Costello chose and ordered the tracks on the album himself, and accompanied them with extensive liner notes.

The compilation focuses on original material written (or co-written) by Costello, and therefore omits such well-known Costello performances such as "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding", "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" or "Good Year for the Roses", all of which were cover songs.

As personally selected by Costello as a "best-of" compilation (rather than a "greatest hits" collection), it also omits some significant Costello-penned chart singles, including his only US charted singles to that time ("Everyday I Write The Book" and "The Only Flame In Town") and the UK #29 hit "Radio, Radio".

Nine of the tracks (marked ♠) are exclusive to the CD configuration of this compilation, and do not appear on the LP, cassette (MC), or DAT version of the album.

Fifteen of the tracks (marked ♥) are exclusive to the cassette configuration of this compilation, and do not appear on either the LP, DAT or CD version of the album.