THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER

700-Erasure-Stop.

1988-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08.The best way to start the top 700, is with stop.

‘Stop’ was released initially on a four track ‘EP’ our track ‘EP’ in November 1988, when the format was still eligible for the UK singles chart. It was released between the Albums ‘The Innocents,’ (1988) and ‘Wild!’ (1989,) in order to cash in on the Christmas market. It was called the ‘Crackers International’ EP, although all four tracks had nothing to do with the festive season, due to it’s success ‘Mute Records’ released a limited edition ‘Crackers International’ Part 2, which included Erasure’s take on the traditional Christmas carol ‘God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen. ‘Stop,’ and the other three tracks ‘The Hardest Part,’ ‘Knocking on Your Door,’ and ‘She Won’t Be Home,’ were all co-written, and produced by Clarke, and Bell.

Erasure were formed in London, England in 1985, and remain active, having released 18 studio Albums, and achieving 33 top 40 UK hit singles to date.

The duo are Vince Clarke, who was born Vincent John Martin in South Woodford, England on July 3rd, 1960, and Andrew Ivan Bell, who was born in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, England on April 25th, 1964.Prior to the forming of Erasure, Clarke had great success with Depeche Mode, The Assembly, and Yazoo. In early 1985 he placed an advert in ‘Melody Maker’ music magazine for a singer, the winning applicant was Andy Bell, who has said that at the time of applying that Clarke was his ‘hero.’

‘We’ll be together again, I’ve been waiting for a long time. We’re gonna be, we’re gonna be together again, I’ve been connected to the right line.’