Personal Jesus
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:22:45 PM Wikipedia source
"Personal Jesus" is a song by the English electronic band Depeche Mode. It was released as the lead single from their seventh studio album, Violator (1990), in August 1989 by Mute Records. It reached No. 13 on the UK singles chart and No. 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single was their first to enter the US top 40 since 1984's "People Are People" and was their first gold-certified single in the US. In Germany, "Personal Jesus" is one of the band's longest-charting songs, staying on the West German Singles Chart for 23 weeks. The accompanying music video was directed by Anton Corbijn and filmed in Spain. In 2004, "Personal Jesus" was ranked No. 368 in Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", and in September 2006 it was voted as one of the "100 Greatest Songs Ever" in Q magazine. "Personal Jesus" was re-released as a single in May 2011 for the Depeche Mode remix album Remixes 2: 81–11, with the leading remix by the production team Stargate. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Johnny Cash and Marilyn Manson.
Infobox
B-side
"Dangerous"
Released
29 August 1989 (1989-08-29)
Recorded
1989
Studio
Logic (Milan)
Genre
Synth-pop synth-rock blues rock alternative rock dance-rock
Length
4:56 (album version) 3:43 (7-inch version) 5:48 (12-inch version)
Label
Mute
Songwriter
Martin L. Gore
Producers
Depeche Mode Flood
Tables
1989–1990 weekly chart performance for "Personal Jesus" · Charts › Weekly charts
Australia (ARIA)
Australia (ARIA)
Chart (1989–1990)
Australia (ARIA)
Peak
position
134
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Chart (1989–1990)
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Peak
position
44
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)
Chart (1989–1990)
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)
Peak
position
14
Denmark (IFPI)
Denmark (IFPI)
Chart (1989–1990)
Denmark (IFPI)
Peak
position
3
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Chart (1989–1990)
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Peak
position
8
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
Chart (1989–1990)
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
Peak
position
9
France (SNEP)
France (SNEP)
Chart (1989–1990)
France (SNEP)
Peak
position
27
Greece (IFPI)
Greece (IFPI)
Chart (1989–1990)
Greece (IFPI)
Peak
position
3
Ireland (IRMA)
Ireland (IRMA)
Chart (1989–1990)
Ireland (IRMA)
Peak
position
7
Italy (Musica e dischi)
Italy (Musica e dischi)
Chart (1989–1990)
Italy (Musica e dischi)
Peak
position
3
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)
Chart (1989–1990)
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)
Peak
position
2
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)
Chart (1989–1990)
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)
Peak
position
11
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)
Chart (1989–1990)
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)
Peak
position
14
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Chart (1989–1990)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Peak
position
62
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
Chart (1989–1990)
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
Peak
position
14
Spain (AFYVE)
Spain (AFYVE)
Chart (1989–1990)
Spain (AFYVE)
Peak
position
3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (1989–1990)
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
Peak
position
17
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (1989–1990)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peak
position
5
UK Singles (OCC)
UK Singles (OCC)
Chart (1989–1990)
UK Singles (OCC)
Peak
position
13
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1989–1990)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peak
position
28
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)
Chart (1989–1990)
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)
Peak
position
3
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)
with "Dangerous"
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)
with "Dangerous"
Chart (1989–1990)
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)
with "Dangerous"
Peak
position
12
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)
with "Dangerous"
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)
with "Dangerous"
Chart (1989–1990)
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)
with "Dangerous"
Peak
position
9
US Cash Box Top 100
US Cash Box Top 100
Chart (1989–1990)
US Cash Box Top 100
Peak
position
31
West Germany (GfK)
West Germany (GfK)
Chart (1989–1990)
West Germany (GfK)
Peak
position
5
| Chart (1989–1990) | Peak position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 134 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 44 |
| Canada Dance/Urban (RPM) | 14 |
| Denmark (IFPI) | 3 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 8 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 9 |
| France (SNEP) | 27 |
| Greece (IFPI) | 3 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 7 |
| Italy (Musica e dischi) | 3 |
| Italy Airplay (Music & Media) | 2 |
| Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg) | 11 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) | 14 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 62 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 14 |
| Spain (AFYVE) | 3 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 17 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 5 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 13 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 28 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) | 3 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) with "Dangerous" | 12 |
| US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard) with "Dangerous" | 9 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 31 |
| West Germany (GfK) | 5 |
2007 weekly chart performance for "Personal Jesus" · Charts › Weekly charts
Denmark (Tracklisten)
Denmark (Tracklisten)
Chart (2007)
Denmark (Tracklisten)
Peak
position
15
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 15 |
Year-end chart performance for "Personal Jesus" · Charts › Year-end charts
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Chart (1989)
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Position
48
West Germany (Media Control)
West Germany (Media Control)
Chart (1989)
West Germany (Media Control)
Position
76
| Chart (1989) | Position |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 48 |
| West Germany (Media Control) | 76 |
Certifications for "Personal Jesus" · Certifications
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)
Region
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
45,000‡
Germany (BVMI)
Germany (BVMI)
Region
Germany (BVMI)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
300,000‡
Italy (FIMI)
Italy (FIMI)
Region
Italy (FIMI)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)
New Zealand (RMNZ)
Region
New Zealand (RMNZ)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
15,000‡
Portugal (AFP)
Portugal (AFP)
Region
Portugal (AFP)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
20,000‡
Spain (Promusicae)
Spain (Promusicae)
Region
Spain (Promusicae)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
400,000‡
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
2× Platinum
Certified units/sales
2,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 300,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI) | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP) | Gold | 20,000‡ |
| Spain (Promusicae) | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA) | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
| ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Weekly chart performance for "Personal Jesus 2011" · "Personal Jesus 2011" › Charts
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Chart (2011)
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Peak
position
73
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders Dance)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders Dance)
Chart (2011)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders Dance)
Peak
position
32
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)
Chart (2011)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)
Peak
position
43
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia Dance)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia Dance)
Chart (2011)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia Dance)
Peak
position
43
Czech Republic Airplay (ČNS IFPI)
Czech Republic Airplay (ČNS IFPI)
Chart (2011)
Czech Republic Airplay (ČNS IFPI)
Peak
position
62
Hungary (Single Top 40)
Hungary (Single Top 40)
Chart (2011)
Hungary (Single Top 40)
Peak
position
5
Italy (Musica e dischi)
Italy (Musica e dischi)
Chart (2011)
Italy (Musica e dischi)
Peak
position
27
Slovakia Airplay (ČNS IFPI)
Slovakia Airplay (ČNS IFPI)
Chart (2011)
Slovakia Airplay (ČNS IFPI)
Peak
position
71
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2011)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peak
position
73
UK Singles (OCC)
UK Singles (OCC)
Chart (2011)
UK Singles (OCC)
Peak
position
119
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)
Chart (2011)
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)
Peak
position
3
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 73 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders Dance) | 32 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 43 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia Dance) | 43 |
| Czech Republic Airplay (ČNS IFPI) | 62 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40) | 5 |
| Italy (Musica e dischi) | 27 |
| Slovakia Airplay (ČNS IFPI) | 71 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 73 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 119 |
| US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard) | 3 |
References
- archiveshttp://archives.depechemode.com/discography/singles/24_personaljesus.html
- Q
- Miami New Timeshttps://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/10-best-depeche-mode-synth-pop-songs-17934846
- The Rough Guide to Rockhttps://archive.org/details/roughguidetorock0003unse/page/286
- Depeche Mode: Éthique synthétique
- LiveAbouthttps://web.archive.org/web/20190626191851/https://www.liveabout.com/best-alternative-rock-songs-4147392
- "Depeche Mode – Barrel of a Gun"http://www.allmusic.com/song/barrel-of-a-gun-mt0034054568
- Rolling Stone
- Rolling Stonehttps://web.archive.org/web/20060820114526/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/4
- Gittins 2018, p. 143.
- Miller 2003, p. 409.
- Miller 2003, p. 410.
- Miller 2003, p. 408.
- Spinhttps://books.google.com/books?id=fTAxVGMigAYC&pg=PA53
- Hallard & Lane (2006)
- Miller 2003, p. 233.
- Burmeister & Lange 2017, p. 184.
- "Personal Jesus By Depeche Mode – Digital Sheet Music"https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0065049
- Miller 2003, p. 419.
- "Depeche Mode – Personal Jesus"https://www.allmusic.com/album/personal-jesus-mw0002037925