These are my personal favorite compilations. To clarify, I define a compilation as a hits-focused anthology comprised of the equivalent of 1 or 2 discs of predominantly studio material by one recording act. One of the challenges in compiling this list is how acts often have multiple compilations. Because of that, I opted to only feature one compilation per artist. I also developed a formula to weigh the compilations against each other so the “winner” wouldn’t automatically be the one with the most songs but the one with the best selection of songs. In essence, I rated the albums on a pound-for-pound basis, or the average points in my personal Database of all the songs on the collection. In parentheses after the name of the collection I indicate the years covered by the compilation followed by r. and another date which indicates the year of its release.
Check out other best-of album lists by individuals/critics here.
1. The Beatles 1 (1962-70, r. 2000)
2. Eric Clapton The Cream of Clapton (1966-81, r. 1995)
3. The Rolling Stones Forty Licks (1964-2002, r. 2002)
4. Eagles Very Best of (1971-1979, r. 1994)
5. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Greatest Hits (1973-2007, r. 2009)
6. Styx Come Sail Away: The Styx Anthology (1972-2003, r. 2004)
7. Olivia Newton-John Magic: The Best of (1973-1990, r. 2001)
8. John Mellencamp Words & Music: Greatest Hits (1978-2004, r. 2004)
9. Elvis Presley 30 #1 Hits (1956-77, r. 2002)
10. David Bowie Changesbowie (1969-1990, r. 1990)
11. Elton John Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits (compilation: 1970-2006, r. 2007)
12. The Doors Best of the Doors (1966-71, r. 1987)
13. Billy Joel The Essential (1973-2001, r. 2001)
14. The Who Who’s Better Who’s Best (1964-81, r. 1988)
15. U2 Best of 1980-1990 (1980-89, r. 1998)
16. Pink Floyd Foot in the Door: The Best of (1967-1994, r. 2011)
17. Bob Dylan The Essential (1962-99, r. 2000)
18. Marillion Best of Both Worlds (1982-96, r. 1997)
19. Rush The Spirit of Radio: The Greatest Hits (1974-87, r. 2003)
20. Prince Very Best of (1979-92, r. 2001)
21. Tears for Fears Rule the World: The Greatest Hits (1982-2017, r. 2017)
22. Journey Greatest Hits (1977-87, r. 1988)
23. Genesis Turn It on Again: The Hits (1973-97, r. 1999)
24. Queen Greatest Hits (aka “We Will Rock You”) (1973-81, r. 1981)
25. The Beach Boys Very Best of (1962-88, r. 2001)
26. Alan Parsons The Definitive Collection (1976-93, r. 1997)
27. The Cars Complete Greatest Hits (1978-87, r. 2002)
28. The Police Every Breath You Take – The Classics (1978-86, r. 1995)
29. Paul Simon/Simon & Garfunkel The Ultimate Collection (1965-2002, r. 2015)
30. Sheryl Crow Very Best of (UK version, 1993-2003, r. 2003)
31. Crowded House Recurring Dream: The Very Best of (1986-96, r. 1996)
32. Crosby, Stills & Nash Greatest Hits (1969-82, r. 2005)
33. Stevie Wonder The Definitive Collection (1962-98, r. 2002)
34. Sting Fields of Gold – The Best of (1985-94, r. 1994)
35. John Lennon Lennon Legend: The Very Best of (1969-80, r. 1997)
36. REO Speedwagon The Hits (1976-88, r. 1988)
37. Paul McCartney All the Best! (1970-87, r. 1987)
38. Supertramp Classics (1974-85, r. 1987)
39. Aerosmith O Yeah! The Ultimate Hits (1973-2002, r. 2002)
40. Madonna The Immaculate Collection (1983-90, r. 1990)
41. Kevin Gilbert Bolts (archives: 1984-96, r. 2006)
42. Creedence Clearwater Revival Chronicle: Their 20 Greatest Hits (1968-72, r. 1976)
43. Michael Jackson HIStory/Greatest Hits (1979-95, r. 1995)
