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Star (Erasure song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Star
| cover = Erasure single star.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Erasure
| album = Wild!
| B-side = Dreamlike State
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Pop
| length = 3:53
| label = Mute (UK), Sire (US)
| writer = Vince Clarke, Andy Bell
| producer = Gareth Jones, Mark Saunders, Erasure
| prev_title = Blue Savannah
| prev_year = 1990
| next_title = Chorus
| next_year = 1991
| misc =
}}
"'Star'" is a 1990 song by English synth-pop duo Erasure, released as the fourth European (and third American) single from the group's fourth studio album, 'Wild!' (1989). Been described as a straightforward dance music track with disco elements, it was written by group members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. The lyrical content clearly referencing nuclear war; Erasure's own form of protest song. When released, the track was remixed slightly for radio, bringing acoustic guitar elements and various background vocal parts forward in the mix.
Chart performance
As the last single released from 'Wild!', it became Erasure's 12th consecutive top-20 hit on the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 11. It also peaked at number 33 in West Germany. In the United States, the song did not enter the 'Billboard' Hot 100, although it became a popular club hit, climbing to number four on the 'Billboard' Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
Critical reception
Steven McDonald from AllMusic said the song is "another one of those rip-roaring Clarke/Bell compositions that's as much fun for the ears as it is for the feet". He described it as "stupendous". Bill Coleman from 'Billboard' wrote, "Pop gem that should have kicked off campaign behind sorely overlooked "'Wild!'" album is finally issued with club-ready remixes. He added, "Well-edited "Trafalmadore Mix" should satisfy house-conscious jocks." Christopher Smith from TalkAboutPopMusic stated that "Star" "returns us to more lively, energetic Erasure as the chorus comes in first then the song gathers pace with each successive verse and chorus." Troy J. Augusto from 'Variety' described it as "hook-filled".
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single. It was later published on Erasure's official YouTube channel in September 2014. The video has amassed more than 4,4 million views as of September 2021.
Track listings
* '7-inch and cassette single' (MUTE111; CMUTE111)
# "Star"
# "Dreamlike State"
* '12-inch single' (12MUTE111)
# "Star" (Trafalmadore mix)
# "Star" (single mix)
# "Dreamlike State" (The 12 Hour Technicolor mix)
* 'Limited 12-inch single' (L12MUTE111)
# "Star" (Interstellar mix)
# "Star" (Soul mix)
# "Dreamlike State" (The 24 Hour Technicolor mix)
* 'CD single' (CDMUTE111)
# "Star" (single mix)
# "Dreamlike State"
# "Star" (Trafalmadore mix)
# "Star" (Soul mix)
* 'US cassette single' (Sire 9 19837-4)
# "Star"
# "Dreamlike State"
* 'US CD maxi-single' (21558-2)
# "Star" (single mix)
# "Star" (Trafalmadore mix)
# "Star" (Interstellar mix)
# "Dreamlike State" (The 24 Hour Technicolor mix)
# "Star" (Soul mix)
* Also released on 12-inch vinyl (Sire 92-15580) and cassette (Sire 21558-4), minus "Star" (single mix).
Charts
References
Category:1990 singles
Category:1989 songs
Category:Erasure songs
Category:Mute Records singles
Category:Sire Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Gareth Jones
Category:Song recordings produced by Mark Saunders
Category:Songs written by Vince Clarke
Category:Songs written by Andy Bell (singer)
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