Despite what many critics have said, The Meaning of Love was an excellent musical arrangement. That is where Depeche Mode was at their finest. Taking a very simple concept and turning it into musical genius. The Meaning of Love was catchy and danceable. While the lyrics were raw, you have to remember that it was only the second single Matin Gore ever wrote while the band was in transisition between the Vince Clarke catch-beat years and the future introspective music that the band became famous for. Having and extended mix of the single was an added bonus on this disc. THe B-Side was an example of the piano-ey type of scores that the band performed were quite simply beautiful. Oberkorn was a predecessor to future b-sides like Pimpf and Memphisto although in 1982, not quite as dark yet. Once again, with an extended version available, you get twice ear-candy on one disc. Definitely a must-have for the hardcore Depeche fan,a nd a necessity for the fan of Depeche's early candy-corn pop.

Ok, ok, fine, the song is somewhat cheesy, the lyrics are somewhat raw and the video may just be downright embarassing (as per Martin's thoughts from an interview regarding early material).

Although the above may be true, the song is not that bad. It was one of the first songs written by Gore, after Vince Clarke left the band.

I wasn't a huge fan at first of the single. Until I finally got to read the lyrics. The main lead/chorus (in case you can't understand the words either) is:

"From the notes that I've made so far/ Love seems something like wanting a scar.."

The song got me at the moment of reading that line. I'm also a huge synth-pop fan, and I honestly believe any other fan of synth-pop (especially if you already like DM) would love this song too.

The song itself grows on you. After listening to it several times, I now enjoy certain parts like the loud, almost "slapping" drum snares, or the drum roll before the main lead chorus. Its sort of a "head bopper" song, where you can't help but tap your foot or nod your head while listening to the song.

The B-side is a typical DM early 80's B-Side. Don't expect anything extraordinary, expect a traditional DM B-side! Although I believe some DM b-sides are sometimes just as good as the actual "A-Side" (for example "Now this is fun", the b-side to "See you").