The History of Pop Part 5 aka What is wrong in my life that I must get drunk every night?

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

So, yeah, you know when I said in the last Now Poll that Now 5 was tons better than Now 4? Erm, well...that was before I typed it out. And also I remember this particular 'era' (first half of 85) with especial sharpness so my judgements may well be softer than yours. There are a few big hitters though - by now of course we're into the period where the success of Now had spawned rivals, and the brand's compilation predominance wasn't assured, so there was a hard fight for the good tracks. Things get gradually better from about Now 7 onwards (I think). As ever, "go for it" in the comments box.

Note a particularly annoying Now syndrome where the follow-up hit shows up on a comp and the better, bigger hit doesn't. PETE BURNS wuz ROBBED in other words.

Note the first thought given to actual sequencing w/the 'soul section' on disc 2!

RESULTS of Now 4 - a comfortable, perhaps too comfortable, win for "Together In Electric Dreams" over "Ghostbusters" and the Pointer Sisters. Nool Pwah to Eugene Wilde, though Limahl seems to have fared the worst in the write-in votes.


[Poll #622466]

Comments

Re: I JUDGE THAT...

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

In 1984 tho Bobby Womack got NME's album of the year!! Why such a turnaround? (If there was one)

[thenipper.livejournal.com]

It was by Rory Bremner, wasn't it? That's all you need to know.

NB: Paul Hardcastle directly responsible for Simon Fuller, Spice Girls, S Club, Pop Idol etc. How does history judge him?

Re: I JUDGE THAT...

[thenipper.livejournal.com]

Was 84/85 when Pye became editor? There certainly seemed to be a huge change in direction by mid-85: lots of older writer disappearing, and the beginning of Stuart Cosgrove's reign of terror.

[jauntyalan.livejournal.com]

the jimmy nail option somehow skated across my eyeball when it came to name the worst. ok, so bryan ferry not worst in some category for the first time ever.

commentators - classic

[jauntyalan.livejournal.com]

is there REALLY a connectioon between Hardcastle 19, and the 19 group of Simon Fuller et al. i was first told this by petebaran, and hence never been sure.

also, if so, i'm in favour obv.

Re: I JUDGE THAT...

[thenipper.livejournal.com]

Tho actually, I now remember a writers' poll from 85 or so that named 'I say a little prayer' as the greatest record of all time.

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. My anti-rockist credentials take a knock with the revelation that, of these, I own Dame Dave & Pat, Phil & Gary and U2 (and possibly Dame B. Ferry too) - all of those except the U2 on 'best of' CD comps mind.

Re: I JUDGE THAT...

[boyofbadgers.livejournal.com]

Were the soulcialists actually the boring-authenticity-obsessed-dull-as-ditchwater-Wellerfan-proto-Hornbys that they seemed to my late 80's MM reading self?

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

It was Crocodile Shoes anyway.

Actually no it wasn't. You are right.

SHE'S LYING (do you see)

[zenith.livejournal.com]

Gah I somehow did not tick 'Axel F'. That's very any good, obviously.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

If you click on the poll link and go to "fill in poll" as an option you can change/add to yr answers!

Conclusive proof that 1985 was not particularly a bad year for pop

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

Strong Hulington's CDR compilation for 1985 (http://ilx.wh3rd.net/thread.php?msgid=3857166)

[braisedbywolves.livejournal.com]

You can fill it in again, it'll remember your old votes! I think.

[braisedbywolves.livejournal.com]

I think it's an 'omage is all.

Re: I JUDGE THAT...

[thenipper.livejournal.com]

I think they were Paolo Hewitt. So yes!

[friedslice.livejournal.com]

Neither did I. I blame the frog

[zenith.livejournal.com]

Well done all etc.

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

1997 = worst year. Just look at Now 1997:

1. Beautiful South - Don't Marry Her
2. Texas - Say What You Want
3. Cardigans - Love Fool (ok this is good)
4. White Town - Your Woman (TOO SLOW)
5. Hot Chocolate Remix - You Sexy Thing
6. Spice Girls - Who Do You Think You Are (ok 2 good ones so far)
7. Boyzone - Picture of You (LAME)
8. Eternal and That Bloke - I Wanna Be The Only One (urrrgh plus Louise had left by then)
9. Backstreet Boys - As Long As You Love Me (off the boil)
10. Bee Gees - Alone (SUPER LAME)
11. Coolio - See You When You Get There (WHAT)
12. R Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly (vomit!)
13. Gabrielle - Walk On By (Travesty!)
14. Louise - Arms Around The World (is this the one where she had weird contact lenses in?)
15. 911 - Bodyshaking
16. Hansen - Mmmmbop (ok 3 out of 16 so far)
17. Steps - 5678 (ok 4)
18. Aqua - Barbie Girl (nice idea but mediocre execution)

Side 2
1. All Saints - I Know Where Its At (the rubbish first single)
2. Robbie Williams - Let Me Entertain You (I hate this song)
3. U2 - Discoteque (nuff said)
4. Ocean Colour Scene - 100 Mile High City (!!!!)
5. Supergrass - Richard III (good but not pop!)
6. Oasis - Dyou Know What I Mean
7. Radiohead - Karma Police (could this side BE any more indie?)
8. Blur - Beetlebum (YES YES IT CAN)
9. Meredith Brooks - Bitch (you're no Alanis, luv)
10. Chumbawumba - Thumbtappping (whatevr)
11. Bellini - Samba De Janeiro (rub)
12. Sash! - Ecuador (not as good as encore un fois)
13. DJ Quicksilver - Bellisima (at least it's not indie)
14. Ultra Nate - Free (ok this is good. What's that? 5?)
15. Todd Terry & Jocelyn Brown - Somethin Going On (don't remember this)
16. Chemical Brothers - Block rockin beats (I bought this. but it's not pop)
17. Monaco - What Do You Want From Me (HAHAHAHAH MONACO)
18. Cast - Free Me (bored now)


OK FIVE SONGS OUT OF 36 DOES NOT A GOOD YEAR MAKE

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Tis best Hucknall Song. Hence me ticking it.

[zenith.livejournal.com]

It all seems very "let's vote New Labour!" now.

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

No wonder I turned to the Indie side, and became 1x snob.

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

I did give Jimmy Nail a tick.

I'm not sure why. I like the man.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

The contrariometer of byebyepride seems to be in FULL WORKING ORDER!

[dorsalstop.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like The Unforgettable Fire a lot too. The whole album, in fact, skipping 'Pride' every time tho. The rest is this Eno/Lanois underwater-feeling production thing, and sounds great.

Re: I JUDGE THAT...

[dorsalstop.livejournal.com]

Oh yes I do. Will YSI the n-n-n-nineteen one asap, also the Loose Ends one (ie Kelley Polar are about to be BUSTED haha)