About the re-recording of the old songs, Westfall said "We've made a lot of changes to these songs that we play live [...] and now we're getting a chance to record it, so the people that don't get to see us live can hear it and appreciate it for what it is." On the new tracks, producer Andrew Wade said "I think this new stuff that we're recording is really gonna blow a lot of kids away. [...] re-recordings just sound amazing, they all sound like completely different songs, and the new song is serious." About the new song, "Why Walk on Water When We've Got Boats", the band wanted to do a fast-paced song. McKinnon admitted the band "kinda just winged it. But we had some little ideas from being on tour and messing around." Woodard said about inspiration for the tempo of the song: "We've all been listening to a lot of faster stuff like Comeback Kid and stuff like that and I don't know and just sitting here one day 'let's write a fast song'." "Since U Been Gone" had appeared on the band's Myspace account, on September 21, 2007, as free for download. "Since U Been Gone" had overdubs added to it especially for the release on the "For Those Who Have Heart" reissue.