Elton John's Greatest Hits
Encyclopedia
Elton John's Greatest Hits is the ninth album
by British singer/songwriter Elton John
, released on MCA Records
, catalogue MCA 2128, in November 1974. Spanning the years 1970 to 1974, it compiles ten of John's singles
, with one track variation for releases in North America and for Europe and Australia. It topped the album chart
in both the United States and Great Britain, staying at number one for ten consecutive weeks in the former nation and the eleven weeks in the latter. It is his best-selling album to date, being his first to have received an RIAA Diamond certification for US sales of more than 16 million copies and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide.
" appeared on the American and Canadian edition of the album, which had topped the charts in both nations but had not been a single in the United Kingdom. It was replaced by "Candle in the Wind
" for the U.K. and Australian edition, having been a hit in both of those countries but never released as a single in the U.S. and Canada. The 1992 reissue contains eleven tracks, with both songs included.
"Border Song
," an album track on Elton John
outside of the U.S. and Canada, went to #92 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
and to #34 on the Canadian RPM
national singles chart as a single in 1970. All other songs made the Top 40 in the UK and the US, most also making the top ten, with "Bennie and the Jets" and "Crocodile Rock
" topping the chart in the States. John would wait until 1976 to top the singles chart in the UK
, via his duet with Kiki Dee
, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart
."
With only ten tracks total, the compilers left off several other hit single
s from the time period. "Tiny Dancer
" and "Levon
" from the Madman Across the Water
album made it to #41 and #24 respectively as singles in the U.S., and "The Bitch Is Back
," his most recent single, was a #4 in the U.S. and topped the chart in Canada. Although all of these charted higher than "Border Song," it may have been included because it was the first Elton John single to chart in any market. Of the ten selections for the North American album, two ("Crocodile Rock
" and "Bennie and the Jets
") had been U.S. #1 hits; in Canada, five (these two plus "Daniel
", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
" and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
") had been chart-toppers.
In 2003, Elton John's Greatest Hits was ranked at number 135 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The first of his many compilation albums, later ones include Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II, Elton John's Greatest Hits 1976-1986, and Elton John's Greatest Hits 1970-2002.
, with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
.
Original North American Version
Original International Version
1992 Polydor Reissue
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
by British singer/songwriter Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, released on MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
, catalogue MCA 2128, in November 1974. Spanning the years 1970 to 1974, it compiles ten of John's singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, with one track variation for releases in North America and for Europe and Australia. It topped the album chart
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...
in both the United States and Great Britain, staying at number one for ten consecutive weeks in the former nation and the eleven weeks in the latter. It is his best-selling album to date, being his first to have received an RIAA Diamond certification for US sales of more than 16 million copies and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide.
Contents
The single "Bennie and the JetsBennie and the Jets
"Bennie and the Jets" is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song is written in the key of G major and first appeared on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album in 1973. "Bennie and the Jets" has been one of John's most popular songs....
" appeared on the American and Canadian edition of the album, which had topped the charts in both nations but had not been a single in the United Kingdom. It was replaced by "Candle in the Wind
Candle in the Wind
"Candle in the Wind" is a song with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973, in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier....
" for the U.K. and Australian edition, having been a hit in both of those countries but never released as a single in the U.S. and Canada. The 1992 reissue contains eleven tracks, with both songs included.
"Border Song
Border Song
"Border Song" is a gospel ballad originally performed by British musician Elton John. Lyrics are credited to Bernie Taupin . The music was composed by John....
," an album track on Elton John
Elton John (album)
Elton John is the eponymous second album by English singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1970. It was his first album, however, released in America, thus commonly assumed by many as his debut, as Empty Sky would not be released in the U.S. until 1975...
outside of the U.S. and Canada, went to #92 on the U.S. Billboard 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...
and to #34 on the Canadian RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
national singles chart as a single in 1970. All other songs made the Top 40 in the UK and the US, most also making the top ten, with "Bennie and the Jets" and "Crocodile Rock
Crocodile Rock
"Crocodile Rock" is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and recorded in June 1972 at the Strawberry Studios, Château d'Hérouville in France. It was released on 27 October 1972 in the UK and 20 November 1972 in the US, as a pre-release single from his forthcoming 1973 album Don't Shoot...
" topping the chart in the States. John would wait until 1976 to top the singles chart in the UK
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, via his duet with Kiki Dee
Kiki Dee
Kiki Dee is an English singer with a career spanning more than 40 years....
, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart
Don't Go Breaking My Heart
"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" is a duet by Elton John and Kiki Dee. It was written by Elton John with Bernie Taupin under the pseudonym "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche" , and intended as an affectionate pastiche of the Tamla Motown style, notably the various duets recorded by Marvin Gaye and singers...
."
With only ten tracks total, the compilers left off several other hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
s from the time period. "Tiny Dancer
Tiny Dancer
"Tiny Dancer" is a 1971 song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It appears on John's fourth album, Madman Across the Water, and was released as a single in 1972...
" and "Levon
Levon
"Levon" is a song written and recorded by Sir Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. It is from John's fourth album Madman Across the Water and was recorded on February 27, 1971...
" from the Madman Across the Water
Madman Across the Water
Madman Across the Water is the fourth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1971 through DJM/Uni Records. The title song, "Madman Across the Water", was set to be released on Elton John's previous album Tumbleweed Connection. However, it was set aside and would...
album made it to #41 and #24 respectively as singles in the U.S., and "The Bitch Is Back
The Bitch Is Back
"The Bitch Is Back" is a rock song by Elton John, written with Bernie Taupin. It was the second single released from his 1974 album Caribou, and reached number 1 in Canada , number 4 in the United States and number 15 in the United Kingdom. The song has been identified as is one of Elton John's...
," his most recent single, was a #4 in the U.S. and topped the chart in Canada. Although all of these charted higher than "Border Song," it may have been included because it was the first Elton John single to chart in any market. Of the ten selections for the North American album, two ("Crocodile Rock
Crocodile Rock
"Crocodile Rock" is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and recorded in June 1972 at the Strawberry Studios, Château d'Hérouville in France. It was released on 27 October 1972 in the UK and 20 November 1972 in the US, as a pre-release single from his forthcoming 1973 album Don't Shoot...
" and "Bennie and the Jets
Bennie and the Jets
"Bennie and the Jets" is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song is written in the key of G major and first appeared on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album in 1973. "Bennie and the Jets" has been one of John's most popular songs....
") had been U.S. #1 hits; in Canada, five (these two plus "Daniel
Daniel (song)
"Daniel" was a major hit song by Elton John. It appeared on the 1973 album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player. It was written by John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. In the United States the song reached #2 on the pop charts and #1 on the adult contemporary charts for two weeks in the spring...
", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (song)
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is a ballad performed by musician Elton John. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by John for his album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Its musical style and production is heavily influenced by 1970s soft rock...
" and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is the first single from British musician Elton John's 1974 album Caribou; it was released that year during the latter half of May in the United Kingdom, and on 10 June in the United States.-Lyrics and music:...
") had been chart-toppers.
In 2003, Elton John's Greatest Hits was ranked at number 135 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The first of his many compilation albums, later ones include Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II, Elton John's Greatest Hits 1976-1986, and Elton John's Greatest Hits 1970-2002.
Track listing
All music by Elton JohnElton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
.
Original North American Version
Original International Version
1992 Polydor Reissue
1996 Mercury reissue
- "Your Song"
- "Skyline Pigeon"
- "Daniel"
- "Crocodile Rock"
- "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
- "Take Me to the Pilot"
- "Rock n' Roll MadonnaRock n' Roll Madonna"Rock and Roll Madonna" is a song by Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. The song was released as a single in Britain in 1970, where it never charted. It appeared on several bootlegs and rarities compilations before it appeared on the 1995 remaster of his self-titled album. The song...
" - "Candle in the Wind"
- "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (with Kiki DeeKiki DeeKiki Dee is an English singer with a career spanning more than 40 years....
) - "Honky Cat"
- "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"
- "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)"
- "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me"
- "Border Song"
- "It's Me That You NeedIt's Me That You Need"It's Me That You Need" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was his third single, released five months after "Lady Samantha". As with his two previous singles, it failed to chart in the U.S. and the UK. However, the song became hit in Japan two years later, peaking at the #13...
"
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Billboard 200 | |
| 1975 | ||
| 1975 | Australian Kent Music Report Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998... Albums Chart |
|
| 1974 | 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... |
|
| 1975 |
Certifications
| Country | Provider | Certification Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Music Canada Music Canada Music Canada was a Canadian music television miniseries which aired approximately monthly on CBC Television from 1966 to 1967.-Premise:This series featured various special productions of music and dance, from classical to modern styles.-Scheduling:... |
Diamond (1,000,000 units) |
| France | SNEP Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
Gold (100,000 units) |
| United Kingdom | BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
Platinum (300,000 units) |
| United States | RIAA 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... |
16x Multi-Platinum (16,000,000 units) |