# Popular bands who have never released a "Best Of" Album **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2010, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219 "2010-03-12T09:33:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/21 "2010-03-12T18:27:43Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > The Beatles had two “best of” in the early 1970s with “1962-1966” and “1967-1970”..both featuring photos of them looking down a staircase at two different times in their career but I don’t think any came out in the CD age. The three 2-CD “Anthology” is mostly outtakes/rejects They had [Best of Past Masters Vol 1](http://www.amazon.com/Past-Masters-Vol-1-Beatles/dp/B000002USY) and [Vol 2](http://www.amazon.com/Past-Masters-Vol-2-Beatles/dp/B000002USZ/) on CD from 1988. Or are these re-issues of the 70’s releases? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/22 "2010-03-12T18:47:23Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > Didn’t they just have one album? I think that was the point. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/23 "2010-03-12T19:31:33Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > Does [Who Made Who](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Made_Who) count? > > Edit: Compilation album – that’s the word I was looking for. It is a compilation, not best-of. Thanks **blondebear** I wouldn’t call it either of those - it’s just the soundtrack to “Maximum Overdrive” and while it certainly has some of their biggest hits it wasn’t sold as a greatest hits or compilation album. I think it’s just an example of the days when the soundtrack for a movie would come from one single band as opposed to a bunch of different artists. [QUOTE=Martini Enfield] I don’t really think that counts- it’s close, though. (And for the record, I hate live music/versions of songs for the most part). [/QUOTE] AC/DC’s double live album is really awesome. If you like the band, get it. There’s also a concert DVD from the same show (Live At Donington) and I believe it’s the same concert that was used for the AC/DC Live Pack for Rock Band, tons of fun to play along with. OT but I personally think that it ain’t real rock and roll if the band can’t get up in front of a crowd and belt it out live, sounding good while sweating and hammering away. If it only sounds good on the studio album it’s just missing something raw for me. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/24 "2010-03-12T19:40:34Z")
[Bizarrely](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8561963.stm), there are several Pink Floyd [“Best Ofs”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Floyd_discography#Compilations). ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/25 "2010-03-12T20:01:20Z")
Are you making any distinction between a band putting out a Greatest Hits or Best of CD or having one put out for them [The Who](http://www.amazon.com/20th-Century-Masters-Millennium-Collection/dp/B00000I9CI) have had a “best of” album but it’s not from their label ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/26 "2010-03-12T20:18:14Z")
Aren’t most “Best of” albums an involuntary release by the producers without the artists consent? ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/27 "2010-03-12T20:41:18Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > The Beatles had two “best of” in the early 1970s with “1962-1966” and “1967-1970”..both featuring photos of them looking down a staircase at two different times in their career but I don’t think any came out in the CD age. [“1”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1_(The_Beatles_album)) was only the best-selling album of the 2000s. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/28 "2010-03-12T20:47:23Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I know \*\*XTC \*\* released compilation albums, but I’m not sure if there was ever a “Best Of”. I’d count an album consisting of either all, or the highest charting, singles released to date as a “Best Of.” Isn’t that what _Waxworks_ was? ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/29 "2010-03-12T21:00:47Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’d count an album consisting of either all, or the highest charting, singles released to date as a “Best Of.” Isn’t that what _Waxworks_ was? Yeah, _The Compact XTC_ and _Fossil Fuel: The Singles 1977-1992_ and _Upsy Daisy Assortment_ are all best-ofs, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/30 "2010-03-12T21:04:46Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Isn’t that what _Waxworks_ was? I guess so…I have several of XTC’s albums, but I wasn’t aware of that one. I have to laugh at Andy’s comment about it on [chalkhills.org](http://chalkhills.org),\* “Spooky, unreal, dripping and unstable. The thrills and horrors of modern life in three-minute scenarios. No adult allowed unless accompanied by a child.”\* ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/31 "2010-03-12T21:28:57Z")
> [@ouryL](#): > > Aren’t most “Best of” albums an involuntary release by the producers without the artists consent? Usually. Sometimes the artist is involved and makes the choices, but it’s much more common for the record company to package their hits without consulting them. The Traveling Wilburies didn’t have a best of album, though their two albums have been repackaged as one, with bonus tracks. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/32 "2010-03-12T21:52:01Z")
I recall an interview with Darren “Savage Garden” Hayes, and he said, he didn’t feel Savage Garden had enough material for a “Greatest Hits” package. Indeed they only made two albums. But the label told him they were gonna put it out regardless of his say, so he said, he figured he’d go along and record two new songs for it, since they were going to do it with or without his say. That way he got some say ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/33 "2010-03-13T00:47:21Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > OK then, if not **The Who** maybe that great hard rock band \*\* The Whoosh\*\* At least someone got it. Seriously, The White Stripes and Coldplay have both been active for 10+ years now and have no best of albums. ---
**Author:** ![Rrose\_Selavy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bcef8e/32.png) [@Rrose\_Selavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rrose_Selavy)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/34 "2010-03-13T02:30:44Z")
What annoys me is when a "Greatest Hits/complilation " album is released and yet it includes new stuff that 1. Isn’t a hit and might never be… 2. Is surely a blatant attempt to sell the album to those fans who already have the back catalogue but had to buy an entire album for a couple of new tracks at most . I suppose these days with downloads one can more easily pick and chose tracks but in the old days… - ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/35 "2010-03-13T02:35:53Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I think that was the point. 😃 :smack::smack::smack: ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/36 "2010-03-13T02:39:22Z")
> [@Rrose\_Selavy](#): > > What annoys me is when a "Greatest Hits/complilation " album is released and yet it includes new stuff that > > 1. Isn’t a hit and might never be.. > 2. Is surely a blatant attempt to sell the album to those fans who already have the back catalogue but had to buy an entire album for a couple of new tracks at most . > I suppose these days with downloads one can more easily pick and chose tracks but in the old days… > > - That Nirvana “Best Of” with “You Know You’re Right” fits #2 perfectly. Did Zeppelin ever have a best of/compilation/discography? I don’t count _Remasters_ or _BBC Sessions_. I was gonna say Public Enemy, but they had “Greatest Misses.” ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/37 "2010-03-13T02:46:30Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Did Zeppelin ever have a best of/compilation/discography? I don’t count _Remasters_ or _BBC Sessions_. The closest thing they had was the first box set (the 4CD, self-titled one). That wasn’t really a “best of,” though, so Zeppelin is a great answer to the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/38 "2010-03-13T02:54:32Z")
Zeppelin’s got the [Early Days and Latter Days](http://www.amazon.com/Early-Days-Latter-Vol/dp/B0000787GW) compilation albums. Also, [Mothership](http://www.amazon.com/Mothership-Led-Zeppelin/dp/B000VLE3GA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1268448846&sr=1-2) from a couple years ago. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/39 "2010-03-13T02:57:05Z")
> [@Justin\_Credible](#): > > Zeppelin’s got the [Early Days and Latter Days](http://www.amazon.com/Early-Days-Latter-Vol/dp/B0000787GW) compilation albums. > > Also, [Mothership](http://www.amazon.com/Mothership-Led-Zeppelin/dp/B000VLE3GA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1268448846&sr=1-2) from a couple years ago. How could I have forgotten? I have both of those best of comps on my shelf right now! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219/40 "2010-03-13T03:33:30Z")
> [@Richie\_Incognito](#): > > Metallica never released a best of. This seems to be the best answer, so far. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-bands-who-have-never-released-a-best-of-album/532219.md?page=3)