Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
More Buying Choices
28 used & new from $12.04
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Hank Williams - 40 Greatest Hits
 
See larger image 
See all product images
See 1 customer image
Share your own customer images

Hank Williams - 40 Greatest Hits [IMPORT]

Hank Williams Sr.
4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews) | More about this product
List Price: $23.98
Price: $23.98 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
  Special Offers Available
Usually ships within 1 to 3 weeks.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

11 new from $16.93 14 used from $12.04 3 collectible from $23.00
Hank Williams Sr.
Amazon's Hank Williams Sr. Store
Find all the CDs, MP3s, and vinyl, plus photos, videos, biographies, discussions, and more. Visit the store.

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Get $1 worth of MP3 downloads from Amazon MP3 after you order your item. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • Purchase this CD and get 12 issues of Rolling Stone for only $2.95. that's less than $0.25 an issue. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this album with Patsy Cline - The Definitive Collection ~ Patsy Cline

Hank Williams - 40 Greatest Hits + Patsy Cline - The Definitive Collection
Price For Both: $34.95

One of these items ships sooner than the other. Show details

  • This item: Hank Williams - 40 Greatest Hits ~ Hank Williams Sr.

    Usually ships within 1 to 3 weeks.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Patsy Cline - The Definitive Collection ~ Patsy Cline

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

At Folsom Prison

At Folsom Prison

~ Johnny Cash
4.8 out of 5 stars (212)  $7.99
The Essential Jimmie Rodgers

The Essential Jimmie Rodgers

~ Jimmie Rodgers
4.9 out of 5 stars (19)  $8.98
40 #1 Hits

40 #1 Hits

~ Merle Haggard
4.5 out of 5 stars (13)  $22.99
20 Golden Greats

20 Golden Greats

~ Buddy Holly
5.0 out of 5 stars (1) 
The Essential Johnny Cash

The Essential Johnny Cash

~ Johnny Cash
4.6 out of 5 stars (106)  $14.99
› Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
  • Original Release Date: 1978
  • Number of Discs: 2
  • Format: Import
  • Label: Polygram UK
  • ASIN: B000001F76
  • Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,521 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #76 in  Music > Imports > Country

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
With a legend like Hank, than man who largely dragged country music into the modern age, the question is how do you pick just 40 of his songs? There were the immediately obvious biggies like "Hey Good Lookin'," "Jambalaya," and "Move It On Over," but almost everything was a gem in one way or another. Whether this collection is the greatest hits or not will depend on the listener, but for anyone with even the slightest curiosity about country music, it's essential listening. Hank was a landmark of the genre, and to hear him is to understand how country could change from rural to urban. Essential listening for everyone. --Chris Nickson

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.
(5)
(4)
(4)
(3)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?
 

Customer Reviews

43 Reviews
5 star:
 (40)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (43 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Songs that live forever, September 23, 2003
Hank was a fine singer who ensured his place in popular music history by the exceptional quality of his songwriting. His songs were often recorded by pop singers of the time and this practice has continued ever since. He rarely recorded covers - so rarely that the ones he did record are often thought of as his own songs anyway.

This compilation was originally released on vinyl and later re-issued on CD. As far as song selection goes, this is the ultimate double CD of his music. The sound quality is plenty good enough for me, though it might be interesting to hear it digitally re-mastered with the latest technology.

Virtually every famous song associated with Hank can be found here, including all his own hits on the American country and pop charts. You can also find all the songs that have become popular via cover versions, some of which were only B-sides for Hank. The most significant omission (and it took me a while to notice that it was missing) is Honky tonkin', a great song but not absolutely essential.

Tribute albums and other cover versions continue to be recorded, not just in country and pop music, but also Cajun, jazz, rock and other genres, so each new generation gets reminded of Hank's legacy.

There have been many compilations of Hank's music but this is the only one that contains all the essentials and no more. As such, it is the ideal compilation for most people. I thought that the more recent British 4 CD budget box (Hillbilly hero) might include all the songs from this set but it does not cover his whole career and therefore omits several obvious songs including Jambalaya, You win again, Kaw-liga, Your cheating heart and Take these chains from my heart although it does include Honky tonkin'.

So if you only want one collection of Hank's music, make it this one.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Grab hold of this collection before it disappears forever, November 21, 2005
Believe it or not I purchased my copy of "Hank Williams: 40 Greatest Hits" when it was first released as a 2 LP set way back in 1978. I was not a big fan of country music in those days but I had heard and read enough about the man to know that he had played an important role in the history of American popular music. Even then I was sure that this was a collection worth owning.
Hank Williams meteoric rise to stardom began in Montgomery, Alabama as a high school student in the late 1930's. Known as "The Singing Kid" Hank hosted his very own radio show on radio station WSFA. Before long he would put together a backup band known as the Drifting Cowboys and the group began showing up in roadhouses, auditoriums and juke joints all over the region. From a very early age it was quite apparent that this young man had an awful lot of talent. However, Hank Williams' personal life was a mess. His father Lon virtually abandoned the family when Hank was very young. Hank's mom was extremely overbearing and by the age of 11 or 12 Hank had developed a taste for liquor. The scourge of alcoholism would plague him for the rest of his days. He would marry Audrey in 1944 and in many ways the marriage would become yet another source of unhappiness in young Hank's life. But in spite of it all this extremely gifted singer-songwriter was bound and determined to make his mark in country music.
The man who would come to be known as "the father of country music" signed on with the fledgling M-G-M label in 1947. After a couple of near misses "Lovesick Blues" was the surprise hit of 1949. Despite objections from all of his handlers Hank insisted on releasing it as a single. He obviously knew what he was doing because the song spent an amazing 16 weeks at the top of the country charts. The monumental success of "Lovesick Blues" would earn Hank a spot on the brand new radio program "Louisiana Hayride". Could the Grand Ole Opry be far behind? Later on in 1949 Hank would have two more huge hits with "Wedding Bells" and "Mind Your Own Business". Now there was just no question about it. Hank Williams was invited to join the Grand Old Opry. Hank Williams was now more popular than ever. He seemed to strike a chord with the record buying public. And the hits just kept on coming. In spite of the overwhelming personal problems that would eventually cost him his health, his marriage and his spot on the Opry, Hank would remain a fixture on the country charts with fabulous tunes like "Cold Cold Heart", "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" and of course "Your Cheatin' Heart". You could hear all of that pain in his voice. During his relatively brief recording career Hank Williams would record just 66 sides. He wrote 50 of them. Unfortunately the life of Hank Williams was all too brief. He passed away in the back seat of a car on New Years Day 1953 at the age of 29.
"Hank Williams: 40 Greatest Hits" is a celebration of the music of this true American original. His lyrics will move you and his vocals will haunt you. Listen carefully to these tunes and you will come to appreciate what a truly remarkable talent this man was. These are all the original M-G-M studio recordings. Beware of some collections that include some inferior "live" recordings. For my money, "40 Greatest Hits" remains to this day the finest Hank Williams collection ever issued. Highly recommended!!!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the best, January 5, 2000
By "rjgrib" (Deltona, FL United States) - See all my reviews
I never was a big fan of country music until I heard Hank Williams in the background of "The Last Picture Show". This prompted me to buy this double CD and once I listened I was hooked. I never heard such honesty, happiness, sorrow, and real life drama layed out so beautifully in any music genre. Hank sang from experience and the heart. He was a true cowboy and I can listen to his wonderful music all day. No matter who you are, there is a Hank Williams song that you can relate to and will touch your heart. I can't recommend this highly enough, Hank deserves every star in the universe for these masterpieces.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Hank Williams still great
My husband has all of the hits on one group instead of having to take three different cd collections with him. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Marilyn M. Newcom

5.0 out of 5 stars hank williams
This a great cd for all who are hank williams fans and love his music
Published 11 months ago by madeleine martin

5.0 out of 5 stars HANK WILLIAMS SR. - STILL ESSENTIAL AFTER 60 YEARS
In March of 1947 Hank Williams signed with MGM Records, and released his first hit single 'Move It On Over' shortly thereafter. Read more
Published 20 months ago by The Electroacoustic Metallurgist

5.0 out of 5 stars Surpassed Only By The 3-CD Box Set
When this came out in October 1990 as a CD version of 1978 PolyGram vinyl LPs it was welcomed by all fans of the late, great Hank Williams who were, quite simply, fed up with... Read more
Published 23 months ago

5.0 out of 5 stars Need a defintion for the word "tragedy?"
Hank Sr. ( as great as it gets in American music ) dies at age 29 in 1953. Hank Jr. continues to annoy us with musical litter to this day...... Read more
Published on May 25, 2006 by D. Carroll

5.0 out of 5 stars Even more incredible over 50 years later
If you're not familiar with Hank Sr. and want a true understanding of American music of the 20th century or hell, of American culture in general for that matter, buy this. Read more
Published on May 24, 2006 by El Freak

5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't get any better
It really doesn't get any better than Hank Williams. And, this is a superb collection. If you already have many Hank Williams CDs, you may want to look at the list of songs. Read more
Published on December 18, 2005 by Scott Lewis

5.0 out of 5 stars Care about country? This should be in your collection
While Jimmie Rogers may have invented country, Williams made it what it is today. If you can't afford the "Complete" box set (most beginers probably wouldn't want to buy it), this... Read more
Published on June 29, 2005 by TimothyFarrell22

5.0 out of 5 stars How Can you Argue ??
Hank Williams was already blazing Rock & Roll trail long before Elvis Presley Stepped up to the sun Records in Memphis in 1954. Read more
Published on April 25, 2005 by Deeyar

5.0 out of 5 stars Hank at his BEST
I bought this CD from the AMAZON reviews, and I am SOOOO glad I did!!! I wanted the original, gritty, tinny (but not remastered to DEATH) versions of Hank's original stuff, and... Read more
Published on April 10, 2005 by Michael J Harrington

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   

SoundUnwound Says...

“40 Greatest Hits opens new browser window by Hank Williams opens new browser window is mainly Honky-Tonk , quite Pop, with hints of Singer-Songwriter”

Disagree? Cast your vote now! opens new browser window

Share your knowledge and explore the rest of the music world at SoundUnwound.com opens new browser window

SoundUnwound Logo

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Hank Williams - 40 Greatest Hits
72% buy the item featured on this page:
Hank Williams - 40 Greatest Hits 4.9 out of 5 stars (43)
$23.98
Gold
11% buy
Gold 5.0 out of 5 stars (7)
$13.97
20 of Hank Williams' Greatest Hits
10% buy
20 of Hank Williams' Greatest Hits 4.8 out of 5 stars (27)
$10.97
The Unreleased Recordings
4% buy
The Unreleased Recordings 4.7 out of 5 stars (62)
$35.99
Explore similar items

Look for Similar Items by Category

Music You Should Hear™: Artists' Picks

Music You Should Hear
Want to know what Norah Jones, Sting, and Il Divo are listening to? Find out in Music You Should Hear™, where these and other artists tell you about the music they love.
 
Music Deals
Music Deals Find over 3,500 CDs under $10--some as low as $5.99--in our Music Deals Store.
 
Music Essentials
Greats from the Greatest Explore our Music Essentials Store and find music from over 500 essential artists and composers, watch videos, and vote for the most essential artist.
 
Read Our Blog
For more about music, check out ChordStrike, a minor blog for major music lovers™.
 

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue shopping: Top Sellers
Paranoia
Paranoia by Joseph Finder
4.1 out of 5 stars (193)$0.00
 My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
4.3 out of 5 stars (3)$0.00
 Glenn Beck's Common Sense
Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck
3.8 out of 5 stars (261)$6.59
 Glenn Beck's Common Sense
Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck
3.8 out of 5 stars (261)$6.59

amazon.com Amazon.com Home  |   Directory of All Stores
International Sites:  Canada  |  United Kingdom  |  Germany  |  Japan  |  France  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Build an eCommerce Site  |  Advertise With Us  |  Developer Services  |  Self-Publish with Us
Help  |  View Cart  |  Your Account  |  1-Click Settings
Investor Relations  |  Press Releases  |  Careers at Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates