And for those wondering about J Hus, Weeknd and Stormzy’s absences from this album, it’s not licensing, it’s that they’re being anti-urban. I just hope they don’t go anti-urban for 116

 

How do you know that as a fact?

 

Why would they pick and choose on which volumes to snub certain genres? They had Stormzy and Central Cee on the previous edition, so why would they leave those artists off now if they had access to the new songs by those acts.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if all three make the next edition, but if they don't it will be because of the Drake feature on J Hus, and because the Stormzy song didn't exactly light up the chart as expected and he may have something else out by then instead. Stormzy and The Weeknd have both had countless recent Now appearances.

 

As for Hannah and Peggy, now that songs linger around for months I just think we've got to get used to big hits that are less than a month old not being licensed in time for the numbered Now series. They sell in such low quantities, the artists probably want them to make their maximum chart splash before licensing them. Especially as Now buyers probably have a lot of crossover with people that download from iTunes, and downloads can still have a decisive swing in chart battles so the artists may wish to wait until a song has definitely peaked before licensing it to Now. Also, Peggy sort of came out of nowhere, I expect this tracklist was put together in about mid June, before or just as that song was charting.

Edited July 7, 20231 yr by gooddelta

How do you know that as a fact?

 

Why would they pick and choose on which volumes to snub certain genres? They had Stormzy and Central Cee on the previous edition, so why would they leave those artists off now if they had access to the new songs by those acts.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if all three make the next edition, but if they don't it will be because of the Drake feature on J Hus, and because the Stormzy song didn't exactly light up the chart as expected and he may have something else out by then instead. Stormzy and The Weeknd have both had countless recent Now appearances.

 

As for Hannah and Peggy, now that songs linger around for months I just think we've got to get used to big hits that are less than a month old not being licensed in time for the numbered Now series. They sell in such low quantities, the artists probably want them to make their maximum chart splash before licensing them. Especially as Now buyers probably have a lot of crossover with people that download from iTunes, and downloads can still have a decisive swing in chart battles so the artists may wish to wait until a song has definitely peaked before licensing it to Now. Also, Peggy sort of came out of nowhere, I expect this tracklist was put together in about mid June, before or just as that song was charting.

Drake is a featured artist, not a main artist and if it is because of Drake, they’ll more likely include J Hus’ next single on 116 if they decide to include urban. I can understand Dave not being on there as he won’t license his songs for some unknown reason. And you can tell that 115 is being anti-urban with the lack of urban artists. They also did this on 102. Drake doesn’t own the rights to songs he features on. He appeared on 97, 99 and 101 all as a featured artist and this was after he decided to stop licensing his songs. You can tell that songs are being picked out of the hat for this edition. I also don’t like when they leave a massive gap on the disc which could easily be filled

Edited July 7, 20231 yr by Hadji

What’s an “urban” artist? You have The Weeknd as an example but his music these days is not much different from the likes of Miley Cyrus.

What’s an “urban” artist? You have The Weeknd as an example but his music these days is not much different from the likes of Miley Cyrus.

Stormzy, Dave, J Hus, Nicki Minaj, Russ Millions, Tion Wayne are urban artists. Rap, hip hop and r&b. People refer to them as urban. I do hope though that the Cat Burns version of "Perfect" is on 116 seeing as "Lose You" was included onto 115 for no reason

Stormzy, Dave, J Hus, Nicki Minaj, Russ Millions, Tion Wayne are urban artists. Rap, hip hop and r&b. People refer to them as urban. I do hope though that the Cat Burns version of "Perfect" is on 116 seeing as "Lose You" was included onto 115 for no reason

Well we know Nicki Minaj will feature on Now 115, and maybe the songs from Barbie from the likes of Nicki, Dua and others could feature on Now 116 after the movie is released.

 

Also, I do think there is a rule about certain artists not featuring as I highly doubt for example that Sam Smith feat. Madonna would have been considered even if it had performed well in the charts. Same thing with The Weeknd's recent releases.

 

Early contenders for the next release, Now 116, would be these;

 

Peggy Gou - (It Goes Like) Nanana

Hannah Laing feat RoRo - Good Love

Olivia Rodrigo - vampire

Dua Lipa - Dance The Night

Miley Cyrus - River/Jaded

Zara Larsson - End Of Time

Jorja Smith - Little Things

Burna B - Sittin On Top Of The World

Stephen Sanchez - Until I Found You

Dermot Kennedy - Don't Forget Me

Jax Jones & Fireboy DML - Me & My Guitar

Calvin Harris feat. Sam Smith - Desire

Luude & Bru-C feat. Kevin Lyttle - TMO (Turn Me On)

Issey Cross - Bittersweet Goodbye

Becky Hill - Disconnect

Am I wrong in thinking that the term "Urban" has actually become widely unacceptable?

I feel my brain cells depleting more and more with each post in this thread

 

(edit: minus Jonjo's just now x But I'm not sure we'll be able to get that memo through to Hadji)

Going back to the USA 80s spin-off. I wish Janet and her team let her songs get licensed - this album screams 80s Janet Bangers. Nasty, Control, Rhythm Nation, When I Think of You, and Pleasure Principle would've been perfect for this album.

 

Also just had NOW Yearbook '92 come through the letter box, and it's just amazing. The colours, the booklet, the vinyl colours... Just perfection.

Am I wrong in thinking that the term "Urban" has actually become widely unacceptable?

 

Correct, it's not a wise term to use: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/15/877384808/is...for-urban-music

 

"On June 5, in response to the rapidly increasing momentum behind the fight for Black lives in the U.S. and around the world, Republic Records announced that it would "remove 'urban' from the label's verbiage in describing departments, employee titles and music genres," citing their belief that "over time the meaning and connotations of 'urban' have shifted and developed into a generalization of Black people in many sectors of the music industry, including employees and music by Black artists."

 

Drake is a featured artist, not a main artist and if it is because of Drake, they’ll more likely include J Hus’ next single on 116 if they decide to include urban. I can understand Dave not being on there as he won’t license his songs for some unknown reason. And you can tell that 115 is being anti-urban with the lack of urban artists. They also did this on 102. Drake doesn’t own the rights to songs he features on. He appeared on 97, 99 and 101 all as a featured artist and this was after he decided to stop licensing his songs. You can tell that songs are being picked out of the hat for this edition. I also don’t like when they leave a massive gap on the disc which could easily be filled

 

What rap songs have even been big hits this year though before the Dave track, to warrant their inclusion. I don't think they snub the big top five hits that they have access to. I can understand leaving off a UK/US rap track that gets to No.18, for example, and quickly disappears, in favour of an MOR/pop lower charting track that might appeal more to the audience of the Now albums. But I really don't think there's any agenda against including the bigger hits from the genres, there just haven't really been any, apart from those that can't be licensed. They also have to do more work to get these, because a clean version surely has to be available, and if it isn't then perhaps they have to make their own or ask the label to do so, I don't know how it works.

I'm not sure we'll be able to get that memo through to Hadji)

Because I’m stating facts? You know what, they should just give me a job there because I’d do their job for them better than they can

Edited July 7, 20231 yr by Hadji

I feel my brain cells depleting more and more with each post in this thread

 

(edit: minus Jonjo's just now x But I'm not sure we'll be able to get that memo through to Hadji)

In fairness I was going to follow-up my comment by pointing that out afterwards, I was just interested in hearing his definition first!

Anyway in other news, my Now Yearbook 1992 arrived and the only downside is that the U2 song is a 6min dance version instead of the original radio edit and I imagine they’ll announce Now Yearbook Extra 1992 next week with it being released on 18th August. Anyway, here’s my recap of omissions which could make the extra yearbook

 

1. Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart

2. Was (Not Was) - Shake Your Head

3. Nick Berry - Heartbeat

4. The Prodigy - Out Of Space

5. SL2 - On A Ragga Tip

6. Erasure - Take A Chance On Me

7. Bizarre Inc featuring Angie Brown - I'm Gonna Get You

8. The Temptations - My Girl

9. The Lightning Seeds - Life Of Riley

10. Del Amitri - Always The Last To Know

11. Boyz II Men - End Of The Road

12. Michael Jackson - Heal The World

13. Shakespears Sister - I Don't Care

14. Undercover - Never Let Her Slip Away

15. Doctor Spin - Tetris

16. Ambassadors Of Funk featuring MC Mario - Supermarioland

17. Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine - The Only Living Boy In New Cross

18. Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine - Do Re Me, So Far So Good

19. Cher - Oh No Not My Baby

20. The Shamen - LSI (Love Sex Intelligence)

21. The Shamen - Phorever People

22. The Shamen - Boss Drum

23. Arrested Development - People Everyday

24. Stereo MC's - Connected

25. Smart E's - Sesame's Treat

26. The Pasadenas - I'm Doing Fine Now

27. Felix - Don't You Want Me

28. Brian May - Too Much Love Will Kill You

29. The WWF Superstars - Slam Jam

30. Lionel Richie - Do It To Me

31. Annie Lennox - Cold

32. Annie Lennox - Precious

33. KWS - Rock Your Baby

34. Wet Wet Wet - More Than Love

35. Everything But The Girl - Love Is Strange

36. Roxette - Church Of Your Heart

37. James - Born Of Frustration

38. Richard Marx - Take This Heart

39. Clivillés & Cole - A Deeper Love

40. Curtis Stigers - I Wonder Why

41. Curtis Stigers - You're All That Matters To Me

42. The Beautiful South - Bell Bottomed Tear

43. U2 - One

44. U2 - Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses

45. Crowded House - It's Only Natural

46. The Farm - Don't You Want Me

47. Vanessa Paradis - Be My Baby

48. Betty Boo - Let Me Take You There

49. Soul II Soul - Joy

50. Joe Cocker - Unchain My Heart

51. Faith No More - Midlife Crisis

52. Shut Up And Dance - Raving I'm Raving

53. 2 Unlimited - Workaholic

54. Incognito - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing

55. Alice Cooper - Feed My Frankenstein

56. L7 - Pretend We're Dead

57. Sunscreem - Perfect Motion

58. Sunscreem - Love U More

59. Roy Orbison - I Drove All Night

60. Roy Orbison & K.D. Lang - Crying

61. Diana Ross - One Shining Moment

62. Diana Ross - The Force Behind The Power

63. 2 Unlimited - Workaholic

64. 2 Unlimited - The Magic Friend

Edited July 8, 20231 yr by Hadji

I know it's never gonna happen, but I'd love This Used to Be My Playground on the '92 Extra album. Along with 2 Unlimited, Vanessa Paradis, and Boyz II Men. 1992 was such a great year for Pop!

I know it's never gonna happen, but I'd love This Used to Be My Playground on the '92 Extra album. Along with 2 Unlimited, Vanessa Paradis, and Boyz II Men. 1992 was such a great year for Pop!

I hope they go to 1987 next but I’d have preferred for them to go to 1990 or 1991 if they wanted to jump straight to the 90s as there’d be more missing Now hits as only 2 editions got released on both years so those would’ve been full of numbered omissions

Edited July 7, 20231 yr by Hadji

Do you think we will get another instalment of the Now Millennium series this year after they released 2000-2001 a short time ago? I am wondering if they would attempt an “Extra” release for additional songs from those two years or would they move straight into 2002-2003 and if so what tracks could and should feature on there.

Do you think we will get another instalment of the Now Millennium series this year after they released 2000-2001 a short time ago? I am wondering if they would attempt an “Extra” release for additional songs from those two years or would they move straight into 2002-2003 and if so what tracks could and should feature on there.

I think they’ll just move straight to Now Millennium 2002-2003 and when you said what tracks should feature on there, if you are referring to Now Millennium Extra 2000-2001, I reckon they should do it something like this

 

CD 1

 

1. Five & Queen - We Will Rock You

2. All Saints - Black Coffee

3. Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue - Kids

4. Fragma - Toca's Miracle

5. Chicane featuring Bryan Adams - Don't Give Up

6. Sonique - Sky

7. Geri Halliwell - Bag It Up

8. Britney Spears - Born To Make You Happy

9. Craig David - Fill Me In

10. Sweet Female Attitude - Flowers

11. Spice Girls - Let Love Lead The Way

12. A1 - Same Old Brand New You

13. Coldplay - Trouble

14. Kylie Minogue - On A Night Like This

15. S Club 7 - Never Had A Dream Come True

16. Spiller featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)

17. Ronan Keating - Life Is A Rollercoaster

18. True Steppers & Dane Bowers featuring Victoria Beckham - Out Of Your Mind

19. Darude - Sandstorm

20. York - O.T.B (On The Beach)

21. Public Domain - Operation Blade (Bass In The Place)

22. Zombie Nation - Kernkraft 400

 

CD 2

 

1. Melanie C - I Turn To You

2. Baha Men - Who Let The Dogs Out?

3. Destiny's Child - Independent Women

4. Westlife - My Love

5. Billie Piper - Day & Night

6. Lene Marlin - Sitting Down Here

7. DJ Luck & MC Neat - A Little Bit Of Luck

8. Sisqó - Thong Song

9. Vengaboys - Shalala Lala

10. NSync - It's Gonna Be Me

11. Santana featuring The Product G&B - Maria Maria

12. Shaggy featuring Rayvon - Angel

13. Hear'Say - The Way To Your Love

14. Emma Bunton - What Took You So Long?

15. Atomic Kitten - Eternal Flame

16. Blue - Too Close

17. S Club 7 - Have You Ever

18. City High - What Would You Do

19. Fragma featuring Maria Rubia - Everytime You Need Me

20. Safri Duo - Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song)

21. Ian Van Dahl - Castles In The Sky

22. N-Trance - Set You Free (Rob Searle remix)

 

CD 3

 

1. DJ Otzi - Hey Baby

2. Afroman - Because I Got High

3. Geri Halliwell - It's Raining Men

4. Gabrielle - Out Of Reach

5. Alicia Keys - Fallin'

6. OutKast - Ms Jackson

7. Basement Jaxx - Romeo

8. U2 - Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of

9. Nelly Furtado - I'm Like A Bird

10. Jennifer Lopez - Love Don't Cost A Thing

11. Feeder - Buck Rogers

12. Uncle Kracka - Follow Me

13. Dido - Here With Me

14. OPM - Heaven Is A Halfpipe

15. Sum 41 - Fat Lip

16. DJ Piped Piper & The Masters Of Ceremonies - Do You Really Like It?

17. Louise - Stuck In The Middle With You

18. Eve - Who's That Girl

19. Stereophonics - Mr Writer

20. Backstreet Boys - Drowning

21. Nelly featuring City Spud - Ride Wit Me

22. Ash - Shining Light

Anyway in other news, my Now Yearbook 1992 arrived and the only downside is the the U2 song is a 6min dance version instead of the original radio edit

 

I think the remix was a bigger hit at the time. The original got to 12 and the remix got to 8 a few weeks later. Not sure though why the longer mix is on here and not a dance edit.

 

I'm liking the 1992 Yearbook more than all of the others personally, as the 90s is my era, and there are some great inspired choices on here. For how shoddily the reissues of the numbered series were put together (particularly the early editions), with wrong edits and mixes of many songs, the Yearbook is a very different prospect, they've been curated with care and attention mainly to using the correct hit versions, so they feel like quality products. And they flow very nicely too mostly. I also love being able to get smaller and very rarely (or in some cases never) compiled hits on CD. Like the Smurfs songs on Now 78 and Extra :lol:

 

Looking forward to seeing what's on the Extra, there's bound to be a lot of discoveries on it for me.

 

Going back to an earlier point about Bruce Springsteen, I recalled that Streets Of Philadelphia was on Now Movies in 2013, I've no idea how they managed to license that one!

Edited July 8, 20231 yr by gooddelta

I just seen that EBTTRT was in the top 100 twice instead of being combined but I do remember that the original album version appeared on Now 22 instead of the remix and I think that they should’ve included a radio edit of the Oakenfold remix instead of the full version. And as for the boss, shame Sony didn’t buy his catalogue before Now Yearbook 1984 was released as we could’ve had "Dancing In The Dark", "Glory Days" and "Born In The USA" on the yearbooks

Which other artists do you think they are trying to strike a licensing deal with? I’d like to believe an agreement can be reached with Pet Shop Boys for some of the yearbooks and maybe some other less featured artists like David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Bee Gees, Phil Collins, Erasure and others.

Which other artists do you think they are trying to strike a licensing deal with? I’d like to believe an agreement can be reached with Pet Shop Boys for some of the yearbooks and maybe some other less featured artists like David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Bee Gees, Phil Collins, Erasure and others.

I’m not too sure about Erasure being omitted as they appeared on the re-release of Now 14 but we’ll know when Now 16 gets re-released if they appear. I’m all for 90s yearbooks but 1990 or 1991 should’ve come first as there’d me a lot of missing Now hits as only 64 songs made a numbered Now in 1990 and 69 songs made a numbered Now in 1991. And as for summer Nows, if Now 118 gets released next year on 26th July, it will mean that the summer Nows are being released on the last Friday in July from now on