Greatest Hits 1970–2002


Greatest Hits 1970–2002 is a career-spanning collection of Elton John's biggest hits up to 2002. It was released in an alternate 3-CD version and slightly different versions in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The album debuted on the Billboard 200 chart at number 12 on 30 November 2002. It spent 67 weeks on the chart. It was certified gold and platinum in December 2002, 2× platinum in March 2003, 3× platinum in August 2004 and 4x and 5x platinum in February 2011 and
6× platinum in April 2016 by the RIAA.
It was the first Elton John compilation released since the time that PolyGram, which had controlled the pre-1976 Elton John catalogue, was sold to Universal Music Group, which controlled the post-1976 recordings. Prior to 1992, rights to John's music had been complicated as they shifted between various companies. UMG now owns worldwide distribution rights to all of John's music, while sharing overall ownership with John himself.
In 2004, the album was re-released and featured the 2003 UK number 1 hit "Are You Ready for Love" as the final track on the second disc, replacing "Song for Guy".

Track listing

All songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin unless otherwise noted.

European release

Bonus disc version

On post 2003 re-issues, "Kiss the Bride" and "Song for Guy" were omitted from the 2-disc edition to make room for recent hits "Are You Ready for Love" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word". On the bonus disc edition, the two newer hits are appended at the end of disc 3.

North American release

Bonus disc version

Charts

Certifications