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.
Make Me Smile
Erasure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and pulled the rebel to the floor
you spoilt the game, no matter what you say
for only metal - what a bore!
blue eyes, blue eyes
how come you tell so many lies?
come up and see me, make me smile
or do what you want, running wild
there's nothing left, all gone and run away
maybe you'll tarry for a while
it's just a test, a game for us to play
win or lose, it's hard to smile
resist, resist
it's from yourself you have to hide
come up and see me, make me smile
or do what you want, running wild
there ain't no more, you've taken everything
from my belief in Mother Earth
can you ignore my faith in everything
'cause I know what faith is and what it's worth
away, away
and don't say maybe you'll try
to come up and see me, make me smile
or do what you want, running wild [repeat til fade]
The song "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" by Erasure is a high-passionate song that entangles the emotions of two lovers who seem to be at crossroads with each other. The lines, "you've done it all, you've broken every code, and pulled the rebel to the floor" showcases the rebel unique in his own way, with a sense of admiration, but this same rebel who broke the rules went on and ruined everything. The lyrics further explore the feeling of betrayal as the person has "taken everything from my belief in Mother Earth." The singer begs the other person to come back, proving their love not holding anything back, "come up and see me, make me smile, or do what you want, running wild."
The chorus in "Come Up and See Me" encapsulates the emotions and feelings of the song. At its core, the song is a plea for the songwriter's love to come back and make them smile again with a final shot at convincing the other person to stick around. The chorus, "come up and see me, make me smile, or do what you want, running wild" is the ultimate expression of that desire. The lyrics are direct and evoke the feeling of desperation and longing quite profoundly.
Line by Line Meaning
You've done it all, you've broken every code
You've been everywhere, and you've accomplished everything you've set out to do.
and pulled the rebel to the floor
Your influence has caused even the most rebellious among us to be subdued.
you spoilt the game, no matter what you say
You've ruined things for everyone involved, and there's no way to make it right.
for only metal - what a bore!
Your motives may have been questionable, causing all of us to feel disinterested.
blue eyes, blue eyes
Your eyes may be blue, but we still doubt the sincerity of your actions.
how come you tell so many lies?
We're suspicious of your honesty, and wonder why you feel the need to deceive us.
come up and see me, make me smile
Come visit me and put me at ease; I need reassurance from you.
or do what you want, running wild
If you don't come to me, then at least be authentic and true to yourself.
there's nothing left, all gone and run away
Everything we had is gone, it's disappeared into the ether, and we're left with nothing.
maybe you'll tarry for a while
Stay with me for a bit, maybe it will help me forget what's happened.
it's just a test, a game for us to play
Life can be seen as a test or a game; it's open to interpretation.
win or lose, it's hard to smile
Regardless of the outcome, it's tough to find joy in this situation.
resist, resist
It's important to fight back and stay true to oneself.
it's from yourself you have to hide
Sometimes the biggest obstacle you'll face is your own negative thoughts or limiting beliefs.
there ain't no more, you've taken everything
You've stripped me of everything I held dear, and I'm left feeling empty.
from my belief in Mother Earth
Even my trust in the natural world has been shaken by your actions.
can you ignore my faith in everything
Can you choose to overlook my trust in everything good and pure, despite the hurt you've caused?
'cause I know what faith is and what it's worth
Despite everything, I still have faith in the world and all the good it can bring.
away, away
Go away, remove yourself from my life for the time being.
and don't say maybe you'll try
Don't offer up false hope or empty promises; just leave.
to come up and see me, make me smile
I still crave comfort and happiness, but I know you're not the one to bring it to me.
or do what you want, running wild [repeat til fade]
You're free to go about your life as you see fit, and I won't stand in your way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Steve Harley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dário Peres
Andy Bell is an amazing singer!!!!
alex025237
Uma ótima versão junto com a versão da Suzy Quatro e tbm do Steve Harley.
Micael Håkans
I really wish to hear so much more of Erasures versions of other peoples songs!
They are priceless, both in choice and performance!
Pure Joy, and sincere devotion to beautiful music!
ソトヤママリアテレサ
Erasure's accoustic version of Oh L'Amour comes as a b-side track from a single from a single from Erasure's Other People's Songs album. ♪♫
Marian Kairos
La mejor versión 👏🏻👏🏻😘😘😘
Andrew
La mejor!
MathOlvr
I cried so much listening to this, so many good childhood memories.
Luciano Gelio Siviero
ERASURE é tudo de bom, ERASURE é o símbolo da música eletrônica, sempre, amo Vince Clarke de paixão, em 2020, mais de 35 anos de história e sucesso do ERASURE, onde será a comemoração desse grande evento, onde será, muito bom, a única banda que eu amo de coração,muitas luz pra vocês dois Vince Clarke e Andy Bell nessa década até 2030, e sempre.
Felixiam
Descubrir ésta canción me sumergió en la más sencilla y honesta alegría. Además , el vídeo hace volar mi imaginación y me da ideas que quiero poner en práctica :)
Andrew
Absolutely love it!