Sometimes (Erasure song)

"Sometimes"
"Sometimes"
Single by Erasure
from the album The Circus
B-side	"Sexuality"; "Say What";
Released	6 October 1986
Recorded	1985–1986
Genre	Synth-pop; dance-pop;
Length	3:38
Label	Mute (UK); Sire (US);
Songwriter(s)	Vince Clarke; Andy Bell;
Producer(s)	Flood
Erasure singles chronology
Music video
	"Sometimes" on YouTube

"Sometimes" is a song by the English synth-pop duo Erasure, released on 6 October 1986 as their fourth single overall. Written by band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, it typifies the Erasure sound—an uptempo, dance-oriented pop tune accentuated by Clarke's phase distortion and analogue synthesizers and Bell's lyrics about being in love. The trumpet solo is performed by Guy Barker.^[3] After three commercial flops from their debut studio album Wonderland (1986), the single became Erasure's first bona fide hit, peaking at number one in South Africa, number two in their native United Kingdom and in Germany, and becoming a huge international hit. In the US, it became Erasure's second top-five hit on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where it charted alongside "It Doesn't Have to Be" and peaked at number four. Peaking only at number 39 in the French Singles Chart, "Sometimes" still remains Erasure's last chart entry in France ever since. The single spent seventeen weeks in the UK singles chart—the duo's longest chart run for a single in that country—and was included on Erasure's second studio album The Circus (1987), released six months later in March 1987.

Critical reception

Chris Gerard from Metro Weekly wrote, "It remains one of their signature songs. It has the classic Erasure sound of the acoustic guitar providing rhythm over the electronic beat. It's easy to see why it was their first big hit—it's irresistibly catchy and singable."^[4]

Music video

The music video for the song showcases Erasure on a building rooftop—Clarke playing a resonator guitar and Bell singing—as they weave through white sheets hanging from a laundry line; near the end of the video rain starts to fall on the duo.

Track listings

7" single (MUTE51)

"Sometimes"
"Sexuality" (Single Mix)

12" single (12MUTE51)

"Sometimes" (12" Mix)
"Sexuality" (12" Mix)
"Say What" (Remix)

Limited 12" single (L12MUTE 51)

"Sometimes" (Shiver Mix)
"Sexuality" (Private Mix)
"Senseless" (Remix)

12" single (Sire 20614-0)

"Sometimes" (Extended Mix) – 5:22
"Sometimes" (Shiver Mix) – 7:30
"It Doesn't Have to Be" (The Boop Oopa Doo Mix) – 7:12
"Sexuality" (Private Mix) – 6:04

Cassette single (CMUTE51)

"Sometimes"
"Sexuality" (Single Mix)
"Who Needs Love Like That"
"Heavenly Action"
"Oh L'amour"

CD single (CDMUTE51)

"Sometimes"
"Sexuality" (Single Mix)
"Sometimes" (12" Mix)
"Sexuality" (12" Mix)
"Say What" (Remix)

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Sometimes"
Chart (1986–1987)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[5]	45
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[6]	10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[7]	2
Colombia^[8]	8
Denmark (Hitlisten)^[9]	9
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[10]	4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[11]	5
France (SNEP)^[12]	39
Ireland (IRMA)^[13]	3
Italy (Musica e dischi)^[14]	25
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[15]	3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[16]	2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[17]	15
Peru (UPI)^[18]	8
Portugal (Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa)^[19]	7
South Africa (Springbok Radio)^[20]	1
Spain (AFYVE)^[21]	1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[22]	20
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[23]	3
UK Singles (OCC)^[24]	2
UK Indie (MRIB)^[25]	1
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)^[26] with "It Doesn't Have to Be"	4
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)^[27] with "It Doesn't Have to Be"	37
West Germany (Official German Charts)^[28]	2

Year-end charts

1986 year-end chart performance for "Sometimes"
Chart (1986)	Position
UK Singles (Gallup)^[29]	42

1987 year-end chart performance for "Sometimes"
Chart (1987)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[30]	44
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[31]	36
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[32]	42
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[33]	33
South Africa (Springbok Radio)^[34]	16
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[35]	28
West Germany (Official German Charts)^[36]	27

