The Hits
REO Speedwagon · 1988
60 min · 14 tracks · rock music
Anthemic rock ballads and energetic power pop intertwine, showcasing REO Speedwagon's signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Keep On Loving You — This track stands out as one of the band's biggest hits, featuring a powerful vocal performance and relatable themes of enduring love that resonated widely with audiences.
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Take It on the Run — With its infectious chorus and driving rhythm, this song exemplifies the band's knack for storytelling through music while capturing the essence of romantic uncertainty.
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Can’t Fight This Feeling — This ballad showcases the band's emotional range, blending vulnerability with grand melodies, which helped solidify its place as a staple in rock music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation showcases popular tracks but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of anthemic choruses that invite sing-alongs, particularly in tracks like 'Keep On Loving You' and 'Take It on the Run'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- nostalgic reflections and memories
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'The Hits' was released in 1988, REO Speedwagon was riding the wave of their commercial peak following the massive success of their earlier albums like 'Hi Infidelity' in 1980. This compilation album encapsulated their most popular tracks, serving both as a celebration of their legacy and a strategic move to introduce new listeners to their music during a time when they were shifting towards a more mature sound.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Keep On Loving You
The verse shifts from a confession of regret to a declaration of commitment, emphasizing the desire to mend a broken relationship.
This transition from vulnerability to affirmation captures the complexity of love and reconciliation, enhancing the emotional impact of the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Don’t Want to Lose You 3:08
- 2 Here With Me 5:05
- 3 Roll With the Changes 5:37
- 4 Keep On Loving You 3:22
- 5 That Ain’t Love 4:02
- 6 Take It on the Run 4:01
- 7 In My Dreams 4:24
- 8 Don’t Let Him Go 3:47
- 9 Can’t Fight This Feeling 4:51
- 10 Keep Pushin’ 3:57
- 11 Time for Me to Fly 3:38
- 12 One Lonely Night 3:24
- 13 Back on the Road Again 5:29
- 14 Ridin’ the Storm Out 5:50
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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