Things Can Only Get Better (D:Ream song)

Frontman of D:Ream, Peter Cunnah was in a indie guitar band called Tie the Boy in Derry. After moving to London and the deal with the label Mother 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 with some help from Jamie Petrie, who wrote some of the lyrics. But 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 told them that they were crazy and that the part was crucial to how the song builds, so when the song was remixed, it was reinstated in the song.[2] In 1994, the remix sold 600,000 copies and spent 4 weeks at number-one on the UK Singles Chart. The single also managed to reach the Top 10 in 8 other countries. Tony Blair loved that song and in 1997, Labour Party asked if they could use the song as their 1997 election tune. That made the song go back into the UK Singles Chart for a third time.

The song received favorable reviews from most music critics. Aberdeen Evening Express said it is "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] Evening Herald called the song a "prophetic anthem".[5] Tom Ewing from Freaky Trigger described it as "tune-heavy, hands-high dance-pop".[6] Melody Maker labeled it as a "infectious, euphoric anthem".[7] Music & Media called it a "poppy rave anthem" and added that "this optimistic perspective on life deserves your support."[8] The Network Forty said that a "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."[9] Pop Rescue wrote, "This song has a funky saxophone, a relentlessly thumping bass drum, house piano and Peter’s strong vocals. He’s joined for the chorus by the gospel choir that was missing in the previous song. The song is thumping, almost as fresh as it sounded back then, and despite its over-use in the 90s, it’s still a bloody good song."[10] Adam Higginbotham from Select called it a "perfect feelgood pop-dance record".[11] Smash Hits gave it 5 out of 5, noting 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."[12]

"Things Can Only Get Better" was originally a club hit, reaching number 24 in the United Kingdom in January 1993. A year later, in January 1994, the song was released in a new remix and spent four weeks at number one in the UK. In Europe, the song peaked within the top 10 in Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Scotland and Sweden. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Things Can Only Get Better" reached number 5. Outside Europe, the song reached number 3 in Israel and number 9 in Australia. In the United States, the 1994 version peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Peter Cunnah in front of the choir in the music video of "Things Can Only Get Better".

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