So everyone already knows how good this song is but lately it has been sitting even more sweetly for me and after seeing Depeche Mode perform an amazing live set on MusicMax I felt compelled to post!
Now it is no secret that Depeche Mode are quite ground breaking and brilliant however to be honest I always glossed over them as having some songs that mildly held my attention for brief timepoints. Until I saw Depeche Mode performing "Personal Jesus" live and I was quite taken by it. It had all the addictive cult like attributes of a Hillsong Gathering, as if the polarized equivalents to those Hillsong hippies had come out en masse and were completely enveloped in the song. While it had a real summoning of the demons type vibe to it, there was something so alluring about it too.
Anyone describing their favourite bands like to throw out statements like "they commanded the stage" and a large proportion of such comments are right, but this was strange, it was as if Depeche Mode owned the crowd, they were literally preachers of the damned with cult like precision and I was quite happy for them to own me for those brief moments of evil bliss.
Here is three different interpretations of the track "Personal Jesus".
MP3: Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus
The original version and I am still going to say it is the best also. It really captures a wonderful period of music and a band at their prime.
MP3: Johnny Cash - Personal Jesus
God rest his soul, Old Johnny never did things by halves. The subtle use of piano against the stripped back noises of the guitar are just brilliant. My favourite interpretation of this song. Cash hasn't set out to really go over the top with changing from the original form, but it's like hearing the gospel from one preacher to the next. Cash speaks from the gospel of Depeche but the sermon is all his own!
MP3: Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus (Mp3 comming soon)
Marilyn must be pissed. When you hear this song it is as if Marilyn was destined to cover it. While it lends itself well to Marilyn's style of music, It's quite safe, doesn't really add much apart from a predictable stomp and guitar crunch to keep the metal heads joyfully frowning.
You Tube: Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus
Now this wasn't the performance I viewed whilst sitting on my ass watching t.v but none the less I think it encapsulates the overall energy they give off.
Depeche Mode have a new 3 DVD set of their live performance at Milan so if you're looking for a Christmas present for me, there is no excuse, I've given you the hints.
Tracklisting:
Personal Jesus (‘Violater’ 1990)
Just Can't Get Enough (‘Speak And Spell’, 1981)
Everything Counts (‘Construction Time Again, 1983)
Enjoy The Silence (‘Violator’, 1990)
Shake The Disease (‘The Singles 81-85’, 1985)
See You (‘A Broken Frame’, 1982)
It's No Good (‘Ultra’, 1997)
Strangelove (‘Music For The Masses’, 1987)
Suffer Well (‘Playing The Angel’, 2005)
Dream On (‘Exciter’, 2001)
People Are People (‘Some Great Reward’, 1984)
Martyr* (Best Of)
Walking In My Shoes (‘Songs of Faith and Devotion’, 1993)
I Feel You (‘Songs of Faith and Devotion’, 1993)
Precious (‘Playing The Angel’, 2005)
Master And Servant (‘Some Great Reward’, 1984)
New Life (‘Speak And Spell’, 1981)
Never Let Me Down Again (‘Music For The Masses’, 1987)
Thanks to MusicMax for the tracklisting.
