Greatest Hits 1970–2002 is a career-spanning collection of Elton John's biggest hits up to 2002. It was released in an alternate 3-CD version (as opposed to the usual 2-CD) and slightly different versions in the United States and the United Kingdom. It was the first Elton John compilation released since the time that PolyGram, which had controlled the pre-1976 Elton John catalogue, was sold to Universal Music Group, which controlled the post-1976 recordings.
Elton John's eponymous second record isn't just packed with the kinds of songs that would define the singer—they'd also help define the burgeoning singer/songwriter era of pop music. John and his co-writer Bernie Taupin touch the uplifting “Border Song” with gospel, imbue the haunting ballad “First Episode at Hienton” with an eerie theremin (which adds to the song’s foreboding narrative before lush string arrangements pour in) and make one of the decade's most memorable tunes with the pensive, piano-based opener “Your Song”. It’s a winner from start to finish.