The Best of Hefner

Tracklisting (with notes)
1. A Better Friend (original single version)
The first single recorded in a small 16 track studio in Greenwich. Only the second time the band played together. Released April 1997 on Boogle Wonderland.
2. Christian Girls (original single version)
The first of three versions of this song and the song which originally bought Hefner to the attention of Beggars Banquet.
3. Pull Yourself Together (didgeridoo version)
This version of Hefner's first single for Too Pure was previously only available on a free CD with the Melody Maker. A song made single of the week on Steve Lamacq's Radio 1 evening session.
4. The Sweetness Lies Within
Second single from Hefner's critically acclaimed debut album; 'Breaking God's Heart' which was placed above Robbie Williams in an NME end of year poll.
5. The Sad Witch
From Breaking God's Heart, this song remained a live favourite in the Hefner set, right up until their split.
6. Hello Kitten
Originally the b-side to Sweetness Lies Within the popularity of this song grew and grew until it was one of Hefner's most loved songs.
7. Lee Remick
Perhaps one of the most personal of Darren Hayman's songs, originally their second single this is the re-recorded version from the singles and b-sides compilation 'Boxing Hefner'.
8. The Hymn for the Cigarettes
The first single from what remains the fans favourite Hefner album The Fidelity Wars, this song reached number 3 in John Peel's Festive 50 1999
9. The Hymn for the Alcohol
This song, also from, 'Fidelity Wars' did even better getting to number 2 in the same Festive 50. This was the first recording to feature fourth Hefner member Jack Hayter.
10. I Took Her Love for Granted
The second single from 'Fidelity Wars' had a video which featured the band in nylon flesh coloured body stockings with sew on cocks.
11. Don't Flake out on Me
A personal favourite of Darren's, this song from Fidelity Wars showed a bigger poppier sound that the band were to push forward on their third album proper 'We Love the City'.
12. I Love Only You
The closing song on 'Fidelity Wars' features unlikely scratching, under guitar riffs stolen from Big Country.
13. Good Fruit
Hefner's most successful song it got to number 42 or something like that. First single from 'We Love the City'
14. The Greedy Ugly People
This second single from 'We Love the City' failed to keep the momentum going however and their brief dalliance with the big time was over.
15. Painting and Kissing
A song about how Darren met his now wife, this song features some of the synthesizers that were to take over on Hefner's final album.
16. The Greater London Radio
Written by Darren as he drove through London from Heathrow to his home at 7 in the morning. From We Love the City.
17. The Day That Thatcher Dies
An anthem for people of a certain age and a certain political persuasion. Darren's Dad's favourite song. From We Love the City.
18. Alan Bean
First single from the perplexing fourth album; 'Dead Media'. Underneath all the Joe Meek influenced chaos is one of Darren's more understated lyrics.
19. When the Angels Play Their Drum Machines
This is a different remixed version of the song that appears on Dead Media taken from Hefner's final release (in their lifetime); The Hefner Brain.
20. Home
This song, included at Darren's request is the last song from their last album, and is a bitter sweet goodbye from the band to the music industry.
All songs written by Darren Hayman (Derrière le Garage).