I TRIED To Keep My Cool, But I FREAKED OUT When I Got This INTERVIEW | Professor of Rock

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Featuring exclusive commentary with Erasure's Andy Bell and Vincent Clark. Erasure created some of the greatest synth pop classic of the 80s and 90s and it’s criminal that they haven’t had scores of hits here in America, because literally every song they write is luscious synth pop ear candy drenched in equal parts melancholy and unadulterated joy . Celebrating this unique band. we count down their top 5 greatest songs including Al Little Respect, Blue Savannah, Chains of Love and many more
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Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 80s rock songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community with music history video essay's including today's erasure story. If you’ve ever owned records, cassettes and CD’s at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to become an Honorary Producer.
I was thinking the other day about vocal range. I was thinking of vocal range because I was thinking of Andy Bell of Erasure. Is there a singer who has a greater vocal range in pop music? I’m sure many will argue that there is but is there a singer that comes close to the extreme joy that comes from andy bell no matter the note, no matter the register. I mean his deep baritone in How Many Times from the album Wild is just flawless and then when he goes into his beautiful falsetto in a song like You Surround me it’s just breathtaking.
Andy can go from 1st gear to eighth gear in like 2.5 seconds. It’s amazing! It’s like Synth pop Gospel. That’s exactly what Erasure is Synth Pop Gospel.. Andy Bell and Vincent Clark of Erasure are a two headed monster, hit writing machine, And it’s criminal that they haven’t had at least 30 hits here in America, because literally every song they write is luscious synth pop ear candy drenched in equal parts melancholy and unadulterated joy .
For the record, in the UK they’ve charted 32 top 40 hits and 16 top tens. They’re like the beatles of synth pop there . Even their album tracks could’ve been hit songs. Like Reunion from Wonderland, and Phantom Bride and Witch in the Ditch from The innocents or Don’t Dance from the Circus. I could go on and on. Even their B sides were stellar, songs like DreamLike State and Pistol weren’t throw away tracks, they were songs that any other band would kill for.
I discovered them from their first major American hit “ A Little Respect”. My older sister got the innocents on cassette for Christmas that year and I would sneak into her room steal it and listen to it for hours and then return it without her knowledge. That lead to ultimate music discovery, as I would buy wonderland and the Two ring Circus.
Then About 18 months later I discovered Depeche Mode and many other bands of the like and I was completely transformed from a musically confused top 40 kid who was trying to love hair metal to fit in with the cool kids, to the new wave kid that was mercilessly ridiculed by the cool kids. Quite a trade. Erasure was truly my gateway drug that lead to my fascination with The Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order, Echo and the Bunnymen, OMD and so many more, it really all started there.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the definitive SYTH POP OPUS! The best song that represents the genre?

[@augustosolari7721]

Left to my own devices... by the Pet Shop Boys.

[@billywilson4908]

I'm going for Space Age Love Song by Flock of Seagulls

[@joeb5507]

I ran

[@johnj28]

New Order's Temptation! I discovered Depeche Mode in 1985 with People Are People on MTV. I discovered Erasure in 1987 when they toured with Duran Duran! Wonderland was a great album!

[@johnj28]

@@billywilson4908 Great choice. AFOS is way underrated!

[@dugwug7703]

Andy Bell of Erasure and Alison Moyet of Yazoo are two great British synthpop icons who, to my ears, sound remarkably similar.

[@tiltingwindmill]

Totally agree with you.

[@sonofhibbs4425]

They do!

[@litgamer6205]

No I would say Jimmy Somerville was a lot closer vocally, Alison was good though, along with Lisa Stansfield

[@AdamNlifeform23]

True fact

[@terencesmith3853]

That both have the that raspy edge to their voices. Allison' Moyet has a more diverse octave range tho. I love them both. Vince Clarke is a musical genius.

[@fredlucero282]

WOW. You hit it on the head with some great memories. I grew up in Utah and still have some great memories of Grey Whale and MODified. I would blow a crap ton of money on the newest vinyls and cassettes! Easure was one of the best bands that got me through my teenage years. I still love them and several other great artists like: Easure, Depeche Mode, Oingo Boingo, Book of Love, INXS, OMD, REM, New Order, Tears for Fears, U2, Red Flag, B-52s, Pet Shop Boys, and the list could just keep going. I can't just do a Top 5 for Easure, but here is my Top 10: A Little Respect, Chains of Love, Oh Amour, Sometimes, Victim of Love, Always, Ship of Fools, Blue Savannah, Who Needs Love Like That, and It Doen't Have to Be. Thanks for keeping the music alive!

[@luluandbeandesign]

Thank you! You described my childhood...loved Grey Whale and MODified. Great List! I remember Grey Whale kept a printout of upcoming album releases I'd always try to keep tabs on when I went in.

[@RhymesWithCarbon]

I was really skeptical about Erasure at first. I already liked Depeche Mode and when I learned that Vince Clarke WAS Depeche Mode, I thought I might as well check them out. I saw them on the Nightbird tour and it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. Amazing - and criminally underrated.

[@Mr17Strangelove]

Funny enough, it was the reverse with me. I discovered Erasure first and a friend recommended me to listen to ‘Stripped’ from a band I didn’t know - Depeche Mode, and I became addicted! How could I have missed them from the beginning of the 80’ies😊!

[@BobPruett]

I remember when I put on Chains of Love in my car with my teenage daughter and her friend. They heard the slow opening "How can I explain..." and were saying "aww come on dad" thinking it was too mellow and then it kicks into high gear and they were soon singing along!

[@bicyclist2]

Growing up in the 80's I also listened to the same music. I had several erasure albums on cassette tape. Erasure and Depeche helped me keep my sanity in my very stressful upbringing. I still have lots of memories associated with these songs. I subscribed to this channel because the Professor expresses the feelings and emotions and memories associated with the music I grew up loving. Thank you.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

'A Little Respect' is a golden pop song. It is perhaps forgotten how huge Erasure was in the eighties and nineties, certainly in Britain. Hit followed hit. Me and my wife saw them live in Preston a few years ago and the vocals were little changed from their peak. Their version of 'Take A Chance On Me' mirrored by the video played a huge role in the rehabilitation of Abba in critical and popular opinion ( not that it should ever have been necessary but they had fallen seriously out of favour from the start of their ( 37 year) hiatus in 1982). It coincided with the Abba Gold compilation ( there were two eventually) which was massive and convinced most people that Abba had been cool and amazing all along. Erasure must take some of the credit for their resurgence. Vince Clarke was also one half of The Assembly with Fergal Sharkey ( The Undertones and solo artist), who scored a big hit with the quirky 'Never Never' in Britain in 1984. Only You with Yazoo ( Alison Moyet) is a great song too. Its use in the Christmas Special of The Office ( British version)accompanies one of the best moments in television history, in my view.

[@RBS_]

...MAN, you hit it...you, HIT IT! ...Erasure INDEFINITELY created that ABBA resurgence; I was working at a Sam Goody at the time (1992?), and People were buying BOTH those CD's, together! ...nice to see Erasure gettin' 'a little respect', 'round here.... ; )

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I just listened to “A Little Respect” the other day after having not heard it in forever! I agree that it’s such a great song. All Yazoo songs are golden as well.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Only You is great. Alison Moyet does a fantastic version of it at a Hermes catwalk from a few years ago. It is on You Tube. She had a string of highly successful singles in the UK in the eighties and has continued releasing music to this day. A great vocalist and self aware, recently getting rid of her gold discs, downsizing to a modest abode and living an ordinary life.

[@miserablemozz8714]

For the record, my top 5 Vince Clarke songs: 1. Nobody's Diary (Yazoo) 2. Never Never (The Assembly) 3. New Life (Depeche Mode) 4. The Circus (Erasure) 5. Only You (Yazoo)

[@belessretarded4770]

Sorry to burst your bubble but Alison Moyet wrote Nobody’s diary.

[@maxshea1829]

@@belessretarded4770 Don't forget Moyet's goth piano ballad, "Winter Kills." Savage and beautiful!

[@maxshea1829]

Ah, "Never Never" with Feargal Sharkey! An anthem for me and my one member fey and twee teen lonely hearts club!

[@KidMrRemixes]

Wonderfully heartfelt words that resonate with so many of us, I’m sure. Thank you for being able to articulate those feelings so passionately and eloquently.

[@catherine6653]

I ❤ Erasure too. Andy Bell's vocals are amazing and he is a great performer also. He dances with so much energy. My favorites are Chorus, Blue Savanah, and Star. I will listen to their greatest CD today

[@judithgoulding8046]

Thank you Professor for tapping into those sweet, heartfelt, and poignant pop songs of Erasure. No mistaken those amazing vocals and melody. ❤️

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They are masterpieces.

[@go3119]

You hit the nail on the head with the word “joy” this is exactly how I would describe Erasure! There’s just something about Andy and Vince! They make music magic!!

[@eleniprovia7667]

This spoke to my heart Adam! I think Andy has a majestic voice, and Erasure are one of my favorite bands ever. The Innocents is a magnificent album, I love Phantom Bride and Yahoo! They seem like very normal, sweet guys as well. Thank you Adam!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Andy Bell is one of my favorite synth pop voices of all time.

