DMTV Discography

About This Discography

This discography is mainly based on the "official" DM discography started by Robert Schmitz and up until January of 1998, maintained by Louis Van Dompsleaar. This discography is the continual updated version of that text file that has been passed around since the early 90's. By definition, when the term "official" is used to describe this discography, that refers to releases by Depeche Mode through Mute, Sire, Reprise and other legitimate recording labels. This discography does not contain any cataloging of bootlegs or remix services.

This discography essentially catalogues all releases with preference to the original (in most cases) UK pressing/release of the single, record, etc. It also list a number of releases by licensees. In the few cases where two songs with the same name (or remix name) exist, a comment detailing the difference is included. On several occasions versions of songs have been included on releases under different names than when they were first released. In some of these cases, the original name is the default (and a comment is about it is included). In other cases the new name is used, with a comment that it is in fact an existing version.

What you'll find on each release page:

• US, UK, and German chart info (where available)
• Complete track listing for band releases and relevant tracks from compilations/soundtracks.
• Complete 12", CD, LP, VHS, and DVD release info (cassette, laserdisc info where available)
• Catalogue #'s
• Cover art (where available)
• Limited Edition information and details (where available)
• Promo release information and cover art (where available)
• Full navigation through all pages with the links on the right of each page!
• Comments and reflections by the Bongbishop on each release.

Mute Records Catalogue Numbers

Mute releases are uniformly catalogued using an alphanumeric combination of a simple word used to determine format and a one to three digit number based on order of release.

STUMM is a MUTE album release.
MUTEL is a MUTE compilation (greatest hits) album release.
MUTE is a MUTE single release (used for the first 5 Depeche single releases and for the majority of Mute artists).
BONG is a Depeche Mode MUTE single release (used from Leave in Silence to the present).
DMDVD is a Depeche Mode DVD Release
DMLP is a remastered Depeche Mode album release

Prefixes/Suffixes used on album/single releases (example):

L is a secondary album release (L STUMM 106)
7 is a 7" single release (7 MUTE 13) (used for all 7" singles before Strangelove)
E is a 7" EP release (7 BONG 7E)
12 is a 12" single release (12 BONG 1)
C is a cassette single release (C BONG 11)
G is a gatefold 7" single release (G BONG 17)
CD is a CD single release (CD BONG 15)
L12 is a limited edition 12" single release (L12 BONG 13)
LCD is a limited edition CD single release (LCD BONG 20)
XL12 is a special limited edition 12" single release (XL12 BONG 18)
XLCD is a special limited edition CD single release (XLCD BONG 24)
P12 is a promotional 12" single release (P12 BONG 26)
PL12 is a secondary promotional 12" single release (PL12 BONG 23)
(not necessarily any more limited than a P12)
RR12, RCD is a designated radio promotional release (any format)(RR BONG 10)
DJ, DT,PP12 DANCE, CLUB, SHOP, D, S, J, or any other prefix not listed above are promotional releases for any format.

Promos & Coloured Vinyl

What's a promo? The term stands for "promotional record" and refers to records given to DJs, radio stations, reviewers, etc. by the record companies so they can review them, or play them. Generally so the songs can get some publicity. Often these promos are released prior to the actual release of the single (by days, weeks or months). Most of them are simply the usual 12" singles (or CDs, or 7" singles) with stamps or stickers on them saying something like "For promotional use only, not for resale", but occasionally they are different in appearance from the usual releases, either by having a so-called "white label" (exactly that), a different catalogue number, or in the more collectable cases, a different sleeve or track list, and best of all, some different mixes or songs, not available on the general releases. Mute Records are infamous for the amount and variety of promos they distribute, but if you look closely you'll notice that only a very few have unreleased mixes on them. And of the mixes that are unreleased (officially), a lot of them are 'radio edits' which are nothing more than single versions that fade out at the end in a radio-friendly manner.

The other common release that is hardly mentioned is coloured vinyl. Many of Depeche Mode's releases have been available at various times and in various countries on coloured vinyl. The availability of these releases varies of course on where you live, but some are much rarer than others, especially coloured 7" singles. Amongst the most common coloured vinyl is anything released in Germany in the mid to late 80's, because at that time it seemed as if every Depeche Mode release came out on some sort of coloured vinyl. No attempt is being made to list all the coloured releases, or individual ones in order of rarity; and only specific, interesting releases (mostly the ones that have differing track listings as well), are included.