Elton John - Greatest Hits 1970-2002 [Original recording remastered]

Elton John | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Utv Records
• ASIN: B00006RAKP
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (310 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #2 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Contemporary
  • #3 in Music > Pop > Singer-Songwriters
  • #4 in Music > Pop > Adult Contemporary > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is the first attempt to consolidate all of Sir Elton's hit singles, from three labels, in one collection. It once would've required at least four CDs to own the best stuff here. Many think the legendary performer was at his best in the early to mid-'70s, and the incredible string of singles that ran from 1970's "Your Song" through 1977's "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" remains mighty impressive. But in retrospect, as they're presented here, '80s hits like "I'm Still Standing" and "Sad Songs" add much to an already amazing legacy. Three Disney tunes, the lush "The One," and two from Songs from the West Coast, which was hailed as a return to those '70s golden days, represent the later years. Collectively, these tracks reinforce the notion that, despite Michael Jackson's later proclamations, John was once the closest thing post-'60s music had to a genuine king of pop, respected by hipsters and the mainstream alike. --Bill Holdship

Product Description

There are very, very few artists with the hit power of Sir Elton check out this track listing! Your Song; Rocket Man; Honky Cat; Crocodile Rock; Daniel; Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; Bennie and the Jets; Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me; The Bitch Is Back; Philadelphia Freedom; Someone Saved My Life Tonight; Island Girl; Don't Go Breaking My Heart; Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word; Little Jeannie; I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues; Sad Songs (Say So Much); Nikita; Candle in the Wind; I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That; Can You Feel the Love Tonight; The One; Something About the Way You Look Tonight -and those are just the Top 10 hits! 34 tracks!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

149 of 158 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tasty Sampler December 1, 2002

By Mike King

Format:Audio CD

It's impossible to fit all of Elton John's hits from 1970-2002 into a two-disc compilation, even with the addition of a third bonus disc. During the seventies, the songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin had the Midas touch. Wisely, the first disc of this collection covers their heyday from 1970-1976. The song selection is superb, balancing hit singles with essential album tracks. "Your Song" was Elton's first hit and the obvious choice for starting this collection. "Tiny Dancer" peaked at number 41 and, amazingly, "Candle In The Wind" wasn't even released as a single. Being among two of Elton's best and most recognizable songs, they rightly appear on the first disc. "Island Girl" is a lightweight song that is not well remembered, but was included because it hit number one on the charts! On the other hand, Elton's excellent version of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" hit number one, but must have been excluded because it was a cover version of a Beatles' song.

Like the import CD "The Very Best Of Elton John," the second disc starts off with Elton's number one song with Kiki Dee, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." Whereas that previous collection only went up to 1990, this disc goes up to 2001. It's great to have "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" and "Circle Of Life" from the Lion King, as well as "Written In The Stars" from Aida, on an Elton John compilation. However, I would have included them on the bonus disc to make room for other worthy songs from his regular albums, such as "Nobody Wins," "Blue Eyes," "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" and "Healing Hands," to name a few. The second disc closes out on a strong note with the two best songs from Elton's last album, namely the Lennonesque "I Want Love" and the autobiographical "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore."

The limited edition, bonus disc is another reason for buying this collection. It has Elton's live version of "Candle In The Wind," which peaked at number 6, and his duet with George Michael on "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," which hit number one. "Live Like Horses" is an interesting curiosity, being a duet with Luciano Pavarotti. The last song on the bonus disc was recorded in 2002. It is Elton's duet with Alessandro Safina on "Your Song." Thus, Elton's greatest hits comes full circle, including an incredible selection of fantastic songs in-between the two versions of "Your Song."

74 of 78 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Some notable omissions but a darn fine collection anyway June 16, 2004

By Paul Tognetti TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Yes I realize there is always considerable consternation among collectors about the plethora of "Best of" and "Greatest Hits" packages that are put on the market every year. Some artists simply don't warrant a "Greatest Hits" collection while the music of more important and prolific performers is constantly being repackaged. But if you are someone like me "Elton John Greatest Hits 1970-2002" is a fine value. This collection replaces 3 previous vinyl "Greatest Hits" albums I now own. I will be keeping those vinyl LP's for the tunes that were not included in this particular package.

I must say that Universal has done an outstanding job with the series of anthologies they have released in the past couple of years. This collection offers up 34 of Elton Johns' biggest and best. There is no doubt that everyone will probably quibble about a few of the tracks that were included as well as those that failed to make the cut. But overall, I am quite pleased with this one. Just about all the big ones you would expect to find are included. Among the hits that did not make it are 1979's soulful "Mama Can't Buy You Love" and 2 hits from 1982 "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" and the wonderful "Blue Eyes". The collection comes in a very attractive package that includes a nicely done 40 page booklet. One of the unique features of the booklet is a fold-out section showing all 41 album covers from Elton Johns' fabulous career. The remastering on these tracks is also first rate. Again, if the price of this collection was $29.99 I would be much more critical. But the price is quite reasonable for a collection you are sure to enjoy for years to come. Highly recommended.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Elton John: the REAL King of Pop. November 16, 2002

By The Groove

Format:Audio CD

With all due respect to Michael Jackson, I always believed that Elton John is more deserving of the title "King of Pop." Both performers have endured their share of artistic and personal ups and downs, but while Jacko has recently morphed into self-parody, Sir Elton still churns out freshly-crafted pop (as evidenced on his excellent "Songs from the West Coast"). I'm excited as the next Elton fan that we now have a double-disc greatest hits album spanning his entire career, but let's be honest: it's not as comprehensive as it could have been. There are enough omissions on this recording to warrant a third disc: "Blue Eyes," "Empty Garden," "A Word in Spanish," "In Neon," "Kiss the Bride," and so forth. Also, the disc completely ignores the albums "Victim of Love" and "Leather Jackets," which is a smart move since both records were easily among his least inspired. But moving on, the material that DOES surface on this collection is, for the most part, mind-blowingly good. Disc 1, which covers the 1970s, is utter perfection, a snapshot of classic, vintage Elton in peak form. "Your Song," "Daniel," "Tiny Dancer," "Somebody Saved My Life Tonight," and "Rocket Man" form ample evidence that Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin were among the best songwriting teams of the 1970s. Disc 2 (which covers 1980-2002) has some good stuff, but it's easily the lesser disc which has some decent tunes as well as a handful of not-so-great ones. "I'm Still Standing" is still a winning tale of perseverence, while "Sad Songs," "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," and "Little Jeannie" also stand out, too. However, I wasn't a big fan of his work for "The Lion King," and personally wasn't fond of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life." However, this disc closes on a great note with "I Want Love" and "This Train Don't Stop Here Anymore," which are from 2001's "Songs from the West Coast." The limited edition has 4 tracks; the best of which is the live version of "Candle in the Wind" (NOT the tribute to Princess Diana) and his duet with George Michael "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." Overall, I'm impressed with this hits collection, which comes with some really cool liner notes and nice photographs from his early years. For a one stop guide to Elton's work, "Greatest Hits 1970-2002" is the way to go, warts and all.