Greatest Hits 1970–2002 cover

Greatest Hits 1970–2002

Elton John · 2002

156 min · 34 tracks · pop rock

A vibrant collection of Elton John's timeless anthems and ballads, showcasing his distinctive piano-driven sound and emotional storytelling.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Your Song Start here — This heartfelt ballad marked Elton John's breakthrough single in 1970, showcasing his lyrical vulnerability and melodic prowess.
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    Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time) — Capturing themes of isolation and longing through its space metaphor, this track highlights John's ability to blend personal narrative with universal themes.
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    Candle in the Wind — Originally written about Marilyn Monroe, this poignant song gained renewed significance with its tribute to Princess Diana, becoming emblematic of loss and remembrance.
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    I’m Still Standing — An empowering anthem celebrating resilience and survival, this track reflects John's personal journey through challenges in both life and career.
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    Can You Feel the Love Tonight? — This Oscar-winning song from The Lion King showcases John's ability to craft memorable melodies for film while maintaining his signature lyrical depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

55 /100
Foothills
Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

A well-curated collection of hits that showcases Elton John's songwriting but lacks a cohesive narrative flow.

Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

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

  • nostalgic sing-alongs with friends
  • dynamic journey through emotions
  • cathartic ballads for reflection
  • upbeat anthems for celebration
  • for long drives

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking instant gratification tracks
  • prefer short standalone songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Starting Point — A comprehensive collection of hits, ideal for new listeners to explore Elton John's music.
Themes
70s pop charm· alienation of space travel· celebrity tributes· comeback resilience
Career context
By 2002, Elton John was a global pop icon, celebrating over three decades of success since his debut in 1969. This compilation came during a period of renewed popularity following the success of his 1997 reworking of Candle in the Wind, which had become one of the best-selling singles in history.
Stylistic neighbors
David Bowie· Billy Joel· Queen

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Your Song Start here 4:04
  • 2 Tiny Dancer 6:17
  • 3 Honky Cat 5:14
  • 4 Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time) 4:43
  • 5 Crocodile Rock 3:56
  • 6 Daniel 3:55
  • 7 Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting 4:54
  • 8 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 3:15
  • 9 Candle in the Wind 3:51
  • 10 Bennie and the Jets 5:23
  • 11 Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me 5:38
  • 12 The Bitch Is Back 3:46
  • 13 Philadelphia Freedom 5:21
  • 14 Someone Saved My Life Tonight 6:46
  • 15 Island Girl 3:44
  • 16 Don’t Go Breaking My Heart 4:35
  • 17 Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word 3:50

Disc 2

  • 1 Blue Eyes 3:29
  • 2 I’m Still Standing 3:03
  • 3 I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues 4:44
  • 4 Sad Songs (Say So Much) 4:10
  • 5 Nikita 5:45
  • 6 Sacrifice 5:06
  • 7 The One 5:53
  • 8 Can You Feel the Love Tonight? 4:02
  • 9 Circle of Life 4:53
  • 10 Believe 4:43
  • 11 Made in England 4:55
  • 12 Something About the Way You Look Tonight 4:01
  • 13 Written in the Stars 4:16
  • 14 I Want Love 4:38
  • 15 This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore 4:40
  • 16 Song for Guy 5:07
  • 17 Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word 3:42

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata