Strangelove

I would hope that all you Depeche Mode fans out there are more deeper than to think the song is about sex or a gay relationship. The writer is just talking about being real in their relationship with their partner. In a relationship, even though you may love someone and want the best for them, and do your best not to sin against them, you are never going to be perfect. That's what the writer is saying. They will try not to sin, but have a full understanding that they will fall into sin because they are human. So, this guy is trying to explain this to their partner and hoping that their partner will understand not to take it personally when he sins but to realize that he is not perfect. At the same time, he understands she is not perfect either. But telling her to give the pain back, he is just telling her that it's okay not to be perfect. But is encouraging her to remain open and be herself and not be afraid to hurt him. And it's not about being unfaithful only, it could be any kind of emotional pain because in the end, that's the most painful pain out there. Why the title Strangelove? It is strange for people in this world nowadays to have that kind of openness in a relationship where they are not afraid to be imperfect and welcome each other's imperfection.

To me this is a song about a relationship where the guy cheats on his girlfriend and she knows about it but still stays with him and they don’t break up even though both of them know they should. That’s why I think the title is strange love, because it is considered strange to want to be in a relationship where one of the parties is unfaithfull.

In the first lines: There'll be times When my crimes Will seem almost unforgivable I give in to sin Because you have to make this life liveable

The guy is talking about his need to cheat even though he knows its kind of wrong Then, he talks about how his girlfriend maybe thinks that this is the last time it will happen but he keeps on doing it again and again, and how, even though this is going on she still likes him: But when you think I've had enough From your sea of love I'll take more than another riverfull And I'll make it all worthwhile I'll make your heart smile

In the next lines he is maybe acknowledging that this is how his behavior will always be and how he knows its painful for his girlfriend to be in a unfaithful relationship with him and that maybe she will also cheat on him one day: Strangelove Strange highs and strange lows Strangelove That's how my love goes Strangelove Will you give it to me Will you take the pain I will give to you Again and again And will you return it

Then he is talks about how he is cheating on her some more and again how this damages the relationship: There'll be days When I'll stray I may appear to be Constantly out of reach I give in to sin Because I like to practise what I preach

I think that the next lines maybe mean that he is willing to try to be faithfull: I'm not trying to say I'll have it all my way I'm always willing to learn When you've got something to teach And I'll make it all worthwhile I'll make your heart smile

The rest of the song maybe means that his girlfriend is tired of his cheating and is also cheating on him but they remain together anyway.

For some reason, because the title of the song is one word ("Strangelove") and not two, I always thought of the Stanley Kubrick film "Dr. Strangelove". So to me, yes, on the surface, we have a sort of kinky narcissistic relationship going on here between two people. But a lot of this same kind of game-play can be said of international relations, especially during the cold war. In fact, the film itself was about men of war who are, underneath, very sexually frustrated. So this song could be sort of a reverse of that. Then again, I am known for digging so deep, I end up in China.

Which would explain why they were remixed with New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" which is by the way, an incredible remix.

This is one of the greatest songs ever created. For me, this song is about dealing with the inner struggle between right and wrong, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. There'll be times When my crimes Will seem almost unforgivable I give in to sin Because you have to make this life liveable

I think he's saying that he tries to live a moral life, but he realizes that he has to sin now and again because without sin his life would be boring/meaningless.

There'll be days When I'll stray I may appear to be Constantly out of reach I give in to sin Because I like to practice what I preach

What I gather from these lines are he gives into sin because he's actually doing what he thinks is the best way to live his life. For example, having sex with a lot of women is considered a "sin." However, he doesn't think so. So he's practicing what he believe, namely sex with a lot of women isn't wrong.

This speaks Sadomasochism to me. It's well known that Dave was into the scene for a while (I've been in the scene for a while too... once found, never lost IMO). SM is of course, a lot deeper than mere sex in and of itself, although it can be sexual of course. Martin isn't exactly vanilla now, is he?

Well, I think the song is about sex, not exactly S&M, but just sex in general.

Will you give it to me? Will you take the pain I'll give to you Again and again And will you return it?

These lines speak for it. As for its sinisterness, enjoying and craving for sex has been considered a sin. IMHO Martin uses the word for some shocking effect.

Anyway, this is one of my all-time faves. Brilliant song!

You can say THAT again Ratgirl! =) For some reason this song Really reminds me of (manic-depressive)Bipolar disorder.More specifically what its like to be romantically involved with somebody who's bipolar. A relationship with a bipolar person is a constant emotional rollercoaster :"strange highs and strange lows" and at times it feels like its going to break apart but then they come back for more.

While sin does have religious connotation, it doesn't have to mean sex itself. It could mean having bad thoughts about sex. According to Christianity, immoral sex is any sex outside of marriage is a sin, and is considered adultery.

So, I don't think this is about sex per say.

To me, this song is about all the feelings you get when you are in an intimate relationship. Especially in a long term relationship, you get annoyed, and sometimes being annoyed will lead to fights. Then comes the feelings you get when you reconcile those conflicts. not to mentions all the other kinds of feelings you get too, such as when you randomly think about you loved one.

There is also insecurity of all sorts. insecurity for when you are out of work and not able to take care of your loved one. Insecurity when you see your loved one with someone you don't know.

Then there's absolutely lustful thoughts like wanting to see your loved one naked.

Without specifics anything else is inferred.

I am most compelled by the transaction of pain in this song:

Will you give it to me Will you take the pain I will give to you Again and again And will you return it

This line 'And will you return it' gets more emphasis in the song than any other. What is this about?

It does not sound like a question posed to the lover (as in, will you cause me pain too). Rather, the speaker seems to rely on the lover for the transformation of the pain he causes (Will you take the pain) into something new (And will you return it). It is almost suggestive of purification. The speaker repeatedly seeks confirmation that the lover will participate in this process.