Star (Erasure song)
Encyclopedia
"Star" is a song by Erasure
, released in 1990 as the fourth European (and third American) single from the group's fourth studio album Wild!
.
A straightforward dance music track with disco music elements, "Star" was written by Erasure members Vince Clarke
and Andy Bell
, its lyrical content clearly referencing nuclear war; Erasure's own form of protest song. When released as a single, the track was remix
ed slightly for radio, bringing acoustic guitar
elements and various background vocal parts forward in the mix.
The last single released from Wild!, "Star" became Erasure's twelfth consecutive Top 20 hit on the UK singles chart
, peaking at number eleven, and in Germany
it peaked at number twenty-three. In the United States
, "Star" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100
, although it became a popular club hit, climbing to number four on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
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 1990 as the fourth European (and third American) single from the group's fourth studio album Wild!
Wild!
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...
.
A straightforward dance music track with disco music elements, "Star" was written by Erasure members Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
and Andy Bell
Andy Bell (singer)
Andrew Ivan "Andy" Bell is the lead singer of the English synthpop duo Erasure. He also has a solo career, with the albums Non-Stop and Electric Blue.-Early life:Andy Bell originates from the Dogsthorpe area in Peterborough...
, its lyrical content clearly referencing nuclear war; Erasure's own form of protest song. When released as a single, the track was 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 slightly for radio, bringing acoustic guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
elements and various background vocal parts forward in the mix.
The last single released from Wild!, "Star" became Erasure's twelfth consecutive Top 20 hit on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, peaking at number eleven, and in Germany
Germany
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...
it peaked at number twenty-three. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, "Star" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, although it became a popular club hit, climbing to number four on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
12" single (12MUTE111)
- "Star" (Trafalmadore Mix)
- "Star" (Single Mix)
- "Dreamlike State" (The 12 Hour Technicolor Mix)
Limited 12" single (L12MUTE111)
- "Star" (Interstellar Mix)
- "Star" (Soul Mix)
- "Dreamlike State" (The 24 Hour Technicolor Mix)
CD single (LCDMUTE111)
- "Star" (Single Mix)
- "Dreamlike State"
- "Star" (Trafalmadore Mix)
- "Star" (Soul Mix)
U.S. CD maxi-single (21558-2)
- "Star" (Single Mix)
- "Star" (Trafalmadore Mix)
- "Star" (Interstellar Mix)
- "Dreamlike State" (The 24 Hour Technicolor Mix)
- "Star" (Soul Mix)
- Also released on 12" vinyl (Sire 92-15580) and cassette (Sire 21558-4), minus "Star" (Single Mix).
Chart Performance
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 33 | 11 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 11 | 5 |
| UK Singles Chart | 11 | 7 |
| US Dance/Club Play Singles | 4 | 10 |
| US Hot Dance Music Sales | 4 | |