Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love (Like That)". Beginning in late 1986 with the release of their single Sometimes, Erasure established themselves on the British charts; albums such as The Circus, Wild!, Chorus, I Say I Say I Say, Loveboat and Nightbird demonstrated a further diversity of sound.
The album that boosted their career tremendously was The Innocents, which was released in 1988. A Little Respect and Chains of Love both hit the Billboard Top 100. Most people will probably remember Erasure for A Little Respect, which became one of their signature songs.
Clarke formerly was a member of Depeche Mode and later had a successful career with the duo Yazoo (known as Yaz in the US). Later he split with Yazoo partner Alison Moyet and briefly formed The Assembly with producer Eric Radcliffe. After a successful Assembly single ("Never Never"), Clarke released an unsuccessful one-off single with vocalist Paul Quinn ("One Day"). He then placed a blind advertisement in Melody Maker looking for a vocalist for a new musical project. He selected Andy Bell, who was the forty-first to audition (and whose voice would often be compared to Moyet's). From the start, their success was founded upon their songwriting skills. Clarke's talent for writing melodic, catchy pop songs was evident from his years with Depeche Mode and Yazoo. Bell's gifts as a lyricist and melodist added depth and character to Clarke's style (additionally, Bell was openly gay from the beginning, and he reflected this in his lyrics at a time when society as a whole was more ignorant around queer issues than it is today - making Erasure's success all the more phenomenal). As pop craftsmen, the pair's work bears comparison with that of Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Eurythmics, OMD, Alphaville, a-ha, Roxette and other pop songwriters.
Though their productivity and record sales declined beginning in the second half of the 1990s, Erasure scored at least one Top 30 hit with the release of every new album. Few electronic bands have demonstrated the durability of Erasure.
In 2005 Erasure made a comeback with their number one position on the US Dance Chart, eighteen years after their first chart-topper. This success was mirrored in the UK with the debut single from Nightbird ("Breathe") reaching number four in the charts. Erasure also enabled fans to configure and buy their own remixes of the single 'Don't Say You Love Me' through the band website. Each variant of the song was limited to a single download.
2006 saw the release of the album Union Street, which features a collection of previously released Erasure songs that the band have reinterpreted with an acoustic / country & western style. The album is named after the recording studio in Brooklyn where it was recorded.
A new album, Light at the End of the World, was released in 2007.
Don't Say You Love Me
Erasure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm still around
Won't steal you like a radio
I'm still around
I won't be long
Gonna treat you like an angel
But don't say you love me
Dance 'til we're high, you're shy
Don't say you'll cry
I told you lies
I'm still around
Won't steal your act my angel
I won't be long
It's still your round
Or serialize the radio
But don't say you love me
Strange things that make me die
Dance 'til we're high, you're shy
Don't say you'll cry
Don't go on
I see your eyes
I screw you 'round my angel
You're still my love
It's in your eyes
Our song is on the radio
But don't say you love me
Strange things that make me die
Dance 'til we're high you're shy
Don't say you'll cry
Don't say you love me
Don't say you'll cry
Don't say you'll cry, I'm high
Don't say you'll cry
At first glance, the lyrics to Erasure's "Don't Say You Love Me" may seem like a simple plea not to express love. However, the song is actually a complex mix of emotions and contradictory ideas. The first verse sets the tone, with the singer stating that they don't belong but that they are still around. They won't steal the object of their desire like a radio, but they still won't be long. This gives the impression of someone who is uncertain of what they want, or perhaps afraid of fully committing to a relationship.
The chorus is where things get interesting. The singer begs their lover not to say they love them, citing "strange things that make me die". This could be interpreted in a few different ways. Perhaps the singer is afraid of being hurt, or they don't believe that their partner really loves them. They want to keep things light and fun, dancing until they're high, but the mention of crying hints at deeper emotions simmering beneath the surface.
The second verse seems to contradict the first, with the singer confessing that they've told lies but are still around. They won't steal their partner's act, and it's still their round - this could be a reference to buying drinks or taking turns in a game, but it could also be a more metaphorical way of saying that the relationship is on equal footing. Once again, the mention of the radio adds a layer of complexity - is the lover being compared to a radio because they provide comfort and familiarity, or because they are static and unchanging?
The final verse seems to bring things full circle, with the singer telling their partner not to go because they see something in their eyes. The reference to "screwing them around" could be taken as a promise to keep things exciting and unpredictable, or as a warning that the singer is going to play games. The mention of the song being on the radio ties everything together, perhaps indicating that the relationship is more than just a passing fancy.
In short, "Don't Say You Love Me" is a song that deals with the complexity of relationships and the fear of vulnerability. The contradictory lyrics and mixed emotions make it a fascinating and thought-provoking piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't belong
I feel like I don't fit in or belong in this situation
I'm still around
I'm lingering and present even though I may not be wanted
Won't steal you like a radio
I won't forcefully take you away like stealing a radio
I won't be long
I won't stay for very much longer
Gonna treat you like an angel
I'm going to be kind and gentle with you like you're an angel
But don't say you love me
Please don't confess your love to me
Strange things that make me die
Unusual or unexpected events that make me feel extremely uncomfortable or anxious
Dance 'til we're high, you're shy
Let's dance until we feel euphoric, but you're acting shy or reserved
Don't say you'll cry
Please don't tell me that you'll cry
I told you lies
I've been dishonest with you
Won't steal your act my angel
I won't copy or imitate your actions or behavior, my dear
It's still your round
It's still your turn or responsibility
Or serialize the radio
Or to convert the radio into a serialized format
Don't go on
Please don't continue or progress in this manner
I see your eyes
I understand your emotions or intentions through your eyes
I screw you 'round my angel
I manipulate or deceive you, my dear
You're still my love
You're still the person I love
It's in your eyes
I can see it in your expression or gaze
Our song is on the radio
Our special or meaningful song is playing on the radio
Don't say you'll cry, I'm high
Please don't tell me that you'll cry, I'm feeling intoxicated or euphoric
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY BELL, VINCE CLARKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JebusGabriel
I don't belong I'm still around won't steal you like a radio
I'm still around I won't be long gonna treat you like an angel
But don't say you love me
Strange things that make me die
Dance 'till we're high you're shy
Don't say you'll cry
I told you lies I'm still around won't steal your act my angel
I won't be long it's still your round or serialize the radio
But don't say you love me
Strange things that make me die
Dance 'till we're high you're shy
Don't say (don't say) you'll cry
Don't go on I see your eyes I screw you around my angel
You're still my love it's in your eyes our song is on the radio
But don't say you love me (what do you say?)
Strange things that make me die
Dance 'till we're high you're shy
Don't say you'll cry
Don't say you love me
Don't say you'll cry I'm high
Don't say you'll cry
@omarvgarcia
The world is a better place thanks to their music 🙌🏻❤
@storminboy
The the most underrated duo ever!!
@raulgovea665
Such a great great song, actually all the songs from Erasure are timeless and they are my top 3 bands of all time ❤
@Zapp33311
Erasure has so many great songs. They are one of the few musicians I know where one of their many songs will pop into my head out of nowhere.
@user-pt8tu6fm8n
vince clarke is a genius.erasure sounds special.
@HamiltonLLB
💖💖💖
One of Erasure's best.
@michaelbruno1330
This is a great album from lyrics to vocals to production. It's in my top 3!
@videokilledstars
No. 1 for me 😊
@provatos
I love this single, I love this album, Nightbird, I think is the best Erasure album of 2005 😇😇❤️🫣
@alxbriceno4560
Erasure :
Sinónimo de felicidad al escucharlos . Gracias por existir !!😃