Victim of Love (song)

Infobox Single |
Name = Victim of Love


Caption =
Artist = Erasure
from Album = The Circus
B-side = "The Soldier's Return"
Released = start_date|1987|5|18
Format = 12", 7", CD
Recorded = 1986
Genre = Synthpop
Length = 3:40
Label = Mute - Mute 61 flagicon|UK
Sire - 20740 flagicon|USA
Writer = Vince Clarke, Andy Bell
Producer = Flood
Certification =
Last single = "It Doesn't Have To Be"
(1987)
This single = "Victim of Love"
(1987)
Next single = "The Circus"
(1987)

"Victim of Love" is a song by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in May 1987 as their sixth single overall.

It was the third single to be lifted from the duo's second album, "The Circus", released six weeks earlier, and was remixed for single release.

The song was written by band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell and incorporates the signature Erasure sound of uptempo rhythm, analog synthesizer and a prominent acoustic guitar. Bell's lyrics pertain to one's apprehension when entering into a new love relationship. The song's protagonist doesn't "want to look like some kind of fool" or become a "victim of love".

Upon its release, "Victim of Love" became the second UK Top 10 single for Erasure, peaking at number seven. "Victim of Love" has the distinction of being the first Erasure song to top any chart in any country, as it hit number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart (Clarke and Bell would have to wait eighteen years before their second U.S. Dance chart-topper).

The song remains one of Erasure's signature tunes and is a concert favorite.

Track listings

7": Mute / MUTE 61 (UK)

# "Victim of Love" (remix) - 3:38
# "The Soldier's Return" - 3:05

12": Mute / 12 MUTE 61 (UK)

# "Victim of Love" (Extended Mix) - 6:59
# "The Soldier's Return" (The Return of the Radical Radcliffe Mix) - 5:00
# "Victim of Love" (Dub Mix) - 3:29

12": Mute / L12 MUTE 61 (UK)

# "Victim of Love" (Vixen Vitesse Mix) - 5:42
# "The Soldier's Return" (The Machinery Mix) - 4:16
# "If I Could" (Japanese Mix) - 3:40

12": Sire-Reprise / 20740-0 (UK)

# "Victim of Love" (Vixen Vitesse Mix) - 5:42
# "The Soldier's Return" (return of the radical radcliffe mix) - 5:00
# "Victim of Love" (extended mix) - 6:59
# "Victim of Love" (dub mix) - 3:29

CD: Mute / CD MUTE 61 (UK)

# "Safety in Numbers" (Recorded live) - 1:28
# "Victim of Love" - 3:26
# "The Soldier's Return" (The Return of the Radical Radcliffe Mix) - 5:00
# "Victim of Love" (Dub Mix) - 3:29
# "Don't Dance" (Recorded live) - 3:53
# "Leave Me To Bleed" (Recorded live) - 3:42

* track 1 recorded start_date|1987|4|27, Hamburg
* tracks 5,6 recorded start_date|1987|4|17, Brighton Dome

CD: Mute / EBX 2.1 (UK)

# "Victim Of Love" (remix) - 3:38
# "The Soldier's Return" - 3:05
# "Victim Of Love" (Extended Mix) - 6:59
# "The Soldier's Return" (The Return Of the Radical Radcliffe Mix) - 5:00
# "Victim Of Love" (Dub Mix) - 3:29
# "Victim Of Love" (Vixen Vitesse Mix) - 5:42
# "The Soldier's Return" (The Machinery Mix) - 4:16
# "If I Could" (Japanese Mix) - 3:40
# "Don't Dance" (Recorded live) - 3:53
# "Leave Me To Bleed" (Recorded live) - 3:42

* part of CD single box set
* live tracks recorded start_date|1987|4|17, Brighton Dome

Remixers

=Phil Harding=

# "Victim Of Love" (Extended Mix) - 6:59
# "Victim Of Love" (Dub Mix) - 3:29
# "Victim Of Love" (remix) - 3:38

=Daniel Miller and Rico Conning=

# "Victim Of Love" (Vixen Vitesse Mix) - 5:42

Eric Radcliffe

# "The Soldier's Return" (The Machinery Mix) - 4:16
# "The Soldier's Return" (The Return Of the Radical Radcliffe Mix) - 5:00

Chart performance