Run to the Sun

1994 single by Erasure

"Run to the Sun" is a song by English synth pop duo Erasure, released in July 1994 by Mute and Elektra as the second single from the duo's sixth studio album, I Say I Say I Say (1994). The song is written by Vince Clarke with fellow Erasure member Andy Bell and is an uptempo dance music track that displays signature synthesizer 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's B side, a ballad entitled "Tenderest Moments", was later re recorded by Erasure in an acoustic version for their 2006 album Union Street. Released on 18 July, "Run to the Sun" peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Erasure's 15th UK top 10 hit. In the US, the song reached number 24 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and number 14 on the Billboard Hot 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 by Nico Beyer.

AllMusic editor Ned Raggett viewed the song as "strident" and "full on pep". Larry Flick from Billboard declared it as a "rave happy pop/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." Cashbox named it "one of the best tracks from the excellent new Erasure album", calling it a "quickly paced, freestyle synth romp." The reviewer added, "Vince 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." Chris Willman from Los Angeles Times felt the song, "which may or may not be a paean to a departed loved one, should score big at the clubs." Alan Jones from Music 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 the Top 20." Sylvia Patterson of NME 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." Darren Lee from The Quietus declared it a "surefooted day glo" pop anthem, "which fitted seamlessly into the canon". James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update described it as "old fashioned galloping 133.9bpm Hi NRG". Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine remarked that Bell explores lower voice registers on "inventive and ornate overdubs pad songs", like "the sci fi/techno dance" number "Run to the Sun". Dardy Chang from American independent newspaper Stanford Daily stated that its "bouncy, relentless" beat "makes it an instant dance hit."

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by German director Nico Beyer. It was shot at the World Clock in Alexanderplatz, Berlin and features an early appearance by Jason Statham as a silver painted background dancer.