The History of Pop part 16 aka Tough like a ninja stinging like a bee

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Now 16 - second half of 1989, and my goodness there are some fantastic tracks here, even Sir Cliff's PWL-produced offering isn't bad. Beatle pastiches, Prince collaborators, mucky noises, THE REBEL MC!!!, corporate anthems, Joycean reveries, Smiths inspirations, and Daisy Agers - it was the best of times feat. the worst of times. And "introducing Cathy Dennis"!

Two last-minute votes sealed Neneh Cherry's victory in Now 15, with "Manchild", making her the first act to top two polls in a row. Consensus choice rather than tide of acclaim, though, with Soul II Soul, Transvision Vamp, and Kirsty MacColl close behind. You had least time for Cliff, the Ferry X The Mersey charity do, and poor old Jive Bunny. And the Pet Shop Boys beat the Cure in the end. Opinion divided on Paul Heaton's finest hour but the fella is somewhat of a fixture on later NOWs so we'll have plenty of time to discuss it.


[Poll #655470]


PS What the fvck is "Oh Well" by Oh Well???

Comments

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

Yes, this is an above-average NOW! for sure. Also, around this point they started issuing NOW! Dance compilations alongside the main NOW!s. I have a lot of these tracks on one of those (or some rival comp to NOW! Dance anyway).

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Yeah the Now Dance question poses a problem for these polls, but I think a lot of the tracks were just on both, certainly there's no let-up in the dance stuff on the main comps.

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

My first ever album was a cassette of Now Dance 91.