Now That's What I Call Music! Volume 44

Product Information

I’ve been reading some Music Week compilation commentaries, particularly with interest to Now 44 and others from the time. This means two things: That some of the album’s iconic songs surprisingly didn’t chart very well, and that the highs of the album were dragged down by much lower lows (I’m looking at you, “Everything” by Fefe Dobson). Now 44 was the first (and probably only) compilation to sell more than 250,000 copies a week for 4 weeks. I’ve given myself to the power of the Now Formula, and I trust its ability to objectively determine the best Now.

They all vary from one to five disc compilations (occasionally six disc), starting in 1986 and continuing to the present day (Jan 2023). According to EMI executive Barry McCann, the label was concerned that people would think that double digits would make the series seem outdated, as no compilation series had run that long.

Considering Now’s shaky track record with hip-hop (see: Now 65), that they were able to foresee Rae Sremmurd’s breakout is absolutely stunning.

Jamiroquai - Canned Heat: Great song, though it should have been on Now 43, as it was a hit in June. Disc 2 starts off on a downbeat vibe with R Kelly’s soaring ballad, If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time. Twenty years ago, a brave soul decided to define music for a generation—by releasing bizarre and wildly popular compilation albums. Here’s another fun fact: If you invite me to your wedding and don’t play “24K Magic,” I am taking my gift back.Covering the years 1973 to 1992 (so far), these albums have marked the first appearance of 700 songs on any Now compilation. Steps - Tragedy: Great cover, though it should have been on Now 42, as it was a hit in December 98/January 99.