Finding a Dave Clark Five greatest hits CD used to be a massive headache. If you were looking for their music in the 1980s or 90s, you basically had to scour used vinyl bins or find a sketchy bootleg. Dave Clark, the band's drummer and mastermind, is famous for being one of the shrewdest businessmen in rock history. He owned his master recordings outright—a rarity back then—and he kept them locked in a vault for decades.
Seriously. For a long time, the only way to hear "Glad All Over" was to hope it came on the oldies station.
But things changed. Now, we've got a few solid options on disc. If you're looking to buy a Dave Clark Five greatest hits CD, you’re likely looking at the 2020 BMG release titled All the Hits. It’s a 28-track beast that finally gives this band the digital respect they deserve.
The Sound of the Tottenham Sound
The DC5 weren't just another British Invasion band. They were the main rivals to The Beatles for a hot minute in 1964. While the Fab Four were all about those shimmering harmonies and jangle, the DC5 brought the "Tottenham Sound." It was loud. It was heavy on the saxophone. And Dave’s drums sounded like they were recorded inside a giant metal tank.
When you pop a Dave Clark Five greatest hits CD into your player, that’s the first thing you notice. The "thump."
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What’s on the 2020 Remaster?
Most people buying a CD today want the 2020 All the Hits collection. Dave Clark himself oversaw the remastering at Abbey Road Studios. He’s a perfectionist, so the audio quality is probably the best it's ever going to get.
The tracklist hits all the essentials:
- Glad All Over: The song that famously knocked "I Want to Hold Your Hand" off the #1 spot in the UK.
- Bits and Pieces: A stomping track that basically invented the "power pop" drum sound.
- Because: A gorgeous ballad that shows Mike Smith’s incredible vocal range.
- Catch Us If You Can: Pure 1965 energy.
- Over and Over: Their big US #1 hit.
Honestly, Mike Smith is the secret weapon here. People talk about Lennon or McCartney, but Smith had a soulful, grit-flecked voice that could go from a whisper to a scream without breaking a sweat. It’s all over these hits.
Why the 1993 "History" Set is Still Cult-Famous
Before the 2020 BMG release, there was the 1993 double-CD set called The History of the Dave Clark Five. It was released on Hollywood Records in the US.
Some collectors still prefer this one. Why? Because it has 50 tracks.
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It dives deep into the B-sides and the later, weirder stuff from the late 60s. However, it’s out of print and can be pricey on the secondary market. If you’re a casual fan, the 28-track 2020 CD is plenty. But if you want the full, sprawling story, you’ve gotta hunt for that 1993 purple-covered box.
The Stereo vs. Mono Debate
Here’s a weird quirk about the Dave Clark Five greatest hits CD options: Dave Clark loves mono.
Even though many of these songs were recorded in stereo (or at least had stereo mixes made later), Dave often insists on using the original mono "hit" mixes for compilations. He argues that's how they were meant to be heard—punchy and compressed for AM radio.
The 2020 CD follows this logic for the early tracks. If you’re an audiophile who needs everything in wide-panned stereo, you might find it a bit frustrating. But if you want the sound that actually moved the needle in 1964, the mono mixes are where the power is.
A Few Surprises You’ll Find
It's not all 1964-era pop. The later tracks on these CDs, like "Everybody Knows" or the medley "Good Old Rock 'n' Roll," show a band trying to navigate the psychedelic era. They didn't go full hippie—they stayed more in the "entertainer" lane—but the production gets way more interesting toward the end of the disc.
Is It Worth Buying the Physical CD?
You might think, "I can just stream this on Spotify." Sure, you can. But Dave Clark’s deals with streaming services have been famously fickle. Songs appear and disappear based on licensing whims.
Owning the Dave Clark Five greatest hits CD means you actually own the music. Plus, the 2020 BMG release comes with a pretty chunky 32-page booklet. It’s full of great photos from the Ed Sullivan Show era and notes that give you a bit of context on why these guys were such a big deal.
Buying Guide: What to Look For
- Check the Track Count: If it has 28 tracks, it’s the 2020 BMG remaster. This is the standard "best" version for most people.
- The 2008 UK "The Hits": This was a Universal release. It’s also good but lacks the 2019 Abbey Road remastering found on the newer one.
- Avoid "Greatest Hits" (1966): Unless you’re buying vintage vinyl, don’t confuse the original 1966 LP title with the modern CD collections. The original only had 10 or 12 songs.
The Dave Clark Five were the first group to tour the US as part of the British Invasion, even beating The Beatles to the road. They played The Ed Sullivan Show 18 times. 18! That's more than any other UK band.
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Basically, they were huge, and they deserve a spot in your collection next to The Kinks and The Who.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to add some 60s muscle to your shelf, look for the 2020 BMG "All the Hits" CD. It is widely available at major retailers and offers the most consistent audio quality across their entire career. For those who want the absolute maximum amount of music, search eBay for the 1993 "History of the Dave Clark Five" 2-CD set, but be prepared to pay a premium for a clean copy. If you're a vinyl fan, there's also a 2-LP version of the 2020 set that sounds fantastic and looks great on a turntable.