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20 All-Time Greats

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20 All-Time Greats
Image
Compilation album by
ReleasedMay 1977 (1977-05)
Recorded1958-1965
Genres
Length31 minutes 40 seconds
LabelsPolydor
2391 290
Connie Francis chronology
Connie Francis Sings the Songs of Les Reed
(1969)
20 All-Time Greats
(1977)
Who's Happy Now?
(1978)

20 All-Time Greats is a compilation album of American singer Connie Francis's hits, released by Polydor Records in early 1977. The album became her most successful British compilation.

Background, recording, and content

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Connie Francis was one of the most popular American female vocalists of the 1950s and 60s.[1][2] Francis semi-retired from the music industry in 1970, and new material was rarely released.[3] But, in 1977 there was a rock 'n' Roll Revival. This led her record label Polydor to consider releasing her first compilation since the 1960s, as Francis had several rock 'n' roll hits.[4]

The compilation included twenty tracks.[5] The only British-only release included on the compilation was 1965's "My Child", which was Francis' second-to-last hit single in the country.[2]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStarStarStarImage[3]

The Encyclopedia of Popular Music gave the album a four-star rating, which meant they believed the album was "outstanding".[3]

Release and chart performance

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20 All-Time Greats was released by Polydor Records under the MGM name in May 1977 and was the first album Francis released since 1969's Connie Francis Sings the Songs of Les Reed.[5] The album was offered as a vinyl LP in multiple territories. It did not receive any single releases, but it successfully reached the album charts. The album debuted on the UK Official Chart Company's Albums Chart in the issue dated June 18, 1977, peaking at No. 1 for two weeks in September during its twenty-two weeks on the chart.[2]

Track listing

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Chart performance

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Chart performance for 20 All-Time Greats
Chart (1977) Peak
position
UK Official Albums Chart[2] 1

Release history

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Release history and formats for 20 All-Time Greats
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United Kingdom and Ireland May 1977 Vinyl (LP) Polydor [5]
New Zealand, Netherlands, and South Africa Mid 1977 [6]

References

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  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Top Pop Singles 1955-2012. Record Research. pp. 317–318. ISBN 978-0898202052.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, David (2004). Brtish Hit Singles and Albums: two books and one volume. Enfield : Guinness. p. 212. ISBN 0-85112-199-3. Retrieved October 25, 2026.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  3. 1 2 3 Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 1834. ISBN 9781846098567. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
  4. ↑ White, Adam (September 23, 1961). "British Dig Rock 'n' Roll" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XXXVIII, no. 48. p. 64. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2026. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Francis, Connie (May 1977). "20 All-Time Greats". Polydor Records. 2391 290.
  6. ↑ Francis, Connie (1977). 20 All-Time Greats. Polydor Records. 2391 290/CF 20.