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| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | link |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
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`*`!Best... I`!`* is a compilation album by `F33f`_`[the Smiths`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Smiths]`_`f. It was released in August 1992 by the new owner of their back catalogue, `F33f`_`[WEA`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Warner_Music_Group]`_`f (`F33f`_`[Sire Records`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Sire_Records]`_`f in the United States). It reached number one on the `F33f`_`[UK Albums Chart`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=UK_Albums_Chart]`_`f; it reached No. 139 on the US `F33f`_`[Billboard 200`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Billboard_200]`_`f. Warner UK used a photograph taken by actor `F33f`_`[Dennis Hopper`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Dennis_Hopper]`_`f titled "Biker Couple, 1961" (top photo) for the artwork of the two 1992 "best of" compilations by The Smiths.
>>Contents
• `F0af`_`[Background`#background]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Cover`#cover]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Track listing`#track-listing]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Personnel`#personnel]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Additional musicians`#additional-musicians]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Production`#production]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Charts`#charts]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Certifications and sales`#certifications-and-sales]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[References`#references]`_`f
-─
>>Background
WEA (now the `F33f`_`[Warner Music Group`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Warner_Music_Group]`_`f) had acquired the entire Smiths back catalogue in early 1992. Along with the re-release of the eight original albums (the four studio albums, the `*`F33f`_`[Rank`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Rank_(album)]`_`f`* live album and the three compilation albums issued while the band were still active), they immediately set to work compiling a 'best of' collection in two volumes. It was the first time a regular best of compilation had ever been made of The Smiths' material and the album effortlessly reached the top of the British charts. The British `F33f`_`[press`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Music_journalism]`_`f had doubts about sell-out and low track selection coherence.
The material is more or less picked and sequenced at random, and consists of both `F33f`_`[singles`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Single_(music)]`_`f and album cuts. It was followed later the same year by its sibling, `*`F33f`_`[...Best II`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=...Best_II]`_`f`*. The first spin-off single, a re-release of "This Charming Man", reached No. 8 in the singles chart, the highest position a Smiths single had ever reached. A second single promoting `*Best... I`*, an edited re-release of "How Soon Is Now?", got to No. 16 (the uncut version is featured on the compilation).
>>>Cover
The UK and European release of the record featured the left half of a `F33f`_`[biker`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Motorcycle]`_`f couple photograph by `F33f`_`[Dennis Hopper`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Dennis_Hopper]`_`f from 1961 entitled 'Biker Couple' on its sleeve, with `*...Best II`* completing the picture; the U.S. sleeve was designed by singer `F33f`_`[Morrissey`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Morrissey]`_`f and features `F33f`_`[Richard Davalos`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Richard_Davalos]`_`f, co-star of `*`F33f`_`[East of Eden`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=East_of_Eden_(film)]`_`f`*.
>>Track listing
All tracks written by `F33f`_`[Morrissey`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Morrissey]`_`f and `F33f`_`[Johnny Marr`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Johnny_Marr]`_`f.
1. "`F33f`_`[This Charming Man`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=This_Charming_Man]`_`f" (Single A-side) – 2:43
2. "`F33f`_`[William, It Was Really Nothing`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=William,_It_Was_Really_Nothing]`_`f" (From `*`F33f`_`[Hatful of Hollow`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Hatful_of_Hollow]`_`f`*) – 2:09
3. "`F33f`_`[What Difference Does It Make?`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=What_Difference_Does_It_Make?]`_`f" `*(album version)`* (From `*`F33f`_`[The Smiths`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Smiths_(album)]`_`f`*) – 3:51
4. "`F33f`_`[Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Stop_Me_If_You_Think_You've_Heard_This_One_Before]`_`f" (From `*`F33f`_`[Strangeways, Here We Come`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Strangeways,_Here_We_Come]`_`f`*) – 3:34
5. "`F33f`_`[Girlfriend in a Coma`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Girlfriend_in_a_Coma_(song)]`_`f" (From `*Strangeways, Here We Come`*) – 2:02
6. "Half a Person" (From `*`F33f`_`[The World Won't Listen`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_World_Won't_Listen]`_`f`*) – 3:36
7. "Rubber Ring" (Single B-side of "`F33f`_`[The Boy with the Thorn in His Side`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Boy_with_the_Thorn_in_His_Side]`_`f") – 3:48
8. "`F33f`_`[How Soon Is Now?`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=How_Soon_Is_Now?]`_`f" `*(full version)`* (From `*Hatful of Hollow`*) – 6:46
9. "`F33f`_`[Hand in Glove`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Hand_in_Glove]`_`f" `*(album version)`* (From `*The Smiths`*) – 3:25
10. "`F33f`_`[Shoplifters of the World Unite`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Shoplifters_of_the_World_Unite]`_`f" (From `*The World Won't Listen`*) – 2:58
11. "`F33f`_`[Sheila Take a Bow`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Sheila_Take_a_Bow]`_`f" (From `*`F33f`_`[Louder Than Bombs`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Louder_Than_Bombs]`_`f`*) – 2:42
12. "`F33f`_`[Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Some_Girls_Are_Bigger_Than_Others]`_`f" (From `*`F33f`_`[The Queen Is Dead`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Queen_Is_Dead]`_`f`*) – 3:18
13. "`F33f`_`[Panic`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Panic_(The_Smiths_song)]`_`f" (From `*The World Won't Listen`*) – 2:20
14. "`F33f`_`[Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Please,_Please,_Please,_Let_Me_Get_What_I_Want]`_`f" (From `*Hatful of Hollow`*) – 1:54
>>Personnel
• `F33f`_`[Morrissey`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Morrissey]`_`f – vocals
• `F33f`_`[Johnny Marr`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Johnny_Marr]`_`f – guitars, harmonica, `F33f`_`[mandolins`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Mandolin]`_`f on "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want"
• `F33f`_`[Andy Rourke`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Andy_Rourke]`_`f – bass guitar
• `F33f`_`[Mike Joyce`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Mike_Joyce_(musician)]`_`f – drums
• `F33f`_`[Craig Gannon`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Craig_Gannon]`_`f – rhythm guitar on "Half a Person" and "Panic"
>>>Additional musicians
• `F33f`_`[John Porter`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=John_Porter_(musician,_born_1947)]`_`f – `F33f`_`[slide guitar`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Slide_guitar]`_`f on "Sheila Take a Bow"
• `F33f`_`[Stephen Street`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Stephen_Street]`_`f – `F33f`_`[synthesized`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Synthesizer]`_`f `F33f`_`[string`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=String_instrument]`_`f arrangements on "Girlfriend in a Coma".
>>>Production
• John Porter – producer (A1-A3, B1, B6-B7)
• Johnny Marr, Morrissey and Street – producers (A4-A6, B4)
• Morrissey and Marr – producers (A7, B5)
• The Smiths – producers (B2)
• Johnny Marr – producer (B3)
>>Charts
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| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums ( ARIA ) | 64 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) | 36 |
| Dutch Albums ( Album Top 100 ) | 74 |
| New Zealand Albums ( RMNZ ) | 15 |
| Norwegian Albums ( VG-lista ) | 35 |
| Swedish Albums ( Sverigetopplistan ) | 45 |
| UK Albums ( OCC ) | 1 |
| US Billboard 200 | 139 |
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| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Albums ( IRMA ) | 52 |
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| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Italian Albums ( FIMI ) | 97 |
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>>Certifications and sales
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| Region | Certification | Certified units /sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom ( BPI ) | Gold | 100,000 ^ |
| United States | — | 432,907 |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certificat… | | |
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>>References
`:cite-note-1`!1.`! `:citereflarkin2007`a`F33f`_`[Larkin, Colin`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Colin_Larkin]`_`f (2007). `F33f`_`[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Encyclopedia_of_Popular_Music]`_`f (4th ed.). `F33f`_`[Oxford University Press`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Oxford_University_Press]`_`f. `F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 978-0195313734.
`:cite-note-2`!2.`! `:citerefryan2011`aRyan, Gavin (2011). `*Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010`* (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 257.
`:cite-note-group-3`!3.`! "Top RPM Albums: Issue 1891". `*`F33f`_`[RPM`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=RPM_(magazine)]`_`f`*. `F33f`_`[Library and Archives Canada`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Library_and_Archives_Canada]`_`f. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
`:cite-note-ac-netherlands-the-smiths-4`!4.`! "Dutchcharts.nl – The Smiths – Best...I" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
`:cite-note-ac-new-zealand-the-smiths-5`!5.`! "Charts.nz – The Smiths – Best...I". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
`:cite-note-ac-norway-the-smiths-6`!6.`! "Norwegiancharts.com – The Smiths – Best...I". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
`:cite-note-ac-sweden-the-smiths-7`!7.`! "Swedishcharts.com – The Smiths – Best...I". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
`:cite-note-ac-uk2-8`!8.`! "Official Albums Chart Top 100". `F33f`_`[Official Charts Company`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Official_Charts_Company]`_`f. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
`:cite-note-ac-billboard200-the-smiths-9`!9.`! "The Smiths Chart History (`*Billboard`* 200)". `F33f`_`[Billboard`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Billboard_(magazine)]`_`f. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
`:cite-note-ac-ireland2-the-smiths-10`!10.`! "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Smiths". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
`:cite-note-ac-italy-the-smiths-11`!11.`! "Italiancharts.com – The Smiths – Best...I". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
`:cite-note-united-kingdomthe-smithsbest-ialbumcertref-12`!12.`! "British album certifications – The Smiths – Best... I". `F33f`_`[British Phonographic Industry`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=British_Phonographic_Industry]`_`f. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
`:cite-note-morrissey-solo-13`!13.`! "Morrissey/Smiths US album sales in 2007 and total sales since 1992 - Morrissey-solo".
`c`F0af`_`[↑ Back to top`#top]`_`f`a