While there is no "official" original tracklist released by Shady Records, the "OG Encore" is a widely discussed piece of hip-hop history
. In 2003, roughly a year before the album's release, several key tracks leaked online, forcing Eminem to scrap his original vision and record replacement songs like "Rain Man," "Big Weenie," and "Ass Like That" under heavy drug use.
The following is the reconstructed tracklist most fans and historians believe was the intended version of The "Original" Encore Tracklist (Reconstructed) What If Encore Never Leaked? - fLaMEd fury
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.
What was the original Encore tracklist supposed to look like? - Reddit
i think it probably wouldve been a little something like this with some alterations to some songs and skits: * curtains up (skit) ... Reddit·r/Eminem Big Weenie
The worst songs on the album like Big Weenie were all last minute replacements for the leaked songs that he ( Drake ) made when he... Big Weenie eminem encore original tracklist
" Mosh ( Mosh (song ) " is a protest song by Eminem from his fifth studio album, Encore. The song debuted on Eminem ( Eminem as ) ...
's fifth studio album, Encore, underwent significant changes after several key tracks leaked online via the Straight from the Lab bootleg in late 2003. To protect the album's commercial viability, Eminem pulled the leaked songs and replaced them with last-minute recordings, many of which were criticized for their "goofy" or "drugged-out" quality. The Reconstructed "Original" Tracklist
While an official original tracklist was never released, Eminem has confirmed in interviews with Shade 45 that certain songs were intended to be centerpiece tracks before the leak. 1. Curtains Up (Skit)
2. We As Americans: Confirmed as the original opening track.
3. Bully: A diss track targeting Benzino and Ja Rule; confirmed for the original list.
4. Evil Deeds: An early version without the "drugged" vocal delivery. 5. Never Enough (ft. 50 Cent & Nate Dogg). 6. Yellow Brick Road. 7. Like Toy Soldiers. 8. Mosh: Included to double down on anti-Bush themes.
9. Christopher Reeves: Scrapped following the actor's death; later reworked as "Brand New Dance". 10. Paul (Skit).
11. Monkey See, Monkey Do: A leaked diss track likely intended for the mid-section. 12. Spend Some Time (ft. Obie Trice, Stat Quo & 50 Cent). 13. Mockingbird.
14. Love You More: Confirmed by Eminem as a track meant for the main album.
15. Come On In (ft. D12): Later renamed "6 in the Morning" and moved to D12 World. 16. Final Thought (Skit). 17. Encore / Curtains Down (ft. Dr. Dre & 50 Cent). Songs Removed and Replaced
The following table highlights how the final 2004 release differed from the "intended" version due to the leaks: Original Intended Song Final Album Replacement Reason for Change We As Americans (Moved to Bonus Disc) Leaked early; replaced by new recordings Love You More (Moved to Bonus Disc) Leaked early; replaced by "Crazy In Love" Bully Big Weenie Last-minute replacement after "Bully" leaked Monkey See, Monkey Do Rain Man Last-minute "goofy" replacement Christopher Reeves Ass Like That Scrapped due to Reeve's death Come On In One Shot 2 Shot Swapped with the D12 collaboration
Eminem later reflected on Facebook that if the leaked tracks had stayed, the album's caliber would have rivaled The Eminem Show.
What was the original Encore tracklist supposed to look like? - Reddit
i think it probably wouldve been a little something like this with some alterations to some songs and skits: * curtains up (skit) ... Reddit·r/Eminem Encore (Eminem album) - Wikipedia
Table_title: Track listing Table_content: header: | No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length | row: | No.: 1. | Title: "Curt...
What was the original Encore tracklist supposed to look like?
curtains up (skit) evil deeds [less drugged out flow and delivery from em] never enough. yellow brick road. we as americans. mosh. Reddit·r/Eminem OG Encore Tracklist? : r/Eminem - Reddit While there is no "official" original tracklist released
* We As Americans. * Bully. * Never Enough (feat. Nate Dogg & 50 Cent) * Yellow Brick Road. * Mosh. * Evil Deeds. * Ricky Ticky To... Reddit·r/Eminem
Does anyone know the songs that were originally supposed to be on ...
