LimeWire Music Blog

Back in the 1970s, as part of their holiday marketing scheme, the RIAA introduced the world to the phrase, “Give The Gift Of Music.” Over the years, during the holiday season, people do tend to buy more than they would at any other time. Often, it is the new releases that fly off the shelves and under the tree, but just as often, people are buying those old reliables, the Greatest Hits albums, to give as Christmas presents. With that said, I thought I would offer my thoughts, in chronological order, on 15 of the top Greatest Hits albums of all time (i.e. one disc only), and five of the top multi-disc collections, as well. Maybe this will inspire you to get a head start on your holiday shopping…

1. Jim Reeves – The Best of Jim Reeves (Victor, 1964)
Released only a few months before the Texan’s tragic death, this collection is jam-packed with Reeves’ hits: “He’ll Have To Go,” “Four Walls,” the underrated “Stand At Your Window,” as well as my personal favorite, 1962’s “The Blizzard.”

2. Johnny Cash – Johnny Cash’s Greatest Hits (Columbia, 1967)
Though putting Cash’s legacy on one disc is impossible, this set, which includes “Jackson,” “I Walk The Line,” “Ring Of Fire,” and the hilarious folk-song parody “The One On The Right Is On The Left,” is about as close as anyone has ever gotten.

3. Waylon Jennings – Greatest Hits (RCA, 1979)
I remember driving with my parents to West Tennessee as this played in the eight-track player: “I’ve Always Been Crazy,” “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way,” and “I’m A Ramblin’ Man.” Need I say more? Plus, the cover itself is a classic!

4. Willie Nelson – Greatest Hits (And Some That Will Be) (Columbia, 1981)
Though I’m not the biggest Willie fan in the world, I have to say, this is an impressive collection from start to finish. He earned his stripes with songs like the ones included here.

5. George Jones – Anniversary: Ten Years of Hits (Epic, 1982)
Once again, putting the best of the “Possum” on one disc poses some problems, but this one, solely concentrating on his first decade with Epic Records, shows the singer-songwriter at his artistic and commercial peak.

6. Kenny Rogers – Twenty Greatest Hits (Liberty, 1983)
Released as one last attempt to capitalize on Rogers’ name after he left for RCA, this one contains the essential hits you remember — and maybe a few you had forgotten.

7. The Oak Ridge Boys – Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (MCA, 1984)
It wasn’t until the early 1980s that artists started including new material on compilation albums. The Oaks’ two new songs, “Everyday” and the tender “Make My Life With You,” joined the others on this album, such as their signature “Elvira,” at the top of the charts.

8.  George Strait – Greatest Hits (MCA, 1985)
Though there have been countless other hits packages from Strait since, there was something special (no pun intended) about this package, focusing on his first major hits. I don’t know many people who don’t own a copy of this one!

9. Ricky Skaggs – Live In London (Epic, 1985)
Though this isn’t a “Greatest Hits” album per se, it contains all the songs that made Skaggs a star in the early 1980s, and was truly — before Garth released them every three years — an event record.

10. Hank Williams, Jr. – Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (Warner Bros., 1985)
Though his first package was a better seller, this one evokes plenty of memories for me, and more than any other “Greatest Hits” album, this one had a special hand in helping me decide I wanted to be in the music/radio business.

11. Reba McEntire – Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (MCA, 1993)
By the time this was released, Reba was already known by one name. Some of the reasons for that recognition lie within these ten songs, such as “Fancy,” “Does He Love You,” and the often-overlooked gem “They Asked About You.”

12. Garth Brooks – The Hits (Capitol, 1994)
Want to hear why Garth Brooks became a cultural icon? A lot of it has to do with these songs, which still sound larger-than-life.

13. Alan Jackson – The Greatest Hits Collection (Arista, 1995)
When he put together his first hits package, Alan Jackson left nothing out, and even took a song from his first set that didn’t get released (”Home”) and made it a hit!

14. Trisha Yearwood – Songbook: A Collection of Hits (MCA, 1997)
The best by one of the best female singers of the 1990s…or any time, for that matter.

15. Martina McBride – Greatest Hits (RCA, 2001)
It’s a tough call, but I would call this one the best Greatest Hits package of the decade. All the reasons why you love her are here on one disc!

And for those who want a little more…the five best multi-disc country music Greatest Hits collections of all time!

1. Patsy Cline – The Patsy Cline Collection (MCA, 1991; 4 discs)
Simply put, the gold standard on how to put a set together. This set contains just about everything that Cline ever recorded in one collection. Well worth the money!

2. Alabama – For the Record (RCA, 1998; 2 discs)
Randy, Teddy, Mark, and Jeff scored more #1 one records than any group in musical history, and this set shows why.

3. Hank Williams – The Complete Hank Williams (Mercury, 1998; 10 discs)
No, it’s not everything that he ever recorded, but you would have to be a die-hard to want more. This, quite possibly, is the most comprehensive package to ever be released on any artist — regardless of genre!

4. Dolly Parton – Dolly (RCA, 2009; 4 discs)
Pop, country, duets with Porter Wagoner…even the early records Dolly recorded as a teenager that show her Brenda Lee influence. It’s all here.

5. Dwight Yoakam – Reprise Please Baby (Reprise, 2002; 4 discs)

Yoakam has always been one of the most distinctive stylists in country music, and this set shows the many sides of that talent that you are familiar with — and a few others that you have probably never seen!

That’s going to do it for this week, but next week (just in time for “Black Friday”) I am going to run down the Only Ten Country Christmas Albums That You Will Ever Need. Until then!