"Drama!" is the first single released from English synth-pop duo Erasure's fourth studio album, Wild! (1989). Written by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the 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 dance track. "Drama!" contains a "Guilty!" exclamation throughout, provided by Scottish band the Jesus and Mary Chain, who were recording in the studio next door.[2] The song was met with critical acclaim from both music critics and fans.
Ned Raggett from AllMusic remarked that "Drama!" "has a slightly hysterical tone to it, but its strong dancefloor surge and weirdly droning backing [Andy] Bell harmonies help make it another winner".[3] The Daily Vault's Michael R. Smith found that it is "the fastest song Erasure has ever recorded, beginning with a thunderclap and building to an exciting climax, all made even greater by the video that was made for it". He added, "Only Andy Bell can handle a mouthful lyric like 'one psychological drama after another' and make it mean something."[4] Chris Gerard from Metro Weekly complimented it as "a killer dance track with some great keyboard riffs, Bell's vocal is outstanding, and melodically and lyrically it's unforgettable".[5]
David Giles from Music Week named it "their best single yet", noting that Clarke "cranks up the tempo to almost Hi-NRG frenzy point". He concluded, "Where some of Erasure's earlier work has sounded a little complacent, this really goes for the jugular with Andy Bell in as fine voice as ever."[6] Richard Lowe from Smash Hits felt "Drama" is "woefully predictable".[7] Christopher Smith from Talk About Pop Music wrote that "with a clang of a bell, we are summoned back into the church of Erasure and treated to a quintessential piece of late 80's electro-pop perfection that builds and builds to its exciting climax".[8]
Chart performance
Released prior to Wild!, "Drama!" continued Erasure's streak of hits on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number four. The single also fared well in Denmark, where it reached number three, and in Ireland, where it peaked at number five. "Drama!" did not continue Erasure's chart success in the United States, where it failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100, but it did reach number 10 on the BillboardHot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
Music video
The single was promoted with a music video showing Erasure performing the song in an alley into which plastic bags and bottles are blown by the wind, followed by larger plastic items falling from above. As the items begin to fill up the alley, Clarke and Bell initially escape onto a rooftop, but are ultimately engulfed by the rising tide of plastic. Hands from the clouds point at them, proclaiming them 'Guilty!'
Track listings
7-inch, cassette, and Japanese mini-CD single[9][10][11]
^Drama! (UK cassette single sleeve). Erasure. Mute Records. 1989. C Mute 89.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drama! (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Erasure. Alfa Records. 1989. 09B3-73.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drama! (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Erasure. Mute Records. 1989. 12 Mute 89.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drama! (UK mini-CD single liner notes). Erasure. Mute Records. 1989. CD Mute 89.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drama! (UK limited 12-inch single sleeve). Erasure. Mute Records. 1989. L12 Mute 89.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drama! (UK limited mini-CD single liner notes). Erasure. Mute Records. 1989. LCD Mute 89.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drama! (Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc). Erasure. Sire Records, Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1989. 92 13560.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Drama! (US maxi-CD single disc notes). Erasure. Sire Records, Reprise Records, Mute Records. 1989. 9 21356-2.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
