Why was Sympathy for the devil on greatest hits?

[IndiannaRose]

If not for that I doubt it would've made the cut.

No, it would've been on the cut without all that because it was indeed a hit (Top 10 to be exact), so it belongs on the Greatest Hits album.

so what makes it more deserving to be on there?

The fact that it went to the #10 spot in the U.K while Estranged didn't even chart in the Top 40. In America, Sympathy For the Devil charted at #55. Why don't you give me the chart position for Estranged. Also, listen to what Jarmo said.

[St.heathen]

I have the Estranged single, but what i remember at the time.  It wasn't given a "propper" release, It was more of just a great video for MTV rather than a single - i never understood why they didn't release it propperly.  Especially as it was part of the Trilogy.

To be fair to the label for  a "Greatest Hits" the only crucial song they missed out was "Nightrain".  And some could argue "It's so easy" as it was a single, but it wasn't a hit.   

[N.I.B]

i happened to like SFTD. and i agree with what jarmo said, its for marketing perposes. but the rythem guitars wern't done by izzy or gilby.

[grog mug]

It seems like everything is plagued in the GN'R world.  The greatest hits was good but could have been MUCCCCHHH better.  Where's Estranged, NightTrain, Mr. Brownstown, Coma, Locomotive, and Breakdown?  I actually agree with Sympathy for the Devil because it was never released on any albums.  Other than that WAY to many covers for a greatest hits CD.  This point has been brought forth many times, I just felt the need to throw my opinion in there.

[Lord Kayoss]

If not for that I doubt it would've made the cut.

No, it would've been on the cut without all that because it was indeed a hit (Top 10 to be exact), so it belongs on the Greatest Hits album.

so what makes it more deserving to be on there?

The fact that it went to the #10 spot in the U.K while Estranged didn't even chart in the Top 40. In America, Sympathy For the Devil charted at #55. Why don't you give me the chart position for Estranged. Also, listen to what Jarmo said.

I can see the fact that it did well in other markets partially convinced Geffen to throw it on there but hitting the U.S. chart at number 55 hardly qualifies it to be on a GREATEST hits album.  You and Jarmo have made valid points that surely contributed to the decision but I still think there was a little more to it.

[SuicideUZI]

I thought it was all the singles that were released in the USA, nightrain and its so easy might've been singles but were they singles in the USA?

[metalhead666]

Estranged should've been on instead of Sympathy For The Devil

[Outtagetme04]

couldn't agree more