Sometimes described as synth-pop, New Wave, art rock, or post-punk, Devo only had one Top 40 hit (Whip It), so it may be a stretch to put together a 16 track greatest hits CD, but, in true Devo fashion, they not only put out this CD, but simultaneously released another 16 track CD titled Greatest Misses. They had quite a following and recorded many songs in their own spastic, quirky, very electronic, industrial style. Devo is an acquired taste and, for me, can only be taken in small doses. If you only need one Devo CD, this wouldn't be a bad choice.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart
Tracks:
Song | Album | Year | Hot 100 |
Here To Go (Go Mix Version) | Shout | 1984 | - |
Through Being Cool | New Traditionalists | 1981 | 107 |
Big Mess | Oh No! It's Devo! | 1982 | - |
That's Good | Oh No! It's Devo! | 1982 | 104 |
Jerkin' Back 'N' Forth | New Traditionalists | 1981 | - |
Peek-A-Boo! | Oh No! It's Devo! | 1982 | 106 |
Beautiful World | New Traditionalists | 1981 | 102 |
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction | Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! | 1978 | - |
Whip It | Freedom Of Choice | 1980 | 14 |
Girl U Want | Freedom Of Choice | 1980 | - |
Freedom Of Choice | Freedom Of Choice | 1980 | 103 |
Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA | Duty Now For The Future | 1979 | - |
Gut Feeling | Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! | 1978 | - |
Gates Of Steel | Freedom Of Choice | 1980 | - |
Working In The Coalmine | New Traditionalists | 1981 | 43 |
Jocko Homo | Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! | 1978 | - |
None are unlistenable, but my favorite tracks are Here To Go (Go Mix Version), Through Being Cool, Beautiful World, Working In The Coalmine and Jocko Homo. Not as good are Jerkin' Back and Forth, Peek-A-Boo!, and Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA. The song That's Good is so derivative of Gimme Some Lovin' that Devo should pay Steve Winwood some royalties. The highlight of the disc is the cover of The Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction. The neurotic arrangement perfectly suits the lyrics.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: My friend Richard bought the Greatest Misses shortly before I bought this Greatest Hits CD. Also, the song Through Being Cool reminds me of church camp in the summer of 1984.
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