Zutaut tried to convince Rose to release "Chinese Democracy" as a solo album, feeling it would sell better. However, Rose said in 2008: "I didn't make a solo record. A solo record would be completely different than this and probably much more instrumental. The songs were chosen by everyone involved." Lebeis said in March 2001 that 48 songs had been completed, and that Geffen had begun selecting them for the album. Zutaut estimated that Guns N' Roses had 50 or 60 songs in development. He went through each with Rose, trying to decide which were worth finishing. According to Zutaut, during his time with the band they completed versions of "The Blues", "Madagascar", "Chinese Democracy", and "Atlas Shrugged".