FEATURE:
The Very Best of The Superlatives
PHOTO CREDIT: @all_who_wander/Unsplash
Eleven Incredible Greatest Hits Collections
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IT is around this time of year...
PHOTO CREDIT: @dmitrybayer/Unsplash
we are flooded with adverts that promise us particular products are the ‘perfect Christmas gifts’. It can be applied to anything from toiletries to music through to books. It is quite random and vague marketing and, alongside that, we have various albums that are billed as ideal Christmas stocking fillers – despite their being nothing Christmas-related about them. More often than not, these promoted albums are a bit cheesy and most people would not otherwise bother too much with them! It is inevitable that the greatest hits collections are dusted off, shone and put back onto screens as that must-have Christmas collection. One of my happiest Christmas memories was receiving The Beatles’ greatest hits collection, 1. It is all their number-one hits and, as a youngster who grew up around the band, it was/is a C.D. I have played to death! I actually think that the ‘best ofs’ and greatest hits collections are great gifts as it can introduce someone to an artist and is a good, accessible start. As there are a couple more weeks to get your get your Christmas shopping sorted; here are eleven must-own greatest hits collections that would make for superb listening. Maybe you might not be able to afford all – and this is quite a subjective list – but there is so much in the rundown that will delight and stay in the mind. Have a listen to the fantastic albums and, if you are short of a gift idea or two...
PHOTO CREDIT: @karishea/Unsplash
I have some suggestions!
ALL ALBUM COVERS: Getty Images
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Madonna – The Immaculate Collection
Release Date: 9th November, 1990
Period Covered: 1983-1990
Number of Songs: 17 (Standard Edition)
Label: Sire
Length: 73:32
Download/Stream: Material Girl; Papa Don’t Preach; Express Yourself
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/5MzwGwnO9gkh0z6Nl4FF8h?si=V0yw9ZZRTYK4IGt8MVEYQA
Alternative Madonna Greatest Hits: Celebration (two-disc version)
The Best of the Best: Vogue
The Beatles – 1
Release Date: 13th November, 2000
Period Covered: 1962-1970
Number of Songs: 27 (Original Release)
Labels: Apple/Parlophone; Capitol
Length: 78:39
Download/Stream: She Loves You; Day Tripper; Penny Lane
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/7vEJAtP3KgKSpOHVgwm3Eh?si=m-49akTESAKw3iBlQ4ZCZw
Alternative Beatles Greatest Hits: The Beatles/1962-1966 (The Red Album)
The Best of the Best: Hey Jude
ABBA – Gold: Greatest Hits
Release Date: 21st September, 1992 (Original Release Date)
Period Covered: 1973-1981
Number of Songs: 19 (Worldwide Edition)
Labels: Polygram; Universal
Length: 77:10
Download/Stream: Dancing Queen; Take a Chance on Me; Waterloo
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/2cKZfaz7GiGtZEeQNj1RyR?si=JKO-IbPmSsa6pOlrUlvaow
Alternative ABBA Greatest Hits: More ABBA Gold
The Best of the Best: Super Trouper
Michael Jackson – The Essential Michael Jackson
Release Date: 19th July, 2005
Period Covered: 1969-2001
Number of Songs: 38 (European and International Version)
Labels: Epic; Legacy; Sony BMG
Length: 145:06
Download/Stream: Rock with You; Off the Wall; Smooth Criminal
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/77dNyQA0z8dV33M4so4eRY?si=DklCG6H5T4673nz96oPPJQ
Alternative Michael Jackson Greatest Hits: King of Pop
The Best of the Best: Billie Jean
Kate Bush – The Whole Story
Release Date: 10th November, 1986
Period Covered: 1975-1986
Number of Songs: 12
Label: EMI
Length: 48:53
Download/Stream: Wuthering Heights (New Vocal); Cloudbusting; Babooshka
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/0o7IgUEAoOGzsolQgLpnTK?si=DyXF80IkRm2IWAZuSk1Iew
The Best of the Best: Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)
Radiohead – The Best Of
Release Date: 2nd June, 2008
Period Covered: 1993-2005
Number of Songs: 17
Labels: Parlophone; Capitol
Length: 75:30
Download/Stream: Paranoid Android; Creep; Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Alternative Radiohead Greatest Hits: The Best Of (two C.D.)
The Best of the Best: Just
Elton John – 1970-2002
Release Date: 11th November, 2002
Period Covered: 1970-2002
Number of Songs: 34 (European Release)
Label: UTV
Length: 156:46
Download/Stream: Your Song; Crocodile Rock; I’m Still Standing
Alternative Elton John Greatest Hits: Diamonds
The Best of the Best: Tiny Dancer
Eagles – Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)
Release Date: 17th February, 1976
Period Covered: 1971-1975
Number of Songs: 10
Label: Asylum
Length: 43:08
Download/Stream: Take It Easy; Desperado; One of These Nights
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Lgsa7jbu86SK5zJVFCh3S?si=EUxcnIvTRoWjhenyrHiVXQ
Alternative Eagles Greatest Hits: The Complete Greatest Hits
The Best of the Best: Lyin’ Eyes
Blur – The Best Of
Release Date: 30th October, 2000
Period Covered: 1990-2000
Number of Songs: 18
Labels: Food; Virgin; Parlophone
Length: 77:08 (Original Release)
Download/Stream: Beetlebum; Coffee & TV; Charmless Man
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/1bgkxe4t0HNeLn9rhrx79x?si=DDqRDeQzSaeJKROLIDDZQA
The Best of the Best: Parklife
Prince – The Hits/B-Sides
Release Date: 10th September, 1993
Period Covered: 1976-1993
Number of Songs: 56
Labels: Paisley Park; Warner Bros.
Length: 225:53
Download/Stream: When Doves Cry; 1999; 7
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/3o0o5WPnqfGOeyx3UMJgvO?si=vNpW9rPIQKWCP-s7SxsfgQ
Alternative Prince Greatest Hits: The Very Best of Prince
The Best of the Best: Purple Rain
David Bowie – Best of Bowie
Release Date: 22nd October, 2002
Period Covered: 1969-2002
Number of Songs: 39
Labels: EMI; Virgin.
Length: 156:20 (U.K. Version)
Download/Stream: Changes; Starman; Rebel Rebel
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/2PEAajl89bIS4eWMk7zlbV?si=_Q4lvn2zT7uph0lUFx-tOw
Alternative David Bowie Greatest Hits: Legacy (The Very Best of David Bowie)
The Best of the Best: Heroes