Modern Romance 1981

NOW Music is proud to present the newest addition to the ‘Yearbook’ series: NOW – Yearbook 1981. 4 CDs of 85 tracks that defined the charts in 1981. This special edition CD is housed in ‘hard-back book’ packaging, including a 28-page booklet with a summary of the year, a track-by-track guide, a quiz, and original singles artwork, and as a standard 4-CD package. Kicking off with legendary No. 1s from Queen and David Bowie (‘Under Pressure’), The Police (‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’), and The Specials (‘Ghost Town’), disc 1 is packed with classics that represent the influx of new artists that dominated the year, and would set the pop and fashion agenda for the next few years… with songs which sound as fresh and vital today as they did in 1981, from Ultravox, Visage, Duran Duran, Japan, the No. 1 ‘Tainted Love’ from Soft Cell, and the year’s biggest selling single (and Xmas No. 1) ‘Don’t You Want Me’ from The Human League. Adam & The Ants make three appearances on this Yearbook and actually had 5 huge hits this year, Toyah and Kim Wilde made huge chart debuts with ‘It’s A Mystery’ and ‘Kids In America’, and chart regulars Blondie, ABBA and Olivia Newton-John enjoyed continued success with massive singles. Shakin’ Stevens had two No. 1’s (both present here), and Madness produced a classic cover of ‘It Must Be Love’. Disc One closes with two more No. 1’s from soul legends Smokey Robinson with ‘Being With You’ and Michael Jackson, who enjoyed his first UK No. 1 with ‘One Day In Your Life’ a re-discovered track from his Motown recordings.

Modern version thinly based on "Beauty and the Beast", which in turn is based on French folklore.

NOW Music is proud to present the newest addition to the ‘Yearbook’ series: NOW – Yearbook 1981. 4 CDs of 85 tracks that defined the charts in 1981.

NOW Music are excited to present the next in our latest series - ‘NOW 12” 80s’. This instalment – 1981 – is released on October 20th 2023.The 12” single was a dynamic and increasingly essential part of the release schedule as the decade progressed. Incorporating extended (sometimes full album) versions, remixes, and re-inventions – they not only gave the dancefloor a longer version, and the listener an alternative take, but also highlighted the artistry of the producer – bringing together all kinds of elements to create new soundscapes woven together with the original track, either vocal or instrumental, to present another reason to be excited on release date.

NOW Music are excited to present the next in our latest series - ‘NOW 12” 80s’. This instalment – 1981 – is released on 2023.The 12” single was a dynamic and increasingly essential part of the release schedule as the decade progressed. Incorporating extended (sometimes full album) versions, remixes, and re-inventions – they not only gave the dancefloor a longer version, and the listener an alternative take, but also highlighted the artistry of the producer – bringing together all kinds of elements to create new soundscapes woven together with the original track, either vocal or instrumental, to present another reason to be excited on release date.

Following the recent release of ‘NOW Yearbook 1981’, we continue to celebrate the remarkable year of pop that was 1981 with ‘NOW – Yearbook Extra 1981’ as a limited edition 3CD. Featuring 66 fabulous tracks that we couldn’t fit on ‘NOW – Yearbook 1981’ – including massive hits and songs that debuted in 1981 and have become enduring favourites.

Perfecting fusing electronic music with infectiously catchy songwriting, Dare! is one of the best selling electronic albums of all time.

Smokey Robinson's most successful post-Miracles solo album, "Being With You" has sold over 900,000 copies and peaked at number 10 in the US, propelled by the million-selling hit single title track. Seeking a more contemporary, modern sound, Robinson sought out the hot producer of the day, George Tobin (Tiffany, Kim Carnes) to work his magic behind the board.