Synopsis

Shot in Morocco, the video presents Dave Gahan as a haunted, theatrical figure moving through stark desert and urban settings. He appears in close-up with his eyes closed, while painted eyes on his eyelids create an unsettling illusion that he is watching the camera. The band members are shown amid shadowy, surreal imagery, strange costumes and stark monochrome compositions. Rather than following a conventional narrative, the video reflects the song's themes of alienation, self-destruction and refusing to conform, creating a bleak visual statement for Depeche Mode's return.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was filmed in Morocco, with Marrakech serving as the main location, in late 1996.

• The painted eyes on Dave Gahan's eyelids are the video's most recognizable visual device. The effect makes him appear to sing with his eyes open even when they are shut.

• Gahan's long hair and visibly gaunt appearance reflected the difficult period surrounding the making of *Ultra*. His struggles with substance abuse gave the song's imagery an especially ominous real-world context.

• "Barrel Of A Gun" was the first single from *Ultra* and marked Depeche Mode's return after a four-year gap between studio albums.

• A behind-the-scenes feature from the shoot was included on the limited 12-inch release of the single.

• The video was later included in the band's *The Videos 86>98* collection, helping establish it as one of the defining visual statements of the *Ultra* era.