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Things Can Only Get Better (D:Ream song)

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"Things Can Only Get Better"
Single by D:Ream
from the album D:Ream On Volume 1
Released18 January 1993
StudioRoundhouse[1]
GenreDance-pop
Length4:03
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
D:Ream singles chronology
"Unforgiven"
(1993) 		"Things Can Only Get Better"
(1993) 		"U R the Best Thing"
(1993)
"Star" / "I Like It"
(1993)
"Things Can Only Get Better"
(1993)
"U R the Best Thing (Perfecto Mix)"
(1994)
Music video
"Things Can Only Get Better" on YouTube

"Things Can Only Get Better" is a song by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, released in 1993 by Magnet Records and FXU as the second single from the group's debut album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). It was written by Peter Cunnah and Jamie Petrie, and was a sleeper hit. The single was remixed and re-released in December 1993, to coincide with the band being a support act for Take That's UK tour, spending four weeks at number one. The song also reached the top 10 in eight countries. In the US, it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Background and release

[edit]

"There used to be this idea that rock music was intellectual and dance music was just a totally physical thing. I think we're one of the bands that has succeeded in breaking that down. If people just want to dance to our music, that's fine. If they want to sit down and take in some of the serious points addressed by the lyrics, that's also fine. If they want to listen to it on both levels, that's even better."

—Peter Cunnah of D:Ream.[2]

Peter Cunnah's inspiration for the song came while living in London following his previous group's breakup, working an office job and being told by a co-worker, "Don't worry. Things can only get better." Cunnah soon after started work on the track but did not complete it.[3]

Two years later, after Cunnah started D:Ream, he resumed work on the track, alongside producer Tom Frederikse. While the initial version of the track was an instrumental with a reggae break, the final version of the track was described as sounding like a "stadium full of people singing". The single was released in January 1993.[3]

In 1994, the song was remixed, selling 600,000 copies and spending four weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart. The single also reached the top 10 in eight other countries. The Labour Party's central use of the song in their successful 1997 campaign led the song to appear on the UK Singles Chart for a third time.[3]

Chart performance

[edit]

"Things Can Only Get Better" was originally a club hit, reaching number 24 in the UK in January 1993. A remixed version was released in October 1993, while the group were supporting Take That on their UK tour, which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on 16 January 1994, spending four weeks at Number One, and also topping the UK Dance Singles Chart.[3][4]

In Europe, the song entered the top 10 also in Belgium (10), Finland (2), Iceland (4), Ireland (2), and Sweden (7). Additionally, it was a top 20 hit in Denmark (19), Germany (20), the Netherlands (20) and Scotland (17). On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Things Can Only Get Better" reached number five in February 1994.

Outside Europe, the song peaked at number three in Israel, and number nine in Australia. In the US, the 1994 version peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. It was awarded a gold record in Australia after 35,000 units were sold.

Critical reception

[edit]

Scottish Aberdeen Evening Express complimented the song as "incredibly catchy".[5] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "radio-friendly ditty that blends an insinuating groove with rollicking gospel chants and a wildly infectious pop melody. Track builds to a fitting, anthemic musical climax that is complemented by choir vocals and heartfelt lead belting."[6] Simon Warner from The Guardian declared it as "the sort of insistent pop anthem that comes along only once in a while."[7] Irish Evening Herald called it a "prophetic anthem".[8] Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger described it as "tune-heavy, hands-high dance-pop".[9] Ian Gittins from Melody Maker declared it as an "infectious, euphoric anthem".[10] Pan-European magazine Music & Media called it a "poppy rave anthem" and concluded that "this optimistic perspective on life deserves your support."[11] Andy Beevers from Music Week named it a "stand-out tune" and a "tuneful, epic house track".[12] John Kilgo from The Network Forty felt the house approach gives this tune "a cutting edge feel." He explained, "D:Ream sends a positive message to disenchanted youth. Featuring powerful vibes flavored by techno bass thumps as well as Peter Cunnah's searing harmonies, this record will stir up the request lines for months. Encompassing the best of dance, rock, and alternative, D:Ream hits a home run."[13]

