1 is a collection of ten previously released singles by Ray Stevens, released in 1987.

The version of "Gitarzan" is the album version that begins with cheering and applauding of an audience.

The version of "Ahab the Arab" on this compilation is not the original recording but a re-recording that Stevens made for his album Gitarzan during his career with Monument.

On the back of the album cover, there is a brief essay on Stevens' life and career that covered his beginnings to the time of this collection's release, written by Ronnie Pugh of the Country Music Foundation.

The second volume of this collection was released by MCA eight months later.