"Somebody" by Depeche Mode

English band Depeche Mode is one of the most successful synthpop bands ever. After amassing an underground fan base in the early 80s with (now) classics like "I Just Can't Get Enough" and "Everything Counts", they stormed onto the American charts with their powerful anthem "People Are People", which reached #13 in 1985 and remains one of their best known hits.

Depeche Mode struggled to keep a presence in the US top 40 throughout the rest of the 80s, but came back in a big way in 1990 with the release of their album "Violator", which hit #7 and remains their biggest selling record. Driven by clever pop hits like "Personal Jesus" (#28), "Enjoy The Silence" (#8), and "Policy Of Truth" (#15), the band enjoyed a huge resurgence.

While still remaining popular even today, the band never captured that kind of chart success again. Their next album, 1993's "Songs Of Faith And Devotion", would be their one and only #1 record, but it only spawned one top 40 hit, the leadoff single "I Feel You" (#37). 1997 would be their last top 40 appearance to date, with "It's No Good" landing at #38.

Chart performance aside, the band's rich catalogue is filled with other goodies that should have been more widely known. "Somebody" is arguably the band's greatest ballad - touching and simple, it is amazing that this song didn't grab more attention when released in 1985. Quite unique, the song is recorded over background noise - a crowded restaurant or amusement park - providing an interesting texture for the ears. The transcendent beauty of the piano melody stands out even more as it soars above the more ordinary everyday noise.