The Best (Girls' Generation album)

The Best

Normal edition cover
Greatest hits album by Girls' Generation
Released July 23, 2014 (Original) September 11, 2014 (New)
Recorded 2010–2014
Genre J-pop
Language Japanese
Label EMI Records Japan (EMI Records)
Girls' Generation chronology

Mr.Mr.
(2014)		 The Best
(2014)
The Best ~New Edition~
Standard edition cover

The Best is the first greatest hits album by the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation and marks the final appearance of former member Jessica Jung. The album was released on July 23, 2014 in Japan.[1] Aside from the previous hits, the album also contains four original new tracks "Indestructible", "Divine", "Chain Reaction", and "Show Girls".

Background and release

On July 23, The Best album topped the Japan's Oricon daily music chart, selling more than 37,000 copies.[2] 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 and Love & Peace) scoring 1st place on the chart.[3][4] The album spent two weeks at number one on the Oricon chart,[5][6] and has sold more than 175,000 copies by the end of the year.[7]

Singles

"Indestructible", was produced by Claire Rodrigues, Albi Albertsson, Chris Meyer, and written by Kamikaoru.[8] 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."[9] 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.[10] The music video was subsequently officially released on August 1, 2014.[11]

"Divine", was produced by Stephan Elfgren, Albi Albertsson, Sean Alexander and written by Kamikaoru,[12] There were two versions for the accompanied music video. The first version, featured with a background story, was released on September 29, 2014.[13] The second version, featured the appearances of Girls' Generation members, was released on October 14, 2014.[14] This is also the last official single and music video featuring former member Jessica.[15]

"Chain Reaction", was produced by Kesha, E. Kidd Bogart, James Busbee, and Michael Brooks Linney. It was first produced for Kesha but later was sold to Girls' Generation.[16]

Track listing

Normal edition and first press limited edition track list[17]
No. TitleLyricsMusicFrom the album Length
1. "Genie" (Japanese version)Kanata Nakamura, Yoo Young-jinFridolin Nordso Schjoldan, Nermin Harambasic, Robin Jensen, Ronny Svendsen, Anne Judith Wik, Yoo Young-jinGirls' Generation 3:42
2. "Gee" (Japanese version)Kanata Nakamura, E-TribeE-TribeGirls' Generation 3:21
3. "Run Devil Run" (Japanese version)Kanata Nakamura, Hong Ji-YuAlex James, Michael Busbee, Kalle EngströmGirls' Generation 3:21
4. "Mr. Taxi"  STYSTY, Scott Mann, Chad Royce, Paolo Prudencio, Allison VeltzGirls' Generation 3:33
5. "Bad Girl"  HiroHiro, Jörgen Elofsson, Jesper Jakobson, Lauren DysonGirls' Generation 3:44
6. "Time Machine"  Andy Love, HiroRobert Habolin, Marlene StrandGirls' Generation Re:package Album ~The Boys~ 3:53
7. "Paparazzi"  Fredrik Thomander, Johan Becker, Junji IshiwatariMiles WalkerGirls & Peace 3:47
8. "Oh!" (Japanese version)Kenzie, Nozomi Maezawa, Kim Jungbae, Kim YounghuKenzieGirls & Peace 3:09
9. "All My Love Is for You"  Junji Ishiwatari, Sebastian Thott, Didrik Thott, Robin LernerSebastian ThottGirls & Peace 3:43
10. "Flower Power"  Johan Gustafson, Fredrik Häggstam, Sebastian Lundberg, Nasa Aprisia Florida, Junji IshiwatariTrinityGirls & Peace 3:18
11. "Beep Beep"  Jeff Miyahara, Anne Judith Wik, Ronny Svendsen, Nermin Harambasic, Robin JenssenDsign MusicLove & Peace 3:21
12. "Love & Girls"  KamikaoruErik Lidbom, Ronny Svendsen, Anne Judith WikLove & Peace 3:07
13. "Galaxy Supernova"  Kamikaoru, Frederik Nordsø Schjoldan, Fridolin N. Schjoldan, Martin HedegaardKamikaoru, Frederik Nordsø Schjoldan, Fridolin N. Schjoldan, Martin HedegaardLove & Peace 3:09
14. "My Oh My"  Erik Lewander, Ylva Dimberg, Louis SchoorlErik Lewander, Ylva Dimberg, Louis SchoorlLove & Peace 3:10
15. "Mr.Mr." (Japanese version)Kim Hee Jeong, Cho Yoon KyungThe UnderdogsPreviously unreleased 3:55
16. "Indestructible"  KamikaoruClaire Rodrigues, Albi Albertsson, Chris MeyerPreviously unreleased 3:39

