Submitted by UAR-mwfree on Aug 04
Depeche Mode photo

 

Violator album cover

 

Depeche Mode – Violator (1990):  To my mind, one of the most startling Christian rock songs was “Personal Jesus” by the English electronic rock band Depeche Mode.  With its somewhat flippant title, I originally thought that the song might be mocking as well; but the heartfelt lyrics leave no question:  “Reach out and touch faith / Your own personal Jesus / Someone to hear your prayers / Someone who cares / Your own personal Jesus / Someone to hear your prayers / Someone who’s there”.  “Personal Jesus” was the first single from Violator, and that album propelled Depeche Mode to worldwide success, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart.  Other singles from Violator are “Enjoy the Silence”, “Policy of Truth”, and “World in My Eyes”.  The album’s liner notes make clear that faith is important to the band, as did their next album, Songs of Faith and Devotion – which topped the album charts in the US and the UK – and The Devotional Tour that supported that album.  Depeche Mode has sold 100 million albums, making them the most successful electronic band in history and one of the biggest selling rock bands of all time.