Day 33’s Now! compilation was released on 18th March 1996.
On with the music!
Track 1: Queen – Too Much Love Will Kill You
We’ve already had the Brian May solo version on Now! #23, but as I said in that review, I marginally prefer the version with the full band. Beautiful track.
Track 2: Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger
Classic Britpop anthem. At the time, my brother made up a full set of comedy actions to go with the lyrics that he would perform every time this song came on, and so I can’t unsee that whenever I hear it. Like most Oasis tracks, it hasn’t aged that well, but it’s still a nice tune.
Track 3: Babylon Zoo – Spaceman
Loved this at the time, still quite like it now. Really interesting rock song, played at every school disco circa 1995-1996.
Track 4: Supergrass – Going Out
Quite like the instrumental hook, but the vocals are pretty annoying.
Track 5: Pulp – Disco 2000
Another classic from Pulp. The lyrics are just brilliant, although I do wonder how dated the concept of ‘let’s all meet up in the year 2000‘ must seem nowadays to those unfortunate souls who are too young to remember the 20th century.
Track 6: Cher – One By One
Nice epic guitar on the intro, nice tune. Quite like this one. Still rocking the sax solo too!
Track 7: Meat Loaf – Not A Dry Eye In The House
Not my favourite Meat Loaf track, but still a solid rock ballad.
Track 8: Enya – Anywhere Is
Great tune from Enya – loved it then, love it now.
Track 9: The Connells – ’74-’75
I’ve always adored this one – it’s another track that we had on a Top Gear compilation. Gorgeous, wistful tune.
Track 10: Boyzone – Father And Son
I’ve never been hugely keen on this cover of the Cat Stevens classic. At the time, it was just too slow for me; nowadays, I find it inferior to the original.
Track 11: Blur – The Universal
Love the way the track builds to that epic anthemic chorus. Great stuff.
Track 12: Paul Weller – Out Of The Sinking
Another one off Stanley Road that I hated at the time. It still annoys me purely due to to bringing back memories of being stuck in a backseat with no escape, but I can appreciate the musicality now. Sort of.
Track 13: Cast – Sandstorm
Oh, it’s this one! Great tune, love the vocal line on the verses.
Track 14: Mike & The Mechanics – All I Need Is A Miracle
Great tune – there’s something a bit ’80s throwback about it, which is no bad thing.
Track 15: Status Quo and Beach Boys – Fun, Fun, Fun
Semi-cover of the ’60s classic. Not sure that Status Quo’s signature guitar lines were really needed on this song, but it’s at least different.
Track 16: Terrorvision – Perseverance
Another one I’d sort of forgotten about. I like the upbeat vocals on the verses, and that singalong chorus is great.
Track 17: Lush – Ladykillers
Great song – great vocals, nice guitar line, really danceable.
Track 18: Levellers – Just The One
Great singalong tune, great theme, reminds me of hearing this played live at every Beautiful Days festival I went to between 2009 and 2013.
Track 19: Radiohead – Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Gorgeous, melancholy track. Beautiful.
Track 20: Oasis – Live Forever
We have a repeated artist on the same Now! compilation, which as I’ve explained before is a DJing/compiling no-no! Not impressed.
I’ve always found the tune on this one a bit annoying.
Track 21: Lighthouse Family – Lifted
Found the tune irritating at the time, still find it irritating now. There are much better Lighthouse Family songs.
Track 22: Eternal – Good Thing
Dull tune, dull beat. Not keen on this one.
Track 23: Etta James – I Just Want To Make Love To You
Classic ’60s cover of the Muddy Waters track, back in the chart for 1996 due to the infamous Diet Coke advert. Great tune.
Track 24: Simply Red – Never Never Love
Oh, it’s this one. Found it annoying at the time, find it dull now.
Track 25: Gabrielle – Give Me A Little More Time
Never been hugely keen on this one as I find the tune a bit generic.
Track 26: East 17 – Thunder
Great piano intro, great atmosphere. The verses are a bit saccharine, but in general I really like this one.
Track 27: Luniz – I Got 5 On It
Always quite liked this one – it’s got a good atmosphere.
Track 28: Kaliphz and Prince Naseem – Walk Like A Champion
‘Not on Spotify’ Type 2: YouTube Pause (TM).
Found this annoying at the time, find it more annoying now. Not a fan of this at all.
Track 29: Shaggy and Grand Puba – Why You Treat Me So Bad
Really don’t like the tune, and the track is pretty messy. Not keen.
Track 30: Baby D – So Pure
‘Not on Spotify’ Type 2: YouTube Pause (TM).
Fairly generic dance track, irritating vocals.
Track 31: Gat Decor – Passion (Do You Want It Right Now)
Another dull dance track – nothing special at all.
Track 32: Gusto – Disco’s Revenge
Quite like the instrumental hook, but the vocals are pretty irritating and messy.
Track 33: Ken Doh – I Need A Lover Tonight
Not enough melody for me – just uninteresting and repetitive. Not keen.
Track 34: Ace Of Base – Beautiful Life
Lovely piano intro, great atmosphere. Really nice track.
Track 35: Louise – In Walked Love
Revoltingly saccharine. Don’t like this at all.
Track 36: Dubstar – Not So Manic Now
Really like this one – lovely tune, lovely vocals.
Track 37: Saint Etienne – He’s On The Phone
Another one that we had on a Top Gear compilation. I absolutely love this one – it’s a great tune with a gorgeous atmosphere.
Track 38: Dreadzone – Little Britain
Dreadzone were a favourite at Beautiful Days around the time that Geth and I were going regularly, as they played there so often. This one’s a great, upbeat danceable track with interesting orchestral-tinged hooks.
Track 39: Goldbug – Whole Lotta Love
‘Not on Spotify’ Type 2: YouTube Pause (TM).
Female-vocal-led cover of the Led Zeppelin classic – other than the incorporation of the Pearl & Dean theme, it’s fairly uninspired.
Track 40: Technohead – I Wanna Be A Hippy
Loved it at the time, fairly irritated by it now.
