I Say I Say I Say | ||||
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Studio album by Erasure | ||||
Released | 16 May 1994 | |||
Recorded | 1993 | |||
Genre | Synthpop, dance | |||
Length | 44:08 | |||
Label |
Mute Records (UK) Elektra Records (US) |
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Producer | Martyn Ware | |||
Erasure chronology | ||||
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Singles from I Say I Say I Say | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic |
I Say I Say I Say is the sixth studio album from synthpop duo Erasure, released in 1994 by Mute Records in the UK and Elektra Records in the U.S. The album was produced by Martyn Ware, who was a founding member of veteran synthpop groups The Human League and Heaven 17.
Upon its release it became Erasure's fourth studio album release to consecutively hit No.1 in the UK, and fifth overall, generating three Top 20 singles. In the U.S., I Say I Say I Say debuted and peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200, easily beating their previous highest chart placing. In Germany, the album climbed to #6.
Although Erasure always maintained popularity in the U.S. dance club community, with the rise of grunge rock Erasure saw their exposure on college radio, mainstream stations and MTV become mostly non-existent by 1994. This made it even more of a surprise when the ballad "Always" gave them their third Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in September.
The album saw keyboardist/programmer Vince Clarke continue with his by-then trademark exclusive usage of pre-MIDI analog synthesizers and sequencers, with the additional self-imposed constraint that no drum machines were to be used either. Instead, Clarke used synthesizers to create the album's drum and percussion sounds.
All tracks written by Andy Bell and Vince Clarke.
On the Chilean/Argentinian cassette version, there's a Spanish rendition of "Always" (Spanish vocal), just before "Always".
Subsequent to their acquisition of Erasure's back catalog, 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.