List of the top 20 Greatest Hits collections of all time might shock you

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As someone who grew up in the golden age of vinyl and cassette tapes, I find this list absolutely mind-blowing! The sheer number of iconic albums that have sold millions upon millions of copies is truly astounding.

Just as numerous music enthusiasts, I find myself captivated by lists that enumerate albums. Whether we’re talking about rankings for an artist’s discography or top-rated live albums, it’s always intriguing to delve into. There’s a vast array of opinions and perspectives, making each read unique.

Checking out other listeners’ top-ranked albums is always an engaging experience. It serves as a reminder for songs and artists you may have overlooked over time, prompting you to revisit them. Not only does this offer the chance to rediscover old favorites, but it also introduces you to new music that you might not have encountered before. This could lead to an exciting adventure as you delve deeper into the artist’s work.

One of the great ways to tap into an artist’s back catalog is to look out for the greatest hits or a best-of collection. That does miss out on the way a particular album is put together or other great songs that were album tracks rather than singles. But it does collect many brilliant tracks together to check out. And you can still go to specific studio albums or live collections as a follow-up. 

The best Greatest Hits collections of all time might surprise you

Although not every compilation album is a top seller for an artist, some do achieve this status. However, many listeners might already possess the songs through other albums, leading them to avoid repetition. Yet, these compilations can still be massive sellers. This curiosity led me to examine the best-selling greatest hits collections of all time and the number of copies they managed to sell.

Here, I’ve compiled a list of the top 20 all-time bestselling albums as per reports from bestsellingalbums.org. The list features both expected classics and some surprising omissions. It’s also worth noting that certain artists have more than one entry on the list, which can be an effective strategy for boosting sales. Let’s explore who made it onto this esteemed list!

20 – James Taylor – James Taylor’s Greatest Hits – Sales 12.6 million 

To start off, I must admit that I underestimated the popularity of James Taylor’s 1976 album. Despite knowing him as a major star, I was unaware of how much this particular album had resonated with people. In fact, it is his best-selling album to date. This album represents what might be considered his most successful era, although he continued to produce outstanding albums and hit songs afterward.

19  – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Greatest Hits – 12.9 m

Initially, this wasn’t a record I anticipated seeing among the top 20. They are an exceptional musician and band, yet they excel in album sales. Interestingly, however, its sales experienced a surge following Tom Petty’s sudden passing in 2017, making it his most successful album to date. Upon release in 1993, the album showcased some of his best hits along with a few new tracks, offering a comprehensive overview of his musical career. Essentially, it serves as an excellent compilation of Tom Petty’s music.

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18 – Kenny Rogers – Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits – 13.1m

Initially, I thought this platform would showcase country music, but I had other artists in mind before Kenny Rogers. However, this 1980 compilation clearly demonstrates the immense popularity of Rogers and his ability to transition seamlessly between country and pop genres. This album contains nine chart-topping singles, each contributing to the tale of its own success.

17 – The Beatles – 1962 – 1966 – 13.2m

Without a doubt, we find ourselves in the presence of the Beatles. This album, often referred to as their “blue” release, provides a glimpse into their formative years. It’s simply amazing to witness such a vast array of hit tracks, serving merely as a sample from their extensive collection. All the songs on this compilation were penned by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, which means some compositions by George Harrison and early cover songs are not included in this particular album.

16 – Billy Joel – Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II – 13.6m

It’s easy to forget what a great songwriter and musician Billy Joel is. And still going strong too. He released this double album in 1985 to cover his many hits up to that point. Joel’s success continued and Volume III followed in 1997, but this earlier collection remains a super album and seller. 

15 – The Beatles – 1967 -1970 – 14.3m

Once more, we have The Fab Four gracing our presence, as a crimson album showcasing their later stages takes center stage. Standing slightly taller than its blue counterpart, this one is separated by Billy Joel. Both albums were initially released in April 1973, under the guidance of their manager Allan Klein. This new collection is yet another incredible offering of fantastic music, demonstrating the evolution of the band throughout their years together.

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14 – Eminem – Curtain Call-The Hits – 15.7m

2005 compilation album by Eminem, titled “Curtis Grand Mal,” now graces the list alongside his classics like those from 2005. This collection includes three fresh tracks along with it, as well as a special live rendition of “Stan” featuring Elton John, recorded at the 2001 Grammy Awards. Eminem’s impact on rap music made it more approachable and well-received among a wider audience, potentially contributing to the strong sales of this album.

13 – Steve Miller Band – Greatest Hits 1974-1978 – 17m

As a devoted fan, I must admit that I underestimated the massive appeal of the Steve Miller Band. Sure, I was familiar with a handful of their hits like “The Joker” and “Abracadabra.” But witnessing such an overwhelming response to their greatest hits collection has made me understand just how colossal their influence on classic rock in the US was, especially during the four years spanned by that album.

12 – Celine Dion – All The Way …A Decade Of Song – 18.5m

The unexpectedly high demand for this artist’s work is once again evident. Celine Dion faced a challenge in selecting the best tracks for her 1999 retrospective album, but she managed successfully given its impressive sales numbers. Notably, it was released just a few years following the Titanic movie and its theme song, which significantly contributed to the album’s success; as anticipated, these songs, along with 15 other top hits, are featured on this collection.

11 – Elton John – Greatest Hits – 18.6m

This Elton John compilation, which was put out early in his extensive career, dates back to 1974. It contained ten of his popular singles and is still astounding how it ranks as his second highest-selling album, surpassed only by Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Despite the various challenges that have arisen since then, this particular album remains at the pinnacle of all others.

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10 – Simon & Garfunkel – Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits – 18.8m

Here’s another fascinating fact: This record undeniably deserves a spot on this elite list. However, it may come as a surprise that it was released all the way back in 1972, just two years after they parted ways. The album is brimming with timeless hits from the duo and also includes four fresh live renditions of their songs at the time. Notably, it’s the best-selling dual album in the U.S. as well.

9 – Queen – Greatest Hits II – 19m

This album, titled as such, is filled with numerous hits from Queen spanning the years 1981 to 1991. There’s no shortage of interested buyers for this collection. Notably, this release dropped a month prior to Freddie Mercury’s passing, signifying the conclusion of an epoch. Although it wasn’t launched in the United States until a later date with a distinct compilation for that market, it still saw massive sales figures.

8 – Michael Jackson – HIStory: Past, Present and Future-Book I – 20m

Essentially, the Michael Jackson album, titled “HIStory,” presented a mix of the past and future, as suggested by its dual-disc format. The first disc, “HIStory Begins,” compiled 15 of his most popular hits. In contrast, the second disc, “HIStory Continues,” consisted entirely of new songs that addressed the controversies surrounding his personal life, particularly the accusations of child abuse investigations. This album dropped in 1995, a few years following the media frenzy sparked by those events.

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Joint 7 – Queen – Greatest Hits I – 25m

This band’s music is fantastic! They’ve compiled an impressive collection of hits, and this is only the first volume. Volume II was at number nine on the charts when it came out, and there was also a volume III released later. This album, which dropped in 1981, features their early hits from 1974 to 1981. Selling so many copies for just one collection of hits is quite an accomplishment, as is having two entries on the charts for the second volume.

Joint 7 – Journey – Greatest Hits – 25m 

As a gamer, I never thought Journey’s success would be as monumental as it turned out to be. The fact that their greatest hits album sold like wildfire left me utterly stunned. Frankly, I wasn’t the only one taken aback – I believe many of you weren’t expecting such a massive achievement either. With all those iconic tracks packed in one record, it’s undeniably a great album. However, what really blew my mind was seeing so many other top bands failing to reach this level of success. That’s something that still leaves me in awe.

5 – Bob Marley & The Wailers – Legend – 28m

This wildly popular reggae album by the artist and group who brought reggae into the limelight is truly impressive, and its title perfectly encapsulates Bob Marley’s legendary stature. The collection includes many of their most iconic tracks, making it a delight to listen to. Its unique style and scarcity of comparable reggae albums at this level might also contribute to its ascent into the top five positions.

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4 – Madonna – The Immaculate Collection – 30m

The album “Madonna” (released in 1990) by the renowned solo artist, Madonna, holds the title for the most successful collection of hits from a single artist. Filled with her popular tunes from the 80s and an addition of the new track, “Justify My Love,” this album showcases her musical prowess at that time. The collection is exceptional and features Madonna’s finest songs during that period. With numerous hits and quality tracks, it was a remarkable achievement. Notably, it was the first album to receive platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Joint 3 – ABBA – Gold-Greatest Hits – 32m

As a devoted fan, I’ve eagerly anticipated the arrival of this album for quite some time. Due to multiple ownership rights in numerous countries, there were several smaller, local compilations released first. However, when all these rights were finally consolidated in 1992, it was the perfect moment for the Gold collection, a treasure trove of ABBA’s greatest hits, to shine. The album’s success underscores the immense global appeal of the band during that period.

Joint 3 – The Beatles – 1 – 32m 

This Beatles album ranks as the third best in the top 20, an impressive feat. The concept behind this album was to compile 27 songs that were UK and US chart-topping singles by the band. That’s a substantial number, a vast collection, and an outstanding playlist. It’s no surprise that it sold over 32 million copies worldwide.

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1 – Eagles – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 – 41m

Leading the pack all by themselves during those years are the Eagles, with their initial chart-toppers. This compilation encompasses nine singles from that era, and includes “Desperado” in its playlist. Reaching such impressive sales figures for just these early years demonstrates the immense popularity of the band and their music at that time.

1976 saw the release of an album that was far from being their best-seller, Hotel California, which later went on to become one of the top ten biggest-selling albums in history with over 42 million copies sold. This early release, however, showcased a level of dominance that was only a hint of the success yet to come. As time passed, they continued to churn out hit after hit, reaching an astonishing total of approximately 120 million sales – a testament to their enduring popularity and influence in music.

Summary

“Some of the unexpected findings might stem from my UK point of view, as I may have judged bands’ success differently. However, there are still many surprises, astonishing moments, and outstanding accomplishments. The frequent appearances of Queen and The Beatles on the list underscore the abundance of hit songs they produced.

It might come as a shock that several well-known acts like The Rolling Stones, KISS, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Metallica, and others are missing from this top 20 list. I would have thought some other artists might be included instead.

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2024-10-25 13:01