Richard Marx - Greatest Hits

Richard Marx

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 1997)
• Original Release Date: November 4, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002TLX
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,254 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's telling that Richard Marx broke into the music business singing backup vocals for Lionel Richie and writing songs with Kenny Rogers and Chicago, for he kept to the straightforward, middle-of-the-road approach of those acts once he became a recording artist in his own right--not that there's anything wrong with that. A dependable hitmaker throughout the late '80s and early '90s, Marx scored with rockers ("Don't Mean Nothing," "Should've Known Better"), and ballads ("Right Here Waiting," "Endless Summer Nights") alike. Greatest Hits collects those songs as well as the lion's share of his high-end chart action--of which there was plenty, proving that a devotion to craft sometimes pays off better than fickle inspiration. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Once, a Greatest Hits Collection of True "Hits", November 8, 1999

By A Customer

There are very few greatest hits collections that really are full of "Hits". Most have one or two hit songs, then a collection of that artist's best unheard of tracks. This is not the case with "Greatest Hits" by Richard Marx. There are only two songs on this collection that did not make the Top 20 on any of the popular charts. Out of the 14 songs that did make the Top 20, Marx includes four #1's: "Hold On To The Nights", "Satisfied", "Now and Forever", and "Right Here Waiting". Most of the rest of the songs made it into the Top Ten at some point. The two songs that didn't chart, "Angel's Lullaby", and "Touch of Heaven", were two of Marx's latest songs just included to give listeners a feel for what he's up to lately. It really is a spectacular collection of music, with a wide range of musical sounds. It ranks up there with Billy Joel's, Madonna's, Elton John's, Bryan Adams' or Sting's greatest hits collections. Just one 'missing' hit song from Marx's musical resume:"Too Late To Say Goodbye" which was a Top Ten song from his album Repeat Offender.

35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the perspective of a 24 year-old aspiring music critic, August 18, 2001

By	Knyte "To The Stars" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

It's summertime between my fifth and sixth grades...the year is 1988. I've just experienced my first dance outside of elementary school. It's the morning after, and I'm still in a daze from the magical slow dance that I'd just experienced last night with Tara, someone I had a huge crush on...that song was "Hold On To The Nights"...

Since then, I've come to know Richard Marx as a master of soft pop rock; with R&B aftershocks vibrating through his wonderfully pleasant voice. Personal favorites like "Should've Known Better" and "Endless Summer Nights" also dominated my favorite radio station at the time, but it was 1989's "Right Here Waiting" that solidly established Mr. Marx as a pop icon during the era of Paula Abdul, MC Hammer and the New Kids On The Block.

Words cannot express how much I appreciate and enjoy this album because it is so darn pleasant. Other standouts for me are "Angelia" (love this one), "Children Of The Night" (ditto), "Hazard" (lyrically haunting...), "Keep Coming Back" (deliciously bluesy - listen for Luther Vandross!), and "Now and Forever" (extremely sincere, perfect for a wedding).

"Satisfied" and "The Way She Loves Me" rock in a Bryan Adams-ish sort of way, and while these songs aren't personal favorites, they're still irresistable for the zestful vibrancy they communicate.

"Touch Of Heaven" is a pleasant surprise, and Richard's vocals are in top form here - fans of R&B music will definitely appreciate this one. Randy Jackson (yes, Michael's little brother) worked on this one.

...also check out the liner notes on this album; Mr. Marx shares a personal thought about every song. Upon reading this information, it becomes quite clear that Richard Marx is truly a wonderful human being. This is honestly one of the best CDs I have purchased in a long time - totally worth it - expecially for those who like pop, soft rock, or even R&B. Go get it...I mean it.

Thanks for reading,

C.H.R.

P.S. And for all the *NSync fans out there who enjoyed "This I Promise You", well, Richard Marx wrote that one too; and just so you know, *NSync co-lead singer J.C. Chasez used the song "Right Here Waiting" for his audition to the Mickey Mouse Club back in the early 90s...now, how's that for pop music trivia?

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cream Of The Crop from Richard Marx!!, June 6, 2004

By	Louie Bourland (Garden Grove CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Richard Marx was one of the most enduring singer/songwriters of the late 1980's and early 1990's. This 1997 "Greatest Hits" compilation truly lives up to its title as it includes nearly every big hit Marx had during his successful heyday.
Mellow rock classics such as "Endless Summer Nights", "Now and Forever", "Hazard", "Angelia" and Marx's signature ballad "Right Here Waiting" are included here alongside the more aggressive hits "Don't Mean Nothing", "Take This Heart", "Satisfied" and "Should've Known Better".
While it contains most of his hits, Richard Marx's "Greatest Hits" is missing a few tracks that were worthy of inclusion. Both 1994's "Nothing Left Behind Us" and 1991's hit ballad "Chains Around My Heart" are not on this compilation but their ommission was probably due to lack of space that can fit onto one disc. Regardless of these two missing tracks, this "Greatest Hits" compilation offers the cream of the crop of Richard Marx's most successful output along with some great songwriting and dynamic vocals.
This disc is truly a trip down memory lane and is a definite must for the die-hard Marx fan and for fans of the '80s, period. If you don't own this one yet, buy it. You'll be glad you did.

On a personal note, Richard Marx's songs were an influence on my own songwriting in the early '90s. So from me to Mr. Marx, thanks for the great music and for being a continued influence.