Best of the best: The 25 best greatest hits albums

We're going back to when Aerosmith was a true rock band. Bluesy, dysfunctional, and perhaps at a crossroads. The release of the group's first collection of notable favorites breathed some new life into the band and opened the door for the massive commercial success it enjoyed later in the 1980s and well into the 1990s. Highlights of this record include classic-rock staples "Dream On," edited versions of "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way," and "Back in the Saddle."

N.W.A. doesn't have an extensive catalog of studio albums (officially only two) but essentially every single that made this trend-setting gangsta rap outfit legendary can be found on this greatest hits record. It includes an extended mix of "Straight Outta Compton" and a remix of "Express Yourself. " Overall, this collection is a solid go-to option for fans wanting to trace back the rap roots of Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and the late Eazy-E.

New Order rose from the ashes of Joy Division. With it came an alternative dance/pop sound that was all the rage during the 1980s. The band's Substance release from 1987 featured all its prominent singles in 12-inch form and also housed one of its most beloved tracks, "True Faith," which had not previously been released on an album. The compilation also features hits "Bizarre Love Triangle," "Blue Monday," and re-recorded versions of "Temptation" and "Confusion." The album was intended to partner with Joy Division's singles compilation, also titled Substance, released in 1988.

As far as definitive greatest hits collections go, this is as good as it gets. Following the tragic plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines, among others, the group's surviving members put out several compilation albums — notably, 1979's Gold & Platinum and the more compact Skynyrd's Innyrds (1989). However, this Essential collection delves deep into the Skynyrd's catalog. Sure, the hits ("Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird") are here, but so are underrated tracks like "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" and "All I Can Do Is Write About It."

By the mid-1970s, The Monkees' popularity had waned from the band's successful run during the 1960s. However, thanks to the group's campy television series now in syndication, a new generation of fans got to experience this underrated musical act that was essentially responsible for the birth of "music television." This wasn't the band's first greatest hits release but remains its most popular, including big hits like "Daydream Believer," "I'm a Believer," and "Last Train to Clarksville."

R.E.M. has released several "greatest hits" records, and 2003's In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 filled the hits from the band's Warner Brothers years — beginning with 1988's Green — is worthy of mention. However, the raw brilliance of Eponymous offers listeners a chance to experience the foundation laid for R.E.M. to build on and become a commercial giant during the 1990s. This collection takes fans up to 1987's Document and features early R.E.M. gems like "Radio Free Europe," "So. Central Rain," "Driver 8," and mainstream favorites such as "Fall on Me," "The One I Love," and "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)."

The first of two Best of ... projects that U2 put out. We chose to highlight the band's early years and arguably still the best music to date. "Pride (In the Name of Love)," "With or Without," "Desire." All the best through Rattle and Hum. A second disc includes B-sides and covers like "Silver and Gold," "Sweetest Thing," and an exceptional version of "Unchained Melody." The Best of 1990–2000 was released four years later and is entertaining enough, but not to the standards of those on this list.

Spanning Bowie's early greatness from 1969-1976. Like many other albums on this list, Changesonebowie is the perfect starting point for someone looking to get into Bowie for the first time. Single versions of both "Ziggy Stardust" and "Suffragette City" can be found here, plus the sax version of "John, I'm Only Dancing." The collection reached No. 10 on Billboard's Top LPs & Tape chart in the United States.

Another collection of classic rock songs that seems to have been owned by anybody who is a fan of Sir Elton or pop rock in general. The 10-song album covers John's and songwriter Bernie Taupin's work from 1970-75, featuring legendary tracks like "Your Song," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and "Bennie and the Jets." This remains Elton John's best-selling album (roughly 17 million copies sold) in the United States.

Rush's expansive catalog can be intimidating for novice rock fans. However, this stellar double-CD collection is ideal for listeners to experience all of Rush's greatness in one sitting. The 28-track project, from the band's 1974 self-titles debut through 1989's Presto, captures why Rush is arguably the greatest progressive rock band of all time. Tracks like "Working Man," "Bastille Day," "Closer to the Heart," "The Spirit of Radio," and Time Stand Still" offer a taste of what's in store for the listener.

Quite the impressive list of early singles put out by The Who. This collection, which resided in the top 20 on the Billboard 200, is the type of greatest hits package with no skips. All 14 tracks are the best of the best from these Hall of Fame legends. "I Can't Explain," "My Generation," I Can See for Miles," "Pinball Wizard," and "Substitute." Simply fantastic from beginning to end.

Like the other artists on this list, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel released several greatest hits to celebrate their time as a legendary pop duo. The first of the batch is still the best. It has everything any fan needs to cherish the musical dynamic between the two talents. While it's always good to hear true classics like "Mrs. Robinson," "The Boxer," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," we shouldn't forget about underrated gems such as "I Am a Rock," "Cecilia," and "Kathy's Song."

This Marley greatest hits package holds the distinction of being the best-selling reggae album ever, with roughly 25 million copies sold around the world. The album features various versions and edits of classic tunes — "No Woman, No Cry," "Buffalo Soldier," "Stir It Up," and "Exodus," to name some — from Marley and his famed backing band. In 2002, the album was remastered in a deluxe fashion with even more songs and versions.

Whether truly loved or considered a guilty pleasure, ABBA is a pop phenomenon with music that continues to be celebrated worldwide. ABBA Gold is the band's best-selling record. And why not? It's all there. Kicking off with "Dancing Queen," then followed by "Knowing Me, Knowing You," "Take a Chance on Me," and "Mamma Mia." That's just for starters. All ABBA's brilliance is on display for generations of fans to enjoy.

The Floyd was no stranger to the compilation album, and Echoes is arguably the best of the bunch. It spanned two compact discs in that form, and for the novice Pink Floyd fan or someone just introduced to the band, this is the perfect cliff-notes encapsulation of its vast and legendary catalog. From "See Emily Play" to "Money" to "Wish You Were Here" to "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" to "Learning to Fly" to "High Hopes," this project is expansive. It's also one of the only places to find The Wall's "When the Tigers Brooke Free" in studio form.

It's not always a popular take to include greatest hits packages when discussing an artist's best studio releases. Most everything the soulful Green put out is unique, but when it comes to these types of albums, it's an acclaimed highlight. "Let's Stay Together," "I'm Still in Love with You," and "Tired of Being Alone" is just a sample of the 10 classics that were part of the sensational original version of this greatest hits package.

CCR's most successful and popular album (10-times Platinum) is this greatest hits project that caters to just about any level of Creedence fan. In the 1990s, one could stroll the hallways at college campuses in the U.S., step into a dorm room, and likely find this album in any CD holder. From start to finish, it's the best of the best from CCR's stellar musical legacy. Opening with "Susie Q," then featuring a classic middle run of "Down on the Corner," "Fortunate Son," "Travelin' Band," "Who'll Stop the Rain," and "Up Around the Bend," and closing with the emotional "Someday Never Comes."

Released in the U.K. in 1968 and the U.S. one year later (with a slightly different song list that includes "All Along the Watchtower"), Smash Hits is everything any Hendrix fan could want. "Purple Haze," "Fire," "The Wind Cries Mary." That's just the first three songs on the album. Over the years, the record has featured a few reissues, and there have been other more extensive releases of Hendrix's greatest hits, but like we've noted often on this list, it's tough to beat an original.  

The original version of this definitive Beach Boys collection features 30 songs. All the group's classics like "California Girls," "Little Deuce Coupe," and "Good Vibrations" in various forms and versions — mono, stereo mix, studio, and album. It took a while for the band to release an album like this, but it's all that Beach Boys fans can want. In 2022, an expanded edition, which featured two discs and remastered versions of the hits, was released, but the original will do. 

Queen's initial greatest hits album has sold over 25 million copies worldwide and charted for over 1,000 weeks in the United Kingdom over the years. There is really no downtime within this collection that captures how Queen built itself into one of the most legendary rock bands of all time. It opens with "Killer Queen," then into "Bohemian Rhapsody." Even unheralded songs like "Tie Your Mother Down," "Save Me," and "Spread Your Wings" warrant inclusion on his masterful record. Queen released other greatest hits compilations in the years that followed but all built on this one.

Again, when we have this much musical magic in one setting, it's impossible not to celebrate. The 20-song release featured two records in vinyl form and spent five-straight weeks atop the Billboard Album Chart. From beginning to end, Diana Ross and Co., plus the brilliance of Motown songwriters Brian and Eddie Holland and Lamont Dozier, is on display. "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love," "Stop In the Name of Love," and "I Hear a Symphony" are some of the classics that make up this legendary collection.

Spanning the Eagles' first four studio albums, this is the first to receive Platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling one million copies in the United States. It's gone 38-times Platinum, thus outselling the likes of Michael Jackson's Thriller LP. The record also spent more than 230 weeks on the Billboard 200, thanks to Eagles' classics like "Take It Easy," "Already Gone," Desperado," and "One of These Nights." 

The name of this Madonna greatest hits record alone was worth buying back in the day. It was Madonna's first compilation release, covering the years 1983-90, when she had taken the pop world by storm, then took her success to a level that put her nearly on par with Michael Jackson in terms of the 1980s' most influential superstar entertainers. The album also featured two new songs: the house-fueled "Justify My Love," which went to No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100," and "Rescue Me."

It makes sense to showcase the two albums together because they were released simultaneously and truly have everything a Beatles fan can want. Whether a novice or die-hard supporter of the Fab Five. It's also notable for the inclusion of such underrated Beatles tracks as "Norwegian Wood," "Michelle" (on the "Red Album"), "The Fool on the Hill," and "Across the Universe (courtesy of the "Blue Album"). So, how is this not the No. 1 greatest hits compilation?

Perhaps it's a matter of perspective regarding the Beatles or the Stones. However, the first Hot Rocks installment might very well be the gold standard for greatest hits albums. It not only featured the legendary band's hit singles like "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," and "Wild Horses, but it also had rarer tracks such as "Play with Fire" and "Under My Thumb." The album has gone 12-times Platinum in the United States and is a must-own for any rock fan, regardless of their fancy.