It's No Good

"It's No Good" is a masterful exploration of obsessive, unrequited love disguised as a seductive pop song. On the surface, it appears to be a confident declaration of affection, but a deeper look reveals a narrator who is delusional and potentially dangerous. The lyrics paint a portrait of someone who refuses to take "no" for an answer, viewing the object of their desire not as a person with agency, but as a prize they are destined to win.

The central theme is inevitability. The narrator dismisses the other person's feelings ("Don't say you want me / Don't say you need me") because, in their mind, the relationship is a cosmic fact ("written in the stars", "the gods decree"). This creates a tension between the catchy, melodic nature of the music and the menacing, stalker-like undertones of the lyrics.

Interpretations of the song often diverge into two main paths:

• The Stalker/Deluded Ego: This is the most literal reading. The protagonist is an arrogant narcissist who cannot conceive of a world where they are rejected. The line "I know you can't be [happy without me]" is the peak of this egoism.
• Addiction Metaphor: given the band's history, particularly lead singer Dave Gahan's struggles with substance abuse around this era, the song can be interpreted as the voice of addiction speaking to the addict. In this reading, the drug is the narrator, patiently waiting for the user to return, asserting that they can never truly be happy or free without it.

Ultimately, the song satirizes the "Romantic Hero" trope, twisting the idea of "fighting for love" into something dark, possessive, and inescapable.

The song begins with a declaration of supreme confidence and patience. The narrator asserts that they are willing to wait as long as necessary, claiming to have all the time in the world to eventually possess the object of their affection. This outcome is presented not as a possibility, but as a cosmic certainty, described as being "written in the stars" and decreed by the gods themselves. The narrator insists that the other person will inevitably end up right by their side, and that any attempt to run or hide is futile.

The chorus shifts to a series of commands masked as understanding. The narrator tells the subject not to verbalize their lack of desire or love, dismissing these feelings as irrelevant because the ultimate union is already "understood." They arrogantly reject the idea that the subject could be happy without them, stating flatly, "I know you can't be," and concluding that resisting this fate is simply "no good."

In the second verse, the narrator reiterates their willingness to wait patiently. They describe themselves as standing with open arms, waiting for the subject to finally "see the signs" and come running. There is a sense of inevitability as they question why they must wait for their "worlds to collide," urging the subject to open their eyes and accept that they cannot "turn back the tide" of destiny.

The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus and the initial declaration of owning time, reinforcing the circular and inescapable nature of the narrator's obsession. The final lines re-emphasize that this union is cosmically preordained, leaving no room for the subject's free will.

Released on March 31, 1997, "It's No Good" was the second single from Depeche Mode's ninth studio album, Ultra. This period marked a critical turning point for the band. Following the departure of member Alan Wilder in 1995 and lead singer Dave Gahan's near-fatal drug overdose and subsequent recovery, the band's future had been uncertain.

The song was written by the band's primary songwriter, Martin L. Gore. Interestingly, Gore was initially hesitant to record the track. In an interview, he revealed that he felt the demo was too catchy and commercial, fearing it was "too poppy" for the band's darker, more alternative aesthetic. He was convinced to keep it by a friend who told him, "No, you have to do that one, it's a hit."

Produced by Tim Simenon (of Bomb the Bass fame), the track was recorded at various studios including Abbey Road and Eastcote in London, and Larrabee West in Los Angeles. Simenon's production brought a sharper, more focused electronic sound that bridged the gap between the band's industrial rock influences and their synth-pop roots. Gahan, fresh from rehab, delivered a vocal performance that was smooth, crooning, and brimming with a renewed confidence that perfectly suited the song's arrogant narrator.

The song follows a relatively simple but effective rhyme scheme that reinforces its catchy, pop nature.

• Rhyme Scheme: The verses generally follow an AABB or ABCB pattern (e.g., "time/mine", "decree/me"), while the chorus relies on a repetitive rhyming structure (e.g., "want me / need me / love me" followed by "understood / no good"). The rhymes are mostly perfect, contributing to the song's direct and unwavering tone.
• Rhythm and Tempo: The track is set at a mid-tempo pace (approx. 98-100 BPM), which is significant. It's not fast enough to be a high-energy dance track, nor slow enough to be a ballad. Instead, it sits in a plodding, deliberate groove. This "walking pace" rhythm mirrors the lyrics' theme of patience—the narrator isn't rushing; they are steadily, inevitably closing in. The steady 4/4 time signature provides a rigid backbone, suggesting a lack of flexibility or deviation in the narrator's plan.

Musically, "It's No Good" is a masterclass in dark, funky synth-pop.

• Bassline: The track is anchored by a heavy, rolling synth-bass that is both slinky and slightly menacing. This "funky" undertone gives the song a seductive groove that contrasts with the darker lyrical themes.
• Vocals: Dave Gahan's delivery is distinctively crooning and baritone. He adopts a smooth, almost lounge-singer persona (which is visually parodied in the music video). This delivery adds to the arrogance of the lyrics; he doesn't sound desperate, he sounds assured.
• Minimalism: Unlike the layered density of the Songs of Faith and Devotion era, the production here is cleaner and more stripped-back. Synthesizers are sharp and "zooming," creating a retro-futuristic atmosphere.
• Irony: The song employs dramatic irony. The upbeat, catchy melody invites the listener to sing along to words that are essentially a stalker's manifesto, creating a dissonance between the pleasure of the music and the disturbing nature of the message.

"It's No Good" is widely regarded as one of Depeche Mode's essential tracks and a high point of their post-1995 career.

• Chart Success: The song was a major commercial success, reaching No. 1 in Denmark, Spain, Sweden, and on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart. It peaked at No. 5 in the UK and remains a fan favorite.
• Music Video: The accompanying video, directed by longtime collaborator Anton Corbijn, is legendary for its humor. It features the band as a cheesy, low-budget lounge act performing in seedy bars and hotels. This visual self-parody provided a brilliant counterpoint to the song's dark, arrogant lyrics, showing that the band could laugh at their own "gloom and doom" image.
• Media Usage: The song has appeared in various media, notably in the TV show Friends (Season 4, Episode 14, played during a strip club scene) and the movie Aquaman (2018), introducing it to new generations.
• Covers: It has been covered by rock and metal bands such as Chevelle, In Flames, and The Nocturnal Affair, proving its versatility and enduring appeal beyond the synth-pop genre.

The lyrics of "It's No Good" rely heavily on cosmic and elemental imagery to enforce the theme of inevitability:

• "Written in the stars" / "The gods decree": These phrases symbolize fatalism. The narrator believes their desire is supported by the universe itself, removing personal responsibility and framing their obsession as destiny.
• "Turn back the tide": This metaphor represents the futility of resistance. Just as no human can stop the ocean's tide, the subject cannot stop the narrator's advance. It suggests an overwhelming, natural force that inevitably crashes over the victim.
• "Open arms": Usually a symbol of welcome and safety, here it is subverted to represent a trap. The narrator waits patiently, knowing the subject will eventually have nowhere else to go.
• Time: The repetition of "I'm going to take my time" and "all the time in the world" symbolizes predatory patience. Unlike a passionate lover who is urgent, this narrator is cold and calculated, willing to wait out the victim's resistance.

The central hook of the song is the chorus's negation sequence:

• "Don't say you want me / Don't say you need me / Don't say you love me": This repetition of "Don't say" is a rhetorical device that paradoxically highlights exactly what the narrator believes the subject feels (or should feel). By commanding the subject to be silent, the narrator exerts control over the narrative.
• "It's understood": This phrase acts as a definitive gavel strike, shutting down any potential argument before it can begin.
• "It's no good": The title phrase recurs as the ultimate dismissal of the subject's autonomy. It reframes the subject's independence not as a choice, but as a failure or a mistake that "no good" will come from.