With the movie Precious now playing in theaters, synapses in my brain triggered memories of Depeche Mode’s 2005 song by the same name. Written by Martin Gore (who has penned the vast majority of the band’s songs), “Precious” was the first single from Playing The Angel, and addressed the impact his then-recent divorce had on his three kids (sample lyric: “I pray you learn to trust / Have faith in both of us / And keep room in your heart for two”).

Released in October 2005, “Precious” enjoyed its biggest success on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance Singles Sales charts, topping both. Though they weren’t the only fellas called to dancefloor duty, the epic remix by Victor Calderone and Mac Quayle was largely responsible for Depeche Mode’s #1 showing.

Listening to their primo production again, I’m reminded just how disappointing the remixes issued from this year’s Sounds Of The Universe were (yes, even Peter Rauhofer’s “Wrong”). But four years later, “Precious” remains a (re)work of heartbreaking art. Hear here:

Purchase Depeche Mode – “Precious (Calderone & Quayle Damaged Club Mix)” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.