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See You

Falling as it does between their effervescent earlier hits, and the moody darkness of their glory years, 'See You' is probably among the less sought-after Depeche Mode 45s, which might explain why it's the only one I've yet found in the wild. I've never been an outright fan of theirs, but have enjoyed several of their songs down the years, and recall having a fondness for this one as thirteen-year-old.

Some may call it twee, but, nowadays, to me, it seems vaguely creepy: one could interpret it as a kind of stalker's lament. "And I won't even touch you", "But I swear I won't touch you" sound like remarks from the wrong side of a restraining order. "Well I know five years is a long time" - five years? where's he been exactly: prison?

The B-side 'Now, This is Fun' isn't bad - it has a bit more going on musically than 'See You', but the vocals are oddly low in the mix and the overall effect is lacklustre. The design of the picture sleeve is eye-catchingly colourful, but, returning to my misgivings, it depicts our protagonist staring at the object of his unrequited affection through her window at night...

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