Complete Limited Edition

Famima Edition

New Edition standard/regular version

New Edition Limited Edition

Chart performance

Chart Peak
position
Oricon Daily albums 1[20]
Oricon Weekly albums 1[5]
Oricon Monthly albums 4[21]
Oricon Yearly albums 22[7]

Sales and certifications

Chart Amount
Oricon physical sales 175,988+[7]
RIAJ physical shipping certification Gold (100,000+)

References

  1. ↑ Girls' Generation finish up their Japan tour in Tokyo while showcasing new ballad 'Indestructible' Allkpop.com (July 14, 2014). Retrieved on July 14, 2014.
  2. ↑ SNSD’s Japanese Best Album Ranks No.1 on Oricon Ph.Celebrity.Yahoo.com (July 24, 2014). Retrieved on July 25, 2014.
  3. ↑ Girls' Generation surpasses 12 Girl Band to set a new record - 3 albums at 1st place (in Japanese) Originally from Oricon. Archived on July 28, 2014. Retrieved on July 28, 2014.
  4. ↑ ‘The Best’ Album Tops Oricon Weekly Chart and Ranks First on Daily Chart for Six Consecutive Days Soshified.com (July 29, 2014). Retrieved on July 29, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Oricon's 2014 Overall Album Sales Originally from Oricon.co.jp (December 2014). Archived on December 22, 2014. Retrieved on December 24, 2014.
  8. ↑ "The Best by Girls' Generation". S.M. Entertainment. SM Town. July 23, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  9. ↑ Girls’ Generation Are ‘Indestructible’ On Heartfelt New Greatest Hits Track Popdust.com (July 16, 2014). Retrieved on September 23, 2014.
  10. ↑ Girls' Generation finish up their Japan tour in Tokyo while showcasing new ballad 'Indestructible' Allkpop (July 14, 2014). Retrieved on September 23, 2014.
  11. ↑ Girls' Generation release lyric video for 'Indestructible'
  12. ↑ "The Best by Girls' Generation". S.M. Entertainment. SM Town. September 11, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  13. ↑ http://www.soshified.com/2014/09/girls-generation-to-release-new-japanese-song-and-music-video-divine
  14. ↑ Girls' Generation prove to be 'Divine' in PV
  15. ↑ "少女時代9人最後合體！潔西卡哭唱：we are always one". ETtoday (in Chinese). 16 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  16. ↑ 少女時代 JAPAN OFFICIAL (in Japanese) Originally from Twitter (July 16, 2014). Archived on March 2, 2015. Retrieved on March 2, 2015.
  17. ↑ Girls' Generation's The Best Information & Tracklist Girls-Generation.jp. Retrieved on July 14, 2014.
  18. ↑ Girls' Generation's The Best Information & Tracklist Girls-Generation.jp. Retrieved on July 14, 2014.
  19. ↑ YESASIA: THE BEST - STANDARD EDITION - (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) CD - Girls' Generation - Japanese Music - Free Shipping
  20. ↑ Oricon Chart's Daily Album Ranking (July 22, 2014) Originally from Oricon.co.jp (July 2014). Archived on July 23, 2014. Retrieved on July 23, 2014.
  21. ↑ Oricon Chart's Monthly Album Ranking for July 2014 Originally from Oricon.co.jp (July 2014). Archived on August 20, 2014. Retrieved on August 20, 2014.