''Wild!'' is the fourth studio album by British band
Erasure. Released in 1989, it was the follow-up album to their 1988 breakthrough ''
The Innocents''. The album was produced by Erasure, along with
Gareth Jones and
Mark Saunders and released by
Mute Records
Mute Records is a British independent record label owned and founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller (music producer), Daniel Miller. It has featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Einstürzende Neubauten, ...
in the UK and
Sire Records
Sire Records (formerly Sire Records Company) is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group and distributed by Warner Records.
History Beginnings
The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehr ...
in the US.
History
Although the album did not generate any entries on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100, ''Wild!'' is highly regarded amongst Erasure's fanbase as one of their best albums, containing now-classic singles like "
Drama!", "
Blue Savannah
"Blue Savannah" is a song by British synth-pop duo Erasure that was issued as a single on 26 February 1990, from their fourth studio album, ''Wild!'' (1989). The song was written by members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. Mute Records released it i ...
" and "
Star
A star is an astronomical object comprising a luminous spheroid of plasma held together by its gravity. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked eye at night, but their immense distances from Earth make ...
". In the US, several songs gained exposure on
college radio
Campus radio (also known as college radio, university radio or student radio) is a type of radio station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institution. Programming may be exclusively created or produced ...
and three songs charted on ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
s
Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. "
You Surround Me" was not released as a single in the United States.
During production, singer Andy Bell recorded with producer Gareth Jones, while Vince Clarke handled synths and programming with producer Mark Saunders at Vince's home studio—both in London.
In the UK, ''Wild!'' continued Erasure's mainstream success: it became their second consecutive number-one album and its four singles all hit the UK top 20. The album also charted well in Germany, where it hit number sixteen.
It was while promoting the ''Wild!'' album that Erasure launched the first of their many elaborately staged concert tours—this one featuring gigantic sets and props and several costume changes for band members
Vince Clarke
Vincent John Martin (born 3 July 1960), known professionally as Vince Clarke, is an English synth-pop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been the main composer and musician of the band Erasure since its inception in 1985, and was previously ...
and
Andy Bell, as well as several back-up singers and dancers. Over 100 dates were played, culminating in their biggest headlining show at the Milton Keynes Bowl in front of 60,000 fans.
Track listing
All tracks written by
Andy Bell and
Vince Clarke
Vincent John Martin (born 3 July 1960), known professionally as Vince Clarke, is an English synth-pop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been the main composer and musician of the band Erasure since its inception in 1985, and was previously ...
.
Original edition
# "Piano Song – Instrumental" – 1:09
# "
Blue Savannah
"Blue Savannah" is a song by British synth-pop duo Erasure that was issued as a single on 26 February 1990, from their fourth studio album, ''Wild!'' (1989). The song was written by members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. Mute Records released it i ...
" – 4:27
# "
Drama!" – 4:04
# "How Many Times?" – 3:17
# "
Star
A star is an astronomical object comprising a luminous spheroid of plasma held together by its gravity. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked eye at night, but their immense distances from Earth make ...
" – 3:53
# "La Gloria" – 3:10
# "
You Surround Me" – 3:57
# "Brother and Sister" – 3:24
# "2,000 Miles" – 3:38
# "Crown of Thorns" – 3:59
# "Piano Song" – 3:15
2016 "Erasure 30" 30th anniversary BMG reissue LP
Subsequent to their acquisition of Erasure's back catalogue, and in anticipation of the band's 30th anniversary, BMG commissioned reissues of all previously released UK editions of Erasure albums up to and including 2007's ''
Light at the End of the World''. All titles were pressed and distributed by
Play It Again Sam on 180-gram vinyl and shrinkwrapped with a custom anniversary sticker.
2019 30th anniversary CD release
A two-disc version of the album was released by BMG in the UK and Europe on 29 March 2019 to commemorate the original 1989 release. It features the remastered album on disc one and a selection of rarities, B-sides, live tracks, and new remixes on disc two.
CD2: B-Sides, Remixes and Rarities
# "Sweet, Sweet Baby" (The Moo Moo Mix) – 5:12
# "Drama!" (Richard Norris Mix) – 6:39
# "Blue Savannah" (Mark Saunders 12" Mix) – 6:51
# "Piano Song" (Live at the London Arena) – 3:34
# "Runaround on the Underground" (Remix) – 6:38
# "How Many Times?" (Alternative Mix) – 3:17
# "Supernature" (Daniel Miller and Phil Legg Remix) – 6:53
# "Star" (Soul Mix) – 5:22
# "No G.D.M." (Unfinished Mix) – 4:25
# "Drama! (Act 2)" – 5:38
# "Brother and Sister" (Live at the London Arena)" - 3:33
# "Dreamlike State" (7" A Capella Mix)" - 3:29
# "You Surround Me" (Gareth Jones Mix)" - 6:17
# "91 Steps" (6 Pianos Mix) – 5:24
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
{{Authority control
1989 albums
Erasure albums
Mute Records albums
Sire Records albums
Albums produced by Gareth Jones (music producer)
Albums produced by Mark Saunders (record producer)