The Very Best Of is a compilation album covering Scottish pop singer Jimmy Somerville's career in Bronski Beat, The Communards and as a solo artist. It was released in 2001 and reached number 29 in the UK Albums Chart.
The album features mostly the same tracks, although in a different order, to the 1990 compilation The Singles Collection 1984/1990. Only one track from that album, "Run from Love", isn't featured on The Very Best and is replaced with the newer track "Hurt So Good".
Although Bronski Beat had three UK top 40 hits after Somerville's departure ("Hit That Perfect Beat", "C'mon C'mon" and "Cha Cha Heels") they are not included on the compilation as it is intended as a retrospective of Somerville's career.
In 2002, the compilation was re-released as a limited edition double CD set.
Track listing
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Certifications
iTunes charts performance
In August 2015 the album debuted on the German iTunes chart at number 12, while in August 2017 on the French equivalent it reached number 85.
The Collector's Edition of the set would make entries first in Brazil, reaching number 17 in May 2019, and later in France at number 41 as well at number 43 in Spain, both in May 2020. In the UK, the enhanced version peaked at number 48 in July 2021, in Italy at number 40 in April 2022, and in Germany at number 50 in June 2022.}