Various – Now That's What I Call Music II

Here's Now! 2, released in March 1984

Side One

1. Queen - Radio Ga Ga: Great synth track, inspired Lady Gaga's name.
2. Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't It Be Good: Yes it would. Nik's first hit and it's a banger.
3. Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now: Great song from late 83.
4. Matt Bianco - Get Out of Your Lazy Bed: Quirky tune.
5. Carmel - More More More: Upbeat lounge backing.
6. Madness - Michael Caine: Hilarious song about the actor.
7. The Flying Pickets - Only You: Cover of the Yazoo song; I've always preferred this to the original.

Side Two

8. Nena - 99 Red Balloons: English language version of a German favourite.
9. Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to Have Fun: Great song from the wonderful Ms Lauper.
10. Tracey Ullman - My Guy's Mad at Me: Funny cover of the Madness song, with then Labour leader Neil Kinnock in the video.
11. Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride: Another quirky song with a catchy chorus.
12. Julia & Company - Breakin' Down (Sugar Samba): Great tune.
13. Joe Fagin - That's Living Alright: Brilliant rock track, the theme from 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet'.
14. Hot Chocolate - I Gave You My Heart (Didn't I?): Catchy song from the late Errol Brown and co.
15. Snowy White - Bird of Paradise: Mellow rock track with a lovely chorus.

Side Three

16. Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax: Catchy song, famously banned by the BBC at the time.
17. Eurythmics - Here Comes the Rain Again: Great song from Annie & Dave.
18. Howard Jones - What Is Love?: Great follow up to 'New Song'.
19. The Smiths - What Difference Does It Make?: Great guitar riff.
20. Fiction Factory - (Feels Like) Heaven: Great piano riff.
21. Re-Flex - The Politics of Dancing: Great song, reminiscent of David Bowie.
22. Thomas Dolby - Hyperactive: It is very hyperactive. Great song.
23. China Crisis - Wishful Thinking: Catchy song.

Side Four

24. David Bowie - Modern Love: Great rock song.
25. Culture Club - It's a Miracle: Another great song from 'Colour By Numbers'.
26. Rolling Stones - Undercover of the Night: Underrated Stones track.
27. Big Country - Wonderland: Great guitar riff.
28. Slade - Run Runaway: Great Celtic riffs.
29. Duran Duran - New Moon on Monday: Another great song from Simon & co.
30. Paul McCartney - Pipes of Peace: Very nostalgic song from Macca.

Great album, but once again there are some tracks that missed out:

Paul Young - Love of the Common People: Great song from Paul.
Cliff Richard - Please Don't Fall In Love: Great song, written by Mike Batt.
Status Quo - Marguerita Time: Catchy song, another one I sang when I started drinking alcohol.
Tears for Fears - The Way You Are: Great song from Roland and Curt.
Slade - My Oh My: Very anthemic chorus.
Thompson Twins - Doctor Doctor: Appeared on Now 4, but was released around the Now 2 era.
Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton - Islands in the Stream: Iconic country duet.
Tracey Ullman - Move Over Darling: Great follow up to 'They Don't Know'.
Michael Jackson - Thriller: Great track from the King of Pop
Eurythmics - Right By Your Side: My favourite song from 'Touch'.
Shaky & Bonnie - A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall In Love): Great collaboration between two Welsh popstars.
UB40 - Many Rivers to Cross: My favourite song from 'Labour of Love'
Marilyn - Calling Your Name: Catchy song from Boy George 'clone'.
Marillion - Punch and Judy: Great track from Fish & co.
The Assembly - Never Never: Great one off single from Vince Clarke and Feargal Sharkey.

My now 2 has only 1Lp, side1, Queen Hard Life, culture club War song, John waited, missing you, Thompson twins sister of mercy, Fgth two tribes, Julian lennon valotte, Limahl never ending story,
Side 2, Tina Turner better be good to me, Roger Taylor man on fire, U2 pride, Flying pickets when you're young and in love, Flock of sea gulls the more you live the more you love, Talking heads slippery people, OMD talking loud and clear, Evelyn Thomas high energy.??

My Review:
Favorite Song: Wouldn't It Be Good
Least Favorite Song: Radio Ga Ga

This is, in my opinion, the very best Now album ever made. The track listing says it all. There is not a bad track on the album unlike Now albums in recent years where I have only liked a handful of tracks on the album.

A timeless classic from the great year of music that was 1984!