—> VIA USA TODAY

What changes does a song go through from work tape to finished recording? Nashville singer-songwriter Kim Richey offers a look inside the process with Thorn in My Heart, the title track from her forthcoming album.

The videos below show two versions of “Thorn in My Heart” – Richey’s original work tape and the recording that ended up on her album, due April 16 from Yep Roc Records.

The work-tape recording features Richey and her co-writer/producer Neilson Hubbard. “It’s just us in the control room playing,” she says.

Richey and Hubbard took that recording into Mr. Lemon’s Studio in Nashville and played it for a band that included guitarists Will Kimbrough and Kris Donegan, drummer Evan Hutchings, pianist Dan Mitchell and bassist Michael Rinne.

“Everybody adds their parts, and it becomes something entirely different,” Richey says. For instance, Wilco’s Pat Sasone adds harmony and acoustic guitar, while My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel introduces a wistful pedal-steel line during the second verse. Also, Richey says, “there’s an electric guitar melody you’ll hear in between parts that Kris put in there on the spot.”

 Continue reading and hear “Thorn In My Heart” HERE on USA Today.  Thorn In My Heart will be out April 16, but is up for pre-order now at the Yep Roc Store.  Every pre-order at the Yep Roc Store will receive a free Thorn In My Heart poster.