Andy Williams' Greatest Hits
Encyclopedia
Andy Williams' Greatest Hits is a compilation album
by American pop singer Andy Williams
that was released in early 1970 by Columbia Records
. It was not, however, as its title might suggest, strictly a hit singles compilation, although some of his biggest songs since joining Columbia (such as the Easy Listening number ones "Can't Get Used to Losing You
" and "Happy Heart
") were included. A couple of selections ("Born Free
" and "More") were never released as singles by Williams, and his signature song
, "Moon River
", was released in the 7-inch single format but only for jukeboxes. His six Cadence
singles that made the Top 10 on Billboard
magazine's Hot 100
are passed over for the inclusion of his number 11 hit from that label, "Hawaiian Wedding Song
", and 17 of his Columbia recordings that made the Hot 100 up until 1970 are left out here in favor of "Charade", which spent its one week on the chart at number 100.
The most noticeable change that was made for the UK release of the album was the replacement of the cover sketch with the photo of Williams found in the gatefold section of the album jacket of the US release. The other major difference was the fact that Williams's recording of "Can't Take My Eyes off You
" was added to the track list for the UK version.
The album made its first appearance on the Billboard Top LP's
chart in the issue dated March 7, 1970, and remained there for 20 weeks, peaking at number 42. In the UK it debuted on the album chart on April 11 of that year in the number two position out of 55 albums listed that week and eventually had five appearances at number one there out of a total of 108 weeks on the chart. The Recording Industry Association of America
awarded the album Gold certification on September 13, 1971.
The US version of the album was released on compact disc for the first time by Columbia Records
in 1988. A Columbia 3-CD box set including this version of the album along with the US versions of Andy Williams' Greatest Hits Vol. 2
and his 1971 album Love Story
was released on August 12, 1997.
For the UK version of this collection, "Can't Take My Eyes off You
" (from the 1967 album Love, Andy
) was inserted between "Almost There" and "Charade", but the track listing for the UK version was otherwise identical to that of the North American release.
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
by American pop singer Andy Williams
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
that was released in early 1970 by Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. It was not, however, as its title might suggest, strictly a hit singles compilation, although some of his biggest songs since joining Columbia (such as the Easy Listening number ones "Can't Get Used to Losing You
Can't Get Used to Losing You
"Can't Get Used to Losing You" is a song written by Jerome "Doc" Pomus and Mort Shuman, first made popular by Andy Williams in a 1963 record release.-Andy Williams Recording:...
" and "Happy Heart
Happy Heart
"Happy Heart" is a song written by Hans Last and Jackie Rae. The song was recorded by both Petula Clark and Andy Williams and released as a single for each at the same time. "Happy Heart" was a top 20 Easy Listening hit for Clark as well as minor pop hit, while Williams went to number twenty-two on...
") were included. A couple of selections ("Born Free
Born Free (song)
"Born Free" is a popular song with music by John Barry, and lyrics by Don Black. It was written for the 1966 film of the same name and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song....
" and "More") were never released as singles by Williams, and his signature song
Signature song
A signature song is the one song that a popular and well-established singer or band is most closely identified with or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs...
, "Moon River
Moon River
"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini in 1961, for whom it won that year's Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was originally sung in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's by Audrey Hepburn, although it has been covered by many other artists...
", was released in the 7-inch single format but only for jukeboxes. His six Cadence
Cadence Records
Cadence Records was an American record company based in New York City. It was founded by Archie Bleyer, who had been the musical director and orchestra leader for Arthur Godfrey in 1952...
singles that made the Top 10 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine's Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
are passed over for the inclusion of his number 11 hit from that label, "Hawaiian Wedding Song
Hawaiian Wedding Song
"Hawaiian Wedding Song" is a 1926 love song written by Charles King for his operetta, Prince of Hawaii. It was originally entitled "Ke Kali Nei Au" - Hawaiian for "Waiting Here for You"...
", and 17 of his Columbia recordings that made the Hot 100 up until 1970 are left out here in favor of "Charade", which spent its one week on the chart at number 100.
