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"Things Can Only Get Better" is a song by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, released as the second single from their debut album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). It took several months to reach the top of the UK Singles Chart. Originally a club hit, pop success took much longer for the song—initially, it reached only number 24 on the chart in January 1993. Band member Al Mackenzie left later that year, and remaining member Peter Cunnah took the band in a more pop-friendly direction.

"Things Can Only Get Better"
Single by D:Ream
from the album D:Ream On Volume 1
Released18 January 1993
RecordedAosis
StudioRoundhouse[1]
GenreDance-pop
Length4:03
Label
  • Magnet
  • FXU
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" was remixed and became a bigger hit, spending four weeks at number one in January 1994. In addition, the song managed to reach the top 10 in eight countries. In the US, it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The Labour Party used the song as a theme during the party's successful campaign in the general election of 1997.


Background and release


Frontman Peter Cunnah used to be in an indie guitar band called Tie the Boy in Derry. After a move to London and a deal with the label Mother Records went cold, the band broke up. Cunnah stayed in London, working three years in clubs. He also had an office job, but all he really wanted was to become a pop star. One day he was a bit teary about it, one of the office girls said, "Don't worry. Things can only get better." Right there he got the idea for the song and some help from Jamie Petrie, who wrote some of the lyrics. However, the song just ended up on Cunnah's stockpile of 300 unrecorded tunes. Two years later, after Cunnah had started the new band D:Ream with Alan Mackenzie, they were working on a track and then "Things Can Only Get Better" came back into Cunnah's head. It took a year to get the song right and producer Tom Frederikse built it up with choirs until it sounded like a stadium full of people singing. This time, the single reached number 24 on the UK Singles Chart. Now they wanted to go in different directions, so Mackenzie left the band.

According to Mackenzie, "Things Can Only Get Better" was first released as a 10-minute instrumental EP with a reggae break. The subsequent single version originally had a gospel-type a cappella intro, but the record company cut it off. Mackenzie objected, saying that it was crucial to the song, so when the song was remixed, it was reinstated in the song.[2] In 1994, the remix sold 600,000 copies and spent 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.


Critical reception


Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Evening Express viewed the song as "incredibly catchy".[3] 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."[4] A reviewer from Evening Herald called the song a "prophetic anthem".[5] Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger described it as "tune-heavy, hands-high dance-pop".[6] Melody Maker declared it as an "infectious, euphoric anthem".[7] Pan-European magazine Music & Media called it a "poppy rave anthem" and added that "this optimistic perspective on life deserves your support."[8] Andy Beevers from Music Week noted it as a "stand-out tune" and a "tuneful, epic house track".[9] James Hamilton from the magazine's RM Dance Update described it as a "infectious" and "jiggly chugger".[10]

"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.[11]

John Kilgo from The Network Forty said the "house approach gives this tune a cutting edge feel. 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."[12] Pop Rescue complimented its "funky saxophone, a relentlessly thumping bass drum, house piano and Peter’s strong vocals." They stated that "it’s still a bloody good song".[13] Adam Higginbotham from Select deemed it a "perfect feelgood pop-dance record".[14] 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."[15]


Chart performance


"Things Can Only Get Better" was originally a club hit, reaching number 24 in the UK in January 1993. Eleven months later, in December, the song was re-released in a new remix after a stint supporting Take That on their UK tour significantly raised D:Ream's profile. It then reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on 16 January 1994,[16] spending four weeks at the top[17] and also topped the UK Dance Singles Chart. In Europe, the song peaked within the top 10 also in Belgium, Finland (number two), Iceland, Ireland (number two), Scotland and Sweden. 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.


Music video


The accompanying music video for "Things Can Only Get Better", directed by British film and music video director James Lebon, was nominated for the International Viewer's Choice Award for MTV Europe at MTV Europe Music Awards in 1994.


Track listing


CD maxi, Europe (first 1993 release)
No.TitleLength
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)
No.TitleLength
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" (Cleveland Euro Style)5:58
CD maxi, Europe (1997)
No.TitleLength
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)
No.TitleLength
1."Things Can Only Get Better" (D·Reamix edit)4:01

Charts



Certifications


Certifications and sales for "Things Can Only Get Better"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[37] Gold 35,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.


Release history


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
  • Magnet
  • FXU
 [citation needed]
First re-release 29 December 1993
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [46]
Second re-release 21 April 1997 [47]


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

As a campaign song


During the 1997 United Kingdom 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. Rather than the older, traditional Labour Party values, the creation of New Labour was hoped to be a dynamic and dramatic enough ideological switch that it would attract voters across party political lines and result in the removal of the Conservative Party from Government.

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, replacing John Major with one of the biggest landslides in British political history.

John O'Farrell used the song title as the title of his book about Labour's 18 years in opposition. Later, lead singer Peter Cunnah admitted mixed feelings about the use of the song as part of the election campaign.


Other


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.[48]

In 2013, the song was adopted as a chant by fans of Sunderland A.F.C.,[49][50] after the teams revival under manager Gus Poyet. Supporters of Sunderland launched a campaign to get the song back into the chart, to coincide with their team's Capital One Cup Final on 2 March 2014 at Wembley Stadium. On 3 March 2014, the song re entered in the UK Dance Chart at number 19. Mackenzie described the resurgence to a Sunderland website as "a bit bizarre" but he was "revelling in it"[51][52][53]

In an interview on the television programme Charlie Brooker's 2016 Wipe, D:Ream's keyboardist-turned-physicist Brian Cox reflected on the song during a discussion about the destruction and incineration of Earth by the sun, calling it "one of the most misleading and scientifically inaccurate pop songs that's ever been written".[54] A running gag on The Infinite Monkey Cage, which Cox co-presents, highlights that the lyric "Things Can Only Get Better" violates the second law of thermodynamics.[55]


References


  1. Sexton, Paul (9 April 1994). "Gerry Bron Stays on Pop's Leading Edge". Billboard. p. 62.
  2. Simpson, Dave (5 June 2017). "How we made D:Ream's election anthem Things Can Only Get Better". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 December 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  3. "Dream team". Aberdeen Evening Express. 28 January 1993. page 15.
  4. Flick, Larry (20 November 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  5. "A D:Ream come true for Peter". Evening Herald. 26 September 1995. page 16.
  6. 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.
  7. "Day D:Ream Believer". Melody Maker. 22 January 1994. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  8. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 29 January 1994. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  9. Beevers, Andy (16 January 1993). "Market Preview: Dance" (PDF). Music Week. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  10. Hamilton, James (30 January 1993). "Djdirectory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  11. Kutner, Jon; Leigh, Spencer (26 May 2010). 1,000 UK Number One Hits. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-360-2. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  12. Kilgo, John (12 November 1993). "Mainstream: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  13. "REVIEW: "ON VOL. 1" BY D:REAM (CD, 1994)". Pop Rescue. 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  14. Higginbotham, Adam (1 September 1993). "Reviews: New Albums". Select. p. 86. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  15. Daniels, Leesa (12 April 1993). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 57. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  17. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 562–3. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  18. "D:Ream – Things Can Only Get Better". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  19. "D:Ream – Things Can Only Get Better" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  20. "D:Ream – Things Can Only Get Better" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  21. Danish Singles Chart. 11 March 1994.
  22. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 8. 19 February 1994. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  23. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  24. "D:Ream – Things Can Only Get Better" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  25. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 03.03.1994 – 09.03.1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 3 March 1994. p. 20. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  26. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Things Can Only Get Better". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  27. Israel Top-30. 1 February 1994.
  28. "Nederlandse Top 40 – D-Ream" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  29. "D:Ream – Things Can Only Get Better" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  30. "D:Ream – Things Can Only Get Better". Top 40 Singles.
  31. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  32. "D:Ream – Things Can Only Get Better". Singles Top 100.
  33. "D:Ream – Things Can Only Get Better". Swiss Singles Chart.
  34. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 30 January 1993. p. 24. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  35. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  36. "Dance Club Songs The week of January 15, 1994". Billboard. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  37. "1994 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  38. "jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  39. "1994 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 52. 24 December 1994. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  40. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1994" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  41. "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1995. p. 25. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  42. "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Archived from the original on 2 November 2003. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  43. "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  44. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1994". Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  45. "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. 14 January 1995. p. 9.
  46. "Single Releases". Music Week. 25 December 1993. p. 23.
  47. "News" (PDF). Music Week. 29 March 1997. p. 4. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  48. "Old Top Gear Saloons 1/2". YouTube. 2 April 2017. Archived from the original on 10 April 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  49. Johns, Craig (3 October 2018). "Sunderland AFC chants: Memorable songs from supporters of the Black Cats". ChronicleLive. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  50. "Things could only get better at Sunderland". Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  51. "Campaign to get 1990s Sunderland anthem Things Can Only Get Better to No1". Sunderland Echo. 24 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  52. David Boyle (12 January 2014). "Adam Johnson puts stunning Sunderland in D:Ream-land | Metro News". Metro.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  53. WeAreWearside (26 February 2014). "Dare to D:Ream - Interview with Band Member Al Mackenzie on SAFC Campaign". wearewearside.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  54. Cox, Brian (29 December 2016). "Charlie Brooker's 2016 Wipe" (Interview). Interviewed by Diane Morgan. BBC.
  55. "The Human Voice". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.


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