Greatest Hits (Gloria Estefan album)

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by Cuban-American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan, released on October 30, 1992, by Epic Records. The album includes songs with soft rock influenced sounds as well as more upbeat Latin pop works inspired by dance music. The tracks were gathered from various releases over the 1985 to 1992 period.[1]

Greatest Hits
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedOctober 30, 1992 (1992-10-30)
Genre
Length58:28 (North American edition)
69:36 (International edition)
LabelEpic
Producer
Gloria Estefan chronology
Into the Light
(1991)
Greatest Hits
(1992)
Mi Tierra
(1993)
Singles from Greatest Hits
  1. "Always Tomorrow"
    Released: October 12, 1992
  2. "I See Your Smile"
    Released: February 8, 1993
  3. "Go Away"
    Released: April 1993
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert Christgau(choice cut)[2]
Entertainment WeeklyB[3]

Composition

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Although credited solely to Estefan on the front cover, the album serves as a collection of her greatest hits both as a solo artist and as lead singer of Miami Sound Machine, which later became her backing group. The album also contains four previously unreleased songs. The track listing for the US and Canadian album release differs from alternate releases in various regions. Many international releases of the album include the songs "Dr. Beat" and "Bad Boy", though the Australian and New Zealand release replaced "Bad Boy" with "Cuts Both Ways". A limited edition Australian double CD set was later released featuring a special "Megamix", a medley of Estefan's early dance hits. In 2013, the album was re-released in Brazil under the name Seleção Essencial with a new cover, though the track listing remained the same.

Singles

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The first single released from the album was "Always Tomorrow". It reached No. 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100 but reached No. 5 on the Adult Contemporary Chart and the top 30 in the UK Singles Chart. The second single, "I See Your Smile" charted higher and reached No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. It also reached No. 49 in the UK. "Go Away" failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart but reached No. 15 on the Billboard Dance Chart and was a UK top 20 hit (No. 13).

The "Megamix" or "Miami Hit Mix" as a double A-side with "Christmas Through Your Eyes" was released internationally and reached No. 8 in Colombia and the UK. Music videos were made for all these singles.

