The greatest hits

Why do artists release 'Greatest Hits' albums �< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Some cynics would say it's just a way of cashing in and getting people to buy material they've already got, but there is a legitimate case for releasing a number of hit singles on a single album, which does represent good value for money, provided you didn't buy all the singles as they were released.

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Do all top selling artists release albums of their greatest hits

�Most artists do, because their record companies, who are always eager to maintain their artists' profiles, as well as keeping sales flowing, schedule their releases. Ironically, The Beatles who have had more hits than just about anyone, have never released a 'greatest hits' album. The nearest they had come was the dual compilations,� '1962�- 1966' and '1966�- 1970', the famous 'Red' and 'Blue' albums. Finally the band put out a compilation of their number ones, called '1', which is still selling huge quantities.

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Are albums with the title 'Greatest Hits' always an accurate indication of content �

Not really. Abba, for example, released a 'Greatest Hits' album back in 1976, but the bulk of their ongoing success can be found on the 'Gold' album, which is far more worthy of the description 'greatest hits'.

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Why not release a 'Volume Two' �

Why not indeed. Queen have three collections of hits, consecutively numbered. UB40 had the confidence to release their first compilation called 'The Best Of UB40 Volume One', planning to have enough hits for second and third versions, as indeed they have.

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Does anyone put out a hits compilation that doesn't deserve the title �

Leonard Cohen has a 'Greatest Hits' album, despite a�tally in the British Hit Singles chart of precisely zero! It's possible, given Cohen's dark sense of humour, that he, or his record label, was simply being ironic. Similarly gifted with humour were Public Image Ltd who released a package labelled 'Greatest Hits So Far'. The New Seekers could be seen as flogging the proverbial dead horse, or at least trying the patience of their many fans by bringing out a 'Carnival Of Hits' album years after their last regular release.

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Isn't 'Greatest Hits' a bit of a sad title for an album �

It could be argued that the label is stale, but it is descriptive, and assured of picking up the more casual listener who might like one or two songs, but wouldn't necessarily buy a conventional release from the artists or singer in question. Record labels are not beyond hanging an album of material on one hit single, so buying a hits collection cuts down on the chances of getting occasional sub-standard material for your money.

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Couldn't bands and singers call a 'greatest hits' album something else �

They could, and they do. 'Carry On Up The Charts' is The Beautiful South's typically witty name for their singles collection, and Bon Jovi called their selection 'Cross Road'. Hats off to Roger Whittaker, giving his fans what they want with the rather loftily titled 'Finest Collection'. That didn't stop Roger from putting out other hits albums, maybe he didn't want to add the'For Now' bit onto the title in case it made him look a bit naff!

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Has anyone missed their greatest hit off their 'Greatest Hits' �

It had to happen eventually, and it happened to Wet Wet Wet who put out an album called 'End Of Part One�- Their Greatest Hits' in 1993, and then managed one of the biggest selling singles ever with 'Love Is All Around' which wasn't released until the year after, and logically didn't make it onto the hits package. The fact that the 'E.O.P.O.' album rose to the top of the album charts after the success of 'Love Is All Around' does indicate that a lot of buyers figured that the band's 'greatest hit' would be on an album claiming to carry their 'Greatest Hits' which goes to show, you need to check before you buy!��

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