The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful

The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful is a 1967 compilation album by the Lovin' Spoonful featuring hits and other tracks from their first three albums. It charted the highest of the group's career, hitting number three on the Billboard Top LPs chart.

The album also included 9" x 12" individual color photos ("Suitable for framing", as labeled) of John Sebastian, Joe Butler, Steve Boone, and Zal Yanovsky.

Reception

In his Allmusic review, music critic William Ruhlman wrote "this compilation is an attempt to balance group concerns rather than present their most successful performances. Nevertheless, it picks the strongest material from the group's three previous albums..."

Track listing

All songs written by John Sebastian, except where noted.

Side one

1. "Do You Believe in Magic" – 2:04
2. "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?" – 2:00
3. "Butchie's Tune" (Steve Boone) – 2:34
4. "Jug Band Music" – 2:49
5. "Night Owl Blues" (J. Sebastian, Zal Yanovsky, Boone, Joe Butler) – 3:00
6. "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" (J. Sebastian, Boone) – 2:29

Side 2

1. "Daydream" – 2:18
2. "Blues in the Bottle" (traditional, adapt. and arr. by the Lovin' Spoonful, Steve Weber, Peter Stampfel) – 2:10
3. "Didn't Want to Have to Do It" – 2:06
4. "Wild About My Lovin'" (traditional, adapt. and arr. by J. Sebastian) – 2:38
5. "Younger Girl" – 2:23
6. "Summer in the City" (J. Sebastian, Mark Sebastian, Boone) – 2:39

Charts

Certifications

References