nirvanamusic

Never Forget is my favourite alongside Pray and Back For Good. Though one man deserves all the plaudits for this one: Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf's collaborator. His influence is all over this song and made it stratospheric, iconic and epic. He gave it the drama, idiosyncratic nature, multitude of musical styles and quirks to make it last long in the memory. I love the fanfare which starts the track -- pop royalty! I'm unaware of any other song which starts as such -- explosion sound, choir, hand claps, sounding like it's finishing only to rewind for another final chorus and so many other elements of the song. The album version was dire, in my opinion. Every member of Take That got a line in this one, though as stated Howard really shone delivering lead vocals on this one. His deeper voice really suits the boombastic nature of the song. Gary had a knack for pairing the right song with the right member and writing/creating to their strengths. If only Jason could have had a lead vocal number one hit also and completed the entire set. This should have been thier initial swansong. It simply couldn't be topped. Eerie to think it was written prior to Robbie leaving and then released as he did. It is almost prophetic. As mentioned in main review, years ago I was surprised to see so many comments from school leavers about the song in the music video comments. However, this is fantastic and such a great message to take away and through life. The King's Coronation performance of this was also a highlight.

Back For Good is when everything came together: vocals, video, harmonies, songwriting, image, and the payoff of having travelled the world for two years prior promoting themselves. Remember back then you had to be physically seen to promote, out of sight out of mind, unlike todays world of social media. Much harder, longer to sync the world together and physically demanding. One Direction never left their sofa and became the biggest band in the world before a record even came out through online networking. Back For Good was the most succesful pop single worldwide of 1995, number 1 in 31 nations and top 10 in all others, and the third overall behind Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio --13 weeks World Chart #1-- and Boombastic, Shaggy. It is their only single to have topped the World Chart, doing so for three weeks. It is also my joint favourite alongside Pray and another still to feature. It remains the highest point of both their own and Robbie's solo career, and won't be matched by either now. The fact it went Top 10 in America at that time shows how strong the song is. Not because Americans have superior tastes and standards --they don't-- but because it happened in a non pop friendly time dominated by grunge, alternative rock, gangsta rap, dance, New Jack Swing, R & B and hip hop. Their was also a major backlash towards pop acts caused by New Kids on the Block's popularity and Milli Vanilli's lip syncing. The only pop artists charting well then were pre-established older acts such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elton John etc, not new pop artists. That would come later in 1997 with Hanson, Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys. I believe Take That going Top 10 in America was incremental positive change which allowed the start of the late 90s pop explosion, and is often overlooked. People remember those who burst through the door, but not those who initially cracked it open. For example, US boyband 98 Degrees debut single's music video in 1997. Look familiar? Black and white, classic car, running to shelter, thick coats, rain. Lead singer Nick Lachey stated Take That were a blueprint and he even covered Patience for a US release. Backstreet Boys and NSYNC were also constantly informed about Take That being the main pop boyband worldwide and watched numerous videos of their songs and tours whilst they were still in development during Take That's popularity. Both have cited Take That as an inspiration --the only non US vocal harmony group mentioned-- and a favourite group of theirs alongside New Kids on the Block, Shai, and Boyz II Men. New Kids have said they are fans of Take That, referencing this music video in one of their recent songs, and as we know Boyz II Men worked with the group on Odyssey and covered Back For Good. Back For Good is a song which simply can't be ignored or denied.

These Days indeed has a fantastic chorus, and aside from their early days and threat of being dropped, posed their most significant post reunion release. Their fate rested on this song. No pressure then. I am hit and miss with the song itself but more than glad it hit number 1, though don't believe this was purely just a fan push. The song appeared across numerous playlists and wedding receptions at the time of release. I doubt it would have gone Platinum otherwise. I'll be honest the optics of the three of them didn't seem right to me for a long time. As you have mentioned it is very different going 5-4-3 and I never really got used to it until This Life, maybe it was just time needed. Though that said I would prefer the full 5 line up or 4 still were the options presented. I think it was a good idea they carried on and they have produced some great music as a trio. I think waiting 6 years though between their last studio albums was a long time in popular music, even more so for an older act. My favourite songs from this period were Get Ready For It and Higher Than Higher. Get Ready For It had a tie in music video with the Kingsman film but should have had a full committed release in my opinion.

Completely agree with the review. I like the music video and the riotous nature of Kidz. The crescendo and build towards the end is fantastic. It was daring and like the album reaped the rewards for being so. It is a shame they didn't perform this on the X Factor Final at Simon Cowell's request due to the actual riots happening at the time. They instead performed The Flood again. The performance at the BRIT Awards was memorable and am sure it will be featured in best of performance reviews in years to come. Just like their Beatles tribute in the '90s was. Again in contrast to other former boybands, Take That have gotten to a place where they are confident in addressing more broader topics, themes and styles of music. Kidz seems like the perfect blend of rabble rouser solo star Robbie and the growth of Take That merged perfectly. I am glad it went Silver as it means the song wasn't lost but has slowly grown over time. I can see non pop or Take That fans liking this one.

Up All Night isn't a favourite for me and haven't thought about it since it was released. This one falls into the category of songs with another style and sound I'm pleased they created, in contrast to other boybands who stick to a style, sound and formula, but don't become personal favourites for me. Said It All, the full length version of The Garden, Here, and Greatest Day were preferred from The Circus album. Whilst I like The Circus, front to back, it isn't an album I return to. Beautiful World and Progress, however, I still think are fantastic. Everything Changes and Nobody Else are my return albums from the '90s period.

I have liked (in release order): Child, Four Minute Warning, Alone Without You, Stars and Magic.

The main success of The Flood is that it delivers. Normally due to the high expectations of an audience and other factors around reunion records, nine times out of ten, they become under-whelming and a disappointment. The Flood on the other hand is a modern day pop classic. Arguably their last true pop standard classic. It was their delivery here which helped sustain the reunion excitement and propel them to --at the time-- the second highest first week sales of an album ever in the UK. I'm just glad they didn't go with the name ''The English'' as was muted at one point before this release to seperate Take That's history from the Progress era. In my Top 10 for sure.

Love, Love Love, it is fantastic sonically --grimy and edgier-- and the vocals also. The Progress(ed) album was a great change in sound and style for them. The song really stands out in their canon of work, memorable chorus, interesting lyrics and the song overall hits its marks. I agree, shame it missed out on a Top 10 placing. Very futuristic.

Pray is iconic: song, video and dance routine. It was also their first worldwide hit, on every continent. I remember the song Pray vividly, though had never seen the music video at the time. The songwriting, aside from A Million Love Songs prior, was also very strong here winning Gary a Ivor Novello for song and songwriter of the year. The bridge in particular is a real standout, ''surely we must be in sight of the dream we long to live...'' etc. Gary creating stronger visuals, messages, backed by better production, and memorable vocal harmonies. Which all still sound great today. Howard ranked it within their top 5 songs from the '90s and it is definitely a classic. For me it is the joy and euphoria, it defined the summer of 1993, and started their international superstars phase. I also loved their performance of this on 'Take That: Live in Berlin'. I also love the behind the scenes video they put out today of the music video. Pray is my joint favourite alongside two other songs yet to feature.

Windows and Brand New Sun were my least favourites from the singles. Good but not as memorable or enjoyable as the ones that followed. This made me a little apprehensive at the time about the album after this track debuted. I wondered if this would be the first studio album of theirs I wouldn't connect with. Once the album was released there were songs I liked on the record and so my fears soon subsided. I think over time other songs from the campaign will have more legs than this one.

I like the sound and tone of All Wrapped Up, it has a great classic sound to it. This would have been fantastic on Radio 2. The structure of the song and style suits Mark's voice well. I'm just baffled by Windows, no one is saying it's a bad track, however, these later songs deserved that initial attention and spotlight. I didn't even realise You and Me and All Wrapped Up were out until a little later down the line. Hopefully these songs will have a second life and more wider recognition some day. The interesting thing is that when they performed in continental Europe for television promo appearances they chose to perform Where We Are instead of Windows. I think that would have been a good, but not outstanding, lead option.

Hey Boy might need a re-evaluation from myself. I remember hearing it at the time and it just didn't click for me. I haven't heard or played it since the release. It is also a song which I might miss were I ever asked to name as many Take That songs in a minute. Forgotten.

I'm sure I once saw Robbie say on camera not too long ago that he prefers Everything Changes out of his two Take That leads.

Relight My Fire is fantastic and such a key song in their setlists. The inclusion of Lulu was unexpected genius --the manager definitely thought outside the box for them-- and she really makes an entrance on the track, taking it to a higher level. It is just a fun track from start to finish, the joy in the lyrics and memorable vocal cues ''all stand up'' etc are just so memorable and infectious. The music video was great and notable at the time for its LGBT representation and culture being displayed prominently as well as Mark's ripped crop top ''junkies baddy powder'' causing a minor stir. Interesting to see Amazon are selling the shirt online, though you would have to cut/rip the bottom part off to match Mark. There are single promo shots of Mark wearing the shirt so clearly they knew what they were doing. The song's production still holds up and it comes on with intent and doesn't let up. It also gave them something different to work with visually. An inspired choice.

I agree, This Life was my favourite as well and crossed so many generations in its sound. I agree about the tone that it is a good counter to their other songs and a good addition to their canon. It is odd they didn't lead with this considering it was the theme to their podcast in the build up to the first single and an instrumental of it was teased for a good while during the promotion of Windows. Maybe they thought it held more power as a second single to sustain interest? It could have had a fantastic music video, it gives me 1970s New York City vibes.

I love the storytelling of Babe and the fact it is so different, histrionic and dramatic with the orchestral swirls. It is everything you want in a dramatic boyband ballad. A partner who leaves only to come back and find out he has fathered a child is more Cat Stevens lyrical narratives than boyband fluff. The song was massive across Europe becoming their big Top 10 breakthrough in many countries and Mark's vocals suit the tempo of the song well. Gary certainly had a knack for writing and arranging to other band members strengths. The Day After Tomorrow was the equivalent on the next album 'Nobody Else' earmarked as the fourth single that never was, but clearly hoping for the same results. It is a beautifully arranged song just like Babe, though I would say holds less dramatics and is my preferred of the two Mark leads from the '90s. I love the sombre mood of it and vocal harmonies. Going back to Babe the music video was fantastic with the band members playing different roles/cameos. It also won an MTV International Viewers Choice Award as announced at the main show in New York City hosted by comedian Roseanne Barr. Take That definitely had global attention by this point. I'm just glad the song hit #1 in the UK with big sales even if Mr Blobby denied it the Christmas number 1 the following week.

I have 15 favourites left in.

The review for Said It All is spot on and Mark really does steal the show here, his contrast and style to Gary's works a treat. It is my favourite single from 'The Circus'. Also, the song was hampered in the weeks after its #9 peak --it had a swift rise in the two weeks prior, jumping multiple spots higher-- by the news of Michael Jackson's death, the first time the singles/albums charts became flooded with re-entries --he had 13 songs throughout the Top 10/40 and more across the Top 100 in the weeks after, this rule would change after the Ed Sheeran album release debacle to only three entries--. Said It All remained in the lower Top 40 during this period but understandably was eclipsed in both press and airplay, without this unexpected event it would have potentially been a sizeable hit. I can't understand why this wasn't released internationally and was a UK only release. It is fantastic, love it when it really drives with urgency towards the end.

Could It Be Magic was my introduction to Take That through my older sisters who must have bought the single as it was on repeat in the car. It is also my favourite from their debut --well the Rapino single mix is not the awful album version-- as it is fun, frantic, energetic, infectious and has a great dance beat as opposed to a softer pop beat. Their momentum was clearly building and this was the right song, production, music video and possibly lead singer? How much of the song's popularity was down to Robbie's charisma and appeal. It was also their first song to break top 10 in some European nations and to go Top 40 in general, including Australia. They were truly on their way now. Overall it would be in my Top 10.

I liked all the new songs released for the Deluxe version of This Life. You and Me is a great song and has a memorable chorus. I think had the standard album included these songs it would have been stronger and You and Me would have been an acceptable choice of lead single for the campaign.

Greatest Day... honestly I get it and I don't. It takes forever to get going, 1 minute 45 before the first chorus. I prefer Said it All and The Garden from 'The Circus' singles. The problem with Greatest Day is it was written to formula. They wanted to write a song to open their concerts. This makes any song less natural and free flowing, contrived. This makes it both good and average in equal measures.

Higher Than Higher is my favourite single from 'III', I love the production, sentiment, and vibe of it. I agree it should have had more recognition at the time and now.

Everything Changes has grown on me over the years yet remains at the near bottom of their EC singles selections in my opinion. I still prefer Could It Be Magic out of Robbie's two solo leads as I feel it is more fun and infectious, dance orientated as opposed to pop. The music video for Everything Changes is great and the song has some nice jazzy parts to it, which is different. As we know, it also meant 4 of the 5 members have a number 1 hit to their name. Setting them apart from other similar groups. I agree the chorus is fantastic and has stood the test of time, familiar.

Giants is great and was the clear standout for a single. I still like the production and it feels anthemic. The best thing around the single release was when they did the carpool karaoke in Los Angeles with James Corden. The song has a very LA vibe to it. It feels like their last pop hit and as the records show, it was.

I can't remember where I saw it but he said he felt defeated but that he realised it was what was needed to establish an audience. As I said earlier I don't know why they didn't release A Million Love Songs earlier.