Greatest Hits
by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Released: November 16, 1993
Rock, heartland rock
Why This Album Matters
This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.
The Album
Finally, in 2016, Greatest Hits was released on vinyl for the first time since its original 1993 pressing. In 2008, Geffen Records released a version that replaced "Something in the Air" with "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," Petty's duet with Stevie Nicks from her 1981 album Bella Donna. The 2008 edition also featured new photos and artwork, shifting from the original Wildflowers and Into the Great Wide Open session photos to outtakes from You're Gonna Get It!.
Interesting Facts
The album has been reissued several times over…
The album has been reissued several times over the years.
"Greatest Hits" is a compilation album by Tom…
"Greatest Hits" is a compilation album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released on November 16, 1993.
Notably, the album excludes any songs from Petty’s…
Notably, the album excludes any songs from Petty’s 1987 album Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) but includes three songs from his 1989 solo album Full Moon Fever.
The new tracks on the compilation, "Mary Jane's…
The new tracks on the compilation, "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and "Something in the Air," marked the last recordings of the band with drummer Stan Lynch.
In 2010, the album was reissued again, reverting…
In 2010, the album was reissued again, reverting to the original 1993 track listing but maintaining the artwork from the 2008 edition.
Explore the Album
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Greatest Hits
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Reception
It remains Petty's best-selling album, having been certified 12× Platinum by the RIAA on April 28, 2015. The album features several of Petty's classic hits, along with two new tracks: "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and a cover of Thunderclap Newman's "Something in the Air." "Mary Jane's Last Dance" became one of Petty's most iconic songs, reaching No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Following Petty's death in 2017, the album re-entered the chart, reaching a new peak of No. 2.
The Complete Album Story
"Greatest Hits" is a compilation album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released on November 16, 1993. It remains Petty's best-selling album, having been certified 12× Platinum by the RIAA on April 28, 2015. The album features several of Petty's classic hits, along with two new tracks: "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and a cover of Thunderclap Newman's "Something in the Air." "Mary Jane's Last Dance" became one of Petty's most iconic songs, reaching No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Notably, the album excludes any songs from Petty’s 1987 album Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) but includes three songs from his 1989 solo album Full Moon Fever.
Upon its release, Greatest Hits debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and eventually peaked at No. 5 in February 1994. Following Petty's death in 2017, the album re-entered the chart, reaching a new peak of No. 2. The new tracks on the compilation, "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and "Something in the Air," marked the last recordings of the band with drummer Stan Lynch.
The album has been reissued several times over the years. In 2008, Geffen Records released a version that replaced "Something in the Air" with "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," Petty's duet with Stevie Nicks from her 1981 album Bella Donna. The 2008 edition also featured new photos and artwork, shifting from the original Wildflowers and Into the Great Wide Open session photos to outtakes from You're Gonna Get It!. In 2010, the album was reissued again, reverting to the original 1993 track listing but maintaining the artwork from the 2008 edition. Finally, in 2016, Greatest Hits was released on vinyl for the first time since its original 1993 pressing.
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