Pet Shop Boys, Compiled

[Drico One]

Has anybody been collecting the fantastic Now Yearbooks? I've been collecting them religiously since 2021, having not bought a Now compilation since 1987. These are glorious collections containing seven CDs for each year in pop. The special edition contains four discs in a book format (with chart positions and commentary on each track), while the Extra edition adds a further three discs in a cardboard panel sleeve about six weeks later. To my delight, Pet Shop Boys started to appear in the series last year, debuting in the 1988 Yearbook.

While licensing means not every act appears on the Yearbooks (no Madonna, Depeche Mode, Erasure, or Prince, for example), the hit rate is very high. Many of the Yearbooks - and their Extras - cover about 70% of the biggest 200 hits of each year in the UK. As chart compilations go, these are superior - unquestionably the most comprehensive collection ever set to disc. They are released every month, more or less, in non-chronological order. To date, they have put out sets for 1973, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1992.

I'm surprised at just how much I enjoy collecting these. Maybe it was COVID and the fact that physical media is endangered (and I had a sense that it was now or never for collecting music, movies, and media in physical format before the streamers completely took over the world). Maybe it's nostalgia. But one thing's for sure: you can build up a pretty fantastic physical collection by combining these Yearbooks with the other superb Now collection: 12" 80s and a few judiciously selected greatest hits CDs.

Anyway, I think an up-to-date thread on compilations where Pet Shop Boys are appearing is in order. In terms of the Now Yearbooks, Pet Shop Boys have appeared on the 1988 Yearbook and its Extra and the 1990 Yearbook so far. Their earlier singles from 1986 are possibly going to appear in the half-decade mop up release, 1985-1989 The Final Chapter (which is basically an excuse for Now to add two more volumes to the series). To date:

1988 Yearbook: Heart and Left to my own devices
1988 Yearbook Extra: Domino dancing
1990 Yearbook: Being boring and So hard

Also, of note, in the PSB universe, Eighth Wonder's I'm not scared features in the 1988 Yearbook. Cicero's Love is everywhere is on the 1992 Extra. Dusty Springfield's Reputation makes the 1990 Yearbook. Arrested by you is on the 1990 Extra with Liza Minelli's Love pains, while Electronic's Disappointed makes the 1992 Yearbook. New Order are licensing their singles to this, so they appear heavily.

Piggin' great!

[Patrick Bateman]

Always good to collect things in this ephemeral age but those omissions are really disappointing. Weren't PSB not licensing their tracks until recently? I know when they re-released the actual Now albums, there were plenty of discrepancies with which mixes were used, but I suppose that doesn't matter with the Yearbooks as they're brand new.

[Drico One]

The re-released numbered Nows are riddled with the wrong versions. The Yearbooks have a much higher level of quality control, with the 7" versions usually present and correct. There have been cases where the album version has appeared in a reissued numbered Now only for the correct 7" to appear on the Yearbook. I don't bother with the reissues - they are poor value when the Yearbooks have four times the amount of tracks over the two volumes as they can also include singles that were originally on the Hits albums and other compilations.

As for the PSBs, one theory is they only licensed to the Yearbooks once SMASH was released - which makes sense. It may have been one reason why Now have yet to release a 1987 Yearbook. The missing singles from the released 1986 Yearbook can still be included over the two volumes of the 1985-1989 "Final Chapter" and its Extra. The expectation is that all PSB singles will therefore appear. And frankly, hurrah to that. One look at the surprisingly enjoyable 1988 set demonstrates that they really were effortlessly superior to the vast majority of their contemporaries...

Drico.

[daveid]

Hi Drico

Yes, I've bought the yearbooks from 1978-86 as well as the 80-84 "final chapter" set and their extras. Decided to draw a line there and avoid the 90s and earlier 70s sets though I will get 87-89 when they're all out. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to these, especially the 78-82 ones as I was less familiar, having only bought the Millennium series from 83-92 (remember them?) Discovered some absolute gems and agree that these are far superior to the regular NOW albums. I suspect that the late 80s albums were held back in order to avoid clashing with the regular NOW reissues but possibly also because they got wind that Parly were going to licence the Pets for future editions. They've got three singles from 86 (and West End girls) that they'll have to try and cram on 85-89 and 85-89 extra.

