Biography: The Greatest Hits

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Biography: The Greatest Hits
Lisa stansfield- Biography.jpg
Greatest hits album by
Released3 February 2003 (2003-02-03)
Recorded1989–2001
Genre
Length120:45
Label Arista
Producer
Lisa Stansfield chronology
Face Up
(2001)
Biography: The Greatest Hits
(2003)
The Complete Collection
(2003)
Singles from Biography: The Greatest Hits
  1. "All Around the World (Norty Cotto Mixes)"
    Released: 28 April 2003

Biography: The Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits compilation album by British recording artist Lisa Stansfield. Released by Arista Records on 3 February 2003, it features seventeen tracks, hits and rare songs, including: "All Around the World", "This Is the Right Time" "Change", "All Woman", "The Real Thing" and "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up". The album, which garnered positive reviews from music critics, peaked at number three in the United Kingdom and was certified Gold.

Contents

Background

In June 2001, Stansfield released Face Up , her final studio album with Arista Records. The obligatory compilation, Biography: The Greatest Hits was issued in February 2003. Four months later, Arista Records remastered all of Stansfield's studio albums and re-released them with bonus tracks. The Complete Collection box set was also issued at the same time.

Content

The European edition of Biography: The Greatest Hits includes three songs from Affection ("This Is the Right Time", "All Around the World", "Live Together"), four tracks from Real Love ("Change", "All Woman", "Time to Make You Mine", "Set Your Loving Free"), three songs from So Natural ("In All the Right Places", "So Natural", "Little Bit of Heaven"), two tracks from Lisa Stansfield ("The Real Thing", "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up") and one song from Face Up ("Let's Just Call It Love"). It also contains few non-album tracks: "People Hold On" (from Coldcut's album, What's That Noise? ), "Down in the Depths" (from charity compilation, Red Hot + Blue ), "Someday (I'm Coming Back)" (from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album ) and "These Are the Days of Our Lives" (from charity EP, Five Live ). The North American edition includes "You Can't Deny It" and "Never Gonna Fall" instead of "Little Bit of Heaven" and "Set Your Loving Free". In Europe, limited edition with bonus remix CD was also issued. Biography: The Greatest Hits was released simultaneously on DVD which includes most of Stansfield's music videos and a bonus material.

Singles

The album does not include any new recordings. Arista Records issued promotional singles with new remixes of "All Around the World" created by Norty Cotto. The single was released in the United States on 28 April 2003 and reached number thirty-four on the Billboard 's Hot Dance Club Songs. A remix by Junior Vasquez was also created. In 2014, these remixes of "All Around the World" were included on the deluxe 2CD + DVD re-release of Face Up (also on The Collection 1989–2003 ).

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]

Biography: The Greatest Hits received positive reviews from music critics. Heather Phares from AllMusic gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars and wrote that it is a must for die-hard fans and an excellent primer for casual listeners. [1]

