"Barrel of a Gun" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode, released on 3 February 1997, by Mute Records, as the first single from their ninth studio album, Ultra (1997). The song is written by band member Martin L. Gore and produced by Tim Simenon. It reached No. 1 in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain and Sweden and reached the top 10 in the Denmark, Finland, Germany and the United Kingdom. In North America, the song reached No. 47 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Canadian Singles Chart. The accompanying music video was directed by Anton Corbijn and filmed in Morocco.
Guitarist Martin Gore said, "it's about understanding what you're about and realising that you don't necessarily fit into somebody else's scheme of things." Singer Dave Gahan, who was weakened from his battle with substance abuse at the time, added, "The song sums up the way I was treating myself and everybody around me. That's what life had in store for me every day. It's a really powerful statement. When you're in that kind of row, the last thing on your mind is dying."
Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "One of the true pioneering acts of electro-pop ends a lengthy break from the airwaves with a thoroughly satisfying if often caustic blend of techno synths and metallic guitars. Singer Dave Gahan has a field day digging into Martin Gore's typically heavy lyrics, comfortably swerving back and forth between hypnotic lethargy to white-knuckled intensity. Producer Tim Simenon wisely underlines the track with the kind of hip-hop motion needed to crack the pop market, while carefully weaving the instrumentation so that rockers and clubheads alike can happily jam on this oneâÂÂand they will."
Dominic Pride from Music & Media noted that Depeche Mode "serve up the sombre, industrial sound for which they've become huge in Europe, but with Simenon adding some open space to the production." He added that Gahan's "distorted vocals bring a touch of Nine Inch Nails to the party." A reviewer from Music Week gave the song a score of four out of five, commenting, "After four years away, this atmospheric epic hints at an even darker approach from the 'Mode. As the first taster for their new album, this is a certain smash."
The music video for "Barrel of a Gun" was shot in Morocco by Dutch photographer and director Anton Corbijn, featuring Gahan with long hair singing with his eyes closed, with eyeballs drawn on his eyelids to make it seem like they are open.
All songs were written by Martin Gore.
Credits are taken from the Ultra album booklet.
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