John the Revelator / Lilian

"John the Revelator"/"Lilian"
Single by Depeche Mode
from the album Playing the Angel
Released	5 June 2006
Format	CD, maxi-CD, DVD, 12", digital download
Recorded	January–July 2005, Sound Design (Santa Barbara, California)
Genre	Alternative rock, synthpop, electronic rock, industrial rock
Length	3:14 ("John the Revelator") 3:34 ("Lilian")
Label	Mute Records
Writer(s)	Martin Gore
Producer(s)	Ben Hillier
Depeche Mode singles chronology
"Suffer Well" (2006) "John the Revelator" / "Lilian" (2006) "Martyr" (2006)

"John the Revelator"/"Lilian" is the second double A-side single by Depeche Mode and their forty-fourth single overall, released on 5 June 2006. Both songs are featured on Depeche Mode's 2005 album, Playing the Angel and serve as the fourth single from the album (see 2006 in British music). The single became another UK Top 20 hit for the band, reaching number 18.

"John the Revelator" was added to BBC 6 Music's B-List, but it failed to make any other BBC playlists or that of Xfm London. It was also played by a few alternative rock radio stations in the US, including WKQX (Chicago), throughout 2006, despite not being released as a single there.

"John the Revelator" was edited down several seconds for the single, while "Lilian" was slightly remixed and the introduction was shortened.

The single is the first UK double A-side release by the band since "Blasphemous Rumours / Somebody" in 1984.

"John The Revelator" was played during Depeche Mode's Touring the Angel tour and can be watched on the tour's DVD.

Origins

While the Depeche Mode track known as "John the Revelator" should be considered a novel composition written by Martin Gore (rather than a "cover" song - like "Route 66", "Dirt" or "So Cruel" - three songs that are covered by Depeche Mode) the song has its origins in an early 20th-century gospel/folk song "John the Revelator" famously performed by Son House, Blind Willie Johnson, and later by such acts as The Holy Modal Rounders, The Blues Brothers and John Mellencamp, with each new version adding or ignoring the original lyrics if not the original context. Similarly, the Depeche Mode track employs several elements of the namesake including the call-and-response chorus ("who's that shouting? John the Revelator" etc. )

Usage in media

• "John the Revelator" was used in the movie Man of the Year featuring Robin Williams as party background music when Eleanor confronts the Delacroy CEO about the glitch in the election program during the Delacroy celebration event.

Formats and track listings

7"

Mute / Bong38 (EU)

1. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Dub) - 5.44
2. "Lilian" (Robag Wruhme Slomoschen Kikker) - 4.50

12"

Mute / 12Bong38 (EU)

1. "John the Revelator" ('Dave Is In The Disco Tiefschwarz Remix) - 7:52
2. "John the Revelator" (Tiefschwarz Dub) - 8:15
3. "Lilian" (Chab Dub) - 7:08

12"

Mute / L12Bong38 (EU)

1. "John the Revelator" (Murk Mode Dub) - 8:35
2. "John the Revelator" (Boosta Club Remix) - 4:50
3. "Lilian" (Chab Vocal Remix) - 9:04

CD

Mute / CDBong38 (EU)

1. "John the Revelator" (Single version) - 3:14
2. "Lilian" (Single version) - 3:34

CD

Mute / LCDBong38 (EU)

1. "John the Revelator" ('Dave is in the Disco' Tiefschwarz Remix) - 7:54
2. "John the Revelator" (Murk Mode Remix) - 7:16
3. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Re Construction) - 5:02
4. "John the Revelator" (Boosta Club Remix) - 4:50
5. "John the Revelator" (Tiefschwarz Dub) - 8:13

DVD

Mute / DVDBong38 (EU)

1. "John the Revelator" (live video filmed in Milan)
2. "Nothing's Impossible" (Bare)
3. "Lilian" (Chab Vocal Remix) - 9:04

Radio Promo CD

Mute / RCDBong38 (EU)

1. "John the Revelator" (Single Version) - 3:14
2. "Lilian" (Single Version) - 3:34
3. "John the Revelator" (Tiefschwarz Edit) - 3:53
4. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Edit) - 3:15
5. "John the Revelator" (Bill Hamel's Audio Magnetics Edit) - 4:42
6. "John the Revelator" (Boosta Edit) - 3:54

Club Promo CD

Mute / PCDBong38 (EU)

1. "John the Revelator" ('Dave is in the Disco' Tiefschwarz Remix) - 7:54
2. "John the Revelator" (Tiefschwarz Dub) - 8:13
3. "John the Revelator" (Murk Mode Remix) - 7:16
4. "John the Revelator" (Murk Mode Dub) - 8:35
5. "John the Revelator" (Boosta Club Remix) - 4:50
6. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Re Construction) - 5:02
7. "Lilian" (Chab Vocal Remix) - 9:04
8. "Lilian" (Chab Dub) - 7:08
9. "Lilian" (Pantha Du Prince Neues Holz Remix) - 6:33
10. "Lilian" (Pantha Du Prince Raboisen Ecke Burstah Remix) - 6:48
11. "Lilian" (Robag Wruhme Krazy Fückking Dub) - 6:04

Promo CD

Reprise / PRO-CD-101841 (US)

1. "John the Revelator" (Murk Mode Remix) - 7:16
2. "John the Revelator" ('Dave is in the Disco' Tiefschwarz Remix) - 7:54
3. "John the Revelator" (Tiefschwarz Dub) - 8:13
4. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Re Construction) - 5:02
5. "John the Revelator" (Boosta Club Remix) - 4:50
6. "Lilian" (Chab Vocal Remix) - 9:03

Digital Downloads

1. "John the Revelator" (Bill Hamel's Audio Magnetics Club Remix) - 7.45
2. "John the Revelator" (Bill Hamel's Audio Magnetics Dub) - 7.46
3. "John the Revelator" (Bill Hamel's Audio Magnetics Edit) - 4.42
4. "John the Revelator" (Boosta Edit) - 3.54
5. "John the Revelator" (James T. Cotton Dub) - 6.02
6. "John the Revelator" (Murk Miami Mix) - 9.20
7. "John the Revelator" (Murk Mode Remix Edit) - 3.53 [US only Download]
8. "John the Revelator" (Tiefschwarz Edit) - 3.53
9. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Dub) - 5.44
10. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Edit) - 3.19
11. "John the Revelator" (UNKLE Instrumental) - 4.59
12. "Lilian" (Chab Vocal Mix Edit) - 4.34 [US only Download]

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
Danish Singles Chart	1
Finnish Singles Chart	16
German Singles Chart	16
Hungarian Singles Chart	5
Italian Singles Chart	16
Spanish Singles Chart	2
Swedish Singles Chart	19
Swiss Singles Chart	70
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	18
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	38

External links

• Official artist website
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics