Love to Hate You cover

Love to Hate You

Erasure · 1991

30 min · 6 tracks · new wave

Disco strings sweep through bright synth-pop as romantic spite turns into a dance-floor hook.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Love to Hate You (album version) Start here — The concise original sets its barbed romantic hook against buoyant disco-style strings and a propulsive electronic beat.
  • →
    Love to Hate You (Bruce Forest mix) — At more than seven minutes, Bruce Forest’s mix gives the single’s dance-floor pulse considerably more room than the album version.
  • →
    Vitamin C — This B-side offers a contrasting piece of Erasure songwriting rather than another pass through the lead single’s hook.
  • →
    Love to Hate You (Paul Dakeyne mix) — Dakeyne’s longer remix provides a second club-oriented perspective on the single, alongside Bruce Forest’s more extended treatment.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100
Foothills
Higher than 6% of albums we've rated

The single combines catchy melodies with various remixes, but lacks strong cohesion as a standalone work.

What we noticed

  • The title track features a bright synth melody that is layered with vocal harmonies, creating a rich texture.
  • The track 'Vitamin C' has a more subdued tempo compared to the upbeat title track, providing contrast within the collection.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady dance floor vibes
  • infectious energy for parties
  • catchy hooks for sing-alongs
  • short bursts of joy

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer long, introspective albums
  • seek deep lyrical narratives

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — The title track became a hit, solidifying Erasure's popularity in the synth-pop scene.
Themes
early '90s pop culture· dance floor conflict· club anthem energy
Career context
Released in September 1991, this single preceded Erasure’s fifth studio album, Chorus. It followed the album’s title track as the duo continued their run of UK synth-pop hits.
Stylistic neighbors
Depeche Mode· Pet Shop Boys· New Order
New to Erasure? Find your way in →

Tracklist

  • 1 Love to Hate You (album version) Start here 3:58
  • 2 Love to Hate You (Bruce Forest mix) 7:39
  • 3 Vitamin C (Paul Dakeyne Mix) 5:12
  • 4 Love to Hate You (Paul Dakeyne mix) 5:51
  • 5 Vitamin C 3:34
  • 6 La La La 4:10

What to play next

Chorus
Listen next

Chorus

1991

Continues the bright synths and themes of love with a more expansive sound.
Wild!
Go back to

Wild!

Sets the stage with similar energetic melodies and playful exploration of relationships.
Full Erasure discography Where to start with Erasure Artists like Erasure Which Erasure albums to start with
new wave synth-pop

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Behaviour

Behaviour

Pet Shop Boys

Shares the same blend of catchy synth melodies and introspective themes about love and conflict.

Violator

Violator

Depeche Mode

Both feature darkly emotional undertones paired with vibrant synths and infectious dance rhythms.

Technique

Technique

New Order

Captures a similar club-ready energy with its fusion of dance beats and melodic synth lines.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata