Depeche Mode - Martin Gore's "VIBRATO VOCALS !!"

[@VaughnGeorge]

Many people have commented on "the overuse of vocal vibrato" by Martin Gore in recent years. We discuss this and more in this in-depth video discussion.

[@anabanana4526]

I don't care what anyone else says. Martin Gore has one of the most beautiful voices in rock and electronic music. It's capable of so much tenderness like you said. But, it has depth. He's gotten older and so the muscles of his vocal chords are weakening naturally. Yet still, his voice is miles more flexible than Dave's with a deliciously full quality. And I second the Simon LeBon video. He's quite underrated imo, and he sounds so good all these years later.

[@VaughnGeorge]

I am in total agree agreement of everything you said here!! VG :-)

[@thesynthfloyd]

Ana, Simon had vocal surgery in the Notorious era. You can clearly see in interviews here on KZbin, after Notorious his voice changed, he practically became Donald Duck speaking, but to sing, he got the pitch higher and easier to reach the high notes.

[@shanakopp4149]

I can listen to you discuss Martin and DM forever.. Martin is a genius..his voice is angelic and I agree that he should put more solo music out..I often love the demo versions of DM songs that Martin does more..

[@silviosaecios5187]

Martin Lee Gore is a complete artist. I can't get enough of listening to his music. In a Manner of Speaking is one of the examples of the wonderful music he makes. It is the joy of my 50 years, in the midst of musical decay everywhere, including my country, Brazil.And thanks for the great video again.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Silvios , I am happy to say that I fully agree with you!! VG :-)

[@silviosaecios5187]

@@VaughnGeorge Thank you.

[@sonofhibbs4425]

Martin is unique in several ways- his voice is one of those things. I find him incomparable to any other in voice.

[@vrlord7949]

I even like his voice more than Daves....

[@dafunkester]

Sunday's are not complete without a VG video! Thanks mate.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Lots of love to you bother da funkster!! VG :-)

[@ninawildr4207]

So true!

[@OnAPlain88]

LMAO @ Mrs. Norris making a cameo!! I love the channel Vaughn

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hahaha yeah that Crazy woman !! VG :-)

[@scottcharney1091]

My favorite such moment (or just one of them) is probably on "Barrel of a Gun": "Whatevaa whatevaaaahhhh..."

[@MiotaLee]

Agreee

[@MUSiC-world-20986]

@scottcharney1091, isn't that Andrew Fletcher singing that part??? I don't think Martin sings that part

[@scottcharney1091]

@@MUSiC-world-20986 I'm almost certain that it's Martin; watch any of the live examples.

[@alexismccourt7712]

I miss Alan wilders vocals in between Dave's an Martin's.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Very true, it was a great "glue" to blend the voices and fill the sound!! VG :-)

[@sethmatthews7394]

WARNING!🚨🚨

[@tonguepetals]

I do too. He really had a lovely voice.

[@myfest]

Hi Vaughn. Hope you're well and thanks for the video. As you picked up on 'A Question of Lust', I think it's actually those old songs where the problem probably accours for many of the oldest fans. Some people might feel like their favourite songs from their younger years get "ruined" by Martin's overuse of his vibrato. Hugs and stay safe.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Well said and thank you for your kind words bro!! VG :-)

[@Ssunnsshinee]

@@VaughnGeorge @myfest I think some of the old fans don’t ever want anything to change over the years... But I think the majority of us can appreciate how the years change how the songs change, as they experiment with new styles, new singing techniques, both from things they learn from other singers and from vocal coaches as their voices mature, how they sing with different emphasis on the songs as THEY mature, and even in what they mean to us as our life experiences color the filters we hear them through.

[@baroqueandbeyond]

I believe Martin's vibrato remains mostly a stylistic choice, vs. a complete deterioration of his vocal cords. I don't hear (yet) an uncontrollable wobble, like some older singers who pushed their voices too hard for many years. Singers who sound wooly or patchy.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Agreed , I do think it is a stylistic choice rather than something he "is stuck with". VG :-)

[@Ssunnsshinee]

@@VaughnGeorge I am curious regarding the control of vibrato in general-do you think anxiety can affect how well you can control it? I find I have difficulty with it, but not sure how common that might be...

