Barrel of a Gun

This article is about the Depeche Mode song. For other uses, see Barrel of a Gun (disambiguation).

"Barrel of a Gun" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode, released as the first single from their ninth studio album, Ultra (1997), on 3 February 1997. The song reached number one in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain and Sweden while reaching the top 10 in several other countries, including Finland, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. In North America, the song reached number 47 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Canadian Singles Chart.

"Barrel of a Gun"
Single by Depeche Mode
from the album Ultra
B-side	"Painkiller"
Released	3 February 1997 (1997-02-03)
Studio	Abbey Road, Eastcote, Westside, Strongroom, RAK (London) Electric Lady (New York City) Larrabee West (Los Angeles)
Genre	Industrial rock dance-rock^[1]
Length	5:35 (album version) 5:29 (single version) 4:00 (radio edit)
Label	Mute
Songwriter(s)	Martin L. Gore
Producer(s)	Tim Simenon
Depeche Mode singles chronology
"In Your Room" (1994) "Barrel of a Gun" (1997) "It's No Good" (1997)
Music video
"Barrel of a Gun" on YouTube

Song meaning

"It's about understanding what you're about and realising that you don't necessarily fit into somebody else's scheme of things," said keyboardist Martin Gore.^[2] 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."^[3]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard 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."^[4]

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."^[5] A reviewer from Music Week rated the song 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."^[6]

Music video

The music video for the song, shot in Morocco by Anton Corbijn, features Gahan with long hair singing with his eyes closed, with eyeballs drawn on his eyelids to make it seem like they are open.^[7]

Track listings

All songs were written by Martin Gore.

UK and European CD single^[8]^[9] "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^[10]^[11] 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^[12] 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^[13] "Barrel of a Gun" – 5:30 "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix) – 6:34 "Painkiller" (original mix) – 7:28

US 7-inch single^[14] A. "Barrel of a Gun" – 5:30 B. "Painkiller" (original mix) – 7:28 Canadian CD single^[15] "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^[16] "Barrel of a Gun" (Underworld hard mix) "Barrel of a Gun" (United mix) "Painkiller" (Plastikman mix) Japanese CD single^[17] "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)

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Ultra album booklet.^[18]

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

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Barrel of a Gun" Chart (1997) Peak position Australia (ARIA)^[19] 33 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[20] 15 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[21] 37 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)^[22] 18 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)^[23] 3 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)^[24] 5 Czech Republic (IFPI CR)^[25] 1 Denmark (Tracklisten)^[25] 6 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)^[26] 5 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[27] 3 France (SNEP)^[28] 22 Germany (Official German Charts)^[29] 3 Hungary (MAHASZ)^[30] 1 Ireland (IRMA)^[31] 13 Italy (FIMI)^[32] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[33] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[34] 50 Norway (VG-lista)^[35] 6 Scotland (OCC)^[36] 6 Spain (AFYVE)^[37] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[38] 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[39] 30 UK Singles (OCC)^[40] 4 UK Indie (OCC)^[41] 1 US Billboard Hot 100^[42] 47 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[43] 11 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)^[44] 5

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Barrel of a Gun" Chart (1997) Position Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)^[45] 87 Germany (Official German Charts)^[46] 100 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[47] 55 US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[48] 80

Certifications

Certifications for "Barrel of a Gun"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Sweden (GLF)^[49]	Gold	15,000^^
^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Barrel of a Gun"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United Kingdom	3 February 1997	12-inch vinyl CD	Mute	^[50]
	17 February 1997	Limited-edition 12-inch vinyl		^[51]
Japan	18 June 1997	CD		^[52]

References

1. DiGravina, Tim. "Depeche Mode - Barrel of a Gun". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
2. Trakin, Janet (28 April 1997). "It's a Mode Mode Mode World". Hits. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
3. Harding, Sven. "Interview with Depeche Mode, The Videos 86>98, Mute MF033 and Videos 86>98+". Mute MF042. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
4. Flick, Larry (25 January 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 60. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
5. Pride, Dominic (25 January 1997). "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 21. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
6. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 25 January 1997. p. 28. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
7. "Depeche Mode Biography 1997". Retrieved 27 May 2019.
8. Barrel of a Gun (UK CD single liner notes). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. CDBONG25.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. Barrel of a Gun (European CD single liner notes). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. 74321464902.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. Barrel of a Gun (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. 12BONG25.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
11. Barrel of a Gun (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records. 1997. 0-43828.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
12. Barrel of a Gun (UK limited 12-inch single sleeve). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. L12BONG25.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
13. Barrel of a Gun (US CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records. 1997. 2-17409.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
14. Barrel of a Gun (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records. 1997. 7-17409.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
15. Barrel of a Gun (Canadian CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1997. CD 43828.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
16. Barrel of a Gun (Australian CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Liberation Records, Mute Records. 1997. D1560, LCDBONG 25.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
17. Barrel of a Gun (Japanese CD single liner notes). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. TOCP-50225.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
18. Ultra (UK CD album booklet). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1997. CD STUMM 148.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
19. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
20. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
21. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
22. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun" (in French). Ultratop 50.
23. "Depeche Mode Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
24. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 7856." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
25. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 9. 1 March 1997. p. 15. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
26. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 8. 22 February 1997. p. 11. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
27. "Depeche Mode: Barrel of a Gun" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
28. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun" (in French). Les classement single.
29. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
30. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 8. 22 February 1997. p. 15. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
31. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Barrel of a Gun". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
32. "History" (in Italian). FIMI. Retrieved 2 June 2022. Set "Ricerca per" on "Titolo", then search "Barrel of a Gun" and click "Classifiche".
33. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
34. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
35. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun". VG-lista.
36. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
37. Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
38. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun". Singles Top 100.
39. "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun". Swiss Singles Chart.
40. "Depeche Mode: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
41. "Independent Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 22 February 1997. p. 26. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
42. "Depeche Mode Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
43. "Depeche Mode Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
44. "Depeche Mode Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
45. "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. 7. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
46. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts – 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
47. "Årslista Singlar, 1997" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
48. "Best of '97: Modern Rock Track". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. 26 December 1997. p. 30.
49. (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. 7 March 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
50. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 1 February 1997. p. 31. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
51. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 15 February 1997. p. 31.
52. "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" [Remix Collection Vol.1 ~Barrel of a Gun~ | Depeche Mode] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 16 November 2023.

External links

• Single information from the official Depeche Mode web site
• AllMusic review