Track listing

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US, Canadian and Mexican track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer (s)Length
1."Conga" (from Primitive Love, 1985)Enrique E. GarcíaEmilio Estefan Jr.4:15
2."Words Get in the Way" (from Primitive Love)Gloria EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr.3:26
3."Can't Stay Away from You" (from Let It Loose, 1987)EstefanEmilio & The Jerks3:56
4."1-2-3" (remix) (from Let It Loose)Estefan, Enrique E. GarcíaEmilio Estefan Jr.3:34
5."Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" (from Let It Loose)Estefan, Enrique E. GarcíaEmilio & The Jerks3:56
6."Anything for You" (from Let It Loose)EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr.4:02
7."Here We Are" (from Cuts Both Ways, 1989)EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr., Clay Ostwald, Jorge Casas4:49
8."Get on Your Feet" (from Cuts Both Ways)John DeFaria, Casas, OstwaldEmilio Estefan Jr., Casas, Ostwald3:38
9."Don't Wanna Lose You" (from Cuts Both Ways)EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr., Casas, Ostwald4:11
10."Coming Out of the Dark" (from Into the Light, 1991)Estefan, Emilio Estefan Jr., Jon SecadaEmilio Estefan Jr., Casas, Ostwald4:03
11."Christmas Through Your Eyes" (previously unreleased)Estefan, Diane WarrenEmilio Estefan Jr., Casas, Ostwald4:52
12."I See Your Smile" (previously unreleased)Secada, Miguel MorejonEmilio Estefan Jr., Casas, Ostwald4:38
13."Go Away" (previously unreleased)Lawrence Dermer, EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr., Casas, Ostwald4:17
14."Always Tomorrow" (previously unreleased)EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr., Casas, Ostwald4:51
International track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)AlbumLength
1."Dr. Beat"Enrique E. GarcíaEyes of Innocence, 19844:23
2."Conga"Enrique E. GarcíaPrimitive Love, 19854:15
3."Words Get in the Way"EstefanPrimitive Love3:28
4."Can't Stay Away from You"EstefanAnything for You, 19873:56
5."Bad Boy" (remix)Lawrence Dermer, Joe Galdo, Rafael VigilPrimitive Love3:45
6."1-2-3" (remix)Estefan, Enrique E. GarcíaAnything for You3:34
7."Anything for You"EstefanAnything for You4:02
8."Here We Are"EstefanCuts Both Ways, 19894:49
9."Rhythm Is Gonna Get You"Estefan, Enrique E. GarcíaAnything for You3:56
10."Get on Your Feet"John DeFaria, Jorge Casas, Clay OstwaldCuts Both Ways3:38
11."Don't Wanna Lose You"EstefanCuts Both Ways4:09
12."Coming Out of the Dark"Estefan, Emilio Estefan Jr, Jon SecadaInto the Light, 19914:03
13."Christmas Through Your Eyes"Estefan, Diane WarrenPreviously unreleased4:52
14."I See Your Smile"Jon Secada, Miguel MorejonPreviously unreleased4:38
15."Go Away"Lawrence Dermer, Gloria EstefanPreviously unreleased4:17
16."Always Tomorrow"EstefanPreviously unreleased4:51
Australian and New Zealand track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer (s)Length
1."Dr. Beat"Enrique E. GarcíaEmilio Estefan Jr.4:23
2."Conga"Enrique E. GarcíaEmilio Estefan Jr.4:15
3."Words Get in the Way"EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr.3:28
4."Can't Stay Away from You"EstefanEmilio & The Jerks3:56
5."1-2-3" (remix)Estefan, Enrique E. GarcíaEmilio Estefan Jr.3:34
6."Anything for You"EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr.4:02
7."Here We Are"EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald4:49
8."Rhythm Is Gonna Get You"Estefan, Enrique E. GarcíaEmilio & The Jerks3:56
9."Get on Your Feet"John DeFaria, Jorge Casas, Clay OstwaldEmilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald3:38
10."Don't Wanna Lose You"EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald4:09
11."Cuts Both Ways"EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald3:16
12."Coming Out of the Dark"Estefan, Emilio Estefan Jr, Jon SecadaEmilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald4:03
13."Christmas Through Your Eyes"Estefan, Diane WarrenEmilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald4:52
14."I See Your Smile"Jon Secada, Miguel MorejonEmilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald4:35
15."Go Away"Lawrence Dermer, Gloria EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald4:17
16."Always Tomorrow"EstefanEmilio Estefan Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald4:51
Australian limited edition bonus CD/cassette
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer (s)Length
1."Megamix" (Dr. Beat/Conga/Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/1-2-3/Get on Your Feet)Enrique E. García, Gloria Estefan, John DeFaria, Jorge Casas, Clay OstwaldPablo Flores & Javier Garza5:20

Personnel

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Design

  • Nancy Donald – art direction
  • Daphna Shalev – logo design
  • Alberto Tolot – front cover photography (at the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables)
  • Antoine Verglas – inside booklet photography (at the Raleigh Hotel, Miami Beach)
  • Roberto Trovati – stylist
  • Serena Radaelli – hair
  • Paco – hair (for Gessner & Camp)
  • Francesca Tolot – makeup
  • Eric Barnard – makeup

Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Certifications and sales for Greatest Hits
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[17] Gold 50,000^
France 400,000[18]
Japan (RIAJ)[19] Platinum 200,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[20] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[21] Platinum 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[22] 4× Platinum 1,200,000^
United States (RIAA)[23] 4× Platinum 4,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Greatest Hits - Gloria Estefan – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert. "CG: Gloria Estefan". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  3. ^ Browne, David (1992-11-27). "Reviews for the "Greatest Hits" of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The 2 Live Crew, Randy Travis and Gloria Estefan; Julian Cope's Floored Genius, and Siouxsie and the Banshees' Twice Upon a Time/The Singles". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  4. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  5. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  6. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 1819". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  7. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  8. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  9. ^ "Charts.nz – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  10. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  11. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  12. ^ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  13. ^ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Top Catalog Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  14. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Album 1993". Dutch Charts Portal (in Dutch). Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  15. ^ "Top 100 Albums 1993" (PDF). Music Week. January 15, 1994. p. 25. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  16. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End – 1993". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  17. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits". Music Canada.
  18. ^ Leila Cobo (11 October 2003). Language nor a barrier for Estefan's albums. Retrieved 23 May 2015 – via Google Books.
  19. ^ "Japanese album certifications – グロリア・エステファン – Greatest Hits" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 1996年6月 on the drop-down menu
  20. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Greatest Hits in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  21. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits". Recorded Music NZ.[dead link]
  22. ^ "British album certifications – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits". British Phonographic Industry.
  23. ^ "American album certifications – Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits". Recording Industry Association of America.