Precious

Album: Playing The Angel (2005)
Charted: 4 71
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Martin Gore wrote this song about his divorce from Suzanne Boisvert, and the impact it had on their children. Gore said that his marriage had become "a charade," and felt awful about letting it get to that point:

    I thought we'd manage
    But words left unspoken
    Left us so brittle
    There was so little left to give
  • Although this is a very personal song for Martin Gore, it was sung by their main vocalist, Dave Gahan, which was standard procedure for the band. The Playing The Angel album was a turning point though, because Gahan wanted to write half the songs on the set; he settled for three after their producer, Ben Hillier, talked him down.

Comments: 6

  • Marsha from Las Vegas One of their very best. The words haunt me being divorced myself.
  • Momma from San Antonio Tx My daughter who is now 23 has suffered through her teenage years till now with cutting herself, drugs,drinking, depression, attempted suicide and us her parents trying to help the best we could throughout and thinking it was a phase, it was not.
    She now a mother is also dealing with hyperthyroidism, hyperlipidemia, anxiety and bipolar.
    Imagine? No we could not. The one thing is to never give up..never give up on your children, they need to be heard because just being seen is ...
    Thank you for this strong and beautiful song,..more beautiful because it came from real pain, from the heart.
    Hope all of you well.
    Con todo mi corazon,
    Momma
  • Jeff from Austin, TxAmazing song... as good as anything they ever did.
  • Chris from Louisville , KyDepeche Mode's best song.
  • David from New York, NyThis song is borderline hypnotic. Really sad and beautiful.
  • Jonathan from Fayetteville, NcI really love this song...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.