Policy of Truth
Encyclopedia
"Policy of Truth" is Depeche Mode
's twenty-fifth UK
single, released on May 7, 1990, and the third single for the album Violator
.
The cover art for "Policy of Truth" has the blurred image of a nude woman. The camera angles and poses differ on the 7" Vinyl, the 12" Vinyl, the CD and Cassette. Usually each one has more than one. On the L12, there is a picture of a different woman.
It is the only Depeche Mode single to chart higher on the Billboard Hot 100
(#15) than on the UK Singles Chart
(#16), as well as peaking at number two on the American dance charts . It also became the band's second chart-topper on the Modern Rock Tracks
chart.
François Kevorkian
mixed a new single version for the release, extending it slightly while lowering the tempo, and also making Martin Gore's vocals more prominent. He also mixed the Beat Box Mix (the 12" version of the single mix) and the Pavlov's Dub.
The B-side is "Kaleid" (short from kaleidoscope, not from "collide" as it sometimes mentioned), which has an extended version called When Worlds Mix. Unlike many of the prior instrumentals which were piano compositions, this one is a rough techno instrumental. "Kaleid" is not produced by Depeche Mode and Flood, but just Depeche Mode.
The Trancentral Mix is by The KLF
, a very popular Acid House band at that time and one of only 3 occasions that they did remix work for other artists, the other being So Hard
and its B-side "It must be obvious" by the Pet Shop Boys
and "What Is Dub?" by Moody Boys.
Capitol Mix uses the sample "I want to tell you my side of the case" from the Checkers speech
by Richard Nixon
.
A version of "Kaleid" was used as intro music for Depeche Mode's world tour in 1990.
The music video for "Policy of Truth" is directed by Anton Corbijn
and appears on the VHS collection Strange Too
.
Despite its success as a single, "Policy of Truth" was not included on the band's Best of... hits collection of 2006.
The second CD is the 2004 re-release
Released May 22, 1990
All songs written by Martin L. Gore
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
's twenty-fifth UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
single, released on May 7, 1990, and the third single for the album Violator
Violator (album)
Violator is the seventh studio album by the English electronic group Depeche Mode, released by Mute Records on 19 March 1990.Preceded by the hit singles "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence" , Violator propelled the band into international stardom. The album yielded two further hit singles,...
.
The cover art for "Policy of Truth" has the blurred image of a nude woman. The camera angles and poses differ on the 7" Vinyl, the 12" Vinyl, the CD and Cassette. Usually each one has more than one. On the L12, there is a picture of a different woman.
It is the only Depeche Mode single to chart higher on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
(#15) than on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
(#16), as well as peaking at number two on the American dance charts . It also became the band's second chart-topper on the Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart.
François Kevorkian
François Kevorkian
François Kevorkian, alias François K, is a French DJ of Armenian origin, remixer, producer and record label owner. Having started his career in renowned clubs such as the Paradise Garage and Studio 54, the New York City resident is widely considered as one of the forefathers of house...
mixed a new single version for the release, extending it slightly while lowering the tempo, and also making Martin Gore's vocals more prominent. He also mixed the Beat Box Mix (the 12" version of the single mix) and the Pavlov's Dub.
The B-side is "Kaleid" (short from kaleidoscope, not from "collide" as it sometimes mentioned), which has an extended version called When Worlds Mix. Unlike many of the prior instrumentals which were piano compositions, this one is a rough techno instrumental. "Kaleid" is not produced by Depeche Mode and Flood, but just Depeche Mode.
The Trancentral Mix is by The KLF
The KLF
The KLF were one of the seminal bands of the British acid house movement during the late 1980s and early 1990s....
, a very popular Acid House band at that time and one of only 3 occasions that they did remix work for other artists, the other being So Hard
So Hard
"So Hard" is a song by the British pop group Pet Shop Boys and was the first single lifted from the 1990 album Behaviour. It peaked at #4 in the UK...
and its B-side "It must be obvious" by the Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
and "What Is Dub?" by Moody Boys.
Capitol Mix uses the sample "I want to tell you my side of the case" from the Checkers speech
Checkers speech
The Checkers speech or Fund speech was an address made by Richard Nixon, the Republican vice presidential candidate and junior United States Senator from California, on television and radio on September 23, 1952. Senator Nixon had been accused of improprieties relating to a fund established by his...
by Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
.
A version of "Kaleid" was used as intro music for Depeche Mode's world tour in 1990.
The music video for "Policy of Truth" is directed by Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn is a Dutch photographer, music video and film director. He is the creative director behind the visual output of Depeche Mode and U2, having handled the principal promotion and sleeve photography for both for more than a decade...
and appears on the VHS collection Strange Too
Strange Too
Strange Too - Another Violation by Anton Corbijn is the third music video compilation by Depeche Mode, featuring more videos directed by Anton Corbijn, released in 1990....
.
Despite its success as a single, "Policy of Truth" was not included on the band's Best of... hits collection of 2006.
12": Mute / 12Bong19 (UK)
- "Policy of Truth [Beat Box Mix]" (7:13) (remixed by François KevorkianFrançois KevorkianFrançois Kevorkian, alias François K, is a French DJ of Armenian origin, remixer, producer and record label owner. Having started his career in renowned clubs such as the Paradise Garage and Studio 54, the New York City resident is widely considered as one of the forefathers of house...
) - "Policy of Truth [Capitol Mix]" (8:00) (remixed by François KevorkianFrançois KevorkianFrançois Kevorkian, alias François K, is a French DJ of Armenian origin, remixer, producer and record label owner. Having started his career in renowned clubs such as the Paradise Garage and Studio 54, the New York City resident is widely considered as one of the forefathers of house...
) - "Kaleid [When Worlds Mix]" (5:22) (remixed by Daniel MillerThe NormalThe Normal is the recording artist name used by English music producer Daniel Miller, a film editor at the time, who is best known as the founder of the record label Mute Records.-Background:...
and George Holt)
12": Mute / L12Bong19 (UK)
- "Policy of Truth [Trancentral Mix]" (5:55) (remixed by The KLFThe KLFThe KLF were one of the seminal bands of the British acid house movement during the late 1980s and early 1990s....
) - "Kaleid [Remix]" (4:36) (remixed by Bruce Smith and Sean Oliver)
- "Policy of Truth [Pavlov's Dub]" (6:02) (remixed by François KevorkianFrançois KevorkianFrançois Kevorkian, alias François K, is a French DJ of Armenian origin, remixer, producer and record label owner. Having started his career in renowned clubs such as the Paradise Garage and Studio 54, the New York City resident is widely considered as one of the forefathers of house...
)
CD: Mute / CDBong19 (UK)
- "Policy of Truth [Beat Box Mix Edit]" (6:31)
- "Policy of Truth [Capitol Mix]" (8:00)
- "Kaleid [Remix]" (4:36)
CD: Mute / CDBong19X (EU)
- "Policy of Truth" (5:10)
- "Kaleid" (4:17)
- "Policy of Truth [Beat Box Mix]" (7:13)
- "Policy of Truth [Capitol Mix]" (8:00)
- "Kaleid [When Worlds Mix]" (5:22)
- "Policy of Truth [Trancentral Mix]" (5:55)
- "Kaleid [Remix]" (4:36)
- "Policy of Truth [Pavlov's Dub]" (6:02)
The second CD is the 2004 re-release
CD: Sire/Reprise / 9 21534-2 (US)
- "Policy of Truth" (5:10)
- "Policy of Truth [Capitol Mix]" (8:00)
- "Policy of Truth [Beat Box Mix]" (7:13)
- "Kaleid [Remix]" (4:36)
- "Policy of Truth [Pavlov's Dub]" (6:02)
- "Pavlov's Dub" is mislabeled on the Sire/Reprise version's cover art as the "Trancentral Mix"
Released May 22, 1990
All songs written by Martin L. Gore
Charts
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Singles Chart Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
37 |
| Finnish Singles Chart | 2 |
| French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
31 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
7 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Recorded Music Association Irish Recorded Music Association is the Irish record industry association. IRMA is a non-profit association set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.-Goals and activities:... |
11 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 5 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 20 |
| Swiss Singles Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
12 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
16 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
15 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
2 |
| US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs... |
1 |
Cover versions
- The Ohio Industrial band Disown covered "Policy of Truth" on their 2005 release 'Requiem of One'
- German rock band Terry Hoax covered "Policy of Truth" in 1992.
- Melodious Thunk covered "Policy of Truth" on their 2000 release Ye Olde Thunke CDe
- DishwallaDishwallaDishwalla is an American alternative rock band based out of Santa Barbara, CA. The band's name comes from a Hindi term for a person providing cable television to a neighborhood...
covered "Policy of Truth" on the Depeche Mode cover album For the MassesFor the MassesFor the Masses is a 1998 tribute album to Depeche Mode, specifically the works of Martin Gore. The album charted in America and reached the Top 20 in Germany, making it the most successful Depeche Mode tribute album of all time.... - South African band 16Stitch's powerful cover of "Policy of Truth" can be found on their new album, entitled "The Collapse Of Air" (samples of this cover version can also be heard on their DVD)
- New York based rock band Black N Blues did a cover on their album Volume One
- Uruguayan band Rey Toro covered the song on their first album Reytoro
- The late Latvian band Mary Jane have covered "Policy of Truth" live extensively through years 2000 and 2002.
- Sylvain ChauveauSylvain ChauveauSylvain Chauveau is a critically acclaimed instrumental music and electronic music artist and composer from Bayonne, France.-Background:Sylvain Chauveau was born in Bayonne, France , and now lives in Brussels, Belgium...
covered the song for 'Down to the Bone - An Acoustic Tribute to Depeche Mode' with Ensemble Nocturne. - American Rock band TraptTraptTrapt is an American rock band that formed in Los Gatos, California in August 1997. The group is composed of lead singer Chris Taylor Brown, lead guitarist Robb Torres, bass guitarist Peter Charell, and drummer Aaron "Monty" Montgomery...
, also covered "Policy of Truth"