Get The Balance Right!

Get The Balance Right! is the title of a song recorded by British band Depeche Mode, released as their seventh single on 31 January 1983. The song was written by band member Martin Gore and produced by Daniel Miller and the group.

The song represents a 'transition' for the band as Gore's song writing moved away from the subject of love and relationships of A Broken Frame, now considered as superficial, to more serious subjects, as illustrated by the lyrics, eg. "''There's more besides the joy rides and the little house in the countryside..". ''

The song is also notable in that it features Alan Wilder as the fourth permanent band member for the first time. Wilder had only previously appeared with Depeche Mode for live performances.

Single release
Get The Balance Right! was released as a stand-alone single and does not feature on the album Construction Time Again released later in the year.

The 12" "Combination mix" has since been considered as ground-breaking and a major influence on house music which emerged later in the decade.

B side The Great Outdoors is the first song to feature Alan Wilder as a songwriter for the group. the track was co-written with Martin Gore.

The release of a second 12" as a numbered limited edition, featuring the 7" mix of the lead track with added live tracks on the B side (plays at 33 1/3 rpm), was repeated for the subsequent singles Everything Counts and Love In Itself 2 (see Singles).


 * Get The Balance Right!

Rel. 31 January 1983, UK chart peak: 13, 01 March 1983


 * 7 BONG 2
 * Get The Balance Right! (3:12)
 * The Great Outdoors! (5:01)


 * 12 BONG 2
 * Get The Balance Right! (Combination Mix)
 * The Great Outdoors!
 * Tora! Tora! Tora! (Live)

Live tracks recorded at Hammersmith Odeon 25 September 1982.
 * L12 BONG 2
 * Get The Balance Right (Original Mix)
 * My Secret Garden (live)
 * See You (live)
 * Satellite (live)
 * Tora! Tora! Tora! (live)