The Circus (song)

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“The Circus”
“The Circus” cover
Single by Erasure
from the album The Circus
Released September 21, 1987
Format 12", 7", CD
Recorded 1986
Genre Synthpop
Length 5:30 (LP)
3:50 (7")
Label Mute (UK)
Sire (U.S.)
Writer(s) Vince Clarke, Andy Bell
Producer Flood
Erasure singles chronology
"Victim of Love"
(1987)		 "The Circus"
(1987)		 "Ship of Fools"
(1988)

"The Circus" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in September 1987 as the band's seventh single overall. It is also the title track on their second album, The Circus

The album version clocks at 5.30 minutes, so the song was remixed for single release to a much more radio-friendly 3:50 minutes. Mute Records issued it as the fourth and final single from the album.

Written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, "The Circus" was a departure from the shiny pop of their six previous singles, creating a more down-tempo and melancholy mood. Essentially a synth pop track, the music is accentuated by acoustic guitar and a continuous circus-like accordion. The lyrics touch on social issues, rare for the duo, and center around the lament of "working men", whose bright futures and job securities are left shattered in the modern world of greedy corporations and technology.

Despite its haunting quality and dark lyrical content, "The Circus" became Erasure's third UK Top 10 hit, peaking at number six.

Contents

[edit] Track listings

[edit] 7" single (MUTE66)

  1. "The Circus" (Single Mix)
  2. "The Circus" (Decay Mix)

[edit] 12" single #1 (1-12MUTE66)

  1. "Victim of Love" (Live)
  2. "If I Could" (Live)
  3. "The Circus" (Live)
  4. "Spiralling" (Live)

[edit] 12" single #2 (2-12MUTE66)

  1. "It Doesn't Have To Be" (Live)
  2. "Who Needs Love Like That" (Live)
  3. "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" (Live)
  4. "The Circus" (Bareback Rider Mix)

[edit] 12" single #3 (3-12MUTE66)

  1. "Sometimes" (Live)
  2. "Say What" (Live)
  3. "Oh L'amour" (Live)
  4. "The Circus" (Gladiator Mix)

[edit] CD single (CDMUTE66)

  1. "The Circus" (Single Mix)
  2. "The Circus" (Decay Mix)
  3. "If I Could" (Live)
  4. "It Doesn't Have To Be" (Live)
  5. "Say What" (Live)
  6. "The Circus" (Live)

[edit] Chart performance

Chart (1987) Peak
position
German Singles Chart 30
Irish Singles Chart 6
UK Singles Chart 6
v • d • e
Erasure
Vince Clarke | Andy Bell
Albums/EPs
Compilations
Live album
Box Sets
Singles
"Who Needs Love Like That" | "Heavenly Action" | "Oh L'amour" | "Sometimes" | "It Doesn't Have to Be" | "Victim of Love" | "The Circus" | "Ship of Fools" | "Chains of Love" | "A Little Respect" | "Stop!" | "Drama!" | "You Surround Me" | "Blue Savannah" | "Star" | "Chorus" | "Love to Hate You" | "Am I Right?" | "Breath of Life" | "Take a Chance on Me" | "Who Needs Love Like That (remix)" | "Always" | "Run to the Sun" | "I Love Saturday" | "Stay with Me" | "Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer's Day)" | "Rock Me Gently" | "In My Arms" | "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me" | "Rain" | "Freedom" | "Moon & the Sky" | "Solsbury Hill" | " Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" | "Oh L'amour (August Mix)" | "Breathe" | "Don't Say You Love Me" | "Here I Go Impossible Again" | "All This Time Still Falling Out of Love" | "Boy" | "I Could Fall in Love with You" | "Sunday Girl"
Video/DVD
Sanctuary - the EIS Christmas Concert 2002 | Hits! the Videos | The Tank, the Swan and the Balloon | Great Hits Live - Live at Great Woods | The Erasure Show - Live in Cologne | On the Road to Nashville