Length 50:55 Label Columbia Records | Release date 13 January 2004 Recorded 2003 | |
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Released January 13, 2004 (2004-01-13) WWE Originals
(2004) ThemeAddict WWE The Music, Vol. 6
(2004) Genres Rock music, Pop music, Rap rock Producers Jim Johnston, Mike Post, John Cena Similar WWE The Music - Vol 8, WWE Anthology, WWE: The Music ‑ ThemeAd, WWE The Music - Vol 7, Raw Greatest Hits: The | ||
Wwe originals wrestling with wregret
WWE Originals is a soundtrack album by WWE. Released on January 13, 2004 by Columbia Records, it features original songs recorded by various WWE superstars, which were written specifically for them to reflect their individual styles and characteristics. The album was a commercial success, reaching number 12 on the US Billboard 200.
Contents
Wwe originals crossing borders
Composition
Announcing the album, Columbia Records described WWE Originals as "the first WWE album to showcase the superstar wrestlers themselves performing material written specifically for them". The album was produced by longtime WWE songwriter and producer Jim Johnston, who also contributed to writing of the songs. Speaking about the contents of the release, Johnston commented that "These are authentic no-B.S. performances by everybody's favorite WWE superstars", claiming that the album "lets fans peek behind the curtain a little bit".
Music website AllMusic categorised WWE Originals as "contemporary pop/rock" and rap rock, with writer Johnny Loftus identifying styles such as "soft-focus piano pop", dance-pop and hip hop on the album. Slam! Wrestling's John Powell also identified the genres of electronic and power ballad on the collection, while Billboard magazine noted a dominance of "in-your-face rap".
Release
WWE Originals was released by Columbia Records on January 13, 2004. Initial pressings of the album also featured a bonus DVD, which featured behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the album and more.
Commercial
In the United States, WWE Originals reached number 12 on the Billboard 200.
Critical
Music website AllMusic awarded WWE Originals three out of five stars. Reviewer Johnny Loftus criticised tracks such as Stacy Keibler's "Why Can't We Just Dance?" and Kurt Angle's "I Don't Suck (Really)", identifying them as proof of some performers' musical inability. However, Loftus praised the "amusing" skits performed by Stone Cold Steve Austin, as well as a number of tracks including "I Just Want You" by Trish Stratus and "Put a Little A** on It" by Rikishi.
John Powell of Slam! Wrestling was more critical, describing the compositions on the album as "generic, cookie-cutter productions without any soul, character or style" and criticising the performances in general. In particular, Powell criticised songs such as The Dudley Boyz' "We've Had Enough", Trish Stratus' "I Just Want You", Lita's "When I Get You Alone" and Stacy Keibler's "Why Can't We Just Dance?"; however, he did praise the performances of John Cena and Lilian Garcia.
Michael Paoletta of Billboard magazine described WWE Originals as "mixed, very mixed". Paoletta noted a dominance of hip hop music on the album, claiming that the pop and rock songs were of higher quality, particularly those performed by divas Keibler, Stratus and Lita.
Songs
1Where's the Beer?Stone Cold Steve Austin2:37
2We've Had EnoughThe Dudley Boyz3:07
3I Just Want YouTrish Stratus3:35