Eminem Encore Original Tracklist «Extended ✯»
Encore is Eminem’s fifth studio album, released after a period of high fame and public controversy; it contains a mix of political commentary, humor, and personal themes and received mixed critical reviews.
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Eminem’s fourth major-label album, Encore, remains one of the most polarizing and fascinating chapters in hip-hop history. Released in November 2004, the project was famously derailed by a massive internet leak, forcing Eminem to scrap several songs and record new material in a matter of days. This led to a jarring shift in tone, replacing high-concept lyricism with the "zany," toilet-humor-heavy tracks that define the album's middle section.
To understand the "original" tracklist, one must look at the songs recorded between 2003 and early 2004 that were ultimately leaked by the group Straight from the Lab or relegated to bonus discs and soundtracks. The Impact of the 2003 Leaks
In late 2003, a collection of Eminem tracks leaked online. At the time, Eminem was arguably the biggest star on the planet, and the "Straight from the Lab" EP leak devastated his creative process. Because these songs were intended for the upcoming album, Eminem felt he could no longer use them as primary tracks, leading him to record "filler" songs like "Big Weenie," "Rain Man," and "My 1st Single" to meet his release deadline. The "Lost" Songs of the Original Encore
While an official "pre-leak" tracklist has never been released by Shady Records, fans and historians have pieced together the songs that were meant to provide the album’s emotional and thematic core:
"We as Americans": This was intended to be the album's mission statement. It featured a controversial line about the President that triggered a Secret Service investigation. After the leak, it was moved to the Encore Deluxe Edition bonus disc.
"Love You More": Widely considered one of Eminem’s best "toxic relationship" songs, this track was also moved to the bonus disc following the leaks. Its darker, more serious tone fits the The Eminem Show era much better than the final cuts of Encore.
"Bully": A scathing diss track aimed at Benzino and Ja Rule. This was intended to be the final word on his various feuds at the time but was left off the album entirely after leaking.
"Can-I-Bitch": A humorous, storytelling diss track targeting Canibus. While lighter in tone, it possessed a lyrical sharpness that many felt was missing from the "silly" songs that eventually made the cut.
"Monkey See, Monkey Do": A hard-hitting street record that addressed the dangers of the music industry and his ongoing beefs. Reconstructing the Tracklist
If the leaks had never occurred, many speculate that the middle "humor" section of Encore would have been replaced by these more substantive works. A "perfect" version of the original Encore would likely have looked like this: Curtains Up (Intro) Evil Deeds Never Enough (ft. 50 Cent & Nate Dogg) Yellow Brick Road Like Toy Soldiers Bully We as Americans Monkey See, Monkey Do Love You More Spent Some Time (ft. Obie Trice, Stat Quo & 50 Cent) Mockingbird Crazy in Love One Shot 2 Shot (ft. D12) Encore / Curtains Down Why the Change Matters
The version of Encore that hit shelves was a commercial juggernaut but a critical disappointment compared to The Marshall Mathers LP. The "original" tracklist suggests an album that was a direct, more mature successor to The Eminem Show. Instead, the world received a project fueled by Eminem's growing frustration with the industry and his increasing struggles with prescription drug use, which he later admitted influenced the "goofy" recording sessions for the replacement tracks.
Today, Encore is viewed as a cult classic by some and a missed opportunity by others. The "original" tracklist remains one of the great "what ifs" in rap history.
The story of the "original" tracklist for Eminem ’s 2004 album Encore is a legendary "what if" in hip-hop history. What began as a project intended to cement his legacy as the world’s biggest artist was derailed by a massive digital leak and personal struggles, leading to a hasty restructuring that fundamentally changed the album's DNA. The Leak that Changed Everything
Midway through production, a significant portion of the intended album leaked onto peer-to-peer networks. This forced Eminem to scrap several high-quality tracks and record new material in a matter of days. To fill the void left by the leaked songs, he recorded some of his most polarizing and "silly" tracks—such as "Rain Man," "Big Weenie," and "Ass Like That"—which many critics felt lowered the overall caliber of the project. The "Scrapped" Pieces
Based on historical accounts from Wikipedia and fan archives like Eminem.net, several songs were confirmed or widely believed to be part of the original vision: eminem encore original tracklist
"Brand New Dance" (originally titled "Christopher Reeves"): This was meant to be a centerpiece of the album. However, according to Wikipedia, it was shelved just before release due to the death of Christopher Reeve in October 2004. Eminem eventually released it decades later on The Death of Slim Shady.
"Bully": A scathing diss track aimed at Benzino and Ja Rule that was intended for the album but leaked early.
"Can-I-Bitch": A humorous Canibus diss that also surfaced during the leaks.
"Love You More" & "We as Americans": These tracks were so well-received during the leaks that they were eventually included on the Encore Deluxe Edition bonus disc, though they were originally meant for the main tracklist. The Original Vision vs. The Final Product
If the leak had never occurred, the "Original Encore" would likely have been a much darker, more focused continuation of The Eminem Show. The final tracklist shifted from a serious exploration of fame and political unrest (seen in "Mosh" and "Like Toy Soldiers") to include slapstick humor that felt out of place to many listeners.
While the released version of Encore still achieved massive commercial success, the mystery of its original tracklist remains a focal point for fans on platforms like Reddit, who often reconstruct their own "Original Encore" playlists to see how the album might have stood alongside his classic trilogy.
While there is no single "official" original tracklist, has confirmed in interviews that the 2004 album Encore was drastically altered after several high-quality tracks leaked in 2003. These leaked songs were eventually compiled into the bootleg Straight from the Lab EP. Confirmed Original Intentions
Eminem stated that the album would have matched the caliber of The Eminem Show if the leaks hadn't occurred. He confirmed the following placements: Opening Track: "We As Americans". Second Track: "Bully".
Planned 7th Track: "Christopher Reeves" (later reworked as "Brand New Dance" on The Death of Slim Shady after the actor passed away).
Other Confirmed Tracks: "Love You More" and "Evil Deeds" (though "Evil Deeds" remained on the final album, it was reportedly edited). The Leaked vs. Replacement Tracks
The leaks forced Eminem to record new material quickly, often while heavily under the influence of drugs, leading to the "goofy" and polarizing middle section of the released album. Leaked Tracks (Intended for Album) Replacement "Goofy" Tracks We As Americans (moved to Deluxe) Rain Man Bully (never officially released) Big Weenie Love You More (moved to Deluxe) Ass Like That Christopher Reeves (scrapped) My 1st Single Community Reconstruction of the "OG Encore"
Fans and researchers on platforms like Reddit have reconstructed what a 20-track original version might have looked like by integrating confirmed leaks and removing last-minute additions. Curtains Up (Skit) We As Americans Bully Evil Deeds Never Enough (feat. 50 Cent & Nate Dogg) Yellow Brick Road Christopher Reeves (Brand New Dance) Like Toy Soldiers Mosh Paul (Skit) Monkey See Monkey Do Come On In (Original version of "One Shot 2 Shot") Love You More Spend Some Time (feat. Obie Trice, Stat Quo & 50 Cent) Em Calls Paul (Skit) Just Lose It Mockingbird Crazy In Love Final Thought (Skit) Encore / Curtains Down (feat. Dr. Dre & 50 Cent)
The "original" tracklist for 's 2004 album, , is a legendary topic among fans because the album was significantly altered following a massive leak of early material. Eminem has confirmed in various interviews that several "silly" or "filler" songs (like "Big Weenie" and "Rain Man") were recorded in a matter of days to replace the leaked tracks. The Confirmed Leaked Tracks
Before the album's release, three songs leaked and were eventually moved to a Bonus Disc on the Deluxe Edition: "We As Americans" (Originally intended as the album opener) "Love You More" "Ricky Ticky Toc" The "Straight From The Lab" / Original Sessions Many fans and music historians believe the "real" —often referred to as The Eminem Show 2 —would have featured tracks from the Straight from the Lab EP and other unreleased 2003 sessions. Likely Original Tracks What Happened to Them?
