Vince Clarke had already written hits for Depeche Mode and Yazoo. Then he went looking for a new singer, auditioned a long list of hopefuls, and Andy Bell got the job. Erasure became one of the most loved synth-pop duos of the late ’80s, with a run of songs built for singing at full volume.
London, 1985: the songwriter and the voice
Erasure formed in London in 1985. Clarke brought the synths and the songwriting craft, Bell brought a huge, emotional voice. Their debut, Wonderland (1986), and early singles like “Who Needs Love Like That” showed the chemistry, and “Sometimes” later that year made them stars at home.
The Innocents and a run of number ones
The Innocents (1988) went to number one in the UK and gave them “A Little Respect”, “Chains of Love” and “Ship of Fools”, songs that got serious airplay in Britain and America and still define the synth-pop sound. More UK number one albums followed, including Wild! (1989), Chorus (1991), the hits collection Pop! The First 20 Hits and I Say I Say I Say (1994). Between 1986 and 2007 they scored 32 UK Top 40 singles in a row.
Is Erasure new wave?
Yes. Erasure came out of the synth-pop side of new wave through Vince Clarke, who had already shaped Depeche Mode and Yazoo. Their bright synthesizers and Andy Bell’s soaring vocals carried the new wave sound into the late ’80s and beyond.
Still making records, still filling rooms
They never became a nostalgia act. Cowboy (1997), Loveboat (2000) and Nightbird (2005) kept the run going, and The Violet Flame (2014), World Be Gone (2017), The Neon (2020) and Day-Glo (Based on a True Story) (2022) show a duo still writing new songs in the sound they made famous.
Erasure by the numbers
- 19 studio albums, 6 live albums and 9 compilations
- More than 60 singles
- 32 UK Top 40 singles in a row, 1986 to 2007
The essential Erasure songs
“Who Needs Love Like That” · “Sometimes” · “Victim of Love” · “Chains of Love” · “A Little Respect” · “Ship of Fools” · “Stop!” · “Blue Savannah” · “Star” · “Love to Hate You” · “Chorus” · “Always”
The essential albums
Wonderland (1986) · The Circus (1987) · The Innocents (1988) · Wild! (1989) · Chorus (1991) · I Say I Say I Say (1994) · The Neon (2020)
New to Erasure? Start here
Pop! The First 20 Hits is the fastest way in, and it plays like a party. Then put on The Innocents for the album that made them, and finish with “Always” from I Say I Say I Say to hear how good Andy Bell sounds on a slow one.
Like Erasure? Try these next
Depeche Mode, where Vince Clarke started · Yazoo, his duo with Alison Moyet · Pet Shop Boys · The Human League · Eurythmics · Camouflage · Alphaville
Hear Erasure on New Wave Radio
Request “A Little Respect” and sing the high notes. We won’t tell anyone.
Official links: erasureinfo.com · vinceclarke.com · andybell.com · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube · Spotify
