Depeche Mode: Violator Album Review Part 13 - Blue Dress

[@VaughnGeorge]

Part 13 of an in-depth album review series of Depeche Mode's 7th studio album , "Violator", released on 19 March 1990. In this part we analyse the chords structure, Vocals and production elements of "Blue Dress".

[@dalidamezine5219]

Good Evening VG 👋🥳🎹🎶 Super COOL ‼️🙆💗💖💝♥️💝💪🙏🤓🤠😎👌🏽👌🏽👍👍

[@EternalMethematics]

My favorite DM song. Wildly underrated and under appreciated.

[@eelponna3145]

How can people consider Blue Dress to be the worst song on the album? It’s personally one of my favourite DM songs and one of their most underrated.

[@ninawildr4207]

I know people are nut!!!

[@video2000_TV]

I didn’t even know it so it must be pretty hidden. Or maybe they’re ashamed of it

[@antoniabermudezann4233]

@@video2000_TV No Comments!! Unbelievable...

[@chochkoooo]

Blue Dress is my least favorite song from the album, but I still appreciate it and really like it... I think I just have a weird taste because my favorite DM song of all time is Rush... and I've never heard anybody else say that..

[@jnorten]

Martin usually writes from the submissive role (Behind the Wheel, Master and Servant, etc). This is a rare Martin Dom song.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Well explained John !! I’ve not realised that myself and you are absolutely right !! VG

[@eelponna3145]

Not if the dress has a strap on attached to it!

[@strawberryfish4084]

@@eelponna3145 🤣. Strap On was the original song title but Fletch made him change it. He didn’t have to alter any lyrics though.

[@BunnyTree]

I used to fall asleep many nights listening peacefully to Violator when it was new. Its the most perfect lullaby ever. My all time favorite album.

[@kylereece1979]

The back and forth "waltz" that you describe is perfect. It is a haunting, hypnotic seducing trance that evokes all kind of emotions. It is happy, it is sad, it is a moment captured in the mind, it is a dream, it is a longing for somebody. The chorus is one of the best parts of the whole album, and one of my personal fave 'Mode Moments. The song is soothing , lulling, yet I can imagine being in a car cruising down a moon lit road to this aswell. Fantastic video, mate. Incredible analysis and your series of videos are a brilliant labour of love to music and the 'Mode.

[@chrishuggett3697]

I literally laughed out loud when you did the "put it on" in an opera voice haha. Love your comedy and another great video sir!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Bless you Chris !! Thanks for being here my friend !! VG 🎹👍😎

[@gabija_v2012]

I do not remember at all the first time when I heard Blue Dress when I was 11. It held little interest for me whatsoever, I was always rather anticipating Clean when I listened to Blue Dress. But when I was 17, having not listened to the song since I was 15, having gained even more appreciation for classical music since I was little, Blue Dress blew me away. And your piano interpretation, Vaughn, made me cry from how beautiful it was. The way you demonstrated the importance of the chord progressions was very clear as well.

[@robertgarscadden]

I think it's so good to hear such a beautiful song broken down into piano peices.

[@albertohochosa2913]

I love this song too. The vocals, unique bassline and other layers always mesmerize me.

[@annekime9332]

It was years before I knew this was Martin singing (or that MLG sang regularly on most DM albums). I was young, my family didn't have MTV (although I'd sometimes watch obsessively at friends' homes), and I couldn't exactly Wikipedia info on my favorite band back then. I just thought it was Dave being extra sensual + personal on this track :) But I loved listening to this song (+ the rest of Violator) in bed before falling asleep most nights. I have a real fondness for Blue Dress and always found it especially strange, rich, and captivating (and I LOVE its juxtaposition next to Policy of Truth). P.S. I enjoy the energy of Personal Jesus, but I'm usually ready to be done with it after 45 seconds.