Scrapped from the final album; addressed the Benzino/Ja Rule beef. "Monkey See, Monkey Do" Scrapped; another diss track from the Shady/Aftermath era. "Can-I-Bitch" Scrapped; aimed at Canibus. "Christopher Reeves"
Scrapped after the actor's death in Oct 2004; eventually reworked into "Brand New Dance" (2024). "Come On In" Later released as "6 in the Morning" on the D12 album The Final (Released) Tracklist This is the version that hit shelves on November 12, 2004: Curtains Up Evil Deeds Never Enough (ft. 50 Cent & Nate Dogg) Yellow Brick Road Like Toy Soldiers My 1st Single (Replacement song) Big Weenie (Replacement song) Em Calls Paul Just Lose It Ass Like That (Replacement song) Spend Some Time (ft. Obie Trice, Stat Quo & 50 Cent) Mockingbird Crazy in Love One Shot 2 Shot Final Thought Encore / Curtains Down (ft. Dr. Dre & 50 Cent)
You can find the full streaming version of the released album on Apple Music or check the Official Wikipedia Page for more detailed production credits. Are you looking to reconstruct Encore is Eminem’s fifth studio album, released after
a custom "OG Encore" playlist, or do you want more info on the Christopher Reeves controversy?
The Evolution of Eminem's Encore: Uncovering the Original Tracklist
Eminem's fifth studio album, Encore, was released in 2004 to critical acclaim and commercial success. The album marked a significant turning point in Eminem's career, as he experimented with new sounds, themes, and collaborations. However, few fans are aware of the original tracklist for Encore, which differed significantly from the final product. In this article, we'll delve into the history of Encore, exploring the original tracklist, and the factors that led to its transformation.
The Background of Encore
Encore was recorded in 2004, during a tumultuous period in Eminem's life. The rapper was facing intense scrutiny from the media, fans, and critics, following the release of his previous album, The Marshall Mathers LP. Eminem was struggling with addiction, personal demons, and the pressures of fame, which are all reflected in the lyrics and tone of Encore.
The album was produced by Dr. Dre, Eminem, and various other producers, and features a diverse range of collaborations with artists such as Nate Dogg, D12, and Obie Trice. Encore debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and went on to sell over 17 million copies worldwide, cementing Eminem's status as one of the best-selling artists of all time.
The Original Tracklist: A Different Vision
According to various sources, including interviews with Eminem and Dr. Dre, the original tracklist for Encore was significantly different from the final product. The original tracklist featured 22 tracks, including some that were eventually scrapped or reworked. Some of the notable tracks that didn't make it to the final album include:
Other tracks that were originally intended for Encore, but didn't make it to the final cut, include:
The Transformation of Encore
So, what led to the changes in the original tracklist? Eminem and Dr. Dre have cited several reasons, including creative differences, lyrical controversy, and label pressure.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Eminem explained that he was under immense pressure from his label, Aftermath Entertainment, to produce a hit album. "I was feeling a lot of pressure to make a album that would sell well, and I think that affected the creative process," he said.
Dr. Dre echoed Eminem's sentiments, stating that the original tracklist was "a bit too experimental" and that they ultimately decided to "re-scale" the album to make it more commercial.
The Final Tracklist: A Compromise
The final tracklist for Encore featured 20 tracks, including some of Eminem's most iconic songs, such as "Like Toy Soldiers," "Mosh," and "My 1st Single." The album received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising Eminem's lyrical depth and Dr. Dre's production.
While the final tracklist may have been a compromise, it undoubtedly helped to solidify Eminem's status as a hip-hop icon. Encore marked a significant shift in Eminem's career, as he began to explore new sounds and themes, paving the way for future albums, such as Relapse and Recovery.
Conclusion
The original tracklist for Eminem's Encore offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of one of hip-hop's most iconic artists. The evolution of the album serves as a testament to the pressures and challenges that come with creating music at the highest level.
While we may never know what could have been, it's clear that the final product, Encore, remains a landmark album in Eminem's discography, showcasing his lyrical prowess, creative experimentation, and enduring influence on hip-hop.
