Day 32, and Now! #32, which was released on 13th November 1995.
Let’s listen to some songs by people who probably didn’t have to make their own earrings.
Track 1: Queen – Heaven For Everyone
Lovely track, gorgeous tune.
Track 2: Meat Loaf – I’d Lie For You (And That’s The Truth)
Another great rock ballad from Meat Loaf. Really like this one! I remember him promoting it on Blue Peter.
Track 3: Simply Red – Fairground
Didn’t like this one at the time, but I do now. Great tune.
Track 4: U2 – Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
Really like this offering from the Batman Forever soundtrack – it’s got a great atmosphere.
Track 5: Tina Turner – Goldeneye
I do love a James Bond theme song, and this one is really solid. Awesome tune.
Track 6: Cher – Walking In Memphis
I mentioned in my review of the Marc Cohn original on Now! #20 that the Cher version was entirely pointless (unless you think the sole change of having vocals by Cher makes it worthwhile), and I stand by that, but it’s still a great track.
Track 7: The Beautiful South – Pretenders To The Throne
Lovely tune, like the piano.
Track 8: Louise – Light Of My Life
Louise Redknapp (or Nurding, as she was then) starting her post-Eternal solo career. Unfortunately this is a super dull ballad, although the tune on the chorus is alright.
Track 9: Jimmy Nail – Big River
Found it boring at the time, find it boring now.
Track 10: Sacred Spirit – Yeha-Noha (Wishes Of Happiness And Prosperity)
I’m not a huge chillout fan, but this one is quite nice.
Track 11: Radiohead – Lucky
Loathed it at the time, mixed on it now. Pretty, melancholy tune on the verses, but the chorus ruins it a bit.
Track 12: Pulp – Sorted For Es And Wizz
Love this one! Great tune, great lyrics. This was a favourite among friends when we lived in Southampton, due to the ‘in a field in Hampshire’ bit.
Track 13: Blur – Country House
Loved it at the time, love it now. Absolute classic, great singalong track.
Track 14: Cast – Alright
Found the tune annoying at the time, kind of so-so about it now. It’s just sort of…okay.
Track 15: Oasis – Roll With It
I can’t actually remember whether I wanted this one or Blur’s Country House to be number one during that particular chart battle, ’cause I liked them both. With hindsight, though, the best song definitely won – this offering from Oasis is a bit uninspired.
Track 16: McAlmont & Butler – Yes
I’ve always adored this one – we had it on a Top Gear compilation. Beautiful tune.
Track 17: Paul Weller – Broken Stones
Mum and Dad had the Stanley Road album, so this was a regular feature of car journeys, and I absolutely loathed it at the time – it was far too serious and boring. I’m still not a huge fan, but I can appreciate the tune a bit more nowadays.
Track 18: Suggs – I’m Only Sleeping
I always liked this cover of the Beatles song – lovely tune, great atmosphere.
Speaking of Beatles covers…
Track 19: The Smokin’ Mojo Filters – Come Together
‘Not on Spotify’ Type 2: YouTube Pause (TM).
This one’s actually a semi-cover, ’cause Paul McCartney was involved in this supergroup. Fairly uninspired cover, turning the song into dull ’90s soft rock.
Track 20: Coolio and LV – Gangsta’s Paradise
Loved it then, love it now! Absolutely brilliant atmosphere, great tune.
Track 21: Shaggy – Boombastic
Annoying chorus alert! Never been that keen on this one.
Track 22: N-Trance and Ricardo Da Force – Stayin’ Alive
‘Cover’ of the Bee Gees classic that basically takes the original backing track and adds rapping over the top. I shouldn’t like it, but I do.
Track 23: Donna Summer – I Feel Love [Rollo and Sister Bliss Monster Mix]
Remix of the classic 1978 hit, turning it into a ’90s-standard dance track. It’s a bit messy, and I’m not hugely keen, especially since I like the original so much.
Track 24: Berri – Sunshine After The Rain
Really liked this one at the time, but I find it pretty irritating now.
Track 25: Corona – Try Me Out
I’d forgotten about this one. Super irritating chorus!
Track 26: The Original – I Luv U Baby
Oh, it’s this one! Really quite like this tune.
Track 27: Everything But The Girl – Missing
I’ve never been keen on this one – there’s something nauseatingly depressing about it.
Track 28: Eternal – Power Of A Woman
The vocals on the chorus give me a headache, and the tune is super generic. Not a fan at all.
Track 29: Soul II Soul – I Care
Most of the tune is quite dull, but the chorus is nice.
Track 30: Outhere Brothers – La La La Hey Hey
Dull, forgettable, unmelodic track – nothing good here at all.
Track 31: Whigfield – Big Time
Daft yodeling hook throughout, but at least this one is interesting.
Track 32: Alex Party – Wrap Me Up
Dull, repetitive dance track, not keen. I think 1995 is probably around the point at which I should leave the imaginary ’90s nightclub.
Track 33: Josh Wink – Higher State Of Consciousness
Messy track, not enough melody. Getting my coat, going home for an early night.
Track 34: Wildchild – Renegade Master
Oh, wait, I’ll hang about for one more! I really like this one – classic track. A few years ago, Geth had a student who wrote a hilariously bad essay with an intro about a ‘renegade cyclist’, so ever since then I’ve switched the lyrics in my head, which makes it even better.
Track 35: Goldie – Inner City Life
And we’re back to dull chillout dance. Not keen at all.
Track 36: The Human League – Don’t You Want Me [Red Jerry 7 Inch Remix]
‘Not on Spotify’ Type 2: YouTube Pause (TM).
Remix of the classic 1981 song. I love the original and this is really taking a sledgehammer to everything that’s good about it. Just awful.
Track 37: Candy Girls – Fee Fi Fo Fum
This starts off as an okay dance track, but the vocals are terrible.
Track 38: Happy Clappers – I Believe
‘Not on Spotify’ Type 2: YouTube Pause (TM).
Super annoying vocal ticks at the start. I’ve downed my pint of Strongbow and am definitely leaving the club this time.
Track 39: Wild Colour – Dreams
Interesting clangy bit and a good electro line, but jarred together the track just becomes a mess. I’m doing up the buttons on my vintage ’80s trenchcoat.
Track 40: E’Voke – Runaway
The irritating vocals start up on this track just as I sweep through the door of the imaginary ’90s nightclub. I’m in the taxi. I’m done.
Let’s hope 1996 is an improvement.