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The purpose of 2007's The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition — the group's second double-disc set in just five years — is plain in its title: it's been assembled with the band's birthday in mind. It's hard to pass up an anniversary like that, and so The Best of Chicago competes with 2002's The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning, a terrific 39-song set that had all of their hits. In comparison, the 2007 set covers a little more ground according to the calendar — it has songs from their 2006 studio set Chicago XXX, which the 2002 does not — but it's ten songs shorter, a compromise that might bring it in a smaller minimum suggested retail price, but doesn't really serve anybody looking for a truly comprehensive compilation. For those listeners, it's an easy decision: stick with the 2002 Very Best Of. For those listeners who want a double-disc set that's just slightly cheaper, this 40th Anniversary set will suit them fine, because it does have all the big hits — so many that it takes a close comparison of the two track listings to realize what's missing on this one.

Track List:

1. Questions 67 & 68

2. 25 or 6 to 4

3. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is

4. Make Me Smile

5. Beginnings

6. Colour My World

7. Saturday In the Park

8. Feelin' Stronger Every Day

9. Just You 'N' Me

10. (I've Been) Searchin' So Long

11. Call On

12. Wishing You Were Here

13. Old Days

14. Another Rainy Day In NYC

15. If You Leave Me Now

1. Baby What a Big Surprise

2. No Tell Lover

3. Hard to Say I'm Sorry

4. Love Me Tomorrow

5. Hard Habit to Break

6. You're the Inspiration

7. Will You Still Love Me?

8. If She Would Have Been Faithful

9. I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love

10. Look Away

11. What Kind of Man Would I Be?

12. You're Not Alone

13. Here In My Heart

14. Feel (W/Horns)

15. Love Will Come Back