[@BidenIsKing]

They are both so kind! How can you not be fans of them! I just love it when you interview these wonderful people. I work from home and have little social contact, for me these make me feel a little less lonely!

[@davcuts2897]

The first time I heard Erasure was September '88. I was with my brother and sister-in-law driving down I-40 listening to Casey Kasem count down the Top 40. I remember Casey Kasem saying coming in with their first Top 40 hit is Erasure with their song Chains of Love. My sister-in-law said she hated it, but I didn't. I went later that week and bought the Innocents. It was my favorite album of 1988, and I have been a huge fan ever since.

[@eat_pray_porg8450]

Such a great album. I think that was my first of theirs, too.

[@maha77]

My Favorite Erasure album is 'I Say I Say I Say' - a flawless, timeless album. I do love all their albums. Truly Amazing to score this interview. When I saw the thumbnail I couldn't click fast enough.

[@polytheneprentiss1534]

Yes!!! My favorite Erasure album too! Got me thru some hard times ❤️

[@kaspervzzzbx]

I say… is one of my three least favourite Erasure albums. Their songwriting are not too good on this, they sound very uninspired. My top 5 is 1: Nightbird 2: Cowboy 3: Erasure 4: Violet flame 5: Loveboat

[@Terri_MacKay]

I LUUURVE Erasure!!! ❤❤❤ I owned all their albums, and in the 90's I bought their greatest hits CD, Pop. I had to listen to that album all the way through every time I put it on....singing and dancing my way through every single song. I'm in my late 50's now, and they make up a large part of my playlist...and I still can't listen to just one song, and I still have to get up and sing and dance along. Few things make me smile as instantly as the first line of "A Little Respect"..."I try to discover a little something to make me sweeter". 😃

[@AlexandreSilva-kc6kc]

Erasure should have a monument somewhere, as a thanks of a whole generation.

[@rachelwise148]

I appreciate the effort you put into your background set. I always look at the albums, and remember the record stores in the 80's. I couldn't afford much, but would rely on the radio to hear my favorite songs til I got mixed tapes from my friends and admirers. Keep at it, your doing great work, and your efforts will pay off.

[@tonytheHAT]

I love when you get vulnerable with us, Adam. Because most of us were YOU when we were younger. Thank you 💝

[@Fakeaorta]

Loved Erasure! I had their CDs mixed in with my punk, metal, and others in my alternative music collection.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on!

[@kimpossible371]

Love Erasure!! I was introduced to them in 1987 when they opened for Duran Duran (my all time fav). I was 16. It was so cool. I'm in the south so the audience was not sure how to react to them. I was so glad I had the chance to see them- even though I didn't know who they were at the time. I was an instant fan.

[@leopas]

I’m a huge fan of erasure since my teenage years. Thank you Adam for make this video about this amazing duo!

[@stephenbrown4211]

Erasure are a band that while they’re not my “cup of tea” I have great respect for. Vince is a great musician and songwriter and Andy is a great singer.

[@TRminator100]

Not a little respect?

[@eddya7894]

I love when you do any video on Erasure. My absolute favorite band of all time. They got me through Junior High and are just as good today. Beautiful, powerful music. I named my dogs after Vince and Andy. Good timing on this video. We need to keep Vince's wife in our thoughts (she is ill). Sad that their US tour was cancelled, but completely understand. Thanks for the great video!

[@polytheneprentiss1534]

I knew there was a “family illness” but didn’t realize it was Vince’s wife 🥺 I pray she’ll be ok 🙏🏼

[@Technolen]

Exactly, everything started with Erasure, when I was thirteen I heard single Chorus and it completely change my life and music taste. It gets me to Depeche Mode, The Cure, New Order, Kraftwerk, Bowie, Pink Floyd etc. Thank for your video 😄👍🏼

[@turdferguson7264]

Can I add OMD to that list please?

[@Technolen]

@@turdferguson7264 Of course, there is a lot of great music I didn't mentioned 😉👍🏼😀 All electronic and synthpop bands (Pet Shop Boys, Human League, Camouflage) are counted automatically. I tried to say that Erasure opened door to my long and wide music journey and I've met a lot of great music by this long long way. They even make me to take keyboard and learn how to play and started to play synth in some music bands 😀

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The Human League, Eurythmics, OMD, and so much more.

[@litgamer6205]

@@turdferguson7264 I think you're forgetting the communards and U2 they started new wave

[@CarlitosDJmx]

being a massive Erasure fan there’are always songs that you really love even when they never were “a single” I think Andy’s vocals sound great on: Boy (Cowboy), Save me darling (Cowboy), Take me back (I Say), So the story goes (I Say), Grace/ A Long goodbye (Erasure), Fly away (LATEOTW), Here in my heart (Loveboat), well, there’s a lot , love Andy’s voice so damn bad when he sings at Vince’s rhythm …when they get together the magic happens 🇲🇽❤️🇬🇧

[@shoop4040]

Man you always seem to hit the mark- I am in my 50’s and also feeling like an out cast as a kid all these bands helped me get through it - I also tried hard to like the main stream but I just couldn’t- I always felt better when I listened to Erasure , Howard jones , Depesh Mode , the cure - New Order . Till this day that’s all I listen too and now my kids have become enamored with the music I grew up with - Thank you for your channel I love it.

[@eduardomolinayourmac.repai614]

Oh L'Amour is one of the songs I'll listen forever, again and again... ❤️🥰 I love Erasure, from the bottom of my heart

[@ToeTag1968]

Erasure still makes the rotation for me. I listened to the Chorus album just this week. I commented elsewhere that Vince Clarke has an ear for top-drawer voices and musical hits. To me, he's the genius behind Erasure, Yazoo, and Depeche Mode. I enjoy knowing that all of these artists are still out there creating and making albums for me to buy.

[@bruinman1012]

Vince leaving DM was the best thing that ever happened to DM😅

[@polytheneprentiss1534]

Been listening to them since 1988, and Erasure got me thru some really hard times and good ones too! Andy & Vince forever!!! And thank you for recognizing Andy’s vocal range and the emotional deepness of the songs 😍😍 I Say, I Say, I Say, Cowboy, Light at the End of the World, the Innocents & Circus are my fave albums from them. I still faithfully follow them & they still are brilliant!

[@evv1978]

Thanks for all these interviews: it isnot only nostalgia, it is more than thatn, it is the celebration of the good music that will last forever. I love classic rock (70s), but my 80s soundtrack, while growing up, was Pet Shop Boys, Tears for Fears, New Order, Erasure, Depeche Mode and The Cure. Erasure became more famous a little later in the 80s, at least in South America, but I still follow their career, in particular, Vince Clarke, who is a master of his craft.

[@toughnoggin2]

I’ve been a fan from the beginning. I have gone to several concerts and met both of them multiple times throughout the past 35+ years. Even got invited to a VIP room at a club by Vince (promoting Chorus) to speak about synths. Two of the nicest and most talented people around.

[@flavellinator]

Such an infectious, melodic treat of a song that brings back sweet memories from the 80s....

[@SamDavidow]

Man what an episode, your words so vividly bring back the pain and ache of those times that im choked up

[@DMig231]

Thanks for sharing! I, like you first discovered Erasure in High School with The Innocents. And I was obsessed with that album, lol! And like you, that led me to Depeche Mode! Especially with the Vince Clarke connection. They are still to this day my 2 favorite artist. Love Erasure!

[@GRAHFMETAL]

One of my favorite things in life is listening to people gush over things they're truly passionate about, be it music, video games, movies, paintings, etc. etc. that's why I LOVE this channel so much. I also love that extremely rare opportunity to gush about something I love and someone is there to listen (and they want enjoy it). I've had a couple times in my life where I went off on a passionate 20 min. rant about why I love Judas Priest and I'd just get lost in space talking about how they saved me, how they changed me, how they changed music...I've done the same with my favorite games and, to a lesser extent, movies My Metal Mount Rushmore is; Judas Priest, Thy Catafalque, Death and Helloween

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Same here! I love it when Professor of Rock praises some of my favorite songs! It's why I've gotten so many people I know hooked on him. It gives me pleasure when other people discover his channel and realize that he's there to help keep the REAL music alive.

[@GRAHFMETAL]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I'm in my late 30s, but I spent my teens and my 20s being "that" kind of metalhead. The kind that ONLY listened to Metal and thought anything else was talentless garbage. It wasn't until I was into my 30s that I stopped being a gatekeeping, elitist asshole and started just enjoying music and embracing all genres. Pop, rock, synth, punk, jazz, you name it. I still love Metal the most, but my tastes have expanded and Professor of Rock is a wonderful channel to celebrate music, in all it's forms.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@GRAHFMETAL I only listened to R&B music when I was a middle schooler, but since the beginning of 2020 I have grown to embrace all forms of music. Whether it be rock, disco, pop, or jazz, everyone has a different taste for music!

