Studio Album · No. 11
Playing the Angel Songwriting Credits by Depeche Mode
Produced by Ben Hillier · Engineered by Ben Hillier, Steve Fitzmaurice, Richard Morris
Mute
Electronic RockPost-PunkSynth-Pop
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Depeche Mode carries a lyricist or composer credit.
12 trackswritten by Depeche Mode
0 tracksoutside writers
Depeche Mode's roles on this album
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
12
Tracks
4
Lyricists
1
Producers
2005
Released
Data Insight
Gahan takes three of the twelve tracks, written with Christian Eigner and Andrew Phillpott. After 24 years and ten albums of singing Martin Gore's words, the singer finally has his name on the sleeve.
Playing the Angel came out on Mute in October 2005 and is the first Depeche Mode album with writing from Dave Gahan.
Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Pain That I'm Used To
|
Martin Gore | Martin Lee Gore | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 2 |
John the Revelator
|
Martin Gore | Martin Lee Gore | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 3 |
Suffer Well
|
Dave GahanChristian EignerAndrew Phillpott | David Callcott GahanChristian EignerAndrew Phillpott | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 4 |
The Sinner in Me
|
Martin Gore | Martin Lee Gore | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 5 |
Precious
#71
|
Martin Gore | Martin Lee Gore | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 6 |
Macro
|
Martin Gore | Martin Lee Gore | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 7 |
I Want It All
|
Dave GahanChristian EignerAndrew Phillpott | David Callcott GahanChristian EignerAndrew Phillpott | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 8 |
Nothing's Impossible
|
Dave GahanChristian EignerAndrew Phillpott | David Callcott GahanChristian EignerAndrew Phillpott | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 9 |
Introspectre
|
Martin Gore | Martin Lee Gore | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 10 |
Damaged People
|
Martin Gore | Martin Lee Gore | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 11 |
Lilian
|
Martin Gore | Martin Lee Gore | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
| 12 |
The Darkest Star
|
Martin Gore | Martin Lee Gore | Ben Hillier | Depeche Mode (Performer) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 8 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Playing the Angel
Who wrote Playing the Angel?
Martin Gore wrote nine of the twelve tracks. Dave Gahan wrote three with Christian Eigner and Andrew Phillpott, his first writing credits on a Depeche Mode album.
How high did the singles chart?
"Precious" reached number 71 on the Hot 100. "A Pain That I'm Used To", "Suffer Well" and "John the Revelator" all missed it.
How many did Gahan write?
Three of the twelve, and he wrote none of them alone. Christian Eigner and Andrew Phillpott share all three.
Who produced it?
Ben Hillier.
Who engineered it?
Ben Hillier and Richard Morris, with Steve Fitzmaurice mixing.
How did it sell?
The discography publishes certifications for it rather than a sales figure.
How long is the album?
52:16 across twelve tracks.