It was released in August 1992 by the new owner of their back catalogue, WEA (Sire Records in the United States).

Warner UK used a photograph taken by actor Dennis Hopper titled "Biker Couple, 1961" (top photo) for the artwork of the two 1992 "best of" compilations by The Smiths.

WEA (now the Warner Music Group) had acquired the entire Smiths back catalogue in early 1992.

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 UK and European release of the record featured the left half of a biker couple photograph by Dennis Hopper from 1961 entitled 'Biker Couple' on its sleeve, with ...Best II completing the picture; the U.S. sleeve was designed by singer Morrissey and features Richard Davalos, co-star of East of Eden.