Greatest Hit (Annie song)
Encyclopedia
In 1999, Mikal Tellé, Annie's friend and neighbour, issued a limited edition 7-inch single
of "The Greatest Hit" under his label Tellé Records. The release sold out in two days, and track became an underground hit in nightclubs in Norway and Britain, resulting in offers for record deals. After seeing the interest that "The Greatest Hit" generated, Annie decided to turn her project into a studio album
.
British producer Richard X
heard "The Greatest Hit" as part of a techno
set and described the song as "otherworldly and beautiful". He cited the song's "idea of pop music coming from another place, another way of thinking" as an influence on his early work. As a result, Richard X asked Annie to record vocals for his debut album Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
(2003). In exchange, he contributed "Me Plus One" and Annie's third single "Chewing Gum
" to her debut album Anniemal. Annie originally aimed to make Anniemal a pop album that would not become quickly dated, one "that you could listen to in five years and it wouldn't sound terrible." She considered excluding "The Greatest Hit" from the album to achieve this, but ultimately included it because she felt it did not sound as if it were five years old.
that the song's "recycled synth-loop and elastic bassline
still sound as fresh as they did in 1999 and, yes, even 1982." In a review for Pitchfork Media
, Scott Plagenhoef described the song as an "intoxicating clubland 'duet' between producer and vocalist." Allmusic's Andy Kellman likened the song's "nonchalant ecstasy" to that of Patrice Rushen
's 1982 funk
single "Forget Me Nots
". Dylan Hicks, in a review for The Village Voice
, commented that the song "still parties as if it were" from 1999 and "betters" the song it samples.
7-inch single
(TELLÉ #003; Released 1999; Limited edition)
12-inch single
(TELLÉ #005; Released 1999; Limited edition)
12-inch single #2
(LOAD #069
; Released 2000)
CD maxi single
(LOAD #069 CD; Released 2000)
12-inch single #3
(LOAD #070; Released 2002)
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
of "The Greatest Hit" under his label Tellé Records. The release sold out in two days, and track became an underground hit in nightclubs in Norway and Britain, resulting in offers for record deals. After seeing the interest that "The Greatest Hit" generated, Annie decided to turn her project into a studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
.
British producer Richard X
Richard X
Richard Philips, best known by his stage name Richard X, is a British songwriter and music producer. Gaining attention as a pioneer of the bootleg craze, Richard X has earned success as a producer and remixer. He has helmed hit singles for artists including Annie, Kelis, Liberty X, Rachel Stevens...
heard "The Greatest Hit" as part of a techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
set and described the song as "otherworldly and beautiful". He cited the song's "idea of pop music coming from another place, another way of thinking" as an influence on his early work. As a result, Richard X asked Annie to record vocals for his debut album Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1 is the debut compilation album by British pop producer Richard X. The album features 15 tracks all produced by Richard X, most of which feature guest vocals....
(2003). In exchange, he contributed "Me Plus One" and Annie's third single "Chewing Gum
Chewing Gum (Annie song)
"Chewing Gum" is an electropop song written by Richard X and Hannah Robinson for Norwegian singer Annie's debut album Anniemal . The song is based on metaphor which likens men to chewing gum....
" to her debut album Anniemal. Annie originally aimed to make Anniemal a pop album that would not become quickly dated, one "that you could listen to in five years and it wouldn't sound terrible." She considered excluding "The Greatest Hit" from the album to achieve this, but ultimately included it because she felt it did not sound as if it were five years old.
Critical reception
"The Greatest Hit" received little attention when released as a single, but garnered critical acclaim when Anniemal was released in 2004. Sal Cinquemani of Slant MagazineSlant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
that the song's "recycled synth-loop and elastic bassline
Bassline
A bassline is the term used in many styles of popular music, such as jazz, blues, funk, dub and electronic music for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument such as the electric bass, double bass, tuba or keyboard...
still sound as fresh as they did in 1999 and, yes, even 1982." In a review for Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, Scott Plagenhoef described the song as an "intoxicating clubland 'duet' between producer and vocalist." Allmusic's Andy Kellman likened the song's "nonchalant ecstasy" to that of Patrice Rushen
Patrice Rushen
Patrice Rushen is a Grammy Award-winning African American R&B and jazz vocalist, composer and pianist.-Biography:...
's 1982 funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
single "Forget Me Nots
Forget Me Nots
"Forget Me Nots" is a 1982 hit recording by R&B singer songwriter Patrice Rushen.Originally deemed by record label executives as a "flop", Rushen released the song and the song became a Top 40 pop, Top 5 R&B, and Top 5 dance hit on the Billboard charts and is the hit she's most notable for...
". Dylan Hicks, in a review for The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
, commented that the song "still parties as if it were" from 1999 and "betters" the song it samples.
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "The Greatest Hit".7-inch single
(TELLÉ #003; Released 1999; Limited edition)
- "The Greatest Hit" (7" edit) – 4:29
- "The Greatest Hit" (7" dub rework) – 6:08
12-inch single
(TELLÉ #005; Released 1999; Limited edition)
- "The Greatest Hit" (12" extended disco mix) – 7:29
- "The Greatest Hit" (radio edit) – 4:19
- "The Greatest Hit" (12" instrumental) – 9:39
12-inch single #2
(LOAD #069
Loaded Records
Loaded Records was a UK dance record label formed in 1990 by Tim Jeffery and JC Reid. It launched artists like Pizzaman, Slacker, and Wildchild. More recently it released albums by Super_Collider and singles by Annie and Holden & Thompson...
; Released 2000)
- "The Greatest Hit" (12" extended disco mix)
- "The Greatest Hit" (Freeform Reform vocal)
CD maxi single
(LOAD #069 CD; Released 2000)
- "The Greatest Hit" (edit)
- "The Greatest Hit" (extended disco mix)
- "The Greatest Hit" (Freeform Reform vocal)
12-inch single #3
(LOAD #070; Released 2002)
- "The Greatest Dub" (Soul MekanikCandy FlipCandy Flip were a British electronic dance band associated with the Madchester music scene in the early 1990s. They are best remembered for their cover version of The Beatles hit "Strawberry Fields Forever" which was a #3 hit in the UK Singles Chart....
dub) - "The Greatest Dub" (Soul Mekanik a cappella)
- "The Greatest Dub"
Charts
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart 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 ... |
100 |
Personnel
- Annie – lead vocals, productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Erot – production, mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
- Torbjørn BrundtlandTorbjørn BrundtlandTorbjørn Brundtland makes up half of the duo Röyksopp. He was born in Tromsø, Norway.-Musical career:* Between 1994-1995 Brundtland was a member of Aedena Cycle with Gaute Barlindhaug and Kolbjørn Lyslo . Release: Traveller's Dream 12" released on R&S* In 1995 Brundtland was producer for Volcano...
– mixing - Thoroball – photographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
- Erot – sleeve design