The genius of the compilation was its timing: it captured Denver’s first three years of solo RCA output (1970–1973) just as his cultural footprint was exploding. It wasn’t a farewell or a cash-in; it was a statement of arrival .
A comparison of the across various "Best Of" releases A list of modern folk artists who carry on Denver's style john denver greatest hits album
The impact of Greatest Hits extends beyond its commercial success, as it helped establish John Denver as one of the most popular and influential artists of the 1970s. The album's success also helped to cement Denver's status as a singer-songwriter, and paved the way for his future work. The genius of the compilation was its timing: