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.
Say What
Erasure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say what, make out
It's a crazy situation
Keeps my body hot
I want infatuation
Something you ain't got
A love so bright
Say what the hell you think you've done?
Drive me higher and higher
Make out there ain't nothing's going on
Oh you're such a liar
I got no future
What's the use in keeping tight?
Always wrapped up in yourself
Oh you're alright
Why should I fall?
No love at all
Say what the hell you think you've done?
Drive me higher and higher
Make out there ain't nothing's going on
Oh you're such a liar
Mama said you're as good as dead
If you don't call the shots yourself
Say what
Love, love, love
Love don't come easy
Make out
Why'd you try to fool me
I see, got no heart
Threw me tried to rue me
Tore my head apart
See you, lover move on
Seen the right from wrong
Say what the hell you think you've done?
Drive me higher and higher
Make out there ain't nothing's going on
Oh you're such a liar
Mama said you're as good as dead
If you don't call the shots yourself
Say what the hell you think you've done?
Drive me higher and higher
Make out there ain't nothing's going on
Oh you're such a liar
Say what the hell you think you've done?
Drive me higher and higher
Make out there ain't nothing's going on
Oh you're such a liar
Erasure's song Say What is a high-energy track that expresses the feeling of infatuation and wanting more from a romantic relationship or encounter. The song's lyrics, "It's a crazy situation, keeps my body hot, I want infatuation, something you ain't got," captures its frantic and spirited tone. The song speaks to the frustration of wanting more from a relationship than what is being offered.
The song's chorus, "Say what the hell you think you've done? Drive me higher and higher, make out there ain't nothing's going on, oh, you're such a liar," is a direct statement to the person who's trying to play games with the relationship. The lyrics indicate that the singer knows the real score, and they are not going to stick around for someone who is not honest. Ultimately, the song is about recognizing that someone is not the right fit for them and being upfront about it.
In conclusion, Erasure's "Say What" represents a feeling of frustration and uncertainty when it comes to romantic relationships, urging individuals to be honest about their feelings and intentions. It also presents an upbeat and energetic tone, inviting listeners to dance it out and let go of any lingering emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Say what, make out
Asking the person to be clear and transparent in their communication
It's a crazy situation
Keeps my body hot
I want infatuation
Something you ain't got
This fire inside
A love so bright
The singer is in a difficult situation, where their true desires are not being fulfilled. They crave an intense, passionate love which the other person cannot provide
Say what the hell you think you've done?
Drive me higher and higher
Make out there ain't nothing's going on
Oh you're such a liar
The singer is confronting the other person for their actions, which have caused emotional distress. They accuse the person of lying and being dishonest about their intentions
I got no future
What's the use in keeping tight?
Always wrapped up in yourself
Oh you're alright
Why should I fall?
No love at all
The artist feels hopeless and trapped in their current situation, where the other person is selfish and not showing any love or affection towards them. They see no point in continuing to pursue the relationship
Mama said you're as good as dead
If you don't call the shots yourself
The artist is reflecting on advice given by their mother, which suggests that they need to take control of their life and make their own decisions rather than relying on others
Say what
Love, love, love
Love don't come easy
Make out
Why'd you try to fool me
I see, got no heart
Threw me tried to rue me
Tore my head apart
See you, lover move on
Seen the right from wrong
The singer is lamenting the difficulties of finding true love and is disappointed by the other person's lack of sincerity and compassion. They are aware of the other person's true nature and warn them that they will move on to find someone who will treat them better
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Vince Clarke, Andrew Bell, ANDY BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind