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"Useless" is Depeche Mode's thirty-fourth UK single, released on 20 October 1997, and the fourth and final single for the album Ultra. It was released with "Home" as a double A-side in the US due to "Useless" getting airplay on US radio stations before "Home" was announced. "Useless" features a distinctive bass contribution performed by seasoned bassist Doug Wimbish, known for his session work and as a member of Living Color.
The single remix, by Alan Moulder, changes the intro and has an updated beat (similar to the changes done to the 7" versions of "Walking in My Shoes" and "Condemnation"), and adds some extra synth during the chorus. It also contains more grainy vocals. On the US double A-side single, the single remix is replaced by the CJ Bolland Ultrasonar Edit.
There are no actual B-sides for "Useless", except for remixes and live versions of the song. Some versions of the CD single feature the videos for "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good".
The 1997 music video for "Useless" was the last Depeche Mode video to be directed by Anton Corbijn for more than eight years. Though he remained working for Depeche Mode on all their album/single covers, press images and tour projections/designs, the record label decided to experiment with new directors for music videos. Corbijn's next video project with Depeche Mode was for "Suffer Well".
Depeche Mode licensed the Kruder & Dorfmeister remix of "Useless" to Victoria's Secret, for use in their "Natural Miracle Bra" ad campaign. It aired on US television for a few weeks.
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