A Secret History... The Best of the Divine Comedy cover

A Secret History... The Best of the Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy · 1999

70 min · 17 tracks · alternative rock · Britpop · baroque pop

A witty blend of orchestral pop and sharp lyrical storytelling, capturing British eccentricity with charm.

Why this album works

This compilation received positive critical reception and helped to introduce The Divine Comedy's music to a wider audience. It features hits like 'National Express' and 'Something for the Weekend', which continue to resonate in popular culture, reinforcing the band's status within the Britpop movement.
Best for
witty storytelling with charm steady pacing for relaxed listening sing-along anthems for gatherings
Context
By the time 'A Secret History' was released in 1999, The Divine Comedy had established themselves as a distinctive voice in Britpop. This compilation followed their critically acclaimed album 'Casanova' (1996) and showcased their evolution through previous works, solidifying their reputation for clever songwriting and lush arrangements.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 National Express Standout 5:06
  • 2 Something for the Weekend Standout 4:20
  • 3 Everybody Knows (Except You) 3:48
  • 4 Generation Sex 3:29
  • 5 Becoming More Like Alfie 3:00
  • 6 The Summerhouse 4:14
  • 7 Your Daddy's Car 4:03
  • 8 The Pop Singer's Fear of the Pollen Count 3:54
  • 9 The Frog Princess Standout 5:13
  • 10 Gin Soaked Boy 5:03
  • 11 Lucy 4:39
  • 12 Songs of Love 3:23
  • 13 In Pursuit of Happiness 3:29
  • 14 I've Been to a Marvellous Party 3:42
  • 15 The Certainty of Chance 6:12
  • 16 Too Young to Die 4:20
  • 17 Tonight We Fly 2:57

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata