Greatest Hits ( Vol 3 )

Er... problem here is that “Greatest Hits” generally means just that, it doesn’t mean b-sides, album tracks or unreleased songs. Assuming this would have been released in 1982 in place of The Singles - The First Ten Years, you’d have Voulez-Vous and I Have A Dream, neither of which were included in the second volume, plus about 10 tracks released as singles somewhere in the world between 1980 and 1982.

Also, don’t forget that in ABBA’s era, albums were designed for vinyl with a maximum playing time of about 50 minutes (hence ABBA’s two Greatest Hits having only 14 or 15 tracks, though Vol 2, at 58 minutes, really pushed it to the limit and sound quality on vinyl would have been affected).

ABBA did cheat a bit by including songs only released in one or two territories (such as Nina, Pretty Ballerina) or in other cases no where at all (I Wonder) but they never resorted to b-sides. I’d also limit each album’s representation to a maximum of four tracks (though Ring Ring, ABBA and The Album were all over-represented on the first two at five tracks each, with ABBA eventually scraping the barrel by reaching six with one on Volume 2).

As an alternative to a hits compilation, what about an album comprising a selection from the albums to introduce people, who are only familiar with Gold, to their other music? 'ABBA GOLD ALBUM TRACKS', anyone?
It would be along the lines of gazman's post, above, but without any of the really big hit singles and more unfamiliar tracks for the ABBA newbie.

^It's a shame if you leave but that's up to you.

People here are friendly. But we all have differing views and opinions and it's best not to take things too personally. Don't you think you may be a tad oversensitive in this instance? I can see no evidence of anyone being negative, just pointing out facts. It really is best to just accept different feedback. For instance, recently someone (I forget who) pointed out that it is Björn and not Benny I can hear in The Visitors. I was simply glad of the correction. I always like to learn new things. I stand my ground and have my own opinions but I think it's best to take things with a pinch of salt.

Rock Me was the most bizarre inclusion on GHV2.

I would have preferred a GHV3 to The Singles. But would they have gone with so many new tracks?

Voulez-Vous
I Have A Dream
The Winner Takes It All
Super Trouper
On And On And On
Lay All Your Love On Me
One Of Us
When All Is Said And Done
Head Over Heels
The Visitors
The Day Before You Came
Under Attack

Those are the known US/European/Australian A-sides. Might Cassandra and Happy New Year have made the cut? Would the longer version of On And On have been an interesting inclusion? The short US edit of The Visitors? Would Two For The Price Of One have been included as the token Bjorn vocal? That would have taken the tally to 15. But with three tracks clocking in at over 5 minutes (TDBYC almost 6 minutes), could vinyl have handled it well? If the full length version of each of the 15 tracks was used, the running time would have been 68 minutes.

Hi, It is comforting that people are supportive. My anxiety often gets the better of me so hence my sensitivity to other members' ideas, opinions and tastes in respect of ABBA's music is often on over-drive mode. Thank you for friendly advice. It has cheered me up.

Hi Gary, Thank you for kind wishes. I'm Edmund and 58 years old. Since I took voluntary redundancy from the civil service nearly ten years ago now, I developed anxiety and depression because the job was part and parcel of my life for so long. I have good days and bad days. I have had a recurring history of depression as well. It is hard to stay positive and that is why I am sensitive to criticism in a big way. I was on the point of leaving the forum especially after I read Orf's comments regarding " The Winner Takes It All " yesterday and was very distressed when he/she slated my ultimate ABBA favourite. But each to one's own, I'm a fine one to talk since I cannot stand " Super Trouper ", " Does Your Mother Know " or " Money Money Money ". I just have to learn to accept that every fan will dislike a couple of ABBA's big hits. It would be dull if us fans liked all the same songs.

Hi, Thank you for your kind wishes. I am Edmund and I am 58. Also, I was an exremely anxious child that I can remember. Because of the anxiety and depression I am extremely sensitive to criticism but have to learn that everyone has different tastes. I am sorry to hear that you suffer from anxiety. I won't be leaving the forum. Edmund.

If there was Greatest Hits 3 album, say as part of a Platinum Collection, I think it should be just 1 disc like the other Hits albums.


1. Voulez Vous
2. I Have a Dream
3. The Winner Takes it All
4. Super Trouper
5 Lay All Your Love On Me
6. On and On and On
7. The Visitors
8. One of Us
9. When All is Said and Done
10. Head Over Heels
11. The Day Before You Came
12. Under Attack
13. I Still Have Faith in You
14. Don't Shut Me Down
15. Just a Notion
16. Just Like That

The first two tracks not on Greatest Hits Volume 2.

johnny’s tracklisting is the logical one. Those are generally accepted as singles. Obviously Just Like That is complete fantasy but the exclusion of Little Things is more than welcome.

Sorry Adam, but that’s not a realistic tracklisting. Seven tracks from Voyage? Only three of those were singles. And I Am The City, You Owe Me One and Cassandra have no place on a Greatest Hits. Slipping Through My Fingers was only a single in Japan, and only then as a tacky Coca-Cola promotion. Generally not accepted as a main international single, thankfully.

It should just be a single disc affair (though 15 or 16 tracks these days would have to be two vinyl records).

Sadly I think the original Greatest Hits albums are dead and buried. The first one was reissued for its 30th anniversary in 2006, but the second one is long deleted (though the CD of it does contain some of the best-sounding versions of tracks from The Album).

Both albums were issued in ABBA’s active lifetime and the first one was one of the best-selling albums in the UK in the 1970s. In that respect it’s sad it’s been abandoned, but the flawed tracklisting means it just wouldn’t fit in ABBA’s current catalogue. Even Vol 2 has the two misfits of Rock Me and I Wonder. Still, as they’re historical they can’t be changed.

Alan, physical Greatest Hits may be dead and buried for most artists but bear in mind...

1. Artists like ABBA still sell physical albums. A new compilation would have to feature Voyage tracks to sell though.
2. Some compilations eg Fleeetwood Mac's 50 Years compilation sell very little but are streamed a lot - especially half a dozen tracks. Ditto with Elton John's Diamonds compilation. Don't exclude digital versions.

I have put up a post on the general Voyage post about compilation options for the 2 main Voyage singles.

I think some new compilation is inevitably going to happen but unlikely in the shape of Greatest Hits Vol.3 However, just hypotetically, johnny's tracklisting would make sense (with the exception of Just Like That unfortunately).

Thinking about this again (as though I’ve nothing better to do), The Platinum Collection could work as long as the existing Greatest Hits albums are trimmed down. These days, albums are made for vinyl (even though a relatively small percentage actually use that format). Albums are shorter so that sound quality is not compromised. CDs are now secondary and much shorter than they used to be as they merely copy vinyl lengths.

Also, as the first two Greatest Hits do contain some duds, it’s an opportunity to remove these. I don’t like tampering with historic albums but to make these justifiable both to vinyl sides and a modern audience, it’s necessary.

Greatest Hits:
Remove Nina Pretty Ballerina, Another Town Another Train and Dance (While The Music Still Goes On).
It does still leave Hasta Mañana and Bang-A-Boomerang that shouldn’t really be on there, but can’t have everything.
Sides still start with SOS and I Do I Do I Do, and album ends with Fernando (as per UK and US editions of original album).

Greatest Hits Vol 2:
Remove Rock Me and I Wonder. Replace the album version of Eagle with the original 1978 single edit (not the error version). Sides still start with Gimme Gimme Gimme and Dancing Queen.

Greatest Hits Vol 3 (not in this order):
Voulez-Vous, I Have A Dream, The Winner Takes It All, Super Trouper, Lay All Your Love On Me, One of Us, Head Over Heels, When All Is Said and Done, The Day Before You Came, Under Attack, I Still Have Faith In You, Don’t Shut Me Down.

On and On and On is a casualty of this Volume 3 (a top 10 hit in Australia) but The Visitors was not a big hit anywhere (No. 63 in the US) and is an easy exclusion.

Each album is therefore 12 tracks, six tracks to a vinyl side, and hopefully not too long to include on one vinyl record. Each album has a single sleeve using artwork adapted from the original Greatest Hits, Greatest Hits Vol 2 and The Singles. Not sold separately, there is a slipcase to house all three, and similar with the CD edition.

Greatest Hits Vol 3 is definitely the wrong title, for let’s be honest another compilation.
I’m surprised that More Gold has never really been promoted to its full potential, perhaps that’s the place to add those tracks from Voyage?

At the moment, personally I can’t see any compilation that would entice me to buy, and if that’s from a die hard fan, I can’t see the public jumping on board, alas Gold is going to be the definitive collection that will keep on selling/ streaming for years to come. I don’t mind a few tweaks like adding DSMD and ISHFIY, but to what classic detriment, whether you love or not, I’d get rid of TYFTM for instance, not a big hit, but it’s a perennial favourite with the public

I genuinely believe overtime we will get various compilations in the future, few if none will actually tempt me.
So have fun speculating and hey who am I...