DEPECHE MODE - MASTER AND SERVANT

Released: August 20, 1984

Charted:  UK: #9   US: #87 

"Master and Servant" is a song released as the second single from the 1984 fourth studio album “Some Great Reward”. The song delves into the complex dynamics of power and submission in relationships, both personal and societal. With its blend of electronic beats and haunting vocals, “Master and Servant” invites listeners to reflect on the complexities of dominance and submission, challenging societal norms and encouraging a deeper understanding of human nature.

“Master and Servant” is a metaphorical exploration of power dynamics. The lyrics vividly illustrate a relationship between a dominant figure (the master) and a submissive individual (the servant). The song delves into the intense emotions experienced by both parties involved, delving into themes of control, desire, and the struggle for autonomy. It is worth nothing that the song’s lyrics are intentionally ambiguous, allowing for various interpretations and personal connections.

Martin Gore said about the song: "I wrote 'Master And Servant' around 1985. Around that time I was going out to quite a few S&M clubs and stuff, and I just started seeing a correlation between what's happening there and life and politics and stuff. And it's where just this idea, this germ of an idea, started. The song It's about domination and exploitation in life, but it uses sex. It's about the power that people employ in work, love, hate... and in sex. We just used the sexual angle to portray it."

He later gave a completely different version of the reason for his inspiration: “If you wanna know where I first got the idea for the song, it's when I was reading a newspaper before about a man who was named "the Notthinghill murderer". He would take these young gays to his flat and murder them. And it sort of struck me - this game, I found it very interesting - I used to play this game, "master and servant" with them."