Written by British synth-pop duo Erasure, “Always” was first released on the 11th of April, 1994.

Behind the Music

“Always” was written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell for their 6th studio album, I Say I Say in 1994. The song’s vocals, sung by Andy Bell, express a relatable longing for another, but ultimately take a backseat to the rhythm and melody driven by the synthesized instruments that make up much of Erasure’s catalog. After being produced by Martyn Ware and engineered by Phil Legg, the song found great success in both the United States and the UK.

Chart-Topping Success

Released in the United States by Elektra Records, “Always” hit number six on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart, and number 20 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Released by Mute Records in the UK, “Always” made its way to number four on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band’s thirteenth to make it to the top ten. 

The single also found success in other parts of Europe, making it to number one in Lithuania, number two in Austria and Sweden, and making it to the top ten in Denmark, Finland, Scotland, Germany, Iceland, and Ireland.

Behind the Music Video

Directed by Jan Kounen, the music video is inspired by traditional Chinese scroll paintings. Beginning with a scroll painting of a cliff covered in snow with a branch in the background, it fades out into a scene featuring the singer, Andy Bell, levitating down into a snowy garden where a frozen woman waits. 

The singer uses his mystical powers to unfreeze the woman and the garden that surrounds her. They’re then attacked by a creature that traps them both in snow and ice. The singer uses his powers once more to free himself and defeats the creature. As the snow disappears, the singer begins to levitate away, and the scene transforms back into the scroll painting featured in the opening, only this time, the snow has melted from the cliff, and the sun shines brightly behind the singer.

Fun Facts:

• The album “Always” was written for was the fourth consecutive from Erasure to hit No. 1 in the UK.
• In 2016, along with other records by Erasure, I Say I Say I Say was reissued for the band’s 30th anniversary.
• The band was formed after Clarke put out an ad in a then weekly music magazine known as “Melody Maker.” Bell responded to the ad and was chosen for the band several days later.

Lyrics 

Open your eyes, I see

Your eyes are open

Wear no disguise for me

Come into the open

When it’s cold (when it’s cold)

Outside (outside)

Am I here in vain?

Hold on to the night

There will be no shame

Always, I wanna be with you

And make believe with you

And live in harmony, harmony, oh love

Always, I wanna be with you

And make believe with you

And live in harmony, harmony, oh love

Always

Melting the ice for me

Jump into the ocean

Hold back the tide, I see

Your love in motion

When it’s cold (when it’s cold)

Outside (outside)

Am I here in vain?

Hold on to the night

There will be no shame

Always, I wanna be with you

And make believe with you (always)

And live in harmony, harmony, oh love

Always, I wanna be with you (always)

And make believe with you (always)

And live in harmony, harmony, oh love

When it’s cold (when it’s cold)

Outside (outside)

Am I here in vain?

Hold on (when it’s cold in the night)

To the night (where the new love grows)

There will be no shame (no shame)

Always, I wanna be with you

And make believe with you

And live in harmony

Harmony, oh love (the leaves are falling down)

Always, I wanna be with you

And make believe with you

And live in harmony, harmony, oh love

Always, I wanna be with you

And make believe with you

And live in harmony

Harmony, oh love (all the leaves are falling down)

Always, I wanna be with you

And make believe with you

And live in harmony, harmony, oh love

Always, I wanna be with you

And make believe with you

And live in harmony

Harmony, oh love (all the leaves are falling down)

Always, I wanna be with you

And make believe with you