The Singles 81→85

The Singles 81→85 is a singles compilation album released in October 1985 by Depeche Mode. The compilation was not originally released in North America, being replaced by its counterpart Catching Up with Depeche Mode. This was their first ever release with a picture of the band on the cover. In 1998, to coincide with the release of The Singles 86>98, the band remastered, repackaged, and re-released the compilation worldwide. Upon re-release there was a typographical change to The Singles 81>85 in order for consistency with the later release The Singles 86>98. Two bonus tracks (one of which had never appeared on an official CD to date) were included on the 1998 re-release.

The 1998 re-issue has sold 283,000 units in the U.S. as of April 2006.

Reception

Track listing

LP: Mute / MUTEL1

Mute / CD MUTEL1

CD: Mute / LCDMUTEL1 (1998 Reissue bonus tracks)

Songs written by Martin Gore, except tracks 1, 2, 3, 16, and 17 written by Vince Clarke.
David Gahan sings lead vocals on all songs except "Somebody" which is handled by Martin.

Cover and leaflet

Both the re-issue and the original LP has each single pictured on the leaflet and comments by certain reviewers, both positive and negative. Pre the Pet Shop Boys era, Neil Tennant's dismissive Smash Hits review from the actual release date of the double A side single Blasphemous Rumours/Somebody is featured.

The photograph by Eric Watson featured on the cover was displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Certifications

References

1. ^ Raggett, Ned. Depeche Mode: The Singles 81>85 > Review at Allmusic. Retrieved 14 June 2011.