“Behind the Wheel” is a dark, hypnotic track by British electronic band Depeche Mode, released in December 1987 with “Route 66” (the cover version of the Bobby Troup song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66”) on the B-side as the third single from their sixth studio album, Music for the Masses. Written by the band’s primary songwriter Martin Gore, the song blends themes of control, submission, and desire with Depeche Mode’s signature atmospheric and industrial sound.
The lyrics describe a journey that’s both physical and emotional, with the narrator relinquishing control to a partner, symbolized as the driver of a car. “Behind the Wheel” is driven by a pulsating electronic beat, layered with ominous synth melodies and subtle guitar riffs. The minimalist production by Depeche Mode and David Bascombe creates a sense of tension and movement, perfectly aligning with the song’s themes of submission and journey. Dave Gahan’s deep, commanding vocal delivery adds a sensual and compelling edge to the track.
The song was a commercial success, reaching No. 21 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 6 in Germany and charting in the top 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In the UK, it also topped the OCC Indie chart.
The music video, directed by Anton Corbijn, is a stylish black-and-white film that complements the song’s dark and moody aesthetic. It features cinematic imagery of a road trip and surreal scenes of the band, interspersed with abstract visuals that enhance the song’s atmosphere of mystery and allure. Corbijn’s collaboration with Depeche Mode became a defining element of their visual identity.