Commercial performance

Biography: The Greatest Hits peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart and at number four in Italy. It also reached top forty in Belgium Flanders. The album was certified Gold in the United Kingdom. [2] The DVD peaked at number twenty in Spain DVDs chart. [3]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Change" (edit) Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney, Andy MorrisDevaney, Morris4:33
2."Someday (I'm Coming Back)"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:56
3."This Is the Right Time"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisColdcut4:30
4."The Real Thing"Stansfield, DevaneyDevaney, Peter Mokran 4:18
5."People Hold On" (featuring Coldcut)Stansfield, Matt Black, Jonathan More Coldcut3:58
6."In All the Right Places" (edit)Stansfield, Devaney, Morris, John Barry Devaney, Morris5:16
7."So Natural"Stansfield, DevaneyDevaney5:05
8."Time to Make You Mine" (edit)Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:10
9."Live Together" (edit)Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:35
10."Little Bit of Heaven"Stansfield, DevaneyDevaney4:27
11."Set Your Loving Free" (edit)Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:09
12."Let's Just Call It Love" (edit)Stansfield, Devaney, Richard Darbyshire Devaney3:59
13."Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" (edit) Barry White Devaney, Mokran3:51
14."These Are the Days of Our Lives" (with Queen and George Michael) Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon George Michael, Queen4:43
15."Down in the Depths" Cole Porter Devaney, Morris, Stansfield4:27
16."All Woman"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris5:16
17."All Around the World"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:22
North American edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Change"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:33
2."Someday (I'm Coming Back)"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:56
3."This Is the Right Time"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisColdcut4:30
4."The Real Thing"Stansfield, DevaneyDevaney, Mokran4:18
5."People Hold On" (featuring Coldcut)Stansfield, Black, MoreColdcut3:58
6."In All the Right Places"Stansfield, Devaney, Morris, BarryDevaney, Morris5:16
7."So Natural"Stansfield, DevaneyDevaney5:05
8."Time to Make You Mine"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:10
9."Live Together"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:35
10."You Can't Deny It" (edit)Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:20
11."Never Gonna Fall" (edit)Stansfield, DevaneyDevaney, Mokran4:35
12."Let's Just Call It Love"Stansfield, Devaney, DarbyshireDevaney3:59
13."Never, Never Gonna Give You Up"WhiteDevaney, Mokran3:51
14."These Are the Days of Our Lives" (with Queen and George Michael)Mercury, May, Taylor, DeaconMichael, Queen4:43
15."Down in the Depths"PorterDevaney, Morris, Stansfield4:27
16."All Woman"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris5:16
17."All Around the World"Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris4:22
European limited edition bonus CD
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Change" (Knuckles mix)Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris, Frankie Knuckles 6:25
2."Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" (Knuckles mix)WhiteDevaney, Mokran, Knuckles8:41
3."People Hold On" (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels mix)Stansfield, Black, MoreColdcut, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels6:11
4."The Line" (Black Science Orchestra mix)Stansfield, Devaney, Terry GamwellsDevaney, Mokran, Black Science Orchestra 5:58
5."8-3-1" (David Morales club mix long intro)Stansfield, Devaney, DarbyshireDevaney, David Morales 8:28
6."Never Gonna Fall" (Junior Vasquez mix)Stansfield, DevaneyDevaney, Mokran, Junior Vasquez 8:24
Japanese edition bonus CD
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Change" (Knuckles mix)Stansfield, Devaney, MorrisDevaney, Morris, Knuckles6:25
2."Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" (Knuckles mix)WhiteDevaney, Mokran, Knuckles8:41
3."People Hold On" (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels mix)Stansfield, Black, MoreColdcut, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels6:11
4."The Line" (Black Science Orchestra mix)Stansfield, Devaney, GamwellsDevaney, Mokran, Black Science Orchestra5:58
5."8-3-1" (David Morales club mix long intro)Stansfield, Devaney, DarbyshireDevaney, Morales8:28
6."Never Gonna Fall" (Junior Vasquez mix)Stansfield, DevaneyDevaney, Mokran, Vasquez8:24
7."Baby Come Back" J.C. Crowley, Peter Beckett Devaney, Mokran3:34

DVD track listing

  1. Coldcut feat. Lisa Stansfield – People Hold On
  2. Lisa Stansfield – This Is The Right Time
  3. Lisa Stansfield – This Is The Right Time (US version)
  4. Lisa Stansfield – All Around The World
  5. Lisa Stansfield – Live Together
  6. Lisa Stansfield – Change
  7. Lisa Stansfield – All Woman
  8. Lisa Stansfield – Time To Make You Mine
  9. Lisa Stansfield – Set Your Loving Free
  10. Lisa Stansfield – Someday (I'm Coming Back)
  11. Lisa Stansfield – Down In The Depths
  12. Lisa Stansfield – In All The Right Places
  13. Lisa Stansfield – So Natural
  14. Lisa Stansfield – Little Bit Of Heaven
  15. Lisa Stansfield – These Are The Days Of Our Lives
  16. Lisa Stansfield – The Real Thing
  17. Lisa Stansfield – Never, Never Gonna Give You Up
  18. Lisa Stansfield – Let's Just Call It Love

DVD extras

  1. Lisa Stansfield with Barry White – All Around The World
  2. Lisa Stansfield – Change (US version)
  3. Lisa Stansfield – What Did I Do To You? (live)
  4. Lisa Stansfield – A Little More Love (live)
  5. Lisa Stansfield – Change (live)
  6. Lisa Stansfield – People Hold On (live)
  7. Lisa Stansfield – Suzanne (live)
  8. Out-takes

Charts

Certifications and sales

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [15] Gold100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
Europe3 February 2003 Arista CD 74321 98954 2
2CD82876 50222 2
North America18 February 2003CD07822 10616 2
Australia24 February 200374321 98954 2
Japan26 March 20032CDBVCA-28003~BVCA-28004

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisa Stansfield</span> English singer (born 1966)

Lisa Jane Stansfield is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. Her career began in 1980 when she won the singing competition Search for a Star. After appearances in various television shows and releasing her first singles, Stansfield, along with Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, formed Blue Zone in 1986. The band released several singles and one album, but after the success of Coldcut's "People Hold On" in 1989, on which Stansfield was featured, the focus was placed on her solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up</span> Song written, produced and recorded by Barry White

"Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up" is a song written, produced and recorded by American singer and songwriter Barry White for his second album, Stone Gon' (1973). In June 1973, it was released as the first single in the United States and reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a gold record. In Europe, it was issued in early 1974 and peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Can't Deny It</span> 1990 single by Lisa Stansfield

"You Can't Deny It" is a song by English singer and songwriter Lisa Stansfield from her debut solo studio album, Affection (1989). It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, produced by Devaney and Morris, and remixed by Gail "Sky" King and Yvonne Turner. The song was released as the album's second North American single on 2 May 1990, by Arista Records and received generally positive reviews from music critics.

<i>Affection</i> (Lisa Stansfield album) 1989 studio album by Lisa Stansfield

Affection is the debut solo album by British singer Lisa Stansfield, released by Arista Records on 20 November 1989. Stansfield co-wrote all songs with Ian Devaney and Andy Morris. Devaney and Morris also produced the album, except for "This Is the Right Time" which was produced by Coldcut. Affection received critical acclaim from music critics and was commercially successful. It reached top ten on the charts in many countries and has sold over five million copies worldwide. The album spawned a hit song, "All Around the World", and four other successful singles: "This Is the Right Time", "Live Together", "What Did I Do to You?" and "You Can't Deny It". Affection was rereleased as a deluxe 2CD + DVD set in the United Kingdom on 10 November 2014 and in Europe on 21 November 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Around the World (Lisa Stansfield song)</span> 1989 single by Lisa Stansfield

"All Around the World" is a song by English singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield from her debut studio album, Affection (1989). It was released as the album's second single on 16 October 1989 by Arista Records. It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. The song received favorable reviews from music critics. Songwriters, Stansfield, Devaney and Morris, received the 1989 Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. "All Around the World" was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards. Additionally, Stansfield was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The song became the first of two UK number-one singles for Stansfield and the first of eight top-ten hits she would achieve in that country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisa Stansfield discography</span>

English singer and songwriter Lisa Stansfield has released eight solo studio albums and one with her band Blue Zone, four compilation albums, three remix albums, one soundtrack album, one extended play and forty-four singles. As of 2004, Stansfield has sold over 20 million records worldwide, including 5 million of Affection.

<i>Real Love</i> (Lisa Stansfield album) 1991 studio album by Lisa Stansfield

Real Love is the second studio album by English singer and songwriter Lisa Stansfield, released on 11 November 1991, by Arista Records. Stansfield co-wrote all songs with Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, whom also produced the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Time to Make You Mine</span> 1992 single by Lisa Stansfield

"Time to Make You Mine" is a song recorded by British singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield for her second album, Real Love (1991). It was written by her with Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is the Right Time</span> 1989 single by Lisa Stansfield

"This Is the Right Time" is a song by English singer and songwriter Lisa Stansfield from her debut solo studio album, Affection (1989). It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Coldcut. The song was released as the album's first European single on 31 July 1989, by Arista Records and received positive reviews from music critics. One year later in North America, "This Is the Right Time" was released as the third single from Affection on 30 July 1990.

<i>So Natural</i> (Lisa Stansfield album) 1993 studio album by Lisa Stansfield

So Natural is the third studio album by British singer Lisa Stansfield, released by Arista Records on 8 November 1993. Stansfield wrote songs for the album with her husband Ian Devaney, who also produced the tracks. Three songs were co-written by Andy Morris, who worked with Stansfield on Affection (1989) and Real Love (1991). So Natural garnered positive reviews from music critics and performed moderately on the charts, reaching number six in the United Kingdom and receiving Platinum certification. It wasn't released in North America. So Natural was rereleased as a deluxe 2CD + DVD set in the United Kingdom on 10 November 2014 and in Europe on 21 November 2014.

<i>Face Up</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Lisa Stansfield

Face Up is the fifth album by British singer Lisa Stansfield, released by Arista Records on 20 June 2001. It was her first new studio album since 1997's Lisa Stansfield. Stansfield co-wrote songs for the album with her husband Ian Devaney and Richard Darbyshire. Devaney also produced all the tracks. Face Up garnered favorable reviews from music critics who praised the funky and soul songs and also the adventurous usage of 2-step garage beats in the first single, "Let's Just Call It Love". The disco-flavored "8-3-1", selected as the second single, was withdrawn at the last minute. Face Up was released in Europe and Japan, and performed moderately on the charts reaching top forty in the European countries. Face Up was re-released as a deluxe 2CD + DVD set in the United Kingdom on 10 November 2014 and in Europe on 21 November 2014.

