Victim of Love (song)

"Victim of Love"
Single by Erasure
from the album The Circus
B-side	"The Soldier's Return"
Released	18 May 1987
Format	12", 7", CD
Recorded	1986
Genre	Synthpop, new wave
Length	3:40
Label	Mute - UK Mute 61 Sire - U.S. 20740
Writer(s)	Vince Clarke, Andy Bell
Producer(s)	Flood
Erasure singles chronology
"It Doesn't Have to Be" (1987) "Victim of Love" (1987) "The Circus" (1987)

"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.

The song was written by band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell and incorporates the signature Erasure sound of uptempo rhythm, analog synthesizer and a prominent acoustic guitar. Bell's lyrics pertain to one's apprehension when entering into a new love relationship. The song's protagonist doesn't "want to look like some kind of fool" or become a "victim of love".

Upon its release, "Victim of Love" became the second UK Top 10 single for Erasure, peaking at number seven. "Victim of Love" also hit number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart (Clarke and Bell would have to wait eighteen years before their second U.S. Dance chart-topper).

The song remains one of Erasure's signature tunes and is a concert favorite.

Track listings

7": Mute / MUTE 61 (UK)

1. "Victim of Love" (Remix) - 3:38
2. "The Soldier's Return" - 3:05

12": Mute / 12 MUTE 61 (UK)

1. "Victim of Love" (Extended Mix) - 6:59
2. "The Soldier's Return" (The Return of the Radical Radcliffe Mix) - 5:00
3. "Victim of Love" (Dub Mix) - 3:29

12": Mute / L12 MUTE 61 (UK)

1. "Victim of Love" (Vixen Vitesse Mix) - 5:42
2. "The Soldier's Return" (The Machinery Mix) - 4:16
3. "If I Could" (Japanese Mix) - 3:40

12": Sire-Reprise / 20740-0 (UK)

1. "Victim of Love" (Vixen Vitesse Mix) - 5:42
2. "Soldier's Return" (Machinery Mix) - 5:02
3. "Victim of Love" (extended mix) - 6:59
4. "Victim of Love" (dub mix) - 3:26

CD: Mute / CD MUTE 61 (UK)

1. "Safety in Numbers" (Recorded live) - 1:28
2. "Victim of Love" - 3:26
3. "The Soldier's Return" (The Return of the Radical Radcliffe Mix) - 5:00
4. "Victim of Love" (Dub Mix) - 3:29
5. "Don't Dance" (Recorded live) - 3:53
6. "Leave Me To Bleed" (Recorded live) - 3:42

• track 1 recorded 27 April 1987, Hamburg
• tracks 5,6 recorded 17 April 1987, Brighton Dome

Remixers

Phil Harding

1. "Victim Of Love" (Extended Mix) - 6:59
2. "Victim Of Love" (Dub Mix) - 3:29
3. "Victim Of Love" (remix) - 3:38

Daniel Miller and Rico Conning

1. "Victim Of Love" (Vixen Vitesse Mix) - 5:42

Eric Radcliffe

1. "The Soldier's Return" (The Machinery Mix) - 4:16
2. "The Soldier's Return" (The Return Of the Radical Radcliffe Mix) - 5:00

Chart performance

Chart (1987)	Peak position
German Singles Chart[1]	26
Irish Singles Chart[2]	7
Swedish Singles Chart	4
Swiss Singles Chart[3]	22
UK Singles Chart[4]	7
U.S. Billboard Dance/Club Play Singles Chart[5]	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales Chart[6]	37

References

1. "charts.de". charts.de. 1987-05-18. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
2. Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Group - http://www.fireballmedia.ie. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
3. Steffen Hung. "Erasure - Victim Of Love". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
4. "The Official Charts Company - Victim Of Love by Erasure Search". The Official Charts Company. 6 May 2013.
5. "Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
6. "Music Search, Recommendations, Videos and Reviews". AllMusic. 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2012-06-24.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics