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.
Sunday Girl
Erasure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I turn and face my back to the wall
Cause I'm locked up in a rhythm
The prism of a big glitter ball
Wrapped around your finger
I'm caught up in the middle with you baby
With some laughter and drinking
Then I go and drop a bombshell upon you
I've been making eyes at somebody else
You're no longer number one
She loves the night
And all that glitters
Her name in lights
Around the city
Don't you mess your life up Sunday girl
You're rushing down
Like a rollercoaster
Night on the town
Gonna make the most of
We can dance 'til Sunday morning girl
You're pushing and a-shoving me baby
Like a bitch to the wall
But you're driving me crazy
Right up to fever pitch I could fall
When you shine down your love light
I'm getting blinded by the sights and sounds
She loves the night
And all that glitters
Her name in lights
Around the city
Don't you mess your life up Sunday girl
I will see you
I will get you
I will see you
I will get you
I will see you
I will get you
Then I go and drop a bombshell upon you
I've been making eyes at somebody baby
You're no longer number one
She loves the night
And all that glitters
Her name in lights
Around the city
Don't you mess your life up Sunday girl
You're rushing down
Like a rollercoaster
Night on the town
Gonna make the most of
We can dance 'til Sunday morning
We can dance 'til Sunday morning
We can dance 'til Sunday morning girl
The lyrics of Sunday Girl by Erasure suggest a playful romance that may not be all that it seems. The singer is caught up in the excitement of an evening out with his lover, and yet there is an undercurrent of tension present. The imagery of a glitter ball and the reference to being 'wrapped around your finger' suggest that the singer is both entranced and trapped by his lover's charisma. However, amidst the laughing and drinking, a bombshell is dropped in the form of the singer admitting to making eyes at someone else. The line 'you're no longer number one' is a stark reminder that the romance is not as stable as it may first appear and the urgency of the lines "I will see you, I will get you" hint that the singer is not just in search of a fun night out, but is seeking something more dangerous.
The chorus echoes throughout, and seems to both warn and reassure the titular 'Sunday girl'. The lines "Don't you mess your life up Sunday girl" suggest that the singer is aware of the potential risks that their night out may bring, and that he wants to protect her. Yet, the repeated phrase "We can dance 'til Sunday morning" suggests that he is also caught up in the excitement and the moment, for all its dangers.
Erasure's use of imagery throughout the song gives it a dreamy, otherworldly quality. The glitter ball takes on a symbolic significance as both entrancing and reflective, while the line "When you shine down your love light" highlights the mesmerizing and hypnotic effect that the singer's lover has on him. The use of the rollercoaster metaphor adds to the swirling sense of excitement and danger, suggesting that the evening is unpredictable and thrilling.
Line by Line Meaning
Blinded by the vision
I am captivated by the scene before me
I turn and face my back to the wall
I am fully absorbed in the moment
Cause I'm locked up in a rhythm
I am completely ensnared by the beat
The prism of a big glitter ball
The light is refracting and dazzling within the dance hall
Wrapped around your finger
I am under your spell
I'm caught up in the middle with you baby
I am stuck in the middle of this experience with you
With some laughter and drinking
We are enjoying ourselves with some levity and libations
There's very little else I can do
I am powerless to resist
Then I go and drop a bombshell upon you
Suddenly, I reveal some surprising news
I've been making eyes at somebody else
I have been flirting with another person
You're no longer number one
You are no longer the center of my attention
She loves the night
This woman enjoys the nightlife
And all that glitters
She is drawn to anything that sparkles or shines
Her name in lights
Her fame and glory are prominently displayed
Around the city
Her prominence is felt throughout the urban landscape
Don't you mess your life up Sunday girl
Be careful not to damage your reputation or self-worth, woman who enjoys the nightlife on Sundays
You're rushing down
You are moving swiftly
Like a rollercoaster
Your movements are similar to those of an amusement park ride
Night on the town
You are enjoying the urban nightlife
Gonna make the most of
You intend to enjoy this experience to the fullest
We can dance 'til Sunday morning girl
We can dance all night until the morning, woman who enjoys the nightlife on Sundays
You're pushing and a-shoving me baby
You are physically pushing and shoving me
Like a bitch to the wall
As if you are forcing someone to yield to your power
But you're driving me crazy
You are causing me to feel intense and possibly negative emotions
Right up to fever pitch I could fall
This situation could push me to the brink of my limits
When you shine down your love light
When you radiate love and affection
I'm getting blinded by the sights and sounds
I am overwhelmed by the sensory experience
I will see you
I will find and observe you
I will get you
I will capture, possess or acquire you
Then I go and drop a bombshell upon you
Suddenly, I reveal some surprising news
I've been making eyes at somebody baby
I have been flirting with another person
You're no longer number one
You are no longer the center of my attention
Don't you mess your life up Sunday girl
Be careful not to damage your reputation or self-worth, woman who enjoys the nightlife on Sundays
We can dance 'til Sunday morning girl
We can dance all night until the morning, woman who enjoys the nightlife on Sundays
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY BELL, VINCE CLARKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind