Elton John - Greatest Hits [Original recording reissued]

Elton John | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1974
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B000001DVP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,524 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > Classic Rock > Glam
  • #29 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Contemporary
  • #35 in Music > Music Deals > 3 CDs for $25, Plus FREE Super Saver Shipping

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Elton John has always fancied himself a big-theme album artist, but because even his finest albums are spotty, his best moments, with few exceptions, have been singles. Greatest Hits collects nine of them from '70 to '74, plus one of those exceptions, the stirring faux-gospel "Border Song." If you overlook the weightless "Crocodile Rock" and the contrived "Your Song," this album shows why John is a superstar, especially on the big ballads, where collaborator Bernie Taupin supplies some interesting lyrics for his impeccable melodic hooks. The ethereal "Rocket Man" is a marvel despite its goofy premise, and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" remains the greatest pop moment of John's career. --David Cantwell

Product Description

2007 reissue of the package with the 2CD "Greatest Hits 1970-2000" collection (featuring 34 classic hit songs) plus the "One Night Only-Greatest Hits Live" DVD (PAL format) that was recorded in 2000 at Madison Square Garden with over 2 and a half hours of live performances featuring guest appearances by Bryan Adams, Mary J. Blige, Billy Joel & Ronan Keating as well as five promotional videos in 5.1 Surround Sound!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Among The Best One-Disc Greatest Hits Collections Ever, May 15, 2000

By 

Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elton John - Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Elton John seemed at his most creative and prolific the first five years of his career, releasing deep, thematic albums like "Tumbleweed Connection," and "Honky Chateau" seemingly two at a time. The singles from those early albums touched so many different styles so well (sometimes within the song!), that a quality greatest hits collection was a foregone conclusion.

"Greatest Hits" concentrates most on 1972-74, with Elton's almost uncanny series of classic pop singles ("Honky Cat," "Crocodile Rock," "Candle In The Wind," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road") These hits prove that few performers used pop culture touchstones (Marilyn Monroe, the 50s, the French quarter, doo-wop), musically and lyrically, as well as Elton and Bernie Taupin. The release also complements Elton's best band (Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, the late Dee Murray) and the outstanding engineering skills of Ken Scott and Gus Dudgeon.

The playing has never sounded brighter, Elton's piano (electric and acoustic on "Honky Cat") more up-front, or the pop arrangements and harmonies stronger (hear the previously muzzled strings on "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road") than here. This collection does everything a greatest hits collection should do, and effortlessly. Thus, it remains essential to any pop collection.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Collection Ever, September 24, 2001

By 

Barry "Barrybgb" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elton John - Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Elton John was to the 70's what The Beatles were to the 60's. He was the undisputed king of the 70's. This brilliant and timeless collection proves why. You get a huge chunk of Elton's first batch of hits from the early to mid 70's. You get the gorgeous ballads like "Your Song", "Daniel", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", and the overlooked "Border Song". Then there's the uptempo rockers like "Crocodile Rock", "Bennie And The Jets", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" and more. Elton showcases his brilliant genius of melodies and chords. Bernie Taupin, as Elton's lyric writer, is one of the best lyricists ever. Some people I've come across say "Crocodile Rock" is silly and weightless. Is that supposed to mean something?. Is that supposed to actually matter?. Of course not. It's catchy, bouncy, fun, and has fun lyrics. You don't need more than that. It's no surprise that this collection is one of the top 10 highest selling albums of all time. It should be. Greatest Hits 2 and 3 are also top choices to check out. Elton John is, and always will be, the true king of pop.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every song a classic, June 10, 2000

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elton John - Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

This is one of the best Greatest Hits packages released by any artist. Every song is a genuine classic. The titles here represent the best of the early Elton years when his voice was at its apex and Bernie's lyrics spoke to your heart and soul.

"Daniel" remains one of the great songs written in the last thirty years. You can listen to this song 10,000 times and never weary of it. None of these songs are dated, they stand up beautifully through the years. If you are a teenager or someone who has never sampled Elton's early work, this is *the* CD to purchase, it will confirm to you that Elton John was a genius!