BTW apparently 1989 is coming out in April so It's alright and Getting away with should make an appearance.

What's been your favourite one so far?

[Flaffer]

I’ve collected a few of these. They are really well put together. Have enjoyed buying some the Numbered Now’s that I originally owned on cassette. Now 5, is a great set, I think it was my first grown up compilation. There was another great series a few years ago that had some PSB rarities. The Ian Levine Paninaro remix first time on CD as well for other artists.

[Patrick Bateman]

I don't understand why Mute wouldn't licence Erasure or Depeche Mode - if indeed it's down to them. Do they assume someone who buys a Now Yearbook with Sometimes on it wouldn't then buy one of their many greatest hits albums? It seems so odd in an age of streaming to block physical releases in any form.

[Flaffer]

I’ve collected a few of these. They are really well put together. Have enjoyed buying some the Numbered Now’s that I originally owned on cassette. Now 5, is a great set, I think it was my first grown up compilation. There was another great series a few years ago that had some PSB rarities. The Ian Levine Paninaro remix first time on CD for instance

Oops

[StevePSB]

Apart from 1973 (I don't think I'll go back that far) I have them all so far, including all the Extras and the 1980-1984 sets. Very good value for what you get and the Extra editions do bring up some rarer or occasionally even unheard tracks.

I'll stop at 1993 I think. 1978 - 1993 covers just about all the years I have / had interest in chart music.

It is great though, going into a records shop with a tenner, or just over and coming out with a 3 or 4 disc compilation - just like the old days (but cheaper!). The only difference is how I play them as they're spun once only to be ripped to FLAC files for the SD card reader in my car and USB input on my hifi.


StevePSB

[Drico One]

Ooh, 1989! Thanks for the tip-off, daveid. I'm tumescent at the thought.

If pushed, I'd nominate 1979 as my favourite. Over the two sets, it's got an unbelievable collection of pure pop gold. The end of Disc 4 is fantastic. Pop Muzik by M, Tubeway Army's Are Friends Electric, and The Buggles with Video Killed the Radio Star is a hell of an invitation to the 1980s. Yet, 1980 was fairly flat by comparison. 1981 picked things up again with Soft Cell, The Human League, and the new romantics. 1984 is superb - but 1988 was very enjoyable too, with the acid house stuff breaking through - and I still maintain that even some of the Tiffany and Bros singles that year were far better than the detractors would have them.

Overall, while it's great to have the classics on CD, I enjoy getting my hands on stuff like Drowning in Berlin by the Mobiles, Videotheque by Dollar (produced by Trevor Horn), and Senses Working Overtime by XTC - the more obscure hits that people forget.

Like you I tend to find the earlier 1970s stuff a bit before my time - even though 1973 had a surprising amount of classics on the main volume. The Extra was like a deep dive into Soviet-era folk music, though, such was its unfamiliarity - and impenetrability. I will collect the 1990s - there are still too many good tracks from that era that will rope me in. I am drawing the line at the new Millennium series, though. There's only so much Gareth Gates and Ronan Keating anybody needs to be exposed to...

[One of the crowd]

Also, of note, in the PSB universe, Eighth Wonder's I'm not scared features in the 1988 Yearbook. Cicero's Love is everywhere is on the 1992 Extra. Dusty Springfield's Reputation makes the 1990 Yearbook. Arrested by you is on the 1990 Extra with Liza Minelli's Love pains, while Electronic's Getting away with it makes the 1992 Yearbook. New Order are licensing their singles to this, so they appear heavily.

Piggin' great!

It’s “Disappointed” that’s on the 1992 issue

[Patrick Bateman]

I’ve collected a few of these. They are really well put together. Have enjoyed buying some the Numbered Now’s that I originally owned on cassette. Now 5, is a great set, I think it was my first grown up compilation. There was another great series a few years ago that had some PSB rarities. The Ian Levine Paninaro remix first time on CD as well for other artists.

Now 6 was my first. It's crazy how well I still know some of those tracks - real Pavlovian reactions.

[Drico One]

I don't understand why Mute wouldn't licence Erasure or Depeche Mode - if indeed it's down to them. Do they assume someone who buys a Now Yearbook with Sometimes on it wouldn't then buy one of their many greatest hits albums? It seems so odd in an age of streaming to block physical releases in any form.

Yeah, it's a funny one. While I'm genuinely delighted that almost all of the top 20 hits of Madness, Bananarama, Culture Club, Wham!, and The Jam are present across the Yearbooks, I'd not bother my arse buying their greatest hits albums either way. Conversely, I already have Pop! and still feel Erasure are missing a trick not being on these. In fact, I was amazed PSBs were originally absent given that it's basically an aural, tactile representation of Smash Hits magazine. I'm very pleased they are now on board.

Drico.

[daveid]

Ooh, 1989! Thanks for the tip-off, daveid. I'm tumescent at the thought.

If pushed, I'd nominate 1979 as my favourite. Over the two sets, it's got an unbelievable collection of pure pop gold. The end of Disc 4 is fantastic. Pop Muzik by M, Tubeway Army's Are Friends Electric, and The Buggles with Video Killed the Radio Star is a hell of an invitation to the 1980s. Yet, 1980 was fairly flat by comparison. 1981 picked things up again with Soft Cell, The Human League, and the new romantics. 1984 is superb - but 1988 was very enjoyable too, with the acid house stuff breaking through - and I still maintain that even some of the Tiffany and Bros singles that year were far better than the detractors would have them.

Overall, while it's great to have the classics on CD, I enjoy getting my hands on stuff like Drowning in Berlin by the Mobiles, Videotheque by Dollar (produced by Trevor Horn), and Senses Working Overtime by XTC - the more obscure hits that people forget.

Like you I tend to find the earlier 1970s stuff a bit before my time - even though 1973 had a surprising amount of classics on the main volume. The Extra was like a deep dive into Soviet-era folk music, though, such was its unfamiliarity - and impenetrability. I will collect the 1990s - there are still too many good tracks from that era that will rope me in. I am drawing the line at the new Millennium series, though. There's only so much Gareth Gates and Ronan Keating anybody needs to be exposed to...

"Tumescent" is a new one on me, Dr. Johnson...

I'd probably agree on 1979. It's always been one of my favourite years with disco, synth and even rap overlapping. I love 1983 for similar reasons - the bigger 80s sound is emerging as well as early dance tracks. I hadn't heard Videotheque until I got hold of the 82 yearbook - ahead of its time as is Ultravox's "Slow Motion" from 78 which really points to the future.

[Drico One]

"Tumescent" is a new one on me, Dr. Johnson...

I'd probably agree on 1979. It's always been one of my favourite years with disco, synth and even rap overlapping. I love 1983 for similar reasons - the bigger 80s sound is emerging as well as early dance tracks. I hadn't heard Videotheque until I got hold of the 82 yearbook - ahead of its time as is Ultravox's "Slow Motion" from 78 which really points to the future.

Where are you hearing about 1989 being next? That would be a peculiar choice given that I imagined they'd want to put the last year of each half decade out just before a Final Chapter - and they haven't done 1987 yet. But it would be very Now to be completely random...

Yeah, 79 is amazing. The variety in the charts was astounding. From disco (Eruption's One Way Ticket is immense) and early synthpop to stuff like Girls Talk by Dave Edmunds, Don't Bring Me Down by ELO, and Cliff's We Don't Talk Anymore, not to mention Blondie, The Police, The Rats, and Roxy Music. She's In Love With You by Suzi Quatro is great as well.

83 was superb as well - as we start to move into the 80s proper. I've enjoyed all of the stuff from 78 - but realised that its Extra contained almost nothing of interest. So, the depth is lacking before 79 in my book. Just an age thing.

Drico.

[Drico One]

Apart from 1973 (I don't think I'll go back that far) I have them all so far, including all the Extras and the 1980-1984 sets. Very good value for what you get and the Extra editions do bring up some rarer or occasionally even unheard tracks.

I'll stop at 1993 I think. 1978 - 1993 covers just about all the years I have / had interest in chart music.

It is great though, going into a records shop with a tenner, or just over and coming out with a 3 or 4 disc compilation - just like the old days (but cheaper!). The only difference is how I play them as they're spun once only to be ripped to FLAC files for the SD card reader in my car and USB input on my hifi.


StevePSB

I suspect 1977 to 1999 would be my extended boundary. I Feel Love to Better Off Alone sort of covers me. Of course there was good stuff before and after, but in diminishing quantities.

Drico.