''The Best'' is the first Japanese

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...

by South Korean

girl group A girl group is a music act featuring several female singers who generally harmonize together. The term "girl group" is also used in a narrower sense in the United States to denote the wave of American female pop music singing groups, many of who ...

Girls' Generation Girls' Generation (), also known as SNSD, is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. The group is composed of eight members: Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun. Originally a nine-piece ensembl ...

. It was released on July 23, 2014, in Japan through EMI Records Japan. The album was released in three different editions, regular and two limited, with the latter containing a DVD or Blu-ray, an extra CD and a photobook. The album originally contains all of the group's previous Japanese singles, while including a previously-unreleased Japanese version of " Mr.Mr." and an original track, titled "Indestructible". A new edition titled ''The Best (New Edition)'' was released on October 15, 2014. The album was released in two editions, standard and a CD+DVD, with the latter containing five new songs, two previously-released Japanese versions and three new songs, "Chain Reaction", "Show Girls" and the single "Divine". Upon its release, ''The Best'' attained commercial success for the girl group, becoming their third, and to date, final chart-topper on the

Oricon Albums Chart The Oricon Albums Chart is the Japanese music industry standard albums popularity chart issued daily, weekly, monthly and yearly by Oricon. Oricon originally published LP, CT, Cartridge and CD charts prior to the establishment of the Oricon Albu ...

Background and release

On July 23, ''The Best'' topped the Japan's Oricon daily music chart, selling more than 37,000 copies. After the 1st week, the album sold more than 75,000 copies, topping the weekly chart as well. The group, as a result of this achievement, has set a new record to become the first non-Japanese female group in Asia to ever have three Japanese albums, along with ''Girls' Generation'' (2011) and ''Love & Peace'' (2013), scoring 1st place on the chart. The album spent two weeks at number one on the Oricon chart,Oricon Chart's Weekly Album Ranking (July 21-27, 2014)
Originally from Oricon.co.jp (July 2014). Archived on July 29, 2014. Retrieved on July 29, 2014.Oricon Chart's Weekly Album Ranking (July 28 - August 3, 2014)
Originally from Oricon.co.jp (August 2014). Archived on August 5, 2014. Retrieved on August 5, 2014. and has sold more than 175,000 copies by the end of the year. It is, to date, the group's final Japanese major release, and subsequently the group's last overall release to feature member Jessica before her departure from the group on September 30, 2014.

New songs

"Indestructible", released as a promotional single, was produced by Claire Rodrigues, Albi Albertsson, Chris Meyer, and written by Kamikaoru. Lyrically, the pop ballad talks about the indestructible relationship that two people, who are in love, share with each other, implying similar sentiments that Girls' Generation feels with one another as well as with their fans. "This indestructible, unbreakable bond that can never be broken/Our soul is a twin soul (twin soul)/For example, even if it looks like you’re about to fall from a cliff/At least know that I won’t let go of your hand." The song was showcased for the first time as a lyric music video during Girls' Generation's last stop of their third Japan tour in Tokyo between July 11–13, 2014. The music video was subsequently officially released on August 1, 2014. "Divine", released as the second promotional single, and was produced by Stephan Elfgren, Albi Albertsson, Sean Alexander and written by Kamikaoru, There were two versions for the accompanied music video. The first version, featured with a background story, was released on September 29, 2014. The second version, featured the appearances of Girls' Generation members, was released on October 14, 2014. This is also the last official single and music video featuring former member Jessica. "Chain Reaction", was written by

Kesha Kesha Rose Sebert (; born March 1, 1987), formerly stylized as Ke$ha, is an American singer and songwriter. In 2005, at age 18, Kesha was signed to Kemosabe Records. Her first major success came in early 2009 after she was featured on America ...

, E. Kidd Bogart,

Michael Busbee Michael James Ryan Busbee (June 18, 1976 – September 29, 2019), known professionally as Busbee, was an American songwriter, record producer, publisher, record label executive, and multi-instrumentalist. He is known for his work in both po ...

, and Michael Brooks Linney. It was first produced for Kesha but later was sold to Girls' Generation.少女時代 JAPAN OFFICIAL (in Japanese)
Originally from Twitter (July 16, 2014). Archived on March 2, 2015. Retrieved on March 2, 2015.

Promotion and live performances

Tokyo Dome concert

To commemorate their fourth anniversary debut in Japan, the group held a concert titled "Girls' Generation "The Best Live" at Tokyo Dome". It was announced on August 25, 2014, by SM Entertainment that Girls' Generation will hold a concert commemorating their fourth anniversary debut in Japan at Tokyo Dome. Girls' Generation became the second K-pop girl group after Kara to hold a concert there. The concert gathered an audience of 50,000 attendees. This is the first concert without former member Jessica, who left the group on September 30, 2014. Set list Concert date DVD release ''Girls' Generation "The Best Live" at Tokyo Dome'' was released on April 1, 2015, on DVD and Blu-ray, it is the eleventh release from Girls' Generation. Both versions included live footage and a 100-page photobook.

Track listing

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Best, The Girls' Generation albums 2014 greatest hits albums Universal Records compilation albums SM Entertainment compilation albums Japanese-language compilation albums