Download Take Me On A Highway (Ver. 1) Ringtone

Throughout the 1980's, synth pop icons Erasure helped blend the new romantic tendencies of English bands like Human League and early-career Duran Duran with more sub-cultural, club-friendly acts, an influence carried over from Vince Clark's time with dark electronic kings Depeche Mode. The duo, consisting of keyboardist Vince Clarke and vocalist Andy Bell, kicked it off with their lush debut single "I Need Love" in 1985. Vince Clark was a seasoned synth pop veteran by the time he hooked up with Andy Bell, having not only worked with Depeche Mode's but also formed the highly successful English duo Yaz with Alison Moyet. The seasoned Clark found Andy Bell through an advertisement in the UK industry bible NME. The professional Clark was picky-Andy Bell was the 41st audition from the ad and critics point out that his voice sounds remarkably like Yaz's Moyet. But Clark-who was obviously gifted when it came to lush, dance-friendly synthesizer melodies-most likely hadn't bargained on finding a partner with a natural talent as a lyricist. Andy Bell was one of the first openly gay pop stars, a point of view captured in his timely lyrics. Erasure had modest UK success with 1987's The Circus but their biggest hits came off of 1991's Chorus. The title track, along with "Breath of Life" and "Love to Hate You" worked as pop and as club-ready dance remixes. Erasure are still very much a going concern, and the band is reportedly secluded in the studio working on their most dance-oriented record yet, an event holy anticipated by the band's long-term fans.

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