Pop! - the First 20 Hits
Encyclopedia
Pop! The First 20 Hits is a greatest hits collection from Erasure
, released in 1992 by Mute Records
in the UK and Elektra Records
in the U.S. The album utilizes a straightforward format: all of Erasure's singles up to that point, sequenced in chronological order with the addition of the Hamburg Mix of Erasure's first ever single, Who Needs Love (Like That).
In the UK, "Who Needs Love Like That
" was released as a single in remix
ed form ("The Hamburg Mix", a reference to Erasure's extensive touring of Hamburg during the band's formative period). This is included as a bonus track on the UK version of the album, although in the U.S. it only appears on the cassette
release, failing to appear on the CD.
Pop! The First 20 Hits sequels include Pop2! - The Second 20 Hits (direct sequel including the subsequent 20 singles sequenced chronologically) released 17 years later, and Total Pop! - The First 40 Hits
, the ultimate singles compilation as far as 2009
the album hit number twelve and in the U.S. it peaked at number 112 on the Billboard 200
, where it was certified Gold
nearly 10 years later by the RIAA.
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
, released in 1992 by Mute Records
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
in the UK and Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
in the U.S. The album utilizes a straightforward format: all of Erasure's singles up to that point, sequenced in chronological order with the addition of the Hamburg Mix of Erasure's first ever single, Who Needs Love (Like That).
In the UK, "Who Needs Love Like That
Who Needs Love Like That
"Who Needs Love Like That" is the debut single released by British synth pop duo Erasure. The song was released in the UK on Mute Records in 1985 as a prelude to their debut album Wonderland.-History:...
" was released as a single in remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed form ("The Hamburg Mix", a reference to Erasure's extensive touring of Hamburg during the band's formative period). This is included as a bonus track on the UK version of the album, although in the U.S. it only appears on the cassette
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
release, failing to appear on the CD.
Pop! The First 20 Hits sequels include Pop2! - The Second 20 Hits (direct sequel including the subsequent 20 singles sequenced chronologically) released 17 years later, and Total Pop! - The First 40 Hits
Total Pop! - the First 40 Hits
Total Pop! - the First 40 Hits is a greatest hits collection from Erasure, released on 23 February 2009 by Mute Records. The album utilizes a straightforward format: all of Erasure's singles up to that point, sequenced in chronological order...
, the ultimate singles compilation as far as 2009
Track listing
- "Who Needs Love Like ThatWho Needs Love Like That"Who Needs Love Like That" is the debut single released by British synth pop duo Erasure. The song was released in the UK on Mute Records in 1985 as a prelude to their debut album Wonderland.-History:...
" (Clarke) - "Heavenly ActionHeavenly Action"Heavenly Action" is a song by British synth pop duo Erasure, released in November 1985 as their second single.Issued by Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the U.S., the single proved to be the second commercial failure for the duo .The mid-tempo pop song, written by Erasure members Vince...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "Oh L'amourOh L'amour"Oh L'amour" is a song by English synth pop duo Erasure, released in April 1986 as their third single.It was issued by Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the U.S. to herald the June release of Erasure's debut album Wonderland, but became the third consecutive commercial failure for the band...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "SometimesSometimes (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 bonafide hit, peaking at number one in South Africa, number two in their native United...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "It Doesn't Have to BeIt Doesn't Have To Be"It Doesn't Have to Be" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in February 1987. It was issued as a single six weeks before the release of the duo's second album, The Circus....
" (Clarke/Bell) - "Victim of LoveVictim of Love (song)"Victim of Love" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in May 1987 as their sixth single overall.It was the third single to be lifted from the duo's second album, The Circus, released six weeks earlier, and was remixed for single release....
" (Clarke/Bell) - "The Circus" (Clarke/Bell)
- "Ship of FoolsShip of Fools (Erasure song)"Ship of Fools" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in February 1988 as the duo's eighth single overall.The song was issued by Mute Records as the lead single from Erasure's third album The Innocents...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "Chains of LoveChains of Love (Erasure song)"Chains of Love" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in May 1988 as their ninth single overall.The song was released by Mute Records as the second single from Erasure's third studio album The Innocents. In the United States, Sire Records released it as the first single...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "A Little RespectA Little RespectAmerican band Wheatus released the song in July 2001 as their second single from their debut album. The single peaked at number three in the United Kingdom, while reaching number 19 in Austria and number 41 in New Zealand.-Critical reception:...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "Stop!" (Clarke/Bell)
- "Drama!Drama!"Drama!" is the first single released by Erasure from their fourth studio album Wild!. It was issued by Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the U.S....
" (Clarke/Bell) - "You Surround MeYou Surround Me"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!. The song was not released in the United States.-History:...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "Blue SavannahBlue Savannah"Blue Savannah" is a song by Erasure which was issued as a single from the duo's fourth studio album Wild! in 1990. Mute Records released it in Europe as the album's third single, and Sire Records released it in the United States as the album's second single.It is a classic Erasure synth pop song...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "StarStar (Erasure song)"Star" is a song by Erasure, released in 1990 as the fourth European single from the group's fourth studio album Wild!....
" (Clarke/Bell) - "ChorusChorus (Erasure song)"Chorus" is a song by Erasure which is the first single and title track to the duo's fifth studio album Chorus. It was released in 1991 by Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the U.S...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "Love to Hate YouLove to Hate You"Love to Hate You" is a song by Erasure which was released in 1991 as the second single from the duo's fifth studio album Chorus.-History:...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "Am I Right?Am I Right?"Am I Right?" is a song by Erasure that was released in Europe and Canada as the third single from their album Chorus. The song was not released as a single in the United States.-History:...
" (Clarke/Bell) - "Breath of Life" (Clarke/Bell)
- "Take a Chance on Me" (B. Anderson/B. UlvaeusABBAABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
) - "Who Needs Love Like That" (Hamburg mix) (Clarke)
Chart placings
Pop! The First 20 Hits became Erasure's fourth consecutive number-one album in the UK. In GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
the album hit number twelve and in the U.S. it peaked at number 112 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, where it was certified Gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
nearly 10 years later by the RIAA.