‘The Ketchup Song’ happened on NOW…53

Now That’s What I Call Music! was the pioneer of the playlist before playlists were even a thing. Before Spotify took over and the music industry collapsed, rolled over and took a spanking from the streaming service. Now…! gave you a 40-song-strong compilation of anthems, acting as a time capsule for the year and the soundtrack to your night out, your birthday party, your night in, your Saturday evening, your hangover, your everything.

I strutted into the primary school disco, lip-glossed to the nines and ready to boogie the afternoon away. The soundtrack to such wild events was always NOW 53, a collection of hardcore bops guaranteed to have us sliding on our knees and wearing out the soles of our Velcro dancing shoes.

NOW 53 is a time capsule of primary school, and a window into the heyday of British pop groups. Iconic ensembles like Atomic Kitten, Blue and Busted were in their collective musical prime, and anyone who says they didn’t aggressively lip sync to S Club Juniors’ ‘Automatic High’ in their bedroom at night is a liar. 

NOW 53 signalled a time of musical transformation. Bryan Adam’s ‘Heaven’ and Patti Smith’s ‘Because the Night’ were resurrected, springing from their cocoons in the form of raging EDM bangers, whilst Britney’s ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’ cover was enough to get our little feet stomping.

Then came the album’s poppy pièce de résistance. ‘The Ketchup Song’. What a bizarre masterpiece of music. Did anybody ever understand the connection to tomato sauce? Exported from the continent and cack-handely translated into ‘Spanglish’, no child ever sang the same lyrics twice, but it didn’t matter. This song came ready-made with a dance routine that was accessible to even the most rhythmically challenged child, and we all wiggled in unison like members of a strange yet adorable cult. This iconic tune was the undisputed highlight of both NOW 53 and the last day of Year Two.

Then, for the way home from the discos, there was Vanessa Carlton’s one hit wonder ‘A Thousand Miles’. As a track, it pulled on my six-year-old heartstrings in a way no other tune could, and was tailor-made for slumping your head against the backseat window of the car and pretending you were starring in some hard-hitting Channel 4 drama. It was a simpler time back then. Take me back, NOW 53, take me back.