A Question of Time

For the Jack Bruce album, see A Question of Time (album). For the book of Tolkien criticism, see A Question of Time (book).

"A Question of Time" is a song by the English electronic music band Depeche Mode, released on 11 August 1986 in the UK as the third and final single from their fifth studio album, Black Celebration, following the similarly titled "A Question of Lust".

"A Question of Time"
Single by Depeche Mode
from the album Black Celebration
B-side	"Black Celebration" (live)
Released	11 August 1986 (1986-08-11)[1]
Genre	Synth-pop industrial[2]
Length	4:13
Label	Mute
Songwriter(s)	Martin L. Gore
Producer(s)	Depeche Mode Gareth Jones Daniel Miller
Depeche Mode singles chronology
"A Question of Lust" (1986) "A Question of Time" (1986) "But Not Tonight" (1986)
Music video
"A Question of Time" on YouTube

The 7-inch remix of "A Question of Time" runs at a slightly faster tempo and pitch than the original Black Celebration album version. A version of the remix with an even faster tempo appears on The Singles 86>98.

There is no new track for a B-side (the first Depeche Mode single, other than the double A-side "Blasphemous Rumours / Somebody" without one), but instead includes a remix of "Black Celebration" and various live tracks. The "New Town" mix directly segues into the live version on the limited 12-inch single.

Music video

The music video for "A Question of Time" is the first Depeche Mode video to be directed by Anton Corbijn, and was the start of a relationship with him and the band which still lasts to this day. It was included on the Strange video, The Videos 86>98, the DVD of The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1 and on Video Singles Collection.

Critical reception

When reviewing the single, Lesley O'Toole of Record Mirror said the song is "not quite as alluring as 'A Question of Lust', but the rabid, sequenced throb is better programmed for radioland".^[3]

Other releases

Remixes of "A Question of Time" have appeared on various best-of compilations, such as The Singles 86–98 (1998), The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1 (2006) and Remixes 2: 81–11 (2011). Live versions appear on 101 (1989), and releases of Recording the Angel (2006) and Recording the Universe (2010).

Track listings

All tracks written by Martin L. Gore.

7″: Mute / 7Bong12 (UK)

1. "A Question of Time" (remix) – 4:04 (remixed by Phil Harding)
2. "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05

12″: Mute / 12Bong12 (UK)

1. "A Question of Time" (extended remix) – 6:38 (remixed by Phil Harding)
2. "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05
3. "Something to Do" (live) – 3:50
4. "Stripped" (live) – 6:21

12″: Mute / L12Bong12 (UK)

1. "A Question of Time" (New Town mix) – 6:59 (remixed by Rico Conning)
2. "A Question of Time" (live remix) – 4:10
3. "Black Celebration" (Black Tulip mix) – 6:32 (remixed by Rico Conning)
4. "More Than a Party" (live) – 5:05

CD: Mute / CDBong12 (UK)

1. "A Question of Time" (remix) – 4:04
2. "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05
3. "Something to Do" (live) – 3:50
4. "Stripped" (live) – 6:21
5. "More Than a Party" (live) – 5:05
6. "A Question of Time" (extended remix) – 6:38
7. "Black Celebration" (Black Tulip mix) – 6:32
8. "A Question of Time" (New Town mix/live remix) – 11:08

The CD single was released in 1991 as part of the singles box set compilations.

CD: Intercord / Mute INT 826.850 (West Germany)

1. "A Question of Time" (extended remix) – 6:38
2. "Stripped" (live) – 6:22
3. "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05
4. "Something to Do" (live) – 3:50
5. "A Question of Time" (remix) – 4:04

12″: Sire / 0-20530 (US, 1989)

1. "A Question of Time" (extended remix) – 6:38
2. "Something to Do" (live) – 3:50
3. "A Question of Lust" (Minimal) – 6:49
4. "Black Celebration" (live) – 6:05

• "A Question of Lust" (Minimal) is falsely titled "A Question of Lust" (extended version).
• Double A-side with "A Question of Lust".

Note:

• All live tracks were recorded at the NEC Arena, Birmingham, on 10 April 1986.

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "A Question of Time" Chart (1986–1987) Peak position Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[4] 14 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[5] 14 France (SNEP)[6] 29 Ireland (IRMA)[7] 10 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[8] 5 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] 34 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[10] 26 Spain (AFYVE)[11] 27 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[12] 18 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[13] 9 UK Singles (OCC)[14] 17 UK Indie (OCC)[15] 1 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[16] 34 West Germany (GfK)[17] 4

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "A Question of Time" Chart (1986) Position West Germany (Media Control)[18] 70

Notable cover versions

• Dutch electronic band Clan of Xymox recorded the song on their cover theme album Kindred Spirits (2012).^[19]
• International cover band Exit Eden covered the song^[20] on their debut album Rhapsodies in Black (2017).^[21]