Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Your Song
2. Levon
3. Tiny Dancer
4. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time)
5. Honky Cat
6. Crocodile Rock
7. Daniel
8. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
9. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
10. Candle In The Wind
11. Bennie And The Jets
12. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
13. The Bitch Is Back
14. Philadelphia Freedom
15. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
16. Island Girl
17. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

Disc 2:

1. Don't Go Breaking My Heart
2. Little Jeannie
3. I'm Still Standing
4. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
5. Sad Songs (Say So Much)
6. I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That
7. Nikita
8. Sacrifice
9. The One
10. Can You Feel The Love Tonight
11. Circle Of Life
12. Believe
13. Blessed
14. Something About The Way You Look Tonight
15. I Want Love
16. Written In The Stars
17. This Train Don't Stop There Anymore

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #231 in Music
• Brand: Dig
• Released on: 2002-11-12
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .32 pounds

Amazon.com
This is the first attempt to consolidate all of Sir Elton's hit singles, from three labels, in one collection. It once would've required at least four CDs to own the best stuff here. Many think the legendary performer was at his best in the early to mid-'70s, and the incredible string of singles that ran from 1970's "Your Song" through 1977's "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" remains mighty impressive. But in retrospect, as they're presented here, '80s hits like "I'm Still Standing" and "Sad Songs" add much to an already amazing legacy. Three Disney tunes, the lush "The One," and two from Songs from the West Coast, which was hailed as a return to those '70s golden days, represent the later years. Collectively, these tracks reinforce the notion that, despite Michael Jackson's later proclamations, John was once the closest thing post-'60s music had to a genuine king of pop, respected by hipsters and the mainstream alike. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews

A Tasty Sampler
It's impossible to fit all of Elton John's hits from 1970-2002 into a two-disc compilation, even with the addition of a third bonus disc. During the seventies, the songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin had the Midas touch. Wisely, the first disc of this collection covers their heyday from 1970-1976. The song selection is superb, balancing hit singles with essential album tracks. "Your Song" was Elton's first hit and the obvious choice for starting this collection. "Tiny Dancer" peaked at number 41 and, amazingly, "Candle In The Wind" wasn't even released as a single. Being among two of Elton's best and most recognizable songs, they rightly appear on the first disc. "Island Girl" is a lightweight song that is not well remembered, but was included because it hit number one on the charts! On the other hand, Elton's excellent version of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" hit number one, but must have been excluded because it was a cover version of a Beatles' song.

Like the import CD "The Very Best Of Elton John," the second disc starts off with Elton's number one song with Kiki Dee, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." Whereas that previous collection only went up to 1990, this disc goes up to 2001. It's great to have "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" and "Circle Of Life" from the Lion King, as well as "Written In The Stars" from Aida, on an Elton John compilation. However, I would have included them on the bonus disc to make room for other worthy songs from his regular albums, such as "Nobody Wins," "Blue Eyes," "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" and "Healing Hands," to name a few. The second disc closes out on a strong note with the two best songs from Elton's last album, namely the Lennonesque "I Want Love" and the autobiographical "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore."

The limited edition, bonus disc is another reason for buying this collection. It has Elton's live version of "Candle In The Wind," which peaked at number 6, and his duet with George Michael on "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," which hit number one. "Live Like Horses" is an interesting curiosity, being a duet with Luciano Pavarotti. The last song on the bonus disc was recorded in 2002. It is Elton's duet with Alessandro Safina on "Your Song." Thus, Elton's greatest hits comes full circle, including an incredible selection of fantastic songs in-between the two versions of "Your Song."

Some notable omissions but a darn fine collection anyway
Yes I realize there is always considerable consternation among collectors about the plethora of "Best of" and "Greatest Hits" packages that are put on the market every year. Some artists simply don't warrant a "Greatest Hits" collection while the music of more important and prolific performers is constantly being repackaged. But if you are someone like me "Elton John Greatest Hits 1970-2002" is a fine value. This collection replaces 3 previous vinyl "Greatest Hits" albums I now own. I will be keeping those vinyl LP's for the tunes that were not included in this particular package.
I must say that Universal has done an outstanding job with the series of anthologies they have released in the past couple of years. This collection offers up 34 of Elton Johns' biggest and best. There is no doubt that everyone will probably quibble about a few of the tracks that were included as well as those that failed to make the cut. But overall, I am quite pleased with this one. Just about all the big ones you would expect to find are included. Among the hits that did not make it are 1979's soulful "Mama Can't Buy You Love" and 2 hits from 1982 "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" and the wonderful "Blue Eyes". The collection comes in a very attractive package that includes a nicely done 40 page booklet. One of the unique features of the booklet is a fold-out section showing all 41 album covers from Elton Johns' fabulous career. The remastering on these tracks is also first rate. Again, if the price of this collection was $29.99 I would be much more critical. But the price is quite reasonable for a collection you are sure to enjoy for years to come. Highly recommended.

Stunningly Comprehensive
There's not many artists that have as much as success or that have lasted as long as Elton John has. While not perfect, this album, Greatest Hits 1970-2002, isn't far from it.

The thick booklet contains many pictures of the artist himself and a nice biography of Elton John's music career. Included in this biography are such things as what many of the songs mean and how he and his songwriter, Bernie Taupin, met and bonded through the years musically.

As good as the booklet is, it's not half as great as the music that is encaptured on the two discs in this collection. From the first song of disc one to the last song of disc two, the songs are all in chronological order, all the way from the beginning of the 70's to the ones from recent times. The first disc is as classic as classic can be. From the love songs such as "Your Song", "Tiny Dancer", and "Candle In The Wind", to upbeat rockers like "Crocodile Rock" and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", to just plain timeless hits with the likes of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Philadelphia Freedom", the first disc covers six years (1970-1976) of musical greatness.

The second disc may not be quite as strong, but it's almost as great and just as essential. With it you have great more great songs from the late seventies ("Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (With Kiki Dee) and "Little Jeannie"), the eighties ("Sad Songs (Say So Much)", "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues", etc.), and more recent, more underrated pop hits such as "Blessed" and "This Train Don't Stop Here Anymore." Of course, everything in-between such as "The One", "Sacrifice", and the two major Lion King hits are also here to be heard at anytime you please.

With a two-disc compilation that includes not only the great hits that almost any classic rock and adult contemporary radio listener can still hear played these days, but also the more hard to find essentials ("Levon", "Island Girl", "Believe", etc.), how can you go wrong with purchasing this compilation called Elton John Greatest Hits 1970-2002 that barely costs more than a normal single-disc album? The answer is that you can't! There's also an extra compact disc that has the songs, "Candle In The Wind (Live)", "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me" (With George Michael), "Live Like Horses" (With Luciano Pavarotti), and "Your Song" (With Alessandro Safina) to make it even more worthy of your purchase.

Yeah, of course there are a few great songs that didn't find their way onto this compilation, such as "Blue Eyes", "Healing Hands", and more. One I would've really liked to have on the album is "Club At The End of The Street". Nonetheless, this is by far the best Elton John compilation that has ever been made so far. It's surprisingly comprehensive and it's cheap, making it a worthwhile sampler for any casual fan. Get it now, while you can!