Should Be Higher
"Should Be Higher" was released as a single and is the tenth track on Delta Machine.
Lyrics
When I dare to believe
You're the answer
When the shame
And the guilt are removed
And the truth appears
Of the touch of your hand
I lose who I am
If I want to
I try to resist but
Succumb to the bliss
Of your kiss
You should be higher
I'll take you higher
Well don't be afraid
You'll just have to pray
Your lies are more attractive
Than the truth
Love is all I want
Your lies are written down now
In your book
Love is all I want
Your arms are infected
They're holding the truth
Oh stop all your crying
This one you'll lose
You should be higher
I'll take you higher
So don't be afraid
You'll just have to pray
Your lies are more attractive
Than the truth
Love is all I want
Your lies are written down now
In your book
Love is all I want
You should be higher
You should be higher
Love, love
Love, love
Dave's Take
"I choose not to [drink alcohol]. I was out Christmas Eve, a nice restaurant, everyone drinking. I thought, 'Why can't I just have a glass of wine?' But I don't any more, because even one glass opens a whole Pandora's box. My mind immediately thinks, I can go much higher. That's what [the new album's] Should Be Higher is about — that line, 'The lies are more attractive than the truth.' I still draw on that stuff when I'm singing and performing, to dig my way out of trouble."1
My Take
Wow, what a song. I know I've made that exact same comment about one other song, but that's just my knee-jerk reaction when listening to them; they have such a grand quality. I like the synth sounds here more than I probably have let on about for other songs, and the chord progression seems to give it a Middle Eastern vibe, too. But overall, it sounds very lofty and majestic, as if it were performed high up on a mountain top (Construction Time Again album cover vibes, anyone?), and the fade-in/fade-out of the flanged synth are part of what gives it that sound, in addition to Dave's colossal and spectacular vocals. I can't believe how high he goes in the chorus while still maintaining a lot of strength. This definitely is among his Top 10 vocal performances if there were such a list. The lyrics have an overarching theme common in many other Depeche Mode songs- the theme of wanting something that you know is bad for you ("Your lies are more attractive / Than the truth"), and songs like "Lie to Me" ("Make me think / That at the end of the day / Some great reward / Will be coming my way") and "Only When I Lose Myself" ("There's a thousand reasons / Why I shouldn't spend my time with you / For every reason not to be here I can think of two / Keep me hanging on"), for instance, come to mind even though they are about different subjects. This is a very strong song and definitely among the best of Dave's contributions to Depeche Mode.
Music Video
The video simply shows the band performing this song live on stage. Directed by Anton Corbijn, the footage comes from multiple shows on the Delta Machine Tour.
My Take
Everyone looks like they are having so much fun here- especially Dave and the audience. He sounds great, even seeming to hit those high notes with ease, and while he prances around between verses, we get to see at least two of his signature stage moves- a little bum wiggle and some spinning. The visuals on the stage screen are excellent, too, depicting lots of bright flames and sparks flying around on a grand scale, matching the grand sound of the song. Even Dave and Martin sparkle with their glittery waistcoats and skin. Also awesome is seeing Dave near the end go out to the end of the catwalk and encourage the audience to sing the last lines along with him, appearing to magically conjure the voices from them through the motions of his hands alone. It appears that this sequence was filmed during a rainy night as in the light, you can see needles of water coming down hard on Dave and everyone, though no one seems fazed at all. At the end, he is seen high-fiving several people in the front- how lucky they are!