16 Biggest Hits

First, a disclaimer: this collection is drawn primarily from Loveless’ 1993-2003 output on Epic Records, with only two hits (“Timber, I’m Falling In Love” and “Chains”) from her previous tenure with MCA. That being said, these tracks are undeniable classics, distinguished both for their individual excellence and as a stellar body of work. Loveless raised the bar for female country artists, updating the honky-tonk tradition and adding a rare degree of lyric sophistication. Patty didn’t write ‘em, but she sure knew how to pick ‘em — from the poignancy of “How Can I Help You To Say Goodbye” to the sassiness of “You Can Feel Bad” and the sorrow of “You Don’t Seem To Miss Me,” she never let the quality of her songs slip. During her ‘90s hitmaking streak, she could release a clever ditty like “I Try To Think About Elvis,” then turn around and put out a devastating ballad like “You Don’t Really Know Who I Am” without blurring her identity. Loveless’ fans accepted her as a multi-faceted artist who wouldn’t compromise her standards. 16 Greatest Hits doesn’t offer the whole Loveless story — but it probably contains the best parts to date.