[@kxrv6629]

You outdid yourself again on this one Adam. Not so much an Erasure fan, but discovered them in reverse through Depeche Mode. You are so articulate about what so many of us felt about our friends MUSIC growing up. Tower Records was my primary source of entertainment in college along with the local used record store. Even into adulthood in the age of the CD I would spend hours going though the bins and the stacks. Hard to believe that source of joy and discovery is gone… but the music lives on

[@bamacapt115]

I was a kid listening to all kinds of music in the 80s. Hair metal was my eventual go to scene but I always listened to a wide variety while in high school and throughout my life. Bands like Erasure and others of that genre were on my radar but nothing I'd really listen to a lot. 120 minutes on MTV was a great way of keeping up with this type of music too. Going back and listening to Erasure, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Smiths and many others in my 50s...I can appreciate the genius of these bands now. Great video. Keep up the amazing work Professor.

[@ajittffcure]

This must be possibly your most earnest, heartfelt discussion about your favourite music and bands. I completely relate to what you are saying here. Bands such as The Cure, Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode opened the doors for me in not just accepting for who I am but also played aa major role in shaping me as an artist while making my own music and writing my own songs. Finally, one could be cool in a completely different way, almost with an authenticity and sincerity, that it it really felt like music for the outcasts in terms of the subject matter. I owe a huge debt especially to The Cure. By the way, huge respect for a band like Erasure and also to the United Kingdom in general for giving a platform for such music to flourish in the aftermath of punk music scene. We might not have seen such bands and musicians were it not for punk and early post-punk which was a reaction to the grandiose and snobbishness of excessively technical and obnoxious way music was going in general. Such movements brought music back to the masses but also making it adventurous and daring.

[@alexandrialubomir4805]

Well done. I love the passion you express for the music we love! In the club, we were the cool ones who knew all the words to Erasure. Fond memories of dancing and laughing

[@SlickArmor]

I think as with anything else it always makes a difference in what club you're in.

[@mattalki]

I've been a huge Erasure fan for over 30 years. Their music is worth collecting - I have every shred of music they've ever released. Vince is one of my favorite people in the world, and Andy's vocals perfectly compliment his synths.

[@mariannick9418]

I think Andy and Vince are just the perfect musical match, they’re both so extraordinary talented

[@hoisin75]

Oh yes, this is great. I’m a Brit and my grandad bought me two albums on cassette in 1986. Invisible touch and the circus. I’ve loved genesis and erasure ever since. Vince Clarke is the greatest. Fortunate enough to see the wild, chorus, covers, acoustic tour and last years’ and they NEVER disappoint. Love them

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

My favorite track on Invisible Touch would have to be "Land of Confusion". That song resonated with us a lot during pandemic times. And yes, Vince Clarke is a legend.

[@erickchristianson5416]

My favorite Erasure story is around the Yaz reunion. Vince asked Andy if he would be OK with it, and Andy’s reply was something like “You have to do it, and I want a front row ticket.” Seeing Yaz live was something I never thought possible. I am a huge fan of both. Erasures Abbaesque is definitely a desert island disk.

[@pattisimmons67]

Awesome as always. I always learn so much from your videos. Thank you, Adam!

[@TRminator100]

I'm like P.O.R. - I love rock. It's my genre. But I adore Erasure and always have. And they're the only band that can get me on a dancefloor. This feels right here, great interview.

[@StoickMcGee]

From Idaho also, was a metal head in school, but many of the new wave bands had some great music and many metalheads were secretly listening to. Erasure and Depeche Mode were my two favs. Keep the great content coming.

[@jaimej40]

I’ll always be in awe that Vince Clarke and Martin Gore were in the same band. I love them both so much as song writers. I’ve observed how Vince’s songs make people so happy.

[@chrisbe265]

Erasure is such a fantastic band. Love their music.

[@TheMecanician]

My top 10 Electro Pop songs, in no particular order. Things that dreams are made of- Human League Let Me Go - Heaven 17 Now this is fun - Dépêche Mode When I needed you- Erasure Don’t go - Yazoo Being Boiled (Travelogue version) - Human League Complex - Gary Numan Say Hello Way Goodbye(12”) - Soft Cell The Model - Kraftwerk Western Promise - Ultravox. The early 80’s in the UK was a great time to be young! Great channel by the way.

[@buddrud]

It was 1985. I was a Junior in High School. I was in Homeroom and a girl had her walkman on listening to something. I was in Chorus and loved music, so I asked her what she was listening to. She said it was a new group called Erasure. She let me listen to some. I loved it. It was Wondderland. As soon as I had the chance I bought the cassette. Synth Pop Galore. Been loving them ever since. Here we are coming up on 40 years later and they're still relevant and awesome. They are WAY beyond a so called 'Gay Band'. They were, and are, the pinnacle of Synth Pop. And Chorus is my favorite of Erasure. Just a fantastic album.

