Greatest Hits 1972–1978 Explained

Greatest Hits 1972–1978 is a compilation album by the English rock band 10cc

Content

The compilation brings together all the band's charting UK singles between 1972 and 1978 and is the first to include the band's recordings both with UK Records and Mercury. "Rubber Bullets", "Life Is a Minestrone" and "Art for Art's Sake" are presented in single edited forms.

The cover art for the album was designed by Storm Thorgerson.^[2]

Release and reception

The album was released in 1979 and was intended as a stop-gap between albums, whilst Eric Stewart recovered from his car accident that temporary halted the band's activity. The album was a big success reaching No.5 in the UK charts. A single was released alongside, coupling 10cc biggest hit "I'm Not in Love" with "For You And I" from the Bloody Tourists album. The single failed to chart.

The album was reissued as part of 2017 During After - The Best of 10cc and Beyond compilation album and Before During After - The Story of 10cc box set.^[3]

Critical reception

Reviewing in (1981), Robert Christgau wrote: "Separating the jokes from the japes, eschewing atmospheric preciosity, and climaxing with two great pieces of lovesong schmaltz that define the group's seriousness, this is as consistent a 10cc LP as you can buy. But I miss oldies like 'Johnny, Don't Do It,' 'The Worst Band in the World,' 'Oh Effendi.' And I still don't believe 'Dreadlock Holiday' is 'Safe European Home' in corporate-rock drag."

Track listing

1. "Rubber Bullets" (Godley, Creme, Gouldman) - 4:43
2. "Donna" (Godley, Creme) - 2:56
3. "Silly Love" (Stewart, Creme) - 3:15
4. "The Dean and I" (Godley, Creme) - 2:52
5. "Life Is a Minestrone" (Creme, Stewart) - 4:27
6. "The Wall Street Shuffle" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 3:52
7. "Art for Art's Sake" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 4:21
8. "I'm Mandy Fly Me" (Stewart, Gouldman, Godley) - 5:21
9. "Good Morning Judge" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 2:54
10. "The Things We Do for Love" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 3:22
11. "Dreadlock Holiday" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 5:01
12. "I'm Not in Love" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 6:06

Notes and References

1. Web site: Music Week. 30.
2. Book: Newton, Liam. The Worst Band in the World. Rocket 88. 2020. 9781910978450.
3. Web site: Sought after Paul McCartney rarity emerges in new 10cc box set. Paul Sinclair. superdeluxeedition.com. May 26, 2017. October 22, 2019.
4. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 307.