Barrel of a Gun

{{Short description|1997 single by Depeche Mode}} {{Use British English|date=March 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}} {{About|the Depeche Mode song|other uses|Barrel of a Gun (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox song | name = Barrel of a Gun | cover = DepecheModeBarrelOfAGun.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Depeche Mode | album = Ultra | B-side = Painkiller | released = {{start date|1997|2|3|df=y}} | recorded = | studio = * Abbey Road, Eastcote, Westside, Strongroom, RAK (London) * Electric Lady (New York City) * Larrabee West (Los Angeles) | genre = *Industrial rock<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mills |first=Matt |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Just Can't Get Enough: Depeche Mode's 30 best songs ranked |url=https://www.avclub.com/best-depeche-mode-songs-of-all-time-1850238981 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=The A.V. Club}}</ref> *dance-rock<ref>{{cite web |last=DiGravina |first=Tim |title=Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun |url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/barrel-of-a-gun-mt0034054568 |website=AllMusic |access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref> | length = * 5:35 (album version) * 5:29 (single version) * 4:00 (radio edit) | label = Mute | writer = Martin L. Gore | producer = Tim Simenon | prev_title = In Your Room | prev_year = 1994 | next_title = It's No Good | next_year = 1997 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|V7GCrTFCXYo|"Barrel of a Gun"}}}} }}

"'''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.

==Song meaning== 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."<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Hits|last=Trakin|first=Janet|url=https://depechemodebiographie.de/ebio1997.php|title=It's a Mode Mode Mode World|date=April 28, 1997|access-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Mute MF042|last=Harding|first=Sven|url=https://depechemodebiographie.de/ebio1997.php|title=Interview with Depeche Mode, The Videos 86>98, Mute MF033 and Videos 86>98+|access-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref>

==Critical reception== 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 one—and they will."<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |title= Reviews & Previews: Singles |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1997/Billboard-1997-01-25.pdf |magazine= Billboard |date= 25 January 1997 |page= 60 |access-date= 4 December 2020 |author-link= Larry Flick}}</ref>

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."<ref>{{cite web|author= Pride, Dominic |title= Reviews: Singles |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-01-25.pdf |work= Music & Media |date= 25 January 1997 |page= 21 |access-date= 8 December 2020}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=|last=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-01-25.pdf|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=25 January 1997|page=28|accessdate=8 May 2022}}</ref>

==Music video== 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://depechemodebiographie.de/ebio1997.php|title=Depeche Mode Biography 1997|access-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref>

==Track listings== All songs were written by Martin Gore. {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * '''UK and European CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Mute Records|id=CDBONG25}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Mute Records|id=74321464902}}</ref> # "Barrel of a Gun" # "Painkiller" # "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld soft mix) # "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix)

* '''UK and US 12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Mute Records|id=12BONG25}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=US 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Reprise Records|id=0-43828}}</ref> :A1. "Barrel of a Gun" – 5:31 :A2. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld hard mix) – 9:36 :B1. "Barrel of a Gun" (3 Phase mix) – 5:25 :B2. "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix (V2)) – 5:29 :B3. "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld soft mix) – 6:29

* '''UK limited-edition 12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=UK limited 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Mute Records|id=L12BONG25}}</ref> :A1. "Painkiller" (Plastikman mix) :A2. "Painkiller" :B1. "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix) :B2. "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix)

* '''US CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=US CD single disc notes|publisher=Reprise Records|id=2-17409}}</ref> # "Barrel of a Gun" – 5:30 # "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix) – 6:34 # "Painkiller" (original mix) – 7:28 {{col-2}} * '''US 7-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Reprise Records|id=7-17409}}</ref> :A. "Barrel of a Gun" – 5:30 :B. "Painkiller" (original mix) – 7:28

* '''Canadian CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=Canadian CD single disc notes|publisher=Reprise Records, Mute Records|id=CD 43828}}</ref> # "Barrel of a Gun" (single version) – 5:29 # "Painkiller" (Plastikman mix) – 8:39 # "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld soft mix) – 6:27 # "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix) – 5:25 # "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld hard mix) – 9:36

* '''Australian CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=Australian CD single disc notes|publisher=Liberation Records, Mute Records|id=D1560, LCDBONG 25}}</ref> # "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld hard mix) # "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix) # "Painkiller" (Plastikman mix)

* '''Japanese CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Barrel of a Gun|year=1997|type=Japanese CD single liner notes|publisher=Mute Records|id=TOCP-50225}}</ref> # "Barrel of a Gun" # "Painkiller" # "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld soft mix) # "Barrel of a Gun" (One Inch Punch mix) # "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld hard mix) # "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix) # "Painkiller" (Plastikman mix) {{col-end}}

==Credits and personnel== Credits are taken from the ''Ultra'' album booklet.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Ultra|title-link=Ultra (Depeche Mode album)|year=1997|type=UK CD album booklet|publisher=Mute Records|id=CD STUMM 148}}</ref>

'''Studios''' * Recorded at Abbey Road, Eastcote, Westside, Strongroom, RAK (London, England), Electric Lady (New York City), and Larrabee West (Los Angeles) * Mastered at The Exchange (London, England)

'''Personnel''' * Martin Gore – writing (as Martin L. Gore) * Dave Clayton – keyboards, keyboard programming * Victor Indrizzo – percussion * Tim Simenon – production, mixing * Q. – mixing, engineering * Kerry Hopwood – programming * Mike Marsh – mastering

==Charts==  {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for "Barrel of a Gun" ! scope="col"| Chart (1997) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|Australia|33|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Austria|15|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Flanders|37|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Wallonia|18|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row"| Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/depeche-mode/chart-history/cns/|title=Depeche Mode Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 November 2019}}</ref> | 3 |- {{single chart|Canadarock|5|chartid=7856|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2018}} |- ! scope="row"| Czech Republic (IFPI CR)<ref name="MM-1997-03-01">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/97/MM-1997-03-01-OCR-Page-0015.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=14|issue=9|date=1 March 1997|page=15|oclc=29800226|via=World Radio History}}</ref> | 1 |- ! scope="row"| Denmark (Tracklisten)<ref name="MM-1997-03-01"/> | 6 |- ! scope="row"| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/97/MM-1997-02-22-OCR-Page-0011.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=14|issue=8|date=22 February 1997|page=11|oclc=29800226|via=World Radio History}}</ref> | 5 |- {{single chart|Finland|3|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|France|22|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Germany|3|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|songid=3387|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row"| Hungary (MAHASZ)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/97/MM-1997-02-22-OCR-Page-0015.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=14|issue=8|date=22 February 1997|page=15|oclc=29800226|via=World Radio History}}</ref> | 1 |- {{single chart|Ireland2|13|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true|access-date=14 April 2020}} |- ! scope="row"| Italy (FIMI)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/history.kl#/history|title=History|publisher=FIMI|language=it|access-date=2 June 2022}} Set "Ricerca per" on "Titolo", then search "Barrel of a Gun" and click "Classifiche".</ref> | 1 |- ! scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/depeche-mode/depeche-mode-barrel-of-a-gun-13477|title=Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun|language=nl|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> | 2 |- {{single chart|Dutch100|50|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Norway|6|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Scotland|6|date=19970215|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row"| Spain (AFYVE)<ref>{{cite book|last=Salaverrie|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|language=es|edition=1st|location=Madrid|publisher=Fundación Autor/SGAE|date=September 2005|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref> | 1 |- {{single chart|Sweden|1|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Switzerland|30|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Barrel of a Gun|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|4|artist=Depeche Mode|artistid=20192|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2022}} |- ! scope="row"| UK Indie (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1997/Music-Week-1997-02-22-IDX-40.pdf|title=Independent Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=22 February 1997|page=26|issn=0265-1548|via=World Radio History}}</ref> | 1 |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|47|artist=Depeche Mode|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2022}} |- {{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|11|artist=Depeche Mode|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2022}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddancesales|5|artist=Depeche Mode|rowheader=true|access-date=31 May 2022}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for "Barrel of a Gun" ! scope="col"| Chart (1997) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/97/MM-1997-12-27-OCR-Page-0007.pdf|title=Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997|magazine=Music & Media|volume=14|issue=52|date=27 December 1997|page=7|oclc=29800226|via=World Radio History}}</ref> | 87 |- ! scope="row"| Germany (Media Control)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1997|title=Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts – 1997|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> | 100 |- ! scope="row"| Sweden (Topplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1997&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 1997|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref> | 55 |- ! scope="row"| US Modern Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best of '97: Modern Rock Track|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=5|issue=52|page=30|date=26 December 1997}}</ref> | 80 |} {{col-end}}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Barrel of a Gun"}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1997|certyear=1997|date=7 March 1997|access-date=14 March 2019}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ Release dates and formats for "Barrel of a Gun" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2"| United Kingdom | 3 February 1997 | {{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD}} | rowspan="3"| Mute | <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-02-01.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=31|date=1 February 1997|access-date=4 July 2021}}</ref> |- | 17 February 1997 | Limited-edition 12-inch vinyl | <ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=31|date=15 February 1997}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Japan | 18 June 1997 | CD | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/111737/products/262637/1/|title=リミックス・コレクションVol.1～バレル・オブ・ア・ガン～ {{!}} デペッシュ・モード|trans-title=Remix Collection Vol.1 ~Barrel of a Gun~ {{!}} Depeche Mode|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=16 November 2023}}</ref> |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://archives.depechemode.com/discography/singles/32_barrelofagun.html Single information from the official Depeche Mode web site] * [http://www.allmusic.com/album/r311756 AllMusic review] {{rating|4.5|5}}

Category:1996 songs Category:1997 singles Category:Depeche Mode songs Category:Music videos directed by Anton Corbijn Category:Mute Records singles Category:Number-one singles in the Czech Republic Category:Number-one singles in Hungary Category:Number-one singles in Spain Category:Number-one singles in Sweden Category:Reprise Records singles Category:Song recordings produced by Bomb the Bass Category:Songs written by Martin Gore Category:UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles Category:Number-one singles in Italy