The First 50 Years: Songs Of Boomtown Glory

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

The First 50 Years: Songs Of Boomtown Glory

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

New best of to be released…

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

The First 50 Years: Songs Of Boomtown Glory

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

New best of to be released…

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

I am surprised that House On Fire never made it onto the vinyl as it was the last Rats song to hit the top 30 and I always thought that the 7 inch was much better than the longer album version.

-- Edited by Derek The Dane on Saturday 21st of December 2024 06:52:55 AM

-- Edited by Derek The Dane on Saturday 21st of December 2024 06:53:34 AM

Mark L · Loudmouth

Why no Never in a Million Years? One of their better singles and achieved a higher chart position than every Grass single, apart from Drag Me Down. Go Man Go was an Irish single release and also curiously absent. Why the obsession with Keep it Up making it on to each new compilation? I know most male fans are now in their late 50s and 60s but do you have to rub it in?

Or is it only available as a blue tablet still?

Asking for a friend obviously.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Why no Never in a Million Years? One of their better singles and achieved a higher chart position than every Grass single, apart from Drag Me Down. Go Man Go was an Irish single release and also curiously absent. Why the obsession with Keep it Up making it on to each new compilation? I know most male fans are now in their late 50s and 60s but do you have to rub it in?

Or is it only available as a blue tablet still?

Asking for a friend obviously.

LOL - never needed the blue ; rubbing in is sufficient biggrin

For me, there are two ways to go with best ofs/greatest hits.The first is chronological singles from first to last (pulp Hits is a good example). This is good for hearing how a band develops over time. The second is to just pick the best songs regardless of whether or not they were singles. I think the Rats would probably be better served doing this as they have had a few singles I don't think are particularly good (Diamond Smiles, Million Years, Charmed Lives, Hold of Me, everything since). I think a best of strongly weighted towards the first three albums would showcase the band at their best.

I agree that the omission of Go Man Go is strange as is sticking with Keep It Up. Personally, I would have He Watches It All and Fall Down on any best of. And House on Fire on the vinyl edition. I am utterly amazed that KISS is on a best of. And if there had to be six tracks post 1986, they could have been all stuck on side 4 rather than mixed in with the other songs. To all intents and purposes it is a different band.

On the upside, there are no bonus tracks, so I guess like Bowie Legacy, despite the Life on Mars remix, I can quite simply not buy the LP until it gets massively reduced on Amazon. That written, not bothered buying Bowie Legacy and that has been out for 8 years.

Ultimately I could just create my own Spotify playlist and not bother at all with it. I always think the Rats releases have been slightly behind the time. It would have been better to release vinyl LPs for last two compilations.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

ArrGee wrote:
Have to like the title "The First 50 Years: Songs Of Boomtown Glory"
As if there will be a second 50 years
Have to say, not my choice of the best 24/27 songs. Quite how so many post 1986 songs made it beggars belief. I guess I will end up buying it, but will probably not get played.

The Boomtown Rats 4
Tonic for The Troops 5
Fine Art of Surfacing 4 (1)
Mondo Bongo 2
V Deep 1 (1)
In The Long Grass 2 (1)
Citizens of Boomtown 5 + 1

I read the band selected the tracks on the latest best of. I suppose that explains the six songs post 1986.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

ArrGee wrote:
Ultimately I could just create my own Spotify playlist and not bother at all with it.

So of course I have . Unfortunately, B-sides like Born To Burn, Lying Again, So Strange and Its All The Rage were not available, but its my top forty.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ZptnkrZxyWhwOqafSCPj5?si=azmSZj4GRpqKjX5cMmyVZA&pi=e-kOSyNNjgRK2H

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

I have noticed that depending what web site you are on the choice of songs are the same but in a different running order.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

RE: The First 50 Years: Songs Of Boomtown Glory

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

I friggin hope not,thats terrible.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
I friggin hope not,thats terrible.

