Todd Rundgren - The Very Best of Todd Rundgren

I remember hearing alot of these songs on the radio while growing up, but never could remember any names that belonged to it. Then recently I heard my favorite song on a classic rock station. Once the DJ announced it as "Bang The Drum All Day", I was all over it. I picked up this CD and haven't put it down ever since. I recommend the working man buy this CD and play it as soon as he breaks out of work on every Friday. It's worth it.

Rhino tried to do their job here to make a selection from the best kwown albums out of Todd's entire carriere span.The overall result is a litle bit sloppy.It makes the listener think that most of Todd Rundgen's songs give the imression that's all about wining.Not enough rock'n'roll here,too many "love songs".If you want the very best of Todd Rundgen,you better try "Initiation".That was his "vey best period".Sadly,only one song is featured on this selection,adaptly named "Real man".Indeed.

Todd Rundgren has been appealing in his music from "We gotta get you a woman" to "Hello its me" to "Real Man"! This disc *is-a-must for the collection !

if you are just getting into Todd Rundgren's this is a very good way to start. Hello it's me is one of his biggest cuts, bang the drum all day, and other cuts showcase his versatility and his creative vibe as a Songwriter, Producer,Multi Instrumentalist and also his trying out the latest in technilogy. this is a very Good Collection and a good place to start where TR is concearned as a Artist.

I used to be into Todd Rundgren back in the early '70's. But when he started doing Utopia, I quit listening. I haven't heard him since the mid-70's. So I decided to get this CD to hear some old stuff and newer stuff that I missed.
I can't believe I liked him at all. When listening with headphones on, the production is horrible. Sure, some songs have good melodies, but the production is so bad (irritating, in fact), it makes it difficult to listen to.

I LOVE THIS CD. IT IS SO FULL OF MEMORIES. GREAT VOCALS.

I am not what would be called a "dyed in the wool" Todd Rundgren fan. However, I think he is very talented and some of his songs demonstrate a depth and sensitivity that are rare. Through music and his ability in the area of vocal nuances, Todd reaches deeply into the soul. Two of my favorite songs on this album are "Can We Still Be Friends" and "Love is the Answer." Both of these have made my hair stand up because they convey their message so powerfully.

If you are a casual Todd Rundgren fan this is the album to get. The choice of material is excellent and there is a lot of music here for a low cost that stands up well to repeated listening. I would pat twice the price just to have the two songs I mentioned above. Highly recommended.

I will be writing a review on the legendary compilation album entitled "THE VERY BEST OF TODD RUNDGREN" by one of Rock's legendary artists, I give you TODD RUNDGREN. This legendary compilation album was originally released in 1997 on Compact Disc on the Rhino Records label which is licensed from Bearsville Records Inc. As always, if I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary compilation album or the artist, I will edit this review immediately so that you the consumer will get the best informative and most accurate review possible.

TODD RUNDGREN will forever go down in Rock n' Roll history as being the most modest music artist ever. RUNDGREN never gives himself any credit nor does he give himself a pat on the back when deserved. In reality, RUNDGREN has written, recorded and delivered some of the greatest classic songs in Rock n' Roll history. RUNDGREN would begin his career in the late 60's with a band called NAZZ. However, it would be his solo career that RUNDGREN would strike gold. RUNDGREN would write and record several hits throughout his whole solo career. This compilation album highlights RUNDGREN'S solo period from 1970 to 1985. This compilation album also includes the hits he wrote with the band UTOPIA from 1977 to 1980. This compilation album also includes the 1989 hit single "The Want Of A Nail" recorded with Bobby Womack. In my opinion, "THE VERY BEST OF TODD RUNDGREN" is a true testament of a unheralded genius and a fine fitting tribute to a legendary singer/songwriter that was indeed, ahead of his time.

Now it is time to let the music speak for itself and do all of the talking. This compilation album begins with the legendary mellow Rocker "We Gotta Get You A Woman," the slow beautiful mellow "Be Nice To me," the breathtaking mellow Rocker "I Saw The Light," the forever RUNDGREN trademark mellow Rocker "Hello It's Me," the blistering Rocker "Couldn't I just Tell You," the beautiful mellow Rocker "Just One Victory," the beautiful acoustic soulful "A Dream Goes On Forever," the fast paced sythesized Rocker "Real Man," the beautiful acoustic Rocker "Love Of The Common Man," the beautiful slow soothing RUNDGREN composition that was also a hit for England Dan & John Ford Coley "Love Is The answer," the merciless Rocker "Love In Action," the slow beautiful synthesized song that was also a hit for Rod Stewart "Can We Still Be Friends," the groundbreaking mellow Rocker "The Very Last Time," the circus filled like atmosphere fast paced synthesized mellow Rocker "Bang The Drum All Day," the incredible synthesized fast paced mellow Rocker "Something To Fall Back On" and the danceable synthesized killer Rocker "The Want Of A Nail." May I also add that RUNDGREN really lets loose on this fabulous compilation album. I grew up listening to all of these songs and it felt great listening to them all over again on one disc.

Overall, this is one hell of a compilation album worth seeking further into and cheeking out especially if you are the new and curious beginner for the first time of RUNDGREN'S sound and music.

I would like to highly recommend purchasing this legendary compilation album to own as a valuable and important part of his or her own personal music collection. This legendary compilation album has already proven to stand the test of time and will always be around to be enjoyed, appreciated and cherished for many years to come, NOW AND FOREVER. This is one great collection that a serious devout music collector would not want to be without.

In closing, TODD RUNDGREN is here to stay. Rock n' Roll needs a modest artist and entertainer like RUNDGREN to keep Rock n' Roll humble and breathing happily. As of now, RUNDGREN has been touring as a new member with THE CARS. From what I hear, THE CARS have been doing extremely well. I guess that goes to show you that we have not seen or heard the last of RUNDGREN yet. I also anticipate that we will be hearing from RUNDGREN again in the near future soon. So here's to you TODD. Keep Persevering. Keep The Faith. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," am I wrong? Thanks for reading my review and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also hope that you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. TODD RUNDGREN RULES. Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever In Rock, John L.

I bought this CD just so I could hear some old favorites over and over again.

I bought this disc on a whim, knowing how much I enjoyed Rundgren's mainstream work and I was not disappointed. There is not a single bad track on this disc, although I'm not a huge fan of Bang The Drum All Day. Real good stuff. I'd like to recommend this disc to those who've only listened to the pop stuff on the radio these days. Here's what music is really all about.

There is no doubt in my mind that Todd Rundgren, whose career has spanned from late 60s British Invasion/Beatlesque pop, through both the glittery and the singer-songwriter 70s, and then through the 80s new wave and beyond (and now, giving new life to a long defunct band, i.e., the Cars), is a great talent. And one of his sharpest talents has to do with his ability to craft a pure pop tune, that is, to tell a story or to express a basic human sentiment in music, and to do so in a hook filled way. Is it any wonder that so many of his songs are considered classics? Rundgren's been widely covered, by artists as wide ranging as Jules Shear, Robert Palmer, The Isley Brothers (check out their smooth, soulful take on "Hello it's me"), Mitch Easter, Billy Bragg, Joe Walsh, as well as the Manhattan Transfer, Johnny Mathis and Mandy Moore. His song The Want of a Nail is a highlight of the recent indie musical "Camp." I also once heard the band Yo La Tengo do a stellar version of I Saw the Light, accompanied by cello, and it was great.

This, then, offers a fine overview of a multi talented songrwriter-arranger-performer. It contains a number of well known classic American melodic rock tunes, songs which will ring in your ears for hours, or even days, afterward. It sets a standard for what good music might be, in sharp contrast to the plethora of commercial garbage currently on the charts.

As others have suggested in their reviews, there is much more that could have been included. But this is probably meant to be a starting point for checking out Todd Rundgren (not to mention his band Utopia). In that, this CD accomplished its task.

I bought this for 1 song, "We got to get you a Woman". I don't have an MP# player, so this is the only way I can get songs I like. I'd better save my money instead of wasting it on whole albums in the future.

Maybe I am too into music and especially Todd Rundgren but I feel that a one cd compilation gives a very false appearance of this artist.

Todd was a true artist. He did not care about the money (although he had to cash in from his production work). He was not a singles artist and he took serious chances on his works. For instance on the album "Initiation", it starts out with the poppy and commercial "Real Man" and then turns into a prog rock, self indulgent excursion.

The songs on this cd are a scattering yet, if limited to a single disc, really does not accurately represent the best from his catalog.

His work is so diverse that, like Frank Zappa, his compilations should be categorized into commercial songs, prog/ virtuostic works, ballads and soul.

Take 2 each from "Something Anything", "A Wizzard a True Star", "Hermit of Mink Hollow" and "Runt" and you would have his true pop chestnuts


Great stuff on this but there are better compilations out there. I feel Something/Anything is better than getting a best of.

I am a Todd fan from way back and I am constantly amazed by all the people who are unfamiliar with anything but "bang the drum all day." That's to be expected because most of his stuff never makes it to the radio. This CD is a wonderful compilation that includes some very inspired stuff about love and understanding. If you are a man give this as a gift to a woman. She will dig the music forever; perhaps, she will dig you as well!

5 Stars

I got this album on discount and really have nothing but good things to say about it. First, the CD quality is very good. Second, the selection of music is just fine.

You get the songs of We Gotta Get You a Woman, Be Nice to Me, I Saw the Light, Hello It's Me, Couldn't I just Tell you, Just One Victory, A Dream Goes on Forever, Real Man, Love of the Common Man, Love is the Answer, Love in Action, Can We Still be Fiendsm The Very Last Time, Bang the Drum all Day, and Something to fall back on.

This is an excellent album of '70s hits and shows the prime of Todd's career. His best album is "Something, Anything". I still give that album five stars. Todd did great work with his rock band, Utopia. The Utopia album "RA" set the standard for progressive rock in the late '70s.

Todd now has formed a group called "New Cars". There are several members of the old rock group "Cars" and some help from some of Todd's old associates from Utopia. In the 2002 period Todd was touring with "Hall and Oats", the pop group from the early '80s. Todd did a good deal of production work on their albums.

Todd is a true rock pioneer. Amazon.com buyer, this CD will be used quite a bit if you're from the '70s generation. It's quite good.

If you only have enough money or room for one of Todd's albums then this is the one you want. If you want a sample of Todd's work then buy "Something, Anything" and Utopia's "RA".

Best of Luck to you. Enjoy this very good album.

Todd may know it, but he is, or is capable of being, a genius...slabs of gorgeous pop, impeccably written, produced and arranged by the maestro...includes one of the all-time jangle pop masterpieces, "Couldn't I Just Tell You".

I was just recently introduced to this album, and it is by far one of the most amazing pieces of art I have ever heard. If you have never listened to this album, do yourself a favor and go out and buy it right now. It's life-changing.

This Todd Rundgren compilation is very nice and has many great songs. I've always liked Todd Rundgren's style, he was able to do different styles. The sound is very good and the choices for the songs were wisely selected, I believe. That's not to say that the compilation couldn't have been more extensive, but I think they hit all the high points. Highly recommended.

Although Todd's albums seem to drift in all sort of musical directions, there is no doubt of his ability to produce and craft beautiful music. His melodic sense often rivals what Brian Wilson put down on "Pet Sounds". "Can We Still Be Friends" is probably the greatest post-breakup song ever written. Other songs like "Be Nice To Me" are great examples of how a good chord progression and simplicity can equate to a fine piece of work. Many know Todd for his production ability...often grand productions like "Bat Out of Hell"...those who appreciate that side of him will love "Just One Victory" or "The Want of a Nail". One of the most underrated genuises ever to grace the rock-n-roll landscape. This CD is a wonderful introduction.

A couple years back when I saw "The Very Best of Todd Rundgren" in my sister-in-law's CD collection and idly flipped it over to have a look at the playlist, it really hit me for the first time how many amazing songs this artist has given us. While some of these hits place me squarely and nostalgically into certain specific years (as in, the 70's) of my life, many of them also plug directly into the feelings I live from day to day, now -- whether it be the melancholy of HELLO IT'S ME or CAN WE STILL BE FRIENDS or the soaring hopefulness of LOVE IS THE ANSWER. This is catchy pop, yes, but catchy pop of brilliant execution, and often conveying deep meaning. Gem after classic gem, and it's hard to pick a favorite, but for this listener I would have to say I SAW THE LIGHT. For someone who admired Rungren's body of work over the years but never purchased one of his albums, this CD hit me with great impact and has become the most frequently played disk in my machine. Thanks for putting your fans in Utopia, Mr. Rundgren!