Song Lyric Sunday: Reach Out, Touch Faith

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Jim Adams is the host for Song Lyric Sunday. The theme is a SONG about God or the afterlife suggested by Nancy aka The Sicilian Storyteller.

Depeche Mode, formed in 1980, is an English synth-pop, new wave band from Basildon in Essex. Their back catalogue comprises 15 studio albums, seven live albums, 10 compilation albums, 16 box sets and 60 singles. But it’s their 1989 hit, Personal Jesus, which fits today’s remit.

The song reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100. And the video has a Spaghetti Western feel, all stunning visuals and symbolism, but with better lip-synching.

Musically, Personal Jesus was a departure from Depeche Mode’s usual sound with bluesy guitar riffs and a driving drumbeat, with much of the latter produced by people jumping up and down on flight cases.

The inspiration for the song comes from Priscilla Presley’s memoirs, where she refers to her husband as her own personal Jesus. Over to the songwriter for a deeper explanation:

The inspiration for the song comes from Priscilla Presley’s memoirs, where she refers to her husband as “her own personal Jesus.” Over to the songwriter for a deeper explanation:

It’s a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It’s about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody’s heart is like a god in some way. We play these god-like parts for people, but no one is perfect, and that’s not a very balanced view of someone, is it?

                       Martin Gore, Spin Magazine (1990)

This song has been covered by Marilyn Manson and Johnny Cash (Now there’s an interesting duet!). But here is the original.

Reach out, touch faith

Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who’s there

Feeling unknown and you’re all alone
Flesh and bone by the telephone
Lift up the receiver, I’ll make you a believer

Take second best, put me to the test
Things on your chest you need to confess
I will deliver, you know I’m a forgiver

Reach out and touch faith [x2]

Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who’s there

Feeling unknown and you’re all alone
Flesh and bone by the telephone
Lift up the receiver, I’ll make you a believer
I will deliver, you know I’m a forgiver

Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
Reach out, touch faith [x3]

(Reach out, reach out)
Reach out, touch faith

Songwriter(s): Martin L. Gore
© EMI Music Publishing Group & Grabbing Hands Music Ltd.

9 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday: Reach Out, Touch Faith”

  3. Oh this is such a good one, and I’ve liked it for a long time! I like the video, too. One funny thing is before I saw the lyrics awhile back, I thought he was singing ‘reach out touch space’ 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. If I’ve ever heard a Depeche Mode song before I’m not aware of it. This was ok, I liked the groove and the seductive beat and even though you said this was a departure for them, I’ll check out more by them. The song’s origin story was interesting. It’s a nice thought.

    Liked by 1 person

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