Greatest Hits | ||||
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Greatest hits album by | ||||
Released | October 31, 2005 | |||
Recorded | 1994–2005 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 54:38 | |||
Label | Geffen | |||
Producer |
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Blink-182 chronology | ||||
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Singles from Greatest Hits | ||||
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Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album of American rock band Blink-182. It was released on October 31, 2005, by Geffen Records. Greatest Hits was created by Geffen shortly after the band's February 2005 breakup, termed an "indefinite hiatus" by the label. Tensions had risen in the group and guitarist Tom DeLonge desired to take time off. Bassist Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker argued with DeLonge regarding the band's future and their possible next album, and heated exchanges led to DeLonge's exit. In the interim, Hoppus and Barker continued playing together in +44, and DeLonge formed his new outfit Angels & Airwaves.
The compilation collects the band's most successful singles with one new song and a non-album track. The collection covers tracks from the band's debut album Cheshire Cat (1995) to their self-titled album [1] (2003). Greatest Hits features numerous hit singles by the band, including "Dammit", "What's My Age Again?", "All the Small Things", "The Rock Show", "First Date", "Feeling This" and "I Miss You".
"Not Now", which was recorded during the Blink-182 sessions (and originally released as a bonus track on the UK edition of Blink-182), featured on the compilation and was released as its lead single; a cover of "Another Girl, Another Planet" by the Only Ones was sent to radio as an airplay promotional single.
Greatest Hits peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 album chart. Critics were generally very positive regarding Greatest Hits, viewing it a suitable, reflective compilation of the band's hits. Andy Greenwald of Blender called it a "flawless compilation," covering the group's transition from "nudists to near-geniuses." [2] The compilation was released alongside a DVD of the same name, a collection of the trio's music videos to that point in time. Greatest Hits has been certified platinum in Canada and triple platinum in Australia.
By 2004, Blink-182, consisting of guitarist Tom DeLonge, bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker, had emerged as the biggest pop-punk act of the era, releasing the seven-times-multiplatinum Enema of the State (1999) and number one album Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001). [3] The band had taken a brief break in 2001 when DeLonge suffered a herniated disc in his back, [4] during which time he recorded an album—titled Box Car Racer —which contained darker musical material he felt unsuited for Blink. Barker provided drums on the album, and the project quickly evolved into a full-fledged band. It caused great division between DeLonge and Hoppus, who was not included and felt betrayed. [5] The moody subject matter and music on Box Car Racer edged its way into Blink's sound as well on their next effort, an eponymous fifth studio album (2003). [6] [7] [8] Geffen Records, after the success of Box Car Racer, offered DeLonge a solo recording deal, which he declined, feeling that it would cast a negative shadow over the band. Nevertheless, the possible deal loomed over the band, contributing to internal tension. [9]
DeLonge became increasingly conflicted both about his creative freedom within the group and the toll touring was taking on his family life. [10] He soon expressed his desire to take a half-year respite from touring in order to spend more time with family. [11] Hoppus and Barker were dismayed, viewing this break as overly long. [12] Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, DeLonge agreed to perform at Music for Relief's Concert for South Asia, a benefit show to aid victims. Further arguments ensued during band rehearsals: [13] DeLonge asserted he would only record another album at his home in San Diego, suggesting he email Pro Tools files to Hoppus and Barker in Los Angeles. The duo were flexible regarding DeLonge's time off, but became angry when he began deciding "when we can and can't tour, [and] when and how we can record." [14] : 150–51 DeLonge quit the band, coming to the conclusion that the trio had simply grew apart as they aged, had families, and gained fame. [5] Rumors had already begun to swirl when the band unexpectedly pulled out of the benefit show, and intensified when Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction posted on his blog that the band had "apparently" broken up. [14] : 138–39 The band's label, Geffen, confirmed this on February 22, 2005, terming their dissolution an "indefinite hiatus". [15]
Greatest Hits opens with "Carousel", which was the very first song Hoppus and DeLonge wrote together upon their meeting in August 1992. [16] : 10 It has been described by journalist Joe Shooman as "a satisfyingly fast-assed punk song in the vein of NOFX with some very adept dynamic breakdowns." The band's first promotional single, "M+M's", follows, which is based around power chords and Hoppus' lead vocal of a vacation elsewhere. [14] : 24–25 "Dammit", which was the band's first major-label single and also their first radio hit, is themed around maturity and the refrain, "Well I guess this is growing up." [16] : 42 The distinctive riff of "Dammit" was created when Hoppus was forced to skip over the missing two strings on an acoustic guitar. [16] : 70 It reached number 11 on Billboard 's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1998, and received heavy radio airplay. [17] "Josie" is about "being stoked on a girl." [18] It contains references to the bands Unwritten Law and Dance Hall Crashers ("My girlfriend likes UL and DHC"), two groups the band toured with in the mid-1990s. [14] : 44
"What's My Age Again?" was originally titled "Peter Pan Complex", referencing the subject matter: one who refuses to grow up. [19] Its music video features the band running in the nude through the streets of Los Angeles and became an MTV staple. [20] [14] : 69 The power pop-inspired "All the Small Things" was composed by DeLonge as both an ode to his girlfriend and one of his favorite bands, the Ramones. [21] [22] The single, released in early 2000, was the band's biggest mainstream hit, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. [20] "Adam's Song," the piano-laced seventh track of the compilation, was written primarily based on the loneliness that Hoppus experienced during unending days of touring in 1997–98. [16] : 83 "Man Overboard" is based on former drummer Scott Raynor and his firing from the band for alcohol abuse. [14] : 80
"The Rock Show" details two teenagers meeting a rock concert, and, despite failing grades and disapproving parents, the two remain in love. [14] : 84 Hoppus wrote the song based on memories of the San Diego club Soma. [23] "First Date" was inspired by DeLonge and wife Jennifer Jenkins' first date at SeaWorld San Diego. [3] The track was written as a summary of neurotic teen angst and awkwardness. [3] "Stay Together for the Kids" is written from the point of view of a helpless child of divorce. [24] DeLonge wrote the song based on his parents' own divorce. [25] "Feeling This" follows, and "illustrates a scenario of lust, ambivalence and regret," according to journalist Jon Wiederhorn. [8] Its lyrics were intended to represent the lustful side of sex during the verses, the passionate side in the bridge and the romantic side in the chorus. [3]
"I Miss You" was recorded entirely acoustic, [26] and covers vulnerability in relationships. [27] "Down" continues the theme of longing, set to a rain-drenched soundscape. [14] : 122–24 "Always" was inspired by 1980s music in its tone; [28] its lyrics, according to DeLonge, are about "wanting to hold a chick all night long." [29] "Not Now", a B-side from the band's 2003 album and first included on this compilation, features a church organ in its verses and guitar riffs reminiscent of the Descendents; its subject matter continues the theme of complicated miscommunication and fading love. [14] : 122–24 The album closes with "Another Girl, Another Planet", which is a cover of the song by the Only Ones and was used as the title theme for Barker's MTV reality series, Meet the Barkers .
