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.
crying in the rain
Erasure Lyrics
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Can you make it okay?
When the top don't come out right, you move the sunlight away
Now I feel no pain
I do my crying in the rain
Everybody hurts when your playing the game of love
Stumble and fall and it's all in the name of love
Words don't come out right. Can you make it okay
And the way I feel I keep outside then make the heart break fade away
And the nights are long and cold, I want you here my dear to hold
Everybody hurts when your playing the game of love
Stumble and fall and it's all in the name of love
Everybody hurts when your playing the game of love
Tear it apart and it's all in the name of love
Now I feel no pain
I do my crying in the rain
Everybody hurts when your playing the game of love
Stumble and fall and it's all in the name of love
Words don't come out right. Can you make it okay?
Everybody hurts when your playing the game of love
Stumble and fall and it's all in the name of love
Words don't come out right. Can you make it okay?
Everybody hurts when your playing the game of love
Stumble and fall and it's all in the name of love
Words don't come out right. Can you make it okay?
The lyrics to Erasure's song "Crying in the Rain" express the universal experience of heartbreak and the struggle to move on. The opening lines ask for comfort and reassurance that everything will be okay despite the pain and confusion. The following lines use metaphor to describe the feeling of futility and helplessness in trying to fix a broken relationship. "When the top don't come out right" refers to a bottle or container with a faulty cap that won't open. Moving the sunlight away suggests trying to change the situation by manipulating external circumstances. However, it's all in vain because the pain remains and the tears keep flowing, albeit in private.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Everybody hurts when you're playing the game of love" to emphasize that love is a risky game that inevitably leads to hurt and disappointment. Stumbling and falling are part of the process, but it's important to keep trying despite the setbacks. The bridge adds another layer of complexity to the emotions by acknowledging that sometimes words fail and emotions are too intense to express. The desire to keep feelings hidden and avoid vulnerability creates distance and isolation. The final lines plead for comfort and support, highlighting the importance of human connection in dealing with heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you make it all right?
Asks if the other person can fix the situation and make things better.
Can you make it okay?
Asks if things can be made right and fixed.
When the top don't come out right, you move the sunlight away
When things don't go as expected, you try to change the way you see things.
Now I feel no pain
Says that the person no longer feels pain or is hurting.
I do my crying in the rain
Suggests that the person is sad and cries when no one is watching.
Everybody hurts when your playing the game of love
Everyone gets hurt when involved in a romantic relationship.
Stumble and fall and it's all in the name of love
Makes mistakes in a relationship and is willing to accept them.
Words don't come out right. Can you make it okay
Has difficulty expressing feelings, and asks if the other person can understand things and make them better.
And the way I feel I keep outside then make the heart break fade away
The person keeps their emotions inside and doesn't show them, hoping they will eventually go away.
And the nights are long and cold, I want you here my dear to hold
Feels alone and wishes to have the other person close to them for comfort.
Tear it apart and it's all in the name of love
The person is willing to fight and argue in a relationship because it's part of the love they have for each other.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY BELL, VINCE CLARKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind