WWE Originals is a soundtrack album by WWE. Released on January 13, 2004 by Columbia Records, it features original songs recorded by various WWE wrestlers. The album was a commercial success, reaching number 12 on the US Billboard 200.
Composition
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.[1]Slam! Wrestling's John Powell also identified the genres of electronic and power ballad on the collection,[2] while Billboard magazine noted a dominance of "in-your-face rap".[3]
Release
WWE Originals was released by Columbia Records on January 13, 2004.[4] Initial pressings of the album also featured a bonus DVD, which featured behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the album and more.[4]
Reception
Commercial
In the United States, WWE Originals reached number 12 on the Billboard 200.[5][6]
Critical
Music website AllMusic awarded WWE Originals three out of five stars.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1]
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.[2] 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.[2]
Michael Paoletta of Billboard magazine described WWE Originals as "mixed, very mixed".[3] 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.[3]
