The Greatest Hits Collection (Bananarama album)

The Greatest Hits Collection
Greatest hits album by
Bananarama
ReleasedOctober 1988 (first edition)
Recorded1981–1988 (first edition), 1989, 1991, 1992–1993
GenrePop, dance-pop, new wave
LabelLondon Records
ProducerFun Boy Three, Tony Swain, Steve Jolley, Stock Aitken Waterman, Bananarama
Bananarama chronology
Wow!
(1987) 		The Greatest Hits Collection
(1988) 		Pop Life
(1991)
Singles from The Greatest Hits Collection
  1. "Love, Truth and Honesty"
    Released: 12 September 1988
  2. "Nathan Jones"
    Released: 7 November 1988
  3. "Help!"
    Released: 13 February 1989

The Greatest Hits Collection is a compilation album released by Bananarama which features their single releases and greatest hits. It was issued by London Records in 1988, eight months after the departure of group member Siobhan Fahey. The track listing differed between versions released in the United States and Canada, as well as those released throughout Europe and other territories.

Composition

Except where otherwise noted, all songs are represented on the album in their single or 7" mix variants. The version of "I Want You Back" (originally on their Wow! album) on this collection is the newer version of the song with vocals re-recorded by Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward with new member Jacquie O'Sullivan, following the departure of Fahey. One new song, "Love, Truth and Honesty", was released as a single (which featured O'Sullivan's first credits as a song-writing contributor), and peaked inside the UK top 30. The other new track on the compilation was a re-recorded version of the Supremes track "Nathan Jones". Like "I Want You Back", this song was originally included on the Wow! album released before Fahey's departure. The new line-up re-recorded the song with new vocal and instrumental arrangements. This new version, now known as the 'Dave Ford Mix', was initially included on vinyl and cassette issues of this compilation, and on the original Canadian CD pressing. It was subsequently remixed by in-house PWL Mixmaster Pete Hammond[1] and released as a single, reaching the UK Top 20 and this version replaced both the earlier 'Psycho 7" Edit' and 'Dave Ford Mix' versions on the compilation. Later re-issues have added on various remixes, as well as a cover of the Beatles hit, "Help!".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Christgau's Record GuideB+[3]
NME9/10[4]
Number One[5]
Q[6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[7]
Smash Hits9+1⁄2/10[8]

A review published in Music Week stated the compilation is composed of "a surprising amount of hits" and deemed it "enjoyable, disposable, fair play to them and hard to deny".[9]

Track listing

Original Release

LP and Cassette

Side A

  1. "Venus"
  2. "I Heard a Rumour"
  3. ”Love in the First Degree"
  4. "I Can’t Help It"
  5. "I Want You Back"
  6. "Love, Truth and Honesty"
  7. "Nathan Jones"

Side B

  1. "Really Saying Something" – with Fun Boy Three
  2. "Shy Boy"
  3. "Robert De Niro’s Waiting"
  4. ”Cruel Summer"
  5. "It Ain’t What You Do It’s The Way That You Do It" – with Fun Boy Three
  6. "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)”
  7. "Rough Justice"

CD

As noted above, many variants of the album exist on CD depending on region and edition. On all editions of The Greatest Hits Collection, the included version of "Trick of the Night" is now known as the 'Tricky Mix 7" Edit'. While the 1999 international re-release included the 7" version of Preacher Man from the Pop Life album, most variants of the CD release contain some version of the following track listing:

  1. "Venus"
  2. "I Heard a Rumour"
  3. ”Love in the First Degree"
  4. "I Can’t Help It"
  5. ”I Want You Back"
  6. "Love, Truth and Honesty"
  7. ”Nathan Jones"
  8. "Help!” – with Lananeeneenoonoo
  9. "Really Saying Something" – with Fun Boy Three
  10. "Shy Boy"
  11. ”Robert De Niro’s Waiting"
  12. ”Cruel Summer"
  13. ”It Ain’t What You Do It’s The Way That You Do It" – with Fun Boy Three
  14. ”Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)”
  15. "Rough Justice"
  16. ”Trick of the Night"
  17. "Aie a Mwana"
  18. "Venus (12" Hellfire Mix)”
  19. "Love in the First Degree (Eurobeat Style)”

The Greatest Hits & More More More

In 2008, a reworked version of The Greatest Hits Collection was released. Titled The Greatest Hits & More More More, this release featured an expanded track list incorporating many of the singles not present on the original compilation, most notably those from Pop Life and Please Yourself. This release contains the album version of "More, More, More" and the 'PWL 7" Mix' of "A Trick of the Night".

  1. "Venus"
  2. "Love in the First Degree"
  3. "I Want You Back"
  4. "Robert De Niro's Waiting"
  5. "Cruel Summer"
  6. "Really Saying Something" (with Fun Boy Three)
  7. "It Ain't What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It)" (with Fun Boy Three)
  8. "Shy Boy"
  9. "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)"
  10. "Love, Truth & Honesty"
  11. "Nathan Jones"
  12. "I Heard a Rumour"
  13. "Movin' On"
  14. "More More More"
  15. "I Can't Help It"
  16. "Only Your Love"
  17. "Preacher Man"
  18. "Long Train Running"
  19. "Aie a Mwana"
  20. "A Trick of the Night"
  21. "Rough Justice"
  22. "Cheers Then"

2017 Collector’s Edition

In order to coincide with Siobhan Fahey's return to the group for The Original Line Up Tour in 2017, London Records released an expanded version of the original 1988 edition as a double album. The tracklist was updated to include all of their UK singles released between 1981 and 1988 on disc one and a selection of remixes from the same period on disc two. The cover art from the original release was reused, however, the booklet was updated to include some additional pictures of the group in 2017 along with new liner notes for the additional tracks.[10]

Disc 1[10][11]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Venus"Robbie van LeeuwenStock Aitken Waterman3:40
2."I Heard a Rumour"
Stock Aitken Waterman3:25
3."Love in the First Degree"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
  • Stock
  • Aitken
  • Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman3:33
4."I Can't Help It"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
  • Stock
  • Aitken
  • Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman3:32
5."I Want You Back"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
  • Stock
  • Aitken
  • Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman3:47
6."Love, Truth and Honesty"
Stock Aitken Waterman3:25
7."Nathan Jones"
Stock Aitken Waterman3:20
8."Really Saying Something" (with Fun Boy Three)
  • Dave Jordan
  • Fun Boy Three
2:45
9."Shy Boy"
  • Steve Jolley
  • Tony Swain
Jolley & Swain3:16
10."Robert De Niro's Waiting"
  • Jolley
  • Swain
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
Jolley & Swain3:43
11."Cruel Summer"
  • Jolley
  • Swain
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
Jolley & Swain3:35
12."It Ain't What You Do" (with Fun Boy Three)
  • Jordan
  • Fun Boy Three
2:54
13."Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)"
Jolley & Swain3:30
14."Rough Justice"
  • Jolley
  • Swain
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
Jolley & Swain3:38
15."Trick of the Night"
  • Jolley
  • Swain
Jolley & Swain4:08
16."Aie a Mwana"
3:38
17."More Than Physical"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
  • Stock
  • Aitken
  • Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman3:43
18."Do Not Disturb"
  • Jolley
  • Swain
Jolley & Swain3:25
19."Hot Line to Heaven"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
  • Jolley
  • Swain
Jolley & Swain3:54
20."The Wild Life"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
  • Jolley
  • Swain
Jolley & Swain3:17
21."Cheers Then"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • John Martin
  • Terry Sharp
  • Woodward
Barry Blue3:30
Disc 2
No.TitleProducers[12]Length
1."Really Saying Something" (U.S. Extended Version, with Fun Boy Three)
  • Jordan
  • Fun Boy Three
  • John Luongo (remix)
7:57
2."Shy Boy" (U.S. Extended Version)
  • Jolley & Swain
  • Luongo (remix)
7:20
3."Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)" (Extended Version)Jolley & Swain4:51
4."Robert De Niro's Waiting" (Extended Version)Jolley & Swain5:42
5."Venus" (12" Hellfire Mix)
9:18
6."More Than Physical" (Garage Mix)Stock Aitken Waterman8:46
7."I Heard a Rumour" (Miami Mix)
7:13
8."Love in the First Degree" (Eurobeat Style)
  • Stock Aitken Waterman
  • Euro-Twins (remix)
7:18
9."I Can't Help It" (The Hammond Version Excursion)
  • Stock Aitken Waterman
  • Pete Hammond (remix)
6:33
10."Nathan Jones" (Psycho Mix)
  • Stock Aitken Waterman
  • Hammond (remix)
6:23
11."Cruel Summer '89" (Swing Beat Dub)
  • Jolley & Swain
  • Swain (remix)
5:17

Personnel

Bananarama

Musicians

Additional Personnel

  • Andrew Biscomb – sleeve design
  • Peter Barrett – sleeve design
  • Herb Ritts – cover sleeve photography
  • Andrew McPherson – inner sleeve photography

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for The Greatest Hits Collection
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[32] Platinum 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[33] Gold 50,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[34] Platinum 57,087[34]
France (SNEP)[35] 2× Gold 200,000*
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[36] Platinum 20,000*
Italy
sales 1988–1989 		— 100,000[37]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[38] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[39] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] 3× Platinum 900,000^
United States (RIAA)[41]
video 		Gold 50,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Bananarama – The Greatest Hits Collection". Discogs. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  2. ^ Raggett, Ned. "The Greatest Hits Collection – Bananarama". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  3. ^ Christgau, Robert (1990). "Bananarama: The Greatest Hits Collection". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. p. 48. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved 24 August 2024 – via robertchristgau.com.
  4. ^ Quantick, David (15 October 1988). "Bananaramic!!!". NME. London. p. 48.
  5. ^ Irwin, Colin (12 October 1988). "Bananarama: The Greatest Hits Collection". Number One. No. 278. London. p. 41.
  6. ^ "Bananarama: The Greatest Hits Collection". Q. No. 26. London. November 1988.
  7. ^ Considine, J. D. (2004). "Bananarama". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 41–42. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  8. ^ Lowe, Richard (5–18 October 1988). "Bananarama: The Greatest Hits Collection". Smash Hits. Vol. 10, no. 20. London. p. 64.
  9. ^ "LP Reviews" (PDF). Music Week. 22 October 1988. p. 26. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b Sinclair, Paul (1 November 2017). "Bananarama / The Greatest Hits Collection / newly expanded". Super Deluxe Edition. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  11. ^ The Greatest Hits Collection (Collector Edition) on iTunes
  12. ^ In A Bunch (The Singles 1981-1993) at Discogs
  13. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Bananarama – The Greatest Hits Collection". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  14. ^ "RPM100 Albums" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 10. 24 December 1988. p. 19. ISSN 0033-7064 – via World Radio History.
  15. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bananarama – The Greatest Hits Collection" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  16. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 2. 14 January 1989. p. 24. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  17. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 263. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
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  19. ^ "Ísland (LP-plötur)". DV (in Icelandic). 17 March 1989. p. 36. ISSN 1021-8254 – via Timarit.is.
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  23. ^ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  24. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Bananarama – The Greatest Hits Collection". Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  25. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Bananarama Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  27. ^ "Top 100 Albums – Year-End Chart 1988" (PDF). Music Week Awards. Music Week. 4 March 1989. p. 8. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  28. ^ "Australian Top 100 Albums Chart – 1989". The ARIA Report. No. 1 – via Imgur.
  29. ^ "European Top 100 Albums – 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 9. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  30. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1989". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Year End Albums" (PDF). Record Mirror. 20 January 1990. p. 42. ISSN 0144-5804 – via World Radio History.
  32. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Albums Chart – 1989 (61–100)". imgur.com. Retrieved 19 April 2016. N.B. The triangle symbol indicates platinum certification.
  33. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Bananarama – Greatest Hits Collection". Music Canada. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  34. ^ a b "Bananarama" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  35. ^ "French album certifications – Bananarama – Greatest Hits" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 12 February 2022. Select BANANARAMA and click OK. 
  36. ^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1990". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  37. ^ Caroli, Daniele (9 December 1989). "Italy: Talent Challenges" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 49. p. I-8. ISSN 0006-2510 – via World Radio History.
  38. ^ Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1979–1990. Iberautor Promociones Culturales. ISBN 8480486392.
  39. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Greatest Hits')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  40. ^ "British album certifications – Bananarama – Greatest Hits Collection". British Phonographic Industry. 7 March 1989. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  41. ^ "American video certifications – Bananarama – Greatest Hits". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 December 2019.