Album cover. RCA (AHL1-4422) (1982)
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Greatest Hits is a compilation album by Dolly Parton. It was released on September 13, 1982, by RCA Records. The compilation was produced by Dolly and Gregg Perry. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
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Track listing
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Original release
Side A
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1984–1986 releases and digital release
Side A
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1988 and later releases
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Billboard advertisement, September 25, 1982.
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Release and promotion
The album was released September 13, 1982, on LP, cassette, and 8-track. It would be released on CD the following year.
Singles
"Hard Candy Christmas" was released as a single by RCA on October 11, 1982, to promote the compilation. The song originates from the MCA soundtrack album to Dolly's 1982 film, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. It debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated November 6. It peaked at number eight on the chart dated January 22, 1983, its twelfth week on the chart. The single charted for 19 weeks. It also peaked at number 27 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
Critical reception
The album was reviewed in the September 25, 1982 issue of Billboard magazine. It read, "This album certainly spans a long stretch of Parton's recording career. It offers old favorites like "Me and Little Andy" and "Two Doors Down", then seeps on through "Here You Come Again", "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right", and "9 to 5", before finishing up with selections from her Best Little Whorehouse in Texas movie."
Cashbox reviewed the compilation in their October 2, 1982 issue. The review said, "With Dolly's triumphant screen appearance in The Best Little Whorehouse... this summer (and the soundtrack LP's #3 position on the country album charts), RCA's "best of" disc couldn't have arrived at a more opportune moment. In fact, a pair of the film's tunes are included on the album, along with the theme from 9 to 5 and other self-penned numbers such as "Applejack" and "Two Doors Down." A diverse collection of favorites packaged in a slick, colorful gatefold jacket with photos of the songstress at different stages of her career, it should attract strong retail action."
Cashbox reviewed the compilation in their October 2, 1982 issue. The review said, "With Dolly's triumphant screen appearance in The Best Little Whorehouse... this summer (and the soundtrack LP's #3 position on the country album charts), RCA's "best of" disc couldn't have arrived at a more opportune moment. In fact, a pair of the film's tunes are included on the album, along with the theme from 9 to 5 and other self-penned numbers such as "Applejack" and "Two Doors Down." A diverse collection of favorites packaged in a slick, colorful gatefold jacket with photos of the songstress at different stages of her career, it should attract strong retail action."
Billboard review, September 25, 1982.
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Cashbox review, October 2, 1982.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated October 16, 1982. It peaked at number seven on the chart dated November 20, its sixth week on the chart. The album would spend an additional five non-consecutive weeks at this position. It charted for 95 weeks total. The album also reached number 77 on the Billboard 200. It peaked a number five on the Cashbox Country Albums chart and number 74 on the Cashbox Top Albums chart. The album peaked at number 58 in Canada on the RPM Canadian Albums chart, number 17 on the Dutch Album Top 100 chart, and number 74 on the OCC UK Albums Chart.
Accolades
The album has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for 1,000,000 units. It has also been certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association for 35,000 units and Gold by the British Phonographic Industry for 100,000 units.