25 YEARS OF #1 HITS: ARISTA and ATLANTIC RECORDS: 50 YEARS [2-CD Set]

A couple weeks ago I posted a review of Arista: A 15 Year History of Rock (you can read it here) and said I had another Arista anthology around here somewhere. I found 25 Years of #1 Hits: Arista and I also found Atlantic Records: 50 Years.

Arista: A 15 Year History of Rock was a mediocre collection of hits. My favorite song on 25 Years of #1 Hits: Arista is Annie Lennox’s haunting “Why.” I love everything Sarah McLachlan sings. It’s hard to believe “A Rose is Still a Rose” was a #1 hit.

Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” dominated the local radio stations back in 1999. Houston won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for this song.

Atlantic Records: 50 Years is a much superior compilation of songs. From Sixties classics like Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” to Seventies songs like The Rolling Stones’ “Brown Sugar” to Eighties songs like “Stop Dragging’ My Hear Around” by Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty these 2 CDs are full of hits most of us will recognize. Clearly Atlantic Records outperforms Arista!

How many of these songs do you remember? Any favorites here? GRADES: ARISTA: C, ATLANTIC: A

1SantanaMaria Maria (Spanglish Version)4:17
2Whitney HoustonIt’s Not Right But It’s Okay (Club 69 Mix) Remix – Club 694:19
3Annie LennoxWhy4:54
4Sarah McLachlanAdia (Live)3:55
5Aretha FranklinA Rose Is Still A Rose (Love To Infinity Rhythm Mix) Remix – Love To Infinity4:01
6MonicaFor You I Will (Exclusive Live Track)4:01
7LFO*–Summer Girls (Exclusive Live Track)3:21
8Deborah CoxNobody’s Supposed To Be Here (Exclusive Live Track)3:51
9WestlifeSwear It Again (Exclusive Live Track)2:57
1-1The CoastersYakety Yak1:50
1-2Ray CharlesWhat’d I Say6:28
1-3Bobby DarinMack The Knife3:06
1-4Ben E. KingStand By Me2:55
1-5Wilson PickettIn The Midnight Hour2:38
1-6Sonny & CherI Got You Babe3:09
1-7Percy SledgeWhen A Man Loves A Woman2:52
1-8Aretha FranklinRespect2:23
1-9Sam & DaveSoul Man2:41
1-10Otis Redding(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay2:41
1-11Cream (2)Sunshine Of Your Love4:12
1-12Crosby, Stills & NashSuite: Judy Blue Eyes7:25
1-13Led ZeppelinWhole Lotta Love6:09
1-14The Rolling StonesBrown Sugar3:49
2-1Derek & The DominosLayla7:06
2-2YesRoundabout8:31
2-3ChicLe Freak3:34
2-4Sister SledgeWe Are Family3:35
2-5Stevie Nicks With Tom PettyStop Draggin’ My Heart Around4:02
2-6Phil CollinsIn The Air Tonight4:58
2-7ForeignerI Want To Know What Love Is5:04
2-8Bette MidlerWind Beneath My Wings4:19
2-9Tori AmosSilent All These Years4:12
2-10Brandy (2)Baby5:13
2-11Hootie & The BlowfishHold My Hand4:16
2-12JewelWho Will Save Your Soul4:03

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