Better Best Forgotten
{{Short description|1999 single by Steps}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Better Best Forgotten
| cover = BetterBestForgotten.png
| alt =
| caption = CD2 cover
| type = single
| artist = Steps
| album = Step One
| B-side = Why?
| released = {{start date|1999|3|8|df=y}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1999/Music-Week-1999-03-06.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting 8 March, 1999: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=25|date=6 March 1999|access-date=19 July 2021}}
| recorded =
| studio = PWL (London and Manchester, England)
| genre = Pop
| length = 3:42
| label =
| 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 = {{External music video|{{YouTube|c_0k84qbwwk|"Better Best Forgotten"}}}}
}}
"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 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."{{cite web|title= Steps – Better Best Forgotten |work= Can't Stop the Pop |date= 2 March 2020 |access-date= 22 April 2020 |url= https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2020/03/02/steps-better-best-forgotten/}} 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".{{cite web|author=Davis, Sarah|title=STEPS BETTER BEST FORGOTTEN (EBUL/JIVE)|work=Dotmusic|date=23 February 1999|access-date=8 April 2020|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Steps/reviews/February1999/reviews9983.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817001342/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Steps/reviews/February1999/reviews9983.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 August 2000}} 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".{{cite web|first= Gary |last= James |title= Step's Step One: looking back at their debut album 20 years on |work= Entertainment Focus |date= 11 September 2018 |access-date= 22 April 2020 |url= https://www.entertainment-focus.com/music-section/music-news/steps-step-one-looking-back-at-their-debut-album-20-years-on/}} Mark Beaumont from NME said it is "great".{{cite web|first= Mark |last= Beaumont |title= Steps – London Croydon Fairfield Hall |url= http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19990219121339reviews.html |work= NME |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20000817175704/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19990219121339reviews.html |accessdate= 24 November 2020|archive-date= 17 August 2000 }} 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
{{Track listing
| headline = UK CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Best Forgotten|year=1999|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Jive Records, Ebul Records|id=0519212}}
| title1 = Better Best Forgotten
| note1 = radio edit
| writer1 = {{hlist|Andrew Frampton|Pete Waterman}}
| length1 = 3:42
| title2 = Why?
| writer2 = {{hlist|Mark Topham|Karl Twigg}}
| length2 = 4:08
| title3 = Better Best Forgotten
| note3 = W.I.P. '99 Cream of Manchester Mix
| writer3 = {{hlist|Frampton|Waterman}}
| length3 = 6:16
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = UK CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Best Forgotten|year=1999|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Jive Records, Ebul Records|id=0519242}}
| title1 = Better Best Forgotten
| note1 = radio edit
| writer1 = {{hlist|Andrew Frampton|Pete Waterman}}
| length1 = 3:42
| title2 = Better Best Forgotten
| note2 = Nip on the Dance Floor W.I.P. Mix
| writer2 = {{hlist|Frampton|Waterman}}
| length2 = 5:20
| title3 = Better Best Forgotten
| note3 = instrumental
| writer3 = {{hlist|Frampton|Waterman}}
| length3 = 3:42
| title4 = Better Best Forgotten
| note4 = video
| writer4 =
| length4 =
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Best Forgotten|year=1999|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Jive Records, Ebul Records|id=0519214}}
| title1 = Better Best Forgotten
| note1 = radio edit
| writer1 = {{hlist|Andrew Frampton|Pete Waterman}}
| length1 = 3:42
| title2 = Why?
| writer2 = {{hlist|Mark Topham|Karl Twigg}}
| length2 = 4:08
}}
Credits and personnel
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=A-side: "Better Best Forgotten"=
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Step One.{{cite AV media notes|title=Step One|year=1998|type=European CD album liner notes|publisher=Jive Records, Ebul Records|id=0519112}}
Recording
- Recorded at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England)
- Mixed at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England)
- Mastered at Transfermation (London, England)
Personnel
- Songwriting – Andrew Frampton, Pete Waterman
- Production – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman
- Mixing – Dan Frampton
- Engineering – Chris McDonnell, Dan Frampton
- Drums – Chris McDonnell
- Keyboards – Karl Twigg, Mark Topham
{{col-2}}
=B-side: "Why?"=
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of "Better Best Forgotten".
Recording
- Recorded at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England)
- Mixed at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England)
- Mastered at Transfermation (London, England)
Personnel
- Songwriting – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg
- Production – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman
- Mixing – Dan Frampton, Paul Waterman
- Engineering – Chris McDonnell
- Remix – Work in Progress
{{col-end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1999) !Position |
| scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100|magazine=Music Week|page=27|date=22 January 2000}}
|51 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Steps|title=Better Best Forgotten|award=Gold|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|id=874-76-1|access-date=13 September 2020}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Steps songs}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Pete Waterman Entertainment singles
Category:Songs written by Andrew Frampton (songwriter)
Category:Songs written by Pete Waterman