<i>Lisa Stansfield</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Lisa Stansfield

Lisa Stansfield is the fourth album by British singer Lisa Stansfield, released by Arista Records on 21 March 1997. It was her first new studio album since 1993's So Natural. Stansfield co-wrote most songs for the album with her husband Ian Devaney. The tracks were produced by Devaney and Peter Mokran. Lisa Stansfield garnered favourable reviews from music critics and was commercially successful, reaching number two in the United Kingdom and receiving Gold certification. In the United States, it spawned four number-one singles on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs. Lisa Stansfield was rereleased as a deluxe 2CD + DVD set in Europe in November 2014.

<i>The Complete Collection</i> (Lisa Stansfield album) 2003 box set by Lisa Stansfield

The Complete Collection is a six-CD box set by British recording artist Lisa Stansfield. It was released by Arista Records in the United Kingdom on 2 June 2003 and includes five of Stansfield's studio albums with bonus tracks and a sixth disc with remixes, rarities and one previously unreleased song. The Complete Collection garnered favorable reviews from music critics. In 2014, more expanded The Collection 1989–2003 was also released.

<i>The Moment</i> (Lisa Stansfield album) 2004 studio album by Lisa Stansfield

The Moment is the sixth album by British singer Lisa Stansfield, released by ZTT Records on 27 September 2004. It was her first new studio album since 2001's Face Up. The Moment was entirely produced by Trevor Horn, the acclaimed producer behind Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Seal. It garnered positive reviews from music critics who praised Stansfield's voice and the fact that an established artist like her is still evolving and experimenting. The Moment was released in the United Kingdom and Japan in September 2004 and in Europe in February 2005, and performed moderately on the charts. Two main singles released from the album include "Treat Me Like a Woman" and "If I Hadn't Got You". On 6 April 2015, The Moment was re-released with five bonus tracks, three previously unreleased.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People Hold On</span> 1989 single by Coldcut

"People Hold On" is a song by British band Coldcut and singer Lisa Stansfield, released as the first single from the band's debut album, What's That Noise? (1989). It was written by Matt Black, Jonathan More and Stansfield, and produced by Coldcut. The song received positive reviews from music critics and became a commercial success. It was released as a single on 13 March 1989 and reached number eleven on the UK Singles Chart and number six on the US Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The song was remixed by Blaze, Juan Atkins, Dimitri from Paris, Mark Saunders, Eric Kupper, Tyrone Perkins and Masters At Work.

<i>The Remix Album</i> (Lisa Stansfield album) 1998 remix album by Lisa Stansfield

The Remix Album is the first remix album by British singer Lisa Stansfield, released by Arista Records on 2 June 1998. It contains remixes of songs originally included on the 1997 album, Lisa Stansfield. The tracks were remixed by prominent US and UK producers: Hex Hector, Junior Vasquez, Victor Calderone, Frankie Knuckles, Hani, K-Klass, Mark Picchiotti, the Black Science Orchestra and the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The album garnered favorable reviews from music critics and reached number eighty-two on the Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Live Together</span> 1990 single by Lisa Stansfield

"Live Together" is a song recorded by British singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield for her debut album, Affection (1989). It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. It was released as the third European single on 29 January 1990. The single included previously unreleased song "Sing It" and remixes of "Live Together" created by Massive Attack and Steve Anderson. It became a hit in Europe, reaching top ten in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and Italy, and top forty in other European countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Gonna Fall</span> 1997 single by Lisa Stansfield

"Never Gonna Fall" is a song recorded by British singer Lisa Stansfield for her 1997 eponymous album. It was written by Stansfield and Ian Devaney, and produced by Devaney and Peter Mokran. The single was released in the United States on 27 October 1997 and included remixes created by two prominent US producers: Junior Vasquez and Victor Calderone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Leavin' (Lisa Stansfield song)</span> 1998 single by Lisa Stansfield

"I'm Leavin'" is a song recorded by British singer Lisa Stansfield for her 1997 eponymous album. It was written by Crayge Lindesay and Taura Stinson, and produced by Ian Devaney and Peter Mokran. The song was released as the last promotional single from Lisa Stansfield in the United States on 9 February 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Bit of Heaven</span> 1993 single by Lisa Stansfield

"Little Bit of Heaven" is a song recorded by British singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield for her 1993 album, So Natural. It was released as the second proper single in the United Kingdom on 29 November 1993 and in other European countries in March 1994. The song was written by Stansfield and her husband Ian Devaney, and produced by Devaney.

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