Showing posts with label compilations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label compilations. Show all posts

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Dave's Faves: My Top 100 Compilations

Dave’s Faves:

My Top 100 Compilations

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)

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First posted 10/4/2025

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Sunday, May 12, 2024

Compilations: Top 100 All-Time

Compilations:

The Top 100 Albums

“Greatest hits” packages are maligned entities in the world of music criticism, targeted by haters as cheap, record-contract-fulfilling-repackagings of works better heard in their original presentations. Naysayers argue that gathering up an act’s most commercial product hardly justifies calling a collection “the best of.”

However, compilations serve an important role in music. They are often a casual fan’s entry point to an artist. In some cases, the distillation of an act’s discography into a single collection weeds out the fluff and truly does present the act at its best.

In any event, here is Dave’s Music Database’s collection of the greatest compilations of all-time. DMDB lists are determined by aggregating best-of lists alongside chart data, sales figures, awards, and album ratings. Note: this list is confined to 1 or 2-disc collections. Box sets (3 or more discs) are summed up in a separate DMDB list. When an act has released multiple compilations, only the highest-rated has been listed, unless other compilations cover completely different material. The years covered by the compilation are noted in parentheses followed by the year the collection was released (noted by an r.).

Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here.

1. The Beatles 1 (1962-70, r. 2001)
2. Bob Marley & the Wailers Legend (1973-83, r. 1984)
3. Eagles Very Best of (includes all of 1976’s Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 and 1982’s Greatest Hits Volume 2) (compilation: 1971-2003, r. 2003)
4. Madonna The Immaculate Collection (1983-90, r. 1990)
5. Robert Johnson The Complete Recordings (1936-37, r. 1990)
6. Elvis Presley 30 #1 Hits (1956-77, r. 2002)
7. Queen Greatest Hits (aka “We Will Rock You”) (1973-81, r. 1981)
8. Elton John Very Best of (includes all of 1974’s Greatest Hits (1970-90, r. 1990)
9. Abba Gold: Greatest Hits (1974-82, r. 1992)
10. Eminem Curtain Call: The Hits (1999-2005, r. 2005)

11. Simon & Garfunkel Greatest Hits (1964-70, r. 1972)
12. Creedence Clearwater Revival Chronicle: Their 20 Greatest Hits (1968-72, r. 1976)
13. Michael Jackson Number Ones (1978-2003, r. 2003)
14. The Rolling Stones Hot Rocks 1964-71 (1964-71, r. 1971)
15. Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits (1975-95, r. 1995)
16. Billy Murray Anthology: The Denver Nightingale (1903-40, r. 2002)
17. Hank Williams 40 Greatest Hits (compilation: 1947-53, r. 1978)
18. U2 Best of 1980-1990 (1980-89, r. 1998)
19. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits (1976-93, r. 1993)
20. Howlin’ Wolf Moanin’ in the Moonlight/Howlin’ Wolf (aka “The Rocking Chair Album”) (1951-62, r. 1962)

21. Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits (1977-80, r. 1980)
22. Journey Greatest Hits (1977-87, r. 1988)
23. Bessie Smith The Essential (1923-33, r. 1997)
24. Patsy Cline 12 Greatest Hits (1957-63, r. 1973)
25. Guns N’ Roses Greatest Hits (1987-94, r. 2004)
26. Chuck Berry The Great Twenty-Eight (1955-64, r. 1982)
27. Bon Jovi Cross Road (1982-94, r. 1994)
28. Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume I & II (compilation: 1973-85, r. 1985)
29. David Bowie Changesbowie (1969-1990, r. 1990)
30. Garth Brooks The Hits (1989-93, r. 1994)

31. Al Jolson Songs He Made Famous (1913-46, r. 1946)
32. New Order Substance (1981-87, r. 1987)
33. Bryan Adams So Far So Good (1983-93, r. 1993)
34. The Police Every Breath You Take – The Singles (1978-86, r. 1986)
35. Mariah Carey #1’s (1990-98, r. 1998)
36. Glenn Miller Glenn Miller Glenn Miller (aka “Glenn Miller & His Orchestra”) (1939-42, r. 1945)
37. Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits (1975-88, r. 1988)
38. Queen Greatest Hits 2 (1981-91, r. 1991)
39. Paul Whiteman Masterpieces (1920-27, r. 2015)
40. Lionel Richie Back to Front (1977-92, r. 1992)

41. Carpenters The Singles 1969-1981 (includes all of The Singles 1969-1973 (1969-81, r. 2000)
42. Eurythmics Greatest Hits (1982-89, r. 1991)
43. Al Green Greatest Hits (1971-73, r. 1975)
44. Celine Dion All the Way…A Decade of Song (1991-99, r. 1999)
45. Bob Dylan Greatest Hits (1962-66, r. 1967)
46. Led Zeppelin Mothership (1969-79, r. 2007)
47. Red Hot Chili Peppers Greatest Hits (1989-2003, r. 2003)
48. Phil Collins Hits (1981-98, r. 1998)
49. Sly & the Family Stone Anthology (includes all of Greatest Hits) (1967-73, r. 1981)
50. Buzzcocks Singles Going Steady (1977-79, r. 1979)

51. R.E.M. In Time: The Best of R.E.M. (1988-2003, r. 2003)
52. Sam Cooke The Man and His Music (1951-65, r. 1986)
53. The Who Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy (1964-70, r. 1971)
54. Bob Seger Greatest Hits (1976-94, r. 1994)
55. Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits 1974-1978 (1973-1978, r. 1978)
56. Charlie Patton Founder of the Delta Blues (1929-34, r. 1995)
57. Aerosmith Greatest Hits (1973-79, r. 1980)
58. The Beach Boys Very Best of (1962-88, r. 2001)
59. Arthur Collins The King of the Ragtime Singers (1902-16, r. 2014)
60. Blondie Best of (1976-80, r. 1981)

61. John Denver Greatest Hits (1969-72, r. 1973)
62. John Lennon The Collection (1969-80 r. 1982)
63. Shania Twain Greatest Hits (1994-2004, r. 2004)
64. Jimi Hendrix The Ultimate Experience (1966-70, r. 1992)
65. Eric Clapton The Cream of Clapton (1966-81, r. 1995)
66. Alabama Greatest Hits (1980-86, r. 1986)
67. Willie Dixon/various artists The Chess Box (1951-69, r. 1988)
68. Sting Fields of Gold – The Best of (1985-94, r. 1994)
69. Nirvana Nirvana (1988-94, r. 2002)
70. Pink Floyd Echoes: The Best of (1967-94, r. 2001)

71. Paul Simon The Ultimate Collection (1965-2002, r. 2015)
72. Barbra Streisand Memories (aka “Love Songs”) (1974-81, r. 1981)
73. Paul McCartney All the Best! (1970-87, r. 1987)
74. Guy Lombardo The Band Played On: 25 Number One Hits! (1927-50, r. 2002)
75. The Byrds Greatest Hits (1965-67, r. 1967)
76. John Mellencamp The Best That I Could Do (1978-88, r. 1997)
77. Bing Crosby The Definitive Collection (1931-57, r. 2006)
78. U2 Best of 1990-2000 (1991-2000, r. 2002)
79. Def Leppard Vault: Greatest Hits (1980-95, r. 1995)
80. Ray Charles Anthology (1955-68, r. 1988)

81. Styx Greatest Hits (1975-90, r. 1995)
82. Van Morrison Best of (1965-89, r. 1990)
83. Henry Burr Anthology: The Original King of Pop (1903-28, r. 2005)
84. Johnny Cash The Legend of… (1955-2003, r. 2005)
85. James Taylor Greatest Hits (1969-76, r. 1976)
86. The Doors Best of the Doors (1966-71, r. 1987)
87. Alan Jackson Greatest Hits Volume 2 and Some Other Stuff (compilation: 1996-2003, released 2003)
88. Janis Joplin Greatest Hits (1967-71, r. 1973)
89. Buddy Holly 20 Golden Greats (1956-58, r. 1978)
90. Roy Orbison For the Lonely - 18 Greatest Hits (1956-65, r. 1989)

91. Neil Young Decade (1966-76, r. 1977)
92. Pet Shop Boys Discography – The Complete Singles Collection (1985-91, r. 1991)
93. The Supremes Anthology (1962-76, r. 1986)
94. The Doobie Brothers Best of the Doobies (1972-76, r. 1976)
95. Bee Gees Timeless: The All-Time Greatest Hits (1966-97, r. 2017)
96. Alan Jackson The Greatest Hits Collection (1989-95, r. 1995)
97. Rod Stewart Greatest Hits (1971-78, r. 1979)
98. Olivia Newton-John Magic: The Best of (1973-90, r. 2001)
99. Prince Very Best of (1979-92, r. 2001)
100. Madonna GHV2 (1991-2000, r. 2001)

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First posted 3/30/2018; last updated 5/12/2024.

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Monday, November 16, 2020

Box Sets: Top 100

First posted 11/16/2020; updated 11/20/2020.

Box Sets:

Top 100

This list was created by first aggregating best-of lists focused on box sets (see sources at bottom of page). Those figures were combined with the box sets’ overall status in Dave’s Music Database, which factors in sales, chart peaks, critic ratings, appearances on other best-of lists, and DMDB points of songs on the collection. The DMDB defines a box set as a compilation of three or more compact discs, or the equivalent, which would be at least 240 minutes, or four hours, of music.

Box sets are most typically associated with efforts to compile a mix of hits and rarities from veteran artists. However, this list also includes compilations from various artists, classical works, larger-than-usual live collections, repackagings of multiple studio albums gathered together, deluxe editions of studio albums, and even one triple-length studio album.

Note: The first date(s) listed in parentheses after the album title indicates the years covered by the box. The second date indicates when the box was released (hence the r.).

Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here.

  1. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Live 1975/1985 (live box: 1975-85, r. 1986)
  2. Various Artists Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 (1959-71, r. 1992)
  3. Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Sonatas (32) (1795-1822)
  4. Various Artists compiled by Harry Smith Anthology of American Folk Music (1926-32, r. 1952)
  5. Louis Armstrong The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings (1925-28, r. 2000)
  6. Richard Wagner Der Ring Des Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle) (opera, 1848-1874)
  7. James Brown Star Time (1956-84, r. 1991)
  8. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Don Giovanni (opera, 1787)
  9. Various Artists Atlantic Rhythm & Blues (1947-74, r. 10/15/91)
  10. The Rolling Stones The Singles Collection: The London Years (1963-71, r. 1989)

  11. Richard Wagner Tristan Und Isolde (opera, 1857-59)
  12. Various Artists produced by Phil Spector Back to Mono (1958-69, r. 1991)
  13. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) (1786)
  14. Led Zeppelin How the West Was Won (live: recorded 1972, r. 2003)
  15. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concertos (27) (1767-1791)
  16. Johann Sebastian Bach St. Matthew Passion (1736)
  17. Prince The Hits/The B Sides (1978-93, r. 1993)
  18. Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartets (16) (1798-1826)
  19. The Magnetic Fields 69 Love Songs (1999)
  20. Duke Ellington The Blanton-Webster Band (box set, recorded 1939-42, r. 1990)

  21. Elvis Presley The King of Rock and Roll: The Complete ‘50s Masters (1953-58, r. 1992)
  22. Eric Clapton Crossroads (1963-87, r. 1988)
  23. Bob Dylan Biograph (1962-81, r. 1985)
  24. Elton John Greatest Hits 1970-2002 (1970-2002, r. 2002)
  25. Various Artists The First Rock and Roll Record (1916-56, r. 2011)
  26. Béla Bartók The String Quartets (1908-39)
  27. Various Artists The Music of Disney: A Legacy in Song (1926-91, r. 1992)
  28. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin (Box Set) (1969-79, r. 1990)
  29. Charlie Parker The Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings (1944-48, r. 2000)
  30. Velvet Underground Peel Slowly and See (1955-70, r. 1995)

  31. The Police Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings (1978-86, r. 1993)
  32. Elvis Presley Artist of the Century (1954-77, r. 1999)
  33. Bruce Springsteen The Essential: Limited Edition (1973-2002, r. 2003)
  34. Bob Marley & the Wailers Songs of Freedom (1961-83, r. 1992)
  35. Johnny Cash The Essential (1955-83, r. 1992)
  36. Various Artists Doo Wop Box: 101 Vocal Group Gems (1948-87, r. 1994)
  37. Chuck Berry The Chess Box (1955-73, r. 1988)
  38. Queen The Platinum Collection (1973-99, r. 2001)
  39. Ludwig van Beethoven (composer) The Symphonies (9) (classical, composed 1800-1824)
  40. Ray Charles The Birth of Soul – The Complete Atlantic Rhythm & Blues Recordings (1952-59, r. 1991)

  41. Elton John Diamonds (1969-2016, r. 2017)
  42. Bing Crosby Bing! His Legendary Years (1931-57, r. 1993)
  43. Various Artists Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of ’50s Rock (1948-61, r. 1999)
  44. Howlin’ Wolf The Chess Box (1951-73, r. 1991)
  45. Bing Crosby Bing: A Musical Autobiography (1938-54, r. 1954)
  46. Aretha Franklin Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings (1967-77, r. 1992)
  47. The Beach Boys Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of the Beach Boys (1961-88, r. 1993)
  48. Bob Dylan The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 (archives: 1961-89, r. 1991)
  49. Cream Those Were the Days (1966-69, r. 1997)
  50. Journey Time 3 (1975-86, r. 1992)

  51. Led Zeppelin The Complete Studio Recordings (1969-79, r. 1993)
  52. The Who 30 Years of Maximum R&B (1964-91, r. 1994)
  53. Louis Armstrong Hot Five and Hot Sevens (1925-26, r. 1999)
  54. Various Artists No Thanks! The ‘70s Punk Rebellion (1973-81, r. 2003)
  55. The Jimi Hendrix Experience The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1966-70, r. 2000)
  56. Burt Bacharach (composer) The Look of Love: The Collection (1957-96, r. 1998)
  57. Charlie Christian with Benny Goodman The Genius of Electric Guitar (1939-41, r. 2001)
  58. Muddy Waters The Chess Box (1947-72, r. 1989)
  59. Stevie Wonder At the Close of a Century (1962-97, r. 1999)
  60. Elvis Presley From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential ‘60s Masters (1960-69, r. 1993)

  61. Fats Domino They Call Me the Fat Man: The Legendary Imperial Recordings 1949-62, r. 1991)
  62. Elton John To Be Continued (1965-90, r. 1990)
  63. Rod Stewart Storyteller (1964-89, r. 1989)
  64. Charlie Parker The Complete Savoy Sessions (1944-48, r. 2000)
  65. The Rolling Stones Grrr! (1963-2012, r. 2012)
  66. Ray Charles Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection (1949-93, r. 1997)
  67. David Bowie Nothing Has Changed (1969-2014, r. 2014)
  68. Elvis Presley Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential ‘70s (1970-77, r. 1995)
  69. David Bowie Sound + Vision (1969-80, r. 1989)
  70. Fleetwood Mac 25 Years: The Chain (1967-92, r. 1992)

  71. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Playback (1973-93, r. 1995)
  72. Fletcher Henderson A Study in Frustration: Thesaurus of Classic Jazz (1923-38, r. 1994)
  73. Marvin Gaye The Master (1961-84, r. 1995)
  74. Billie Holiday Quintessential (1933-42, r. 1998)
  75. The Beatles The Capitol Albums, Vol. 2 (1962-65, r. 2006)
  76. Lynyrd Skynyrd Lynyrd Skynyrd (1970-77, r. 1991)
  77. Aerosmith Pandora’s Box (1966-82, r. 1991)
  78. Patsy Cline The Collection (1955-63, r. 1991)
  79. Nirvana With the Lights Out (1987-94, r. 2004)
  80. Kenny Rogers Through the Years: A Retrospective (1956-97, r. 1999)

  81. Paul Simon 1964/1993 (1957-91, r. 2006)
  82. The Byrds The Byrds (1965-90, r. 1990)
  83. The Beatles In Mono (1962-70, r. 2009)
  84. Michael Jackson The Ultimate Collection (1969-2004, r. 2004)
  85. Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times: Super Deluxe Edition (1981-87, r. 2020)
  86. The Cure Join the Dots: B-sides & Rarities (The Fiction Years) (1978-2001, r. 2004)
  87. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers The Live Anthology (1978-2007, r. 2009)
  88. The Allman Brothers Band Dreams (1966-88, r. 1989)
  89. Lou Reed Between Thought and Expression (1972-88, r. 1992)
  90. The Beatles The Capitol Albums, Vol. 1 (1963-64, r. 2004)

  91. The Smiths Complete (1983-87, r. 2011)
  92. Various Artists Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the ‘80s Underground (1979-89, r. 2004)
  93. Simon & Garfunkel Old Friends (1965-75, r. 1997)
  94. B.B. King King of the Blues (1949-91, r. 1992)
  95. Crosby, Stills & Nash CSN (1968-90, r. 1991)
  96. Various Artists Now That’s What I Call Disney (1937-2011, r. 2011)
  97. Simon & Garfunkel The Collection (1965-70, r. 2007)
  98. Various Artists Country Music (1928-2002, r. 2019)
  99. Steve Winwood The Finer Things (1964-90, r. 1995)
  100. Bruce Springsteen Tracks (1972-95, r. 1998)

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Friday, March 18, 2016

A-ha: A Career Retrospective 1985-2015

A-ha

Artist Profile, 1985-2015

Overview:

A-ha is a snyth-pop/new wave trio which formed in Oslo, Norway in 1982. They held on to their synth-pop sound throughout their 30+ year career, managing to consistently sound fresh without abandoning their ‘80s roots. They made their biggest mark with 1985’s “Take on Me,” a #1 song throughout the world. They had nineteen top-ten hits in their native Norway; nine of those songs went to #1. They also landed nine top-ten hits in the UK.

They released ten studio albums over their 30-year career. The first eight hit #1 in Norway and the last two peaked at #2. In the UK, A-ha’s first three studio albums peaked at #2 and then they returned to the top ten with their last two studio efforts.

In 2010, they released 25, a double-disc retrospective was released to celebrate their quarter-century career. It turned out the collection was premature. The synth-pop trio returned in 2015 with their tenth studio album. Once again, they followed up the next year with a two-disc sampling of music from throughout their career. As of 2021, it still marks the end of the group’s legacy.

The Players:

  • Magne Furuholmen (keyboards, guitar)
  • Morten Harket (vocals)
  • Pal Waaktaar-Savoy (guitar)

On the Web:

Awards:

The Studio Albums:

Hover over an album for the name and year of release. Click to see its DMDB page.

Compilations:

Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to singles charts.

Hunting High and Low (1985):

Unwitting fans of A-ha in America might think this was all the Norwegian trio did. After “Take on Me” became a #1 hit in the U.S., the group followed up with the top-twenty The Sun Always Shines on T.V., but never hit the Billboard top 40 again. In their native Norway, however, all four of the album’s singles were top-ten hits with “Take on Me” and Train of Thought each going to #1. All four of these songs are featured on all four compilations highlighted on this page with the exception of “Train of Thought,” which was omitted from the 2016 Time and Again collection.

  • Take on Me (9/16/85, 1 US, 4 AC, 2 UK, 1 AU, airplay: 3 million) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • The Sun Always Shines on T.V. (12/16/85, 20 US, 1 UK, 19 AU) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • Train of Thought (3/24/86, 8 UK, 47 AU) HD, DS, 25
  • Hunting High and Low (6/2/86, 5 UK, 33 AU) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • The Blue Sky 25

Scoundrel Days (1986):

All three of the album’s singles were top-five hits in Norway with “I’ve Been Losing You” hitting #1. On a personal note, this is my favorite A-ha album.

  • I’ve Been Losing You (9/22/86, 8 UK, 21 AU) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • Cry Wolf (11/24/86, 50 US, 5 UK, 45 AU) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • Manhattan Skyline (2/16/87, 13 UK) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • Scoundrel Days 25
  • The Swing of Things 25

Stay on These Roads (1988):

Six singles were released to promote the trio’s third album, but only two songs charted in Norway. Those two, however, went all the way to #1 (The Living Daylights and Stay on These Roads).

  • The Living Daylights (6/22/87, 5 UK, 29 AU) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • Stay on These Roads (3/14/88, 5 UK, 56 UK) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • The Blood That Moves the Body (6/6/88, 25 UK) HD, 25, TA
  • Touchy! (8/15/88, 11 UK) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • You Are the One (11/21/88, 13 UK) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • There’s Never a Forever Thing (1989, --) 25

East of the Sun, West of the Moon (1990):

The band’s cover of the Everly Brothers’ Crying in the Rain gave the their sixth #1 hit in Norway. I Call Your Name and Early Morning were minor hits in the UK, understandably left off of the Definitive Singles Collection, despite the name of the collection, and Time and Again.

  • Crying in the Rain (10/1/90, 13 UK) HD, DS, 25, TA
  • I Call Your Name (12/3/90 44 UK) HD, 25
  • Early Morning (2/25/91, 78 UK) HD, 25
  • Slender Frame 25

Headlines and Deadlines

A-ha

Recorded: 1985-1991

Released: November 4, 1991

Peak: -- US, 12 UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.3 UK, 0.3 world (includes US and UK)

Genre: synth pop

Tracks: (1) Take on Me (2) Cry Wolf (3) Touchy! (4) You Are the One (5) Manhattan Skyline (6) The Blood That Moves the Body (7) Early Morning (8) Hunting High and Low (9) Move to Memphis (10) I’ve Been Losing You (11) The Living Daylights (12) Crying in the Rain (13) I Call Your Name (14) Stay on These Roads (15) Train of Thought (16) The Sun Always Shines on T.V.

Total Running Time: 68:25

Rating:

3.869 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

About Headlines and Deadlines:

While the group still had plenty of years left in the tank, this collection offers a nice sampling of their early years, capturing every single the trio released from 1985 to 1991. Had they waited until after their next studio album, 1993’s Memorial Beach, it could have been the perfect time capsule of their first wave, (They took a hiatus from then until 2000) but this comes pretty close. The collection also offered up a new song, Move to Memphis, which would also be featured in a new version on the aforementioned Memorial Beach album.

  • Move to Memphis (10/14/91, 47 UK) HD, 25, TA

Memorial Beach (1993):

This was A-ha’s first album to not land a #1 hit in Norway; Dark Is the Night for All peaked at #4.

  • Dark Is the Night for All (5/24/93, 19 UK) DS, 25, TA
  • Angel in the Snow (9/6/93, 41 UK) 25
  • Cold as Stone 25

Minor Earth, Major Sky (2000):

The band got back to #1 in Norway with Summer Moved On. The title cut and Velvet were also top-40 hits in Norway.

  • Summer Moved On (5/22/00, 33 UK) DS, 25, TA
  • Minor Earth Major Sky (7/10/00, --) DS, 25, TA
  • Velvet (9/14/00, --) DS, 25, TA
  • The Sun Never Shone That Day (9/21/00, --) 25

Lifelines (2002):

Lead single Forever Not Yours was A-ha’s seventh trip to the top of the charts in Norway. The singles didn’t have much impact anywhere else, but all three are on 25 and Time and Again.

  • Forever Not Yours (4/2/02, --) DS, 25, TA
  • Lifelines (7/8/02, 78 UK) DS, 25, TA
  • Did Anyone Approach You? (9/30/02, --) 25, TA

The Definitive Singles Collection

A-ha

Recorded: 1985-2002

Released: April 5, 2005

Peak: -- US, 10 UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.1 UK, 0.1 world (includes US and UK)

Genre: synth pop

Tracks: (1) Take on Me (2) The Sun Always Shines on T.V. (3) Train of Thought (4) Hunting High and Low (5) I’ve Been Losing You (6) Cry Wolf (7) Manhattan Skyline (8) The Living Daylights (9) Stay on These Roads (10) Touchy! (11) You Are the One (12) Crying in the Rain (13) Dark Is the Night (14) Shapes That Go Together (15) Summer Moved On (16) Lifelines (17) Velvet (18) Take on Me (enhanced video)

Total Running Time: 70:00

Rating:

3.749 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About The Definitive Singles Collection:

Despite the name of the collection, this doesn’t quite capture all of the singles released by A-ha from 1985 to 2005. It was also confusingly released in two versions. The Singles 1984-2004 bumped the enhanced video of “Take on Me” in favor of the songs Minor Earth, Major Sky and Forever Not Yours. The collection does include the single-only release of Shapes That Go Together from a decade earlier.

  • Shapes That Go Together (3/14/94, 27 UK) DS, 25

Analogue (2005):

A-ha’s eighth album gave them their ninth and final #1 hit (at least as of 2020) in Norway with Celice. The group also made it back to the UK top-ten for the first time since 1988 with Analogue (All I Want).

  • Celice (10/7/05, --) 25, TA
  • Analogue (All I Want) (1/23/06, 10 UK) 25, TA
  • Cosy Prisons (4/17/06, 39 UK) 25, TA

Foot of the Mountain (2009):

After eight #1 albums in Norway, Foot of the Mountain was A-ha’s first studio effort to stall in the runner-up spot.

  • Foot of the Mountain (5/5/09, 66 UK) 25, TA
  • Nothing Is Keeping You Here (9/21/09, --) 25
  • Shadowside (9/21/09, --) 25

25

A-ha

Recorded: 1985-2010

Released: July 19, 2010

Peak: -- US, 10 UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK)

Genre: synth pop

Tracks, Disc 1: (1) Take on Me (2) The Blue Sky (3) The Sun Always Shines on T.V. (4) Train of Thought (5) Hunting High and Low (6) I’ve Been Losing You (7) Scoundrel Days (8) The Swing of Things (9) Cry Wolf (10) Manhattan Skyline (11) The Living Daylights (12) Stay on These Roads (13) Touchy! (14) There’s Never a Forever Thing (15) You Are the One (16) The Blood That Moves the Body (17) Crying in the Rain (18) Early Morning (19) Slender Frame (20) I Call Your Name

Tracks, Disc 2: (1) Move to Memphis (2) Dark Is the Night for All (3) Cold As Stone (4) Angel in the Snow (5) Shapes That Go Together (6) Summer Moved On (7) Minor Earth, Major Sky (8) The Sun Never Shone That Day (9) Velvet (10) Forever Not Yours (11) Lifelines (12) Did Anyone Approach You? (13) Celice (14) Analogue (All I Want) (15) Cosy Prisons (16) Foot of the Mountain (17) Nothing Is Keeping You Here (18) Shadowside (19) Butterfly, Butterfly (The Last Hurrah)

Rating:

3.668 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

About 25:

When it was released, this was supposed to be the cherry on top of the band’s quarter-century career. The exhaustive double-disc set captured every single the band had released and added new song Butterfly, Butterfly (The Last Hurrah). The song marked A-ha’s last appearance on the Norway charts, peaking at #13.

  • Butterfly, Butterfly (The Last Hurrah) (7/5/10, 98 UK) 25, TA

Cast in Steel (2015):

None of the band’s three singles released from their final album scraped the charts, but the album did peak at #2 in Norway. The only song recognized on an A-ha anthology was Under the Makeup, the lead single from the album.

  • Under the Makeup (7/3/15, --) TA

Time and Again

A-ha

Recorded: 1985-2015

Released: March 18, 2016

Peak: -- US, 75 UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK)

Genre: synth pop

Tracks, Disc 1: (1) Take on Me (2) The Sun Always Shines on T.V. (3) Hunting High and Low (4) I’ve Been Losing You (5) Cry Wolf (6) Manhattan Skyline (7) The Living Daylights (8) Stay on These Roads (9) You Are the One (10) Crying in the Rain (11) Move to Memphis (12) Dark Is the Night for All (13) Summer Moved On (14) Forever Not Yours (15) Lifelines (16) Celice (17) Analogue (All I Want) (18) Foot of the Mountain (19) Under the Makeup

Tracks, Disc 2 (remixes): (1) Take on Me (2) The Sun Always Shines on T.V. (3) Cry Wolf (4) Touchy! (5) You Are the One (6) The Blood That Moves the Body (7) Summer Moved On (8) Minor Earth, Major Sky (9) Velvet (10) Lifelines (11) Did Anyone Approach You? (12) Celice (13) Analogue (14) Cosy Prisons (15) Foot of the Mountain (16) Butterfly, Butterfly (The Last Hurrah)

Rating:

3.473 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

About Time and Again:

If the first disc of this collection were available on its own, it would be a great way for a casual fan to get a career overview of A-ha. However, the second disc of remixes – most of which are already on the first album – makes this a set only diehards would want. It’s unfortunate the two discs aren’t available separately to appease fans on both ends of the scale.

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 9/10/2020; updated 8/9/2021.

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Friday, August 8, 2014

World’s Best-Selling Compilations

The August 2, 2014 issue of Billboard magazine published an article on the “Best of Best-Sellers” (page 74) which presented the top 10 best-selling compilations of the SoundScan era (1991 to present). Here’s the list:

The Top 10 Best-Selling Compilations of the SoundScan Era (1991-present)
  1. 12.4 million: The Beatles 1 (2000)
  2. 11.6 m: Bob Marley & the Wailers Legend (1984)
  3. 9.4 m: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band Greatest Hits (1994)
  4. 8.6 m: Journey Greatest Hits (1988)
  5. 8.2 m: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits (1993)
  6. 8.0 m: Celine Dion All the Way: A Decade of Song (1999)
  7. 7.8 m: Garth Brooks The Hits (1994)
  8. 7.2 m: James Taylor Greatest Hits (1976)
  9. 7.2 m: Queen Greatest Hits (1981)
  10. 6.7 m: Jimmy Buffett Songs You Know by Heart
The World’s All-Time Best-Selling Compilations

In response, here is the DMDB’s list of the world’s best-selling compilations of all-time. The list is comprised of all compilations selling ten million or more worldwide.

