It’s not every day that you hear about a legendary artist wishing they had penned another artist’s song, but that’s precisely what happened when Depeche Mode‘s Dave Gahan revealed U2‘s Bono‘s fondness for their classic hit ‘Walking in My Shoes.’ This revelation came during a recent appearance on BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room, where Gahan shared the story of Bono’s admiration for the song.
Depeche Mode recently released their new album, ‘Memento Mori,’ and celebrated the occasion with a special performance at the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios. Joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra for the Radio 2 series Piano Room, the new wave legends showcased their versatility by performing a mix of old and new material, including the ‘Memento Mori’ track ‘Ghosts Again,’ their ‘Songs of Faith and Devotion’ favorite ‘Walking in My Shoes,’ and a unique cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘Sundown,’ made famous by Scott Walker.
‘Walking in My Shoes’ is a quintessential Depeche Mode track, and its deep introspective lyrics and memorable melody have resonated with fans and fellow musicians alike, including Bono. Gahan recounted how the two iconic bands’ paths crossed many times over the years, sharing a moment when they found Bono eavesdropping on their rehearsal of the song in New York. The U2 frontman later confessed to Gahan that he wished he had written the track, a testament to the song’s lasting impact.
When asked if he knew Bono had their hit classic ‘Walking in My Shoes,’ on his ‘sixty songs that saved my life’ playlist, Gahan said:
“I didn’t know that. No, but I do know he is a fan of the song, and over the years, we crossed paths many times… Yeah. There’s a connection. We were in a rehearsal room in New York a few years back and playing the song. And we came out of the rehearsal room, and Bono was standing in the hallway, and he was eavesdropping on the song, and we had a little chat after about it. He told me that it was one of those songs that he wished he’d written.”
Gahan’s memory of recording ‘Walking in My Shoes’ further illustrates the powerful connection between the two bands, as he spoke about the creative process behind the classic track. It’s evident that the song holds a special place in both Gahan’s and Bono’s hearts, with the U2 singer’s admiration shining a light on the universal appeal of Depeche Mode’s music.
