| "Run to the Sun" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byErasure | ||||
| from the albumI Say I Say I Say | ||||
| B-side | "Tenderest Moments" | |||
| Released | 18 July 1994 (1994-7-18)[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | Mute | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Martyn Ware | |||
| Erasure singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Run to the Sun" onYouTube | ||||
"Run to the Sun" is a song by Englishsynth-pop duoErasure, released in July 1994 byMute andElektra as the second single from the duo's sixth studio album,I Say I Say I Say (1994). The song is written byVince Clarke with fellow Erasure memberAndy Bell and is an uptempodance music track that displays signaturesynthesizer programming by Clarke. The UK 7-inch single of "Run to the Sun" was issued on yellow-coloured vinyl and featured a fold-out poster of the single's cover artwork. The single'sB-side, aballad entitled "Tenderest Moments", was later re-recorded by Erasure in an acoustic version for their 2006 albumUnion Street.
Released on 18 July, "Run to the Sun" peaked at number six on theUK Singles Chart, becoming Erasure's 15th UK top-10 hit. In the US, the song reached number 24 on theBillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and number 14 on theBillboardHot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Elsewhere, the song reached number five in Finland, number 19 in Ireland and Sweden, and number 49 in Germany. Its music video was directed byNico Beyer and filmed inBerlin.
Larry Flick fromBillboard declared "Run to the Sun" as a "rave-happypop/dance ditty", noting that "as always, singer Andy Bell is a delight, while synthmaster Vince Clarke offers a racing beat and tweaking computer noises. Layered between the two is a sweet, contagious hook that sticks to the brain upon impact."[2]Cashbox named it "one of the best tracks from the excellentnew Erasure album", calling it a "quickly-paced, freestyle synth romp." The reviewer added, "Vince Clark [sic] flicks his snappy keyboard stings throughout, while Andy Bell's songbird voice and longing-for-thou lyrics shoot right for the heart. Top-40 potential here, with alternative and modern rockers again laying the foundation for the band."[3] Chris Willman fromLos Angeles Times felt the song, "which may or may not be a paean to a departed loved one, should score big at the clubs."[4]
Alan Jones fromMusic Week wrote, "Too much bluster and too little substance here, as Erasure switch to automatic pilot on a song that lacks melodic substance. Not one of their bigger hits, though it should make a brief appearance in theTop 20."[5]Sylvia Patterson ofNME remarked, "You thought 'Always' was dreary and then this! A dot-to-dot doodle of hyperactive keyboards with some crumby '70s 'whzzzzing' and 'poo-poo!' bits and cobblers lyrics and no chorus whatsoever. Andy 'Ding Dong' Bell knows better, so does Cardboard Ken."[6]James Hamilton from theRM Dance Update described it as "old fashioned galloping 133.9bpmHi-NRG".[7] Gina Morris fromSelect called it "another formulated hi-NRG, annoyingly-catchy pop song. Worth the effort if only for the interestingtechno,ambient andEuropop remixes on the B-side."[8] AnotherSelect editor,Siân Pattenden, said it has "bibbly keyboards of the EarlyPulp Era!".[9] Tony Cross fromSmash Hits wrote, "Much more up front than the thoughtful 'Always', this is the duo back to their high energy peak. But despite the pace, Andy's voice sounds as close to tears as ever."[10] Dardy Chang from American independent newspaperStanford Daily stated that its "bouncy, relentless" beat "makes it an instant dance hit."[11]
AllMusic editor Ned Raggett viewed the song as "strident" and "full-on pep".[12] Darren Lee fromThe Quietus declared it a "surefooted day-glo" pop anthem, "which fitted seamlessly into the canon".[13] Sal Cinquemani fromSlant Magazine remarked that Andy Bell explores lower voice registers on "inventive and ornate overdubs pad songs", like "the sci-fi/technodance" number 'Run to the Sun'.[14]
A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by German directorNico Beyer.[15] It was shot at the World Clock inAlexanderplatz,Berlin and features an early appearance byJason Statham as a silver-painted background dancer.[citation needed]
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