Master and Servant

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This article is about a song by Depeche Mode. For other uses, see Master and servant.

"Master and Servant"
DepecheModeMasterAndServant.jpg
Single by Depeche Mode
from the album Some Great Reward
B-side"(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me"
Released1984
Recorded
Genre
Length
  • 3:46 (7″/single version)
  • 3:27 (edit)
  • 9:38 (12″ version)
  • 4:12 (album version)
LabelMute Records
Songwriter(s)Martin Gore
Producer(s)
Depeche Mode singles chronology
"People Are People"
(1984) 		"Master and Servant"
(1984) 		"Blasphemous Rumours / Somebody"
(1984)
Music video
"Master and Servant" on YouTube
Audio
"Master and Servant" on YouTube

"Master and Servant" is Depeche Mode's eleventh UK single, released in 1984 and the second single from the Some Great Reward album. Its subject matter is BDSM relationships, which caused some controversy. It reached number 9 in the UK Singles Chart,[4] number 49 in the American dance chart[5] and number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5]

Conception and composition[]

The overtly sexual, BDSM-themed lyrics of "Master and Servant" – complete with synthesized whip-and-chain sound effects – reportedly meant that the song was banned by many radio stations in the United States (although the song reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart anyway, albeit only at number 87[5] and for only a three-week chart stay).

Reportedly, the song narrowly avoided a radio ban by the BBC as well. "Master and Servant" might have been banned if the one BBC staffer who wanted to ban the record had not been away on holiday at the time the other staffers voted on whether to add "Master and Servant" to their playlist.[6]

Recording and production[]

The production and mixing process of "Master and Servant" are remembered by Alan Wilder, Daniel Miller, and Gareth Jones, as among the longest that Depeche Mode ever endured. One famous story about the song includes a mixing duration of seven days, and after all the reworking and final mastering of the mix, they realized they left the channel with the snare drum muted during the last chorus.

Some of the sounds on "Master and Servant", such as the whip effect, are based on Daniel Miller standing in the studio hissing and spitting. According to the band, they tried to sample a real whip but "it was hopeless".[6]

Release history[]

The "Slavery Whip Mix" was the longest 12" Depeche Mode song at the time, with the outro being turned into a swing version of the refrain. The "Voxless" version is an instrumental mix of the song. The B-side is "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me", featuring a 12-inch "Release Mix". The 7" version edits out much of the beginning.

Some versions include a song called "Are People People?" which uses samples from "People Are People" along with chanting. Both "Are People People?" and "Master and Servant (An ON-USound Science Fiction Dance Hall Classic)" appear on Remixes 81–04 in 2004. They are remixed by Adrian Sherwood.

Track listings[]

7": Mute / 7Bong6 (UK)[]

  1. "Master and Servant" – 3:46
  2. "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me" – 4:12

7": Sire / 7-28918 (US)[]

  1. "Master and Servant" [edit] – 3:27
  2. "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me" – 4:12

12": Mute / 12Bong6 (UK)[]

  1. "Master and Servant (Slavery Whip Mix/12" Version)" – 9:38
  2. "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me (Release Mix)" – 8:49
  3. "Master and Servant (Voxless)" – 4:00

L12": Mute / L12Bong6 (UK)[]

  1. "Master and Servant (ON-USound Science Fiction Mix)" – 4:34
  2. "Are People People?" – 4:29
  3. "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me" – 4:12

Track 1 was re-released on the 2- and 3-disc CD versions of Remixes 81–04, while track 2 only appears on the 3-disc version.

12": Sire / 0-20283 (US)[]

  1. "Master and Servant (US Black and Blue Mix)" – 8:02 (edited by Joseph Watt)
  2. "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me" (US 12" Mix) – 7:59 (edited by Joseph Watt)
  3. "Are People People?" – 4:29

CD: Mute / CDBong6 (UK)[]

  1. "Master and Servant" – 3:46
  2. "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me" – 4:12
  3. "Master and Servant (Slavery Whip Mix)" – 9:38
  4. "(Set Me Free) Remotivate Me (Release Mix)" – 8:49
  5. "Master and Servant (Voxless)" – 4:00

The CD single was released in 1991 as part of the singles box set compilations.

All songs written by Martin Gore.

Chart performance[]

References[]

  1. ^ Hawking, Tom (12 April 2012). "10 of Music's Most Delightfully Dark Pop Songs". Flavorwire. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  2. ^ Norton, Justin M. (7 November 2012). "The 10 Best Depeche Mode Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  3. ^ Raggett, Ned. "Depeche Mode – Master and Servant". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Depeche Mode – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Jenkins, Mark (22 September 1984). "Blasphemy Rewarded". Melody Maker. Archived from the original on 28 October 2007.
  7. ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  8. ^ "Ultratop.be – Depeche Mode – Master And Servant" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  9. ^ "Lescharts.com – Depeche Mode – Master And Servant" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  10. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Depeche Mode – Master And Servant" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  11. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Master & Servant". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  12. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Depeche Mode – Master And Servant" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  13. ^ "MASTER AND SERVANT – Depeche Mode" (in Polish). LP3. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011.
  14. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Depeche Mode – Master And Servant". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  15. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Depeche Mode – Master And Servant". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  16. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1984" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 June 2014.

External links[]


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