Category: Great B-Sides

Some great songs never made it onto an album, instead languishing on the flip-side of a single. In this series I examine some terrific songs that didn’t make it onto a studio album. Some have since been recognised as part of the artists’ canon, others are still obscure.

Feel free to send ideas for b-sides to cover.

Grendel by Marillion: Great B-Sides

Marillion were named after JRR Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, and were formed in 1979. Early Marillion were often compared to the … Continue Reading Grendel by Marillion: Great B-Sides

Dancing Barefoot by U2 and Karen by The Go-Betweens: Great B-Sides

Patti Smith was one of the first punk artists to make a record. 1975’s Horses, produced by John Cale, was … Continue Reading Dancing Barefoot by U2 and Karen by The Go-Betweens: Great B-Sides

The Exploding Boy by The Cure: Great B-Sides

The Cure have been around for more than forty years, with leader Robert Smith the only constant member. The band … Continue Reading The Exploding Boy by The Cure: Great B-Sides

Another Lonely Christmas by Prince: Great B-Sides

The b-side is often a British commodity, but one American artist was the equal of any British artist with the … Continue Reading Another Lonely Christmas by Prince: Great B-Sides

Let My People Go by The Pursuit of Happiness: Great B-Sides

Canadian power-pop band The Pursuit of Happiness scored a surprise top 40 hit in 1986 with their independent single ‘I’m … Continue Reading Let My People Go by The Pursuit of Happiness: Great B-Sides

I’m Not Like Everybody Else by The Kinks: Great B-Sides

The Kinks formed in Muswell Hill, London, in 1964. They launched their career with hard-driving rock and roll like ‘You … Continue Reading I’m Not Like Everybody Else by The Kinks: Great B-Sides

Genetic by Sonic Youth: Great B-Sides

In The Beatles, George Harrison often suffered the indignity of being limited to two songs per LP. It worked fine … Continue Reading Genetic by Sonic Youth: Great B-Sides

Engine by Neutral Milk Hotel: Great B-sides

Neutral Milk Hotel’s In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is one of the great cult records. Issued in 1998, it’s … Continue Reading Engine by Neutral Milk Hotel: Great B-sides

I Want to Live in a Wigwam by Cat Stevens: Great B-sides

Cat Stevens‘ work has endured because his low-key songs are relateable and accessible. Stevens has explored different styles over the … Continue Reading I Want to Live in a Wigwam by Cat Stevens: Great B-sides

Murder By Numbers by The Police: Great B-Sides

The Police were arguably the greatest singles band of their era. In the late 1970s and early 1980s they released … Continue Reading Murder By Numbers by The Police: Great B-Sides

Shut Out The Light – Bruce Springsteen: Great B-Sides

American rock icon Bruce Springsteen celebrated his 70th birthday this week. This means it’s half a lifetime since he released … Continue Reading Shut Out The Light – Bruce Springsteen: Great B-Sides

Great B-Sides: Breakaway by The Cars

It’s the year of Our Lord 2019, and we’re rapidly approaching peak-rock-star-death era. The Cars’ mastermind Ric Ocasek passed away … Continue Reading Great B-Sides: Breakaway by The Cars

Great B-Sides: That Girl, Black Girl and Rock ‘n’ Roll Friend by The Go-Betweens

Aside from their debut, each of The Go-Betweens’ studio albums follows a set formula – exactly ten songs with five … Continue Reading Great B-Sides: That Girl, Black Girl and Rock ‘n’ Roll Friend by The Go-Betweens

Semi Detached by Split Enz: Great B-Sides

In 1978 New Zealand art-rockers Split Enz were in crisis. The group had lost key original members like Phil Judd … Continue Reading Semi Detached by Split Enz: Great B-Sides

Sugar Mountain by Neil Young: Great B-Sides

Neil Young first rose to prominence in 1960s folk-rock group Buffalo Springfield, playing lead guitar on their breakthrough hit ‘For … Continue Reading Sugar Mountain by Neil Young: Great B-Sides

James K. Polk by They Might Be Giants: Great B-Sides

John Flansburgh and John Linnell have been making nerdy pop music as They Might Be Giants since 1982. The Massachusetts … Continue Reading James K. Polk by They Might Be Giants: Great B-Sides