The Hit Factory Volume 3
Compilation album by
various artists
Released1989
GenrePop
LabelPWL Records
ProducerStock Aitken Waterman

The Hit Factory Volume 3 is a compilation album collecting the biggest hits of the award-winning British music production trio Stock Aitken Waterman during their most successful era. It was released by PWL Records in association with Fanfare Records in June 1989 and reached #3 in the compilation Top 20, achieving a Gold BPI award.

Some critics highlighted the negative aspects of the release: it contained 2 B Sides ("Made in Heaven" and "Wrap My Arms Around You"), 5 cover versions ("Turn It Into Love", "Help!", "I Only Wanna Be With You", "I Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet" and "Ferry 'Cross the Mersey"), a major flop ("S.S. Paparazzi") and the remaining 3 tracks were considered weak songs ("Take Me To Your Heart", "I'd Rather Jack" and "He Ain't No Competition") although they all reached the UK Top 10. Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan's duet "Especially for You" was however one of the biggest selling singles of the 1980s.[1]

Stock Aitken Waterman's success peaked during 1988 and 1989 and at the time of this album's release, reviewers were quick to highlight any short-comings with any release associated with the trio. Nevertheless, the popularity of this compilation is evident and it is distinct in that it contained a bonus LP/CD megamix of the album's more dance orientated material.

Excluded from the compilation is "This Time I Know It's for Real" by Donna Summer, a number three hit for Summer in collaboration with SAW in March 1989, three months before the release of this title.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Number One[1]

Edwin Pouncey left small ironic review on this compilation for New Musical Express with negative assessment. From whole tracklist he found warm words only for The Reynolds Girls track. He wrote: "Thatcher friendly producers SAW plan to rake more dosh out of the pockets of the poor, deluded sods who buy their records" and summarised: "There's nothing here your mother wouldn't like."[2]

Track listings

UK Track listing (2xCD/LP: UK Fanfare/PWL HFCD/LP 8) (Video: VHF8)

Disc one

Disc two

Pumping Party Mix One (17.43)

Pumping Party Mix Two (24.22)

The video compilation included all the above tracks with the exception of Jason Donovan Wrap My Arms Around You, of which no video was made. An exclusive was Kylie Minogue Made in Heaven. Due to be a double A side with Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi but decided against at the last minute.

See also

References

  1. ^ Martin, David (28 June 1989). "Albums: Various Artists — Hit Factory 3 (Fanfare)". Number One. No. 314. London: IPC Magazines Ltd. p. 43. ISSN 0266-5328. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023 – via Flickr.
  2. ^ Pouncey, Edwin (8 July 1989). "Various Artists: Hit Factory: The Best of Stock Aitken Waterman (PWL Records)". New Musical Express. London: IPC Limited. p. 33. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved 27 May 2023 – via Flickr.
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