Depeche Mode "Everything Counts (Single & Video)"

"Everything Counts" is a 1983 song by the electronic band Depeche Mode from the album Construction Time Again. The single was re-released (in live format) on 13 February 1989 (25 March 1989 in the US) to support the live album 101.

The single introduced a transition in lyrical content for the group. "Everything Counts" specifically addresses the issue of corporate greed and corruption in Britain, as the chorus sings of "grabbing hands" that "grab all they can". Perhaps surprisingly, the single was released at a time when the band itself was not under a formal contract with Mute Records (Gore publishes his songs under the name "Grabbing Hands Music"). In addition to "found" sounds used as samples, the single also samples a variety of musical instruments, such as the xylophone and a melodica (which Martin has been known to play on stage for the song).

It was also the first song in the band's catalogue which includes both of the band's singers prominently (at different times). Lead singer Dave Gahan sings the lead vocals on the verses, while main songwriter Martin Gore sings the lead vocals on the chorus with backing from Alan Wilder. When the song has been performed live, the chorus has been sung by all of the band's members except Gahan, as it appeared in the video for the single.

The song would quickly catch on as a fan favourite at the band's concerts and was used as the opening song for the Construction Time Again tour. The first live version of the song to appear on a commercial release came from the Some Great Reward tour in 1984 when a recording from a show in Liverpool appeared on the double A-sided "Blasphemous Rumours/Somebody" single. During the Music for the Masses Tour, the band used "Everything Counts" as the final encore and in 1989, the song would be re-released as a single in live form, to promote the live album 101. All live tracks from the release were recorded on 18 June 1988 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl during the final performance of the aforementioned Music for the Masses Tour. This version of the song is famous for the recording of the crowd continuing to sing the chorus long after the music had stopped.

It also appears in Devotional as the closer. It was played during the first two legs of Touring the Angel in the first encore, and also appears on the Touring the Angel: Live in Milan-DVD.

Everything Counts was also remixed and re-released in 2006. The "Oliver Huntemann & Stephan Bodzin Dub" is featured on the limited edition release of the single Martyr. An unreleased Oliver Huntemann & Stephan Bodzin remix contains more vocal parts from the original version.

The music video for "Everything Counts" was directed by Clive Richardson in West Berlin. The band returned to Richardson after not being satisfied with the work of Julien Temple for the A Broken Frame singles. Richardson had previously directed the video for "Just Can't Get Enough" two years earlier. According to Alan Wilder, "It was felt that after the Julien Temple years, we needed to harden up not only our sound but also our image. Clive had lots of new ideas which didn't involve stupid storyboards where we were required to act." In the original music video, the xylophone, the melodica, and the shawm are played by Alan Wilder, Martin Gore, and Andy Fletcher, respectively. The shawm, however, is produced by a synthesizer on the studio recording, but the band used the real shawm in the music video and television performances, for show. In this video, frontman Dave Gahan for the first time appeared blonde-haired, losing his natural black colour of hair.

The "Everything Counts (Live)" video was directed by D.A. Pennebaker. The video not only includes portions of the live performance, but also contains various references to the money made from merchandise and ticket sales at the concert, humorously connected to the song's theme of corruption and greed.

1983 release

7": Mute / 7Bong3 (UK) & Sire / 7-29482 (US)

1. "Everything Counts" (3:58)
2. "Work Hard" (4:21)

12": Mute / 12Bong3 (UK) & Sire / 0-20165 (US)

1. "Everything Counts [In Larger Amounts]" (7:18)
2. "Work Hard [East End Remix]" (6:57)

12": Mute / L12Bong3 (UK)

1. "Everything Counts" [7" Version] (3:58)
2. "New Life [Live]" (4:12)
3. "Boys Say Go! [Live]" (2:36)
4. "Nothing to Fear [Live]" (4:28)
5. "The Meaning of Love [Live]" (3:14)

CD (1991 Box Set): Mute / CDBong3 (UK)

1. "Everything Counts" (3:58)
2. "Work Hard" (4:21)
3. "Everything Counts [In Larger Amounts/12“ Version]" (7:18)
4. "Work Hard [East End Remix]" (6:57)

Depeche Mode in 1983 was: Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Alan Wilder.

"Everything Counts", "Nothing to Fear", and "The Meaning of Love" written by Martin Gore.

"Work Hard" written by Martin Gore and Alan Wilder.

"New Life" and "Boys Say Go!" written by Vince Clarke.

Tracks recorded at The Garden Studios, London.

"Everything Counts" mixed at Hansa Mischraum, Berlin.

Gareth Jones was the tonmeister.

Live tracks recorded 25 October 1982 at Hammersmith Odeon in London.