References

^ "Making Erasure: The Circus". Classic Pop. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
^ Harrington, Jim (28 September 2011). "Harrington: Stevie Nicks releases first solo album in 10 years". Mercury News. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
^ "Erasure (Andy Bell & Vince Clarke) | Official Website – SOMETIMES (SINGLE)". erasureinfo.com. 6 October 1986. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
^ Gerard, Chris (17 September 2014). "Erasure's 40 Greatest Tracks". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 104. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Erasure – Sometimes" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
^ "Erasure – Sometimes" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
^ "Bogotá". El Tiempo (Colombia) (in Spanish). 5 January 1990. p. 10. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
^ "Denmark Top 10" (PDF). Music & Media. 14 March 1987. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 6. 14 February 1987. p. 14. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
^ "Erasure – Sometimes" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Erasure". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 1 June 2022. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Erasure" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Erasure" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Erasure – Sometimes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
^ "Erasure – Sometimes". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
^ "Los Éxitos en Latinoamérica". UPI. 9 March 1987. p. 34. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
^ "Top 10 Portugal" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 April 1987. p. 10. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts E". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
^ "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. 28 March 1987. p. 16. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ "Erasure – Sometimes". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
^ "Erasure – Sometimes". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
^ "Erasure: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ Lazell, Barry (1997). "Erasure". Indie Hits 1980–1989: The Complete U.K. Independent Charts (Singles & Albums). Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-95172-069-4. Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Erasure Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Erasure Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Erasure – Sometimes" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Top 100 Singles (January to December 1986)" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1987. p. 24. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1987 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "European Charts of the Year 1987 – Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. 26 December 1987. p. 34. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1987". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1987". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1987" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

External links

"Sometimes" at Discogs (list of releases)

[1] "Making Erasure: The Circus". Classic Pop. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2022.

[2] Harrington, Jim (28 September 2011). "Harrington: Stevie Nicks releases first solo album in 10 years". Mercury News. Retrieved 7 June 2022.

[erasureinfo-3] "Erasure (Andy Bell & Vince Clarke) | Official Website – SOMETIMES (SINGLE)". erasureinfo.com. 6 October 1986. Retrieved 9 November 2016.

[4] Gerard, Chris (17 September 2014). "Erasure's 40 Greatest Tracks". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 21 November 2020.

[5] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 104. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Austria_Erasure-6] "Erasure – Sometimes" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 24 June 2012.

[sc_Flanders_Erasure-7] "Erasure – Sometimes" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2 April 2016.

[8] "Bogotá". El Tiempo (Colombia) (in Spanish). 5 January 1990. p. 10. Retrieved 18 October 2023.

[9] "Denmark Top 10" (PDF). Music & Media. 14 March 1987. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[10] "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 6. 14 February 1987. p. 14. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.

[11] Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.

[sc_France_Erasure-12] "Erasure – Sometimes" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 24 June 2012.

[sc_Ireland2_Erasure-13] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Erasure". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[14] "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 1 June 2022. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Erasure" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".

[sc_Dutch40_Erasure-15] "Nederlandse Top 40 – Erasure" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[sc_Dutch100_Erasure-16] "Erasure – Sometimes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 June 2012.

[sc_New_Zealand_Erasure-17] "Erasure – Sometimes". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 August 2019.

[18] "Los Éxitos en Latinoamérica". UPI. 9 March 1987. p. 34. Retrieved 5 October 2023.

[19] "Top 10 Portugal" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 April 1987. p. 10. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[20] "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts E". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2012.

[21] "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. 28 March 1987. p. 16. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.

[sc_Sweden_Erasure-22] "Erasure – Sometimes". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 24 June 2012.

[sc_Switzerland_Erasure-23] "Erasure – Sometimes". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 June 2012.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_Erasure-24] "Erasure: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[25] Lazell, Barry (1997). "Erasure". Indie Hits 1980–1989: The Complete U.K. Independent Charts (Singles & Albums). Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-95172-069-4. Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[sc_Billboarddanceclubplay_Erasure-26] "Erasure Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[sc_Billboarddancesales_Erasure-27] "Erasure Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[sc_West_Germany_Erasure-28] "Offiziellecharts.de – Erasure – Sometimes" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[29] "Top 100 Singles (January to December 1986)" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1987. p. 24. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.

[30] "Jaaroverzichten 1987 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[31] "European Charts of the Year 1987 – Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. 26 December 1987. p. 34. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.

[32] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[33] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[34] "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1987". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[35] "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1987". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 9 January 2022.

[36] "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1987" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

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Sometimes (Erasure song)

Critical reception

Music video

Track listings

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

External links

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