"Everything Counts" is a 1983 song by the English electronic band Depeche Mode from the album Construction Time Again. A live version of the song was released in 1989 to support the band's live album 101. Background and themes The single introduced a transition in lyrical content for the group. "Everything Counts" specifically addresses the issue of corporate greed and corruption in Britain, as the chorus sings of "grabbing hands" that "grab all they can". Perhaps surprisingly, the single was released at a time when the band itself was not under a formal contract with Mute Records (Gore publishes his songs under the name "Grabbing Hands Music"). In addition to "found" sounds used as samples, the single also samples a variety of musical instruments, such as the xylophone and a melodica (which Gore has been known to play on stage for the song). It was also the first song in the band's catalogue which includes both of the band's singers prominently (at different times). Lead singer Dave Gahan sings the lead vocals on the verses, while main songwriter Martin Gore sings the lead vocals on the chorus with backing from Alan Wilder. When the song has been performed live, the chorus has been sung by all of the band's members except Gahan, as it appeared in the video for the single. Many live versions of the song also feature Alan Wilder singing countermelody to Dave Gahan during the second verse (repeating the word "The Graph" after each line). Live performances and re-release The song would quickly catch on as a fan favourite at the band's concerts and was used as the opening song for the Construction Time Again tour. The first live version of the song to appear on a commercial release came from the Some Great Reward tour in 1984 when a recording from a show in Liverpool appeared on the double A-sided "Blasphemous Rumours/Somebody" single. During the Music for the Masses Tour, the band used "Everything Counts" as the final encore and in 1989, the song would be re-released as a single in live form, to promote the live album 101. All live tracks from the release were recorded on 18 June 1988 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl during the final performance of the aforementioned Music for the Masses Tour. This version of the song is famous for the recording of the crowd continuing to sing the chorus