[@VaughnGeorge]

@@Ssunnsshinee that is a good question but it depends on the individual. I'm Martin's case I highly doubt that it is due to anxiety , after all he is incredibly experienced with nothing to prove. VG ;-)

[@Ssunnsshinee]

@@VaughnGeorge Oh, he has stated that’s not what he gets anxiety about LOL He doesn’t worry about getting the notes right as long as he doesn’t drop dead on stage! (in one of the documentaries) 😉 Anxiety disorder isn’t really caused by nervousness, so it can happen any time out of the blue with no cause whatsoever, though it can also be TRIGGERED by a lot of things like being excited or tired or environment. It’s a biochemical response where the brain randomly dumps chemicals to tell you to fight, flee, or freeze. Which I know in myself affects whether I can even get sounds out as my throat tightens. So it seemed like a good question to ask, because he has said before that he gets anxiety attacks. :)

[@briancain6647]

Martin’s voice is so special especially when he sings live. He has always been a terrific singer and I love how his voice sounds now. Please do a video about Simon Le Bon. I think he’s a perfect example of how a singers voice has improved with age.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you Brian!! I will indeed !! VG :-)

[@syracusemusic1539]

Martin’s voice is very angelic

[@niklasandersson9084]

You can clearly hear dave's voice in the background at the end of "Sweetest perfection" I can at least. It took years before i discovered it. Now i always hear it.

[@ForcedToModeOfficial]

I've made a short clip of some "DG-Surprises": kzbin.info/www/bejne/enbMaYGuecZsh8U

[@tonguepetals]

I did a lawwwwwt of drugs when I was young and I remember hearing David sing backup on sweetest perfection and hearing the "I don't care how you feel" on fly on the windscreen and every chalked it up to drugs. To every who said it was just the drugs, I say Ha!!

[@elCaxi1971]

Effortless is the word you were looking for Vaughn !! Martin is my Absolute favorite male singer of All time.. He Truly can bring tears to my eyes and goosebumps to my skin like no other..

[@anitaklisovic7782]

I agree, I miss Alan in this beautiful trio, Dave, Alan and Martin, he really does. But, nevertheless, we are used to this painful situation and I'm so greatful for all they have done, all the joy and hapiness they give us.

[@MartinidM]

On the other hand when Martin speaks his normal voice he speaks very low. Sometimes even lower than Dave when he speaks. But they sing mostly vice versa.

[@exrli5464]

Ok but your icon!!!! One of my favorite albums ever!

[@elCaxi1971]

@Martini dM That is what i think makes Martins obviously wider vocal range evident.. Think of his high notes on Personal Jesus, Question of lust.. i could go on and on.. ..and notice how his high pitch is so effortless and controlled.. compared to his ´deep throat´ fry baritone speaking voice.

[@elCaxi1971]

@@exrli5464 Which album ?

[@dgcompany]

Been waiting for this video since you started your channel! THANK YOU!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Glad to hear it!! DO enjoy!! VG :-)

[@robertgarscadden]

I've always thought it is incredible that people with almost 2 opposite voices to my ears can fit together so perfectly.There,s a video where they,re playing a studio session.Martin is sitting at the piano and singing and his voice is so powerful that it's astonishing."Come Back"just to add Martin is sitting down.WOW.

[@Ssunnsshinee]

I love those studio sessions also! And the way their voices blend in Wrong from that same series of studio sessions

[@anitaklisovic7782]

I agree, baritone, I'm not musically trained, but I have always treated his voice as baritone, remember his voice when he speaks, or his laughter

[@cosmicdrone5270]

I love this video!!! Vaughn George, way to pick up on the facebook discussions, and producing this awesome commentary on Martin's voice and vibrato!!!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you !! VG 😎👍

[@benrous8430]

Does anyone know if it's Martin who does the really low stuff? On Sweetest perfection there are 3 octaves singing it at some points. The low one is very low, maybe a low C? Also some of the harmony layers like Goodnight lovers or Condemnation. Again at the bottom of those harmonys are some very low notes.

[@markplunkett5955]

I’ve wondered that too!

[@marc2000z]

The lowest note in "The Sweetest Perfection" is a C#2. I think it's Dave, but I'm not sure... He's credited on the song (and I know he does vocals on a different section of the same song, but it's possible that he also does the background harmonies in the chorus) The lowest note I hear in "Goodnight Lovers" is an E2 and it most likely sounds like Martin to me.

[@afonsoalaodemagalhs740]

Hello Vaughn. Thank you for your work. When are you planning to release the Violator analysis? Thank you ALM

[@trizvanov]

By the way, where do you think Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys falls when we talk about baritone vs. falsetto ? He is also one of those singers, whom I've never heard trying to do vibrato of any sort.

[@VaughnGeorge]

I'd say Neil Tennant's "classical" classification would be a high baratone/low tenor. He does not have much vocal power but utilises his head voice very well. His voice is pretty "direct" and he does use vibrato but very sparingly. I like his voice, very distinct!! VG :-)

[@nsford7651]

Lovely video :) I like the the intros... A Question of Lust is my favourite DM song to play on the piano at the moment.

[@Substance242]

Loving the phone interruption including background music and that it wasn't explained, I remember that story, very nice. :-)

[@VaughnGeorge]

I love "Easter eggs" and it ensures that people are following the channel !! Only my regular subscribers would understand the joke as you did!! Thank you for your support as always Peter!! VG :-)

[@synthesizersspaceships9394]

I love hearing your insights about Depeche Mode in particular - It was my Alan Wilder fanboy-ness that brought me to your channel last year.

[@niklasandersson9084]

Very much looking forward to your "Violator review series".

[@depecheddurand]

And there are some songs like,"sweetest perfection" in which I can`t differentiate between dave`s and martin`s voices. I always thought it was dave. There can be a whole video on this topic maybe one day.

[@laurentburcet30160]

Got it, Vaughn ?

[@ForcedToModeOfficial]

Here are some more "Dave-Backing-Vocal-Surprises: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enbMaYGuecZsh8U :)

[@lazarusrize]

Great video, Vaughn!!

[@Cl4rendon]

Vaughn, i just can`t believe you left out "BREATHE" which is a song as a parade example for Martin`s vibrato! I to this day ask myself how he did it - And even live on the Exciter tour he performed it so stunning.

[@markplunkett5955]

Absolutely Agree!

[@TheRahsoft]

Wow , quite an unusual video to watch. An interesting perspective on one of my all-time favourite bands, and some interesting info about us all getting older! I suspect that on my next listening session of the mode, the points you have raised will have me looking for what you have said. In short you have made some of the modes material "new" in the audio perspective. thank you

[@kowa1-everellphotographic306]

always loved Martins vocals The last section of WRONG alone shows how strong and controled it can be when addind depth and feeling to a track, just stunning

[@ForcedToModeOfficial]

If you wanna hear Dave's "solo" singing in "Sweetest Perfection": kzbin.info/www/bejne/enbMaYGuecZsh8U, watch the whole video for some more "Dave-Vocal-Surprises"... :)

[@deryakrutskov4697]

This could be my fav vid of yours, thank you so much!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Glad to hear that but have you really seen ALL my videos ?? VG :-)

[@niklasandersson9084]

Dave sings backing vocal on "Macro" also.

[@ernestoromo3344]

I JUST THINK MARTIN'S IS UNIQUE!!!

