"Sometimes" is a song by the English synth-pop duo Erasure, released on 6 October 1986 as their fourth single overall. Written by band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, it typifies the Erasure soundâÂÂan uptempo, dance-oriented pop tune accentuated by Clarke's phase distortion and analogue synthesizers and Bell's lyrics about being in love. The trumpet solo is performed by Guy Barker.
"Sometimes" peaked at number one in South Africa, reached number two in the United Kingdom and West Germany, and became an international hit. In the United States, it became Erasure's second top-five hit on the Billboard Dance/Disco Club Play chart, on which it charted in remixed form alongside "It Doesn't Have to Be" and peaked at number four. "Sometimes" was included on Erasure's second studio album, The Circus (1987), released six months later in March 1987.
Upon its release, Andy Hurt of Sounds commented that, while "most of Vince Clarke's songs sound the same to me", "this one will add a touch of class to the airwaves". He also noted how Bell's vocals sounded similar to those of Alison Moyet. Chris Gerard from Metro Weekly retrospectively wrote, "It remains one of their signature songs. It has the classic Erasure sound of the acoustic guitar providing rhythm over the electronic beat. It's easy to see why it was their first big hitâÂÂit's irresistibly catchy and singable."
The music video for the song showcases Erasure on a building rooftopâÂÂClarke playing a resonator guitar and Bell singingâÂÂas they weave through white sheets hanging from a laundry line; near the end of the video rain starts to fall on the duo.
7-inch single (MUTE51)
12-inch single (12MUTE51)
Limited 12-inch single (L12MUTE 51)
12-inch single (Sire 20614-0)
Cassette single (CMUTE51)
CD single (CDMUTE51)