Hits cover

Hits

Seal · 2009

79 min · 19 tracks · contemporary R&B

A sultry blend of soulful ballads and smooth pop anthems that showcases Seal's emotive vocal prowess.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    I Am Your Man Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    Kiss From a Rose — This track is arguably Seal's most famous song, blending haunting melodies with rich lyrical imagery about love and longing. Its orchestral arrangement elevates the emotional weight, making it a timeless classic.
  • →
    Crazy — This track stands out with its upbeat tempo and infectious chorus, showcasing Seal's ability to merge introspective lyrics with a danceable sound. It reflects the struggles of life while remaining uplifting.
  • →
    A Change Is Gonna Come — Seal's rendition of this Sam Cooke classic resonates deeply with themes of hope and resilience, emphasizing his vocal range and emotional depth. It's a poignant reminder of the ongoing fight for equality.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The collection showcases Seal's hits but lacks the cohesive narrative of a studio album.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and styles.
  • Several tracks feature orchestral arrangements that enhance the emotional weight of Seal's vocal delivery.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

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 4/10

Known within its scene. 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 pacing for reflective moments
  • rich vocals for emotional connection
  • timeless anthems for sing-alongs
  • consistent flow for easy listening
  • cathartic melodies for personal reflection

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer fast-paced, energetic tracks
  • want standalone singles experience

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Starting Point — A hits collection that serves as an accessible introduction to Seal's music.
Career context
When 'Hits' was released in 2009, Seal was at a reflective point in his career, compiling notable tracks from his previous albums into this greatest hits collection. This release followed his successful album 'System,' which had come out in 2007, and it presented a moment for Seal to celebrate his past while reaching new audiences.
Stylistic neighbors
Sade· Maxwell· Lana Del Rey

Tracklist

  • 1 I Am Your Man Start here 4:03
  • 2 Kiss From a Rose 4:48
  • 3 Killer 4:18
  • 4 Crazy 4:29
  • 5 Fly Like an Eagle 4:14
  • 6 Love’s Divine 4:35
  • 7 A Change Is Gonna Come 3:54
  • 8 Amazing 3:03
  • 9 Get It Together 4:27
  • 10 Future Love Paradise 4:20
  • 11 My Vision 3:44
  • 12 The Right Life 5:17
  • 13 Prayer for the Dying 4:14
  • 14 I Can’t Stand the Rain 3:34
  • 15 Waiting for You 3:44
  • 16 The Beginning 4:08
  • 17 Don’t Cry 4:30
  • 18 It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World 3:52
  • 19 Thank You 3:47

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata