Countdown 1992–1983


Countdown 1992–1983 is a double compilation album by the band Pulp released by compilation specialist Nectar Masters on 11 March 1996.

Background

It features highlights from the band's first three albums, along with non-album singles and B-sides. The album title is a reference to the band's song "Countdown", therefore the running order goes backwards chronologically from 1992 to 1983.
Being released at the height of Pulp's and Britpop fame, the album reached #10 in the UK Album Chart, the only charting compilation album of the band's Fire Records era material. The sleevenotes are written by Guardian journalist Caroline Sullivan, a longtime friend of the band, and detail the group's history, particularly prior to their main commercial success.

Reception

Although was well received by critics and fans, Jarvis Cocker was very critical of the compilation at the time of its release. Cocker: "I would urge anybody not to buy it. Please, I find it embarrassing to be honest. And also the way it's packaged to look a bit modern, a bit like our sleeves now. It's a crap version... I wouldn't recommend it to anybody. And Fire records never did us any favours when we were on the label. Being signed to that label was the single biggest thing that prevented us succeeding. It almost made us split up."

Track listing

All lyrics written by Jarvis Cocker, all music composed by Pulp; except where noted.
;Disc one
  1. "Countdown" – 4:40
  2. "Death Goes to the Disco" – 5:42
  3. "My Legendary Girlfriend" – 6:44
  4. "Don't You Want Me Anymore?" – 3:46
  5. "She's Dead" – 5:04
  6. "Down by the River" – 3:38
  7. "I Want You" – 4:38
  8. "Being Followed Home" – 6:01
  9. "Master of the Universe" – 3:19
  10. "Don't You Know" – 4:06
  11. "They Suffocate at Night" – 6:17
;Disc two
  1. "Dogs Are Everywhere" – 4:53
  2. "The Mark of the Devil" – 4:32
  3. "97 Lovers" – 4:28
  4. "Little Girl " – 3:25
  5. "Blue Glow" – 3:03
  6. "My Lighthouse" – 3:28
  7. "Wishful Thinking" – 4:16
  8. "Blue Girls" – 5:58
  9. "Countdown" – 8:03