Erasure - You Surround Me (Germany 12") (1989)

“You Surround Me” is a song by Erasure that was issued in 1989 by Mute Records as the second single from the band’s fourth studio album Wild!. Written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, it is a heavily-synthesized ballad with a dramatic chorus featuring Bell’s falsetto. Clarke has stated that this song was his attempt at writing a James Bond film theme. Upon release, “You Surround Me” became Erasure’s tenth consecutive Top 20 hit on the UK singles chart, peaking at #15. It reached #10 on the Irish singles chart and became a Top 40 hit in Germany, where it reached #38. The song was not released as a single in the United States.

This release has become more notable for the B-sides that were included with “You Surround Me”. First was a cover version of Cerrone’s environmental anthem “Supernature”. The song, also previously recorded by Lene Lovich, led to a collaboration between Erasure and Lovich for the song “Rage”, which later appeared on a PETA benefit album. Erasure’s recording was remixed by William Orbit and became a popular hit in dance clubs. Also included on the single as a B-side is “91 Steps”, an instrumental with complex synthesizer programming and unusual time signature. The track utilizes repeating cycles in which the first seven bars use a 7/4 time signature, followed by one bar in 3/4 time.



Tracks:

SIDE A:
You Surround Me (Remix) 7:32

SIDE B:
Supernature (William Orbit Remix) 7:14
91 Steps (6 Pianos Mix) 5:25