Iestyn George from NME found that D:Ream's "Hammond-driven lead track "Things Can Only Get Better" is supremely uplifting stuff, crossing melody lines from Elton John's "Song for Guy", Yello's "The Race" and (gulp) The Farm's "All Together Now". More, please."[14] Another NME editor, Mandi James, praised its "hallelujah chorus of good vibrations, positive power and disco magic gift wrapped in gospel glory."[15] In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue complimented its "funky saxophone, a relentlessly thumping bass drum, house piano and Peter’s strong vocals." The reviewer stated that "it’s still a bloody good song".[16] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described it as a "infectious" and "jiggly chugger".[17] Adam Higginbotham from Select deemed it a "perfect feelgood pop-dance record".[18] Leesa Daniels from Smash Hits gave it five out of five, stating that D:Ream "are the best dance act this side of the moon and it's a crime that they're not as big as M People already with all their fab dancey tunes. Stick it on, stick it out and let 'em down. Just watch the elastic on your knickers burst with the sheer excitement of it all. Bloomin' marvellous."[19]

Music video

[edit]

The accompanying music video for "Things Can Only Get Better" was directed by British film and music video director James Lebon. It depicts the band performing the song in front of a backdrop of various scenes and images, such as art, burning flames and skies, prominently including Hieronymus Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights".[20] In between, they are performing on stage in front of a dancing audience. A young female sometimes appears. The chorus scenes shows Cunnah in front of a large white-clad choir in a heaven-like setting, singing and clapping in unison. Both the opening and the closing depicts a stage curtain that opens and closes in front of Cunnah. The video was A-listed on Germany's VIVA in March 1994[21] and was nominated for the International Viewer's Choice Award for MTV Europe at the 1994 MTV Europe Music Awards.

[edit]

As a campaign song

[edit]
"Things Can Only Get Better" was frequently used by the Labour Party, then led by Tony Blair (pictured), in their successful 1997 campaign.

During the 1997 general election, the Labour Party adopted the song as their campaign theme (the title claiming that things "cannot get worse"). Having spent eighteen years as the Opposition, the song was seen as reflective of the new direction of the party under Tony Blair. In an attempt to appear more relevant to voters the Labour Party stopped using the campaign song used by previous leaders, The Red Flag.[22] The song's usage returned it to the chart, reaching number 19 in May 1997, when Labour returned to power with Blair as Prime Minister.[23]

In 2024, the song was unexpectedly played by the political activist Steve Bray as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the date of the 2024 general election outside 10 Downing Street.[24] This led to the song entering the top 10 on the iTunes Charts within 24 hours.[25] The band later stated they regretted permitting the song to be used in political campaigns following the UK's involvement in the Iraq War and would not grant permission for it to be used in future campaigns.[26]

Other uses

[edit]

In February 1998, the song was featured in an episode of Top Gear, during the review of the Toyota Avensis, with a voice-over by presenter Jeremy Clarkson.[27]

In 2013, the song was adopted as a chant by fans of Sunderland,[28][29] after the team's revival under manager Gus Poyet. On 3 March 2014, following a campaign by Sunderland Fans, the song re entered in the UK Dance Chart at number 19. D:Ream member, Al Mackenzie described the resurgence to a Sunderland website as "a bit bizarre" but he was "revelling in it".[30]

A running gag on The Infinite Monkey Cage, which D:Ream's former keyboardist Brian Cox co-presents, highlights that the lyric "Things Can Only Get Better" violates the second law of thermodynamics.[31]

The song was covered in a choral style in episode six of the sixth season of The Crown.[32]

The song was played by Brian Cox in an end-credits scene cameo in the 2019 film A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.[33]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the song was used in Nottingham as part of the Clap for Carers campaign.[34]

