The Best of Me (Bryan Adams album) explained

The Best of Me is the third greatest hits album by Canadian singer Bryan Adams. It was released worldwide in 1999, and in the U.S. in 2001. It was his last release on A&M Records. Upon its initial release, a special edition 2-disc set was issued with live tracks. Another special edition 2-CD set was issued when the album was released in the U.S., dubbed 'Special Tour Edition', bearing three extra tracks. It is Adams' second compilation album, after So Far So Good; except for Japan, where Hits on Fire was released in 1988. The album contains songs from Reckless (1984) to On a Day Like Today (1998), omitting Into the Fire (1987). This album sees Adams reuniting with Robert John "Mutt" Lange – on the (new) title track – after being absent from 1998's On a Day Like Today.

Track listing

1999 special edition bonus disc

1. "Summer of '69" (Live from South Africa) – 3:34
2. "Back to You" (Live from South Africa) – 5:28
3. "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" (Live from South Africa) – 5:12
4. "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (Live from South Africa) – 4:52
5. "Rock Steady" (Live from South Africa) – 5:23

Tracks 2, 5 are also available on the single "Inside Out", issued in 2000.

2002 special tour edition bonus disc^[1]

1. "Summer of '69" (Live from South Africa) – 3:34
2. "Back to You" (Live from South Africa) – 5:28
3. "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" (Live from South Africa) – 5:12
4. "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (Live from South Africa) – 4:52
5. "Rock Steady" (Live from South Africa) – 5:23
6. "Cloud Number Nine" (Live at Slane Castle) – 4:09
7. "I'm Ready" (Live at Slane Castle) – 4:34
8. "Cuts Like a Knife" (Live at Slane Castle) – 6:02

This is basically the same bonus disc as the 1999 special edition release, with three extra tracks added.Tracks 2, 5 are also available on the single "Inside Out", issued in 2000.Tracks 6, 7, 8 are from the DVD release Live at Slane Castle.

Alternate and iTunes edition

An alternate edition of this CD, dated 1999 and carrying a sticker bearing the catalogue number 490 522-2 [11], omits the final track listed above, "18 Til I Die", and instead adds a hidden track after track 15:

16. "Don't Give Up" – 3:42, by Chicane featuring Bryan Adams, written by Nick Bracegirdle, Bryan Adams, and Ray Hedges.

No bonus disc is included with this edition.

This version of the album was previously available to download on iTunes but has since been removed

Personnel

• Bryan Adams – vocals, bass guitar, producer, arranger
• Robert John "Mutt" Lange – producer
• Phil Western – engineer
• Greg Goldman – engineer
• Zach Blackstone – engineer
• Bob Clearmountain – mixing, producer
• Phil Thornalley – guitar
• Patrick Leonard – producer, arranger
• Danny Cummings – drums, percussion
• Chris Thomas – producer
• David Nicholas – producer, mixing
• Jim Vallance – producer
• Bob Rock – producer
• Melanie C – vocals on "When You're Gone"
• Jody Perpick – recording engineer
• Mickey Curry – drums, background vocals
• Keith Scott – guitar, background vocals

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1999)	Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[3]	25
UK Albums (OCC)[4]	44

Chart (2000)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[5]	95
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[6]	39
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[7]	49
Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)[8]	104
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[9]	73
UK Albums (OCC)[10]	80

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bryan Adams – the Best of Me (Special Tour Edition) (2003, CD). Discogs.
2. November 29, 1999 . Top 100 CDs . . 70 . 6 . PHP/PDF . 0315-5994 . July 27, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121023213100/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.9968&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3 . October 23, 2012 .
3. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1999. Ultratop. April 3, 2021.
4. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1999. Official Charts Company. April 3, 2021.
5. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2000. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 3, 2021.
6. Web site: Jahreshitparade Alben 2000. austriancharts.at. April 3, 2021.
7. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2000. Ultratop. April 3, 2021.
8. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20040906184459/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2000_2.html. September 6, 2004. Canada's Top 200 Albums of 2000. Jam!. March 29, 2022.
9. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts. de. GfK Entertainment. April 3, 2021.
10. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2000. Official Charts Company. April 3, 2021.