[@VaughnGeorge]

For sure!! VG :- )

[@anitaklisovic7782]

this song touches my heart every single time, it's so beautiful, tender, gentle, uhhhh

[@anitaklisovic7782]

In my opinion this is connected with their personalities, Martin is intro, Dave is extra

[@Ssunnsshinee]

True about being able to learn to sing higher with training... Dave has mentioned how vocal training has helped him with this. Examples like the end of When the Body Speaks, and also the end of their live Goldfrapp version of Halo

[@Genevaching]

Any chance of you doing a post on his Sister of Night live performance from the Exciter tour 2001.

[@MrSkunky2009]

Good Day Vaughn ...Another great insight...i have met Martin 3 times now... however brief...to meet your hero is Immense... The last occasion being at the o2 concert back in 2012... On the tube... My wife Anne-Marie (We got our photo) :-)

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hello Ron thank you for the kind words !! OMG . you met Martin on the tube?? VG :-)

[@MrSkunky2009]

@@VaughnGeorge yes just before the gig... Went for a meal beforehand & well can you imagine? I was telling all & sundry !!! Keep up your great series... I am working on my chill out album so better get back :-)

[@attosa]

My mum never appreciated MLG’s vibrato, while my dad liked it. I suppose they could chime in since DM is all they ever heard in my room growing up. Wonderful video, VG! That intro is everything! 😉

[@VaughnGeorge]

Always a pleasure top hear from you Attosa !! Speak soon !! VG :-) xx

[@radmiladjurica9050]

Good idea...The next discussion outside of DMode, talk about Morrisey and most of all Johhny Marr

[@magdalenc.4024]

I've been in love with Martin's voice since I heard him singing for the first time in early 80's ❤ xxx

[@chadlucas7349]

His vibrato has gotten more pronounced with age. He sounds untrained with such a wobbly vibrato. There are some songs with his voice that are fantastic while others are dreadful. You could drive a truck through that vibrato. He’s a brilliant song writer though.

[@wattage2007]

Always loved MG's vibrato, seemed inhumanly fast to my young ears at the time. Hope you're getting you FB issues sorted out Vaughn.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hello friend!! Yeah , the FB account is still locked and I am hoping it will be resolved soon !! VG :-)

[@alexvilhelm-mediaentertain626]

Great video! I liked it very much, as always. I personally like all of Martin's vibrato vocals, my favorite one from the 80's period is when he sang "Things You Said" live at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, his voice there is seamless, flawless, just incredible.... another period that I found as a standout, when he showcases a slightly more pronounced vibrato is when he sings "Sister of Night" live on the "Exciter" tour. And then he was also impressive when he sang a live version of "Blue Dress" on the "Touring The Angel" tour, with only a guitar, then of course "But Not Tonight" piano version in DM-s last tour, so yeah, pretty much of fan of his vibrato vocals, no matter his age, Martin will be Martin :)

[@craigtillman5988]

One of my favorite vocalists. The emphasis he places on each lyric. The Sweetest Perfection.

[@Alexandrosflower]

Great video. I‘ve learned a lot about the various types if voices. You connect a lot with the angelic side of Martin. Isn‘t that beautiful playful innocence ?

[@bobsmith-io8zd]

I think he's slightly overdoing the vibrato in recent years, but of course still like his voice. His vocal range has changed with age, and maybe he can't hit the high notes (with his head voice) as easily as he used to. One subtle example of this on recent tours is during the chorus in Enjoy the Silence, he sings "here, in MA arms" instead of "MY arms". It's subtle, but "MA" instead of "Myyyyyy" does save having to belt out that note!

[@trizvanov]

I wonder, how do some singers manage to bring that vibrato without much of the movement around their throat or indeed head, while others make that "pulsing" as it were, very much visible ? You Vaughn for instance, seem to fall into the latter category. Is this a matter of technique or physiology ?

[@Ssunnsshinee]

@Vaughn George I am curious about this also

[@static-audio]

Great vid. I too prefer Martins vocals... something about the emotions in his voice and as well as a great songwriter his music is some of my favourite. Be good if he could do another solo album!

[@violator906]

Great upload VG, thanks🥰. But not tonight is one of my favourites. The live version is pure magic, brings tears to your eyes😘. Looking forward to the Violator rewiev, cant wait🤪

[@586101]

Thanks for the analysis, Vaughn! Though I of course appreciate Dave's vocals as a frontman, I have always felt more of a connection to Martin's vocals. I love his use of vibrato - especially live.

[@missmorx7400]

A year late lol, but thanks for this video Vaughn! One of my all time favourite Martin's vibrato vocals is in Always from Delta Machine. That last "always" that he sings is AMAZING and imho he sounds his most natural and confident. I end my gush. I'd be interested to know what you think of his vocals in Always please.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Rather late than never !! Glad you enjoyed the video!! A lot more Depeche Mode to come !! VG:-)

[@PopDropChannel]

Great analysis, Martin definitely has one of the more unique voices, no wonder why people mistake him for a tenor. Hope everything has been sorted out with the a-hole that tried to sabotage the page, we were really worried in the group the other day. Also petition to bring Mrs Norris as a guest. Sandra

[@davidwebbmusic7716]

Entertaining vid, would be interesting to see a piano keys view also. the Norris call - good one!

[@delphineg3045]

Thank you Vaughn for this great video about Martin. I noticed his voice is vibrating more and more. I think that the voice is also the reflect of our vibrational frequency. His voice modulates according to his vibratory rate and can disturb some people who are not on the same frequency.

[@ninawildr4207]

Agree that Marty's voice is angelic😍👼🏻😇

[@raffam3559]

First I 👍🏻 and then I watch. That’s where I’m at with this channel!😆💕

[@VaughnGeorge]

Bless you Raffa !! Thank you!! VG :-)

[@RajeSharm]

Great one Vaughn. So many more topics on DM. Its a never ending story 😅👌🏽🥳

[@IdeologieUK]

Vaughan, imagine a world where Martin Gore left DM after Speak and Spell and teamed up with Alan Wilder and Vince stayed. I always looked forward to ‘that one song’ on every album that MG sang... to be honest, those were the songs our girlfriends loved - Martin was used to bring ‘the chicks’ into the DM religion (talking Construction to say, maybe Songs of faith...). Sterkte mush!

[@gabija_v2012]

Mrs Norris!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@VaughnGeorge]

She still won't let me go!! VG :-)

[@garywalker7493]

@@VaughnGeorge Even despite Turnkey closing it's doors many moons ago? Her sustain pedal must be vintage by now and worth thousands :D :D

[@VaughnGeorge]

@@garywalker7493 hahahaha indeed !! She simply won't let it Go!! VG :-)

[@wjec1970]

I've always loved Martin's AND Dave's voices, Vaughn. They are different but complimentary. Over the years Martin's vibrato has slowed down, but it's stronger and more prominent. He used to have, and the same for Dave, what I call the "sheep" vibrato, very fast speed. I know Dave had lessons eventually but did Martin too? I wish Martin would dial back just a touch on his vibrato strength, but he does have good pitching ( lucky to be pitch perfect here so I can tell ). My favourite goosebump sections are the vocals on Insight when he does a kind of choir thing before the "gotta give love" section - that gets me EVERY time - and in Home with the "from my first breath" line in the middle eight. Oh man. That really connects too. And yay - Mrs Norris returns, as brash as ever! 😂

[@anderslarsson6149]

What an effort you pulled this off despite all sxxt, lately.... 💪🏻👏🏻

[@VaughnGeorge]

Cheers Anders!! As they say , "THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!" VG :-)

[@Victorcolongarcia]

Great video! I wish you made references to some newer songs sometimes. I’m really looking forward to post Devotion reviews.

[@thisistype_concept9964]

Hi, after 4 days of toothache and pulling out my last wisdom tooth, it’s good to come a little bit down with a video from Vaughn. Martin his voice has swung well through time.

[@Pining_for_the_fjords]

I just want to know if he has some sort of legal bind (if such a thing exists) to only write and record songs (with lyrics) for Depeche Mode. I know nearly nothing about law in the music industry, so is there such a thing as a contract that prevents an artist from writing and recording songs with lyrics in their own name? Is this why Martin has two solo albums consisting exclusively of covers, and two instrumental albums, despite having an amazing voice and song writing ability?

[@3stopsshort764]

My understanding is that there is no legal reason Martin couldn't release songs with lyrics as a solo artist, but instead he feels these should be reserved for Depeche Mode because he does not think of himself as a particularly prolific songwriter. Of course, over the course of over 40 years of songwriting (he wrote "See You" in his mid teens before DM existed), he has written a lot of songs. Also, I have a suspicion that since the early noughties, when Dave started writing song lyrics for DM as well as his own solo projects, Martin has (completely unjustifiably) felt a bit threatened based on some of his passive-aggressive comments about Dave's songwriting. I mean, a songwriting LEGEND like Martin feeling his position as DM's Chief Songwriter is under attack just because Dave's also now writing (and always in collaboration with DM associates) would be laughable if it wasn't so sad.

[@MiotaLee]

I love the subtle vibrato in "feels like home" and "I should have known from my first breath" omg. The "breath" part takes my breath away. I'd love to hear what you think about the new album in terms of the vibrato 😍

[@j.r.5708]

Hello from Salt Lake City. I really enjoy your videos, Vaughn! DM is my all-time favorite band. I've been a fan since 1984. People Are People, which was/is one of my favorites was my introduction. Then I got hold of my sister's tape of Some Great Reward, and was blown away by the uniqueness of their sound. And when I saw them on the Black Celebration tour, there was no turning back! I agree with pretty much everything you said. Martin's voice is my personal favorite. It's dynamic, versatile, and has such an amazing range. It has evolved over the years and seems to be better, technically speaking. I noticed about the time of the PTA tour, he seems to gesture with his hand in tandem with the pitch, as it goes up or down. As for the vibrato, I love it. It's beautiful and just comes naturally to him. I do wonder, however, if there were effects used for vibrato in his performance of Somebody on 101. It just sounds too perfect. Anyway, forgive my rambling. It's just too hard to be concise on the subject of a genius. He is one of a kind. Cheers, jrb

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hey man thank you for your in-depth comment and kind words !! Much appreciated !! Catch you again soon in the comments of another video !! VG ;-)

[@j.r.5708]

@@VaughnGeorge Of course! My pleasure. I'll try to stay on-topic. Some of my reply/introduction, was actually regarding a few of your other awesome discussions. I'm trying to catch up. I look up forward to more! ;)

[@anitaklisovic7782]

...and he's doing a brilliant job...as in everything in life, without soul and love the final result is bulls....

[@momusass]

Great. I agree with you in any way....👍👍👍

[@RTK171]

In a NME article in 1988 which i have somewhere? Martin says he cant help his Vibrato its natural and he really cant control it sometimes....

[@paoloseverini4049]

Thank you so much... I can sense a great, deep passion in your words...I LOVE DM TOO AND I RECKON MARTIN AS MY BROTHER CIAO FROM ITALY

[@anitaklisovic7782]

in the end, it doesn't matter....

[@jessijames3256]

But in the end, it's all a matter of taste. And in this case, I prefer Dave's voice by far. The worst thing for me is, when Martins voice is heard louder than Daves. It is so annoying. Especially with his vibrato.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Fair enough Jessi!! VG :-)

[@jessijames3256]

Hehe...but of course I love him for his song writing :O)

[@micmarkno]

Don't get me wrong, I actually like Martin's voice more than Dave's, but since the 2000s he's been using vibrato significantly more than he did in the 80s or 90s. And vibrato used discreetly may be fine now and then - but I personally find vibrato in the voice rather disturbing and when it is too obvious, dreadful.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Fair enough, I do hear this comment very often to be honest !! VG :-)

[@scottrowan200]

Did i miss the video on top front men/woman video?

[@craiglewis74]

My favourite Martin vocal is in the studio sessions of Come Back. You can really feel the emotion in his voice. I totally agree about Martin being the best singer in the band although I still love Daves voice

[@markplunkett5955]

That is a fantastic example! The two of them sound amazing together on that version. Goosebumps ☺️

[@Ssunnsshinee]

I love this one also!!! 🖤 And it seems that Martin-Dave connection works both ways... Dave sings the emotions of Martin’s songs, and Martin captures the same in Dave’s songs - The two of them together is always magic 🥰

[@guttersnippeesmithers3905]

Any second now voiced his first solo one of his best

[@grimlund]

I wish I could sing like Vaughn. You have a great voice.

[@Gonzzysound]

Great video! I fully agree. Moreover, I am so greatful for giving me the soundtrack of my life, that he can do whatever he wants, I will follow him. PS: Mrs Norris' gag, ha ha ha!!!! Fantastic 😂

[@danacarney9677]

I always sing Martin's parts....I try to get as close to the front as possible and I do all his Martin-esque nonverbals and I sing his parts only....trying to signal--> YOU ARE -*-IT-*- MARTIN. God, I love him so much. To say DM is the soundtrack to my life is an understatement. Literally, 12 years old until now (I am 49)....I have been to every tour since 84. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Dave, too. There is just something about Martin-- there is no other songwriter like him. No other words have ever soothed, inspired, or changed me-- not from professors, friends, nobody. Martin's lyrics have guided me-- I am sure he would be mortified by that but it is true. I feel so connected to him, his voice, and words. I am sure that feels like, super weird, to him. But he can't possibly understand what he means to us-- so many of us "super psycho lifelong fans." I don't know why I am writing all of this. My sister got me a t-shirt for the holiday (I think she had it made) - it is so funny. It has a big photo of Martin and it says, "Martin Gets Me." EXACTLY. Unbeknownst to him, he GETS US. I went backstage at Devotional and I was so verklempt, I literally sat there on the sofa amidst 10 other people and a pool table (or maybe a foosball table-- some kind of game) and could not speak to him. I wanted to say something to him that would please him and be a gift. But he seemed so tired and bored and annoyed, I figured the biggest gift I could offer him was not to say anything at all. So I didn't. I remember Fletch sitting there looking at me like, "WTF? What is that girl doing." I was 21 or maybe 22 and I sat there looking down drinking a beer just..... overcome. I never said a word. I still have the backstage pass and beer bottle cap though. And the knowledge that I gave him the gift of silence at a time that he clearly did not want to be there talking to anyone. Oh he is the sweetest perfection. He is home to me.

[@vicroberts3080]

yo i could listen to you talk depeche for hours and also cool singing! i'm not really into the wobbly vibrato sound so i don't really listen to much new live mode these days.

[@solstice1681]

"Martin's light sort of angelic voice over that (Dave's voice)" you nailed it! Martin's voice does sound like the voice of an angel and the range, the "colour" of his voice as you put it is just...... I have no words, all I know is he has literally put me in a trance and I'm not joking or exaggerating, it has been one of the most thrilling, exciting and yes in a way terrifying experiences of my life. To anyone reading this comment please listen to The Bottom Line from the Album Ultra

[@The_Lady_Deathstrike]

I think he has the voice of an angel. When i finally saw them live on the Exciter tour i literally cried.

[@murrynathan]

Best opening ever!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Glad you liked it Murry!! VG :-)

[@elCaxi1971]

Goddamn Mrs Norris LMFAO

[@DuvalVoice]

Great analysis. The only thing I disagree with is the classification of Gahan as a bass baritone. In my opinion both, Gahan and Martin, are pure baritones. A bass-baritone would be, for example, Johnny Cash, with a somewhat darker speaking voice than Dave and Martin, which makes him capable of singing a couple of tones below G2 with a rich, dark, sonorous timbre. He is still comfortable singing entire lines in that register: it's still his speaking voice. Listen to the demo of "Clean" sung by Martin. When he sings the word "sometimes" he reaches the notes D#2 and F2. The latter sounds rich, deep and full-bodied. But I don't think he's comfortable in that low register, nor do I think he finds it easy to give body and volume to all the notes. The same in Dave's case. In fact I have the impression that Martin is more able to access his lower notes, below A2.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hi and thanks for you comment ! I released the video over two years ago. I do agree with your classification - Martin and Dave are indeed pure baritones as you've said, I don't know why I said "bass baritone." I appreciate your comment and you know what you clearly know what you are talking about. Thank you, VG :-)

[@nina13dm60]

Singing AWESOME, Vaughnty ))), my favorite parts ;-)))

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you Nina!! VG :-)

[@nina13dm60]

@@VaughnGeorge, really, man i have feeling, that we're drinking together for a couple of hours already and just singing our favs ))) 'cause I'm singing with U)))

[@TheRahsoft]

im going to add a point about the sweet spot of MG vocals that you talked about as I had not realised that DM music is focused around the sweet spot of the overall sound rather than the vocals . Given that MG is an emotional singer it would be good to hear something of him singing in this sweet spot. With that in mind, I wouldn't mind hearing a collaboration between MG and AW. If MG could choose a subject that is close to him( and likely AW such as being fathers or divorce) MG could then sing in his sweet spot on an emotional subject and AW could use his sound scape design talents to build around that. .. I know some people would consider such a collaboration as blasphemous, but remember.. Gods got a sick sense of humour !

[@VaughnGeorge]

Brilliant posting and well said !! Cheers!! VG :-)

[@tttappin]

"Fragile like a baby in your arms"

[@berdiaev9999]

Dave's voice has the power in the arsenal, but it can have softer qualities as well, like in "Lie to Me" where it's calm and pleasant from the get-go. No adjustment needed. I'm no expert, but I think when we defend someone's non formally trained voice it's the timbre we need to mention...

[@jeanninecherene8168]

I enjoyed this video. Marin does have a very distinctive and recognizable voice. I love him singing Home. Yes he's gotten older (haven't we all!) and his voice is a little different. He has also gotten his teeth fixed and this may contribute to a change in pronunciation/delivery of words. (I'm a dental assistant so I noticed these things). Looking forward to the Violator review!

[@ajbrennan2720]

Yeah: MG is a fantastic singer.

[@Kubit76]

In my opinion Martin over does the vibrato, specially over the last 10-15 years. His peak of voice performance was up to the end of the 90’s. I prefer him from 1988 to 1998.

[@pinto4825]

Martin truly is a large part of the soundtrack to my life. He's brought so much amazing music in to the world.

[@d10srelish40]

Thank you Vaughn George for the amazing informative videos... Martin Gore = Genius ( to me the best song writer ever and by far ) . love your channel.... I'm a huge DM fan since 84. Over the years i enjoyed listening to some other influential bands like the Banshees, the Bunnymen... im eager to know your opinion of an underrated influential band ( killing Joke ) which i like also so much. sorry my question is not about the video's topic 😊 .

[@pgrieger]

I never leave comments and my views don't even matter. I am pleased that DM have survived and strive to this day. My child teen and adult hood have been submerged by Dave's journey, Alan's genius and Martin's mysterious under current. Before I baffle on until chickens pop up, my point would be, when I listened to their vocals as a child in 1980 onwards it definitely had an obvious impact as I stayed focused on the band well beyond any troubles were reported. Martin is not good or bad but vulnerable as well as driven. Having both vocals on every DM album was a blissfully clever approach. Singing his written words on demos or solos as well as duets has not been my favourite but of unrelenting emotional intelligence. Somebody and Home have been with me 40 years or so and that demands credit, respect far more recognition for MLG and DM. I was in love with Dave until he died or I grew out of the most rewarding depth of my life, following a band by idealised music worship. Elvis, Michael Jackson, George Michael, Prince and all other lost talented eccentric performers are reason enough to be grateful for ongoing musicians to embrace inevitable changes without being compared to better / worse as their offer to share their work is the effort invested passionately.