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Upstairs at Eric's

by Yazoo

Released: August 20, 1982

Synth-pop, new wave, proto-techno, electropop

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

For the North American release, the album replaced "Situation" with "Tuesday" from the UK version. "Upstairs at Eric's" is the debut studio album by the English synth-pop duo Yazoo, known as Yaz in North America. The album was preceded by two UK top-three singles: the ballad "Only You" and the upbeat "Don't Go." Despite the group's preference, the track "Situation," originally a B-side to "Only You," was released as the band's debut single in the US and Canada.

Inside the Recording

Released on August 20, 1982, by Mute Records, the album was produced by the band along with E.C. Radcliffe, with Daniel Miller of Mute Records contributing to some tracks.

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Essential Tracks

Don't Go

Only You

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Explore the Album

Yazoo - Upstairs at Eric's

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Then

Reception

Named after the recording location, Blackwing Studios, Upstairs at Eric's was a commercial success, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and earning platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling over 300,000 copies in the UK. A remixed version by DJ François Kevorkian topped Billboard's Club Play Singles chart and reached number 73 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while it performed better in Canada, peaking at number 31. Upstairs at Eric's peaked at number 92 on the Billboard 200 and reached number 49 on RPM's albums chart in Canada.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Upstairs at Eric's" is the debut studio album by the English synth-pop duo Yazoo, known as Yaz in North America. Released on August 20, 1982, by Mute Records, the album was produced by the band along with E.C. Radcliffe, with Daniel Miller of Mute Records contributing to some tracks. Named after the recording location, Blackwing Studios, Upstairs at Eric's was a commercial success, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and earning platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling over 300,000 copies in the UK.

The album was preceded by two UK top-three singles: the ballad "Only You" and the upbeat "Don't Go." Despite the group's preference, the track "Situation," originally a B-side to "Only You," was released as the band's debut single in the US and Canada. A remixed version by DJ François Kevorkian topped Billboard's Club Play Singles chart and reached number 73 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while it performed better in Canada, peaking at number 31.

For the North American release, the album replaced "Situation" with "Tuesday" from the UK version. Upstairs at Eric's peaked at number 92 on the Billboard 200 and reached number 49 on RPM's albums chart in Canada.