| Johnny Paycheck's Greatest Hits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | December 1968 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 36:59 | |||
| Label | Little Darlin' Records | |||
| Producer | Aubrey Mayhew | |||
| Johnny Paycheck chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Johnny Paycheck's Greatest Hits | ||||
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Johnny Paycheck's Greatest Hits is the first compilation album by American country music artist Johnny Paycheck. The album was released in December 1968, via Little Darlin' Records. It was produced by Aubrey Mayhew.
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote Paycheck's back catalog, Little Darlin' assembled the collection of previously released tracks, covering between 1965 and 1968. [1] At the time, he was becoming increasingly recognized for his deeply emotional honky-tonk style and his involvement in the emerging outlaw country sound. [1]
Although the compilation was marketed as a "best of" collection, the track selection and sequencing are largely arbitrary. There's no chronological order, thematic arc, or consistency in mood. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
Despite its disorganized presentation, the compilation has earned lasting appreciation for its high-quality songwriting, vocal performance, and musical backing. While reviewers often not that the track selection lacks cohesion, the individual songs themselves are frequently praised for their emotional depth and uncompromising themes. [1]
The inclusion of "The Cave" drew particular critical attention, described as one of the finest country protest songs ever recorded, and a rare example of Cold War anxieties being explored within the genre. [1]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A-11" | Hank Cochran | 2:21 |
| 2. | "Jukebox Charlie" | 2:25 | |
| 3. | "Lovin' Machine" | Larry Kingston | 2:22 |
| 4. | "The Cave" | Kingston | 3:34 |
| 5. | "Motel Time Again" | Bobby Bare | 2:15 |
| 6. | "You'll Recover in Time" |
| 4:01 |
| 7. | "If You Should Come Back Today" | "Country" Johnny Mathis | 2:08 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Don't Monkey with Another Monkey's Monkey" | Dale Morris | 2:18 |
| 2. | "Ballad of the Green Berets" | 3:31 | |
| 3. | "(Won't be Long) and I'll be Hating You" |
| 2:26 |
| 4. | "Touch My Heart" |
| 2:46 |
| 5. | "My Heart Keeps Running to You" | Ray Buzzeo | 2:47 |
| 6. | "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow" |
| 2:07 |
| 7. | "Fool's Hall of Fame" |
| 2:47 |
| Total length: | 36:59 | ||
| Chart (1968) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Country Albums ( Billboard ) | 42 |