The landmark moment in pop music history has arrived as NOW That’s What I Call Music, the country’s most trusted curators of the genre for over 35 years, release NOW 100 last Friday.

Celebrating 100 albums featuring over 2100 artists and UK sales of over 100 million, this iconic moment in pop history will have fans across the nation celebrating four decades of the world’s biggest music brand mapping the soundtrack to their lives.

Having woven its way into the hearts of the British public back in 1983 - when there were 4 TV channels and no mobile phones - the treasured compilation albums have become part of the country’s history and ingrained in its popular culture, with sales equivalent to every UK household owning 4 NOW albums. The musical institution has since found global success in over 60 countries including the USA, South Korea and New Zealand.

To celebrate this occasion NOW100 features two discs; the first celebrating the biggest pop tunes of the moment including Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa, George Ezra and Clean Bandit and the second a NOWstalgia-filled special, remembering the best of the past 99 albums, with classic tracks from UB40, Phil Collins, Oasis, Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child.

NOW1 has been re-issued on CD, cassette and vinyl to celebrate this momentous occasion and reflect how NOW has evolved over 35 years. And if that wasn’t enough the NOW Music App will be the only place you can download and listen to all 100 NOW albums.

Over the years the NOW albums have mapped the supersonic careers of the biggest names in pop. Here’s what some of NOW’s famous fans who appear on NOW100 have to say (as told to BBC):

Liam Payne

That was the world’s first playlist almost, which now is the theme of the music industry. So they kind of kicked that off

George Ezra

As a teenager, I wasn't very up-to-date with pop culture - but Now was one thing that I did know. So when my manager told me I was going to be on one, it was very exciting.”

Jess Glynne

As a kid you buy those albums and it's your everything. I remember when I got one with the Spice Girls and all of that and I was like, Oh my Goodness, it's like gold!

Kylie Minogue

Wow, 100 editions of NOW! It’s amazing to think that these compilations have been around for 35 years. They’ve been a big part of my career right back to when ‘I Should Be So Lucky’ was on NOW 11, all the way up to 2018 with ‘Dancing’ being on NOW 99. So, thank you very much NOW for having me on so many of the albums – 23 of them in fact – so here’s to the next 100 editions. I hope to see you there!

Anne-Marie

NOW means a lot to me because it was such a big part of my childhood. I remember being so young when I got my first NOW from Father Christmas. I think that was NOW 46 and it was amazing. I loved that you got all the hits on one CD. It was just the best thing to listen to all the way through – you didn’t even have to skip any songs. My favourite disc is NOW 49 because it had Teenage Dirtbag on it – what a tune. Thanks to NOW for giving us all such great memories.

What was your first NOW?

Tweet your responses using the hashtag #MyfirstNOW

NOW 100 Track List

CD 1 - Hits

1.Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa - One Kiss

2.George Ezra - Shotgun

3.Clean Bandit feat. Demi Lovato - Solo

4.Ariana Grande - no tears left to cry

5.Anne-Marie - 2002

6.Jess Glynne - I'll Be There

7.Years & Years - If You're Over Me

8.David Guetta & Sia - Flames

9.Post Malone - Better Now

10.Jonas Blue feat. Jack & Jack - Rise

11.Liam Payne & J. Balvin - Familiar

12.Banx & Ranx & Ella Eyre feat. Yxng Bane - Answerphone

13.M.O, Lotto Boyzz & Mr Eazi - Bad Vibe

14.Tiësto & Dzeko feat. Preme & Post Malone - Jackie Chan

15.M-22 feat. Medina - First Time

16.5 Seconds of Summer - Youngblood

17.Bebe Rexha feat. Florida Georgia Line - Meant To Be

18.Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey - The Middle

19.Khalid & Normani - Love Lies

20.Jax Jones & Mabel feat. Rich The Kid - Ring Ring

21.Cheat Codes x Little Mix - Only You

22.Shawn Mendes - In My Blood

Bonus track:

23.MU4 - You Can't Hurry Love (GMB competition winners)

CD2 - Classics

1.UB40 - Red Red Wine    

2.Phil Collins - Against All Odds-Take A Look At Me Now

3.Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer

4.Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around        

5.Spice Girls - Wannabe    

6.Oasis - Wonderwall

7.Robbie Williams - Angels

8.Cher - Believe

9.Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time

10.S Club 7 - Reach

11.Destiny's Child - Survivor

12.Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out Of My Head

13.Justin Timberlake - Cry Me A River

14.James Blunt - You're Beautiful

15.Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't Lie

16.Take That - Rule The World

17.Coldplay - Viva La Vida

18.Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

19.Ed Sheeran - Sing

20.Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk

21.Justin Bieber - Love Yourself

NOW 100 is available to buy and download - NOW!.