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Depeche Mode have been generous with new material lately! Most recently, the songs “Life 2.0”, “In The End”, “Survive” and “Give Yourself To Me” were heard as part of the release of “M”. Now there is more supplies.
With “Universal Soldier”, the band is releasing a new song as part of an international charity project for the aid organization “War Child”. The proceeds from the album “Help(2)” are intended to support children in crisis and war zones.
The compilation also includes songs by Arctic Monkeys, Damon Albarn, Beth Gibbons, Pulp, Big Thief, Wet Leg and Olivia Rodrigo.
“Universal Soldier” by Depeche Mode: New version of the protest anthem?
However, Depeche Mode fans are now wondering what kind of song “Universal Soldier” could be. It can be assumed that this is another outtake from the session for “Memento Mori” – like the bonus songs from “M”.
But there are also rumors in forums that it could be a surprising cover version of Donovan’s song of the same name. The song by Donovan from 1965 is itself a cover of a piece by Buffy Sainte-Marie, which is on her debut album “It’s My Way!” (1964).
To clarify: “Universal Soldier” is one of the most famous protest songs of the 60s with lines like: He’s the Universal Soldier/And he really is to blame/His orders come from far away no more/They come from here and there and you and me/And brothers, can’t you see/This is not the way to put an end to war”.
There are recordings by Glen Campbell, The Highwaymen, Chumbawamba and even Juliane Werding (“The Eternal Soldier”). First Aid Kit last released another cover version in 2011.
There is currently no further information about the song from Depeche Mode. But the fact is that the songs from “Help(2)” were recorded in just one week in November 2025 at Abbey Studios under the guidance of producer James Ford. Ford has already taken over the creative direction of “Memento Mori”.
The compilation with exclusively new songs will be released on March 6th.