The Early Years (1996–2001)

The Early Years (1996–2001) is the first compilation album by American Christian rock band Skillet, released on July 27, 2010. It includes songs from Skillet's first four studio albums: Skillet (1996), Hey You, I Love Your Soul (1998), Invincible (2000), and Alien Youth (2001). Two music videos, "Best Kept Secret" and "Gasoline", are also included in the compilation.

The Early Years (1996–2001)
Compilation album by Skillet
Released	July 27, 2010
Recorded	1996–2001
Genre	Christian metal, grunge, post-grunge, hard rock
Length	54:09
Label	INO/Columbia
Skillet chronology
Awake (2009) The Early Years (1996–2001) (2010) iTunes Sessions (2010)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Jesus Freak Hideout

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Best Kept Secret" (from the album Invincible)	John Cooper, Korey Cooper, Kevin Haaland, Trey McClurkin	3:55
2.	"Gasoline" (from the album Skillet)	J. Cooper, McClurkin, Ken Steorts	4:02
3.	"Locked In A Cage" (from the album Hey You, I Love Your Soul)	J. Cooper, McClurkin, Steorts	3:53
4.	"Saturn" (from the album Skillet)	J. Cooper, McClurkin, Steorts	5:07
5.	"I Can" (from the album Skillet)	J. Cooper, McClurkin, Steorts	4:17
6.	"You're Powerful" (from the album Invincible)	J. Cooper, K. Cooper, Haaland, McClurkin	3:28
7.	"More Faithful" (from the album Hey You, I Love Your Soul)	J. Cooper, McClurkin, Steorts	3:41
8.	"You Are My Hope" (from the album Alien Youth)	J. Cooper, K. Cooper, Lori Peters, Haaland	4:15
9.	"Alien Youth" (from the album Alien Youth)	J. Cooper, K. Cooper, Peters, Haaland	4:12
10.	"Invincible" (from the album Invincible)	J. Cooper, K. Cooper, Haaland, McClurkin	3:52
11.	"Hey You, I Love Your Soul" (from the album Hey You, I Love Your Soul)	J. Cooper, McClurkin, Steorts	2:58
12.	"Rest" (from the album Invincible)	J. Cooper, K. Cooper, Haaland, McClurkin	3:48
13.	"The Thirst Is Taking Over" (from the album Alien Youth)	J. Cooper, K. Cooper, Peters, Haaland	6:31
Total length:			54:09

Videos

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Best Kept Secret" (Video)	J. Cooper, K. Cooper, Haaland, McClurkin	3:54
2.	"Gasoline" (Video)	J. Cooper, McClurkin, Steorts	4:00
Total length:			62:03

Personnel

• John Cooper – lead vocals, bass
• Ken Steorts – lead guitar (tracks 2–5, 7, 11)
• Kevin Haaland – lead guitar (tracks 1, 6, 10, 12)
• Ben Kasica – lead guitar (tracks 8, 9, 13)
• Korey Cooper – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (tracks 1, 6, 8–10, 12, 13)
• Trey McClurklin – drums (tracks 2–5, 7, 11)
• Lori Peters – drums (tracks 8, 9, 13)