"Walking in My Shoes" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was released on 26 April 1993 by Mute and Sire as the second single from their eighth studio album, Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993). The song reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and matched the success of the previous single "I Feel You" on the US BillboardModern Rock Tracks chart, where it reached one. The B-side is "My Joy", the only exclusive B-side from the Songs of Faith and Devotion album, and is a rock track in the vein of "I Feel You".
The 7-inch version of "Walking in My Shoes" is not the same as the one on Songs of Faith and Devotion. The sound has been made more noisy and dirty, especially the drums in the verse, and the intro has been shortened. When performed live, elements of the "Grungy Gonads" mix are used in an extended intro and throughout the song. The song was cited by then-member Alan Wilder to be his favourite song from the album together with "In Your Room".[2] Its music video was directed by Anton Corbijn.
Release and commercial reception
"Walking in My Shoes" was released on 26 April 1993 in the United Kingdom.[3] The single failed to reach the UK top 10 or the US top 40; nevertheless, the song became a top ten hit in some countries of Continental Europe, and became a recurring song during the live performances of the band since 1993. The song peaked number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100. On the BillboardModern Rock Tracks chart, it peaked number one for a week.
U2 lead singer Bono listed the song on his "60 Songs That Saved My Life" playlist.[4]
Critical reception
David Fricke from Melody Maker wrote, "'Walking in My Shoes' is better neo-Bowie than we've heard in some time, a long-distance 'Heroes' knockoff via the group's own 'Enjoy the Silence' complete with hints of Robert Fripp's skysaw guitar."[5] Sam Wood from Philadelphia Inquirer felt that the song, "with its moody minor-key melody and burbling bass-line reminiscent of early Simple Minds, adapts an ancient Native American proverb to create an anthemic plea for compassion."[6]Andrew Harrison from Select named it the best track of the album, noting its "intensified, pulsating downward spiral".[7] Leesa Daniels from Smash Hits gave it three out of five, adding, "The great thing about the 'Mode is their songs always have a chorus that's easy to sing along to. That's the case here, although for a change it does take a few listens to get the hang of it. The song is very atmospheric in a black-and-white-grainy-film for the video kind of way. Lovely."[8]
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Walking in My Shoes" was directed by Dutch photographer, film director and music video director Anton Corbijn. At the beginning of the second verse, there is a shot of Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Alan Wilder with naked women on their laps. This was removed in the MTV version in the US and replaced with footage of the three members standing still, alone, from earlier in the video. The uncut version has appeared on The Videos 86>98, Devotional, The Best of, Volume 1 and Video Singles Collection DVDs. The video visuals are recognizably inspired to Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder paintings.
Live performances
Depeche Mode performed "Walking in My Shoes" live during their 2017–18 Global Spirit Tour. The song was accompanied by a narrative video about a transgender musician getting dressed in the morning and going to perform at a bar.[9][10][11]
^Shaw, William (April 1993). "In The Mode". Details: 90–95, 168. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
^"We Were Going to Live Together, Record Together And It Was Going to Be Wonderful" - Depeche Mode documentary about the album Songs of Faith and Devotion. Mute, 2006.
^Walking in My Shoes (UK limited CD single liner notes). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1993. LCD BONG 22.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Walking in My Shoes (UK limited 12-inch single sleeve). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1993. L12 BONG 22.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Walking in My Shoes (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1993. 12 BONG 22.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Walking in My Shoes (Japanese CD single liner notes). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1993. 9 40852-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Walking in My Shoes (UK cassette single sleeve). Depeche Mode. Mute Records. 1993. C BONG 22.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Walking in My Shoes (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Depeche Mode. Sire Records, Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1993. 7-18506.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Walking in My Shoes (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Depeche Mode. Sire Records, Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1993. 0-40852.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Walking in My Shoes (US maxi-cassette single cassette notes). Depeche Mode. Sire Records, Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1993. 4-40852.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Walking in My Shoes (US maxi-CD single disc notes). Depeche Mode. Sire Records, Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1993. 9 40852-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"EHR Top 40"(PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 22. 29 May 1993. p. 38. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
^Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN978-951-1-21053-5.
