Originally released via the legendary Factory Records, Substance compiled all of the band's singles to that point in their 12” versions, and specially new recorded versions of "Temptation" and "Confusion". The album also included the biggest selling 12” single of all time, "Blue Monday", alongside other classic singles "The Perfect Kiss", "Bizarre Love Triangle" and the band’s debut single release "Ceremony".  The album is the band’s biggest selling to date, with over one million copies sold, going platinum in the UK with a Top 5 hit in "True Faith" which was accompanied by the seminal video, directed by French choreographer Philippe Decouflé.
 
The 47-track deluxe 4CD set contains remixes and Live from Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, California 1987.