[@deadbeatgus4155]

Yes yes yes. Thank you for this video. Good songs are good songs “always”

[@DJAvalonArizona]

YEAH..!!! Your cover art has the imagery from “Chorus” my FAV album of theirs. I had their 1st single & album on vinyl right when it came out because - Vince. Awesome, & fantastic content yet again. 👏🙏

[@eilrach299]

Thanks for this. I would never have guessed that you'd like Erasure. Being a Brit they were never underground for me. And despite being an acoustic musician I love Erasure. They are the only synth-electro-pop group I follow religiously. The fact that they are still going today is a testament to their greatness. Yes, a few things are hit or miss but there are still some great songs coming off the modern albums. I have so many memories associated with Erasure songs but my favourite album is the self titled 'Erasure' - it's long but I think it is almost prog-electro-pop. A sensation. ('Nightbird' and 'I Say, I Say, I Say' are also emotionally charged for me.)

[@reubenroman8801]

This band (along with OMD, New Order, and Morrissey) got me through horrors of high school. Thank you so much for this!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same here! Rock on!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

And I’m so glad they did!

[@edryba4867]

Adam, NEVER apologize for audio that isn’t great, especially like this Erasure interview. I could hear it just fine. I went so far as to cover your subtitles so I couldn’t read then, but I STILL heard every word.

[@waynevia6976]

1980's new wave was great. The killing moon by echo and the bunnymen was great. Erasure was great. Pictures of you is my favorite cure song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen!

[@nipittneeley2977]

Great Cure song. My favorite is "Catch".

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I also love “Lips Like Sugar” also by Echo and the Bunnymen. So many great new wave hits from the 80s.

[@samuelbush8734]

Wonderland is still to this day one of my favorite albums. Every song just makes me happy.

[@Baldodante]

never met anyone who doesn't like erasure. They are still my favourite band, the innocents is a wonderful album. legends, the pair of them.

[@michaeldebree4870]

I hope Erasure sees this video. Great video. Great speaking voice,.. you have so much passion in your stories.

[@lori3056]

I adore Erasure! Thank you for this.

[@djbbass801]

Yup yup! Erasure is my ULTIMATE favorite band! I have lived in Utah all my life. I just finished commenting on the Safety Dance video with my musical journey growing up. Pop Goes the World from Men Without Hats launched me into loving synthpop, and then I found Erasure, skyrocketing me through the universe of fabulous music.

[@xa1a]

Absolutely stunning band. They are one of my all time top 3 bands ever.

[@robster7316]

Learned a lot about Erasure today. Thx Adam! Back in the earlier days, the gold standard for male vocal range was the great Frankie Valli of Four Seasons fame. Axl Rose is no slouch either! Nice to have that kind of talent!

[@suzanneoleson7580]

I remember how excited I was when I heard Erasure on the radio the first time. I loved Yazoo and Erasure even more.

[@californiahiker9616]

Professor, you have such an eloquent way of expressing yourself! I love your deep dives Into the music scene, your enthusiasm, but you woulda made a fine poet, too! 😄

[@michaelwhite2600]

Most wonderful tribute! Thank you! You are spot on about everything! I love them too! One of my fave random picks that I can put on repeat is Breath of life. What a remarkable video! Thank you again! ❤️ Ps. Another top pick: Stop! Never ever ever got tired of that one.

[@MichaelJensen14]

Wow...same experience you had. My older sister had The Innocents and I fell in love with the album and like you...my love grew and I also grew up in rural Nevada and would go into SLC a few times each year and buy cassettes. I also would go on to buy Wonderland, The Circus, Wild, Crackers International, etc...it was also fun to see us influence others in our rural school get turned onto them. You explained it so well that it was a gateway drug into the other synth bands like OMD, DM and others...same! Thanks for capturing my own memories in your own!

[@jhawk96]

Gained even more love & respect for them for the simple fact of the mention of Slim Whitman! Great interview as always!

[@stewartcohen-jones2949]

Nice to see Erasure get a bit of sunshine in this video. Such an under appreciated band.

[@razzmatazz1974]

Love Erasure! Have seen them live a couple times and also Andy Bell as a solo artist! Amazing voice and very funny on stage, the public loves him! In a concert i saw he had a little technical issue with sound, so he sung the next song... a cappella. Truly amazing artist

[@1corycar]

WILD! is my favorite album hands down. I even got used to "La Gloria" after several listens, but the rest of it is amazing. I agree with you about "Blue Savannah" but I think my favorite track of the album is "Brother and Sister" with it's unique synth sounds and bridge. The heartache of Piano Song gets me to this day, especially at the end when Andy barely whispers, "touch, touch, me...." THANKS for this video!!!!

