Top Greatest Hits/Collections (The 2007 List)

Here's a companion piece to my recently posted 2008 edition of My Top 411 Albums Ever.  On that list there were no Greatest Hits/Compilations.

This list was started in February 1999 and my last update to it was in March 2007.  This is a pretty good list of essential collections as of 2007.  Thirteen years later and many of these albums have been supplanted by better ones.  Yet I think this would be a good starting point for anyone looking to check out someone's discography that they are curious about.  And that's where Greatest Hits do their best job. 

Abba - Gold (Polygram)

ABC - Absolutely (Mercury)

Gregory Abbott - Super Hits (Columbia)
Bryan Adams - So Far So Good (A&M;)

Aerosmith - Greatest Hits (Columbia)

Aerosmith - Big Ones (Geffen)
Alabama - Greatest Hits (RCA)
Alabama - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (RCA)
Arthur Alexander - Ultimate (Razor & Tie)
Allman Brothers - Dreams (Polydor Box)
American Graffiti - Soundtrack (MCA)
Animals - Best of (Abcko)
John Anderson - Greatest Hits (WB)
John Anderson - Greatest Hits (BNA)
Andrews Sisters - Greatest Hits (MCA)
Anthology of American Folk Music (Folkways Box)
Louis Armstrong - 16 Most Request Songs (Columbia)
Fred Astaire - Hits From Hollywood (Columbia)
Ay califas! Raza Rock of the 70's & 80's (Rhino)
Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Remastered Hits (mercury)
Bad Company - 10 From 6 (Atlantic)
Laverne Baker - Best of (Atlantic)
Hank Ballard - Best of (Rhino)
Bangles - Greatest Hits (Columbia)
Bobby Bare - Essential (RCA)
Beach Boys - Endless Summer (Capitol)
Beach Boys - Good Vibrations:30 Years (Capitol Box)
Beatles - 62-66 (Capitol)
Beatles - 67-70 (Capitol)
Tony Bennett - 16 Most Requested (Columbia)
Chuck Berry - Chess Box (Chess)
B-52's - Time Capsule (Reprise)
Billboard Pop Memories - The 1920's (Rhino)
Billboard Pop Memories - The 1930's (Rhino)
Bobby "Blue" Bland - Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (MCA)
Bobby "Blue" Bland - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (MCA)
Blasters - Collection (Slash)
Blondie - Best of (Chrysalis)
Gary "US" Bonds - Best of (Rhino)
Booker T. & The MGs - Very Best of (Rhino)
David Bowie - The Singles (Ryko)
Bootsy Collins - Best of (Warner)
Bread - Anthology (Elektra)
Garth Brooks - Hits (Capitol)
James Brown - Star Time (Polydor Box)
Jackson Browne - Best of (Elektra)
Buffalo Springfield - Best of (Atco)
Solomon Burke - Very best of (Rhino)
Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady (IRS)
Byrds (Columbia Box Set)
Cameo - Best of (Polygram)
Cars - Anthology (Elektra)
Carter Family - Hall of Fame Series (MCA)
Johnny Cash - Essential (Columbia Box)
Rosanne Cash - Hits 79-89 (Columbia)
Ray Charles - 50th Anniversary Collection (Rhino)
Cheap Trick - Greatest Hits (Epic)
Cher - Greatest Hits (Geffen)
Mark Chesnutt - Greatest Hits (MCA)
Chic - Best of (Atlantic)
Chic - Best of Vol. 2 (Atlantic)
Chi-Lites - Greatest Hits (Rhino)
Eric Clapton - Crossroads (Polydor Box)
Clash - On Broadway (Epci Box)
Patsy Cline - 12 Greatest Hits (MCA)
Clovers - best of (Atlantic)
Coasters - 50 Coastin' Classics (Rhino)
Eddie Cochran - Fine Lookin' Hits (Razor & Tie)
Leonard Cohen - best of (Columbia)
Nat King Cole Trio- Best of (Capitol)
Nat King Cole - Collector's Series (Capitol)
John Coltrane - best of (Atlantic)
Commodores - Anthology (Motown)
Alice Cooper - Greatest Hits (Warner)
Joe Cocker - Greatest Hits (A&M;)
Perry Como - All Time Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (RCA)
Elvis Costello - Best of (Columbia)
Robert Cray - Collection (Mercury)
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Chronicle (Fantasy)
Marshall Crenshaw - Collection (MCA Promo)
Jim Croce - His Greatest Hits (Atco)
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - So Far (Atlantic)
Culture Club - Best of (Virgin)
Dick Dale - Best of (Rhino)
Bobby Darin - best of (Atlantic)
Bobby Darin - Best of Vol. 2 (Atlantic)
Dazed & Confused - Soundtrack (Medicine)
Debarge - Ultimate Collection (Motown)
Def Leppard - Vault (Polygram)
Delaney & Bonnie - Best of (Rhino)
Delfonics - Definitive (Arista)
Dells - Best of (MCA)
Neil Diamond - Classics..Early Years (Columbia)
Neil Diamond - 12 Greatest Hits (MCA)
Bo Diddley - Chess Box (Chess)
Dion - 24 Original Classics (Arista)
Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (WB)
Disco Years Vol. 1 (Rhino)
Disco Years Vol. 2 (Rhino)
Willie Dixon - Chess Box (Chess)
Donovan - Greatest Hits (Epic)
Doors - Greatest Hits (Elektra)
Doo Wop Ballads (Rhino)
Doo Wop Uptempo (Rhino)
Lee Dorsey - Definitive (Arista)
Drifters - Very Best of (Rhino)
Duran Duran - Greatest (Capitol)
Bob Dylan - Biograph (Columbia Box)
Eagles - Greatest Hits (Elektra)
Eagles - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (Elektra)
Earth, Wind & Fire - Eternal Dance (Columbia Box)
Steve Earle - Collection (MCA)
Stoney Edwards - Best of (Razor & Tie)
Duke Ellington - Essence of (Columbia)
ELO - Strange Magic: Best of (Epic)
En Vogue - Best of (EastWest)
Everly Brothers - Heartaches & Harmonies (Rhino Box)
Faces - Best of (Warner)
Freddy Fender - Best of (MCA)
5 Royales - Best of (Rhino)
Ella Fitzgerald - Love Songs (Verve)
Ella Fitzgerald - Best of the Song Books (Verve)
Fairport Convention - Classic Years 67-75 (A&M;)
Flying Burrito Brothers - Best of (A&M;)
Four Tops - Ultimate (Motown)
Aretha Franklin - Queen of Soul (Atlantic Box)
Frat Rock (Rhino)
Free - Anthology (A&M;)
Lefty Frizzell - Look What Thoughts Will Do (Columbia)
From Where I Stand:Black Experience In Country Music (WB)
Gang of Four - A Brief History (Warner)
Gap Band - 12" Collection and More (Polygram)
Gap Band - Best of (Polygram)
Marvin Gaye - The Master (Motown Box)
Genesis - The Hits (Atlantic)
Girl Groups Best of (Rhino)
Girl Groups Best of Vol. 2 (Rhino)
Go-Betweens - 78-90 (Capitol)
Golden Gate Quartet - Swing Down Chariot (Columbia)
Steve Goodman - Anthology (Red Pajamas)
Gospel Sound of Spirit Fell (Spirit Feel)
Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel & Furious Five - Best of (Rhino)
Al Green - Greatest Hits (Right Stuff)
Groove 'n' Grind - 50's and 60's Dance Hits (Rhino)
Guess Who - Track Record (RCA)
Woody Guthrie - Asch Recordings Vol. 1 (Folkways)
Merle Haggard - Down Every Road (Capitol Box)
Hall & Oates - Greatest Hits (RCA)
Tom T. Hall - Storyteller, Poet, Philosopher (mercury)
Tom T. Hall - Essential Story Songs (mercury)
Jimi Hendrix - Ultimate (MCA)
ZZ Hill - Greatest Hits (Malaco)
Hip Hop Greats:Classic Raps (Rhino)
Billie Holiday - Essence of (Columbia)
Hitsville USA 59-71 (Motown Box)
Buddy Holly - Collection (MCA)
John Lee Hooker - Anthology (Rhino)
Hot Chocolate - Best of (EMI)
INXS - Greatest Hits (Atlantic)
Gregory Isaacs - Best of Vol. 1 and 2 (Heartbeat)
Chris Isaak - Wicked Game (WEA Import)
Isley Brothers - Rockin' Soul (Rhino)
Isley Brothers - T-Neck Years (Rhino)
Janet Jackson - Design of a Decade (A&M;)
Wanda Jackson - Best of (Rhino)
Tommy James & The Shondells - Anthology (Rhino)
Jefferson Airplane - 2400 Fulton Street (RCA)
Waylon Jennings - Greatest Hits (RCA)
Joan Jett - Great Hits (Mercury)
Elton John - Greatest Hits (Polydor)
Elton John - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (Polydor)
Little Willie John - Best of (Rhino)
George Jones -Essential (Epic)
George Jones & Tammy Wynette - Greatest Hits (Epic)
Tom Jones - Best of (Polygram)
Michael Jackson - History Disc 1 (Epic)
Jackson 5 - Ultimate (Motown)
Elmore James - History of (Rhino)
Billy Joel - Greatest Hits Vol. 1 and 2 (Epic)
Robert Johnson - Complete Recordings (Columbia)
Spike Jones - Anthology (Rhino)
Janis Joplin - Janis (Columbia Box)
Joy of Cooking - American Originals (Capitol)
Louis Jordan - Best of (MCA)
Louis Jordan - Vol. 2 (MCA)
Joy Division - Substance (Qwest)
Etta James - Her Best (MCA)
KC & The Sunshine Band - Greatest Hits (Rhino)
B.B. King - King of the Blues (MCA Box)
King's Record Collection Vol. 1 (MCA)
King's Record Collection Vol. 2 (MCA)
Kiss - Greatest (mercury)
Kool & The Gang - Best of 69-76 (Polygram)
Kool & The Gang - Best of 79-87 (Polygram)
Kinks - Greatest Hits (Rhino)
Kinks - Kink Kronikles (Reprise)
Alison Krauss - Collection (Rounder)
Led Zeppelin (Atlantic Box)
Little Richard - Georgia Peach (Specialty)
Jerry Lee Lewis - Anthology (Rhino)
Jerry Lee Lewis - Greatest Hits (Rhino)
LL Cool J - All World (Def Jam)
Los Lobos -Collection (Slash)
Louvin Brothers - Best of (Razor & Tie)
Patty Loveless - Greatest Hits (MCA)
Lovin' Spoonful - Anthology (Rhino)
Frankie Lymon & Teenagers - Best of (Rhino)
Loretta Lynn - Collection (MCA Box)
Lynyrd Skynyrd (MCA Box)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Essential (MCA)

Uncle Dave Macon - Hall of Fame Series (MCA)
Madness - Very best of (Geffen)
Taj Mahal - Taj's Blues (Columbia)
Madonna - Immaculate Collection (Sire)
Madonna - Something To Remember (Sire)
Mamas & The Papas - History of (MCA)
Mamas & The Papas - Greatest Hits (MCA)
Manhattans - Best of (Columbia)
Bob Marley - Legend (Island)
Bob Marley - Songs of Freedom (Island Box)
Marshall Tucker Band - Greatest Hits (AJK)
Johnny Mathis - Ultimate Collection (Columbia)
Curtis Mayfield/Impressions - Anthology (MCA)
Delbert McClinton - Ultimate (Hip-0)
Clyde McPhatter - Best of (Rhino)
John Mellencamp - Best That I Could Do (Mercury)
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Best of (Columbia)
Johnny Mercer - Collector's Series (Capitol)
George Michael - Best of (Epic)
Millennium Funk Party (Rhino)
Millennium Hip Hop Party (Rhino)
Emmett Miller - Minstel Man From Georgia (Columbia)
Roger Miller - Greatest Hits (Smash)
Glenn Miller - Unforgettable (RCA)
Steve Miller - Greatest Hits 74-78 (Capitol)
Mills Brothers - All Time Greatest Hits (MCA)
Joni Mitchell - Hits (Reprise)
Thelonious Monk - Best of (Blue Note)
Monkees - Greatest Hits (Rhino)
Bill Monroe - Music of (MCA Box)
Moonglows - Their Greatest Hits (MCA)
Van Morrison - Best of (Mercury)
Morrissey - Bona Drag (Sire)
Motorhead - Best of (Roadrunner)
Mott The Hoople - Retrospective (Columbia)

Willie Nelson - Greatest Hits (Columbia)
Willie Nelson - Greatest Hits & Rare Tracks (Rhino)
Willie Nelson - Super Hits (Columbia)
Ricky Nelson - Volume 1 (EMI)
Rick Nelson - Volume 2 (EMI)
Neville Brothers - History of (Rhino)
New Order - Best of (Qwest)
New Orleans Rhythm & Blues Best of Vol. 1 (Rhino)
New Orleans Rhythm & Blues Best of Vol. 2 (Rhino)
Randy Newman - 30 Years of (Rhino)
Olivia Newton-John - Essential Collection (Geffen)
New York Dolls - Rock N' Roll (Mercury)
Harry Nilsson - Anthology (RCA)
Nuggets - Various (Rhino Box Set)
Billy Ocean - Greatest Hits (jive)
O'Jays - Best of (Epic)
Sinead O'Connor - Best of (Chrysalis)
Old School Love Songs (Thump)
Alexander O'Neal - Best of (Tabu)
Jeffrey Osborne - Ultimate Collection (Hip-O)
Buck Owens - Collection (Rhino Box)
Parliament - Tear The Roof Off 74-80 (Casablanca)
Charlie Parker - Ultimate (Rhino)
Ray Parker Jr. - Greatest Hits (Arista)
Dolly Parton - Best of (RCA)
Johnny Paycheck - Little Darlin' Years (CMF)
Johnny Paycheck - 16 Greatest Hits (Columbia)
Teddy Pendergrass - Greatest Hits (Right Stuff)
Carl Perkins - Original Sun Greatest Hits (Rhino)
Pet Shop Boys - Discography (EMI)
Tom Petty - Greatest Hits (MCA)
Philly Sound 66-76 (Epic Box)
Wilson Pickett - A Man And A Half (Rhino)
Poison - Greatest Hits (Capitol)
Gene Pitney - Anthology (Rhino)
Pure Funk (Polygram)
Queen - Greatest Hits (Hollywood)
Queen - Classic Queen (Hollywood)
Platters - Golden Hits (Mercury)
Police - The Classics (A&M;)
Elvis Presley - King of Rock N Roll Complete 50's Masters (RCA Box)
Elvis Presley - Top Ten hits (RCA)
Elvis Presley - Gold Records Vol. 5 (RCA)
Ray Price - Essential (Columbia)
Charley Pride - Essential (RCA)
Prince - Hits/B Sides (Warner)
John Prine - Anthology (Rhino)
Professor Longhair - Anthology (Rhino)
Psychedelic Furs - A retrospective (Columbia)
Best Punk Album In The World Ever (virgin import)
Quicksilver Messenger - Sons of Mercury (Rhino)
Bonnie Raitt - Collection (Warner)
Ramones - Ramonesmania (Sire)
Rascals - Very Best of (Rhino)
Raspberries - Collector's Series (Capitol)
Otis Redding - Otis (Rhino Box)
Jimmy Reed - Speak The Lyrics (VeeJay)
REM - Eponymous (IRS)
Paul Revere & The Raiders - Essential Ride 61-67 (Columbia)
Charlie Rich - Essential (Epic)
Lionel Richie - Truly Love Songs (Motown)
Righteous Brothers - Anthology (Rhino)
Risque Rhythm Nasty 50's R&B; (Rhino)
Smokey Robinson & Miracles - 35th Anniversary (Motown Box)
Rock This Town: Rockabilly Hits Vol. 2 (Rhino)
Jimmie Rodgers - Essential (RCA)
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks (Abkco)
Rolling Stones - Rewind (RS)
Romantics - What I Like About You (Columbia)
Linda Ronstadt - Greatest Hits (Elektra)
Linda Ronstadt - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (Elektra)
Diana Ross & Supremes - Ultimate (Motown)
Roxy Music - 20 Greatest Hits (Reprise)
Run DMC - Greatest Hits (Profile)
Todd Rundgren - Best of (Rhino)
Mitch Ryder - Best of (Rhino)

Sam & Dave - Anthology (Rhino)
Searchers - Greatest Hits (Rhino)
Neil Sedaka - All Time Greatest Hits (RCA)
Neil Sedaka - Best of (Varese)
Bob Seger - Greatest Hits (Capitol)
Shalamar - Greatest Hits (Right Stuff)

Shirelles - Very Best of (Rhino)
Del Shannon - This Is (Music Club)
Paul Simon - Negotiations and Love Songs (Warner)
Simon & Garfunkel - Old Friends (Columbia Box)
Frank Sinatra - Capitol Years (Capitol Box)
Frank Sinatra - Reprise Collection (Reprise)
Ricky Skaggs -Best of (Columbia)
Percy Sledge - Very Best of (Rhino)
Slow Jams The 60's Vol. 1 (Right Stuff)
Sly & The Family Stone - Anthology (Epic)
Huey "Piano" Smith - This Is (music Club)
Smiths - Singles (Reprise)
Smooth Grooves:60's Vol. Early 60's (Rhino)
Jimmy Somerville/Bronski Beat - Singles Collection (London)
Sonny & Cher - Best of (Rhino)
Sons of the Pioneers - Hall Of Fame Series (MCA)
Joe South - Best of (Rhino)
Southern Rock Essential (HOB)
Phil Spector - Back To Mono (Abkco Box)
Spinners - Anthology (Rhino)
Spirit - Time Changes (Epic)
Dusty Springfield - Very best of (Mercury)
Rick Springfield - Best of (RCA)
Bruce Springsteen - Greatest Hits (Epic)
Staple Singers - Best of (Fantasy)
Steely Dan - Decade of (MCA)
Gary Stewart - Gary's Greatest (Hightone)
Rod Stewart - Storyteller (Warner Box)
Story of Jamaican Music (Mango Box)
George Strait - Greatest Hits (MCA)
George Strait - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (MCA)
Stylistics - Great Love Hits (Pickwick)
Donna Summer - Endless Summer (Mercury)
Donna Summer - On The Radio (Mercury)
Sun Records Collection (Rhino Box)
Billy Swan - Best of (Epic)
Sweet - Best of (Capitol)
Talking Heads - Popular Favorites (Sire)
Howard Tate - Get It While You Can (mercury)
Temptations - Anthology (Motown)
Joe Tex - very Best of (Rhino)
Hank Thompson - Collector's Series (Capitol)
Richard Thompson - Watching The Dark (Ryko Box)
Three Dog Night - Story (MCA)

Tony Toni Tone - Hits (mercury)
Toots & The Maytals - Anthology (Island)
Traffic - Smiling Phases (Island)
Merle Travis - best of (Rhino)
Randy Travis - Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (WB)
Randy Travis - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (WB)
Randy Travis - Greatest #1 Hits (WB)
Tribe Called Quest - Anthology (Jive)
Ernest Tubb - Hall of Fame Series (MCA)
Tanya Tucker - Greatest Hits (Columbia)
Tanya Tucker - Super Hits (Columbia)
Big Joe Turner - Greatest Hits (Atlantic)
Tina Turner - Complete Recordings (Capitol Box)
Conway Twitty - Collection (MCA Box)
UB40 - Best of Vol. 1 (Virgin)
UB40 - Best of Vol. 2 (Virgin)
Ritchie Valens - Very best of (Del Fi)
Luther Vandross - Best of Love (Epic)
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Greatest Hits (Epic)
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (Epic)
Ventures - Best of (EMI)
Gene Vincent - Best of (Razor & Tie)
War - Anthology (Avenue)
Billy Ward & The Dominoes - Best of (Rhino)
Dionne Warwick - Anthology (Rhino)
Dinah Washington - Compact Jazz (verve)
Muddy Waters - Chess Box (Chess)
Wham - The Final (Epic Import)
Whispers - Greatest Hits (Right Stuff)
Keith Whitley - Greatest Hits (RCA)
Who - Thirty years of Maximum R&B; (MCA)
Deniece Williams - Best of (Columbia)
Hank Williams Jr. - Greatest Hits (Curb)
Hank Williams Sr. - 40 Greatest Hits (Polydor)
Hank Williams Sr. - Complete (Mercury Box)
Sonny Boy Williamson - Essential (MCA)
Bob Wills - Anthology (Rhino)
Jackie Wilson - Mr. Excitement (Rhino Box)
Bill Withers - Best of (Epic)
Howlin' Wolf - Chess Box (Chess)
Stevie Wonder - Original Musiquarium (Motown)
Stevie Wonder - Essential (Motown)
Tammy Wynette - Tears of Fire (Epic Box)
Yes - Very Best of (Atlantic)
Dwight Yoakam - Just Lookin' For A Hit (Reprise)
Dwight Yoakam - Greatest Hits From The 90's (Reprise)
Neil Young - Decade (Reprise)
Zapp/Roger - All The Greatest Hits (Warner)
Warren Zevon - Anthology (Rhino)
Zombies - Greatest Hits (DCC)
ZZ Top - Greatest Hits (Warner)