Eminem's hooks from this time period are too good. ... I like both songs, but I agree that 6 in the Morning goes harder. ... Most ... Reddit·r/Eminem Big Weenie
The worst songs on the album like Big Weenie were all last minute replacements for the leaked songs that he ( Drake ) made when he... Big Weenie
" Mosh ( Mosh (song ) " is a protest song by Eminem from his fifth studio album, Encore. The song debuted on Eminem ( Eminem as ) ... Like Toy Soldiers
“Like Toy Soldiers” is a significant track from Eminem's 2004 album “Encore.” The song is notable not only for its emotional depth... Like Toy Soldiers Paul (skit)
Fun fact - the "Paul" skit on Encore was originally about "Christopher Reeves", only to get replaced after the song was cut from t... Paul (skit) Just Lose It
Eminem ( Marshall Mathers ) was prepping the follow up to the eminem ( Marshall Mathers ) show in 2004, the album was to be called... Just Lose It Mockingbird
A Blind Audition That Left Every Chair Turned 🎤✨ A breathtaking moment from The Voice Kids when Emma stepped onto the stage in 20... Mockingbird Evil Deeds
“Encore's” first track, “Evil Deeds,” acknowledges these pitfalls, as Eminem speaks of himself in the third person, “whining about... Evil Deeds Spend Some Time
"Spend Some Time" is a track from Eminem's fifth studio album, "Encore," released in 2004. The song features Obie Trice, Stat Quo, Spend Some Time What If Encore Never Leaked? - fLaMEd fury
We As Americans (Bonus Track) - Eminem. Bully - Eminem. Evil Deeds - Eminem. Never Enough (feat. 50 Cent & Nate Dogg) - Eminem. Ye... fLaMEd fury What tracks on ENCORE were recorded to replace leaks???
Leaked songs: Monkey See Monkey Do, We as Americans, Love you More, 6 in the Morning, Come on In, Can I Bitch, Bully. Replacement ... Reddit·r/Eminem
What Other Songs were Leaked/Cut from Encore? : r/Eminem - Reddit
What Other Songs were Leaked/Cut from Encore? I know that "We As Americans" and "Bully" were supposed to be the first two songs pl... Reddit·r/Eminem Eminem thinks Encore could have equaled The Eminem ...
🚨 Eminem thinks Encore could have equaled The Eminem Show if it weren't for the leak. He mentioned that many songs didn't make it... Facebook·BirdBeat
The Original Tracklist:
Impact and Legacy:
"Encore" was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album has been certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA and has sold over 23 million copies worldwide. The album's themes of personal growth, controversy, and social commentary have cemented its place as one of Eminem's best works.
Tracklist Evolution:
Over the years, "Encore" has undergone several tracklist changes, with some editions featuring bonus tracks or alternate versions. However, the original tracklist remains the most iconic and widely recognized.
Cultural Significance:
"Encore" has had a lasting impact on hip-hop culture, with many regarding it as one of the greatest albums of the 2000s. The album's influence can be seen in many subsequent hip-hop releases, and its themes continue to resonate with listeners today.
’s fifth studio album, Encore (2004), is widely regarded as a significant "fall from grace" after his classic three-album run. While it debuted at No. 1 and sold millions, the critical consensus labels it a "messy," drugged-out, and uneven project. The "Original" vs. Released Tracklist
The album’s quality was severely impacted by high-profile leaks that forced Eminem to record several "last-minute" replacement tracks while under heavy drug use.
"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.
In the original tracklist, "Mockingbird" (track 6) sat alongside "Like Toy Soldiers" and "Mosh." It was intended as a deep album cut, not a lead single. The tone was somber from the start. "We As Americans" opens the album with a tense guitar riff and Eminem rapping: "I'm just a man, but I'm the leader of a whole nation / Amazing, the shit that I'm tastin'..." It is directly political, angry, and sharp.
In 2004, Eminem was on top of the world. Following the massive success of The Eminem Show, he planned a conceptual follow-up that wasn't just a collection of songs, but a thematic sequel. The original Encore was darker, more political, and sonically cohesive.
Then, disaster struck. Just weeks before mastering, the album leaked online. Enraged but pragmatic, Eminem scrapped nearly half the tracks, went back to the studio for 48-hour sessions, and recorded the goofy, infamous "insult comedy" songs (like Big Weenie and Rain Man) that ended up on the final retail version.
What was the original tracklist? Thanks to interviews, deluxe edition releases, and leaker confessions, we know the "Paul Rosenberg file."
It is worth noting that during this era (2004-2006), Eminem was allegedly working on a project rumored to be titled King Mathers. Many of the scrapped Encore tracks and the serious leaks from this period likely bled into the Curtain Call: The Hits bonus cuts or were lost to time. "We As Americans" stands as the primary relic of the "Dark Eminem" era that fans felt they were robbed of.
The primary reason for the difference between the vision and the reality was a massive security breach. In late 2004, unfinished tracks intended for Encore leaked onto the internet. In a panic, Eminem and Dr. Dre made the drastic decision to scrap the leaked songs and rush-record replacements.
This decision birthed the "accent era" tracks (like "Big Weenie" and "Rain Man") which were written and recorded in a frantic, drug-fueled haze to pad the album's runtime.