"Highlights from Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds" is a 1981 compilation album that condenses the 1978 double album Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. It provides an abridged version of the original concept album, focusing primarily on the musical highlights rather than the full narrative and dialogue. This single-disc edition was aimed at casual listeners who enjoyed the music but didn't want to commit to the entire story, and it rearranges the original track order, which sacrifices some plot coherence in favor of a more streamlined listening experience.
The album includes the iconic songs from the original, but also features extended musical sections. When reissued in October 2000, it was supplemented with two bonus tracks: a 1989 Ben Liebrand remix of the single version of "The Eve of the War" and a 1996 remix of "Forever Autumn." A further reissue on June 4, 2007, brought a new stereo mix of the original tracks, along with a bonus track, the "The Spirit of Man (2007 Mix)" and a revised cover art.
While Highlights doesn't offer the full experience of the original concept album, it serves as a more accessible version for casual fans, with the added remixes further expanding its appeal to collectors and long-time listeners.