  1. 42.9 m: Eagles Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 (1976)
  2. 34.4 m: Abba Gold: Greatest Hits (1993)
  3. 31.5 m: Madonna The Immaculate Collection – Madonna (1990)
  4. 31.5 m: The Beatles 1 (2000)
  5. 31.3 m: Bob Marley & the Wailers Legend (1984)
  6. 30.0 m: The Beatles 1962-1966 (1973)
  7. 29.8 m: The Beatles 1967-1970 (1973)
  8. 27.6 m: Queen Greatest Hits (1981)
  9. 27.0 m: Elton John Greatest Hits (1974)
  10. 25.1 m: Simon & Garfunkel Greatest Hits (1972)

  11. 22.3 m: Queen Greatest Hits 2 (1991)
  12. 21.7 m: Celine Dion All the Way…A Decade of Song (1999)
  13. 21.5 m: Michael Jackson HIStory: Past, Present, and Future Book 1 (2 discs – 1 compilation, 1 disc of new studio material; 1995)
  14. 21.4 m: Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume I & II (1985)
  15. 21.0 m: Bon Jovi Cross Road (1994)
  16. 19.0 m: Garth Brooks The Hits (1994)
  17. 18.5 m: U2 Best of 1980-1990 (1998)
  18. 18.0 m: Elton John Very Best of (1990)
  19. 18.0 m: James Taylor Greatest Hits (1976)
  20. 16.5 m: Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits (1988)

  21. 16.5 m: Journey Greatest Hits (1988)
  22. 15.9 m: Bryan Adams So Far So Good (1993)
  23. 15.9 m: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits (1993)
  24. 15.8 m: Mariah Carey #1’s (1998)
  25. 15.6 m: Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits (1980)
  26. 15.4 m: Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits 1974-1978) (1978)
  27. 15.0 m: Eagles Greatest Hits Volume II (1982)
  28. 15.0 m: Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits (1995)
  29. 14.9 m: The Doobie Brothers Best of the Doobies (1976)
  30. 14.9 m: The Doors Best of the Doors 1987)

  31. 14.0 m: Aerosmith Greatest Hits (1980)
  32. 13.7 m: The Rolling Stones Hot Rocks 1964-1971 (1971)
  33. 13.6 m: The Police Every Breath You Take: The Singles (1986)
  34. 13.5 m: Eric Clapton Time Pieces – The Best of (1982)
  35. 13.1 m: Phil Collins Hits (1998)
  36. 13.1 m: Enya Paint the Sky with Stars: The Best of (1997)
  37. 12.7 m: Sade Best of (1994)
  38. 12.5 m: Janis Joplin Greatest Hits (1973)
  39. 12.1 m: Creedence Clearwater Revival Chronicle (1976)
  40. 12.1 m: Elton John Love Songs (1996)

  41. 12.1 m: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band Greatest Hits (1994)
  42. 12.1 m: Barbra Streisand Memories (1981)
  43. 11.8 m: George Michael Ladies and Gentlemen – Best of (1998)
  44. 11.7 m: Bob Dylan Greatest Hits (1967)
  45. 11.6 m: Lionel Richie Back to Front (1992)
  46. 11.4 m: Dire Straits Money for Nothing (1988)
  47. 11.4 m: Foreigner Records (1982)
  48. 11.3 m: The Carpenters The Singles 1969-1973 (1973)
  49. 11.3 m: Tina Turner Simply the Best (1991)
  50. 11.2 m: John Denver Greatest Hits (1973)

  51. 11.2 m: Elvis Presley 30 #1 Hits (2002)
  52. 11.2 m: Robbie Wiliams Greatest Hits (2004)
  53. 11.0 m: Abba Greatest Hits (1976)
  54. 11.0 m: Michael Jackson Number Ones (2003)
  55. 10.9 m: Patsy Cline 12 Greatest Hits (1973)
  56. 10.8 m: Eagles Very Best of (2003)
  57. 10.7 m: Guns N’ Roses Greatest Hits (2004)
  58. 10.4 m: Lenny Kravitz Greatest Hits (2000)
  59. 10.3 m: Madonna Something to Remember (1995)
  60. 10.2 m: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young So Far (1974)

  61. 10.2 m: Whitney Houston Greatest Hits (2000)
  62. 10.2 m: ZZ Top Greatest Hits (1992)
  63. 10.1 m: The Rolling Stones Forty Licks (2002)
  64. 10.0 m: Elvis Presley Golden Records (1958)
  65. 10.0 m: R.E.M. In Time: The Best of, 1988-2003 (2003)
  66. 10.0 m: Rod Stewart Greatest Hits (1979)
  67. 10.0 m: Sting Fields of Gold: The Best of 1984-1994 (1994)
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