Greatest Hits

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Lore & Background

Following criticism from reviewers and Carey herself of her first compilation album, *#1's* (1998), which focused on her US number-one singles, *Greatest Hits* was developed as a double album with a broader selection of her work, including two number-one songs released after *#1's*. Unlike *#1's*, Carey had little involvement in developing *Greatest Hits*. The album contains no personal messages in its liner notes, and Columbia conducted no significant promotional campaign for it. When asked about the album on its release day by *Entertainment Tonight*, Carey remarked: "Does it come out today? Oh, ha ha." The album includes every track from *#1's*, except "Whenever You Call" and the international bonus track "Do You Know Where You're Going To (Theme from Mahogany)." It additionally includes seven more songs released before *#1's*, and four songs released after *#1's*, including the US number-one hits "Heartbreaker" and "Thank God I Found You." *Greatest Hits* is the only Carey compilation to include the original version of "Fantasy"; her other compilations feature the Ol' Dirty Bastard remix, Carey's preferred version, which she has described as a "turning point" in her career. "Endless Love," a duet with Luther Vandross, was not previously included in a Carey album.

In Their Own Story

The album was part of a four-album deal that completed Mariah Carey's contract with Columbia Records and allowed her to move to Virgin Records in 2001. The deal consisted of two compilation albums, *#1's* (1998) and *Greatest Hits*; the studio album *Rainbow* (1999); and the remix album *The Remixes* (2003). Carey's departure from Columbia followed strained working relationships with the label and her ex-husband, Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola. Critics faulted the selection of previously released material on *#1's*, which was limited to her then thirteen US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Carey was disappointed by the exclusion of several songs that she felt were her "best work," a view she expressed in the liner notes for *#1's* in an "open letter to [her] fans": "First of all – this is not a greatest hits album! It's too soon, I haven't been recording long enough for that! This album is a 'thank you' and an acknowledgment of my gratitude to all of you out there for making these records #1 on the charts. One day, I will put out a greatest hits with songs that didn't even go on the charts because they were never commercially released (i.e., 'Breakdown', 'Underneath the Stars', 'Butterfly', etc.) or songs that came out that didn't go to #1 that are, in my opinion, better than some that did (i.e., 'Make It Happen', 'Anytime You Need a Friend', 'Endless Love' with Luther, or 'Can't Let Go')." By contrast, Carey was more positive about the track selection for *Greatest Hits*, describing the new inclusions as "songs that needed to be really heard."

Reader's Guide

The album peaked at number 52 on the US Billboard 200 and number seven on the UK Albums Chart. It received platinum certifications in several countries, including double-platinum in the US and triple-platinum in the UK and Australia. As of November 2018, *Greatest Hits* had sold 1.23 million copies in the US and had received a double-platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), representing 1 million double-disc units sold. It also received triple-platinum certifications by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), signifying over 900,000 copies sold in the UK and 210,000 copies sold in Australia, respectively. *Greatest Hits* had also sold 177,945 copies in South Korea as of 2002. The album was reissued internationally as *The Essential Mariah Carey* on January 10, 2011, as part of Legacy Recordings' Essential series, with the same track listing. The US edition, released on April 24, 2012, included extended mixes and additional non-single tracks personally selected by Carey. Carey contributed creative input to the track selection for the US edition, resulting in an altered track listing. In a press release, she stated: "I wanted to create a collection of some of my favorite songs, several of them are very big hits and some are more obscure favorites of mine as well as fan faves." The US edition includes four additional non-single tracks: "Vanishing" from *Mariah Carey* (1990), "Close My Eyes" and "The Roof" from *Butterfly* (1997), and "Bliss" from *Rainbow*. It also includes extended club remixes of "Emotions" and "Anytime You Need a Friend."

Did You Know?

• The album includes the original version of 'Fantasy,' making it the only Carey compilation to do so; her other compilations feature the Ol' Dirty Bastard remix, which Carey has called a 'turning point' in her career.
• Carey had little involvement in developing *Greatest Hits* and reportedly didn't even know its release date, remarking to *Entertainment Tonight*: 'Does it come out today? Oh, ha ha.'
• The album was part of a four-album deal that completed Carey's contract with Columbia Records and allowed her to move to Virgin Records in 2001.
• The Japanese edition of the album includes the 'Never Too Far/Hero Medley,' which was released as a charity single for the victims of the September 11 attacks.
• The album initially peaked at number 46 on the UK Albums Chart in 2001, but later reached a new peak of number seven in 2005 following the success of *The Emancipation of Mimi*.