''Greatest Hits 1972–1978'' is a compilation album by the English rock band
10cc
10cc are an English rock music, rock band formed in Stockport, southeast of Manchester, in 1972. The group initially consisted of four musicians, Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, who had written and recorded togethe ...
, released on 21 September 1979.
Content
The compilation brings together all the band's charting UK singles between 1972 and 1978 and is the first to include the band's recordings both with
Art for Art's Sake
Art for art's sake—the usual English rendering of (), a French slogan from the latter half of the 19th century—is a phrase that expresses the philosophy that 'true' art is utterly independent of all social values and utilitarian functions, b ...
" are presented in single edited forms.
The cover art for the album was designed by
Storm Thorgerson
Storm Elvin Thorgerson (28 February 1944 – 18 April 2013) was an English art director and music video director. He is best known for closely working with the group Pink Floyd through most of their career, and also created album or other art f ...
.
Release and reception
The album was released in 1979 and was intended as a stop-gap between albums, whilst
Eric Stewart
Eric Michael Stewart (born 20 January 1945) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer, best known as a founding member of the rock groups the Mindbenders with whom he played from 1963 to 1968, and likewise of ...
recovered from his car accident that temporary halted the band's activity. The album was a big success, reaching No. 5 in the UK charts. A single was released alongside, coupling 10cc biggest hit "
I'm Not in Love
"I'm Not in Love" is a song by British group 10cc, written by band members Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman. It is known for its innovative and distinctive backing track, composed mostly of the band's multitrack recording, multitracked vocals. ...
" with "For You and I" from the ''
Bloody Tourists
''Bloody Tourists'' is the sixth studio album by the English Rock music, rock band 10cc, released worldwide by Mercury Records and in North America by Polydor Records in September 1978. Recorded at Strawberry Studios, Strawberry Studios South i ...
'' album. The single failed to chart.
The album was reissued as part of the 2017 ''During After – The Best of 10cc and Beyond'' compilation album and ''Before During After – The Story of 10cc'' box set.
Robert Christgau
Robert Thomas Christgau ( ; born April 18, 1942) is an American music journalist and essayist. Among the most influential music critics, he began his career in the late 1960s as one of the earliest professional rock critics and later became a ...
wrote: "Separating the jokes from the japes, eschewing atmospheric preciosity, and climaxing with two great pieces of lovesong schmaltz that define the group's seriousness, this is as consistent a 10cc LP as you can buy. But I miss oldies like 'Johnny, Don't Do It,' ' The Worst Band in the World,' 'Oh Effendi.' And I still don't believe 'Dreadlock Holiday' is ' Safe European Home' in corporate-rock drag."
The Wall Street Shuffle
"The Wall Street Shuffle" is a single by the British pop/rock band 10cc, released in 1974 on the UK Records label, from the band's 1974 album ''Sheet Music''. It was the most successful single to be released from the album, reaching No. 10 on th ...
" (Stewart, Gouldman) - 3:52
# "
Art for Art's Sake
Art for art's sake—the usual English rendering of (), a French slogan from the latter half of the 19th century—is a phrase that expresses the philosophy that 'true' art is utterly independent of all social values and utilitarian functions, b ...
I'm Not in Love
"I'm Not in Love" is a song by British group 10cc, written by band members Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman. It is known for its innovative and distinctive backing track, composed mostly of the band's multitrack recording, multitracked vocals. ...