Greatest Hits (James Taylor album)

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Greatest Hits (James Taylor album)

Greatest Hits is James Taylor’s first compilation album, released in November 1976 by Warner Bros. Records. It became his best-selling album, moving over 11 million copies in the United States and ranking among the decade’s top-selling albums.

The album came as Taylor completed his contract with Warner Bros. It features new or re-recorded versions of two early favorites, Carolina in My Mind and Something in the Way She Moves (both originally from his 1968 debut). It also includes a previously unreleased live version of Steamroller Blues.

Although it initially peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard 200, Greatest Hits remained a steady seller for many years and was certified 11× Platinum in the United States. In August 2012, the album re-entered the Billboard 200 and climbed to No. 15, giving it a new peak.

Reception was positive overall. AllMusic called Greatest Hits a solid, sensible sampler of Taylor’s early work, even if it didn’t show much evolution in his songwriting. Other critics offered mixed-to-favorable assessments.

Track listing highlights the album’s presentation of Taylor’s work. There are 12 tracks across two sides, including the re-recorded Something in the Way She Moves, the re-recorded Carolina in My Mind, Fire and Rain, You’ve Got a Friend (with Carole King), Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, and a live Steamroller Blues.

Personnel on the album features a wide array of notable musicians who contributed to Taylor’s sound, including Carole King, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, David Spinozza, and many others, playing instruments and providing backing vocals.

Certifications include 11× Platinum in the United States, Platinum in the United Kingdom, 3× Platinum in Australia, and Gold in Spain.

See also: List of best-selling albums in the United States.