Biography: The Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits compilation album by British recording artist Lisa Stansfield. Released by Arista Records on 3 February 2003, it features seventeen tracks, hits and rare songs, including: "All Around the World", "This Is the Right Time" "Change", "All Woman", "The Real Thing" and "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up". The album, which garnered positive reviews from music critics, peaked at number three in the United Kingdom and was certified Gold.
Background In June 2001, Stansfield released Face Up, her final studio album with Arista Records. The obligatory compilation, Biography: The Greatest Hits was issued in February 2003. Four months later, Arista Records remastered all of Stansfield's studio albums and re-released them with bonus tracks. The Complete Collection box set was also issued at the same time.
Content The European edition of Biography: The Greatest Hits includes three songs from Affection ("This Is the Right Time", "All Around the World", "Live Together"), four tracks from Real Love ("Change", "All Woman", "Time to Make You Mine", "Set Your Loving Free"), three songs from So Natural ("In All the Right Places", "So Natural", "Little Bit of Heaven"), two tracks from Lisa Stansfield ("The Real Thing", "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up") and one song from Face Up ("Let's Just Call It Love"). It also contains few non-album tracks: "People Hold On" (from Coldcut's album, What's That Noise?), "Down in the Depths" (from charity compilation, Red Hot + Blue), "Someday (I'm Coming Back)" (from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album) and "These Are the Days of Our Lives" (from charity EP, Five Live). The North American edition includes "You Can't Deny It" and "Never Gonna Fall" instead of "Little Bit of Heaven" and "Set Your Loving Free". In Europe, limited edition with bonus remix CD was also issued. Biography: The Greatest Hits was released simultaneously on DVD which includes most of Stansfield's music videos and a bonus material.
Singles The album does not include any new recordings. Arista Records issued promotional singles with new remixes of "All Around the World" created by Norty Cotto. The single was released in the United States on 28 April 2003 and reached number thirty-four on the Billboards Hot Dance Club Songs. A remix by Junior Vasquez was also created. In 2014, these remixes of "All Around the World" were included on the deluxe 2CD + DVD re-release of Face Up (also on The Collection 1989–2003).
Critical reception
Biography: The Greatest Hits received positive reviews from music critics. Heather Phares from AllMusic gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars and wrote that it is a must for die-hard fans and an excellent primer for casual listeners.
Commercial performance Biography: The Greatest Hits peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart and at number four in Italy. It also reached top forty in Belgium Flanders. The album was certified Gold in the United Kingdom. The DVD peaked at number twenty in Spain DVDs chart.
Track listing
DVD track listing Coldcut feat. Lisa Stansfield – People Hold On Lisa Stansfield – This Is The Right Time Lisa Stansfield – This Is The Right Time (US version) Lisa Stansfield – All Around The World Lisa Stansfield – Live Together Lisa Stansfield – Change Lisa Stansfield – All Woman Lisa Stansfield – Time To Make You Mine Lisa Stansfield – Set Your Loving Free Lisa Stansfield – Someday (I'm Coming Back) Lisa Stansfield – Down in the Depths Lisa Stansfield – In All The Right Places Lisa Stansfield – So Natural Lisa Stansfield – Little Bit of Heaven Lisa Stansfield – These Are The Days of Our Lives Lisa Stansfield – The Real Thing Lisa Stansfield – Never, Never Gonna Give You Up Lisa Stansfield – Let's Just Call It Love
DVD extras
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2003)PeakpositionEuropean Albums (Top 100)16German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)46Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)43
Year-end charts Chart (2003)PositionUK Albums (OCC)123
Certifications and sales
Release history Region Date Label Format Catalog Europe 3 February 2003 Arista CD 74321 98954 2 2CD 82876 50222 2 North America 18 February 2003 CD 07822 10616 2 Australia 24 February 2003 74321 98954 2 Japan 26 March 2003 2CD BVCA-28003〜BVCA-28004
References