It's telling that Richard Marx broke into the music business singing backup vocals for Lionel Richie and writing songs with Kenny Rogers and Chicago, for he kept to the straightforward, middle-of-the-road approach of those... more » acts once he became a recording artist in his own right--not that there's anything wrong with that. A dependable hitmaker throughout the late '80s and early '90s, Marx scored with rockers ("Don't Mean Nothing," "Should've Known Better"), and ballads ("Right Here Waiting," "Endless Summer Nights") alike. Greatest Hits collects those songs as well as the lion's share of his high-end chart action--of which there was plenty, proving that a devotion to craft sometimes pays off better than fickle inspiration. --Daniel Durchholz« less
It's telling that Richard Marx broke into the music business singing backup vocals for Lionel Richie and writing songs with Kenny Rogers and Chicago, for he kept to the straightforward, middle-of-the-road approach of those acts once he became a recording artist in his own right--not that there's anything wrong with that. A dependable hitmaker throughout the late '80s and early '90s, Marx scored with rockers ("Don't Mean Nothing," "Should've Known Better"), and ballads ("Right Here Waiting," "Endless Summer Nights") alike. Greatest Hits collects those songs as well as the lion's share of his high-end chart action--of which there was plenty, proving that a devotion to craft sometimes pays off better than fickle inspiration. --Daniel Durchholz
Chris C. from CLARKSBURG, WV Reviewed on 9/14/2010...
Great disc.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
From the perspective of a 24 year-old aspiring music critic
Knyte | New York, NY | 08/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's summertime between my fifth and sixth grades...the year is 1988. I've just experienced my first dance outside of elementary school. It's the morning after, and I'm still in a daze from the magical slow dance that I'd just experienced last night with Tara, someone I had a huge crush on...that song was "Hold On To The Nights"...Since then, I've come to know Richard Marx as a master of soft pop rock; with R&B aftershocks vibrating through his wonderfully pleasant voice. Personal favorites like "Should've Known Better" and "Endless Summer Nights" also dominated my favorite radio station at the time, but it was 1989's "Right Here Waiting" that solidly established Mr. Marx as a pop icon during the era of Paula Abdul, MC Hammer and the New Kids On The Block.Words cannot express how much I appreciate and enjoy this album because it is so darn pleasant. Other standouts for me are "Angelia" (love this one), "Children Of The Night" (ditto), "Hazard" (lyrically haunting...), "Keep Coming Back" (deliciously bluesy - listen for Luther Vandross!), and "Now and Forever" (extremely sincere, perfect for a wedding)."Satisfied" and "The Way She Loves Me" rock in a Bryan Adams-ish sort of way, and while these songs aren't personal favorites, they're still irresistable for the zestful vibrancy they communicate."Touch Of Heaven" is a pleasant surprise, and Richard's vocals are in top form here - fans of R&B music will definitely appreciate this one. Randy Jackson (yes, Michael's little brother) worked on this one....also check out the liner notes on this album; Mr. Marx shares a personal thought about every song. Upon reading this information, it becomes quite clear that Richard Marx is truly a wonderful human being. This is honestly one of the best CDs I have purchased in a long time - totally worth it - expecially for those who like pop, soft rock, or even R&B. Go get it...I mean it.Thanks for reading,C.H.R.P.S. And for all the *NSync fans out there who enjoyed "This I Promise You", well, Richard Marx wrote that one too; and just so you know, *NSync co-lead singer J.C. Chasez used the song "Right Here Waiting" for his audition to the Mickey Mouse Club back in the early 90s...now, how's that for pop music trivia?"
For Once, a Greatest Hits Collection of True "Hits"
11/09/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are very few greatest hits collections that really are full of "Hits". Most have one or two hit songs, then a collection of that artist's best unheard of tracks. This is not the case with "Greatest Hits" by Richard Marx. There are only two songs on this collection that did not make the Top 20 on any of the popular charts. Out of the 14 songs that did make the Top 20, Marx includes four #1's: "Hold On To The Nights", "Satisfied", "Now and Forever", and "Right Here Waiting". Most of the rest of the songs made it into the Top Ten at some point. The two songs that didn't chart, "Angel's Lullaby", and "Touch of Heaven", were two of Marx's latest songs just included to give listeners a feel for what he's up to lately. It really is a spectacular collection of music, with a wide range of musical sounds. It ranks up there with Billy Joel's, Madonna's, Elton John's, Bryan Adams' or Sting's greatest hits collections. Just one 'missing' hit song from Marx's musical resume:"Too Late To Say Goodbye" which was a Top Ten song from his album Repeat Offender."
The Cream Of The Crop from Richard Marx!!
Louie Bourland | Garden Grove CA | 06/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Richard Marx was one of the most enduring singer/songwriters of the late 1980's and early 1990's. This 1997 "Greatest Hits" compilation truly lives up to its title as it includes nearly every big hit Marx had during his successful heyday.
Mellow rock classics such as "Endless Summer Nights", "Now and Forever", "Hazard", "Angelia" and Marx's signature ballad "Right Here Waiting" are included here alongside the more aggressive hits "Don't Mean Nothing", "Take This Heart", "Satisfied" and "Should've Known Better".
While it contains most of his hits, Richard Marx's "Greatest Hits" is missing a few tracks that were worthy of inclusion. Both 1994's "Nothing Left Behind Us" and 1991's hit ballad "Chains Around My Heart" are not on this compilation but their ommission was probably due to lack of space that can fit onto one disc. Regardless of these two missing tracks, this "Greatest Hits" compilation offers the cream of the crop of Richard Marx's most successful output along with some great songwriting and dynamic vocals.
This disc is truly a trip down memory lane and is a definite must for the die-hard Marx fan and for fans of the '80s, period. If you don't own this one yet, buy it. You'll be glad you did.On a personal note, Richard Marx's songs were an influence on my own songwriting in the early '90s. So from me to Mr. Marx, thanks for the great music and for being a continued influence."
A Greatest Hits that really is worthy of the notorious title
retrowens | Alabama, USA | 04/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's a known fact that the majority of Greatest Hits albums have at least one or two of that artist's best songs missing, leaving the fans to wonder why. Richard Marx's Greatest Hits album is a major exception. Every single one of his biggest hits are included on this 17-track compilation that is more than worthy of the name "greatest hits".Richard Marx is one of the best artists of all time when it comes to the art of love songs, or ballads. From gems like "Now and Forever", "Angelia", to his signature song, "Right Here Waiting," he really knows how to write and perform ballads with the greatest of ease.Not only are all of his great ballads included in Greatest Hits, but there are also upbeat rockers ("Should've Known Better" and "Satisfied") and other lyrical journeys ("Don't Mean Nothing", "Take This Heart", and "Hazard").All of the songs have one thing in common: all of them are great to listen to time and time again. My favorites are: "Satisfied", "Endless Summer Nights", "Hazard", "Should've Known Better", and "Right Here Waiting".As if the songs themselves aren't enough, inside the cd's booklet, Richard tells his personal stories about each song. For example, it's interesting to learn that "Hazard" and "Right Here Waiting" almost never got released, and that "Endless Summer Nights" was turned down by several record companies, before becoming a #2 hit a couple of years later after Marx's big breakthrough.If you're a Richard Marx fan, or just a fan of great rock 'n roll, especially ballads, THIS Greatest Hits is a must have!"