Erasure’s 40 Greatest Tracks
10.Breathe (Nightbird, 2005)
Erasure’s 2005 album Nightbird is a strong collection of top-notch pop songs. It has several winners: “Sweet Surrender,” “I Broke It All in Two,” “Don’t Say You Love Me,” “All This Time Still Falling out of Love,” and “Here I got Impossible Again” among others. But the high point is definitely the first single, the transcendently beautiful “Breathe.” The hypnotic melding of Andy Bell’s harmony vocals and Vince Clarke’s lush layers of electronics is Erasure at their essence. Pure beauty.
9.Hideaway (The Circus, 1987)
From their 2nd album, The Circus, “Hideaway” was never a single but it had an enormous impact. The story of a young gay man and the affirmative message that you don’t have to “hide away” was not something you’d expect to hear from a major pop band in 1987. So much has changed over the years, but Erasure were pioneers and not afraid to stand up for equality very early in their career. An anthem that should be played at Pride everywhere, every year.
8.In My Arms (Cowboy, 1997)
Erasure’s 1997 album Cowboy is arguably the most underrated of their career. It’s a strong collection from start to finish, and it’s highlighted by the ebullient ballad “In My Arms.” The first single from the album, “In My Arms” hit #13 in the U.K. and has the honor of being the band’s final (so far) pop hit in America, reaching #55. With lush keyboards and sublime vocal harmonies, “In My Arms” is one of Erasure’s most beautiful singles. (The single is also worth picking up for the b-side, a high-energy live version of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.”)
7.Sometimes (The Circus, 1987)
The lead single from the duo’s second album The Circus, “Sometimes” was Erasure’s big breakthrough hit in the UK, becoming their first Top 40 single and eventually climbing all the way to #2. It remains one of their signature songs. It has the classic Erasure sound of the acoustic guitar providing rhythm over the electronic beat. It’s easy to see why it was their first big hit – it’s irresistibly catchy and singable. Nearly 30 years later, “Sometimes” remains a favorite in Erasure’s live performances.
6.Always (I Say, I Say, I Say, 1994)
By the time 1994 rolled around, it had been 6 long years since Erasure enjoyed Top 40 success on the American pop charts. They made a triumphant return with “Always,” a divine synth-pop ballad that proved irresistible to pop radio. The lead single from their album I Say, I Say, I Say, “Always” hit #4 in the U.K. and became their final (so far) Top 40 hit in America, reaching #20. Sadly, the hyper-energized follow-up single “Run to the Sun” wasn’t able to capture American audiences (although it did earn the duo another Top 10 in the UK).
5. Oh, L’amour (Wonderland, 1986)
It’s interesting how a song that barely dented the charts upon it’s release – it peaked at #85 as the third single from Wonderland – is now considered a classic, and one of Erasure’s signature songs. It just goes to show that the charts aren’t everything. There were some solid pop songs on Wonderland, including the first two singles “Who Needs Love Like That” and “Heavenly Action,” as well as album tracks like “Cry So Easy,” but “Oh L’amour” was the first truly great Erasure single. It’s an infectious dance/pop classic that always gets the crowd singing when they perform it live.
4.Chorus (Chorus, 1991)
The title-track and lead single from their 1991 album, “Chorus” ranks among Erasure’s biggest hits – it peaked at #3 in the UK and was a substantial success on the US dance-floors. An old-school disco raver, “Chorus” is a driven by frenetic beat, streams of keyboards that sound like lasers beaming into space, and an unforgettable melody sung with great soul by Andy Bell. “Chorus” is one of the Erasure’s signature songs and finest moments. It was the first of four Top 20 singles from the Chorus album.
3. Chains of Love (The Innocents, 1988)
All of a sudden MTV picked up this uber-catchy pop masterpiece, and Erasure had their first U.S. hit on their hands. The second single from The Innocents, “Chains of Love” hit #11 in the UK and climbed all the way to #12 on the US pop chart. “Chains of Love” raised Erasure’s international profile dramatically, and ushered in huge sales for their album The Innocents. “Chains of Love” was also a smash on the US dance chart, and can still be brought out when needed during ‘80s night to get the crowd on the floor, most of them singing along w/ the soulful chorus. A classic single.
2. Blue Savannah (Wild!, 1989)
Perhaps Erasure’s best sounding track – put it on now and its so fresh that is sounds like it could have been recorded yesterday. “Blue Savannah” is audio daydream; a sublimely beautiful melody, sung with real feeling by Andy Bell, over some of Vince Clarke’s loveliest keyboard work. That amazingly vibrant piano part just pops out of the speakers. This is what great pop music is all about – it makes you feel warm just listening to it.
1. A Little Respect (The Innocents, 1988)
Opening with that distinct, stately keyboard riff before an acoustic guitar comes in and adds to the rhythm, “A Little Respect” is Erasure at their apex. Very few pop songs can be considered perfect, and this is one of them. It is guaranteed even to this day to get a room full of people singing at the top of their lungs. It just feels good. The heavily rhythmic background, the positive and self-affirming lyrics, Andy Bell’s note-perfect vocal delivery… it’s a combination that came together to form a song for the ages. It reached #14 in the US and #4 in the UK, but it’s had the lasting impact of a #1 hit.
Full playlist:
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