The Cure's "Greatest Hits" album, initially launched in Japan on November 7, 2001, followed by releases in the UK, Europe on November 12, and the US the next day, marked a significant moment for the band. Their enduring collaboration with Fiction Records was drawing to a close, necessitating one final album under their contract. Lead vocalist Robert Smith agreed to this on the condition that he could curate the tracklist himself.
 
This compilation spans the band's impressive 25-year career, featuring notable singles alongside two new tracks, "Cut Here" and "Just Say Yes," all remastered by Tim Young at Metropolis Mastering for this collection.
While the UK and international versions share a mostly identical tracklist, a few deviations exist: the international release includes "The Walk," whereas the UK version substitutes it with "The Caterpillar" and "Pictures of You."
 
In a nod to dedicated fans who already owned the previously released songs, Smith organized re-recordings of acoustic versions of the hits with the band and former member Boris Williams. These acoustic renditions were exclusively included in select initial pressings of the album, offering a fresh experience for hardcore enthusiasts alongside the timeless classics.