“It’s No Good” is a dark, seductive track by British electronic band Depeche Mode, released in March 1997 with “Slowblow” on the B-side as the second single from their ninth studio album, Ultra. Written by the band’s primary songwriter, Martin Gore, and produced by Tim Simenon (aka Bomb the Bass), the song is a standout example of Depeche Mode’s ability to blend moody, atmospheric electronic music with themes of longing and desire.
The lyrics of It’s No Good reflect unrequited love and obsessive devotion. Lines like “I’m gonna take my time, I have all the time in the world” and “You’ll see it’s no good, you’ll try to stay away, but you can’t” convey a sense of inevitability in the narrator’s pursuit of a reluctant lover. The song’s dark romanticism is laced with vulnerability, obsession, and persistence.
Musically, It’s No Good features a pulsating, bass-driven beat with hypnotic synth layers and subtle electronic textures that create a rich, brooding atmosphere. The track is propelled by Dave Gahan’s sultry, commanding vocal performance, which perfectly matches the song’s seductive tone. The minimalist yet lush production underscores the song’s intensity, balancing Depeche Mode’s hallmark darkness with accessibility.
The song was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in Spain, Italy, Denmark and Sweden, peaking at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and in Germany, and entering the top 10 in multiple countries. In the United States, it was particularly successful on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, reaching No. 1, solidifying its place as a dancefloor favorite.
The music video, directed by Anton Corbijn, adds a layer of irony and humor to the song’s dark tone. It portrays the band as a washed-up lounge act performing in seedy venues, with exaggerated costumes and low-budget special effects. The contrast between the video’s quirky visuals and the song’s haunting atmosphere highlights Depeche Mode’s ability to not take themselves too seriously, even with their brooding image. At the very beginning of the music video, its director Anton Corbijn makes a cameo appearance introducing the band at the club.