Depeche Mode – Judas

"Judas" as written by and Martin Gore....
Is simplicity the best
Or simply the easiest
The narrowest path
Is always the holiest
So walk on barefoot for me
Suffer some misery
If you want my love
If you want my love

Man will survive
The harshest conditions
And stay alive
Through difficult decisions
So make up your mind for me
Walk the line for me
If you want my love
If you want my love

Idle talk
And hollow promises
Cheating Judases
Doubting Thomases
Don't just stand there and shout it
Do something about it

You can fulfil
Your wildest ambitions
And I'm sure you will
Lose your inhibitions
So open yourself for me
Risk your health for me
If you want my love
If you want my love
If you want my love
If you want my love


Lyrics submitted by Fistan, edited by blynx

"Judas" as written by Martin Gore

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Judas song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • +3
    Song MeaningJudas is from the Album "Songs of Faith and Devotion" released in 1993. Since first time heard the song, I understood the meaning and today still attached to my beliefs.

    To understand this song you have to understand the social reality back in early 90's.The song was totally wrapped with religious metaphors. This song has nothing to do with religion or Christianity as many people think. You have to understand inside the song who is talking and to whom the words are addressed.

    Judas is a humble confession of a terminal contagious illness person (HIV)asking for a cruel proof of pure love.

    Now add to this person the blessing of being physically beautiful, and still looking good (like a bad apple, beautiful red outside and rotten inside). Then someone ambitiously interested approach, and with an illness confession try to find out how far the person will go "if you want my love". The person tell and confess how miserably and hard his life turned, or how bad the life for the other person also will be, and if still interested, and true love is behind this to the point of risking his health, then you will have my love .

    Also you might be wondering what the metaphoric song tittle "Judas" has to do with this, simple... back to early 90's whoever were ill with hiv/aids avoid to tell their reality, and the bug was spread like a Judas kiss but in bed.
    Hastitoon June 29, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI think this religious/romantic ambiguity is one of Martin's most distinguishable characteristics.
    blynxon February 22, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI think that Martin is drawing a parallel between the love of a partner in a relationship and the love for a god/higher being. People are willing to give up all, do anything for, even die for their god, just as people are willing to do the same for someone that they truly love.It's also about proving how much you love someone. If you can do these things for a being that you've never seen, then you can do the same for your significant other.
    LuvMartinGoreon March 20, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment@Gotteskrieger: First off, I highly doubt that the song, "Judas" is anywhere near talking about God. I think it's more about a relationship, but I could be wrong. I just can see DM singing a fully religious song.

    Second off, saying that anybody that doesn't care what happens after you die, is stubborn. So you know all of us? I'm Atheist and I can tell you I can honestly die happily without the "Lord". You're the stubborn one with that comment and don't think you have the right to call somebody stubborn because they haven't found the "Lord".
    nsjdogon April 13, 2008   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • +1
    General CommentThis song makes me laugh every time I hear it.

    Martin is the Judas, luring a Vanilla into BDSM. His Vanilla-Luring Style is really quite cute.

    "So walk on barefoot for me
    Suffer some misery
    If you want my love"

    "You can fulfill
    Your wildest ambitions
    And I'm sure you will
    Lose your inhibitions
    So open yourself for me
    Risk your health for me
    If you want my love"

    In other words, he's telling the little Vanilla that if he/she wants to be loved...then they must take the pain and torture.
    MapMistresson December 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is AWSOME. It's obvious this song is about proving your love. DM is great!
    bibis817on November 11, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is a Truly Spiritual song....incredibly moving. Though I dont necessarily think that its (meant to be) religious. Many people think this song is evangelizing for christianity.
    The second verse is what really grabs me and points to the
    true meaning of this song: its about HOPE. No matter how rotten this world may be, no many how difficult and painful life is , you can survive it and come out unscathed.Not necessarily by faith in god, but faith in yourself.
    Sozlukon April 03, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI doubt it's got anything to do with religion. Spiritual maybe, but not Christianity or anything like that. Ok, it uses Christian symbology, but that's not to say it has anything to do with that. It's utilising well known figures and their traits to describe something clearly.

    I don't think it's God talking to anyone, it's just a simple song to another saying "Prove yourself worthy of my love."
    xdvron September 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSuch a great song!!! I love the lyrics, they are awesome. Beautiful lines...
    placebiston January 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI don't know, maybe I'm totally off here, but it seems like this song could have just a touch of sarcasm in it. Either way it makes a good song to sing while in your car alone.
    pandamorandaon September 17, 2006   Link

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