An unparalleled phenomenon in Europe, Johnny Hallyday isn’t that big a deal on this side of the pond. As such, this compilation is a good primer for those still unfamiliar with the French rocker’s five-decade career. Opening with Retiens la nuit, an early collaboration with Charles Aznavour, followed by a series of franco adaptations of English songs (e.g., The Animals’ The House of the Rising Sun becoming Le Pénitencier), Best Of then gets to such timeless "Djeuhnny" hits as Que je t’aime, Ma gueule and Je te promets, on which it’s hard not to appreciate the heartfelt intensity he puts into every line he sings. Some other tracks flirt dangerously with tackiness though, notably Quelque chose de Tennessee and Laura.