Things Can Only Get Better

Things Can Only Get Better is a dance-pop anthem by the Northern Irish band D:Ream, released in 1993. Written by frontman Peter Cunnah, the song initially achieved moderate success before being re-released and catapulted to iconic status in the United Kingdom. Its optimistic message and driving house music beat made it a defining track of the mid-1990s, ultimately becoming indelibly linked with the political victory of the Labour Party in the 1997 United Kingdom general election.

Background and release

The track was originally conceived by Peter Cunnah following his move from Derry to Manchester, drawing inspiration from the vibrant acid house scene. It was first released in 1993 on the independent label Magnet Records, with the initial music video featuring the band performing in a London warehouse. The song's first chart entry was modest, but its persistent popularity in clubs and on radio stations like BBC Radio 1 prompted a major label re-release. This new version, supported by a high-rotation video on channels such as MTV Europe, featured scientist Brian Cox on keyboards, who had joined the band by this time.

Musical composition and style

Musically, the song is built on a foundational four-on-the-floor house music rhythm and a prominent, bouncing synthesizer bassline. The arrangement incorporates energetic piano stabs and swirling string synth pads, creating an uplifting and euphoric soundscape characteristic of the post-Madchester dance era. Peter Cunnah's soul-influenced vocal delivery, echoing the style of artists like Terence Trent D'Arby, carries the simple, repetitive, and optimistic lyric. The production balances the rawness of early-1990s dance music with the polished sheen of contemporary pop music, bridging the gap between underground clubs and mainstream charts.

Chart performance and commercial reception

Upon its re-release in late 1993, the song entered the UK Singles Chart, beginning a slow and steady climb. It finally reached number one in January 1994, displacing Mr. Blobby's novelty hit and holding the top position for four consecutive weeks. The single's success was bolstered by its inclusion on D:Ream's debut album, which reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart. The track also found success across Europe, charting within the top 40 in countries including Ireland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Its commercial resurgence was noted by industry publications like Music Week and solidified the band's transition from club act to chart-topping artists.

Cultural impact and legacy

The song's legacy was permanently transformed when it was adopted as the official campaign anthem for the Labour Party in the lead-up to the 1997 United Kingdom general election. The track, emblematic of a mood for change, was played at the party's victory rally at the Royal Festival Hall as Tony Blair arrived to give his triumphant speech. This association with the end of 18 years of Conservative government, under leaders like Margaret Thatcher and John Major, cemented its status as a political and cultural touchstone. The phrase entered the lexicon as a shorthand for the optimism of the New Labour era, though its meaning would later be scrutinized and revisited in subsequent political discourse.

In popular culture

Beyond politics, the song has been frequently used in film and television to evoke the 1990s. It has featured in soundtracks for series like The Crown and Our Friends in the North, and in films such as Ally McBeal. The track has been covered and sampled by various artists and is a staple on BBC nostalgia programs like Top of the Pops 2. Its iconic status was further acknowledged when scientist Brian Cox performed it during his Wonders of the Universe lecture tour, reuniting with Peter Cunnah for a performance at the Glastonbury Festival in 2010, blending its pop history with contemporary scientific outreach.

Category:1993 songs Category:D:Ream songs Category:UK Singles Chart number-one singles