Crackers International

History

The EP appeared in several different versions. The original UK release by Mute Records consisted of four original, self-produced tracks. In the UK, where at the time EPs were eligible for the singles chart, it became one of Erasure's most successful releases, matching the number two peak of 1986's "Sometimes". It was promoted with a simple music video for the lead track "Stop!", showing Clarke and Bell performing the song on a stage surrounded by "stop", "no entry", "give way" and similar road signs.

In the U.S., Crackers International was still considered an EP, although two remixes were added (bringing the track list count to six) when Sire Records released it. In the U.S., where EPs chart on the Billboard 200, it hit number seventy-three. The song "Stop!" was also released as its own stand-alone single in the U.S., just barely making an appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 (number 97). On the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart "Stop!" / "Knocking on Your Door" peaked at number four as a double-sided entry.

Additionally, a version of the EP was released in the UK by Mute Records in a very limited-edition, seasonal pressing, titled Crackers International Part 2. Released originally in 12" vinyl with extended versions of "Stop!" and "Knocking on Your Door", both remixed by Mark Saunders, it also added the Christmas standard "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". It was subsequently released as a compact disc containing the original 7" versions of "Stop!" and "Knocking on Your Door" (also of note is the fact that there were two different versions of the single mix of "Stop!", one with a fade, and a slightly longer one with a 'cold' ending).

Sire Records commissioned some mixes for the song by Justin Strauss, who previously had remixed A Little Respect for the U.S. market, but the mixes remain unreleased. This versions can be found on the Soundcloud page of Justin Strauss.

Twenty-five years after Crackers International, in 2013, Erasure would finally release a proper Christmas album, titled Snow Globe.

Track listing

7": Mute / E Mute 93 (UK)

1. "Stop!" (fade ending) – 2:55
2. "The Hardest Part" – 3:40
3. "Knocking on Your Door" – 2:57
4. "She Won't Be Home" – 3:28

7": Sire-Reprise / 22879-7 (US)

1. "Stop!" (7-inch version) – 2:55
2. "Ship of Fools" – 4:01

12": Mute / 12 Mute 93 (UK)

1. "Stop!" (cold ending) – 3:03
2. "The Hardest Part" (12" version) – 5:07
3. "Knocking on Your Door" (12" version) – 3:59
4. "She Won't Be Home" – 3:28

12": Mute / L12 Mute 93 (UK)

1. "Stop!" (mark saunders remix) – 5:47
2. "Knocking on Your Door" (Mark Saunders remix) – 6:07
3. "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" – 3:12

12": Sire-Reprise / 25904-1 (US)

1. "Stop!" (7-inch version) – 2:55
2. "The Hardest Part" – 3:40
3. "Stop!" (12" remix) – 5:47
4. "Knocking on Your Door" – 2:57
5. "She Won't Be Home" – 3:28
6. "Knocking on Your Door" (12" remix) – 6:07

CD: Mute / EBX 3.1 (UK)

1. "Stop!" (cold ending) – 3:03
2. "The Hardest Part" – 3:40
3. "Knocking On Your Door" – 2:57
4. "She Won't Be Home" – 3:28
5. "The Hardest Part" (12" version) – 5:06
6. "Knocking On Your Door" (12" version) – 3:59
7. "Stop!" (Mark Saunders remix) – 5:47
8. "Knocking on Your Door" (Mark Saunders remix) – 6:07
9. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" – 3:10

Personnel

Mark Saunders

1. "Stop!" (Mark Saunders remix) – 5:47
2. "Knocking on Your Door" (12" version) – 3:59
3. "Knocking on Your Door" (Mark Saunders remix) – 6:07

Mark Saunders and Phil Legg

1. "Stop!" (cold ending) – 3:03
2. "Stop!" (fade ending) – 2:55

Phil Legg

1. "She Won't Be Home" – 3:28
2. "The Hardest Part" (12" version) – 5:07