Sometimes (Erasure song)


"Sometimes" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in October 1986 as their fourth single overall.
After three commercial flops from their debut album Wonderland, "Sometimes" 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. The song became Erasure's second Top 5 hit on the U.S. 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.
Written by band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, "Sometimes" 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.
"Sometimes" 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 album The Circus, released six months later in March 1987.

Music video

The music video 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)

  1. "Sometimes"
  2. "Sexuality"

    12" single (12MUTE51)

  3. "Sometimes"
  4. "Sexuality"
  5. "Say What"

    Limited 12" single (L12MUTE 51)

  6. "Sometimes"
  7. "Sexuality"
  8. "Senseless"

    12" single (Sire 20614-0)

  9. "Sometimes" 5:22
  10. "Sometimes" 7:30
  11. "It Doesn't Have To Be" 7:12
  12. "Sexuality" 6:04

    Cassette single (CMUTE51)

  13. "Sometimes"
  14. "Sexuality"
  15. "Who Needs Love Like That"
  16. "Heavenly Action"
  17. "Oh L'amour"

    CD single (CDMUTE51)

  18. "Sometimes"
  19. "Sexuality"
  20. "Sometimes"
  21. "Sexuality"
  22. "Say What"

    Chart performance