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.
Piano
Erasure Lyrics
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Though I go crazy at the dullness of my life
Sit and I stare through a dusty window
An empty face stares back at me and cries
My vulnerability rushes up to me
And I'm left here
The rebel without a cause
The consciousness of me with you
The harder it gets
I need to close my eyes
What hurts me most
I'll never see your eyes again
Though I get weary doesn't mean that I'm unwilling
My body belies me, I'm a fertile mind
And as I grow older the world forgets me
And talks to me as if I'm some kind of child
Their insensitivity washes over me
'Til I'm left here
The rebel without a cause
The deeper I delve into
The consciousness of me and you
The harder it gets
I need to close my eyes
What hurts me most
I'll never see your eyes again
The harder it gets
I need to close my eyes
I can't recollect
I'll never see your eyes again
I try to forget
I'll never see your eyes again
What hurts me most
I'll never see your eyes again
Don't touch me
The lyrics of Erasure's Piano Song tell a story of loneliness, vulnerability, and loss. The opening lines "Never get angry at stupid people/Though I go crazy at the dullness of my life" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer seems resigned to the fact that there are people in the world who lack intelligence, but the monotony of their life is what truly bothers them. As the song progresses, the narrative shifts to an introspective reflection on the singer's own life. They seem to be wrestling with the idea of growing old and being forgotten, which is a sentiment that many people can relate to. The lines "My vulnerability rushes up to me/And I'm left here/The rebel without a cause" perfectly capture the feeling of isolation in the face of overwhelming emotion.
The chorus of the song is where the true emotional weight comes into play. The repeated refrain of "What hurts me most/I'll never see your eyes again" is heart-wrenching. This line tells a story of loss, and it's left intentionally vague enough that the listener can fill in the blanks with their own personal experience. There's a rawness to this song that's hard to articulate - it's as if the singer is sharing a very personal moment with the listener, and we're able to tap into that emotion in a way that's rare in pop music.
Overall, the lyrics of Piano Song are a testament to the power of introspection and reflection. This song is a reminder that it's okay to feel vulnerable, and that sometimes the act of sharing that vulnerability can be a deeply cathartic experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Never get angry at stupid people
Instead of being angry at people who lack intelligence, Erasure advises us to be patient and empathetic towards them.
Though I go crazy at the dullness of my life
The monotony of life sometimes drives Erasure crazy and induces feelings of boredom and dissatisfaction.
Sit and I stare through a dusty window
Erasure paints a picture of a person sitting and gazing out of a dirty window, lost in thought and introspection.
An empty face stares back at me and cries
In this line, Erasure uses a metaphorical image of an empty face crying to convey the emotional emptiness and pain felt by the artist.
My vulnerability rushes up to me
Erasure acknowledges the vulnerability of human emotions and how they can sometimes overwhelm a person.
And I'm left here the rebel without a cause
The singer feels like a rebellious but aimless person, unsure of their purpose in life.
And the deeper I delve into the consciousness of me with you the harder it gets
The more introspective the singer becomes, the more difficult it is to reconcile with their emotions and the relationship they have with someone close.
I need to close my eyes
Erasure suggests that closing one's eyes can help to block out unwanted thoughts and feelings and provide a sense of solace.
What hurts me most I'll never see your eyes again
Erasure expresses the pain of losing someone dear and the fear of never being able to see them again.
Though I get weary doesn't mean that I'm unwilling
Despite feeling tired and worn out, Erasure emphasizes that they are still willing to confront life's challenges.
My body belies me, I'm a fertile mind
Erasure recognizes that although their physical body may betray them, they have a strong and imaginative mind.
And talks to me as if I'm some kind of child
Erasure highlights how ageism can be prevalent in society and people can treat others unfairly based on their age.
Their insensitivity washes over me
Other people's lack of sensitivity to one's emotions can feel like a physical weight pressing upon them.
'Til I'm left here the rebel without a cause
Feeling misunderstood and unsupported can leave a person feeling like a rebel without a clear purpose.
The deeper I delve into the consciousness of me and you the harder it gets
Erasure suggests that exploring one's emotions and relationships can be difficult and emotionally taxing.
I can't recollect I'll never see your eyes again
Erasure acknowledges the pain of losing someone and how memories of them can be painful to recollect.
I try to forget I'll never see your eyes again
Erasure highlights the struggle of moving on from a loved one's death and the desire to forget painful memories.
What hurts me most I'll never see your eyes again
This repeated line emphasizes the heartbreak of losing someone and never being able to see them again.
Don't touch me
This final line suggests that the singer may be hesitant to interact with others due to their emotional turmoil.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDY BELL, VINCE CLARKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind