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One of the truly universal superstars, a man able to appeal to everyone from the youngest AM listener to the MOR adult crowd to more "serious" rock fans comes up with his first greatest hits package and a remarkable set it is. With each of the ten cuts truly a major hit, this grouping makes one realize just how impressive a track record this man has amassed over the past several years and just how good he has consistently been over his eight LP career. From the most frenetic rockers to superb ballads, from material filled with humor to far more serious things, John's amazing ability to capture each type of audience every time out is captured here pertectly. The ideal LP is supposed to be one full of potential hit singles. This one is full of proven hit singles. Coming from one of the real members of rock royalty, who could ask for more? Best cuts: All, of course, but highlights include "Your Song," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting," "Rocket Man," "Bennie And The Jets," "Crocodile Rock."
- Billboard, 1974.
Bonus Reviews!
I don't agree that singles are Elton's metier -- his method is too hit-or-miss to permit such a surefire formula, and some of his best stuff ("Your Sister Can't Twist," "Solar Prestige a Gammon") has proven too wild or weird for a&r/p.d. consciousness. There are no clinkers here, and I suppose if you only want one of his albums this is it. But it's stylistically ragged, two of its four great cuts are also on Honky Chateau, and I'd just as soon hear the first side of Caribou. B+
- Robert Christgau, Christgau's Record Guide, 1981.
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- William Ruhlmann, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.
Greatest Hits Vol. 1 is an essential collection of Elton's early hits. * * * 1/2
- Simon Glickman, Musichound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, 1996.
A fantastic starter CD for fans and those who just want the basics of EJ 101, this gorgeously done collection showcases the man-diva's auspicious beginnings with lyricist Bernie Taupin. Chock-full of likable songs and incredible memories like "Daniel" and "Candle in the Wind" -- everyone knows at least one -- it feels like the soundtrack to our lives. Timeless, ageless and indefatigable, the troubador for the 20th century ain't a Sir for nothin'! * * * * *
- Zagat Survey Music Guide - 1,000 Top Albums of All Time, 2003.
John has put out numerous greatest-hits packages over the years, but none as important as this single-disc collection released by MCA during the piano man's creative and commercial peak. It includes every one of his Top Ten singles of the period, from "Your Song" (1970) to "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (1974). A second, equally strong volume came out in 1977, filling in some blanks -- "Levon," "Tiny Dancer," "Philadelphia Freedom" -- just as John prematurely announced his retirement. But for one easy-to-digest disc, this set documents why Elton John was one of the biggest-selling pop stars of the Seventies.
Greatest Hits was chosen as the 135th greatest album of all time by the editors of Rolling Stone magazine in Dec. 2003.
- Rolling Stone, 12/11/03.
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