{{Short description|2006 single by Depeche Mode}} {{More citations needed|date=December 2020}} {{Use British English|date=March 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox song | name = Suffer Well | cover = Depeche_Mode_-_Suffer_Well_cover.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Depeche Mode | album = Playing the Angel | B-side = Better Days | released = {{start date|2006|3|27|df=y}} | recorded = | studio = Sound Design (Santa Barbara, California) | genre = Electronica<ref name="ST">{{cite web|last=Parrish |first=Peter |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3551 |title=Depeche Mode, Playing The Angel Review |publisher=Stylus Magazine |date=15 November 2005 |access-date=21 June 2011 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009060244/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3551 |archive-date=9 October 2012 }}</ref> | length = 3:49 | label = Mute | writer = | lyricist = Dave Gahan | composer = {{bulleted list|Christian Eigner|Andrew Phillpott}} | producer = * Ben Hillier * Depeche Mode | prev_title = A Pain That I'm Used To | prev_year = 2005 | next_title = John the Revelator" / "Lilian | next_year = 2006 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|SsKyxkfj8ak|"Suffer Well"}}}} }}

"'''Suffer Well'''" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode from their eleventh studio album, ''Playing the Angel'' (2005). It was released in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2006 as the album's third single.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baker |first1=Trevor |title=Dave Gahan - Depeche Mode & The Second Coming |date=5 November 2009 |publisher=Bonnier Zaffre |isbn=978-1-78418-955-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MSa3DwAAQBAJ&dq=Suffer+Well+depeche+mode&pg=PT216 |access-date=25 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Miller |first1=Jonathan |title=Stripped: Depeche Mode |date=5 November 2009 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=978-0-85712-026-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8dlapcBLwu0C&dq=Suffer+Well+depeche+mode&pg=PT866 |access-date=25 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Background== "Suffer Well" is the first Depeche Mode single written by lead singer Dave Gahan and their first single not written by Martin Gore since "Just Can't Get Enough" in 1981, which was written by Vince Clarke. It is also the first Depeche Mode single that was co-written with non-Depeche Mode members (Christian Eigner and Andrew Phillpott wrote the music).<ref>{{cite book |last1=England |first1=Emma |last2=Lyons |first2=William John |title=Reception History and Biblical Studies: Theory and Practice |date=21 May 2015 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-0-567-66010-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1YUQCAAAQBAJ&dq=Suffer+Well+depeche+mode&pg=PT320 |access-date=25 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

The song is based on an experience that Gahan had where he was told by a friend of his to 'suffer well' while he was discussing his life and issues. The line had stuck to him, which inspired the idea of the song. He explained on M6's TV show ''Focus Rock'', "The song is about, in, what you believe to be suffering, is where you grow and learn about yourself."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2006-12-16 |title=The Wave Magazine - Silicon Valley's Finest Entertainment & Lifestyle Magazine |url=http://www.thewavemag.com/pagegen.php?pagename=article&articleid=25575 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216085427/http://www.thewavemag.com/pagegen.php?pagename=article&articleid=25575 |archive-date=2006-12-16 |access-date=2022-09-24 }}</ref> In the same interview he also states that the song was originally much slower in pace, but it was decided to go on to a more pop oriented route.<ref name=":0" />

The B-sides for the single are called "Better Days", a short song with an industrial-punk feel to it, and "The Darkest Star", which entered the national singles charts in Finland for one week, at number 16.<ref name="finnish" />

The song "Suffer Well" was nominated in the category of "Best Dance Recording" at the 2007 Grammy Awards but lost to Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack".<ref>Associated Press. [https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,235200,00.html "Complete List of Grammy Award Nominations"]. 7 December 2006</ref> The single version of the song adds a drum track to the song and is shorter.

==Chart performance== "Suffer Well" reached number 38 on the US ''Billboard'' Modern Rock Tracks chart. It reached number one on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, the band's seventh song to top this chart. "Suffer Well" was added to the playlist of Xfm London on 27 February 2006. However, it failed to make the playlist of any BBC Radio station. Despite this, it entered the UK charts at number 12.

==Music video== The video was filmed by Anton Corbijn and was his first music video for the band, excluding tour projections and promo videos, since "Useless" in 1997.

The video features a cameo appearance by Gahan's wife, Jennifer, once as the angel and once as herself. Another cameo is by the band's manager, Jonathan Kessler, who plays Gahan's limo driver. Other highlights include Gore as a bride and Fletcher as a groom. It also features the disco ball seen in the cover art of "Suffer Well".

==Track listing== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''UK limited-edition 7-inch picture disc'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Suffer Well|others=Depeche Mode|year=2006|type=UK 7-inch picture disc sleeve|publisher=Mute Records|id=BONG37, 0094635594874}}</ref> :A. "Suffer Well" (Metope vocal remix) :B. "The Darkest Star" (Monolake remix)

'''UK 12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Suffer Well|others=Depeche Mode|year=2006|type=UK 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Mute Records|id=12BONG37, 0094635594812}}</ref> :A1. "Suffer Well" (Tiga remix) – 6:28 :A2. "Suffer Well" (Tiga dub) – 5:29 :B1. "Suffer Well" (Narcotic Thrust vocal dub) – 6:44

'''UK limited-edition 12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Suffer Well|others=Depeche Mode|year=2006|type=UK limited edition 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Mute Records|id=L12BONG37, 0094635595017}}</ref> :A1. "Suffer Well" (Metope remix) – 6:53 :A2. "Suffer Well" (Metope vocal remix) – 6:28 :B1. "Suffer Well" (M83 remix) – 4:31 :B2. "Better Days" (Basteroid 'Dance Is Gone' vocal mix) – 7:09

'''UK extra limited-edition 12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=The Darkest Star|others=Depeche Mode|year=2006|type=UK extra limited edition 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Mute Records|id=XL12BONG37, 0094635820614}}</ref> :A.&nbsp; &nbsp;"The Darkest Star" (Holden remix) – 7:47 :AA. "The Darkest Star" (Holden dub) – 7:56 {{col-2}} '''UK and European CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Suffer Well|others=Depeche Mode|year=2006|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Mute Records|id=CDBONG37, 0094635594225}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Suffer Well|others=Depeche Mode|year=2006|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Mute Records|id=int.CDBONG37, 0094635594423}}</ref> # "Suffer Well" – 3:50 # "Better Days" – 2:28

'''UK limited-edition CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Suffer Well|others=Depeche Mode|year=2006|type=UK limited edition CD single liner notes|publisher=Mute Records|id=LCDBONG37, 0094635594621}}</ref> and '''US digital download'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/suffer-well-dj-version-ep/129015363|title=Suffer Well (DJ Version) – EP|publisher=Apple Music|access-date=29 August 2021}}</ref> # "Suffer Well" (Tiga remix) – 6:30 # "Suffer Well" (Narcotic Thrust vocal dub) – 6:42 # "Suffer Well" (Alter Ego remix) – 6:09 # "Suffer Well" (M83 remix) – 4:34 # "Suffer Well" (Metope vocal remix) – 6:28 # "Suffer Well" (Metope remix) – 6:52

'''UK DVD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Suffer Well|others=Depeche Mode|year=2006|type=UK DVD single liner notes|publisher=Mute Records|id=DVDBONG37, 0094635594898}}</ref> # "Suffer Well" (video) – 3:50 # "Suffer Well" (Alter Ego dub) (audio) – 8:53 # "Better Days" (Basteroid 'Dance Is Gone' vocal mix) (audio) – 7:09 {{col-end}}

==Charts== <!--NOTE TO EDITORS: Please provide a reliable source when adding or changing chart positions, sales figures and certifications. Unreferenced information will be challenged and can and will be removed by any editor. Read Wikipedia:Verifiability, Wikipedia:Reliable sources and Wikipedia:Citing sources for more information. Thanks.--> {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Weekly chart performance for "Suffer Well" ! scope="col"| Chart (2006) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|Austria|67|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- {{single chart|Flanders Tip|7|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Wallonia|39|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Czech Republic|67|year=2006|week=11|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- {{single chart|Denmark|1|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- ! scope="row"| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hit of the World: Eurocharts|magazine=Music & Media|volume=118|issue=15|page=77|date=15 April 2006}}</ref> | 15 |- {{single chart|Finland|6|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021|refname="finnish"}} |- {{single chart|France|87|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- {{single chart|Germany|13|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|songid=149738|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Hungarysingle|1|year=2006|week=18|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- {{single chart|Ireland2|18|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Italy|5|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- {{single chart|Scotland|10|date=20060408|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- {{single chart|Spain|2|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- {{single chart|Sweden|20|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- {{single chart|Switzerland|66|artist=Depeche Mode|song=Suffer Well|rowheader=true|access-date=29 August 2021}} |- {{single chart|UK|12|date=20060408|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|38|artist=Depeche Mode|rowheader=true|accessdate=26 May 2020}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Depeche Mode|rowheader=true|accessdate=26 May 2020}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Year-end chart performance for "Suffer Well" ! scope="col"| Chart (2006) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US Dance Club Play (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/dance-club-songs|title=Dance Club Songs – Year-End 2006|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310035646/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/dance-club-songs|archive-date=10 March 2018|access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref> | 34 |} {{col-end}}

==Release history== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+Release dates and formats for "Suffer Well" !scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row"|United Kingdom |27 March 2006 |{{hlist|CD|DVD|digital download}} |rowspan="2"|Mute |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.depmode.com/Depeche_Mode_Suffer_Well.php|title=Depeche Mode 'Suffer Well' 2006|website=depmode.com|access-date=21 October 2021}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Australia |17 April 2006 |{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl}} |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue841.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 17th April 2006|publisher=ARIA|page=28|date=17 April 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20060419140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20060420-0000/issue841.pdf|archive-date=19 April 2006|access-date=17 November 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |}

==See also== * List of ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play number ones of 2006

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://archives.depechemode.com/discography/singles/44_sufferwell.html Single information from the official Depeche Mode website]

{{Depeche Mode}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Depeche Mode songs Category:2006 singles Category:Number-one singles in Denmark Category:Number-one singles in Hungary Category:Music videos directed by Anton Corbijn Category:Mute Records singles Category:Song recordings produced by Ben Hillier Category:Songs written by Dave Gahan