Only two days until Now Yearbook 1997, looking forward to listening to that at the weekend, as long as I can get near a stockist. HMV tends to be a bit hit and miss with deliveries for me and Amazon's Prime is much less reliable for release day delivery than it used to be. I'll check the supermarkets.

This upcoming German compilation has been allowed to use Manchild, so hopefully Now will get the same treatment and we won't be left with no No.1s featuring on Now 121:

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/MegaHits-2025-Zweite-Various-Artists/dp/B0F8LFLHR1/ref=zg_bsnr_g_21436136031_d_sccl_19/258-9023263-4395206

I suppose there is also the chance anyway that they will get stuff like Dior by MK and Chrystal which could climb to No.1.

19 minutes ago, gooddelta said:

This upcoming German compilation has been allowed to use Manchild, so hopefully Now will get the same treatment and we won't be left with no No.1s featuring on Now 121:

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/MegaHits-2025-Zweite-Various-Artists/dp/B0F8LFLHR1/ref=zg_bsnr_g_21436136031_d_sccl_19/258-9023263-4395206

I suppose there is also the chance anyway that they will get stuff like Dior by MK and Chrystal which could climb to No.1.

MK is a licensable artist so I don’t see why not. I hope they do include him because if they don’t, I have a feeling they’ll miss him off Now 122 so they can go overboard with the r2 artists and I hope they fill up both discs instead of leaving big gaps in them

Edited June 25Jun 25 by Hadji

2 hours ago, gooddelta said:

Only two days until Now Yearbook 1997, looking forward to listening to that at the weekend, as long as I can get near a stockist. HMV tends to be a bit hit and miss with deliveries for me and Amazon's Prime is much less reliable for release day delivery than it used to be. I'll check the supermarkets.

I’ll check HMV for mine on Friday. I remember spotting 1973 yearbook on Thursday 7th September 2023 in my local Asda but I didn’t buy it as I wanted the deluxe version instead. I’ve also seen some people on the Now collectors page on Facebook receiving their Now CDs day before release. I was tempted to order from there but I don’t wanna pay extra for p&p

Edited June 26Jun 26 by Hadji

I tried HMV once before and ended up getting it on Monday, but yeah a lot of people do seem to get stuff a day early. I will buy the deluxe too, even though they are getting expensive for what is essentially a few pages of info and a hardback cover.

27 minutes ago, gooddelta said:

I tried HMV once before and ended up getting it on Monday, but yeah a lot of people do seem to get stuff a day early. I will buy the deluxe too, even though they are getting expensive for what is essentially a few pages of info and a hardback cover.

I’m gonna go first thing on Friday for deluxe version because I don’t wanna go later in the day and be told that the deluxe version is sold out. Some people tend to buy all 3 versions; standard, deluxe and vinyl but I’m happy with just the deluxe

HMV near us sometimes only stocks up two copies of the deluxe versions and Extras, so you do have to get there early. I always wonder how profitable things like Extras and Vault releases are for Now, but perhaps as the hits are a lot smaller the songs are easier to license.

6 minutes ago, gooddelta said:

HMV near us sometimes only stocks up two copies of the deluxe versions and Extras, so you do have to get there early. I always wonder how profitable things like Extras and Vault releases are for Now, but perhaps as the hits are a lot smaller the songs are easier to license.

I think they put out two at a time so if you don’t see any at the front, your best best is to ask them if they have any

Released on 25th July. They put Sabrina’s number 1 but why is Calvin Harris track 1? And no songs that get played on 1xtra either. Stop with the anti-1xtra

Edited June 26Jun 26 by Hadji

I did say I thought Calvin would open!

I think it's some sort of contractual obligation that maybe doesn't stand 100% of the time like George and Queen, which is why that Sam Smith collab opened the one after Miracle and he opens every Bravo Hits album he features on in Germany with any flop going, as I mentioned.

Manchild would have made more sense but I'm glad we got it, it's nice to have a No.1 on here.

Good also to see a couple of Eurovision songs, including the UK entry. JJ I guess has to be there but I'd have preferred Baller.

This is a good tracklist considering the dearth of hits recently, Disc 1 is strong! Surprised at double JADE but not complaining.

Disc 2 is a mixed bag but I'm pleased to see Headphones On made it.

On 01/06/2025 at 17:53, gooddelta said:

We shall see. I do agree that the Now 116 opener from Calvin was a very bad pick and made me wonder if Disc 1, Track 1 was a licensing stipulation from Calvin in that case, which is what makes me think Blessings could also open this. In Germany, Calvin has kicked off Bravo Hits multiple times with very dubious choices that weren't even big hits there, including all of Smoke The Pain Away, Free and Lovers In A Past Life. I don't think they would be there unless there was some call for it from Calvin/the label.

If it's not Calvin then if there's a radio and chart smash/big name artist with a long-running hit to kick off with (like Azizam) then I believe they will take that option, like with George Ezra's Green Green Grass opening Now 112 over e.g. the huge summer No.1 from LF System further down.

Rayvn Lenae feels more like something they'd place a little lower than an opener to me, but if she does open the album then I will happily eat my words as I love the song.

😄

Now 116 opened with Calvin Harris and what a disaster that was. Shame we’re missing RAYE, MK, Morgan Seatree, MOLIY. They gave us the short straw with Addison and Skye and I hope their current hits both appear on Now 122. I expected Sam Fender’s Olivia collab to miss out but I expect it to be on Now 122 too. I’ve noticed with Sam is they keep placing him on disc 2 even if he has a massive hit

Edited June 26Jun 26 by Hadji

Don't you think it's a good selection of hits overall though considering the last one was only out three months ago and the charts have been slow since? I think there are more positives than negatives to draw on here.

