Depeche Mode found their ‘Personal Jesus’ in Elvis

“It’s probably the most evangelical song I’ve ever sung. I don’t know if the author intended it that way, but that’s what it is.” So Johnny Cash commented in 2002 on his cover of “Personal Jesus” of the Depeche Modeone of the dozens of versions of the song by the English band, undoubtedly the most powerful and, together with that of Marilyn Mansonthe most famous.

Martin Gorewho wrote the song, didn’t mean it the way Cash did. Although his relationship with faith has always been excellent, as he explained in an interview with Spin magazine: “I think Jesus was one of the greatest figures who ever walked the earth. He never said a bad word. Every book I read about him, I fall in love with him more and more, but unfortunately that doesn’t help me become a Christian because Christianity is something else.”

Despite the title, the song was not inspired by the figure of

Jesus Christ. Gore found inspiration in reading ‘Elvis andMe’the 1985 memoir written by Priscilla Presleythe ex-wife of the King of Rock”Roll. Always at Spin the main author of the songs of the Depeche Mode She said: “It’s a song about being a Jesus to someone else, someone who gives you hope and care. It’s about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in romantic relationships, how everyone’s heart is a god in some way, and that’s not a very balanced view of someone.”

When “Personal Jesus” was released as a single in August 1989, preceding the album’s release “Violator”which would hit the stores in March 1990, caught attention not only for its lyrics but also because it was a blues song, very far from the electronic sounds the public had become accustomed to.

The hype surrounding the song reached a fever pitch when MTV insisted that its video directed by Anton Corbyn be changed. The clip had a sexual nature, the band was shown visiting a brothel in the old West. However, the incriminating scene, according to the television network, was the one in which the singer Dave Gahantook several deep breaths as a horse’s rear end was shown. MTV believed he was referring to bestiality.

The explanation given by Martin Gore to Uncut magazine was different: “I don’t know if Anton was consciously trying to be perverted, I think it was more of a coincidence. These video people see things very strangely.” However, the scene was re-edited and “Personal Jesus” received heavy rotation on MTV.