Better Best Forgotten


"Better Best Forgotten" is a song by British pop group Steps, released on 8 March 1999—only a month before the ABBA tribute single "Thank ABBA for the Music" was released. It is the final single to be taken from their debut album, Step One.
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

CantStopThePop wrote that "it was the song most strikingly consistent with the “ABBA-on-speed” vision that Pete Waterman strove to achieve with Steps". They added that Faye, Lisa and Claire "all bring such drama to Better Best Forgotten; they sing as though their life depends on it, and that – among many other things – is what worked so well about Steps." 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". 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".

Chart performance

"Better Best Forgotten" entered the UK Singles Chart at number two in March 1999, beaten 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 charts and then re-enter.

Music video

The video 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 Tozer.

Track listings

Remixes

A-side: "Better Best Forgotten"

Recording
Vocals
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Step One.

B-side: "Why?"

Recording
Vocals
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Better Best Forgotten".

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Certifications