Is Elton John's Greatest Hits Vol. 3 a good place to start with Elton John?

Yes, Elton John's Greatest Hits Vol. 3 is recommended as a starting point for new Elton John listeners. A vibrant collection of pop rock anthems, blending heartfelt ballads with upbeat tracks that showcase Elton John's enduring charisma. Released on November 12, 1987, this compilation marked Elton John's third greatest hits album, following the success of his earlier collections. At this point in his career, John was transitioning from the tumultuous years of the late 1970s and early 1980s into a more stable period, characterized by commercial resurgence and a renewed creative partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin.

Who is Elton John's Greatest Hits Vol. 3 for?

Elton John's Greatest Hits Vol. 3 works well if you're into steady mid-tempo sing-alongs, heartfelt ballads for reflection and feel-good anthems for gatherings.

How many songs are on Elton John's Greatest Hits Vol. 3?

Elton John's Greatest Hits Vol. 3 has 12 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Released 39 years ago this November

Elton John's Greatest Hits Vol. 3

Elton John · 1987

56 min · 12 tracks · pop rock

A vibrant collection of pop rock anthems, blending heartfelt ballads with upbeat tracks that showcase Elton John's enduring charisma.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues Start here — This track's blend of soulful lyrics and catchy piano hooks exemplifies John's ability to craft emotionally resonant pop music while maintaining a danceable rhythm.
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I’m Still Standing — As an empowering anthem about perseverance and self-confidence, this track captures the essence of John's comeback narrative in the mid-1980s.
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Nikita — With its poignant storytelling and lush production, this song highlights John's knack for combining personal themes with grand musical arrangements.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

42 /100

Lowland

Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

This compilation showcases Elton John's hits but lacks the cohesive narrative of a studio album.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate prominent synthesizer arrangements, which were characteristic of the late '80s pop sound.
The sequencing includes a strong lead single, 'I'm Still Standing,' positioned as the fifth track, creating a peak in energy mid-album.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
heartfelt ballads for reflection
feel-good anthems for gatherings
nostalgic tracks for road trips

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced excitement
only want contemporary hits

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This compilation solidified Elton John's status as a pop music icon in the late '80s.
Themes: personal resilience· tribute to Lennon· flamboyant pop anthems
Career context: Released on November 12, 1987, this compilation marked Elton John's third greatest hits album, following the success of his earlier collections. At this point in his career, John was transitioning from the tumultuous years of the late 1970s and early 1980s into a more stable period, characterized by commercial resurgence and a renewed creative partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin.
Stylistic neighbors: David Bowie· Billy Joel· Queen