Chorus (Erasure song)

"Chorus" is a 1991 song by English synth-pop duo Erasure. It is the title track and first single from their fifth studio album by the same name. Produced by Martyn Phillips and written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, it is an uptempo synthpop song featuring Clarke's electronic soundscapes and Phillips' computerized production. The single was released by Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the US.

"Chorus"
Single by Erasure
from the album Chorus
B-side"Over the Rainbow", "Snappy"
ReleasedJune 17, 1991
Recorded1991
GenreSynthpop, rock
Length4:26
LabelMute (UK)
Sire (US)
Songwriter(s)Vince Clarke, Andy Bell
Producer(s)Martyn Phillips
Erasure singles chronology
"Star"
(1990)		 "Chorus"
(1991)		 "Love to Hate You"
(1991)
Music video
"Chorus" on YouTube

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Ned Raggett described the song as "another great Erasure anthem".[1] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Fab British duo makes a welcome return with an environmentally-conscious techno ditty. Singer Andy Bell is in fine voice on this track".[2] Bill Wyman from Entertainment Weekly stated that it "percolates along nicely".[3] The Daily Vault's Michael R. Smith commented, "Yes, the title track has the glaringly errant word "fishes" in the lyrics, but the contagious feel of the music makes up for it."[4] Dundee Courier said it is a "refreshing burst of pure pop".[5] Chris Gerard from Metro Weekly called it an "old-school disco raver", that is "driven by frenetic beat, streams of keyboards that sound like lasers beaming into space, and an unforgettable melody sung with great soul by Andy Bell." He added that "Chorus" is one of the Erasure's "signature songs and finest moments."[6] Music & Media noted, "You can hear that these two know what's going on in the clubs without forcing themselves to follow the current dance trend. Melody is their specialty, best witnessed by the title track."[7] Christopher Smith from TalkAboutPopMusic stated that it "kicks off" the album "in fine style". Also he noted "memorable lines", like "Go ahead with your dreamin'", "your schemin'", "and something about the fishes in the sea!"[8]

Chart performance

Issued prior to the release of the Chorus album, the single returned Erasure to the upper reaches of the UK Singles Chart, debuting and peaking at number three for two weeks. It was also a success in Denmark, Ireland and Switzerland, reaching number 3, 4 and 10. In the United States, the single became Erasure's first Billboard Hot 100 entry since "Stop!" in 1989, climbing to number 83. It was more successful on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it peaked at number four to become the band's highest-placing song on this listing.

Track listings

7" single (MUTE125) / cassette single (CMUTE125)

  1. "Chorus"
  2. "Over the Rainbow"

12" single (12MUTE125)

  1. "Chorus" (Pure Trance Mix)
  2. "Chorus"
  3. "Snappy" (The Spice Has Risen Mix)
  4. "Chorus" (Transdental Trance Mix)

CD single (CDMUTE125)

  1. "Chorus"
  2. "Chorus" (Transdental Trance Mix)
  3. "Snappy"
  4. "Over the Rainbow"

CD single (USA release, SIRE 9 40123-2)

  1. "Chorus (Covered Up The Sun)" (Single Mix by Dave Bascombe)
  2. "Chorus (Covered Up The Sun)" (Pure Trance mix by Youth)
  3. "Snappy" (12" remix by Martyn Phillips)
  4. "Chorus (Covered Up The Sun)" (Aggressive trance mix by Youth)
  5. "Chorus (Covered Up The Sun)" (Transdental trance mix by Youth)
  6. "Snappy" (The Spice has risen mix by Justin Robertson)
  7. "Over The Rainbow"

Charts
Chart (1991) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[9] 77
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] 20
Denmark (IFPI)[11] 3
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[12] 12
Germany (Official German Charts)[13] 17
Ireland (IRMA)[14] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 72
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[16] 37
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[18] 3
UK Music Week Dance Singles[19] 32
US Billboard Hot 100[20] 83
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[21] 4
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[22] 14
US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[23] 6

References
  1. "Erasure - Chorus". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  2. Flick, Larry (13 July 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 77. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  3. Wyman, Bill (22 November 1991). "Chorus". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  4. Smith, Michael R. (10 June 2007). "Chorus – Erasure". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  5. Dundee Courier. 27 June 1991. p. 12. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  6. Gerard, Chris (17 September 2014). "Erasure's 40 Greatest Tracks". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  7. "New Releases: Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. 9 November 1991. p. 17. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  8. Smith, Christopher (14 February 2020). "REVIEW: 'CHORUS' (DELUXE EDITION) – ERASURE". TalkAboutPopMusic. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  9. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  10. "Austriancharts.at – Erasure – Chorus" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  11. "Top 10 Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8 no. 30. 27 July 1991. p. 20. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  12. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  13. "Offiziellecharts.de – Erasure – Chorus". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  14. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Chorus". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  15. "Dutchcharts.nl – Erasure – Chorus" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  16. "Swedishcharts.com – Erasure – Chorus". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  17. "Swisscharts.com – Erasure – Chorus". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  19. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 6 July 1991. p. 22. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  20. "Erasure Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  21. "Erasure Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  22. "Erasure Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  23. "Erasure Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
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