[@anitaklisovic7782]

There is no bad song on this album. Fullstop. Every single one is perfect, in perfect place. Maybe I'm repeating myself, but this album means so much to me that I really take personally any criticism.

[@cloudbloom]

This song is amazing, one of my favorites from the album

[@MUSiC-world-20986]

Same. Pure epicness

[@anitaklisovic7782]

The emotion of lulaby and the lyrics combined make Blue dress so beautiful

[@niklasandersson9084]

"Blue Dress" is a very beautiful and atmospheric song

[@HeSeRonHIrpICh]

That`s why i love Depeche Mode classic songs. Catchy melodies, surprising harmonies and ultralayered arrangements.

[@brianbutterworth8801]

Just such beautiful piano Vaughn , thanks mate. Have yourself and family a great New Year.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Brian , thank you sir and all the best to you too!! VG

[@octaviolealgeissbuhler843]

Beautiful performance, and very good review of the song and the whole album Vaughn !!

[@lasvegasvegas4236]

I'm with you. Love this song and so does my wife. Personal Jesus is one of my least favorite DM songs. Thanks for posting this awesome video.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you my friend !! You have good taste and so does your wife !! VG 🎹😎👍

[@andrewsears8739]

Just WOW! Vaughn. I loved this review your passion for this song combined with your musical knowledge made this compelling viewing. Awesome! And then came the piano improvisation. I was blown away - just beautiful. Thank you! I don’t know anything about copyright issues but if you released your piano improvisations I’d be first in the queue to buy the album! 🤗

[@Harry-Giles]

I could not agree more with you on this tract. Enjoyed this review so much Vaughn.

[@awildermode]

Blue Dress has been played live only a handful of times during World Violation, Touring the Angel, and Delta Machine.

[@foppesgott]

1st time on 31 July 1990 in San Diego and 17th (and so far last) time on 7 March 2014 in Moscow here is a link to a live performance from Palais Omnisport des Paris-Bercy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqjOiJeAgcyDa5o

[@Kickingit06]

Thought I remembered it from a Spirits show too; but I could be mistaken.

[@vilhjalmrwt]

Have you ever invited the Boys on your channel to discuss their songs? That would be so cool if we saw them talking to you

[@sndlugo672]

Thank you for these excellent videos. You should release one more after your last in this series that has just your piano version of each songs. Awesome content.

[@antoniabermudezann4233]

Absolutely agree with you!👌🏻💯 It would be such a great pleasure,gift and in some way, hahaaa A Great Reward Vaughn!👌🏻❤️ By the way Mery Xmas and New year to you and your family! Love You Deeply 💖 your friend Antonia!

[@antoniabermudezann4233]

I would spend hours watching and listening to you play and sing Vaughn!🌹🌹💯

[@Luvie1980]

This song along with many of Martin’s songs that he leads are purely sexual. I love it.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Absolutely!! VG:-)

[@morgankw]

I absolutely love Blue Dress!! yes! The melody is bright and upwardly flowing, gorgeous! I totally agree that it is one of Martin's best vocal performances, if not the best. "Say you believe/and you believe"- when he hits that low note wonderful resonance there- strong but not too strong- Dave's voice would overpower it. Then immediately following, that dramatic piano downward "pounding"... sounds like an Alan idea. Fantastic lyrics, ahhhh. The unconventional sound of B major then B minor Yasss!! The flow from Policy of Truth to Blue Dress to Clean! (let me catch my breath lol) I agree about Personal Jesus (the breathing with the stomping is genius though, and unique). I thought that the time signature is 6/8.... Watching and hearing this vid was a joy, thank you Vaughn!!

[@VaughnGeorge]

I’m glad this resonates with you Morgan !! Thank you for your kind words and for being part of this community !! VG 🎹👍😎

[@morgankw]

@@VaughnGeorge 💝

[@buttertamayo8829]

My favorite song on violator. I get tired of other tracks on it sometime but never this one. I can do a good guitar and vocal cover of this. Great playing at the end Vaughn!

[@Gonzzysound]

Beautiful song, great video. Thanks Vaughn!

[@garywalker7493]

Great stuff as always Vaughn. As far as I can tell the "Goreisms" in this are the "borrowed" B Major, and the B Flat from the "because when you learn" post-chorus part of the song. All the other chords are in the key of the song, which is A Major - the "anchor" chord for the song is D Major, which is the 4th of the scale and the sub-dominant - Sub-dominant? Martin, you kinky...

[@VaughnGeorge]

Always good to hear from you and get your input Gary !! Seasons Greetings my friend!! VG :-)

[@garywalker7493]

@@VaughnGeorge Thank you kindly sir. Seasons Greetings to you also :)

[@timdelongchamp1597]

This version, interpretation, what ever you want to call it....has evoked a deep trigger inside me. The original "synth" sounds embed in this song give the song a visceral feel to it.....however, hearing how you "feel" the keys should be represented in this makes this go beyond the original. Synth to me is a more "forward" thinking and synthetic sound (yeah I get it synth) as where the piano has a more "raw" feel to the sound. And honestly, the rawness adds a tremendous amount of feel to the music over it's synth counterpart. And your interpretation of that adds a very real emotional component to this music.

[@spootnik00]

Blue Dress has only been played on accoustic guitar during World Violation and piano for the Delta tour... Wish they would play the album version of this song

[@MUSiC-world-20986]

He did it on Touring the Angel, as well. On electric guitar

[@dwinterx]

One of my favorite songs on the album. Really love some the piano (3 notes) as it goes into the chorus. (the bom bom bom bits you reference 😁) I also love the way it blends into Clean by way of that short instrumental.

[@anitaklisovic7782]

Mr Gore, thank you for the music in my life.

[@fredbrenno]

One of my favorits to. . . . .It is simply beautiful, one of the best on the album

[@leenewcome85]

Great video VG & good track played well ... ...

[@budanski]

Went through a breakup with my first love at the time. I was 15 when we met, young, naive and sentimental. We're still friends today but this song will always have place in heart with me.

[@vilhjalmrwt]

I love you! You improvisation is so good and your voice....ughfff

[@mikeL65000]

This is definitely one of the best songs on Violator.

[@unclehertz]

Always Gooood Mr George!!!!!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you brother!! VG :-)

[@Djkold]

Blue Dress has always been one of my favourites too.

[@guylainecormier330]

To me this is just such a beautiful love song, definitely one of my favourites from DM. He is so in love with her that the simplicity of that blue dress makes her radiate, pleases him, makes him happy. Something so simple, so trivial can mean so much. Put it on, I can feel so much, put it on, I don’t need to touch. This is what life is about, and once you learn/understand you’ll know what makes the world turn. Interesting how we can interpret a song based on our experiences, and the lenses we see thing through. I see no kinkiness in this song, just a beautiful love song and melody. I was given this song as part of a mix tape of love songs (mostly DM) when I was 15 by my first love, a romantic guy who even wrote poetry from me. He also saw Blue Dress as a declaration of love. A different perspective.

[@mus31]

Would love to hear your Top 10 Martin Gore sung DM tracks aka the "Martin, U kinky bastard" tracks. 😅 So many to choose from: It doesn't matter (1&2) somebody, sometimes, judas sweetest perfection, the things you said, question of lust, jezebel, home etc There are so many!

[@stephenriley1565]

There isn't a bad song on the album. Some people need to get their hearing checked. Same as SOFAD, its wall to wall brilliance.

[@ageless30]

It is a waltz ... 30 plus years and I'm just realizing that it's a waltz. lol ... Another great video Vaughn !

[@ninawildr4207]

Beautiful!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you! Cheers! VG :-)

[@dgcompany]

If you start a survey, my vote is for Blue Dress over Personal Jesus.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Cheers Daniel !! VG :-)

[@ninawildr4207]

Me too!

[@PD-nz5rk]

Lovely rendition.

[@grantbangkok]

Great way to end the year.

[@leonardvaughan9538]

Watching Vaughn's Violator Part 13/Blue Dress.. Completely agree, would skip Personal Jesus to hear Blue Dress. That is one of the most underrated songs ever written by Martin. Absolutely Amazing...sensual, intimate and sexual. Lovely with just the piano. An exceptional song. Believe DM hit their zenith in a complete sense with Violator and SOFAD. I can still remember hearing that song via cd for the 1st time. Absolutely transported and taken back by the vision of the lyrics.

[@lonelarsen9226]

Love they Music ,love your Way to give new life ❤️❤️

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you Lone Larson !! VG

[@paulb3517]

Love this song also..haunting

[@dalidamezine5219]

I bought this "Violator" vinyl and CD too 🤓🤠😎👌🏽🤩😍😍🥰❤️💕💞💓🎹🎶

[@LAjudge09]

I totally agree.. id skip "Personal Jesus" too. I love this song.

[@petrresl5965]

FEB 10. 2014, Delta Machine Tour, Prague. They played Blue Dress acoustic version in O2 Arena. I was there, but I don't have the video.

[@toolshed7652]

I agree 100%, Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence are the two songs I skip most. Not that they are bad, both are great songs, I just prefer the rest

[@carnacful]

Hello Vaughn...a question...are there stems or multitracks of "Blue Dress"?...Regards

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hello there. Not that I am aware of, no. VG :-)

[@smashdoubleu253]

I totally agree. I Skip Personal Jesus too befor i does with Blue dress

[@commentspae]

you should totally do something with PTA not only is that album apparently supposed to be a culmination of all of their styles before it but it's also the first depeche mode album by the group to feature songs by dave himself

[@anitaklisovic7782]

Martin's songs make you think. That's why he is who he is.

[@coertwelman5840]

I absolutely agree with your "controversial" opinion of rather skipping Personal Jesus. For me it has always stuck out sonically. It doesn't really fit. Their much later song "Precious" fits better, IMHO. Blue Dress is fantastic.

[@h1gh-arty774]

Thanks !

[@andyry1269]

Interesting, Sir. Thank you for doing this. Basically you make me like my favorite band better. -Andy Ry Denmark.

[@niallmcdonagh1093]

I've always mentally paired this with "Dressed in Black"...kinky Martin seated watching a beautiful female partner preparing her wardrobe before they both head out to the Berlin clubs...but of course they are Quick Fashion in French!!!!

[@dalidamezine5219]

Good Evening VG ‼️🖐️🤚✋🙀🥳🥳🧑‍🎄🌲

[@dalidamezine5219]

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the DVD. I'll find it later !!💪👍🤓🤠😎🙀💗💖❤️💕💞

[@jamesroney1874]

There's only one track on Violator I'd even consider skipping, and this ain't it.... The atmosphere of this track blends the album perfectly.

[@BitcoinWillFixEverything]

What song? Sweetest perfection?

[@jamesroney1874]

@@BitcoinWillFixEverything Policy of Truth. Didn't like it from day one.

[@BitcoinWillFixEverything]

@@jamesroney1874 I heard the song before the release of the album, I didn't care for it either. It's kind of grown on me, but I typically skip over that track as well.

[@chrispulido3076]

I really enjoy your videos I hope you had a Merry Christmas I hope 2022 brings lot's of subscribers to you I made it rhyme...

[@VaughnGeorge]

Bless you Chris !! Thank you for your support and kind words brother!! VG :-)

[@aleksandraokuniewska]

Yes Martin sang Blue Dress acoustically in Paris on World Violation tour. I found on yt: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4Cmdpl9h8p_hKs ( starts at about 44.17). I really like Blue Dress. I feel like i underapreciated this song because i always skipped this song while listening to Violator. I dont know; now it's one of my favourite Martin's ballads.

[@strawberryfish4084]

One of the few DM songs where the title is not contained within the lyrics. From the lyrics alone, the song could just as easily have been called ‘Nurses Uniform’, ‘Chocolate Spread’, or even ‘Dove Deodorant’ 😅

[@steventalavera2381]

I bet you could get Alan for an interview

[@deastman2]

I agree- Blue Dress is one of my favorites on this album, and Personal Jesus is my least favorite.

[@Alexander-vz7lk]

Vaughn, isn’t there a way you can interview Alan? He can’t be very hard for you to reach, and since you’ve interviewed Garreth, perhaps he can get you in touch? Anyway, it’d be incredible to get him on and ask him your best questions.

[@vilhjalmrwt]

Princess Di is wearing a new dress

[@ninawildr4207]

New blue dress lol

[@antoniabermudezann4233]

Awww I ❣️your sweet voice! WOW! Something so simple! Something so trivial! I haven't got any words! You know how to please us... 🙏🏻🌹👌🏻❤️💯❌💯

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you so much 😀VG

[@MrPomelo555]

Interestingly enough, back and forth, back and forth, is also used in making babies.

[@thesynthfloyd]

This song was saved by Alan Wilder.

[@stephan8472]

My English teacher would not have agreed with „and stand before my eyes“. Isn‘t it „in front of“? Please reply.

[@Stren_bk]

I have always thought that Martin's style of this song was taken from Elvis.

[@Nephilim-81]

Martin in his full kinky glory. Bah ha ha ha!!! :)

[@VaughnGeorge]

Indeed !! VG

[@jacopo.dainotto]

4:44

[@mtennantmusic]

If anybody dislikes this song then they've got something wrong with their ears.

[@jjrc7424]

My least favourite song on the album, but only because they are all stunning... this is still a masterpiece in its own way, and leads perfectly on to Clean, especially with the haunting and yet strangely uplifting organ interlude at the end

[@anderslarsson6149]

🖤🌹

[@kerzwhile]

100% agree. In fact Personal Jesus is my least favorite DM song. Full shop. 😁

[@colemarshallmusic]

Martin did this song a few times but acousticly first time was with the guitar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoitlIedpJuXZ68 and the second time was with the piano: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqjOiJeAgcyDa5o also: I'd like you to make a video/videos about DM's album called "sounds of the universe" it's one of my favourites for sure and I love the way they connected guitars (and guitars effects) with this amazing and not obvious synth sounds

[@elizandrolorensi6571]

The only one i really don't care for... that's where Dangerous should have been placed instead

[@janekalbinsky]

I'm one of the haters. Well, no, I don't HATE this song, but it just never worked for me. Musically, it seemed kind of trivial to me. In terms of lyrics, it was always almost banal to me. In a way, the song by itself was forgettable to my ears; it always seemed half-assed. In the context of the album, it has always annoyed me. It's not a lullaby (not after "Waiting for the Night" played as the closer to the A-side), as a lewd song it pales to "Personal Jesus", as a ballad it just seems too inconsequential. I always felt that the only justification for this song being on the album was to give the audience a few minutes to recover from "Policy of Truth" and to prepare for the absolute masterpiece that is "Clean". In other words, for me. "Blue Dress" has never risen above the level of "album filler track".

[@Kaitlin267]

There's nothing wrong about this song except calling it a "lullaby." It's not "worthless" at all. This is a sensual and sexual song. It jusn't seem to fit into the album where it is placed. How is this supposed to lull your mate to sleep? Just weird. Do like the V piano interpretation, tho.

[@VaughnGeorge]

You may think Lullabies are "worthless" but as a father I can assure you there is nothing worthless about a lullaby. This song indeed has a sweet and tender lullaby quality and by that I mean it is beautiful. VG :-)

[@daveschrdinger]

My least favourite song on this album.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hey Dave !! Interesting, we shall do a vote soon !! VG :-)