44. Lionel Richie/Commodores Back to Front (1977-92, r. 1992)
45. The Jimi Hendrix Experience The Ultimate Experience (1966-70, r. 1992)
46. Pearl Jam Rearviewmirror: Greatest Hits (1991-2003, r. 2004)
47. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits (1976-93, r. 1993)
48. Chicago Only the Beginning: Very Best of (1969-95, r. 2002)
49. ZZ Top The Baddest of (1973-2003, r. 2014)
50. Squeeze Greatest Hits (1978-89, r. 2001)
51. Little River Band Greatest Hits (1975-82, r. 1982)
52. Peter Gabriel Shaking the Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats (1977-89, r. 1990)
53. Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits (1975-88, r. 1988)
54. Foreigner Records (1976-81, r. 1982)
55. Bob Seger Ultimate Hits: Rock and Roll Never Forgets (1968-2011, r. 2011)
56. Guns N’ Roses Greatest Hits (1987-94, r. 2004)
57. The Doobie Brothers Greatest Hits (1971-91, r. 2001)
58. Phil Collins Hits (1981-98, r. 1998)
59. Van Halen Best of Both Worlds (1977-2004, r. 2004)
60. Split Enz History Never Repeats: The Best of (US version, 1976-84, r. 1987)
61. Bob Marley & the Wailers Legend (1973-83, r. 1984)
62. Shawn Colvin Polaroids: A Greatest Hits Collection (1989-2004, r. 2004)
63. R.E.M. Eponymous (1981-87, r. 1988)
64. Rick Springfield Greatest Hits (1981-88, r. 1999)
65. Def Leppard Vault: Greatest Hits (1980-95, r. 1995)
66. Led Zeppelin Mothership (1969-79, r. 2007)
67. Eurythmics Greatest Hits (1982-89, r. 1991)
68. Kenny Rogers 20 Greatest Hits (1969-83, r. 1983)
69. Kansas Best of (1974-84, r. 1984)
70. Simple Minds Glittering Prize 81/92 (1981-91, r. 1992)
71. Yes Yes Singles (1971-83, r. 2023)
72. Linda Ronstadt Very Best of (1970-93, r. 2002)
73. Foo Fighters The Essential (1995-2021, r. 2022)
74. Lynyrd Skynyrd All Time Greatest Hits (1972-77, r. 2000)
75. Alabama Greatest Hits (1980-86, r. 1986)
76. Boston Greatest Hits (1976-97, r. 1997)
77. Four Tops 19 Greatest Hits: Compact Command Performances (1964-72, r. 1984)
78. Chuck Berry The Great Twenty-Eight (1955-64, r. 1982)
79. Lyle Lovett Here I Am: The Lyle Lovett Collection (1986-91, r. 1991)
80. Van Morrison Still on Top: The Greatest Hits (US version, 1965-2005, r. 2007)
81. The Supremes 20 Greatest Hits: Compact Command Performances (1963-71, r. 1983)
82. Steely Dan A Decade of Steely Dan (1972-80, r. 1985)
83. Neil Diamond All-Time Greatest Hits (1966-80, r. 2014)
84. Aretha Franklin Queen of Soul: The Very Best of (1967-74, r. 1994)
85. Buddy Holly 20 Golden Greats (1956-58, r. 1978)
86. Jethro Tull Original Masters (1966-77, r. 1985)
87. Berlin Best of (1979-88, r. 1988)
88. Mike + the Mechanics The Singles 1985-2014 (1985-2014, r. 2014)
89. Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music More Than This: The Best of (1972-94, r. 1995)
90. Eminem Curtain Call: The Hits (1999-2005, r. 2005)
91. Heart These Dreams: Greatest Hits (1975-93, r. 1997)
92. Red Hot Chili Peppers Road Trippin’ Through Time (1991-2006, r. 2011)
93. Elvis Costello Best of (1977-84, r. 1985)
94. Alanis Morissette The Collection (1995-2005, r. 2005)
95. The Smiths Louder Than Bombs (1983-87, r. 1987)
96. Del Amitri Hatful of Rain: The Best of (1989-98, r. 1998)
97. Duran Duran Greatest (1980-97, r. 1998)
98. Tina Turner Tina! (1966-2008, r. 2008)
99. aha Headlines and Deadlines (1985-91, r. 1991)
100. Bryan Adams So Far So Good (1983-93, r. 1993)
Resources and Related Links:
First posted 10/4/2025 |
No comments:
Post a Comment