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.
I Love You
Erasure Lyrics
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Waoh Oh Oh Oh! Waoh Oh Oh Oh! Waoh Oh Oh Oh!
I'm crazy flowing over with ideas
A thousand ways to woo a lover so sincere?
Love and hate what a beautiful combination
Sending shivers up and down my spine
My sense of hesitation disappears
Love and hate what a beautiful combination
Sending shivers up and down my spine
And the lovers that you sent for me
Didn't come with any satisfaction guarantee
So I return them to the sender
And the note attached will read
How I love to hate you
I love to hate you
I love to hate you
I love to hate you
Oh you really still expect me to believe
Every single letter I receive
Sorry you what a shameful situation
Sending shivers up and down my spine
I like to read murder mystery
I like to know the killer isn't me
Love and hate what a beautiful combination
Sending shivers make me quiver
Feel it sliver up and down my spine
The lyrics to the song Love to Hate You by Erasure are filled with playful contradictions and a touch of irony. The song's chorus features a catchy repetition of "I love to hate you," which is the main theme throughout. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer portraying himself as full of ideas for romantic gestures, but also acknowledging that love and hate can make for a beautiful albeit dangerous combination. The singer seems to embrace the intensity of his emotions, claiming that they send "shivers up and down [his] spine."
The second verse takes a slight turn, with the singer referencing past lovers who did not bring satisfaction. He chooses to disassociate from these past relationships by sending them back to their senders with a note that says "How I love to hate you." The irony of this line is that it is not clear whether the singer actually loves to hate these past lovers or if he simply wants to present himself as someone who is unafraid of emotion.
The bridge of the song is particularly intriguing, with the singer mentioning his love for murder mystery books and his need to know that he is not the killer. This line feels like a nod to the idea that love can often feel like a dangerous game, with the possibility for heartbreak and disaster lurking around every corner. Overall, the lyrics to Love to Hate You are a cheeky celebration of the complexity of romantic relationships, and the paradoxical feelings that often come with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Waoh Oh Oh Oh! Waoh Oh Oh Oh! Waoh Oh Oh Oh!
Repetitive exclamation to start the song
I'm crazy flowing over with ideas
I am overflowing with ideas, feeling restless
A thousand ways to woo a lover so sincere?
I have many ideas to impress and win over a genuine lover
Love and hate what a beautiful combination
Love and hate create a powerful and complex emotion
Sending shivers up and down my spine
This emotion creates a physical reaction in my body
For every Casanova that appears
Whenever a womanizer shows up
My sense of hesitation disappears
I am not hesitant to reject them
And the lovers that you sent for me
The people you set me up with
Didn't come with any satisfaction guarantee
They did not meet my expectations
So I return them to the sender
I reject them and send them back
And the note attached will read
The message I send with them will say
How I love to hate you
I enjoy hating you
Oh you really still expect me to believe
You think I will believe you
Every single letter I receive
All the letters you sent me
Sorry you what a shameful situation
Your actions are disappointing and disgraceful
Sending shivers up and down my spine
Your behavior affects me physically
I like to read murder mystery
I enjoy reading books about murder
I like to know the killer isn't me
I find comfort in knowing that I am not the killer
Sending shivers make me quiver
This feeling has a strong effect on my nerves
Feel it sliver up and down my spine
I feel a sharp and painful sensation in my body
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW BELL, ANDY BELL, VINCE CLARKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind