John the Revelator / Lilian

"John the Revelator / Lilian"
Song

"John the Revelator" / "Lilian" is a double A-sided single by Depeche Mode, released on 5 June 2006. Both songs are featured on Depeche Mode's 2005 album, Playing the Angel and serve as the fourth single from the album (see 2006 in British music). The single became another UK Top 20 hit for the band, reaching #18.

"John the Revelator" was added to BBC 6 Music's B-List, but it failed to make any other BBC playlists or that of Xfm London. It was also played by a few alternative rock radio stations in the US, including WKQX (Chicago), throughout 2006, despite not being released as a single there.

The single is the first UK double A-side release by the band since "Blasphemous Rumours / Somebody" in 1984.

While the main single is "John the Revelator" / "Lilian", there are a few releases with just "John the Revelator". A video was only produced for "John the Revelator" and the single is the only one of the four Playing the Angel singles that does not feature a new b-side.

"Lilian" is currently the only UK-released single by Depeche Mode that has not been played live. It is their third single not to be played at its album's tour ("Little 15" and "Goodnight Lovers" are the others, but both were played at future tours), and one of three Playing the Angel songs that was not played during Touring the Angel. The US-only released single, "But Not Tonight" has never been played live.

Origins

While the Depeche Mode track known as "John the Revelator" should be considered a novel composition written by Martin Gore (rather than a "cover" song - like "Route 66" or "Dirt", two songs that are covered by Depeche Mode) the song has its origins in an early 20th century gospel/folk song John the Revelator famously performed by Son House, Blind Willie Johnson, and later by such acts as The Holy Modal Rounders, The Blues Brothers and John Mellencamp, with each new version adding or ignoring the original lyrics if not the original context. Similarly, the Depeche Mode track employs several elements of the namesake including the call-and-response chorus ("who's that shouting? John the Revelator" etc. )

Trivia

• DM's John the Revelator was used in the movie Man of the Year featuring Robin Williams as party background music when Eleanor confronts the Delacroy CEO about the glitch in the election program during.

=)

Track listings

7": Mute / Bong38 (UK)

1. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Dub)
2. "Lilian" (Robag Wruhme Slomoschen Kikker)

CD: Mute / CDBong38 (UK)

1. "John the Revelator" (Single version) - 3:14
2. "Lilian" (Single version) - 3:34

CD: Mute / LCDBong38 (UK)

1. "John the Revelator" ('Dave is in the Disco' Tiefschwarz Remix) - 7:54
2. "John the Revelator" (Murk Mode Remix) - 7:16
3. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Re Construction) - 5:02
4. "John the Revelator" (Boosta Club Remix) - 4:50
5. "John the Revelator" (Tiefschwarz Dub) - 8:13

DVD: Mute / DVDBong38 (UK)

1. "John the Revelator" (live video filmed in Milan)
2. "Nothing's Impossible" (Bare)
3. "Lilian" (Chab Vocal Remix) - 9:04

12": Mute / 12 Bong38 (UK)

1. "John the Revelator" (Murk Mode Dub) - 8:35
2. "John the Revelator" (Boosta Club Remix) - 4:50
3. "Lilian" (Chab Vocal Remix) - 9:04

• released 19 June 2006

Digital Downloads

1. "John the Revelator"
2. "John the Revelator" (Murk Mode Dub)
3. "John the Revelator" (Murk Miami Mix)
4. "John the Revelator" (Tiefschwarz Edit)
5. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Dub)
6. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Edit)
7. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Instrumental)

External link(s)

• Official artist website