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [30] |
Blender | [2] |
Rolling Stone | [31] |
Greatest Hits was first announced on August 29, 2005; it was initially slated to have a live version of "Man Overboard". [32] The album's artwork is a smilie surrounded by arrows, which was first introduced on the band's 2003 album; it was illustrated by Mister Cartoon, a friend of drummer Travis Barker. In addition, the photography for Greatest Hits was supplied by another friend of Barker, Estevan Oriol. [33] SA Studios handled the art direction for the compilation. [34]
"Not Now" was selected to be the lead single, but was contested by the management between the former band members at the time. DeLonge's manager and original Blink manager Rick DeVoe supported "Not Now", while Hoppus and Barker's new management, Irving Azoff, lobbied for "Another Girl, Another Planet". [35]
In the United States, Greatest Hits peaked at number six on both the Billboard 200 and the magazine's Top Internet Albums chart, selling 72,000 copies in its first week. [36] Greatest Hits charted highest in Canada, where it peaked at number three on the Canadian Albums Chart. [37] The collection's second best performance arrived on Australia's ARIA Charts, where it peaked at number four. [38] In the United Kingdom, the album also peaked at number six. [39] The album also peaked at number nine in Austria, [40] and number 12 on the French Albums Chart. [41] The album charted lower in areas such as Japan, Germany, and New Zealand, but still within the top 40 of each respective country. [42] [43] [44]
Andy Greenwald of Blender called it a "flawless compilation," covering the group's transition from "nudists to near-geniuses." [2] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic found the collection ran a little long, but overall deemed it an "intermittently entertaining collection." [30]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original release | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Carousel" (Cheshire Cat version) | Originally from Buddha (1994), re-recorded for Cheshire Cat (1995) | 3:11 | |
2. | "M+M's" |
| Cheshire Cat | 2:35 |
3. | "Dammit" (single version) |
| Dude Ranch (1997) | 2:45 |
4. | "Josie" (single version) |
| Dude Ranch | 3:05 |
5. | "What's My Age Again?" (single version) |
| Enema of the State (1999) | 2:28 |
6. | "All the Small Things" (single version) |
| Enema of the State | 2:51 |
7. | "Adam's Song" (single version) |
| Enema of the State | 4:06 |
8. | "Man Overboard" (Tom Lord-Alge remix) |
| The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!) (2000) | 2:47 |
9. | "The Rock Show" |
| Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001) | 2:48 |
10. | "First Date" |
| Take Off Your Pants and Jacket | 2:50 |
11. | "Stay Together for the Kids" |
| Take Off Your Pants and Jacket | 3:52 |
12. | "Feeling This" |
| Untitled (2003) | 2:53 |
13. | "I Miss You" |
| Untitled | 3:47 |
14. | "Down" (single version) |
| Untitled | 3:12 |
15. | "Always" (single version) |
| Untitled | 4:17 |
16. | "Not Now" (alternate edit) |
| Untitled (Europe and Japan exclusive) | 4:23 |
17. | "Another Girl, Another Planet" (The Only Ones cover) | Peter Perrett | Previously unreleased | 2:41 |
Total length: | 54:38 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original release | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
18. | "Aliens Exist" (live in Los Angeles/1999) |
| "What's My Age Again?" single (1999) | 3:13 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original release | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
18. | "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" |
| "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" single (1997) | 3:17 |
19. | "Go" (BBC Radio 1 session) |
| "I Miss You" single (2003) | 1:51 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original release | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
18. | "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" |
| "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" single (1997) | 3:17 |
19. | "Don't Tell Me It's Over" |
| "First Date" single (2001) | 2:33 |
20. | "I Miss You" (live in Minneapolis) |
| "Always" single (2003) | 3:58 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original release | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
18. | "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" |
| "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" single (1997) | 3:17 |
No. | Title | Director(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Dammit" |
| 2:51 |
2. | "Josie" |
| 3:36 |
3. | "What's My Age Again?" | Marcos Siega | 2:27 |
4. | "All the Small Things" | Siega | 2:53 |
5. | "Adam's Song" | Liz Friedlander | 4:14 |
6. | "Man Overboard" | Siega | 2:56 |
7. | "The Rock Show" | The Malloys | 3:08 |
8. | "Stay Together for the Kids" (original version) | Samuel Bayer | 3:32 |
9. | "First Date" | The Malloys | 3:58 |
10. | "Feeling This" | David LaChapelle | 3:09 |
11. | "I Miss You" | Jonas Åkerlund | 3:50 |
12. | "Down" | Estevan Oriol | 3:17 |
13. | "Always" | Joseph Khan | 4:12 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "What's My Age Again?" (live in Chicago) | 3:36 |
2. | "Anthem Part Two" (live in Chicago) | 2:34 |
3. | "Carousel" (live in Chicago) | 2:39 |
4. | "Feeling This" (making of the video) | 2:01 |
5. | "I Miss You" (making of the video) | 2:01 |
6. | "Down" (recording and the video) | 5:06 |
7. | "Greatest Hits Trailer" | 3:03 |
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [34]
|
|
Weekly charts
| DVD
Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [61] | 3× Platinum | 210,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada) [62] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Germany (BVMI) [63] | Platinum | 200,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [64] sales since 2009 | Gold | 25,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [65] | Gold | 7,500^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [66] | 3× Platinum | 900,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Take Off Your Pants and Jacket is the fourth studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on June 12, 2001, by MCA Records. The band had spent much of the previous year traveling and supporting their previous album Enema of the State (1999), which launched their mainstream career. The album's title is a tongue-in-cheek pun on male masturbation, and its cover art has icons for each member of the trio: an airplane, a pair of pants, and a jacket. It is the band's final release through MCA.
Enema of the State is the third studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on June 1, 1999, by MCA Records. After a long series of performances at various clubs and festivals and several indie recordings throughout the 1990s, Blink-182 first achieved popularity on the Warped Tour and in Australia following the release of their second album Dude Ranch (1997) and its rock radio hit "Dammit." To record their third album, Blink-182 turned to veteran punk rock producer Jerry Finn, who previously worked on Green Day's breakthrough album Dookie (1994). Enema was the band's first album to feature drummer Travis Barker, who replaced original drummer Scott Raynor.
"Adam's Song" is a song recorded by the American rock band Blink-182 for their third studio album, Enema of the State (1999). It was released as the third and final single from Enema of the State in March 2000, through MCA Records. "Adam's Song" shares writing credits between the band's guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, but Hoppus was the primary composer of the song. The track concerns suicide, depression and loneliness. It incorporates a piano in its bridge section and was regarded as one of the most serious songs the band had written to that point.
"First Date" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182 for their fourth studio album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001). It was released as the second single from the album on October 8, 2001. It was written primarily by guitarist Tom DeLonge, with additional songwriting credit to bassist Mark Hoppus, and drummer Travis Barker. "First Date" centers on the awkwardness and complicated emotions two individuals can experience upon initial meeting. DeLonge based the song on memories of his initial courtship with then-spouse Jennifer Jenkins.
"The Rock Show" is a song by American rock band Blink-182 for the group's fourth studio album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001). It was released as the lead single from the album on May 7, 2001. The track was composed primarily by bassist Mark Hoppus about meeting a girl at a rock concert. It was inspired by the band's early days touring punk rock clubs, mainly Soma in their hometown of San Diego.
The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show is a live album by American rock band Blink-182. It was released on November 7, 2000, by MCA Records. Blink-182 had risen to fame at the turn of the millennium on the strength of its third album, Enema of the State, which went multiplatinum. Capturing the band's stage show—known for its irreverent humor—with a live release was designed to satisfy fans between new studio albums. The album was recorded over two nights at performances in their native California, on the group's inaugural arena tour.
Mark Allan Hoppus is an American musician and record producer. He is the bassist and co-lead vocalist for the rock band Blink-182 and the only member to appear on every album.
Box Car Racer is the only studio album by American rock band Box Car Racer. Produced by Jerry Finn, the album was released on May 21, 2002, through MCA Records. The band was a side-project of Blink-182 members Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker, with David Kennedy completing the band's studio lineup. A bassist and friend of Barker, Anthony Celestino, later joined as the band's bassist after DeLonge recorded the bass tracks for the record.
Blink-182 is the fifth studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on November 18, 2003, by Geffen Records. Following their ascent to stardom and success of their prior two releases, the trio was compelled to take a break and participated in various side projects. When they regrouped, they felt inspired to approach song structure and arrangements differently on their next effort together.
"Feeling This" is a song by American rock band Blink-182 for their untitled fifth studio album (2003). The song is the opening track on the album and was released as its lead single on October 6, 2003, through Geffen Records. It was written by guitarist Tom DeLonge, bassist Mark Hoppus, and drummer Travis Barker, and was produced and mixed by Jerry Finn. The song originated on the first day of producing the album. Its lyrics are purely sexual in nature; the band juxtaposes lust and passion between verses and choruses, thematically connected with a wistful, regretful tone.
"Man Overboard" is a song by the American rock band Blink-182. It was first released on September 2, 2000, through MCA Records as the lead single from the band's live album The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (2000). It is the sole studio recording on the release, and was recorded as a bonus track to help promote its release. The song's lyrics, credited to bassist Mark Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge, are about losing their original drummer Scott Raynor to alcohol abuse. In the song, Hoppus repeats the refrain "so sorry it's over," and goes on to highlight occasions in which a friend was too intoxicated to be dependable.
"Always" is a song by American rock band Blink-182, released on November 15, 2004 as the fourth and final single from the group's untitled fifth studio album. The song was the lowest charting single from the album, but the song's music video received extensive play on music video channels. Like much of the album, the song shows the band's 1980s influences, with the multiple-layered, heavily effected guitars and new wave synthesizers.
"I Miss You" is a song by American rock band Blink-182, released on February 2, 2004, as the second single from the group's self-titled album (2003). Co-written by guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, they employed a method of writing separately and bringing their two verses together later. The song features an acoustic electric bass, a cello, and a brushstroked drum loop. The song was inspired by the Cure song "The Love Cats" and contains references to The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).
"All the Small Things" is a song by American rock band Blink-182. It was the second single and eighth track released from the band's third album, Enema of the State (1999). The track was composed primarily by guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge as an ode to his then girlfriend. Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Jerry Finn, the song was created with the intention of shipping it to radio, as the trio felt they needed a single "really catchy and basic."
"Not Now" is a song by American rock band Blink-182 that was released on November 28, 2005. It was the lone single from the group's first compilation album, Greatest Hits (2005), because it was the only song on the compilation that was previously unreleased in the US. The song had been composed and recorded during the sessions that produced the group's self-titled 2003 album. "Not Now" would be the group's last single as a band before their four-year hiatus from 2005 to 2009.
+44 was an American rock supergroup formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2005. The group consisted of vocalist and bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker of Blink-182, lead guitarist Shane Gallagher of The Nervous Return, and rhythm guitarist Craig Fairbaugh of Mercy Killers. Hoppus and Barker created +44 shortly after the initial 2005 breakup of Blink-182 and before it was later reformed. The band's name refers to the international dialing code of the United Kingdom, the country where the duo first discussed the project. Early recordings were largely electronic in nature, and featured vocals by Carol Heller, formerly of the all-girl punk quartet Get the Girl.
We Don't Need to Whisper is the debut studio album by the American rock band Angels & Airwaves. Recorded at Neverpants Ranch in San Diego, California, and produced by guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge, the album was released on May 23, 2006, through Geffen Records. In February 2005, DeLonge, who wanted to spend more time with his family, quit Blink-182 after months of heated exchanges and increasing tension within the trio and spent three weeks in isolation, contemplating his life, career, and future in music.
When Your Heart Stops Beating is the only album by the American rock supergroup +44, released on November 14, 2006, by Interscope Records. Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker of Blink-182 formed +44 as an experimental electronic outfit following the breakup of Blink-182. The project started in early 2005, and was later joined by lead guitarist Shane Gallagher and rhythm guitarist Craig Fairbaugh.
Blink-182 is an American rock band formed in 1992 in Poway, California. Their current and best-known line-up consists of bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. Though their sound has diversified throughout their career, their musical style, described as pop-punk, blends catchy pop melodies with fast-paced punk rock. Their lyrics primarily focus on relationships, adolescent frustration, and maturity—or lack thereof. The group emerged from a suburban, Southern California skate punk scene and first gained notoriety for high-energy live shows and irreverent humour.
Neighborhoods is the sixth studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released September 27, 2011, through DGC Records and Interscope. Their first album of new material in eight years, its recording followed the band's breakup and later reconciliation. Due to conflicts within the trio, the band entered an "indefinite hiatus" in 2005 and the members explored various side-projects. After two separate tragedies regarding the band and their entourage, the members of Blink-182 decided to reunite in late 2008, with plans for a new album and tour. It was the last studio album to feature founding member Tom DeLonge until his return on 2023's One More Time....
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