"That Was Then but This Is Now" is a song by English pop band ABC. It was released in October 1983 as the lead single from their second studio album, Beauty Stab. It was the band's third entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 89.
Music video
The music video shows them playing on a stage behind a huge Risk-style world map gameboard; scenes of the band playing, accompanied by various flags, are interspersed with scenes of a helicopter taking off and then exploding.
Critical reception
Upon its release in October 1983, it was "Single Of The Forthnight" in Smash Hits. "[A]part from the lousy chorus, I think it's one of the most exciting things they've done", Peter Martin wrote, "Fast and furious, the song still manages to retain a feeling of stylish grandeur that is the hallmark of ABC's work".[2]
The song features the heavily criticised lyric, "Can't complain, mustn't grumble, help yourself to another piece of apple crumble." Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera censured the line, feeling that it embodied all that was wrong with 1980s pop music. It has frequently appeared in "worst lyrics" poll results, and was voted the worst line ever in a 2007 BBC 6 Music survey. Critic and Saint Etienne co-founder Bob Stanley allowed, "It had perhaps been meant as a joke - it was followed by a cheesy sax break."[3]
