Behind the Wheel

Infobox Single
Name = Behind the Wheel


Artist = Depeche Mode
from Album = Music for the Masses
B-side = "Route 66"
Released = December 28 1987
Format = Vinyl record (7" and 12"), CD (1992 box set), maxi-single | Recorded = 1987
Genre = Synthpop
Length = 7" - 3:58
12" - 5:55
Label = Mute Records
Writer = Martin Gore
Producer = Depeche Mode and Dave Bascombe
Last single = "Never Let Me Down Again"
(1987)
This single = "Behind the Wheel"
(1987)
Next single = "Little 15"
(1988)

"Behind the Wheel" is Depeche Mode's twentieth UK single, released on December 28, 1987, and the third single for the album "Music for the Masses". Peaking at #21 in the UK charts, it hit a more impressive #6 in West Germany.

The single version was a Shep Pettibone remix, which replaced the album version's bass-ish line with a more techno beat, and featured a guitar part added to the second verse and some verse's lines added as some kind of echo in the last refrain. Even though it was a logical step to put the official single version on the compilation The Singles 86-98, many were disappointed because they found the Shep Pettibone mix to be inferior. The album version was included as an extra on the single (labeled the "LP Mix").

The B-Side is a cover of Bobby Troup's novelty standard "Route 66", named after the highway of the same name. The music for the cover is similar, sometimes identical to "Behind the Wheel" (specifically during the bridge). In fact, there are several mixes that combine the two together. Martin Gore is the lead singer on "Route 66", while David Gahan and Martin sing "Behind the Wheel" together. For the "World Violation Tour" in 1990, Dave sang lead on "Route 66" instead of Martin.

There is also a "Beatmasters" mix of both songs. "Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix)" shows up on Remixes 81 - 04

There are two music videos for "Behind the Wheel". The original version, from Strange uses the "LP Mix". There is also a shortened one using the 7" "Remix" version of the song. It appears on The Videos 86-98. They are directed by Anton Corbijn.

Track listings

"Behind the Wheel" is written by Martin L. Gore. "Route 66" is written by Robert William Troup Jr..

7": Mute / 7Bong15 (UK)

# "Behind the Wheel (Remix)" – 3:58
# "Route 66" – 4:08

12": Mute / 12Bong15 (UK)

# "Behind the Wheel (Shep Pettibone Mix)" – 5:55
# "Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix) – 6:19

12": Mute / L12Bong15 (UK)

# "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 7:58
# "Route 66 (Casualty Mix)" – 10:39 (remixed by Dave Allen)

CD: Mute / CDBong15 (UK)

# "Behind the Wheel (7" Remix)" – 3:58
# "Route 66" – 4:09
# "Behind the Wheel (Shep Pettibone Mix)" – 5:57
# "Behind the Wheel (LP Mix)" – 5:18

CD: Mute / CDBong15 (UK)

# "Behind the Wheel (Remix)" – 3:58
# "Route 66" – 4:11
# "Behind the Wheel (Shep Pettibone Mix)" – 5:57
# "Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix)" – 6:21
# "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 8:01
# "Route 66 (Casualty Mix)" – 10:42
# "Behind the Wheel (LP Mix)" – 5:18
*The second CD is the 1992 re-release.

Cassette maxi-single: Mute / CBong15 (UK)

# "Behind the Wheel (Shep Pettibone Mix)" – 5:57
# "Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix)" – 6:21
# "Behind the Wheel (LP Mix)" – 5:18

7": Sire / 7-27991 (US)

# "Behind the Wheel (Remix)" – 3:58
# "Route 66/Behind the Wheel (Mega-Single Mix)" – 4:15 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)

12": Sire / 0-20858 (US)

# "Behind the Wheel/Route 66 (Megamix)" – 7:51 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)
# "Behind the Wheel/Route 66 (Megadub)" – 6:17 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)
# "Behind the Wheel (Extended Remix)" – 5:57
# "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 8:01

12": Sire / PRO-A-2952 (US PROMO)

# "Behind the Wheel (Extended Remix)" – 5:50
# "Behind the Wheel (Dub)" – 6:00
# "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 8:00
# "Behind the Wheel (7" DJ Remix)" – 3:48

CD: Sire / PRO-CD-2953 (US PROMO)

# "Behind the Wheel (Remix)" – 4:03
# "Behind the Wheel/Route 66 (Mega-Single Mix)" – 4:29 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)
# "Route 66/Behind the Wheel (Mega-Single Mix)" – 4:22
# "Behind the Wheel/Route 66 (Megamix)" – 7:51 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)
# "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 8:01
# "Behind the Wheel (Extended Remix)" – 5:57

* The "Megamix" and the "Mega-Single" remixes by Ivan Ivan are simply the two songs mixed together, alternating back and forth. One Mega-Single Mix opens with "Behind The Wheel", the other with "Route 66". These mixes were not released in the UK.
* The "Extended Remix" and "Shep Pettibone Mix" are the same.

External links

* [http://archives.depechemode.com/discography/singles/21_behindthewheel.html Single information from the official Depeche Mode web site]