The World’s Greatest

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Tracklist

1▶CD
2▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Thriller
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Anthony Marinelli (Soundtrack composer)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drum machine [LinnDrum], background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
flugelhorn and trumpet:
Gary Grant (brass) and Jerry Hey
flute and saxophone:
Larry Williams ([Jazz] keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet - Producer, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist)
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
synthesizer:
Brian Banks (American keyboardist), Greg Phillinganes and Rod Temperton
trombone:
Bill Reichenbach, Jr. (jazz trombonist)
spoken vocals:
Vincent Price (US horror film actor)
horn arranger and wind instruments arranger:
Jerry Hey
percussion arranger and synthesizer arranger:
Rod Temperton
sound effects:
Bruce Cannon and Bruce Swedien
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
music videos:
Thriller by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Thriller by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2025-11-15 (number: 10) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-11-08 (number: 32)
recording of:
Thriller
lyricist and composer:
Rod Temperton
publisher:
Almo Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP), Chrysalis Music Ltd. (music publisher, affiliated with PRS), Rodsongs (publisher), Rondor Music (London) Ltd., Universal Music Publishing France (not for release label use!) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
is based on:
Starlight
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson4.55:57
2Like a Prayer
recording of:
Like a Prayer
writer:
Patrick Leonard (producer, songwriter and pianist) and Madonna (“Queen of Pop”)
publisher:
Bleu Disque Music Co., Inc. (publisher), EMI Blackwood Music Inc., Orangejello Music (BMI-affiliated), Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label), Warner / Chappell Music Publishing (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.), ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング EMI外国事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., EMI Overseas Division, sub‐publisher for non‐Japanese works), ヤマハミュージックEH(CM) (Yamaha Music EH(CM)), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label), ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division), Johnny Yuma Music (publisher) (in 1988), Webo Girl Publishing, Inc. (in 1988), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (from 1989 until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
Madonna5:32
3Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
engineer:
Chris Porter (engineer and producer)
producer:
George Michael
arranger:
George Michael
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! UK subsidiary of Sony BMG Music Entertainment) (in 1991) and Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited (not for release label use! post-2008 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment) (in 1991)
recorded at:
OVO Arena Wembley in Wembley, Brent (London Borough of Brent), London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (on 1991-03-23)
live recording of:
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (on 1991-03-23)
lyricist:
Bernie Taupin
composer:
Elton John (English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer)
publisher:
Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group) and Big Pig Music Ltd. (publisher) (in 1991)
George Michael feat. Elton John5:47
4Saving All My Love for You
cover recording of:
Saving All My Love for You
lyricist:
Gerry Goffin
composer:
Michael Masser
publisher:
Prince Street Music (Also known as "Prince St. Music"), Screen Gems–Columbia Music, Inc. and Screen Gems–EMI Music, Inc. (USA, affiliated with BMI)
sub-publisher:
Universal Music Corporation (France), シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.), ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
Whitney Houston3:36
5Believe
producer:
Brian Rawling and Mark Taylor (UK producer & songwriter aka Q & Groove Brothers member)
mixer:
Mark Taylor (UK producer & songwriter aka Q & Groove Brothers member)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Warner Music UK Ltd. (not for release label use!) (in 1998)
produced for:
Metro (production company) and Rive Droite Music Productions
recorded at and mixed at:
Dreamhouse Studios in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom
part of:
Grammy Award: Best Dance/Electronic Recording nominees (number: 2000 winner), RuPaul’s Drag Race Lip Sync Performances (season 3) (number: 9), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 159) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 337)
recording of:
Believe
lyricist:
Brian Higgins (British producer and song writer) and Matt Gray (UK techno DJ/producer, former video game composer)
composer:
Brian Higgins (British producer and song writer) (in 1998), Matt Gray (UK techno DJ/producer, former video game composer) (in 1998), Stuart McLennan (in 1998), Paul Michael Barry (songwriter/musician) (in 1998), Tim Powell (Songwriter and producer, ex-Xenomania) (in 1998) and Steve Torch (in 1998)
publisher:
BMG Rights Management (Australia) Pty Ltd (not for release label use! use “BMG” (post 2008) instead.), Rive Droite Music and Warner Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.)
Cher3.73:52
6Knowing Me, Knowing You
engineer:
Michael B. Tretow
producer:
Benny Andersson (ABBA) and Björn Ulvaeus
bass guitar:
Rutger Gunnarsson (on 1976-03-23)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Ola Brunkert (on 1976-03-23)
electric guitar:
Lasse Wellander (on 1976-05-24)
guitar:
Janne Schaffer (on 1976-03-23) and Björn Ulvaeus (on 1976-03-23)
keyboard:
Benny Andersson (ABBA) (on 1976-03-23)
percussion:
Malando Gassama (on 1976-03-23)
solo vocals:
Frida (Swedish singer and member of ABBA) (on 1976-03-23)
arranger:
Benny Andersson (ABBA) and Björn Ulvaeus
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Polar Music AB (in 1976)
recorded at:
Metronome Studio in Stockholm, Stockholms län (Stockholm county), Sweden (on 1976-03-23, on 1976-05-24)
recording of:
Knowing Me, Knowing You (in 1976)
writer:
Stig Anderson (Stikkan), Benny Andersson (ABBA) and Björn Ulvaeus
publisher:
EMI Grove Park Music, Inc., Union Songs AB (publisher), Union Songs Music, Universal–Songs of PolyGram International, Inc., EMI Waterford Music (from 1976 to present), Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (existed only since ca. 1998) (from 1976 to present) and Universal/Union Songs Musikförlag AB (from 1976 to present)
part of:
Mamma Mia! (1999 musical)
ABBA3.853:57
7You Win Again
co-producer:
Brian Tench
producer:
Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb and Arif Mardin
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1987)
recording of:
You Win Again
lyricist and composer:
Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb
publisher:
BMG Music, BMG Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Publishing Ltd., Careers Music, Inc., Crompton Songs and Gibb Brothers Music
Bee Gees3:48
8Young Guns (Go for It!)
producer:
Steve Brown (engineer/music producer) and George Michael
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! pre-Aug 2004 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.) (in 1982)
recording of:
Young Guns (Go for It!)
lyricist and composer:
George Michael
publisher:
Morrison Leahy Music Ltd.
Wham!3:40
9Back for Good
programming:
Gary Barlow and Chris Cameron (British pianist, singer-songwriter, arranger and producer)
assistant engineer:
Steve McNichol
producer:
Gary Barlow and Chris Porter (engineer and producer)
guitar:
Phil Palmer (guitarist)
lead vocals:
Gary Barlow
vocals:
Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen (singer–songwriter) and Robbie Williams
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Records (UK) Limited (1987–1996) (in 1995) and Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited (not for release label use! post-2008 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment) (in 1995)
recording of:
Back for Good
lyricist and composer:
Gary Barlow
publisher:
EMI Virgin Music Australia Pty Ltd and EMI Virgin Music Ltd. (do not use this as a release label!)
Take That33:56
10Flying Without Wings
programming:
Chris Laws (engineer, keyboardist & songwriter)
engineer:
Chris Laws (engineer, keyboardist & songwriter) and Daniel Pursey (UK engineer)
producer:
Steve Mac (British pop producer/songwriter Steve McCutcheon)
mixer:
Matt Howe (producer and engineer) and Steve Mac (British pop producer/songwriter Steve McCutcheon)
bass guitar:
Steve Pearce (UK bassist)
guitar:
Paul Gendler
keyboard:
Steve Mac (British pop producer/songwriter Steve McCutcheon)
choir vocals:
Benny Diggs
chorus master:
Benny Diggs
strings arranger:
Richard Niles
arranger:
Wayne Hector and Steve Mac (British pop producer/songwriter Steve McCutcheon)
music videos:
Flying Without Wings by Westlife
recording of:
Flying Without Wings
lyricist:
Steve Mac (British pop producer/songwriter Steve McCutcheon)
composer:
Wayne Hector and Steve Mac (British pop producer/songwriter Steve McCutcheon)
publisher:
Rokstone Music Ltd., Rondor Music (London) Ltd. and Songs of Windswept Pacific
Westlife23:34
11Son of a Preacher Man
engineer:
Ed Kollis
producer:
Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin and Jerry Wexler
bass guitar:
Tommy Cogbill (in 1968-09)
drums (drum set):
Gene Chrisman (in 1968-09)
electric piano and organ:
Bobby Emmons (in 1968-09)
guitar and sitar:
Reggie Young (Guitarist and songwriter) (in 1968-09)
background vocals:
The Sweet Inspirations (in 1968-09)
vocals:
Dusty Springfield (in 1968-09)
conductor:
Gene Orloff (in 1968-09)
brass and strings arranger:
Arif Mardin
brass arranger:
Tom Dowd
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Mercury Records Ltd. (not for release label use!) (in 1968)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 168) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 240)
recording of:
Son of a Preacher Man (in 1968-09)
writer:
John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins
publisher:
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (1995–2020) and Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Dusty Springfield4.452:25
12Stars
engineer and mixer:
Daren Klein
co-producer:
Mick Hucknall (lead singer of Simply Red)
producer:
Stewart Levine (record producer and saxophonist)
recording of:
Stars
lyricist and composer:
Mick Hucknall (lead singer of Simply Red)
Simply Red2.84:06
13Thank You
recording engineer:
Goetz
programming:
Rollo (Rollo Armstrong of Faithless)
producer:
Dido (English singer‐songwriter) and Rollo (Rollo Armstrong of Faithless)
mixer:
Phill Brown (UK engineer)
guitar:
Paul Herman
keyboard and piano:
Mark Bates (member of the band Dusted)
percussion:
Mal Hyde-Smith
recorder and lead vocals:
Dido (English singer‐songwriter)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Arista Records, Inc. (manufacturing and distribution company, do not add releases here) (in 1999)
remaster of:
Thank You by Dido (English singer‐songwriter)
recording of:
Thankyou (Dido)
writer:
Dido (English singer‐songwriter) and Paul Herman
publisher:
Peermusic France, Submarine Music Ltd., Warner Chappell Music France, Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), ピアーミュージック (Peer Music Japan, Japan, subsidiary of Nichion), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
Dido4.153:36
14Beautiful
additional assistant engineer:
Andrew Chavez (engineer)
additional engineer:
David Guerrero
assistant engineer:
Rafael Serrano and Davy Vain
engineer:
Linda Perry (rock singer‐songwriter & producer) and Davy Vain (task: Pro Tools)
producer:
Linda Perry (rock singer‐songwriter & producer)
assistant mixer:
Ethan Willoughby
mixer:
Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado (mixer)
additional strings, bass guitar [bass], guitar [guitars] and piano:
Linda Perry (rock singer‐songwriter & producer)
cello:
Richard Dodd (cellist)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Brian MacLeod (American drummer)
keyboard [keyboards]:
Damon Fox
strings:
The Section
viola:
Shanti Randall
violin:
Eric Gorfain
additional arranger:
Linda Perry (rock singer‐songwriter & producer)
mixed for:
Essential Arts Management, LTD
additionally recorded at:
The Enterprise Studios (aka Enterprise Studios) in Burbank, California, United States
mixed at:
The Enterprise Studios (aka Enterprise Studios) in Burbank, California, United States
engineered at:
Mad Dog Studios (Burbank, 1996–unknown) in Burbank, California, United States
music videos:
Beautiful by Christina Aguilera
part of:
CBC Music: 12 Songs About Bullying, VH1’s Big Song of 2003 (number: 17) and The Downloader’s Music Source Book (number: 260)
recording of:
Beautiful
lyricist and composer:
Linda Perry (rock singer‐songwriter & producer)
publisher:
Famous Music Corp. (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody) and Stuck in the Throat
Christina Aguilera4.23:57
15I’m Outta Love
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Epic Records (a division of Sony Music Entertainment; holding company, not a release label) (in 2000)
edit of:
I’m Outta Love (album version) by Anastacia (USA pop singer from Chicago, IL, best known for “I’m Outta Love”)
recording of:
I’m Outta Love (in 2000)
lyricist:
Anastacia Newkirk (USA pop singer from Chicago, IL, best known for “I’m Outta Love”), Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters
composer:
Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters
publisher:
Breakthrough Creations, EMI April Music Inc., Poho Productions, S. M. Y. Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP) and Universal Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP)
recording of:
I’m Outta Love
lyricist:
Anastacia Newkirk (USA pop singer from Chicago, IL, best known for “I’m Outta Love”), Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters
composer:
Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters
publisher:
Breakthrough Creations, EMI April Music Inc., Poho Productions, S. M. Y. Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP) and Universal Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP)
Anastacia3:54
16No Ordinary Love
recording of:
No Ordinary Love
lyricist:
Sade Adu
composer:
Sade Adu and Stuart Matthewman
publisher:
Sony ATV Songs LLC and Sony/ATV Music Publishing UK Ltd.
Sade6:58
17Independent Women, Part 1
additional recording engineer:
Troy Gonzalez and Ramon Morales (US-based recording engineer)
recording engineer:
Manelich Sotolongo
producer:
Beyoncé Knowles, Poke and Tone and Cory Rooney
mixer:
Rich Travali
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 2000, in 2001)
produced for:
Cory Rooney Entertainment, Inc., Music World Productions, Inc. and Trackmasters Entertainment Inc.
recording of:
Independent Women, Part I
writer:
Samuel Barnes, Beyoncé Knowles, Jean‐Claude Olivier (hip hop producer Jean Olivier, of Poke and Tone) and Cory Rooney
Destiny’s Child3.553:38
18Think Twice
keyboard programming:
Steve Piggott
assistant engineer:
Paul Mortimer (engineer) and Simon Pressey
engineer:
Simon Hurrell
additional producer:
Aldo Nova (Canadian rock musician)
producer:
Christopher Neil
mixer:
K.C. Cohen
bass and drums (drum set) [drums]:
Steve Piggott
guitar [guitars]:
Aldo Nova (Canadian rock musician) and Tim Renwick
solo guitar:
Aldo Nova (Canadian rock musician)
background vocals:
Jackie Rowe and Pam Sayne
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc. (not for release label use! pre-Aug 2004 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.) (in 1993)
recorded at:
Hit Factory (The Hit Factory) in Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, Larrabee Sound Studios (present day location in North Hollywood, since 1991) in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, Morin Heights in Morin‐Heights, Québec (Quebec), Canada and Westside Studios in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom
recording of:
Think Twice
writer:
Andy Hill (English producer & songwriter) and Peter Sinfield
publisher:
Chrysalis Music (music publisher, ASCAP-affiliated), EMI Virgin Music Ltd. (do not use this as a release label!), Pillarview B.V. and Universal Music Publishers MGB Australia Pty Ltd
Céline Dion44:41
3▶CD