That really is the cover.

https://hmv.com/store/music/vinyl/the-first-50-years-songs-of-boomtown-glory

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

You are correct.The inner sleeve on both the vinyl and CD are much better than that cover.Sorry but I do not get it.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
You are correct.The inner sleeve on both the vinyl and CD are much better than that cover.Sorry but I do not get it.

Even the inner sleeve looks garbage with little passport sized photos of Cott and Fingers. I think I can pass on this. Not a patch on Dawn of The Rats.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Why is Joey on the "Streets" nowadays? He was on just one street back in the 1970s.

And when was it #18 in UK charts?

the-boomtown-rats-the-boomtown-rats-2nd-pressing-uk-vinyl-lp-album-record-871784c_1280x1289.jpg?v=1755188152

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

You are right about the pictures of Cott and Fingers,they are embarrassing.They should have done a cover like Bob Geldofs Loudmouth album.I still cannot get over how they picked some of these tracks.We all have our favourites but so many tracks from COB is a suprise.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
You are right about the pictures of Cott and Fingers,they are embarrassing.They should have done a cover like Bob Geldofs Loudmouth album.I still cannot get over how they picked some of these tracks.We all have our favourites but so many tracks from COB is a suprise.

Just dont buy it. Its not like you dont have everything on it. FWIW I would prefer an all killer no filler LP. A dozen of the absolute best. My choice..

#1
Mary
Joey
Modern
Clockwork
Rat Trap
Mondays
Someones Looking
Banana Republic
Go Man Go
House on Fire
Dave

As good as a hits collection as Legend or Street Life.

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

Joeys On The Street Again
Number 18 in the UK chart
Released as a single in Scandinavia..OMG,did they not check all this.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
Joeys On The Street Again
Number 18 in the UK chart
Released as a single in Scandinavia..OMG,did they not check all this.

Somebody said the whole thing's half baked...

...not on my must buy list. Maybe when it is heavily discounted.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

#58 in Amazon chart on first day of sales. Respectable enough.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Listening on You Tube Music and four tracks are excluded. Same on Apple Music. Don't know if it is the same for other digital platforms.

Dare I say it, but less is more (Sadly The Eponymous Song is still there)
K.I.S.S.
Heres A Postcard
Trash Glam Baby
Monster Monkeys
I am finding it a very good listen so far (up to Banana Republic). It's flowing pretty well despite mixing songs from four LPs. Maybe a version of the LP could be released without 21st century songs. Well, maybe Passing Through could be added.

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

I never expected it to get that high.I will be amazed if it breaks the top 80 in the official charts.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
I never expected it to get that high.I will be amazed if it breaks the top 80 in the official charts.

#95 on midweek chart. Can it hang in the top 100?

https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16417/boomtown-rats/

28

SEP

2025

THE FIRST 50 YEARS - SONGS OF BOOMTOWN cover art

THE FIRST 50 YEARS - SONGS OF BOOMTOWN
BOOMTOWN RATS

Peak: 95,
Weeks: 1

Please note, the data displayed for this chart reflects the title's midweek position only, peak positions on this chart also relate to midweek chart positions. Official Albums Chart Update data available on officialcharts.com goes back to October 2014

-- Edited by ArrGee on Thursday 25th of September 2025 04:47:20 PM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

The one thing the world didnt need was another Boomtown Rats greatest hits album. However they may sell a few copies on the tour (though not to yours truly). The 2004 version is probably the best despite the live I Can Make It, the abridged Fall Down and the curious omission of House on Fire. Shame that wasnt on vinyl.

Hoping there is a Sunset of The Rats with all the b-sides from Late Late Night for RSD 2026. I would join another queue for that.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Listening on You Tube Music and four tracks are excluded. Same on Apple Music. Don't know if it is the same for other digital platforms.
Dare I say it, but less is more (Sadly The Eponymous Song is still there)
K.I.S.S.
Heres A Postcard
Trash Glam Baby
Monster Monkeys
I am finding it a very good listen so far (up to Banana Republic). It's flowing pretty well despite mixing songs from four LPs. Maybe a version of the LP could be released without 21st century songs. Well, maybe Passing Through could be added.

The only new track I feel is worthy of being on the compilation is Monster Monkeys. It's a great tune with fantastic lyrics. Sweet Thing gets the odd listen but I've always found No Tomorrow to be a bit to 'hooky' and Geldof's voice a bit croaky on that track. Postcard just sounds like a derivative Geldof album track , musically a bit dull and boring so it doesn't really do it for me. Trash Glam is mediocre fare and KISS is abysmal, possibly the worst Rats song over, vying with Rock n Roll Ye Ye!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

noelindublin wrote:
KISS is abysmal, possibly the worst Rats song over, vying with Rock n Roll Ye Ye!

One big advantage of streaming is you can exclude the garbage. I can barely remember either of these songs other than there is a rap in KISS and Rock n Roll is leaning on Knockin on Heavens Door quite heavily. Similar with the two lesser known Ratsh!t ep songs and everything on the Back of Boomtown ep apart from the song that repeats fcuking ad nauseum that they play live for no good reason. I still wish I had never heard the eponymous song, that truly is the worst as I can actually remember it. There are seven decent 21st century songs with Passing Through the only one I think is something special. She Said No, Monster Monkeys, Postcard, Get a Grip, Back To Boomtown and Sweet Thing complete the 21st century songs that I have on my Rats playlist.

Derek The Dane · In the Long Grass

I like the COB album but I am suprised that so many of the tracks made the anniversary album.We all have our favourite songs and for me the likes of Lucky and House On Fire(single version) should have made the vinyl album.Also I think if they picked so many tracks from COB how could they leave out Passing Through?.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

ArrGee wrote:
I am finding it a very good listen so far (up to Banana Republic). It's flowing pretty well despite mixing songs from four LPs. Maybe a version of the LP could be released without 21st century songs. Well, maybe Passing Through could be added.

Have to admit that it is a very good compilation if you skip the 21st century songs. Obviously some songs like Fall Down, Go Man Go, and He Watches It All that would have improved it, but overall it works pretty well on a streaming platform.

Now I will listen to Rainy Sunday Afternoon by Divine Comedy. A lot of good releases this year alongside a couple of suede LP and the return of pulp. Also looking forward to new Ash LP. And of course there is the Bowie Box set which hopefully is reduced from the current £400.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
I am finding it a very good listen so far (up to Banana Republic). It's flowing pretty well despite mixing songs from four LPs. Maybe a version of the LP could be released without 21st century songs. Well, maybe Passing Through could be added.

Have to admit that it is a very good compilation if you skip the 21st century songs. Obviously some songs like Fall Down, Go Man Go, and He Watches It All that would have improved it, but overall it works pretty well on a streaming platform.
Now I will listen to Rainy Sunday Afternoon by Divine Comedy. A lot of good releases this year alongside a couple of suede LP and the return of pulp. Also looking forward to new Ash LP. And of course there is the Bowie Box set which hopefully is reduced from the current £400.

Do you like The House of Love? Was od'ing on them for a few months recently! Also Robyn Hitch**** and some old Prefab Sprout and Bunnyman stuff and Teardrops Brave Boys was on my playlist too. I just listen on YouTube Premium music, can't remember the last time I bought a cd or vinyl.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

noelindublin wrote:
Do you like The House of Love?

Yes, first couple of LPs were very good along with the singles. Not really been interested in much they did since.

Mostly listening to pulp, suede, James, Supergrass and all manner of 1990s indie. Will change tack towards end of October before seeing Rats, Stranglers and Buzz****s. Amazingly, I have never seen the Buzz****s. I had a ticket to see them in May 2012 with Howard Devoto, but for some reason lost in the depths of time, I couldn't make it. Alas Pete Shelley is no longer with us.