Greatest Hits (Billy Joel albums)
Encyclopedia
Billy Joel's
Greatest Hits is a collection released in two sets, 12 years apart. The first set, consisting of two discs, titled Volume I and Volume II, was released in 1985. The second, single disc titled Volume III was released in 1997. All songs but the last three on Volume III, "To Make You Feel My Love", "Hey Girl" and "Light as the Breeze" were written by Joel. "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" and "The Night Is Still Young" are only available on the first set. The other songs appear mostly in order of their release dates and generally represent Joel's most successful singles.
Greatest Hits - Volume I & Volume II has been certified double diamond
by the RIAA, selling over 11.5 million copies (23 million units) and is tied with Pink Floyd
's The Wall
and Led Zeppelin
's Led Zeppelin IV
for third most certified album of all time in the U.S.
sides 3 and 4 are put onto the other side.
). In 1998, this two CD set was digitally remastered and packaged with two bonus videos ("You're Only Human" and "The Night Is Still Young"). All of the songs that were edited in the 1985 package ("Pressure", "My Life", "Big Shot", "Just the Way You Are" and "The Stranger") were restored to their original album lengths. Also, the live version of "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" was removed and replaced with the studio version from Joel's 1976 album Turnstiles
.
Chronologically, this album overlaps slightly with Volume II, as the first two tracks, "Keeping the Faith" and "An Innocent Man", first appeared on his album An Innocent Man.
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
Greatest Hits is a collection released in two sets, 12 years apart. The first set, consisting of two discs, titled Volume I and Volume II, was released in 1985. The second, single disc titled Volume III was released in 1997. All songs but the last three on Volume III, "To Make You Feel My Love", "Hey Girl" and "Light as the Breeze" were written by Joel. "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" and "The Night Is Still Young" are only available on the first set. The other songs appear mostly in order of their release dates and generally represent Joel's most successful singles.
Greatest Hits - Volume I & Volume II has been certified double diamond
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
by the RIAA, selling over 11.5 million copies (23 million units) and is tied with Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's The Wall
The Wall
The Wall is the eleventh studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. Released as a double album on 30 November 1979, it was subsequently performed live with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into a feature film, Pink Floyd—The Wall.As with the band's previous three...
and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
's Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin IV
The fourth album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin was released on 8 November 1971. No title is printed on the album, so it is generally referred to as Led Zeppelin IV, following the naming standard used by the band's first three studio albums...
for third most certified album of all time in the U.S.
Greatest Hits - Volume I & Volume II
Cassette Release Tracklist
The same as the LP version, but since it is on one cassette LP sides 1 and 2 are put onto one side of the cassette and LPsides 3 and 4 are put onto the other side.
CD Release Tracklist
The LP and Cassette have 21 tracks. The CD has 4 additional tracks: "Captain Jack", "The Entertainer", "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant",& "She's Got a Way" (the live version from Songs in the AtticSongs in the Attic
Songs in the Attic is the first live album by Billy Joel, released in 1981 .At the time of its release, it was unique as being the first widely available appearance of music from his first album, Cold Spring Harbor from 1971....
). In 1998, this two CD set was digitally remastered and packaged with two bonus videos ("You're Only Human" and "The Night Is Still Young"). All of the songs that were edited in the 1985 package ("Pressure", "My Life", "Big Shot", "Just the Way You Are" and "The Stranger") were restored to their original album lengths. Also, the live version of "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" was removed and replaced with the studio version from Joel's 1976 album Turnstiles
Turnstiles
Turnstiles was the fourth album by Billy Joel, released in 1976. In part, the album was made to celebrate Joel's return to New York City after his sojourn in California. Three of the album's tracks reference New York: "Summer, Highland Falls", "New York State of Mind" and "Miami 2017 "...
.
Greatest Hits Volume III
The Greatest Hits Volume III album includes hits from 1983-1997. Three previously unreleased studio tracks are included, "To Make You Feel My Love", "Hey Girl", and "Light as the Breeze". All three are covers of non-Joel songs (a rare occurrence in his catalogue), and are exclusive to this collection.Chronologically, this album overlaps slightly with Volume II, as the first two tracks, "Keeping the Faith" and "An Innocent Man", first appeared on his album An Innocent Man.