Anthology, also known as Anthology: The Best of Diana Ross and the Supremes, first released in May 1974, is a series of same or similarly titled compilation albums by The Supremes. Motown released revised versions in 1986, 1995 and 2001. In its initial version, a 35-track triple record collection of hits and rare material, the album charted at No. 24 on Billboard's "Black Albums" and No. 66 on "Pop Albums".[5]
The Anthology series of Diana Ross and the Supremes' releases began in 1974 with a three-disc compilation album that surpassed in scope any releases previously compiled to represent "one of the 1960s' most popular groups".[8] The three-album set not only included all of the R&B hits and most of the pop hits of Diana Ross and the Supremes, but also included several tracks of the band's more experimental material, including forays made by the band into 1960s British pop, country music and musical theatre.[8] The August 1986 CD release of the album added 15 songs to a total of 50 while the re-release on September 28, 1995, raised the number to 52.[9] On December 18, 2001, Motown released a fourth version of Anthology with 50 songs representative of The Supremes' period with Diana Ross.[10] This version includes three previously unreleased versions of songs in addition to the 1960s hits and a selection of cover songs.[10]
The 1974 and 2001 collections focused solely on the 60s Supremes with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, whereas the 1986 and 1995 versions included hits by the 70s version of the Supremes, featuring Jean Terrell and Scherrie Payne as lead singers.
Track listing
1974 Edition
Side One (The Early Sessions)
"Let Me Go The Right Way"
"A Breath Taking Guy"
"When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes"
"Standing At The Crossroads Of Love"
"Run, Run, Run"
"Where Did Our Love Go"
Side Two (The Big Boom)
"Baby Love"
"Ask Any Girl"
"Come See About Me"
"Stop! In The Name Of Love"
"Back In My Arms Again"
"Nothing But Heartaches"
Side Three (Non-Stop Hitmaking)
"I Hear A Symphony"
"My World Is Empty Without You"
"Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart"
"You Can't Hurry Love"
"You Keep Me Hangin' On"
"Love Is Here And Now You're Gone"
Side Four (New Horizons)
"The Happening"
"Reflections"
"In And Out Of Love"
"Forever Came Today"
"Some Things You Never Get Used To"
"Love Child"
Side Five (Versatile Stylists)
"A Hard Day's Night"
"Funny How Time Slips Away"
"You Send Me"
"Falling In Love With Love"
"I'm The Greatest Star"
Side Six (Memories, Moving On)
"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (with the Temptations)
Chronology(The band's name history: The Primettes 1959–1961 / The Supremes 1961–1967 / Diana Ross & The Supremes 1967–1970 / The Supremes 1970 / Diana Ross & The Supremes 1970 / The Supremes 1970–)