the earlier songs – martin’s lead vocal songs and DM as a whole – were to me, true depeche mode. whereas everything after Violator is still “new.” yes, everything from the last 28 years.
One Caress is remarkable. the 28-piece string section. martin recorded that vocal in one take, “live”, in the room with this orchestra. powerful. grand. it was bringing me to tears this week. his voice.
whenever i sing martin gore’s praises i am conscious of the fact that his lyrics border on cheesy. (or maybe they’re just flat out cheese) but… i don’t care. honestly, i think deep down we all harbor the cheese, the sap.
i love everything about this song; the minor tone; the strings as though they are plodding up a steep hill; the long held C at the end of the chorus, upturning the minor into a major, momentarily. the middle 8th, the crescendo towards the end. martin’s voice is just captivating in this.
really, this song is one of their best.
oh girl, lead me into your darkness
when this world is trying its hardest to leave me unimpressed
just one caress from you and i’m blessed
oh girl, lead me into your darkness
wzo