"the best of jean shepard" contained all of shepard's major hits and significant songs of her career up to that point. it included songs ranging from sessions dating to may 19, 1953 through may 9, 1961. shepard's early sessions were recorded at the capitol recording studio in hollywood, california. her remaining recording sessions took place at the bradley film and recording studio, located in nashville, tennessee. the album consisted of most of shepard's major hits up until 1963, beginning with her first major hit, "a dear john letter" (1953). it also includes her 1955 solo hits, "a satisfied mind" and "beautiful lies". the album also includes some lesser-known songs such as "i learned it all from you", "the other woman", and "i've got to talk to mary".