Alan Wilder wrote:

Once we decided we wanted “real” strings, there was only really one or two choices as to who should arrange them. Will Malone arranged the strings for Massive Attack’s Unfinished Sympathy", a particular favourite of both myself and [Martin Gore]. The strings were recorded at Olympic Studios in London, using a 28 piece sting section, to which Martin sang the vocal “live” – thus equalling the fastest ever recording of any one [Depeche Mode] track, the other being “Somebody”.

Andy Fletcher said to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

That was meant to be just a B-side, but it turned out so well we thought we’d put it on the album.