Things Can Only Get Better (Howard Jones song)

"Things Can Only Get Better"
Single by Howard Jones
from the album Dream Into Action
A-side Things Can Only Get Better
B-side Why Look For The Key
Released 9 February 1985
Format 7", 12"
Genre New wave, synthpop
Length 3:57
Label WEA, Elektra Records
Writer(s) Howard Jones
Producer(s) Rupert Hine
Howard Jones singles chronology
"Like to Get to Know You Well"
(1984)		 "Things Can Only Get Better"
(1985)		 "Look Mama"
(1985)

"Things Can Only Get Better" was released as the first single from Howard Jones' 1985 album Dream Into Action, reaching #6 in the UK Singles Chart and #5 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Curiously, the song also crossed over to the R&B charts in America, peaking at #54 (a rarity for a white artist at the time).[1]

A typically upbeat Jones composition, it was one of two songs from the album to feature all-female singing group Afrodiziak on backing vocals. John Leland from Spin magazine wrote that "It mines the best of the Anglo soul movement: a clean slap-bass line, precise horns and synths, and some well-paced and inviting singing".[2]

The main B side was another album track from the UK version of the album, "Why Look For The Key", although with a slightly longer fade that made it about twenty seconds longer than the version on the UK version of Dream Into Action. "You Jazzy Nork!" is a reworked instrumental version of "Why Look For The Key" performed by the Alphonse Conway Orchestra.

The cover of the 12" single featured a photograph of Jones, in profile, sitting in a high bar stool. This image was used in silhouette for the 7" artwork, the single being issued in several alternative sleeves with different colour backgrounds.

The song was also featured in The Sims 2: Open for Business expansion pack, and an episode of Everybody Hates Chris.

Music video

The video depicts Jones singing the song as his road crew sets up equipment for a concert, followed by a transition to the show as he performs for a lively crowd.

Track listing

7"
  1. "Things Can Only Get Better" - 3:57
  2. "Why Look For The Key" - 3:43
12"
  1. "Things Can Only Get Better (Extended Mix)" - 7:18
  2. "Why Look For The Key" - 3:43
  3. "You Jazzy Nork!" - 4:48

Both a 7" and 12" picture disc were released with the same tracks as the standard formats.

Remixes

In 2005, Swedish DJ Eric Prydz released a remixed version and renamed it "And Do You Feel Scared?". It is featured on the video game 2006 FIFA World Cup as one of the many EA Trax that appear in the game.

In 2013, French house music artist Cedric Gervais released a song featuring the vocal track from Howard Jones' original song. It too was titled "Things Can Only Get Better".

Chart positions

Year Chart Position
1985 US Mainstream Rock Tracks 21
Billboard Hot 100 5
US Dance/Club Play Songs 10
Australian Singles Chart 11
Italian Singles Chart 13
UK Singles Chart 6

References

  1. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/1496703/howard+jones/chart?f=367
  2. ↑ John Leland (June 1985). "Singles - Howard Jones "Things Can Only Get Better" (Elektra)". Spin. p. 36. Retrieved 2010-08-22.

External links

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