Greatest Hits Albums?!
Question: I hate them, I think they're a waste of space. I think they force people to think that "these are the best songs from this band" instead of making up your own mind. I also think in buying a greatest hits album, you then tend almost feel like it's not necessary to buy their other albums, and therefore could be missing out on some great music. The ONLY band that I own ONLY their greatest hits album is the Black Crowes... and I own over 3,000 cds. Maybe I should buy some more Black Crowes albums.
Does anyone else hate Greatest Hits Albums? Why or why not?
Which bands/artists do you own ONLY a Greatest Hits Album?
Answers: I hate them, I think they're a waste of space. I think they force people to think that "these are the best songs from this band" instead of making up your own mind. I also think in buying a greatest hits album, you then tend almost feel like it's not necessary to buy their other albums, and therefore could be missing out on some great music. The ONLY band that I own ONLY their greatest hits album is the Black Crowes... and I own over 3,000 cds. Maybe I should buy some more Black Crowes albums.
Does anyone else hate Greatest Hits Albums? Why or why not?
Which bands/artists do you own ONLY a Greatest Hits Album?
Personally, I own a lot of greatest hits albums, for a number of reasons. First, there are a lot of artists, particularly older artists, where the ONLY thing in print is a "greatest hits" album. I'd really like to have all of Gene Pitney's albums from the 60s on CD, but the reality is they simply do not exist. Second, there are artists that I can only take a measured dose of. REO Speedwagon's "The Hits" fills the bill nicely, as does a Webb Pierce compilation in country.
The problems I have with "greatest hits" albums you haven't touched on. First, "greatest hits" albums that have edited versions of songs, be they edited for content or edited for time. Second, "greatest hits" albums that are OBVIOUSLY rushed out to capitalize on someone's dramatic increase in success. Third, a "greatest hits" album that basically encompasses everything on the previous two or three studio albums -- even songs that weren't "hits" -- and nothing else. "Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits 1974-78" is a perfectly atrocious example of all of the above. The versions of "Fly Like an Eagle" (shortened version from the original album version) and "Jet Airliner" (with the "funky kicks" instead of "funky [manure]") are on the album instead of the longer album versions. The album was obviously put together by Capitol Records and released to "fill time" until Miller released another album so as to continue to capitalize on the success he was enjoying with "Fly Like and Eagle" and "Book of Dreams." And -- even though Miller had been on Capitol for his entire career at the time and had numerous singles released before "The Joker" became his first #1 hit in 1974 -- Capitol relegated the album to the material that everyone already owned -- "Fly Like an Eagle," "Book of Dreams," and the single "The Joker" (which was ALSO the shortened version and not the album version). "Serenade," "The Stake," "Wild Mountain Honey," and "True Fine Love" are all on this "greatest HITS" album even though they were never released as singles, let alone became "hits." They wasted a perfect opportunity to increase his album sales MORE by introducing newer fans to his older material instead of harping on what had already sold handsomely.
Another problem I have is record companies releasing the same 10 songs in different packages with a different picture on the cover and a different title. I don't know if this happens so much in rock and roll, but look at all the "different" Patsy Cline compilations, and you'll quickly notice same songs -- different title.
Record companies, don't put a bunch of filler on an album and call it a "HITS" album because it clearly isn't. If an artist doesn't have enough hits to release a greatest hits album, then do the world a favor and DON'T RELEASE ONE.
Completely agree with you..
Singles are only catchy songs that the record company liked.
Most of my fav songs are not singles.
I only own a Rolling Stones' greatest hits CD. Coz they have such a huge catalogue..
Dude, being a bit musically pretentious I think... I think Best of/Greatest Hits albums are a good start for someone just getting into a band..
My case in point is, a few years ago I started getting into Rush, so I bought their greatest hits album "Gold" and loved every song... from there I started buying their albums, 2112, Roll the Bones, etc...
SO its a great starting place for someone who is just starting to get into a band.
FYI, Creedence Clearwater Revival's Chronicle is probably mt absolute favorite greatest hits album.. every song is amazing!
THe only band that I have a greatest hits only for is Cheap Trick. Cause I like them, but not enough to really listen to entire albums... just the few catchy record exec. picked hits... sorry Im so shallow. lol
I have never been too much of a fan of "Best Of" albums. If it's a band I already like, I just tend to either download or by the albums. Greatest hits albums always tend to appeal to all the late comers who are recently getting into the bands.
Although some times, if a best of has several unreleased tracks, then I mught buy them, but I really only have 1 greatest hits album, and I bought it as a mistake
I hate when half a bands discography is greatest hit's albums or when they release one after 1 or 2 albums. I own just about every Kiss greatest hits album.
I think greatest hits just takes songs from any album & its always the top seller song.
Like the top seller songs aren't the only best songs. there might be other songs, unreleased that would be better. They should have those on the greatest albums.
I have a Greatest Hits: My Prerogative album.
From a few years back.
I don't mind them but generally don't buy them until I've have all the other albums I want by an artist. I use them for my car as I don't have an MP3 player nor do I intend on ever getting one. It allows me to have material from more than one album on one so I don't have to sit there ripping and re-burning what would amount to almost the same thing anyways.
There are no bands that I only own the greatest hits albums too. Those bands I have greatest hits compilations - like I got Megadeth's War Chest this past xmas, I have all their albums too.
I think they are both good and bad. They are great for someone just starting to listen to a new band so they get a sample of different songs from different albums, but it bugs me when people just buy a greatest hit album and stick to it. Like they don't bother to listen to original albums and think that those songs on the greatest hits albums are the best ones and the only ones worthy of listening to.
For an example, the Beatles. I know SO many people that only listen to their compilation albums and think those are the only songs worthy of listening to but meanwhile there is songs that are WAY better than those hits that they just didn't release as a single. People need to expand their taste.
So I totally know where you're coming from.
Usually if I have a Greatest Hits album I have other albums too, or if not whole albums, at least some other single songs from iTunes.
Sometimes a well-done Greatest Hits album is good though. I sometimes buy them, because most of the music I listen to is on Pandora Radio or Dizzler or other Internet-radio type things, so I don't own a lot of the music I like at this point. Maybe when I'm not broke I'll buy some. The main advantage I guess of Greates Hits albums is to save money and be able to listen to at least some good music, or to get a sampling to get an idea of whether or not you like a band.
Bands I Only Own A Greatest Hits CD From:
Patsy Cline (really is a good CD, has all her best)
Smashing Pumpkins
Too often your assessment is correct.
I have an Eagles greatest hits album and I like every song on it!
A lot of people now in their twenties are unfamiliar with the name Eagles but yet when they hear the music they like it.
I also have a John Denver Greatest Hits and one by Anne Murray.
I suppose you could say I'm old fashioned but often our musical tastes are formed by the music we hear growing up.
Here's a tip. I save all my music in the PC, convert to MP3 and save only the good tunes in whatever format I need for the player I will be taking with me.
That lets me have only my favorites!!
I buy them, but I can not give you a good excuse. There's a sucker born and I freely admit to being one! :p
Edit: I am also a sucker for a Box Set.
whoaaaaa. greatest hits albums are the best thing for my pocket book, ever! think of all the old bands like - the Hollies, or the doors or CCR. i dont have money to buy all their albums, just their greatest hits! and guess what, every good song is on there!
and Shakirás greatest hits album only ran me 12 bucks and its got the best of like 5 differnet cds i coudl have wasted money on. "Donde estan los ladrones", like i would buy that album ! geez
I must respectfully disagree on this one. There are plenty of older bands that for whatever reason, I simply missed the boat on. If you want to get at least a summary of that particular band, the greatest hits are at the very least a gateway of sorts. Assuming you like a particular GHA, you can always go and purchase the rest of that group's back catalog. But you gotta start somewhere. Sometimes unreleased tracks are put on these GHA's which obviously is a marketing tactic, but it works.
Dude???? LMFAO!!!
i certainly dont like the term "best of" as it implies that this was the best the band had to offer. greatest hits albums do serve a purpose...but if you call yourself a fan of a group and only own a greatest hits cd then you're a poser. you what pisses me off though? when they include an unreleased track by a band on a greatest hits cd, to try and force the fan base they already have to buy the cd. i do agree with above user that greatest hits cd's can serve as a portal to the rest of their great music, but i would discourage people from relying on them. they too often do not represent the best work they have. i see some people make the point about singles, but i have seen countless hits cd's containing non-singles. oh and sometimes greatest hits cd's are the work of the band itself to fulfill contractual obligations when the relationship goes south (with the label). it works in that instance too...to summarize, i completely agree with you (im a big fan of the crowes...you should at least pick up shake your money maker).
I have to agree with you on this. There is a distinction between "Greatest Hits" and "Best of" But there are some good Greatest hits out there I mean come one Eagles Greatest Hits, James Taylor.
I am a big fan of Billy Joel and I do not like his greatest hits colletions his best is the collection of concert songs called "Songs in the Attic." A collection of older b-side songs that the fans just loved to hear him play in concert. And his latest release of old demo and unreleased stuff called My Lives.
What I hate are bands or singers who put out a greatest hits record when they have only been around for liket 2-3 albums. That is the problem greatest hits does not always imply good. I mean Britney Spears entire music history sucks long stringy a** hair but they were hits so she has enough to put out a greatest hits album! I blame MTV!
I have several. I buy them even when I already own several CDs by the same band. I like the change in song order and choice of songs. I also like getting some songs that I wouldn't want to buy a whole CD for ~
As you may have guessed, I'm not part of the MP3 generation...
I can only think of one artist that I have ONLY his greatest hits: Al Green.
I download. YEY