who somehow decided to not release it at all and to put out the B-side, "But Not Tonight," because they got it into some dodgy film. [For] "Stripped", we took nine days mixing and God knows how long recording, and, you know, "But Not Tonight" I think we did in about three hours. And the Americans in their wisdom decided to release that instead. The "Highland Mix" of "Stripped" was mixed by Mark Ellis (better known as Flood), who in the future would produce Depeche Mode's Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion records. Background Andy Fletcher discussed in a 1986 issue of No.1 magazine. "The idea of 'Stripped' is to get away from technology and civilisation for a day and get back to basics in the country. It's about two people stripping down to their bare emotions. In the video we're seen demolishing a car and taking a TV apart... it's a bit, er, symbolic." Dave Gahan also stated: "It's not about sex. It's to do with having nothing except yourself. The people in the song could strip off if they wanted to though. The song is also a bit chancy. It doesn't capture you immediately. Some people hear it and say 'Is that it?' Others go 'Brilliant!'." Music videos The music video for "Stripped" was the last Depeche Mode video to be directed by Peter Care and was filmed outside Hansa Studios in Berlin. A music video was also shot for the B-side "But Not Tonight" and was directed by Tamra Davis. Two differently cut versions of both "Stripped" and "But Not Tonight" are available on the band's Video Singles Collection release. Track listings 7": Mute / 7Bong10 (UK) "Stripped" – 3:52 "But Not Tonight" – 4:15 12": Mute / 12Bong10 (UK) "Stripped (Highland Mix)" – 6:42 "But Not Tonight (Extended Remix)" – 5:13 "Breathing in Fumes" – 6:07 "Fly on the Windscreen (Quiet Mix)" – 4:24 "Black Day" – 2:37 CD: Mute / CDBong10 (UK) "Stripped" – 3:52 "But Not Tonight" – 4:15 "Stripped (Highland Mix)" – 6:42 "But Not Tonight (Extended Remix)" – 5:13 "Breathing in Fumes" – 6:07 "Fly on the Windscreen (Quiet Mix)" – 4:24 "Black Day" – 2:37 The CD single was released in 1991 as part of the singles box set compilations. 7": Sire / 7-28564 (US) "But Not Tonight" [*] – 3:52 "Stripped " – 3:59 12": Sire / 0-20578 (US)