"Behind the Wheel" is Depeche Mode's twentieth UK single, released on 28 December 1987, and the third single for the album Music for the Masses. Peaking at #21 in the UK charts, it hit #6 in West Germany.

The B-Side is a cover of Bobby Troup's standard "Route 66", named after the highway of the same name. The music for the cover is similar, sometimes identical to "Behind the Wheel" (specifically during the bridge). In fact, there are several mixes that combine the two together. Martin Gore is the lead singer on "Route 66", while David Gahan and Gore sing "Behind the Wheel" together. For The World Violation Tour in 1990, Gahan sang lead on "Route 66" instead of Gore.

There is also a Beatmasters mix of both songs. "Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix)" shows up on Remixes 81 - 04. The remixed version includes a promo for the TV game show Name That Tune and a radio announcement by Wolfman Jack urging young people to register for the Selective Service.

There are two music videos for "Behind the Wheel". The original version, from Strange, uses the LP mix. There is also a shortened one using the 7" remix version of the song. It appears on The Videos 86-98. The videos were directed by Anton Corbijn. The video, shot in Italy, opens with the car used in the Never Let Me Down Again video being towed away - the video becoming an unofficial sequel to the one for the previous single.

In 1989, the single was ranked #30 on Spin magazine's list of the "The 100 Greatest Singles Of All Time".^[1]

Track listings [link]

"Behind the Wheel" was written by Martin Gore. "Route 66" was written by Robert William Troup Jr..

7": Mute / 7Bong15 (UK) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel (Remix)" – 3:58
2. "Route 66" – 4:08

12": Mute / 12Bong15 (UK) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel (Shep Pettibone Mix)" – 5:55
2. "Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix) – 6:19

12": Mute / L12Bong15 (UK) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 7:58
2. "Route 66 (Casualty Mix)" – 10:39 (remixed by Dave Allen)

CD: Mute / CDBong15 (UK) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel (7" Remix)" – 3:58
2. "Route 66" – 4:09
3. "Behind the Wheel (Shep Pettibone Mix)" – 5:57
4. "Behind the Wheel (LP Mix)" – 5:18

CD: Mute / CDBong15 (UK) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel (Remix)" – 3:58
2. "Route 66" – 4:11
3. "Behind the Wheel (Shep Pettibone Mix)" – 5:57
4. "Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix)" – 6:21
5. "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 8:01
6. "Route 66 (Casualty Mix)" – 10:42
7. "Behind the Wheel (LP Mix)" – 5:18

• The second CD is the 1992 re-release.

Cassette maxi-single: Mute / CBong15 (UK) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel (Shep Pettibone Mix)" – 5:57
2. "Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix)" – 6:21
3. "Behind the Wheel (LP Mix)" – 5:18

7": Sire / 7-27991 (US) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel (Remix)" – 3:58
2. "Route 66/Behind the Wheel (Mega-Single Mix)" – 4:15 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)

12": Sire / 0-20858 (US) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel/Route 66 (Megamix)" – 7:51 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)
2. "Behind the Wheel/Route 66 (Megadub)" – 6:17 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)
3. "Behind the Wheel (Extended Remix)" – 5:57
4. "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 8:01

12": Sire / PRO-A-2952 (US PROMO) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel (Extended Remix)" – 5:50
2. "Behind the Wheel (Dub)" – 6:00
3. "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 8:00
4. "Behind the Wheel (7" DJ Remix)" – 3:48

CD: Sire / PRO-CD-2953 (US PROMO) [link]

1. "Behind the Wheel (Remix)" – 4:03
2. "Behind the Wheel/Route 66 (Mega-Single Mix)" – 4:29 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)
3. "Route 66/Behind the Wheel (Mega-Single Mix)" – 4:22
4. "Behind the Wheel/Route 66 (Megamix)" – 7:51 (remixed by Ivan Ivan)
5. "Behind the Wheel (Beatmasters Mix)" – 8:01
6. "Behind the Wheel (Extended Remix)" – 5:57

• The "Megamix" and the "Mega-Single" remixes by Ivan Ivan are the two songs mixed together, alternating back and forth. One Mega-Single Mix opens with "Behind The Wheel", the other with "Route 66". These mixes were not released in the UK.
• The "Extended Remix" and "Shep Pettibone Mix" are the same. The Behind the Wheel/Route 66 megamix appeared on the rare fourth disc of Depeche Mode's remix compilation, Remixes 81-04.

External links [link]

• Single information from the official Depeche Mode web site

References [link]