Greatest Hits
The updated collection featuring new tracks and iconic caricatures from 1998.
Greatest Hits (stylized as GREATE$T HIT$) is the second compilation album by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released by Mötley Records and Beyond Music on October 27, 1998. Serving as an updated version of the 1991 compilation Decade of Decadence 81–91, this release kept the band's legacy active while their previous collection went out of print. The album features cover art created by artist/designer Erik Casillas, depicting a caricature of the group. It stands as a definitive snapshot of their career up to that point, bridging the gap between their early 80s explosion and the late 90s music landscape.
- Release Year
- 1998
- Label
- Mötley Records / Beyond Music
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Released on October 27, 1998, Greatest Hits replaced the out-of-print Decade of Decadence 81–91 as the band's primary compilation. The album introduced two newly recorded songs to the catalog: the single "Bitter Pill" and another track titled "Enslaved." These new entries provided fresh material for fans while curating their past successes. The project was distinctively branded with a caricature of the band by Erik Casillas on the cover. In 1998, the album achieved significant commercial traction, charting at number 20 on the Billboard 200. The single "Bitter Pill" specifically found success, reaching number 22 on the Mainstream rock charts, while "Enslaved" climbed to number 34 on the Billboard Heritage charts. This release was later honored in 1998 when it won the Metal Edge Readers' Choice Award for "Best Compilation," cementing its status with the fanbase.
In Their Own Story
In late 1998, Mötley Crüe fans received a vital update to their collection as Greatest Hits hit shelves on October 27. The album quickly made its mark, reaching number 20 on the Billboard 200. It wasn't just a rehash of old hits; it included two brand new recordings that expanded the band's discography. "Bitter Pill" emerged as a radio staple, securing the number 22 spot on the Mainstream rock charts, while "Enslaved" followed with a number 34 peak on the Billboard Heritage charts. The release was immediately recognized by the community, taking home the Metal Edge Readers' Choice Award for "Best Compilation" in 1998. Years later, on November 17, 2009, Eleven Seven Music reissued the album with a different track listing, ensuring the music remained accessible to new audiences.
Reader's Guide
This compilation serves as the second major collection from Mötley Crüe, specifically updating the 1991 Decade of Decadence 81–91 which is now out of print. Released on October 27, 1998, by Mötley Records and Beyond Music, it features a unique cover art caricature by Erik Casillas. Fans looking for the original 1998 release should note its chart performance: it reached number 20 on the Billboard 200. The inclusion of new singles is key; "Bitter Pill" hit number 22 on Mainstream rock charts, and "Enslaved" reached number 34 on Billboard Heritage charts. For collectors, a reissued version exists from November 17, 2009, released by Eleven Seven Music with a different track listing that charted at No. 10 on Top Hard Rock Albums and No. 9 on Top Independent Albums. The album won the 1998 Metal Edge Readers' Choice Award for "Best Compilation," highlighting its importance to the fanbase.
Did You Know?
- The album is stylized as GREATE$T HIT$.
- It serves as an updated version of the out-of-print compilation Decade of Decadence 81–91.
- The cover art features a caricature of the band by Erik Casillas.
- Two newly recorded songs were included: "Bitter Pill" and "Enslaved".
- The album won the 1998 Metal Edge Readers' Choice Award for "Best Compilation".