World in My Eyes is the most wildly seductive song! The fact that its the opener of the album still amazes me. I remember Personal Jesus was released months before the album was even known about, and THATS a banger! But the sounds in World in My Eyes crushes everything theyve done prior. This is definitely a time where Dave Gahan took on a new persona.
For me, it would probably be either “World in My Eyes” or “Halo.” “World in My Eyes” feels like one of the best entry points for someone who thinks they don’t like Depeche Mode. It has everything that makes Violator work—the atmosphere, the groove, the darker edge—but it’s also immediately accessible. “Halo” might be the more interesting choice, though, because I think it reaches back a little further into their earlier sound, particularly Some Great Reward. There’s still that darker, more mechanical quality underneath the polish. Violator, as a whole, is just a special album. To me, it’s where Depeche Mode really broke through to a much broader audience without sacrificing what made them Depeche Mode in the first place. “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy the Silence” may have opened the door for a lot of non-DM loyalists, but the rest of the album gave them plenty of reason to stay.
There's a reason why Enjoy the Silence has had such staying power. I'd start there, but Halo would be my person selection for someone who's taste I appreciate.