The most noticeable change that was made for the UK release of the album was the replacement of the cover sketch with the photo of Williams found in the gatefold section of the album jacket of the US release. The other major difference was the fact that Williams's recording of "Can't Take My Eyes off You
Can't Take My Eyes off You
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 single by Frankie Valli. The song was among Valli's biggest hits, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a gold record. It was Valli's biggest "solo" hit until he hit #1 in 1975 with "My Eyes Adored You"...
" was added to the track list for the UK version.
The album made its first appearance on the Billboard Top LP's
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart in the issue dated March 7, 1970, and remained there for 20 weeks, peaking at number 42. In the UK it debuted on the album chart on April 11 of that year in the number two position out of 55 albums listed that week and eventually had five appearances at number one there out of a total of 108 weeks on the chart. The Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
awarded the album Gold certification on September 13, 1971.
The US version of the album was released on compact disc for the first time by Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1988. A Columbia 3-CD box set including this version of the album along with the US versions of Andy Williams' Greatest Hits Vol. 2
Andy Williams' Greatest Hits Vol. 2
Andy Williams' Greatest Hits Vol. 2 is a compilation album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in June 1973 by Columbia Records...
and his 1971 album Love Story
Love Story (Andy Williams album)
Love Story is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in February 1971 by Columbia Records. It made its first appearance on the Billboard 200 chart in the issue dated February 20, 1971, and remained on the album chart for 33 weeks, peaking at number three...
was released on August 12, 1997.
Track listing
- "Born FreeBorn Free (song)"Born Free" is a popular song with music by John Barry, and lyrics by Don Black. It was written for the 1966 film of the same name and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song....
" (John BarryJohn Barry (composer)John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
, Don BlackDon BlackDon Black may refer to:* Don Black , racialist campaigner* Don Black , English lyricist* Don Black , baseball player for the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Athletics...
) – 2:27- Nick DeCaro - arranger, producer
- "Days of Wine and RosesDays of Wine and RosesDays of Wine and Roses may refer to:* "days of wine and roses", a phrase from the 1896 poem "Vitae Summa Brevis" by Ernest Dowson* Days of Wine and Roses , a teleplay written by JP Miller...
" (Henry ManciniHenry ManciniHenry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
, Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
) – 2:48- Robert Mersey - arranger, conductor, producer
- "Moon RiverMoon River"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini in 1961, for whom it won that year's Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was originally sung in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's by Audrey Hepburn, although it has been covered by many other artists...
" (Henry ManciniHenry ManciniHenry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
, Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
) – 2:46- Robert Mersey - arranger, conductor, producer
- "Dear Heart" (Ray EvansRay EvansRaymond Bernard Evans was an American songwriter. He was a partner in a composing and songwriting duo with Jay Livingston, known for the songs they composed for films...
, Jay LivingstonJay LivingstonJay Livingston was an American composer and singer best known as half of a songwriting duo with Ray Evans that specialized in songs composed for films. Livingston wrote the music and Evans the lyrics....
, Henry ManciniHenry ManciniHenry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
) – 2:55- Robert Mersey - arranger, conductor, producer
- "Hawaiian Wedding SongHawaiian Wedding Song"Hawaiian Wedding Song" is a 1926 love song written by Charles King for his operetta, Prince of Hawaii. It was originally entitled "Ke Kali Nei Au" - Hawaiian for "Waiting Here for You"...
" (Al HoffmanAl HoffmanAl Hoffman , a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame since 1984, was a hit songwriter active in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, usually co-writing with others and responsible for number one hits through each decade, many of which are still sung and recorded today...
, Charles E. King, Dick ManningDick ManningDick Manning was a Russian-born American songwriter, best known for his many collaborations with Al Hoffman....
) – 2:29- Archie BleyerArchie BleyerArchie Bleyer was an American song arranger, bandleader, and record company executive.-Early life:He was born in the Corona section of the New York City borough of Queens. He began playing the piano when he was only seven years old...
- conductor - Carlyle Hall - arranger
- Archie Bleyer
- "More" (Norman NewellNorman NewellNorman Newell, OBE was born in Plaistow, Essex , and was a successful British record producer in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as co-writer of many notable songs...
, Nino Oliviero, Riz OrtolaniRiz OrtolaniRiziero "Riz" Ortolani is an Italian film composer.In the early 1950s Ortolani was founder and member of a jazz band of national Italian renown...
) – 2:32- Robert Mersey - conductor, producer
- Dave GrusinDave GrusinDavid Grusin is an American composer, arranger and pianist. Grusin has composed many scores for feature films and television, and has won numerous awards for his soundtrack and record work, including an Academy award and 12 Grammys...
- arranger
- "Almost There" (Jerry Keller, Gloria ShayneGloria Shayne BakerGloria Shayne Baker was an American composer and songwriter best known for composing the "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Christmas carol in 1962 with her then husband, Noël Regney.-Early life:...
) – 2:59- Robert Mersey - arranger, conductor, producer
- "Charade" (Henry ManciniHenry ManciniHenry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
, Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
) – 2:35- Robert Mersey - arranger, conductor, producer
- "Happy HeartHappy Heart"Happy Heart" is a song written by Hans Last and Jackie Rae. The song was recorded by both Petula Clark and Andy Williams and released as a single for each at the same time. "Happy Heart" was a top 20 Easy Listening hit for Clark as well as minor pop hit, while Williams went to number twenty-two on...
" (James Last, Jackie RaeJackie RaeJackie Rae, CM DFC was a Canadian singer, songwriter and television performer.He was born John Arthur Rae in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1922. Rae began performing at the age of three with his brother and sister on the vaudeville circuit in Canada...
) – 3:15- Jerry FullerJerry Fuller-Biography:Jerry Fuller was born in Fort Worth, Texas to a musical family, his father having been a singer with Bob Wills' Light Crust Doughboys. Jerry Fuller and his brother Bill performed as a duo in their home state, recording for the local Lin label, before Jerry branched out on his own and...
- producer - Al Capps - arranger
- Jerry Fuller
- "Can't Get Used to Losing YouCan't Get Used to Losing You"Can't Get Used to Losing You" is a song written by Jerome "Doc" Pomus and Mort Shuman, first made popular by Andy Williams in a 1963 record release.-Andy Williams Recording:...
" (Jerome "Doc" PomusDoc PomusJerome Solon Felder, better known as Doc Pomus , was a twentieth-century American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lyricist of many rock and roll hits. Pomus was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the category of non-performer in 1992. He was also inducted into...
, Mort ShumanMort ShumanMort Shuman was an American singer, pianist and songwriter, best known as co-writer of many 1960s rock and roll hits, including "Viva Las Vegas"...
) – 2:25- Robert Mersey - arranger, conductor, producer
- "May Each Day" (Mort Green, George WyleGeorge WyleGeorge Wyle , born Bernard Weissman, was an American orchestra leader and composer best known for having written the theme song to 1960s television sitcom Gilligan's Island.-Early Years:...
) – 2:54- Robert Mersey - arranger, conductor, producer
For the UK version of this collection, "Can't Take My Eyes off You
Can't Take My Eyes off You
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 single by Frankie Valli. The song was among Valli's biggest hits, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a gold record. It was Valli's biggest "solo" hit until he hit #1 in 1975 with "My Eyes Adored You"...
" (from the 1967 album Love, Andy
Love, Andy
Love, Andy is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the fall of 1967 by Columbia Records to coincide with the NBC special of the same name, which aired on November 6. The album made its first appearance on Billboards Top LP's chart that same month in the issue dated...
) was inserted between "Almost There" and "Charade", but the track listing for the UK version was otherwise identical to that of the North American release.
Recording dates
- 11/3/58 - "Hawaiian Wedding Song"
- 1/4/62 - "Moon River"
- 12/2/62 - "Can't Get Used to Losing You"
- 1/16/63 - "Days of Wine and Roses", "May Each Day"
- 11/1/63 - "Charade"
- 2/28/64 - "Almost There"
- 8/19/64 - "Dear Heart"
- 9/18/67 - "Can't Take My Eyes off You"
- 3/8/69 - "Happy Heart"
Billboard & UK singles chart positions
| Song | US chart debut | Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
Easy Listening |
Hot R&B Sides Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
UK chart debut |
UK singles chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Hawaiian Wedding Song Hawaiian Wedding Song "Hawaiian Wedding Song" is a 1926 love song written by Charles King for his operetta, Prince of Hawaii. It was originally entitled "Ke Kali Nei Au" - Hawaiian for "Waiting Here for You"... " |
12/29/58 | 11 | – | 27 | – | – |
| "Can't Get Used to Losing You Can't Get Used to Losing You "Can't Get Used to Losing You" is a song written by Jerome "Doc" Pomus and Mort Shuman, first made popular by Andy Williams in a 1963 record release.-Andy Williams Recording:... " |
3/2/63 | 2 (4 weeks) | 1 (4 weeks) | 7 | 3/23/63 | 2 (1 week) |
| "Days of Wine and Roses Days of Wine and Roses Days of Wine and Roses may refer to:* "days of wine and roses", a phrase from the 1896 poem "Vitae Summa Brevis" by Ernest Dowson* Days of Wine and Roses , a teleplay written by JP Miller... " |
3/16/63 | 26 | 9 | – | – | – |
| "Charade" | 1/18/64 | 100 | – | – | – | – |
| "Almost There" | 11/14/64 | 67 | 12 | – | 9/18/65 | 2 (3 weeks) |
| "Dear Heart" | 11/28/64 | 24 | 2 (1 week) | – | – | – |
| "May Each Day" | – | – | – | – | 2/26/66 | 19 |
| "Can't Take My Eyes off You Can't Take My Eyes off You "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 single by Frankie Valli. The song was among Valli's biggest hits, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a gold record. It was Valli's biggest "solo" hit until he hit #1 in 1975 with "My Eyes Adored You"... " |
– | – | – | – | 3/16/68 | 5 |
| "Happy Heart Happy Heart "Happy Heart" is a song written by Hans Last and Jackie Rae. The song was recorded by both Petula Clark and Andy Williams and released as a single for each at the same time. "Happy Heart" was a top 20 Easy Listening hit for Clark as well as minor pop hit, while Williams went to number twenty-two on... " |
4/5/69 | 22 | 1 (2 weeks) | – | 5/10/69 | 19 |
Billboard & UK album chart positions
| Chart | Debut date |
Weeks charted |
Peak position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Top LP's Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
3/7/70 | 20 | 42 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
4/11/70 | 108 | 1 (5 weeks) |
Personnel
- Archie BleyerArchie BleyerArchie Bleyer was an American song arranger, bandleader, and record company executive.-Early life:He was born in the Corona section of the New York City borough of Queens. He began playing the piano when he was only seven years old...
- conductor ("Hawaiian Wedding Song") - Al Capps - arranger ("Happy Heart")
- Nick DeCaro - arranger/producer ("Born Free", "Can't Take My Eyes off You")
- Jerry FullerJerry Fuller-Biography:Jerry Fuller was born in Fort Worth, Texas to a musical family, his father having been a singer with Bob Wills' Light Crust Doughboys. Jerry Fuller and his brother Bill performed as a duo in their home state, recording for the local Lin label, before Jerry branched out on his own and...
- producer ("Happy Heart") - Dave GrusinDave GrusinDavid Grusin is an American composer, arranger and pianist. Grusin has composed many scores for feature films and television, and has won numerous awards for his soundtrack and record work, including an Academy award and 12 Grammys...
- arranger ("More") - Eddie Karam - conductor ("Can't Take My Eyes off You")
- Robert Mersey - arranger, conductor, producer (see track listing)
- Andy WilliamsAndy WilliamsHoward Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
- vocalist