Now That's What I Call Music! 17 was released on November 2, 2004. The album is the seventeenth edition of the (U.S.) Now series. It peaked at number 2 and 3 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA. The compilation includes two songs which reached the Billboard Hot 100: "Lean Back" & "Goodies".
The cover is inspired by the NOW 56 UK cover released in 2003.