First hits volume has most of his hits

This collection and the companion Mack the knife contain forty of Bobby Darin's finest songs from his peak years. Purely in terms of hits, this is the stronger volume, containing fifteen American hits, including six top ten hits, these being Splish splash, Queen of the hop, Dream lover, You must have been a beautiful baby, Things and If I were a carpenter.

Among the lesser hits, I'll be there later became a much bigger hit for Gerry and the pacemakers, while Early in the morning was also a hit for Buddy Holly.

Bobby's singles were sometimes covers of older songs. Here you can find his versions of Nature boy (Nat King Cole), What'd I say (Ray Charles) and Lovin' you (Lovin' spoonful).

This volume, with a lot of up-tempo songs and a few ballads, is generally more of a rock'n'roll collection than Mack the knife, which contains a few up-tempo songs and a lot of ballads. Taken together, the two volumes present a comprehensive collection of Bobby's A-sides from 1958 to 1961, plus three later songs - the last three tracks here.

Iconic

Despite a turbulent career, Bobby Darin proved time and time again that if anyone had the power to stand in a vocal class with Frank Sinatra, it was him.

The only song that was left off hear that should have been a bonus track is "More" which can be found on "Wild, Cool, and Swingin'."

Pretty terrific

A pretty terrific collection of Bobby Darin hits with an emphasis on the pop/rock corner of his versatile career. By no means definitive (and completely overshadowed by the "As Long As I'm Singing" boxed set), it nonetheless includes such treasures as "Dream Lover," "Things," and the best available version of Darin's self-penned "Simple Song of Freedom," a "protest" song that ironically became the only hit single for folk singer Tim Hardin, the author of "If I Were A Carpenter," Darin's last major hit single which is also included here. The accompanying booklet with background on each of the songs and an insightful overview of Darin's career adds to the pleasures of this collection.