Ben Hillier

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Lore & Background

Ben Hillier produced "Heaven," the lead single from Depeche Mode's thirteenth studio album *Delta Machine*, released in 2013. The song was written by Martin Gore, and Hillier's production role is explicitly credited in the source. The track was world-premiered on KROQ's morning show *Kevin and Bean* on 30 January 2013, and released digitally in most territories on 31 January 2013, with a physical release on 1 February. In the United Kingdom, it was released digitally on 17 March 2013 and physically the following day. The B-side "All That's Mine" was written by Dave Gahan and Kurt Uenala, with additional programming and vocal recording by Uenala. Hillier worked alongside engineers including Rob Kirwan (mix engineering), Ferg Peterkin (engineering), and Bunt Stafford-Clark (mastering), as well as Christoffer Berg (programming) and Flood (mixing). The music video for "Heaven" was directed by Timothy Saccenti and filmed in November 2012 at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans, premiering on VEVO on 1 February 2013.

In Their Own Story

In the studio for *Delta Machine*, Ben Hillier worked with Martin Gore, who had written "Heaven" on piano, working out all the chords, vocal melody, and lyrics before touching a computer. Andy Fletcher noted that the demo wasn't too different from the final version, saying, "Pretty much, apart from Dave's voice instead of Martin's voice, the actual finished song is pretty similar [to the demo]." Dave Gahan expressed deep appreciation for the song, stating, "Of all the incredible songs that Martin has written over the years that I have been lucky enough to sing and perform, once in a while a song comes along—hopefully I'll write one of those myself one day—that's something I have to sing. It's something I want to sing." He added, "To me, 'Heaven' is one of the reasons why I still make music." The single reached #60 in the UK, marking the first initial single from a Depeche Mode album to fail to reach the UK Top 40. In June 2013, it was certified gold by the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) for downloads exceeding 15,000 units in Italy.

Reader's Guide

Ben Hillier's role as producer on "Heaven" is documented in the source, which lists him under 'Credits and personnel' for the single. The credits also include Christoffer Berg (programming), Anton Corbijn (design, photography), Flood (mixing), Rob Kirwan (mix engineering), Ferg Peterkin (engineering), Bunt Stafford-Clark (mastering), and Kurt Uenala (additional programming, vocal recording). The track listing notes that all tracks are written by Martin L. Gore except where noted, and that this is the first Depeche Mode single since 1982 to drop the 'BONG' prefix. The source does not provide details on Hillier's broader career, other albums, or his status as a long-term collaborator, so this guide focuses strictly on his credited work for "Heaven."

Did You Know?

• Ben Hillier produced "Heaven," the lead single from Depeche Mode's thirteenth studio album *Delta Machine* (2013).
• The song was world-premiered on KROQ's morning show *Kevin and Bean* on 30 January 2013.
• The music video for "Heaven" was filmed in November 2012 at the Marigny Opera House, a former Catholic church in New Orleans's Faubourg Marigny.
• In June 2013, the single was certified gold by FIMI for downloads exceeding 15,000 units in Italy.
• "Heaven" was the first initial single from a Depeche Mode album to fail to reach the UK Top 40, peaking at #60.