Studio Album · No. 1

My Own Prison Songwriting Credits by Creed

1997 Wind-up Records 10 tracks 49 min

Produced by John Kurzweg  ·  Engineered by John Kurzweg, Ron Saint-Germain, Howie Weinberg

Wind-up Records Post-grungeAlternative metalGrunge
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Creed carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
10 trackswritten by Creed 0 tracksoutside writers
Creed's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
2
Lyricists
1
Producers
15 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1997
Released
Data Insight

My Own Prison is Creed's debut, written by the band with Scott Stapp on lyrics and Mark Tremonti composing the music. All four of its singles topped the Mainstream Rock chart, an unprecedented feat for a debut album. Produced by John Kurzweg, the album is entirely self-written and became a multi-Platinum success.

Manager Jeff Hanson put up 6,000 dollars and paired the band with producer John Kurzweg, who cut most of the debut in his own house in Tallahassee before the sessions moved to Long View Farm in Massachusetts. Creed released it themselves on Blue Collar Records in April 1997 and worked Florida radio with it, selling 6,000 copies in that state alone over two months before Wind-up picked it up, remixed it and reissued it in August. The first three singles were never sold as commercial releases in the US, which made them ineligible for the Billboard Hot 100, so 'One' became the first Creed song to chart there, at number 70. The album peaked at only number 22 on the Billboard 200 but stayed on the chart for 112 weeks, finishing six times platinum in the US and around 15 million copies worldwide.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Torn
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)
2
Ode
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)
3
My Own Prison
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)
4
Pity for a Dime
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)
5
In America
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)
6
Illusion
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)
7
Unforgiven
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)
8
Sister
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)
9
What's This Life For
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)
10
One #70
Scott StappMark Tremonti Scott StappMark Tremonti John Kurzweg Scott Stapp (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 3 contributors

More from Creed

Frequently Asked Questions My Own Prison

Did Creed write My Own Prison themselves?
Yes. My Own Prison is fully self-written, with Scott Stapp writing the lyrics and Mark Tremonti composing the music. There are no outside songwriters on the album.
Who wrote "My Own Prison" by Creed?
The title track "My Own Prison" was written by Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti, the band's core songwriting team. It became the first of four number-one Mainstream Rock singles from the album.
How many number-one rock hits did My Own Prison have?
All four singles from My Own Prison topped the Mainstream Rock chart: "My Own Prison," "Torn," "What's This Life For," and "One." This made Creed the first band to send all four singles from a debut album to number one on that chart.
How well did My Own Prison by Creed sell?
My Own Prison was certified 6x Platinum in the United States and sold around 15 million copies worldwide. It was a remarkable commercial success for a debut.
What genre is My Own Prison by Creed?
My Own Prison is a post-grunge and alternative metal album with grunge roots. It pairs heavy guitar riffs with Scott Stapp's deep, dramatic vocals.
Who produced My Own Prison by Creed?
My Own Prison was produced and engineered by John Kurzweg. He worked closely with the band to shape their breakthrough sound.

Sources