Are Greatest Hits A Sign Of The End?

The Greatest Hits... for some, it is a bookmark in a career of glory- a chance to assess what they've accomplished so far and what they wish to achieve thereafter. For others, it is the peak from which they can only go downhill. Let's take a look at some past examples and examine what may be in store for an act like the Killers, who have released their Direct Hits last month.

Queen- Greatest Hits I, II and III (1981, 1991 and 1999)

The first Greatest Hits of Queen was a magnificent affair of classic melodies ("Bohemian Rhapsody," "Killer Queen," "You're My Best Friend") and timeless anthems ("We Will Rock You," "We Are The Champions," "Don't Stop Me Now"). The second was also brilliant though noticeably less fun with a more '80s-tinged vibe ("It's A Kind Of Magic," "Radio Gaga," "I Want It All") and more formulaic stadium-rock ("One Vision," "The Show Must Go On"). This is of course one person's opinion and I would like to think that nobody would be foolish enough to discredit their latter work but comparatively many believe the songs of the '70s were simply more interesting and diverse.

The third release then, which followed Freddie Mercury's death was blasphemy. It featured live versions of classic songs, a couple of unreleased numbers and variations on others. Queen were still hanging around (and still do) with alternative singers and musicals but by the time of this compilation's release, it was clear that they would forever be associated with nostalgia. This would be no AC/DC.2.

Latter day Queen

Paul McCartney- The Best Of (1987)

Many claim that Paul's post-Beatles' career was a general decline in quality. If you look to the '70s and '80s however, he still had some major hits; "Jet," "Silly Love Songs," "With A Little Luck," "Coming Up," "Ebony and Ivory" and "Pipes of Peace" to name but a few. In reaching his 40s however, he knew he couldn't be topping the charts forever.

1986's Press to Play was an unusual release with four lukewarm-received singles. The following year, the 45 year old decided to release a collection which spanned from 1970 up until then. "Once Upon A Long Ago" would be the new release taken from it and while it was no "Let It Be," it still did some decent business. From thereon in, Macca would still garner favourable reviews but as an ageing rock-star rather than as a relevant pop star.

Post-hits Macca finally returned to touring in 1989 with Solo, Wings and Beatles' songs.

Blur- The Best Of (2000)

Like their chums Oasis, Blur would release their so-called "Best Of" before one final album. It featured new single "Music Is My Radar," which marked yet another shift for the sound of the band that were becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with. People did not know what to expect and when Damon Albarn went off with Gorillaz the following year, the first clues of an inevitable end were beginning to drop.

The band's release of Think Thank in 2003 (without Graham Coxon) devled further from the radio-friendly sound of previous albums/singles. It was a decent collection but alongside the hits on their 2000 release, it seems unlikely that anything but "Out of Time" would have fitted in well.

For Blur, the new millenium marked the conclusion of their pop dynamic. There has been a revival of interest since then and the band clearly have taken their time so that any possible new release will be as memorable as those of the '90s.

Blur's video-shoot for "Crazy Beat."

Robbie Williams- Greatest Hits (2004)

Robbie's still pretty popular and he has had a few hits since 2004 ("Candy") but not on the scale of his golden era (1997-2004). This was a time in which every single he released became a hit; "Angels," "Millenium," "No Regrets," "Strong," "She's The One," "Kids," "Rock DJ," "Eternity," "Feel," "Come Undone," "Radio,"- you get the picture.

In 2005, he would release Intensive Care, led by "Tripping," an interesting though lesser known hit in his catalogue. The following year, it would all fall apart with the apocalyptic Rudebox. He would then salvage himself with two more ehhh... pop albums, a swing album released this year and a Take That reunion. It was notable here however that one long chapter had been closed.

Robbie's fortune took a turn for the worst with 2006's Rudebox.- video for "She's Madonna."

Oasis- Stop The Clocks (2006)

Post-1997 Oasis was a pretty hit-and-miss affair for most but 2008's Dig Out Your Soul would be their first album since 1994 to not garner a number 1 single. In fact, it didn't even have a big hit, period. Perhaps, they'd become a bit too predictable. Perhaps, DOYS simply wasn't a good album but for most, Stop The Clocks would be one last, affectionate look at the past.

The enthusiasm of latter-era Oasis. During Noel-sung songs, Liam wouldn't even stay on stage.

 

On the other hand...

Many have managed to live past the Greatest Hits' debacle, if there is one. U2 have released numerous compilations and continue to defy expectations. Madonna's done it. So has Eminem. Lenny Kravitz?- not really. But Take That, Michael Jackson and many more would argue that the Best- Of doesn't have to lead to the Worst-Of.

As for the Killers- well, only time will tell but if the next album lacks a big "When You Were Young"-type single like Battle Born did, then we may play witness to the beginning of a "transformative," "experimental" or plain-out nostalgia era. Hopefully not.

 

The Key to Survival...

- Either make sure you have a good couple of hits/ "big" songs for the next album when you release your greatest hits (Foo Fighters) OR

- Don't release one for as long as you can (Muse, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys- all yet to; Bon Jovi- took awhile).

 

Greatest Hits, within this article, do not necessitate declines. They have however marked for several artists an apex from which they can no longer reclaim their past glories. Do you agree? What artists have you seen fall prey to/avoid the Greatest Hits' debacle?