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 don't know why
Erasure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goes so fast then you die
It's enough just to be with you
You set your sights high
No regrets no goodbye
Just a face in your mind for the ones
Cross my heart
Cross my fingers
Cross my mind
Cross my path
Cross my heart
Hold my breath
Space and time
Our souls entwine
We are touching something
Spiritual and divine
The lonesome heart
When our souls part
But the saints in heaven
Hear the lonely cry
I close my eyes
And I see your sweet smile
Been a while since you came and talked
Places I've been
And people I've seen
Simply pale into view when compared
Cross my heart
Cross my fingers
Hold my breath
Space and time
Our souls entwine
We are touching something
Spiritual and divine
The lonesome heart
When our souls part
But the saints in heaven
Hear the lonely cry
Space and time
Our souls entwine
We are touching something
Spiritual and divine
The lonesome heart
When our souls part
But the saints in heaven
Hear the lonely cry
Space and time
Our souls entwine
We are touching something
Spiritual and divine
The lonesome heart
When our souls part
But the saints in heaven
Hear the lonely cry
The opening lyrics of ‘I Don’t Know Why’ by British synthpop duo Erasure express a feeling of the fleeting, relentless march of time. They lament the brevity of life, and the ultimate inevitability of death. However, despite this melancholic sentiment, the song is not entirely morose. The chorus reassures the beloved that the limited time that they have shared together has been enough for the singer, and that they are grateful just to be with them.
The verses explore the idea of the lovers being ‘entwined’ on a ‘spiritual and divine’ level, signifying a deeper connection than just a physical one. The lyrics suggest that this entwining leads to something profound, alluding to the transcendent power of love. However, the final verse contemplates the pain of separation and the loneliness that it brings. Despite the sadness that it brings, the singer declares that their love has been a powerful, meaningful experience that sets it apart from the rest.
Overall, the song is a touching representation of the human experience of love and loss. It captures the joy and pain of love, reflecting both the happiness felt when two souls entwine, and the sadness that permeates separation when they must part.
Line by Line Meaning
Time passes by
The passage of time is rapid and fleeting
Goes so fast then you die
Life speeds by and ends abruptly
It's enough just to be with you
Being with you is all I need to feel content
You set your sights high
You aim for lofty goals
No regrets no goodbye
There are no regrets or farewells in our relationship
Just a face in your mind for the ones
My face remains in your thoughts for those who matter
Cross my heart
I promise
Cross my fingers
I hope for the best
Cross my mind
You are always on my mind
Cross my path
Our paths cross and intertwine
Hold my breath
I am excited and anticipating what is to come
Space and time
Physical separation and the passage of time
Our souls entwine
Our very beings become interconnected
We are touching something
Our connection transcends what is tangible
Spiritual and divine
Our connection is otherworldly and sacred
The lonesome heart
The heart feels alone
When our souls part
When our connection is severed
But the saints in heaven
Even those who have passed on can hear the pain of separation
Hear the lonely cry
Hear the pain of longing and separation
I close my eyes
I remember you vividly
And I see your sweet smile
I recall your warm and kind expression
Been a while since you came and talked
It has been some time since we last spoke
Places I've been
The locations I have visited
And people I've seen
The individuals I have encountered
Simply pale into view when compared
They pale in comparison to the depth of our connection
Contributed by Ruby B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.