Rod Stewart (October 12, 1979) – Greatest Hits Vol. 1 Album UK: LP, TC.
Greatest Hits Vol. 1 was released on October 12, 1979, by Riva Records as the first major compilation album to collect Rod Stewart's most successful recordings from the 1970s.
The album brought together many of Stewart's biggest international hits, including "Maggie May", "Sailing", "Tonight's The Night", "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "You're In My Heart". It served as a retrospective of his most commercially successful decade and became one of the best-selling releases of his career.
RECORDING
The compilation draws from recordings originally released between 1971 and 1978. The selected tracks were produced during various stages of Stewart's solo career and feature material associated with both Mercury and Warner Bros./Riva-era releases.
The compilation was mastered by Arun Chakraverty, with lacquer cutting carried out by Arun at Master Room.
STYLE & THEMES
Greatest Hits Vol. 1 combines rock, folk rock, pop rock and mainstream pop influences. The selection highlights Stewart's versatility, ranging from reflective ballads such as "Sailing" and "I Don't Want To Talk About It" to energetic rockers including "Hot Legs" and chart-topping singles such as "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?".
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Hot Legs — Up-tempo rocker and major late-1970s hit.
• Maggie May — Stewart's breakthrough signature recording.
• Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? — International chart hit from Blondes Have More Fun.
• You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim) — One of Stewart's best-known ballads.
• Sailing — One of the most enduring recordings in his catalogue.
• I Don't Want To Talk About It — Acclaimed ballad originally written by Danny Whitten.
• Tonight's The Night — Multi-million-
selling single.
• The Killing Of Georgie (Parts I & II) — Narrative song regarded as one of Stewart's most important compositions.
• The First Cut Is The Deepest — Hit interpretation of the Cat Stevens composition.
• I Was Only Joking — Emotional closing track and fan favourite.
RELEASE HISTORY
Released in the United Kingdom on October 12, 1979, the compilation was issued by Riva Records as a television-promoted hits package.
The album became a major commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and achieving platinum certification in several territories.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
AMERICA
• US Billboard 200: No. 22
EUROPE
• UK Albums Chart: No. 1
• Austria: No. 17
• Netherlands: No. 23
• Norway: No. 29
• Sweden: No. 27
PACIFIC
• Australia: No. 1
• New Zealand: No. 1
• Canada: No. 12
CERTIFICATIONS
• Australia: 4× Platinum
• Austria: Gold
• Canada: 2× Platinum
• Germany: Gold
• Hong Kong: Platinum
• New Zealand: Platinum
• Switzerland: Gold
• United Kingdom: Platinum
• United States: 3× Platinum
PERSONNEL
Rod Stewart — vocals
Tom Dowd — producer (tracks A1, A3, A4, A5, B1-B5)
Rod Stewart — producer (track A2)
PRODUCTION
Label: Riva Records
Catalogue Number: ROD TV 1
Format: LP, Compilation
Country: UK
Mastered By: Arun Chakraverty
Lacquer Cut By: Arun Chakraverty
Art Direction: Richard Seireeni
Cover Photography: Claude Mougin
Inner Sleeve Photography: Norman Seeff
Printed By: Gothic Press Ltd.
Pressed By: WEA Records Pressing Plant, West Drayton
Distributed By: WEA Records Ltd.
NOTES
• Released October 12, 1979.
• UK television-advertised compilation.
• Issued with a custom printed inner sleeve containing credits and photography.
• Some copies included an advertising insert.
• ℗ WEA Records B.V.
• © Riva Records Ltd.
• Distributed by WEA Records Ltd.
• Cover photograph by Claude Mougin.
• Inner sleeve photography by Norman Seeff.
• Barcode not listed on original issue.
• UK Albums Chart peak position: No. 1.
• Spent 5 weeks at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Album | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
Rod Stewart | Greatest Hits Vol. 1 | Riva Records | UK | ROD TV 1 | October 12, 1979 | LP, Compilation |
Rod Stewart | Greatest Hits Vol. 1 | Riva Records | UK | RODTV4-1 | 1979 | Cassette |
Rod Stewart | Greatest Hits Vol. 1 | Warner Bros. Records | UK | K 456 744 / 456 744 | 1979 | Cassette |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP | ROD TV 1 | Side One A1. Hot Legs A2. Maggie May A3. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? A4. You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim) A5. Sailing |
LP | ROD TV 1 | Side Two B1. I Don't Want To Talk About It B2. Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright) B3. The Killing Of Georgie (Parts I & II) B4. The First Cut Is The Deepest B5. I Was Only Joking |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts.
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