The compilation was originally due to be released in 2018, immediately following An American Treasure and the alternative take of the title track, released as the first single, for digital streaming.[2] "For Real" was released as the second single.
"For Real" was recorded in August 2000 when Petty and the Heartbreakers went to Bill Bottrell’s studio to record a new version of "Surrender". "Surrender" was placed on Anthology: Through the Years, while "For Real" remained unissued until 2019.[3]
Reception
Writing for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine says the album is "the best overall overview of—and perhaps introduction to—Tom Petty assembled to date".
"The Best of Everything"
The title track of the compilation, "The Best of Everything" was originally released in 1985 on the album Southern Accents; the song was later released in two different versions on the posthumous compilations An American Treasure (2018), and this album. The latter extended alternate version, which contains an extra verse, was released as a single in 2018, before the release of the album.[4] The posthumous released versions have a more rocking arrangement and sound more organic (the synths were substituted with the piano), while the one on Southern Accents is more soul/pop-oriented.[4]
"For Real"
"For Real" was the previously unreleased track on the compilation, and was described as a gritty autobiographical acoustic track. It was recorded in 2000. It was released as the second single from the compilation and charted on the Adult Alternative Songs chart, peaking at #28.[5]
Track listing
All songs were written by Tom Petty, except where noted.
"For Real" (previously unreleased, recorded in August 2000) – 3:52
The vinyl edition has 4 LPs:
LP 1: A side (disc 1, tracks 1–5)/B side (disc 1, tracks 6–10)
LP 2: A side (disc 1, tracks 11–15)/B side (disc 1, tracks 16–19)
LP 3: A side (disc 2, tracks 1–5)/B side (disc 2, tracks 6–10)
LP 4: A side (disc 2, tracks 11–15)/B side (disc 2, tracks 16–19)
Personnel
Tom Petty – lead and backing vocals, rhythm and lead guitars, harmonica, piano, keyboards, drums on "Saving Grace", bass guitar on "Scare Easy", "Hungry No More", and "I Forgive It All"