[@warwickhewitt8844]

I went to a record store back in 1986 to seek out the 12 inch vinyl of Depeche Modes stripped. The sales person behind the counter said "here's a new album from a new band Vince Clarke has just formed" it was Wonderland. I bought it, put it on the turntable and never looked back. They have always been my favorite band of all time. I even got the privilege of seeing them in Hamburg 1992. Favorite concert ever!

[@sokay2laugh512]

Fun to hear the phrase Waver Kid. It’s been a while since I heard that but brings back fun memories of the 80’s. Great decade musically.

[@hamburgerhelperflick]

My first concert that I went with friends instead of my parents was Erasure at Madison Square Garden on their Wild tour. We had nosebleed seats but I had so much fun

[@markheidema3699]

One of my all-time favorite bands, great vocals and synths. The Innocence is their best album.

[@gaywizard2000]

Gay clubs in the late 80s/ early 90s played all the Erasure extended dance remixes about every other track. For me they were a touchstone for homoerotic emotion, fantasy, joy. I can't believe some kid in Idaho would latch onto this! You probably would have thought my partner and I were Erasure if we showed up in your town!

[@treetopjones737]

#1 for the music & vocals, #2 also Andy is gay.

[@ToreHansen]

The second longest playlist I have on my phone, Pet Shop Boys is number one. But still this is the two duo's I often return back to again and again. Great video!

[@davidowennelson]

Everything Vince Clarke touches is gold. He is why I became a musician. But I run the gamut from Genesis with Peter Gabriel to Echo and the Bunnymen to Erasure to the Eagles to Gary Numan (new and old), NIN, Yes, The Wild Swans, Van Halen, The Ocean Blue, Depeche Mode, The Innocence Mission, Metallica, Pink Floyd, The Smiths ... I could go on and on.... God bless you Adam and this amazing channel.

[@nikprior8280]

I'm from the UK, so we knew Erasure a bit earlier. 'Sometimes' is one of the very great 80's songs. I'm so glad you did this. You should interview Roddy Frame...

[@Galloway278]

Listening to you talk I remember what a loser I felt like as a “waver”. But I LOVED this music, these bands, the whole look. Still do. Today I have the confidence I wish I had then. I’ve seen Erasure twice, DM 3 times, Echo once, The Cure once (BUT I’ll see them in London this year)- I hate the Smiths 🤢 I had 5th row seats to see Erasure in January and it got cancelled. They are geniuses. Thanks for this post!!!

[@scottymoondogjakubin4766]

Vince Clarke and Andy Bell were the dynamic duo of synth pop !

[@AdamNlifeform23]

I feel like we had mirror experiences with this band. There is something about Andy Bell and Vince Clarke that just pokes through reality

[@stevenspeeduk]

‘Sometimes’ has been one of my favourite all time songs since I saw them do it on Top of the Pops in 1986 but in recent times I’ve come to really love ‘Ship of Fools’ a great deal. They’d be my top 2 songs by Erasure.

[@byhsu6140]

My favorite song from Erasure, Chains is love. The beginning of the song is awesome.

[@theshecreature]

Something I never ever expected as an 80s teen Erasure fan was that one day I would find myself picking out apples in the grocery store while “A Little Respect” played on the store sound system.

[@javajnky2001]

Love to Hate You.... Such and awesome jam!!! The lyrics!

[@christ5826]

was lucky enough to see their INNOCENTS world tour with only about 200 people in the crowd in a small club in Melbourne Australia 89...you would have LOVED being so close to the band bro...truly THE single greatest pop band of all time

[@AB-ez4rm]

I love your videos PoR. Your education of the material you cover and the way you describe things make you a great addition to the musical world.

[@2Nu]

Erasure have been part of my Synthpop canon since first hearing 'Sometimes' in the Fall of 1986. Tracks such as 'Who Needs Love Like That' (Legend mix) were 92.7 WLIR/WDRE staples as well as their anthemic 'Chains of Love' remix were dancefloor filling faves of the NY metro area dance clubs. Vince Clarke is a Synthmeister of highest order given his DM and Yaz(oo) pedigree as well as Andy Bell's exuberant vocal range and stage presence. I've had the pleasure to have seen them play 2x live (@NYC's Pier and @ LI's Nassau Colisieum) back in the late 80s & early 90s.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I love their song “Always”. It’s so catchy and upbeat.

[@mitchellbaker9434]

The only contest I've ever won was to DJ for an hour on WLIR with one of their staff. I did mine with Meg Griffin, who wasn't there long (she was offered a spot as a VJ at MTV but turned them down so they got Martha Quinn.( She was a great person, down to earth, but maybe not the smartest on career choices).

[@aarondonaldson4164]

Man, you lived my life almost exactly. You're like my spirit doppelganger. Keep up the good fight!

[@PREPFORIT]

Awesome interview. A very underrated band here and in many other places. They are fantastic.

[@GabrielSanchez-mw6fu]

Sweet Surrender is an amazing song! Still one of my Repeats on Spotify.

[@shop970]

Spandau ballet. Thompson twins. Lots of heart hits that were very well done. What a wonderful thing. Synth beat writing. Super vocals!

[@thomaslanghorst5738]

I really admire the extent of your knowledge and your ability to talk with stars/artists on eye-level, but what makes really stand out your videos to me are your personal stories and your passionate way to talk about music. Much kudos for this, Prof! Btw, if you are still struggling with the German on "The Two Ring Circus", I can be of service for you. Brief disclaimer though: While I do remember Erasure from the 80's and even get taken back on a nostalgic trip to the moments when I heard songs like "Sometimes" or "Oh L'Amour" once I hear them today, I've never been very enthusiastic about them, so I didn't know "The Two Ring Circus" until just moments ago, when I gave it a very cursory listening, apart from "Oh L'Amour", to which I listened in it's entirety. So generally I only were able to identify German sentences at the beginning and the end of the songs. So please inform me if I missed something. And here we go: At the end of "Victim of Love": "Danke" = Thank You At the beginning of "The Circus": "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren - Wilkommen" = "Ladies and gentlemen - welcome". "Sehr geehrte" literally means "Very honored~" and is not translated in this context. At the beginning of "Oh L'Amour": "Es heißt Oh L'Amour" = "It's called Oh L'Amour". It's quite odd to start this way, and there's a clear cut just a moment earlier, so I guess some longer speech has been cut out. At around 2:15 of "Oh L'Amour": "Jetzt möchte ich vorstellen die andere Mitglieder der Gruppe. Zuerst...". This sentence is grammatically incorrect - if you've thouroughly read your Mark Twain you know that the verb in German always comes at the very end of the sentence, also "andere" should be in the Akkusativ, so "die anderen" - but still pretty impressive, especially the pronounciation is very acceptable. I'm really surprised how much effort they put into addressing the audience in their native language, this goes even beyond Eddie-Vedder-levels of effort. Oh, and the translation ist "Now I'd like to introduce the other members of the band. At first..." At the beginning of "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!": "Moment mal!" = "Just a moment!", which is also not entirely correct, since "Moment mal!" is something you'd say in a moment of surprise or confusion, ("Seit wann is mein Auto rot? Und ein BMW? *Moment mal*, das ist gar nicht mein Auto!" = "Since when is my car red? And a BMW? *Wait a moment*, this is not my car!") "Moment mal *eben*" or "Augenblick mal" would be far better, but it does actually not matter, because Andy Bell's (?) pronouciation is in this case just spot on. He goes on by saying "Ich bin ganz atemlos (durch Euch?)", and again, "atemlos" = "breathless" is not really a good choice, "außer Atem" is what he wants to say when he says "I am completely out of breath (by you?)" I don't really understand what he says after "atemlos", but it kinda sounds like "durch Euch", in the sense of "You made me completely breathless". The irony that I point out mistakes made by Andy Bell (again: ?) when speaking German while using the English language in which I'm not perfect myself isn't completely lost on me, but you know how we Germans are, always anal retentive, correcting everyone around us all the time, we can call ourselves lucky if we even realize by ourselves that we are doing it. Talking about Germans: We suckers usually let no oppotunity pass to translate something for foreigners in the internet, but here I saw no one beat me to it in, what, 3 days? The longer I follow you the more I have the feeling I might be the only German around here.

[@phoenixjim0527]

The Prof is at max passion when discussing his seminal influences in his favorite genre 🤘🏻

[@urimarks3007]

Out of all your brilliant, phenomenal videos, this one I best associate with..."It all started with Erasure" and yep, me too, A little respect...got me onto every one of their albums, and was the intro into many other great artists. I am blessed to be able to spend most days walking and exploring the ancient streets of the holy city of Jerusalem, while the almost spiritual music of Erasure plays in my earphones. What a combination... (Ever in Israel, let me know)

[@KipArmadillo]

"Chains of Love" never gets old. Brilliant song.

[@oldirtydawson]

The Innocents was one of my very first favorite albums as a young 8 year old. I still love it so much.