International Variety Compilations

Pop Hits Compilation Vinyl: Greatest Hits, 80s Sets and Classic Series

What these international hits compilations cover

A pop hits compilation on vinyl brings together the international chart songs of an era, or the biggest hits of a single artist. This collection includes various-artists LPs devoted to the 70s, 80s or 90s, disco and slow-dance selections, and greatest-hits records that became classics in their own right, such as Queen's "Greatest Hits" from 1981 or ABBA's "Gold" from 1992. It is often the easiest way to own songs that first came out as singles.

This page gathers the international pop compilations tracked on Vinyles.com, with artists as different as Johnny Cash and Garou. For each record you can compare offers from several partner stores, find the best edition, new or used, and check whether a recent double LP reissue exists before settling on an older copy.

From K-Tel to "Now That's What I Call Music!"

In the 1970s, TV-advertised hit compilations from K-Tel and Ronco put various-artists records in countless homes. In 1983, the British series "Now That's What I Call Music!" made the hits compilation a regular event, a model later adopted in many countries. Today, record companies reissue a share of these greatest-hits and themed compilations on vinyl, often as double LPs that give each song more room in the groove.

• Decade hits: 70s, 80s, 90s
• Artist greatest hits: Queen, ABBA and many more
• Themed sets: disco, slow dances, party records
• Hit series: "Now That's What I Call Music!"

Choosing well: versions, cutting and condition

Start with the track list: album versions, single edits, remixes and radio edits all sound different. Some budget compilations include later re-recordings instead of the familiar hits, so a "re-recorded" note on the jacket is a warning sign. Also look at side lengths: a compilation that crams many songs onto one LP is cut at a lower level, with less bass, than a well-balanced double LP.

For a used copy, check the vinyl and jacket carefully. These compilations were played hard at parties and often handled without much care, so scratches, groove wear and damaged jackets are common, even when a listing sounds promising. Photos of both sides remain the best way to judge a copy before you buy.

Which compilation for which purpose?

For a party, a decade hits compilation gives you plenty of songs for a reasonable price. To get to know one artist, an official greatest-hits LP is more reliable than a various-artists set. Collectors tend to look for first pressings of famous best-ofs in their original jackets. Either way, comparing offers from partner stores helps you find a compilation at the right price without picking the wrong edition.