Over the years this compilation album from Eagles has jostled with Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982) for the US bestselling album spot. It was surpassed by Jackson’s album after his death and has since regained its number one spot, but not in terms of worldwide sales. It has sold over 42 million copies worldwide. Released the same year as their bestselling studio album Hotel California (1976), Eagles are the only act to appear in the worldwide top 10 twice.

Eagles were unhappy with the record’s release feeling that it was a ploy on the record company’s part to claw in as much cash from the band’s output as possible, without paying out for recording costs. The difficult relationship between business and art is a frequent topic in the band’s lyrics.