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Walking in My Shoes
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Wikipedia article
"'Walking in My Shoes'" is a song by British electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was released on 26 April 1993 as the second single from their eighth studio album, 'Songs of Faith and Devotion' (1993). The song reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and matched the success of the previous single "I Feel You" on the US 'Billboard' Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it reached one.
The 7-inch version of "Walking in My Shoes" is not the same as the one in the 'Songs of Faith and Devotion' album. The sound has been made more noisy and dirty, especially the drums in the verse, and the intro has been shortened. When performed live, elements of the "Grungy Gonads" mix are used in an extended intro and throughout the song.
The B-side is "My Joy", the only exclusive B-side from the 'Songs of Faith and Devotion' album, and is a rock track in the vein of "I Feel You".
The song was cited by then-member Alan Wilder to be his favourite song from the album together with "In Your Room"."We Were Going to Live Together, Record Together And It Was Going to Be Wonderful" - Depeche Mode documentary about the album Songs of Faith and Devotion. Mute, 2006.
Release and commercial reception
The single was released on 26 April 1993 in the UK and on the following day on 27 April of the same year in the United States. "Walking in My Shoes" failed to enter list of the UK top ten and the American top 40; nevertheless, the song became a top ten hit in some countries of Continental Europe, and became a recurring song during the live performances of the band since 1993. The song peaked number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and number 69 on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100, however, it peaked number one on the 'Billboard' Modern Rock Track chart.
U2 lead singer Bono listed the song on his "60 Songs That Saved My Life" playlist.
The single was featured during the opening credits of episode 9 of season 2 of USA Network series 'Mr. Robot', entitled "eps2.7_init_5.fve".
Critical reception
Leesa Daniels from 'Smash Hits' gave the song three out of five, writing, "The great thing about the 'Mode is their songs always have a chorus that's easy to sing along to. That's the case here, although for a change it does take a few listens to get the hang of it. The song is very atmospheric in a black-and-white-grainy-film for the video kind of way. Lovely."
Music video
The music video for "Walking in My Shoes" was directed by Anton Corbijn. At the beginning of the second verse, there is a shot of Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Alan Wilder with naked women on their laps. This was removed in the MTV version in the US and replaced with footage of the three members standing still, alone, from earlier in the video. The uncut version is on 'The Videos 86-98', 'Devotional', 'The Best Of, Volume 1' and 'Video Singles Collection' DVDs.
Track listings
'7-inch, cassette: Mute / Bong22, CBong22 (UK)'
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Seven Inch Mix) 4:59 (remixed by Mark Stent)
# "My Joy" 3:57
* 7-inch released as a promo only, not commercially released, hence why both songs appear on the 12-inch version. "Walking in My Shoes" is the first Depeche Mode single not to have a commercial 7-inch release in the UK.
'12-inch: Mute / 12Bong22 (UK)'
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Grungy Gonads Mix) 6:24 (remixed by Jonny Dollar with Portishead)
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Seven Inch Mix) 4:59
# "My Joy" (Seven Inch Mix) 3:57
# "My Joy" (Slow Slide Mix) 5:11 (remixed by Steve Lyon and Depeche Mode)
'12-inch: Mute / L12Bong22 (UK) '
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Extended Twelve Inch Mix) 6:54 (remixed by Mark Stent)
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Random Carpet Mix Edit) 6:35 (remixed by William Orbit)
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Anandamidic Mix) 6:11 (remixed by Spirit Feel)
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Ambient Whale Mix) 4:54 (remixed by Mark Stent)
'CD: Mute / CDBong22 (UK)'
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Seven Inch Mix) 4:59
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Grungy Gonads Mix) 6:24 (remixed by Jonny Dollar with Portishead)
# "My Joy" 3:57
# "My Joy" (Slow Slide Mix) 5:11 (remixed by Steve Lyon and Depeche Mode)
'CD: Mute / LCDBong22 (UK)'
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Extended Twelve Inch Mix) 6:54 (remixed by Mark Stent)
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Random Carpet Mix Edit) 6:35 (remixed by William Orbit)
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Anandamidic Mix) 6:11 (remixed by Spirit Feel)
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Ambient Whale Mix) 4:54 (remixed by Mark Stent)
'CD: Mute / CDBong22X (EU)'
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Seven Inch Mix) 4:59
# "My Joy" 3:57
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Grungy Gonads Mix) 6:24
# "My Joy" (Slow Slide Mix) 5:11
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Extended Twelve Inch Mix) 6:54
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Random Carpet Mix Edit) 6:35
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Anandamidic Mix) 6:11
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Ambient Whale Mix) 4:54
* This CD is the 2004 re-release
'Promo 12-inch: Mute / P12Bong22 (UK)'
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Grungy Gonads Mix) 6:24
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Seven Inch Mix) 5:00
# "My Joy" (Seven Inch Mix) 3:58
# "My Joy" (Slow Slide Mix) 5:11
'12-inch: Sire/Reprise / 40852-0 (US)'
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Extended Twelve Inch Mix) 6:54
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Random Carpet Mix Edit) 6:35
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Grungy Gonads Mix) 6:24
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Anandamidic Mix) 6:11
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Ambient Whale Mix) 4:54
# "My Joy" (Slow Slide Mix) 5:11
* Released 4 May 1993
'CD: Sire/Reprise / 40852-2 (US)'
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Seven Inch Mix) 4:59
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Grungy Gonads Mix) 6:24
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Random Carpet Mix Edit) 6:10
# "My Joy" (Slow Slide Mix) 5:11
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Extended Twelve Inch Mix) 6:54
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Anandamidic Mix) 6:11
# "My Joy" 3:57
# "Walking in My Shoes" (Ambient Whale Mix) 4:54
* Released 27 April 1993
* The full version of the "Random Carpet Mix" was officially released on 'Remixes 8104'.
* All songs written by Martin Gore
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
See also
* Number one modern rock hits of 1993
References
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