The legacy of Encore continues to inspire new generations of hip-hop fans and artists, and its impact can still be felt today. As Eminem continues to push the boundaries of music and art, it's exciting to think about what the future holds for this iconic artist.
Write-Up: The "Lost" Classic – Reconstructing Eminem’s Original Encore Tracklist
Release Year: 2004 Album Status: Certified Multi-Platinum, Critically Divisive The Narrative: A masterpiece sabotaged by leaks and narcotic indulgence.
1. A Fitting, Mature Finale to a Trilogy
With The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP, and The Eminem Show, Eminem built a hall-of-fame run. The original Encore felt like a genuine closing chapter—darker, introspective, and politically charged. Songs like “We As Americans” (a blistering anti-Bush, anti-greed anthem) and “Love You More” (a conflicted, obsessive love letter to Hip Hop) showed an artist still hungry, not yet drowning in pill-pop humor.
2. Strong Emotional Core
3. Fewer Clunkers
The official 2004 Encore had 5-6 unlistenable joke tracks. The original version had “Puke,” “Ass Like That,” and “Just Lose It” – still weak, but fewer in number. The absence of “Big Weenie,” “Rain Man,” and “My 1st Single” alone upgrades the album by two full letter grades.
4. “Bully” & “Come On In”
Though not always on the base tracklist, these leaked tracks are ferocious. “Bully” is a menacing, piano-driven diss aimed at critics and foes (including a scathing Michael Jackson jab that predates “Just Lose It”). It’s top-tier Slim Shady menace.
The story of the Encore original tracklist has become a cautionary tale in the music industry. It is the ultimate proof that the physical medium (CDs, vinyl) combined with digital leaks created a vulnerability that could ruin an artist’s intended statement.
Today, streaming services allow artists to swap out songs, issue "digital deluxes," and even delete tracks post-release. But in 2004, once the plastic was pressed, the art was frozen.
Encore stands as Eminem’s most debated album—not because it is bad, but because we know what it could have been. Every time a fan hears "Yellow Brick Road" transition into "Like Toy Soldiers" and wonders why it is followed by "Puke," they are hearing the ghost of a different album.
"Bully" is arguably one of the most vicious diss tracks Eminem ever recorded—directed at Ja Rule and Irv Gotti, with a hook about Columbine that was so controversial it never saw a proper commercial release. "When I’m Gone" is one of his most emotionally devastating songs. Removing these from the standard tracklist weakened the album’s emotional backbone.
Thanks to investigative fans, interviews with Eminem’s engineers (notably Steve King), and the recovered promotional vinyl, we have a nearly complete picture of the original Encore tracklist. Here it is, in its intended order:
While no official "tracklist sheet" from the studio has ever been publicly auctioned, a general consensus exists among the Eminem community regarding what the album looked like before the leaks occurred. By removing the "goofy" replacement tracks and restoring the leaked "serious" tracks, the album transforms.
Here is the widely accepted reconstruction of the Original Encore:
Side A: The Darkness
Side B: The Redemption 11. Big Weenie (Often removed in fan edits, but included in some original drafts) 12. Em Calls Paul (Skit) 13. Encore / Curtains Down (feat. Dr. Dre & 50 Cent) 14. Mockingbird (The heartfelt track to his daughter) 15. Crazy in Love 16. One Shot 2 Shot (feat. D12) (Retained from original plan) 17. We As Americans (CRITICAL ADDITION: Originally leaked, intended as a centerpiece track addressing patriotism and assassination threats) 18. Love You More (CRITICAL ADDITION: A dark, intense relationship track that leaked early) 19. Ricky Ticky Toc (CRITICAL ADDITION: A high-energy lyrical exercise) 20. Spend Some Time (feat. Obie Trice, Stat Quo & 50 Cent)
(Note: "Ass Like That" and "Just Lose It" were retained from the final version, though "Just Lose It" was the lead single released just prior to the major leaks. "We As Americans" and "Love You More" eventually saw official release on the album's bonus disc.)