[1] Behind the Trap Door features collaborations with Bono, Bob Neuwirth, and Richard Thompson.

In the liner notes, Burnett states: "I was just starting to come out of a dark personal time, and was working these things out of my system.

The double CD also includes the Trap Door EP and Proof Through the Night.

A cover of the Hank Williams (as Luke the Drifter) song "Be Careful of Stones That You Throw," recorded during an early session for the album, is also included on the CD.

[2] Music critic Brett Hartenbach of Allmusic wrote "Fans of T Bone Burnett's work will find pleasures throughout Behind the Trap Door, although it's by no means an essential piece of his catalog.