Track listings

[edit]
  • CD maxi, Europe (first 1993 release)
    1. "Things Can Only Get Better" (7-inch D:reamix) – 3:23
    2. "Things Can Only Get Better" (12-inch D:reamix) – 7:10
    3. "Things Can Only Get Better" (12-inch vocal dub) – 8:00
    4. "Things Can Only Get Better" (12-inch instrumental) – 6:10
    5. "Things Can Only Get Better" (12-inch Danny Rampling mix) – 5:55
  • CD maxi, Europe (second 1993 release)
    1. "Things Can Only Get Better" (D·Reamix edit) – 4:01
    2. "Things Can Only Get Better" (12-inch D·Reamix) – 7:04
    3. "Things Can Only Get Better" (Cleveland City Style) – 6:15
    4. "Things Can Only Get Better" (Superfly Development vocal) – 5:58
    5. "Things Can Only Get Better" (Cleveland Main Vocal) – 6:32
    6. "Things Can Only Get Better" 8Cleveland Euro Style) – 5:58
  • CD maxi, Europe (1997)
    1. "Things Can Only Get Better" (D:reamix edit) – 3:59
    2. "Things Can Only Get Better" (D:reamix '97 edit) – 4:06
    3. "Things Can Only Get Better" (12-inch D:reamix) – 7:03
    4. "Things Can Only Get Better" (12-inch D:reamix '97) – 8:14
    5. "Things Can Only Get Better" (Cleveland City Style) – 6:14
    6. "Things Can Only Get Better" (Superfly Development vocal) – 5:59
  • Digital download (2014)
    1. "Things Can Only Get Better" (D·Reamix edit) – 4:01

Charts

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Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Things Can Only Get Better"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[65] Gold 35,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[74] Platinum 600,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Things Can Only Get Better"
Region Version Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom Original release 18 January 1993
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[citation needed]
First re-release 29 December 1993
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [75]
Second re-release 21 April 1997 [76]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sexton, Paul (9 April 1994). "Gerry Bron Stays on Pop's Leading Edge". Billboard. p. 62.
  2. ^ Kutner, Jon; Leigh, Spencer (26 May 2010). 1,000 UK Number One Hits. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-360-2. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Simpson, Dave (5 June 2017). "How we made D:Ream's election anthem Things Can Only Get Better". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  4. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 562–3. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ "Dream Team". Aberdeen Evening Express. 28 January 1993. p. 15.
  6. ^ Flick, Larry (20 November 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  7. ^ Warner, Simon (5 February 1994). "Pop: D:Ream". The Guardian.
  8. ^ "A D:Ream come true for Peter". Evening Herald. 26 September 1995. page 16.
  9. ^ Ewing, Tom (21 September 2011). "D:REAM – "Things Can Only Get Better"". Freaky Trigger. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  10. ^ Gittins, Ian (22 January 1994). "Day D:Ream Believer". Melody Maker. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
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  22. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (23 May 2024). "Things Can Only Get Better: Story behind song that ruined Sunak's election speech". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2 June 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024. Labour wanted to show the public that the party under Blair was dynamic and relevant, therefore ditched 1889 song "The Red Flag", the campaign song of choice for Labour leaders of the past.
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  25. ^ Levison, Jake (23 May 2024). "Things Can Only Get Better climbing chart after PM's speech". Sky News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024. Since it was played during the PM's speech calling an election for 4 July, it has surged up the iTunes music chart - hitting number five in under 24 hours (we'll have to wait a few more days to see if it's made its way onto the UK's official music chart).
  26. ^ "'Never again': D:Ream ban Labour from using Things Can Only Get Better". PA Media. 31 May 2024. Archived from the original on 2 June 2024 – via The Guardian. The band members expressed regret at letting Tony Blair use the track for his general election victory celebrations in 1997, saying they were accused of "having blood on their hands" after the UK got involved with the war in Iraq.
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  32. ^ Carvel, Bertie (15 December 2023). "The Crown season 6: Bertie Carvel on playing Tony Blair and portraying his nightmare coronation". GQ (Interview). Interviewed by Jack King. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. You've said you hated filming the Queen's nightmare sequence, where Blair is coronated with a choir singing 'Things Can Only Get Better' by D:Ream.
  33. ^ Milner, Sarah Bea (16 February 2020). "Shaun The Sheep 2's Post-Credits Scene Joke Explained". ScreenRant. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
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