The Compilation: James "Nothing But Love (The Definitive Best Of)"

James are to release a 58-song complete singles compilation next month, Nothing But Love: The Definitive Best Of. Available as a 3CD or 5LP box set, this includes two new songs, "Wake Up Superman" and "Hallelujah Anyhow". The running order is chronological, from "What’s The World" from 1983's debut EP Jimone to three songs from last year's No 1 album Yummy. Twelve songs make their debut on vinyl across the five LPs.

One of the fantastic features is the track "Sit Down" which is featured in both its original 1989 version released on Rough Trade, and the shorter re-recording on Fontana which reached No 2 in 1991. The compilation also includes the Flood Mix of "Come Home", remixed from its appearance on Gold Mother (and first single iteration) in 1990. Arguably, James’ only single not included among the 58 tracks is "Sit Down '98,’ the remix by Apollo 440 which reached No 7 in 1998.

The compilation also features two B-sides, "All Good Boys" and "I Defeat", both originally on the flipside of singles from 1999's Millionaires in  "I Know What I’m Here For" and "Just Like Fred Astaire" respectively. 

A cut-down 2LP edition of Nothing But Love offers 21 tracks, with the 2LP on black vinyl and a D2C neon violet coloured vinyl version. The 5LP vinyl is housed in a rigid slipcase, with 5LP and 3CD editions both featuring a booklet containing commentary by James on the songs.

Nothing But Love: The Definitive Best Of is the fourth James singles compilation, and the first since 2007's Fresh As A Daisy: The Singles reached No 12. James are to go on an arena tour next April, supported by Doves. 

Nothing But Love: The Definitive Best Of is released by on 21 November 2025, via UMR.

CD 1

 

1. What’s The World (from Jimone, 1983)

2. Hymn From A Village (from James II, 1985)

3. Chain Mail (1986 standalone single)

4. So Many Ways (from Stutter, 1986)

5. Johnny Yen (from Stutter, 1986)

6. What For (from Strip-mine, 1988)

7. Ya-Ho (from Strip-mine, 1988)

8. Sit Down (7” Rough Trade Version) (1989 standalone single)

9. How Was It For You (from Gold Mother, 1990)

10. Come Home (Flood Mix) (from Gold Mother, 1990)

11. Lose Control (1990 standalone single)

12. Sit Down (1991 standalone single)

13. Sound (from Seven, 1992)

14. Born Of Frustration (from Seven, 1992)

15. Ring The Bells (from Seven, 1992)

16. Seven (from Seven, 1992)

17. Out To Get You (from Laid, 1993)

18. Sometimes (from Laid, 1993)

19. Laid (from Laid, 1993)

20. Jam J (from Wah Wah, 1994)

 

CD 2

 

1. Say Something (from Wah Wah, 1994)

2. Honest Joe (from Wah Wah, 1994)

3. She’s A Star (from Whiplash, 1997)

4. Tomorrow (from Whiplash, 1997)

5. Waltzing Along (from Whiplash, 1997)

6. Play Dead (from Whiplash, 1997)

7. Destiny Calling (from The Best Of, 1998)

8. Runaground (from The Best Of, 1998)

9. I Know What I’m Here For (from Millionaires, 1999)

10. All Good Boys (B-side of I Know What I’m Here For, 1999)

11. Just Like Fred Astaire (from Millionaires, 1999)

12. We’re Going To Miss You (from Millionaires, 1999)

13. I Defeat (B-side of Just Like Fred Astaire, 1999)

14. Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) (from Pleased To Meet You, 2001)

15. Chameleon (from Fresh As A Daisy: The Singles, 2007)

16. Whiteboy (from Hey Ma, 2008)

17. Waterfall (from Hey Ma, 2008)

18. Crazy (from The Night Before, 2010)

19. Dust Motes (from The Night Before, 2010)

20. Interrogation (from La Petite Mort, 2014)

 

CD 3

 

1. Moving On (from La Petite Mort, 2014)

2. Curse Curse (from La Petite Mort, 2014)

3. All I’m Saying (from La Petite Mort, 2014)

4. To My Surprise (from Girl At The End Of The World, 2016)

5. Nothing But Love (from Girl At The End Of The World, 2016)

6. Girl At The End Of The World (from Girl At The End Of The World, 2016)

7. Busted (from Better Than That, 2018)

8. Many Faces (from Living In Extraordinary Times, 2018)

9. Leviathan (from Living In Extraordinary Times, 2018)

10. All The Colours Of You (from All The Colours Of You, 2021)

11. Beautiful Beaches (from All The Colours Of You, 2021)

12. Zero (from All The Colours Of You, 2021)

13. Love Make A Fool (from Be Opened By The Wonderful, 2023)

14. Is This Love (from Yummy, 2024)

15. Life’s A Fucking Miracle (from Yummy, 2024)

16. Way Over Your Head (from Yummy, 2024)

17. Wake Up Superman (new song)

18. Hallelujah Anyhow (new song)