We’re serious demo lovers here at The Shotgun Seat, and this two-disc compilation released by Warner Music in 2010 is our sonic equivalent of Christmas. The original demos of songs are cool for so many reasons – it’s typically the first listen that sold the artist on recording the song, and it reveals so many interesting pieces of the recording process. For instance, were the “time is a wheel in constant motion” lyrics overlaid on the last chorus of “I Hope You Dance” a production choice when Lee Ann Womack recorded it, or were they there from the beginning? Some very closely resemble the final recordings, while others went through larger changes. This compilation is an absolute treasure trove of incredible songs, as they were originally written.
Grab Volume 1 and Volume 2 on iTunes.
Track listing for the Original Songwriter Demos:
Volume 1
1. The Dance – Garth Brooks (Tony Arata)
2. Strawberry Wine – Deana Carter (Matraca Berg, Gary Harrison)
3. Something Like That – Tim McGraw (Rick Ferrell, Keith Follese)
4. Independence Day – Martina McBride (Gretchen Peters)
5. Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts (Jeff Hanna, Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd)
6. It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson (Jim Brown, Donald Rollins)
7. She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy – Kenny Chesney (Jim Collins, Paul Overstreet)
8. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack (Mark Sanders, Tia Sillers)
9. Amazed – Lonestar (Marv Green, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo)
10. The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert (Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin)
Volume 2
1. Check Yes Or No – George Strait (Dana Hunt, Danny Wells)
2. If Tomorrow Never Comes – Garth Brooks (Kent Blazy, Garth Brooks)
3. It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (Stephony Smith)
4. If You’re Going Through Hell – Rodney Atkins (Dave Berg, Annie Tate, Sam Tate)
5. I Swear – John Michael Montgomery (Gary Baker, Frank Myers)
6. How Do I Live – LeAnn Rimes (Diane Warren)
7. Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You – Brooks & Dunn (Rivers Rutherford, Tom Shapiro)
8. Every Day – Rascal Flatts (Alissa Moreno, Jeffrey Steele)
9. How Forever Feels – Kenny Chesney (Wendell Mobley, Tony Mullins)
10. Jesus Take the Wheel – Carrie Underwood (Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson, Brett James)