Eminem Encore Original Tracklist May 2026
Eminem has released many albums since 2004 (Relapse, Recovery, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Kamikaze, Music to Be Murdered By). He has reconciled with his past, become sober, and even acknowledged the flaws of Encore. But he has never released a definitive, remastered version of the original tracklist.
For fans, the "original Encore tracklist" is more than a set of songs. It is a parallel universe—a timeline where the leak never happened, where the sleeping pills didn't win, and where Eminem ended his classic run with a fourth consecutive masterpiece. Instead, we got a fascinating, flawed, and deeply human artifact of an artist in crisis.
And perhaps that is its own kind of legacy. Encore is not the album Eminem wanted to make. It is the album the internet forced him to make. And that story, of artistry versus chaos, is as compelling as any song he ever wrote.
In 2004, Eminem was on top of the universe. The Eminem Show had sold 10 million copies. 8 Mile had won an Oscar. He was a global pariah and a pop hero simultaneously. Then came Encore — an album fans have spent nearly two decades debating: brilliant finale or bloated farewell?
But the album we got isn’t the album he made.
The original tracklist for Encore leaked months before release. It was darker, tighter, and more personal. Here’s a reconstruction based on interviews and session leaks:
Original Encore Tracklist (circa early 2004):
Then everything changed.
In mid-2004, the unfinished album leaked onto peer-to-peer networks. Eminem was furious. In a panic, he scrapped three of the most aggressive, political tracks: "We As Americans," "Love You More," and the infamous "Bully" — a venomous, homophobic attack on critics and (allegedly) Michael Jackson. He rushed into the studio and recorded three new, goofier tracks to replace them: Rain Man, Big Weenie, and My 1st Single — songs that fans now routinely call the worst of his career.
The result? The Encore we know is split in half. Disc 1 (tracks 1–11) is classic Eminem: political rage, pop satire, and heartbreaking addiction confessions (Like Toy Soldiers). Disc 2 (tracks 12–15) is a fart-joke carnival, where he mocks his own legacy.
Had the original tracklist survived, Encore might be remembered differently — a lean, angry sequel to The Eminem Show. Instead, it became the first true sign that the pills were winning. The leaked originals eventually appeared on Encore’s bonus disc — buried, like ghosts of a better album.
In a way, the leak saved Eminem. The rushed, silly tracks were so poorly received that even he seemed embarrassed. He went quiet for four years. When he returned with Relapse, he was sober. But Encore — in both its leaked and released forms — remains the perfect, messy monument to a genius starting to crack under his own weight.
It’s 2003, and is at the absolute peak of his powers. Coming off the massive success of The Eminem Show
, he’s back in the studio with Dr. Dre, working on what was meant to be his magnum opus: a direct, harder-hitting sequel initially envisioned as The Eminem Show Part 2 But in this "what if" story, we look at the version of
the world almost heard—the one before the infamous leaks forced him to scrap half the album and replace it with last-minute, "goofy" fillers like "Big Weenie" and "Rain Man". The Lost Masterpiece: The Original Tracklist If the leaks hadn’t happened,
would have been a darker, more political, and deeply personal record.
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
" 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 eminem encore original tracklist
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
* 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
’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.
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 has released many albums since 2004 (
The "original" tracklist for 's 2004 album was famously scrapped and reworked after several key songs leaked online roughly a year before release. This leak led Eminem to record replacement tracks—like "Big Weenie" and "Rain Man"—which many fans consider to be of lower quality due to his struggle with drug addiction at the time. The Lost "Original" Tracks
Before the leaks, the album was intended to feature several songs that ultimately appeared as bonus tracks or were held for years.
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:
"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.
The original version of Encore is one of hip-hop's biggest "what-ifs." Before a massive leak in late 2003, Eminem intended for the album to be a serious, high-caliber successor to The Eminem Show. When several key tracks leaked, he replaced them with rushed, comedic songs that significantly changed the album's tone. 💿 The "Confirmed" Lost Tracklist
While no official "pre-leak" tracklist was ever published, Eminem and various sources have confirmed several songs that were originally slated for the main album:
We As Americans: Confirmed by Eminem as the original opening track.
Bully: Confirmed as the original second track; it remains unreleased officially. Love You More: Originally intended for the main tracklist.
Christopher Reeves: Scrapped last-minute after the actor's death in October 2004. (Later released in 2024 as "Brand New Dance").
Come On In: A D12 collaboration that was likely swapped for "One Shot 2 Shot".
Monkey See, Monkey Do: Part of the original leaked sessions; widely believed to be an original inclusion. 🔄 The Replacements
After the leaks, Eminem traveled to Los Angeles to record new material with Dr. Dre in just a few days. These songs—often criticised for their "goofy" or "drugged-out" nature—filled the gaps left by the leaked records: Rain Man Big Weenie (Likely a last-minute replacement for "Bully") Ass Like That My 1st Single Puke ⚠️ The Leak: "Straight From the Lab"
Most of the original Encore tracks first appeared on the Straight from the Lab bootleg EP in 2003. To satisfy fans, Eminem eventually put "We As Americans" and "Love You More" on the Encore Deluxe Edition bonus disc.
💡 Key Takeaway: Eminem has stated that if the leaks hadn't happened, Encore would have been on the same "caliber" as The Eminem Show. If you tell me what you're looking for, I can help you:
Compare specific lyrics between the leaked and final versions.
Find where to listen to the "original" leaked tracks legally.
Build a custom "OG Encore" playlist with the correct track order.
's 2004 album Encore is famous for being drastically altered after several high-quality tracks leaked online in late 2003. This forced Eminem to record new material in a matter of hours, leading to the "goofy" songs like "Rain Man" and "Big Weenie" that defined the released version.
While an official "original" tracklist was never formally published, Eminem has confirmed several songs that were intended for the main album before the leaks. Confirmed "OG" Tracks (Pre-Leak)
These songs were recorded during the initial Encore sessions and were meant for the standard release:
"We As Americans": Confirmed by Eminem as the original opening track for the album. It was eventually relegated to the deluxe edition bonus disc. In 2004, Eminem was on top of the universe
"Bully": A major diss track aimed at Benzino and Ja Rule. Eminem stated this was intended to follow "We As Americans" in the tracklist.
"Love You More": Another confirmed track from the original sessions that was moved to the bonus disc after leaking.
"Christopher Reeves": Originally the seventh track on the album. It was pulled last minute following the actor's death in October 2004 and later released as "Brand New Dance" on The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).
"Monkey See Monkey Do": Leaked alongside "Bully" and "We As Americans" in the Straight from the Lab bootleg. Many fans and historians believe it was intended for the album's aggressive, diss-heavy original vision. The Replacements
After the leaks, Eminem recorded several tracks very quickly—some in as little as 25–40 minutes—to fill the gaps. These are widely considered the "replacement" songs that changed the album's tone:
The original tracklist for Eminem's "Encore" (2004) features the following:
Features on the tracklist are:
The story behind the original tracklist for 's 2004 album is one of the most famous "what if" scenarios in hip-hop history. While no official original tracklist was ever released, Eminem has confirmed that a massive leak forced him to overhaul the album's direction, replacing polished masterpieces with hastily recorded, "goofy" songs. The Leak That Changed Everything In late 2003, several high-quality tracks intended for were leaked online, later appearing on a bootleg titled Straight from the Lab
. Because these songs were already circulating, Eminem felt they could no longer be part of the main project. The Original Vision vs. The Final Product Eminem has stated that would have been on the same caliber as The Eminem Show
if the original tracks had remained. The original opening was planned to be "We As Americans," followed by "Bully".
Below is a comparison of the confirmed and highly probable original tracks versus the last-minute replacements that many fans criticized for their "goofy" tone: Original Track Intended for Encore Final Replacement on the Album "We As Americans" (Moved to Bonus Disc) (Unreleased officially) "Big Weenie" "Love You More" (Moved to Bonus Disc) "Spend Some Time" "Crazy in Love" "Christopher Reeves" (Cut after the actor's death) "Brand New Dance" (eventually released on The Death of Slim Shady "Come On In" (Became "6 in the Morning" on "One Shot 2 Shot" The "Goofy" Filler Era
Under pressure to meet release deadlines after the leaks, Eminem flew to Los Angeles to record new material with Dr. Dre. Struggling with worsening drug addiction and writing songs in as little as 25–30 minutes, he produced tracks like "Rain Man," "Ass Like That," "Big Weenie"
. He later admitted these songs were "pretty out there" and likely should have been left off the record. reconstructed fan-favorite tracklist
that combines the best of the leaks with the highlights of the final album?
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 following three tracks were not on the original retail CD, but were the ones that got leaked. They were later added to Encore (Deluxe Edition).
In the sprawling, controversial discography of Marshall Mathers, few albums carry as much "what if" weight as Encore. Released on November 12, 2004, Encore was marketed as the triumphant finale to a trilogy that included The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP, and The Eminem Show. Instead, it arrived to mixed reviews, criticized by fans for its goofy accents, slapstick violence, and what many perceived as a creative drop-off from the razor-sharp intensity of its predecessors.
But for nearly two decades, a legend has persisted in hip-hop circles: The version we heard was not the version Eminem intended to make.
The story of the original Encore tracklist involves a sleeping pill addiction, a catastrophic leak on the internet, a last-minute scramble to the recording studio, and an entire album’s worth of songs that vanished into thin air.
If you want to hear Eminem’s original vision, do not stream the standard Encore. Instead, assemble the following playlist (available on YouTube, Spotify via local files, or by buying the 2004 bootleg vinyl pressings):
| # | Song Title | Source | |---|---|---| | 1 | We As Americans | Encore (Deluxe) | | 2 | Love You More | Encore (Deluxe) | | 3 | Yellow Brick Road | Encore (Standard) | | 4 | Like Toy Soldiers | Encore (Standard) | | 5 | Mosh | Encore (Standard) | | 6 | Mockingbird | Encore (Standard) | | 7 | Spend Some Time | Encore (Standard) | | 8 | Never Enough | Encore (Standard) | | 9 | Bully | Encore (Deluxe) | | 10 | One Shot 2 Shot | Encore (Standard) | | 11 | Encore / Curtains Down | Encore (Standard) |
(Optional add: "When I’m Gone" from Curtain Call as a secret track).
Listen to this sequence. You will hear a rapper at the peak of his powers, struggling with fame, addiction, and politics—not making fart jokes. You will hear the Encore that should have been.
The Official Story: Songs leaked online, so he wrote new ones in two days. The Real Story (per Eminem in 2005): Eminem was suffering from severe insomnia and pill addiction. He admitted that after Mosh and Toy Soldiers, he felt the album was "too heavy." He intentionally wrote the silly songs (Big Weenie, Ass Like That, Rain Man) because he couldn't face performing the dark, angry material live every night.
"I didn't want to get on stage and yell about the President for two hours. So I made jokes." – Eminem, Spin Magazine 2005.