ABBA-esque

Cover version of the month #39 - Erasure cover ABBA

My kids recently discovered ABBA via the Mama Mia film, so our house has been full of pop perfection for the last month or so. Thankfully it isn't always the film that is on. There is only so much of Pierce Brosnan singing that I can cope with!

So it got me thinking about the monumental ABBA-esque EP by Erasure that came out in 1992 when I was 16. Erasure seemed to be everywhere with this - Top of the Pops, the Chart Show, in the papers, in magazines and all over the radio.

Andy Bell and Vince Clarke camping it up in drag in the Take A Chance On Me promo video is something that I'm sure most people from my generation will remember!

Erasure were huge in the late 80's and into the 90's, their 1992 compilation POP: The First 20 Hits emphasised their ear for pop with Sometimes, A Little Respect and Stop being favourites of mine. Vince Clarke is a pop genius, early Depeche Mode is really the only era of the legendary band that I enjoy and then his work with Alison Moyet as Yazoo produced some incredible synth pop soul gems, Only You must be one of the best debut singles released in the 80's.

After Yazoo, Clarke placed an advert in Melody Maker to recruit a singer and he discovered Bell. The duo have never looked back and hit upon formula of euphoric synth led pop that broke down barriers and led to critical acclaim and huge commercial success.

Covering ABBA was probably very natural to two people so infatuated with pop music. And Erasure set out to have fun whilst doing it.

Clarke provides the beats and synths and whilst its not quite karaoke, Bell is clearly enjoying himself and not taking it too seriously. As was the way in 1992, in Take A Chance On Me they duo introduce a female to sing a brief ragga rap.

Erasure covered Lay All Your Love On Me, S.O.S. , Take A Chance On Me and Voulez Vous on the EP. Remaining pretty true to the originals (especially in terms of vocal melodies) and bringing ABBA's pop perfection to a new generation. After a couple of number 2 singles, this EP gave them their first number 1.

And what can you say about the ABBA originals?! They are pristine and sublime slices of pop perfection. Lyrically, melodically, in delivery, structure and production. Timeless! They deserve an essay, but for now just take some time to revisit some masterpieces of pop.

Previous covers of the month

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin' 

8. Sound and Vision 

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus 

11. Guiding Star

12. You’ll Never Walk Alone

13. Hurt
14. This Guy's In Love With You

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine
16. California Soul
18. Wonder wall 
19. Dancing In The Dark
20. Always On My Mind
21. Ceremony
22. Heroes
23. Different Drum
24. Wild Horses

25. Respect
26. Mr Tambourine Man
27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
28. Superstar
29. Twist and Shout
30. Purple Rain
31. Baker Street
32. Not Fade Away
33. Stop Your Sobbing
34. I Don't Want To Grow Up
35. Serious Drugs
36. Dancing With Myself
37. How Does It Feel To Feel?
38. Love Buzz

Five for Friday

This weeks five for Friday is an 80's special.


We kick start with a sublime slice of new wave pop from Fun Boy Three, the group formed by Terry Hall, Neville Staple and Lynva Golding after they left The Specials.

We follow that up with an outstanding song by Bronski Beat; 'Smalltown Boy'. Debut singles don't get much better than this; telling the tale of a homosexual boy whose family turn his back on him. The beats are big, Somervilles vocals are outstanding, the lyrics are straight from the heart and the electronic riff is instantly infectious. The video is also pretty outstanding.

Pet Shop Boys sailed through the 80's on a stream of outstanding and memorable pop songs. This got to number 2 in 1986 when I was 10-years old. I remember loads from that summer with the Mexico World Cup and this definitely left an impression on me. Pure pop and the break/chorus with Dusty Springfield lifts the song to places where others can only dream of.

Soft Cell also released a string of amazing singles throughout the 80's, helped by some truly outstanding 12-inch versions/remixes. 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye' was their fifth single. The twelve inch version has a beautiful intro that lasts for over 3 minutes and 30 seconds, enjoy every single second before Marc Almond sings his heart out.

Take your hands off me

I don't belong to you, you see

Take a look at my face

For the last time

I never knew you

You never knew me

Say hello goodbye

Say hello wave goodbye

In 1982 Abba released their last ever album, 'The Visitors', with the title track also becoming their last ever single. Those expecting pure pop were startled by a synth masterpiece. This is pretty special. 

5 songs to kick start any weekend!