Home | Songs By Year | Songs from 1998
Better Best Forgotten
Buy Better Best Forgotten now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the song. And once you've experienced the song, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Better Best Forgotten
| cover = BetterBestForgotten.png
| alt =
| caption = CD2 cover
| type = single
| artist = Steps
| album = Step One
| B-side = Why?
| released =
| recorded = 1998
| studio = PWL (Manchester, England)
| genre = Pop
| length = 3:42
| label =
* Jive
* Ebul Records
| writer =
* Andrew Frampton
* Pete Waterman
| producer =
* Mark Topham
* Karl Twigg
* Pete Waterman
| prev_title = Heartbeat
| prev_title2 = Tragedy
| prev_year = 1998
| next_title = Thank ABBA for the Music
| next_year = 1999
| misc =
}}
"'Better Best Forgotten'" is a song by British pop group Steps, released on 8 March 1999. It was the final single to be taken from their debut album, 'Step One'. The song became the group's fourth top-10 hit in the UK, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart, and it also reached the top 20 in Ireland and the Flanders region of Belgium.
A stripped back ballad version of the track was performed during the 2012 Christmas with Steps tour. "Better Best Forgotten" features all three girls singing a verse each (in a similar manner to Last Thing on My Mind), with the boys joining in for the choruses.
Critical reception
Can't Stop the Pop wrote that this was the song "most strikingly consistent" with the "ABBA-on-speed" vision, that Pete Waterman strove to achieve with the group. They added that Faye, Lisa and Claire "all bring such drama" to the track, "they sing as though their life depends on it, and that among many other things is what worked so well about Steps." Scottish newspaper 'Daily Record' noted that the group "continue to shine in the charts with their latest Abba-esque hit", "Better Best Forgotten"."Chart Slot". 'Daily Record'. 26 March 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2020. They also wrote that this "catchy tune" is "sure to fill the dance floors.""Chart Slot". 'Daily Record'. 19 March 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2020. Sarah Davis from 'Dotmusic' stated that "this predictably Abba-sounding track builds energetically to reach its adrenaline-filled peak in a hook-laden, singalong chorus. The group really cannot put a foot wrong at present". Gary James from Entertainment Focus noted it as a "uplifting" and "energetic" pop song, with "fairytale references of happy endings and taking chances." He added that this track is "definitely not best forgotten". Mark Beaumont from 'NME' said it is "great". 'Sunday Mirror' commented, "A poppy enough tune from the smiley five piece but they need some new material. And fast."'Sunday Mirror'. 7 March 1999. p. 54. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
Chart performance
"Better Best Forgotten" entered the UK Singles Chart at number two in March 1999, beaten to number one by Boyzone's "When the Going Gets Tough". It spent 17 weeks on the British charts and became the first single for Steps to fall off the chart and re-enter. The song topped the UK Indie Chart while reaching number eight in Ireland. Additionally, it was a top-20 hit in Belgium and peaked at number 11 on the Eurochart Hot 100.
Music video
A music video was made to accompany the song, directed by David Amphlett. It has a watery-theme, and the group wear blue outfits. Group members Lee and H play with water pistols, and interfere with the girls' singing. During the video shoot, a glass wall collapsed on Faye.
Track listings
Credits and personnel
A-side: "Better Best Forgotten"
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of 'Step One'.'Recording'
* Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester, in 1998
* Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester
* Mastered at Transfermation Studios, London
'Vocals'
* Lead vocals Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Lisa Scott-Lee
* Background vocals Lee Latchford-Evans, Ian "H" Watkins
'Personnel'
* Songwriting Dan Frampton, Pete Waterman
* Production Karl Twigg, Mark Topham, Pete Waterman
* Mixing Dan Frampton
* Engineer Chris McDonnell, Dan Frampton
* Drums Chris McDonnell
* Keyboards Karl Twigg, Mark Topham
B-side: "Why?"
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of "Better Best Forgotten".'Recording'
* Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester, in 1998
* Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester
* Mastered at Transfermation Studios, London
'Vocals'
* Lead vocals Faye Tozer
* Background vocals Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Lee Latchford-Evans, Ian "H" Watkins
'Personnel'
* Songwriting Mark Topham, Karl Twigg
* Production Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman
* Mixing Dan Frampton, Pete Waterman
* Engineer Chris McDonnell
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
Category:1999 singles
Category:1998 songs
Category:Jive Records singles
Category:Pete Waterman Entertainment singles
Category:Songs written by Andrew Frampton (songwriter)
Category:Songs written by Pete Waterman
Category:Steps (group) songs
Category:UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Songs about heartache
Buy Better Best Forgotten now from Amazon
<-- Return to songs from 1998