Considering how bad it could have been, to have 14 (?) top 10 hits and a No.1 and several other viral songs is more hits than I think I expected.

Headphones On is no short straw, it's one of the best songs of the year.

1 minute ago, gooddelta said:

Don't you think it's a good selection of hits overall though considering the last one was only out three months ago and the charts have been slow since? I think there are more positives than negatives to draw on here.

Considering how bad it could have been, to have 14 (?) top 10 hits and a No.1 and several other viral songs is more hits than I think I expected.

Headphones On is no short straw, it's one of the best songs of the year.

Fame Is A Gun is the more recent single and it charted higher than Headphones On. At least we got both Benson songs even though one of them should’ve been on Now 120. I hope we get at least one Tate McRae song on Now 122 and that they don’t go overboard with the radio 2 artists like they didn’t with the past two autumn editions. Instead of focusing on the radio 2 playlist, they should focus on the radio 1 playlist, 1xtra playlist, the lower end of the singles chart, the Spotify playlist and the apple playlist

Glad they didn't skip over 'Headphones On' as it's one of my favourite songs of the year too and a top 40 hit.

Hopefully 'Fame is a Gun' will make Now 122. It's still charting and may have further life with Addison opening for Lana at Wembley Stadium soon.

Poor Jelly Roll being the only artist not to have their name in bold!

47 minutes ago, Hadji said:

Released on 25th July. They put Sabrina’s number 1 but why is Calvin Harris track 1? And no songs that get played on 1xtra either. Stop with the anti-1xtra

Not quite, 'MUTT' is currently on the 1Xtra playlist.

18 minutes ago, Hadji said:

Released on 25th July. They put Sabrina’s number 1 but why is Calvin Harris track 1? And no songs that get played on 1xtra either. Stop with the anti-1xtra

Here's a Spotify playlist for anyone wanting a listen of the songs;

Double features for Alex Warren, Benson Boone, Clementine Douglas, JADE, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr... possibly the most occurances of double features on a Now compilation from the main series ever! 😯

Omissions in order of chart peak (songs in bold may feature on the following release);

Doechii – Anxiety {3}

WizTheMC And Bees And Honey – Show Me Love {3}

MK feat. Chrystal – Dior {5}

Skye Newman – Family Matters {5}

Tate McRae – 2 hands {8}

Ed Sheeran – Sapphire {9}

Jack Black – Steve's Lava Chicken {9}

Tate McRae – Revolving door {9}

Sleep Token – Caramel {10}

Lorde – What Was That {11}

Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching {11}

MOLIY + Silent Addy – Shake It To The Max {12}

Sam Fender – Arm's Length {14}

Ed Sheeran – Old Phone {17}

Sleep Token – Emergence {17}

Lil Tecca – Dark Thoughts {20}

Aitch & Bou – Raving In The Studio {22}

Addison Rae – Fame Is A Gun {23}

AJ Tracy & Jorja Smith – Crush {23}

Miley Cyrus – End Of The World {23}

Aitch – A Guy Called? {25}

Morgan Seatree x Florence + The Machine – Say My Name (Remix) {25}

Ely Oaks – Running Around {28}

Selena Gomez & benny blanco feat. Gracie Abrams – Call Me When You Break Up {28}

J-Hope feat. GloRilla – Killin' It Girl {30}

Mark Ronson feat. RAYE – Suzanne {34}

Twenty One Pilots – The Contract {33}

PinkPantheress – Tonight {35}

Disco Lines & Tinashe – No Broke Boys {37}

Jorja Smith – The Way I Love You {39}

=====================================

Shaboozey & Myles Smith – Blink Twice {44}

Calvin Harris – SMOKE THE PAIN AWAY {46}

Perrie – You Go Your Way {52}

Rudimental feat. Khalid – All I Know {56}

Lorde – Man Of The Year {62}

Miley Cyrus – Easy Lover {64}

=====================================

Other songs possibly considered;

Alesso feat. Becky Hill – Surrender

Clean Bandit & Tiësto feat. Leony – Tell Me Where U Go

Garbage – There's No Future In Optimism

Grace Davies – Super Love Me

HAIM – Down To Be Wrong

Joel Corry feat. Jennifer Lopez – Get Right

Jonas Brothers – Love Me To Heaven / No Time To Talk

Lana Del Rey – Bluebird

Lil Nas X – HOTBOX

Lizzo – Still Bad

Mae Muller – Breakaway

Nathan Dawe feat. Shayan – Over You

Pulp – Spike Island / Got To Have Love

Rihanna – Friend Of Mine (from The Smurfs Movie Soundtrack)

Sam Ryder – OH OK

Sleep Token – Even In Arcadia

Sugababes – Jungle / Weeds

Switch Disco feat. Tones & I – HIDEAWAY

Teddy Swims – God Went Crazy

Tom Grennan – Boys Don't Cry / Full Attention

Wet Leg – catch these fists

Zara Larsson – Pretty Ugly / Midnight Sun

5 minutes ago, WhoOdyssey said:

Not quite, 'MUTT' is currently on the 1Xtra playlist.

Just him then and Weeknd if you class him as 1xtra

Lorde definitely would have been a nice addition.

Anxiety, Show Me Love and Shake It To The Max are the biggest misses I think, as the other big hits not here will either appear later or the artists have bigger songs on here already.

Anxiety is the only one of those that showed up on Bravo in Germany (so far), and it is a curious miss when she was on Now 120.