Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me


"Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me" is a song by synthpop duo Erasure. It was released as the second single from their eighth studio album Cowboy. The track is an uptempo dance music song written by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. Mute Records issued the single in the UK.
For the song's release in the United States, Maverick Records requested a remix for radio. The U.S. single version of "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me" is quite different from what is on the Cowboy album. The song's intro was changed, as well as the middle eight section. Most notably, an entire verse, edited out of the album version, is restored on the American single release.
The single's B-side is a live cover version of Blondie's "Heart of Glass". Erasure's previous single "In My Arms" featured another Blondie cover.
On the UK singles chart, "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me" peaked at #23, ending a chart run of 24 consecutive Top 20 singles. It reached #89 on the German singles chart and did not enter the Billboard Hot 100. Club remixes proved to be more successful, as the track hit number five on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. On the Swedish Top 60 it peaked at number 26.

Critical reception

Billboard described the song a "bouncy pop/hi-NRG ditty that's anchored by an instantly appealing if somewhat subversively constructed chorus." They noted further that "Singer Andy Bell's typically intelligent words are notably dark and brooding, while partner Vince Clarke underlines the track with a vibrant, upbeat melody and a chorus that is downright anthemic." They also added that "It's a nifty trick that only shrewd and daring veterans like these could pull off so well."

Track listings

Cassette single (CMUTE195)

  1. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  2. "Heart of Glass"

    12" single (12MUTE195)

  3. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  4. "Oh L'amour"
  5. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  6. "Oh L'amour"

    CD single #1 (CDMUTE195)

  7. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  8. "Heart of Glass"
  9. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  10. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"

    CD single #2 (LCDMUTE195)

  11. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  12. "Oh L'amour"
  13. "Oh L'amour"

    U.S. CD single (Maverick: 43914-2)

  14. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  15. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  16. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  17. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  18. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"
  19. "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me"

    Chart performance