Drama!
Encyclopedia
"Drama!" is the first single released by Erasure
from their fourth studio album Wild!
. It was issued by Mute Records
in the UK and Sire Records
in the U.S.
Written by Vince Clarke
and Andy Bell
, the synth pop song begins with a low-key keyboard line and a subdued vocal from Bell. As the song progresses, the instrumentation and vocals become more hectic, ultimately ending as a full-blown dancefloor anthem. "Drama!" is known for its mob-shouted "Guilty!" exclamation throughout and Bell's intricate, multi-layered background vocals. Lyrically the song addresses a person who could be considered a drama queen, experiencing "one psychological drama after another" about everyday struggles that are universal and are easily dealt with by most people. Lines such as "your shame is never-ending!" are directed at the subject of the song. The mob's vocals were added to by The Jesus and Mary Chain
, who happened to be recording in the studio next door.
Released prior to Wild!, "Drama!" continued Erasure's winning streak on the UK singles chart
, peaking at number four. In Germany
the single also fared well, hitting number twelve. "Drama!" did not continue Erasure's chart success in the United States
, where it failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100
. It did, however, climb to number ten on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
from their fourth studio album Wild!
Wild!
Wild! is the fourth studio album by British band Erasure. Released in 1989, it was the follow-up album to their 1988 breakthrough The Innocents...
. It was issued by Mute Records
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
in the UK and Sire Records
Sire Records
Sire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
in the U.S.
Written by Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
and Andy Bell
Andy Bell (singer)
Andrew Ivan "Andy" Bell is the lead singer of the English synthpop duo Erasure. He also has a solo career, with the albums Non-Stop and Electric Blue.-Early life:Andy Bell originates from the Dogsthorpe area in Peterborough...
, the synth pop song begins with a low-key keyboard line and a subdued vocal from Bell. As the song progresses, the instrumentation and vocals become more hectic, ultimately ending as a full-blown dancefloor anthem. "Drama!" is known for its mob-shouted "Guilty!" exclamation throughout and Bell's intricate, multi-layered background vocals. Lyrically the song addresses a person who could be considered a drama queen, experiencing "one psychological drama after another" about everyday struggles that are universal and are easily dealt with by most people. Lines such as "your shame is never-ending!" are directed at the subject of the song. The mob's vocals were added to by The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
, who happened to be recording in the studio next door.
Released prior to Wild!, "Drama!" continued Erasure's winning streak on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, peaking at number four. In Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
the single also fared well, hitting number twelve. "Drama!" did not continue Erasure's chart success in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where it failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. It did, however, climb to number ten on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
12" single (12MUTE89) / CD single (CDMUTE89)
- "Drama!" (Act 2)
- "Sweet Sweet Baby" (The Moo-Moo Mix)
- "Paradise"
Limited 12" single (L12MUTE89) / Limited CD single (LCDMUTE89)
- "Drama!" (Krucial Mix)
- "Sweet Sweet Baby" (Medi Mix)
- "Paradise" (Lost and Found Mix)
U.S. maxi-single (21356-2)
- "Drama!" (Krucial Mix)
- "Drama!" (7" Version)
- "Sweet Sweet Baby" (Medi Mix)
- "Paradise" (Lost and Found Mix)
- "Drama!" (Act 2)
- "Sweet Sweet Baby" (The Moo-Moo Mix)
- "Paradise"
- "Sweet Sweet Baby" (7" Mix)
Chart performance
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 12 | 17 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 5 | 8 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 35 | 3 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 15 | 8 |
| UK Singles Chart | 4 | 11 |
| US Dance/Club Play Singles | 10 | 10 |
| US Hot Dance Music Sales | 13 | |