After two strong volumes in 1985 and 1986, I was fully expecting a third instalment in the Now Dance series the following year. Despite a fairly lengthy gap between Now That’s What I Call Music 9 and Now That’s What I Call Music 10, sadly nothing materialised. The summer void was filled by The Hits Album 6. Partially filling the gap for extended cuts – and providing some inspiration here – was the hugely enjoyable The Chart Show – Dance Hits ’87, which came out as a 20 track double LP and a frustratingly truncated single CD.
With that in mind, I have put together a fantasy third volume which would have been released on 7 September 1987 on double LP, cassette and for the first time, a CD version which had the same content as the two primary formats. A certain element of cross-licensing has been permitted – you’ll notice that some of the songs previously appeared in 7″ form on the aforementioned Hits 6 and were deemed sufficiently “old” to permit their inclusion here. Other tracks date from the early months of 1987 while a couple were released in the latter weeks of 1986. I have decided to close with a single that was just newly released – the traditional hot tip – and destined “to be the greatest record of the year.” All tracks can be found on Spotify and there is a link to the playlist just below.
Now Dance ’87 – The 12″ Mixes
Record 1 Side 1
01 Pet Shop Boys – It’s A Sin (Disco Mix)
02 Taffy – I Love My Radio (American Mix)
03 Erasure – It Doesn’t Have To Be (Boop Oopa Doo Mix)
04 Fleetwood Mac – Big Love (Extended Version)
05 Level 42 – Running In The Family (Extended Version)
Record 1 Side 2
06 Duran Duran – Skin Trade (Stretch Mix)
07 Wet Wet Wet – Wishing I Was Lucky (12″ Mix)
08 Johnny Hates Jazz – Shattered Dreams (Extended Mix)
09 Curiosity Killed The Cat – Ordinary Day (Extraordinary Mix)
10 Swing Out Sister – Surrender (Stuff Gun Mix)
Record 2 Side 1
01 Jaki Graham – Step Right Up (Pure Dance Mix)
02 Vesta Williams – Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Extended Version)
03 Five Star – The Slightest Touch (The Pettibone Touch Mix)
04 Mel & Kim – F.L.M. (Extended Mix)
05 Bananarama – I Heard A Rumour (Horoscope Mix)
Record 2 Side 2
06 Jonathan Butler – Lies (Extended Version)
07 Fatback Band – I Found Lovin’ (Remix)
08 Sly & Robbie – Boops (Here To Go) (12″ Mix)
09 Stock, Aitken & Waterman – Roadblock (Extended Version)
10 M/A/R/R/S – Pump Up The Volume (UK 12″ Mix)
CD1
01 Pet Shop Boys – It’s A Sin (Disco Mix)
02 Taffy – I Love My Radio (American Mix)
03 Erasure – It Doesn’t Have To Be (Boop Oopa Doo Mix)
04 Fleetwood Mac – Big Love (Extended Version)
05 Level 42 – Running In The Family (Extended Version)
06 Duran Duran – Skin Trade (Stretch Mix)
07 Wet Wet Wet – Wishing I Was Lucky (12″ Mix)
08 Johnny Hates Jazz – Shattered Dreams (Extended Mix)
09 Curiosity Killed The Cat – Ordinary Day (Extraordinary Mix)
10 Swing Out Sister – Surrender (Stuff Gun Mix)
CD2
01 Jaki Graham – Step Right Up (Pure Dance Mix)
02 Vesta Williams – Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Extended Version)
03 Five Star – The Slightest Touch (The Pettibone Touch Mix)
04 Mel & Kim – F.L.M. (Extended Mix)
05 Bananarama – I Heard A Rumour (Horoscope Mix)
06 Jonathan Butler – Lies (Extended Version)
07 Fatback Band – I Found Lovin’ (Remix)
08 Sly & Robbie – Boops (Here To Go) (12″ Mix)
09 Stock, Aitken & Waterman – Roadblock (Extended Version)
10 M/A/R/R/S – Pump Up The Volume (UK 12″ Mix)
A Pop Fan's Dream 