40 Greatest!

February 06, 2020

The legendary 40 Greatest! 2 CD Set PINK ALBUM is now available on a deluxe double compact disc set.
Elvis' 40 Greatest, originally released (on Arcade) in 1974 and UK's biggest-selling album over the Christmas period of that year, but along with all albums on K-tel, Ronco and Arcade, it was ineligible for the UK Albums Chart until 1975 because it was felt that heavy TV advertising and low pricing distorted the charts. It finally reached number one on the UK Albums Chart in 1977, and became the 10th best-selling album of the 1970s in the UK. It was originally pressed with a brown cover and doctored image of Elvis.

The 1978 re-release, was released simultaneously on black vinyl and a more expensive pink vinyl edition. The pink vinyl sold a stagger 250.000 copies MORE than the black vinyl. It is in fact one of the best selling Elvis compilation albums of all time.

Both the original 1974 Arcade and the 1978 pink RCA re-release were, despite its success, never released on compact disc.

But the waiting is over: housed in a stunning 6 panel digipack, Elvis' 40 GREATEST contains the 40 original masters from the 1978 album + as very special bonus tracks are added the original tracks from the 1983 UK edition of the 'I WAS THE ONE' album, that contained overdubbed live and studio recordings from the 1950s and early 1960s. These recordings have never been released officially on compact disc.

Tracklist

Compact Disc 1

01. My Baby Left Me
02. Heartbreak Hotel
03. Blue Suede Shoes
04. Hound Dog
05. Love Me Tender
06. Got A Lot O'Livin To Do
07. Teddy Bear
08. Party
09. All Shook Up
10. Old Shep
11. Don't
12. Hard Headed Woman
13. King Creole
14. Jailhouse Rock
15. A Big Hunk O Love
16. I Got Stung
17. One Night
18. A Fool Such As I
19. I Need Your Love Tonight
20. Stuck On You

From The 1983 I Was The One Album:

21. I Was The One
22. Baby Let's Play House
23. Shake, Rattle And Roll / Flip, Flop And Fly
24. Don't
25. Paralyzed
26. Your Cheatin' Heart
27. Baby I Don't Care
28. Don't Be Cruel

Compact Disc 2

01. Fever
02. It's Now Or Never
03. Are You Lonesome Tonight
04. Wooden Heart
05. Surrender
06. His Latest Flame
07. Wild In The Country
08. There's Always Me
09. Rock-A-Hula Baby
10. Can't Help Falling In Love
11. Good Luck Charm
12. She's Not You
13. Return To Sender
14. You're The Devil In Disguise
15. Crying In The Chapel
16. Guitar Man
17. In The Ghetto
18. Suspicious Mind
19. There Goes My Everything
20. Don't Cry Daddy

From The 1983 I Was The One Album:

21. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
22. My Baby Left Me
23. Little Sister
24. Heartbreak Hotel
25. Hound Dog
26. Ready Teddy
27. Young And Beautiful
28. Rip It Up

Source:

Various

joemin wrote on February 08, 2020

I can vividly remember the day I bought this LP, released to celebrate Elvis' 40th birthday. It was an enormous success immediately and again in 1975 and 1977. I was unaware of the situation with the official charts in 1974, glad to have the explanation. I recall Tony Prince on Radio Luxembourg stating that more than half the homes in the UK had bought this LP. In fact RL had their own version of the album, slight difference in the track listing, which I also have. I will certainly be buying this.

FM wrote on February 08, 2020

Great Album, I own the Pink LP set in near mint condition, I stick with that for now

Milky White Way wrote on February 09, 2020

it was the original Arcade album back in Christmas 74 that made me an Elvis fan, I was only 9 and wanted an LP for my first record player. I saw the record advertised on tv and said “I want that one.” Best decision I ever made. I also have the pink version mint so no need for this one.

Gorse wrote on February 10, 2020

I just checked and still have this album. I remember looking for something else in the store and this popped up in the LP selection with a price that was less than the single albums. The salesgirl said what was marked on the item was an obvious error but that's the price I will charge you. Happy Days !!

Boxcar wrote on February 10, 2020

It's nostalgic. A great idea for a 5,95 Euro royalty-free E.U. release offered in front of the register at your local supermarket. But not for 20-26 Euros to make a bootlegger rich for doing nothing.

JerryNodak wrote on February 14, 2020

I remember buying the RCA pink re-release back in '78. Took it home, put it on my turntable and got misty eyed while listening. Still have the LP in my Elvis collection.

Jeoliverm wrote on February 21, 2020

Love the cover. By now I don't have the album, in my younger days I bought the "Elvis Forever. 32 Hits" instead, which is almost the same tracklist (minus 8 songs, of course). Anyway, because I love the cover I'm sure I'll purchase it someday, but the original vinyl album, not some bootleg CD. Aside at the good Boxcar suggest... don't you think it would be a nice release in the FTD 7" series?