Personnel: Chris Difford, Glenn Tilbrook (vocals, guitar); Don Snow (vocals, keyboards); Elvis Costello (vocals, background vocals); Gilson Lavis (drums).

Unknown Contributor Roles: Chris Difford; Koulla Kakoulli; Gilson Lavis; Glenn Tilbrook; Harri Kakoulli; Jools Holland.

Above all, Squeeze were a great singles act -- among the finest of the era -- and Singles 45's and Under offers proof of that fact, giving a chronological survey of their biggest hits from their early, pre-breakup period. Most of the songs can be found on the actual albums, aside from the slightly different single version of "Goodbye Girl" and the new "Annie Get Your Gun," but with a perfect collection like this, even those with the albums should purchase this one as well. ~ Chris Woodstra

True to its title, this collection of a dozen songs present the stunning array of Squeeze's singles during the group's first run, from 1978 to 1982. The five albums which these songs also called home are no less dazzling and represent a genuinely impressive series of peaks (anyone unfamiliar with their long players would do well to start with ARGY BARGY and EAST SIDE STORY). Squeeze had a more substantial string of hits in their British homeland than in America, but they rose admirably to the challenge of conquering the States. On SINGLES, every song is saturated with compelling and never-cliched hooks. In addition, songwriters Tilbrook and Difford offer some of the most literary wordplay ever to grace the pop song format.