Greatest Ever! Love Songs: The Definitive Collection

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Annotation

Review by James Christopher Monger

This budget-priced, three-disc, 60-track box set is all about the amore. The no-frills Greatest Ever! Love Songs features a wide cross-section of genres and spans multiple decades, with highlights arriving via the lush, Benjamin Orr-led Cars classic "Drive," Eva Cassidy's lovely "Songbird," the Everly Brothers' "All I Have to Do Is Dream," and Harry Nilsson's cathartic "Without You."

Annotation last modified on 2015-01-01 02:00 UTC.

Tracklist

▶ CD 1
▼ CD 2
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Songbird
Eva Cassidy3:43
2Up Where We Belong
recording of:
Up Where We Belong (An Officer and a Gentleman)
lyricist:
Will Jennings
composer:
Jack Nitzsche (American musician and score composer) and Buffy Sainte‐Marie
part of:
The 55th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 55)
Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes3:46
3Unchained Melody
engineer:
Larry Levine
producer:
Phil Spector
vocals:
Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley
arranger:
Jack Nitzsche (American musician and score composer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Spectrum Music (Universal Music Group budget label), PolyGram Records, Inc. (not for release label use! US division of PolyGram) (in 1965) and Universal Records (UMG subsidiary, “RECORDS” must be a part of the logo; read annotation) (in 1966)
recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios (Santa Monica Blvd. location since 1949) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1965-03)
part of:
The Co-Op: Top 10 British Funeral Songs (number: 8), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 269) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 366)
cover recording of:
Unchained Melody (in 1965-03)
publisher:
Hy Zaret
lyricist:
Hy Zaret
composer:
Alex North (US composer)
publisher:
Frank Music Corp. (ended), HZUM Publishing, MPL Communication Ltd. (not for release label use! Paul McCartney-related, London-based company), MPL Musik Verlags GmbH, North Melody Publishing and Unchained Melody Publishing, LLC
sub-publisher:
日音 Synch事業部
part of:
The 28th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 2)
The Righteous Brothers33:37
4Stand by Me
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1960-10-27)
vocals:
Ben E. King (on 1960-10-27)
conductor:
Stan Applebaum (US composer, arranger and conductor) (on 1960-10-27)
arranger:
Stan Applebaum (US composer, arranger and conductor)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
HHO Ltd. (The Henry Hadaway Organisation Ltd., music licensing) and WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1961)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1961 (number: 1), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 121) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 131)
recording of:
Stand by Me (on 1960-10-27)
publisher:
Mike Stoller
writer:
Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
publisher:
Hornall Brothers Music (limited company), Jerry Leiber Music, Leiber Stoller Songs Ltd., Melodie der Welt GmbH & Co. KG, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Trio Music (publisher) and Unichappell Music
Ben E. King4.62:54
5When a Man Loves a Woman
recorded in:
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States (on 1966-02-17)
producer:
Marlin Greene ('60s teen artist, writer & engineer) and Quin Ivy
double bass:
Albert Lowe Jr. (American guitarist, bassist, and songwriter) (on 1966-02-17)
drums (drum set):
Roger Hawkins (on 1966-02-17)
farfisa [farfisa organ]:
Spooner Oldham (on 1966-02-17)
guitar:
Marlin Greene ('60s teen artist, writer & engineer) (on 1966-02-17)
vocals:
Percy Sledge (on 1966-02-17)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
HHO Ltd. (The Henry Hadaway Organisation Ltd., music licensing), Atlantic Recording Corporation (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor within the US) (in 1966) and WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1966)
recorded at:
Norala Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, United States (on 1966-02-17)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 54)
recording of:
When a Man Loves a Woman (on 1966-02-17)
writer:
Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright (US keyboardist)
publisher:
Mijac Music, Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner Chappell North America, Warner/Chappell, Pronto Music, Inc. (publisher) (from 1966 to present), Quinvy Music Publishing Company, Inc. (from 1966 to present), Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) (from 1966 to present), Pronto (BMI‐affiliated publishing company) (in 1972) and Quinvy (record company and publisher) (in 1972)
Percy Sledge4.32:50
6Stop in the Name of Love
producer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
instruments:
The Funk Brothers (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
background vocals:
The Andantes (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11), Florence Ballard (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11) and Mary Wilson (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
lead vocals:
Diana Ross (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1965)
recorded at:
Hitsville (Motown Records) in Detroit, Michigan, United States (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1965 (recordings) (number: 13) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 254)
recording of:
Stop! In the Name of Love (from 1965-01-05 until 1965-01-11)
lyricist:
Eddie Holland (Motown songwriter, lyricist of Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team)
composer:
Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Motown producer & songwriter)
publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd., Stone Agate Music Division, イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Supremes4.152:53
7We’re All Alone
producer:
David Anderle
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
A&M Records, Inc. (Los Angeles) (in 1977)
cover recording of:
We’re All Alone
lyricist and composer:
Boz Scaggs
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. (UK) and Boz Scaggs Music (publisher) (from 1975 to present)
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label) and ヤマハミュージックEH(CM)
Rita Coolidge3:35
8Dedicated to the One I Love
producer:
Lou Adler
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Dunhill Records Inc. (in 1967)
produced for:
Dunhill Records USA
recording of:
Dedicated to the One I Love
writer:
Ralph Bass and Lowman Pauling
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Trousdale Music Pub., Inc., Universal Duchess Music Corp., Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!), シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント, ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (holding company – do not use as release label), ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部
part of:
Baby It’s You! (jukebox musical, book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott)
cover recording of:
Dedicated to the One I Love
writer:
Ralph Bass and Lowman Pauling
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Trousdale Music Pub., Inc., Universal Duchess Music Corp., Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!), シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント, ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (holding company – do not use as release label), ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部
part of:
Baby It’s You! (jukebox musical, book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott)
The Mamas & the Papas4.23:01
9Happy Together
performer:
The Turtles (late 60s US rock band)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
White Whale (late 60s/early 70s California) (in 1967)
recording of:
Happy Together (in 1967)
writer:
Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon (American songwriter who co-wrote The Turtles' hit "Happy Together")
publisher:
Alley Music Corp., The Hudson Bay Music Co. (publisher) and Trio Music Co., Inc.
part of:
Freaky Friday (2003)
The Turtles4.552:55
10All I Have to Do Is Dream
recording of:
All I Have to Do Is Dream
lyricist and composer:
Boudleaux Bryant
publisher:
House of Bryant Publications (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (tradename of Sony/ATV Songs LLC), ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 and Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. (BMI) (on 1958-04-21)
The Everly Brothers2:20
11To Love Somebody
recording engineer:
Ray Hall (engineer) and Mike Moran (American engineer, associated with RCA)
producer:
Danny Davis (country music band leader, trumpeter, singer, producer, and best known as the founder and leader of the Nashville Brass)
drums (drum set):
Don Alias (in 1967)
piano and lead vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1967)
conductor:
Jimmy Wisner
arranger:
Jimmy Wisner
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Music (in 1969)
produced for:
Stroud Productions & Enterprises Inc. (Nina Simone's husband)
recorded at:
RCA Studio B (New York) in New York, New York, United States
cover recording of:
To Love Somebody (in 1967)
written in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1967)
writer:
Barry Gibb (in 1967) and Robin Gibb (in 1967)
publisher:
Abigail Music, BMG Music, BMG Music Publishing (NYC-based headquarters, with national subsidiaries under it), BMG Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Publishing Ltd., Careers Music, Inc., Careers‐BMG Music Publishing, Inc., Crompton Songs, Gibb Brothers Music, Nemperor, Songs of Universal, Inc. and Universal Music Careers
part of:
50/50
Nina Simone4.252:40
12My Guy
recording of:
My Guy
lyricist and composer:
Smokey Robinson
publisher:
Jobette Music (UK) Ltd.
Mary Wells2:49
13If I Were Your Woman
producer:
Clay McMurray (producer, songwriter, engineer)
arranger:
Paul Riser
recording of:
If I Were Your Woman
writer:
Clarence McMurray (producer, songwriter, engineer), Gloria Jones (US singer/songwriter, known for “Tainted Love”) and Pam Sawyer (British-born American lyricist and songwriter)
Gladys Knight & the Pips3.53:12
14The Way You Look Tonight
Jimmy Scott2:27
15Baby Make It Soon
Marmalade3:02
16Standing in the Shadows of Love
Four Tops2:36
17You Are Everything
producer:
Hal Davis
vocals:
Diana Ross
arranger:
Dave Blumberg
recording of:
You Are Everything
writer:
Linda Creed and Thom Bell (keyboards, songwriter, producer)
publisher:
Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996) and Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
cover recording of:
You Are Everything
writer:
Linda Creed and Thom Bell (keyboards, songwriter, producer)
publisher:
Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996) and Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye43:08
18Long Live Love
vocals:
Sandie Shaw (in 1965)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Glissando Music Ltd. (in 1965)
recording of:
Long Live Love (in 1965)
lyricist and composer:
Chris Andrews (UK singer-songwriter)
Sandie Shaw2:39
19Jennifer Juniper
recording of:
Jennifer Juniper
lyricist and composer:
Donovan Leitch (Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist)
Donovan2:41
20Love Hurts
additional recording engineer and additional mixer:
John Punter
recording engineer:
Tony Taverner
producer:
Manny Charlton
bass guitar:
Pete Agnew
drums (drum set):
Darrell Sweet
guitar and synthesizer:
Manny Charlton
background vocals:
Pete Agnew and Darrell Sweet
lead vocals:
Dan McCafferty
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Mountain Records (British record company, established early 1970s, best known act is Nazareth) (in 1974)
recorded at:
Associated Recording Studios in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom and Escape Studios in Kent, England, United Kingdom
part of:
New York Post: 100 Greatest Covers (2007) (number: 75)
cover recording of:
Love Hurts
lyricist and composer:
Boudleaux Bryant
publisher:
House of Bryant Publications (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (tradename of Sony/ATV Songs LLC) and Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. (BMI) (on 1960-08-30)
sub-publisher:
Acuff-Rose Music Limited (UK), Neue Welt Musikverlag GmbH & Co. KG (– 2017) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部
Nazareth4.43:51
▶ CD 3