Barrel of a Gun (Depeche Mode song)


"Barrel of a Gun" is Depeche Mode's 31st UK single, released on 3 February 1997, and the first single from the band's ninth studio album Ultra. The song reached number one in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain and Sweden while reaching the top 10 in several other countries, including Finland, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. In North America, the song reached number 47 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the Canadian RPM Alternative 30.

Song meaning

"It's about understanding what you're about and realising that you don't necessarily fit into somebody else's scheme of things," said keyboardist Martin Gore. Singer Dave Gahan, who was weakened from his battle with substance abuse at the time, added, "The song sums up the way I was treating myself and everybody around me. That's what life had in store for me every day. It's a really powerful statement. When you're in that kind of row, the last thing on your mind is dying."

Music video

The music video features Gahan with long hair singing with his eyes closed, with eyeballs drawn on his eyelids to make it seem like they are open. It was shot in Morocco by Anton Corbijn.

Track listings

12": Mute / 12Bong25
  1. "Barrel of a Gun"
  2. "Barrel of a Gun "
  3. "Barrel of a Gun "
  4. "Barrel of a Gun "
  5. "Barrel of a Gun "
12": Mute / L12Bong25
  1. "Painkiller "
  2. "Painkiller"
  3. "Barrel of a Gun "
  4. "Barrel of a Gun "
CD: Mute / CDBong25
  1. "Barrel of a Gun"
  2. "Painkiller"
  3. "Barrel of a Gun "
  4. "Barrel of a Gun "
CD: Mute / LCDBong25
  1. "Barrel of a Gun "
  2. "Barrel of a Gun "
  3. "Painkiller "
CD: Mute / CDBong25X
  1. "Barrel of a Gun"
  2. "Painkiller"
  3. "Barrel of a Gun "
  4. "Barrel of a Gun "
  5. "Barrel of a Gun "
  6. "Barrel of a Gun "
  7. "Painkiller "
  8. "Barrel of a Gun "
  9. "Barrel of a Gun "
Promo 12": Mute / P12Bong25
  1. "Barrel of a Gun "
  2. "Painkiller "
  3. "Barrel of a Gun"
  4. "Barrel of a Gun "
Promo 12": Mute / PL12Bong25
  1. "Barrel of a Gun "
  2. "Painkiller "
  3. "Barrel of a Gun "
  4. "Barrel of a Gun "
Promo CD: Mute / RCDBong25
  1. "Barrel of a Gun "
  2. "Barrel of a Gun "
7": Reprise / 17390-7
  1. "Barrel Of A Gun"
  2. "Painkiller"
CD: Sire/Reprise / 2-17409
  1. "Barrel of a Gun"
  2. "Barrel of a Gun "
  3. "Painkiller"
CD: Sire/Reprise / 43828-2
  1. "Barrel of a Gun"
  2. "Painkiller "
  3. "Barrel of a Gun "
  4. "Barrel of a Gun "
  5. "Barrel of a Gun "
Promo CD: Sire/Reprise / PRO-CD-8600
  1. "Barrel of a Gun "
  2. "Barrel of a Gun"

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications