Find the best collection to celebrate Ashanti’s music legacy and similar classic hits. This guide compares top greatest-hits style songbooks and collections that suit casual listeners, budding musicians, and long-time fans. Whether you want easy piano arrangements, guitar-friendly versions, or PVG (Piano/Vocal/Guitar) formats, you’ll see who each option serves best. The top picks come from well-known publishers and feature a mix of pop, rock, and R&B classics that align with the “greatest hits” concept.
Summary table of selected products
| Product | Format | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABBA – Gold: Greatest Hits – Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook | PVG Songbook | Vocalists seeking classic pop with chord frames | Color photos included |
| Santana’s Greatest Hits (Songbook) | Guitar Recorded Versions | Guitarists wanting authentic riffs | Pages: 96 |
| Beatles Greatest Hits [Easy Piano] | Easy Piano | All skill levels, beginner-friendly | Chords and lyrics |
| Taylor Swift – Lover Songbook | Piano/Vocal/Guitar | Beginners and fans of modern pop | Includes 18 hits |
| The Big Book of Big Band Hits | P/V/G | Ensemble-friendly, broad repertoire | 312 pages |
ABBA – Gold: Greatest Hits – Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook with Color Photos
Product type: Piano/Vocal/Guitar songbook with color photos. Features 19 of ABBA’s greatest hits in standard notation with guitar chord frames. This format makes it suitable for singers who want functional chords while playing guitar or accompanying themselves on piano. Best for fans of ABBA’s melodic pop repertoire who want a visually rich, sing-along collection.
Who it’s best for: Singers and instrumentalists who prefer a classic pop anthology with chord guidance and photos. It’s a practical choice for home practice, small performances, or classroom settings where lyric and chord cues aid learning.
Why selected: It provides a compact, widely recognized set of tracks in a single, easy-to-use PVG arrangement, making it a versatile centerpiece for a home library or a performance repertoire. The color photos add a nostalgic touch that appeals to casual listeners and collectors alike.
Caution: This book is not a complete catalog of ABBA’s work; it focuses on well-known hits with standard notation and chords. If you need full orchestral arrangements, look for alternate editions.
Santana’s Greatest Hits (Songbook)
Product type: Guitar-focused songbook with guitar-recorded versions. Pages: 96. Instrumentation: Guitar. This edition emphasizes authentic riffs and phrasing, making it well-suited for players who want to study Santana’s guitar-driven hits.
Who it’s best for: Intermediate to advanced guitar players seeking accurate note-for-note or close-approximation transcriptions of Santana’s classic tracks. It supports practice and performance with a clear emphasis on guitar perspective.
Why selected: It offers a focused guitar-centric collection that complements a broader “greatest hits” theme, letting players analyze distinctive Santana motifs and solos in a dedicated format.
Caution: As it is guitar-focused, the book may lack full piano or vocal arrangements. It’s best for players who primarily read guitar parts or want to study technique on Santana’s catalog.
Beatles Greatest Hits [Easy Piano]
Product type: Easy piano collection with 25 classic pop/rock songs. Pages: 80. Instrumentation: Piano/Keyboard. This edition is designed for beginners or players seeking approachable arrangements with chords and lyrics.
Who it’s best for: Beginners, students, or casual players who want recognizable Beatles hits without complex arrangements. It’s also a helpful teaching resource for entry-level piano practice.
Why selected: It provides a broad sampling of Beatles staples in a simplified format, enabling quick learning and confident performance for new pianists or hobbyists.
Caution: Simplified arrangements may not satisfy advanced players seeking full original complexity or nuanced voicings found in standard piano versions.
Taylor Swift – Lover Songbook
Product type: Piano/Vocal/Guitar songbook. Pages: 122. Instrumentation: Piano/Vocal/Guitar. Features 18 pop hits from the Lover album with easy PVG arrangements for practice and performance.
Who it’s best for: Beginners to intermediate players who enjoy Taylor Swift and want practical PVG arrangements to sing and play along. It’s also suitable for fans who perform in small venues or practice settings.
Why selected: The Lover album catalog is a cohesive, modern era set that translates well to PVG formats, making it a strong contemporary option within a greatest-hits style guide.
Caution: As with many PVG songbooks, some nuanced studio production elements may be simplified to accommodate easy arrangements.
The Big Book of Big Band Hits
Product type: Large collection of P/V/G songs with big-band arrangements. Pages: 312. Instrumentation: Piano/Vocal/Guitar. This book spans a broad swing and big-band repertoire for ensemble-friendly performance and practice.
Who it’s best for: Players, singers, and arrangers who want a expansive, era-spanning big-band catalog for rehearsals, performances, or classroom study; ideal for schools or community bands.
Why selected: It broadens the scope beyond solo performance to a larger ensemble context, offering a practical bridge between classic hits and big-band arrangements.
Caution: The vast scope may be more than needed for someone seeking a focused “greatest hits” collection; it’s a better fit for ensemble players and teaching environments.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Greatest Hits Songbook
What format should you choose?
PVG (Piano/Vocal/Guitar) songbooks are versatile for solo musicians who sing and play. Easy Piano editions are ideal for beginners. Guitar-focused books suit players who want authentic guitar parts. Large ensemble collections work for teachers and groups.
Is the catalog aligned with your listening interests?
Look for books that feature artists or eras you enjoy. If you love 70s rock with guitar riffs, a Santana guitar edition is a strong match. If you want pop nostalgia, a Beatles or ABBA PVG collection may fit better.
How important are notation and chord guidance?
Standard notation with chord frames helps both reading players and those who rely on chords for rhythm. Easy Piano editions emphasize approachable melodies for beginners, while note-for-note guitar versions aid technique study.
Will you perform solo or with a group?
Solo performers often benefit from PVG or Easy Piano formats. For ensembles, consider larger books with songs arranged for multiple voices and instruments, such as big-band collections.
What about the length and practice goals?
Books with 60–100 pages are typically enough for a focused playlist, while larger volumes offer breadth for ongoing practice. Define your time horizon and select accordingly.
Physical quality and extras
Color photos and clear layout add value for casual readers and collectors. Durable binding and clear typography help with practice sessions and performance setups.
FAQ
Q: Are these books suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, several editions use Easy Piano or PVG formats that cater to beginners and intermediate players.
Q: Do the books include full chord charts?
A: Most PVG or Easy Piano editions include chord frames or simplified chords to accompany singing and playing.
Q: Can these books help me learn an entire artist’s catalog?
A: They provide a curated selection of hits, not a full catalog. For deeper study, supplement with additional songbooks or sheet music resources.
Q: Do the songbooks include lyrics?
A: Yes, most PVG and songbooks include lyrics along with notation or chord progressions to facilitate singing along.
Q: Are there cautions about arrangement complexity?
A: Some editions simplify more complex studio parts. If you want fidelity to original recordings, check for “note-for-note” or complete arrangements.
When choosing, consider your preferred artist, instrument, and practice goals. The products listed above provide a balanced mix of classic and contemporary hits, with formats designed to support singers, piano players, and guitarists alike. The right choice helps you build a practical, enjoyable, and repeatable practice routine while expanding your repertoire of greatest-hits style songs.