Andy Williams' Greatest Hits is a compilation album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in early 1970 by Columbia Records.[5] It was not, however, as its title might suggest, strictly a hit singles compilation, although some of his biggest songs since joining Columbia (such as the easy listening number ones "Can't Get Used to Losing You" and "Happy Heart") were included. A couple of selections ("Born Free" and "More") were never released as singles by Williams, and his signature song, "Moon River", was released in the 7-inch single format but only for jukeboxes.[7] His six Cadence singles that made the Top 10 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 are passed over for the inclusion of his number 11 hit from that label, "The Hawaiian Wedding Song", and 17 of his Columbia recordings that made the Hot 100 up until 1970 are left out here in favor of "Charade", which spent its one week on the chart at number 100.[8]
The most noticeable change that was made for the UK release of the album was the replacement of the cover sketch with the photo of Williams found in the gatefold section of the album jacket of the US release. The other major difference was that Williams's recording of "Can't Take My Eyes off You" was added to the track list for the UK version.
The album made its first appearance on the Billboard Top LPs chart in the issue dated March 7, 1970, and remained there for 20 weeks, peaking at number 42.[9] it also debuted on the Cashbox albums chart in the issue dated February 21, of that year, and remained on the chart for 14 weeks, peaking at number 30[10] In the UK it debuted on the album chart on April 11 of that year in the number two position out of 55 albums listed that week and eventually had five appearances at number one there out of a total of 108 weeks on the chart.[11] The Recording Industry Association of America awarded the album Gold certification on September 13, 1971.[12]
The US version of the album was released on compact disc for the first time by Columbia Records in 1988.[4] A Columbia three-CD box set including this version of the album along with the US versions of Andy Williams' Greatest Hits Vol. 2 and his 1971 album Love Story was released on August 12, 1997.[13]
Reception
Robert Taylor of Allmusic's notes "This a fine representation of some of Andy Williams' most beloved hits and yet another of his gold recordings"[4]
In their capsule review, Billboard magazine wrote, "Superb program and performances."[5]
For the UK version of this collection, "Can't Take My Eyes off You" (from the 1967 album Love, Andy) was inserted between "Almost There" and "Charade", but the track listing for the UK version was otherwise identical to that of the North American release.[21]
