The album contains hits from his two solo albums Street Talk (1984) and For the Love of Strange Medicine (1994) as well as several previously unreleased tracks from the abandoned solo project Against the Wall, as well as demos, b-sides and collaborations.

It was shelved by a corporate executive during the time when Sony Music bought Columbia Records.

Perry recalled the executive said he was unsure about the musical direction of the album.

Apparently stunned at this response, Perry sought legal means to have the album completed and released otherwise but was unsuccessful.

He states in the album booklet that these songs all together should be called "Better Late Than Never.