The Best So Far was released in 2001 as a compilation album for selected territories in Asia. Issued during Robbie Williams’ EMI period, the collection was tailored to regional markets at a time when his international profile was continuing to expand.
The album draws on material from Life Thru a Lens, I’ve Been Expecting You and Sing When You’re Winning, assembling key singles and selected album tracks. Its track listing differs from later UK focused compilations, reflecting market specific curation.
Released prior to any comprehensive global greatest hits package, The Best So Far functioned as an introductory overview for audiences outside Europe. The compilation capitalised on Williams’ late 1990s and early 2000s commercial momentum.
The album forms part of a series of territory specific releases issued before his catalogue was consolidated in later retrospective collections.