Upon its release, the video faced censorship by MTV for containing what was deemed explicit footage .
The moody, mock-spaghetti-Western atmosphere helped propel the song to massive success on both sides of the Atlantic, becoming the band's first U.S. Top 40 hit since 1984. Behind the Song
Directed by Anton Corbijn , it was notably the band's first music video to be shot in color . Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus (Official Video)
The official music video for Depeche Mode's is a landmark piece of visual media directed by the band's long-time collaborator, Anton Corbijn . Released in 1989 as the lead single for their seminal album Violator , the video is famous for its distinct aesthetic and production details: Key Features of the Video
The iconic rhythm in the song was created by sampling the sound of band members jumping up and down on flight cases in the studio. Upon its release, the video faced censorship by
It was filmed in the Tabernas Desert in Almería, Spain. This location is the same village used for Clint Eastwood's famous Spaghetti Westerns in the decades prior.
Chief songwriter Martin Gore was inspired by Priscilla Presley's autobiography , Elvis and Me . The lyrics explore the idea of a partner becoming a "mentor" or a god-like figure in a relationship. Behind the Song Directed by Anton Corbijn ,
The video features the band members—Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Alan Wilder—dressed in Western-style clothing on a ranch, often seen riding horses or in a pickup truck.