Greatest Hits (Mariah Carey album)
Greatest Hits is the second greatest hits album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released in the United States on December 4, 2001, by Columbia Records. It is a greatest hits double album: CD 1 is primarily a collection of Carey's hits from 1990 to 1995, while CD 2 is primarily a collection of hits from 1996 to 2000. In 2011, the album was re-issued outside the US with the same track listing, titled "The Essential Mariah Carey". Content. Carey had previously released the compilation album "#1's" (1998), but the release of  her "Greatest Hits" album was a contractual agreement beyond her control, since she had left Columbia Records and had moved on to Virgin Records. The idea of a greatest hits album was part of a four-album agreement between Columbia Records and Carey to terminate her contract with them. The album had little creative input from Carey and there are no personal messages within its liner notes, unlike "#1's". All tracks from the previous album, with the exception of "Whenever You Call" with Brian McKnight, and the "#1's" international bonus track "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where  You're Going To)" are included on "Greatest Hits". Tracks that were not included on "#1's" are: International versions of "Greatest Hits" additionally include "Against All Odds" (2000), a duet with Westlife. The Japanese version contains "Against All Odds", "Open Arms" (1996), the non-single album track "Music Box" from the album "Music Box" (1993), and the "Merry Christmas" album version of "All I Want for Christmas Is You"; it is also the only album to include the "Never Too Far/Hero Medley" (2001) single. Reception. Upon release, the compilation album received positive reviews. Sal Cinquemani, writer for "Slant , gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars. Cinquemani stated that with this album, Carey's ex-husband and company attempt to cash in Carey's pre-borderline Columbia Years". He also agreed that "Carey's greatest hits have often fallen short of the Billboard perch". He gave high praise to "Make It Happen", Carey's cover of Harry Nilsson's "Without You" and "Underneath the Stars" stating that they "have certainly earned their spots" next to hits like "Hero" and "One Sweet Day". Devon Powers of "PopMatters" also praised the album calling Carey a "pop princess, hammering out fast  numbers with a zeal and determination" highlight that the album moves "chronologically through [her] remarkable career". Commercial performance. As of November 2018, "Greatest Hits" has sold 1,230,000 copies in the US. Globally, the album has sold an estimated five million copies.