Continuing the discussion from Best of the Beatles:
Interesting, I think I’d go with “I am the Walrus”
Honorable mentions: Beach Boys “409”, Dead Kennedys “Saturday Night Holocaust”
Continuing the discussion from Best of the Beatles:
Interesting, I think I’d go with “I am the Walrus”
Honorable mentions: Beach Boys “409”, Dead Kennedys “Saturday Night Holocaust”
Gloria.
Hmm, nice one
Led Zeppelin II (I’m taking b side to mean also the second side of the lp)
“Heartbreaker” was mostly written by Page as a showcase for his guitar skills, including an unaccompanied solo in the middle of the song. It quickly became a live favourite, being performed regularly from October 1969 onwards, and throughout the group’s career.[17]
“Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman)” was purported to be written about a groupie the band encountered while touring the US. The group disliked the track, considering it to be little more than filler, and consequently it was never played live by the group. Plant performed the track live on his 1990 solo tour.[17]
“Ramble On” was written by Plant. The lyrics were inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien, and similar themes appeared on subsequent Led Zeppelin albums. The track made good use of dynamics, moving from a quiet acoustic guitar in the opening, to a variety of overdubbed electric guitars towards the end.[21] It was never performed live by Led Zeppelin during their main career, but Plant has performed the song regularly on solo tours, and it was part of Page and Plant’s live set in the mid-1990s. It was finally performed live for the first time by Led Zeppelin at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert in 2007.[22]
“Moby Dick” was designed as a showcase for Bonham’s drum solo. It was originally called “Pat’s Delight” (after his wife) and features a variety of drums and percussive instruments played with bare hands as well as drumsticks. It was a regular part of Led Zeppelin’s live show, developing to include additional percussion and electronic drums.[21]
“Bring It On Home” was a cover of a Willie Dixon song originally performed by Sonny Boy Williamson II. Led Zeppelin’s arrangement includes a faster middle section in addition to the straightforward blues structure of the original. It was played live regularly throughout late 1969 and 1970.[21]
That’s not what I meant B sides of singles! Damn great side B though! Pretty much every side B those first few you could make a case for
While we’re at it: Hey, Hey, What Can I Do
That reminds me. The Doors did a fantastic live cover of Gloria. This version is probably not suitable for work.
Always been partial to Jimi’s, came on a bonus 7"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzQ8GDBA8Is
‘Hound Dog’ by Elvis Presley, originally the B side to ‘Don’t be Cruel’. I can’t think of a bigger example of a B side completely eclipsing the A side.
I always thought of a B-side as a track that’s not available on an album. I guess it doesn’t have to be, but there are people like Prince, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen who were kind of known for having B-sides that could be better than album tracks. The Beatles had more than a few too. U2 as well.
Then there was this gem by Napoleon XIV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRAs5rs54z4&t=55s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnpILIIo9ek
‘How Soon is Now?’ by The Smiths, originally the B side to ‘William, It Was Really Nothing’. The Smiths were a band who were well known for releasing some of their best songs as B sides, and I’d say that tradition has continued into Morrissey’s solo career.
That’s hilarious
Oasis’s Masterplan. So many great B-Sides they made an entire brilliant album out of them. Talk Tonight, Half the world away, Acquiesce, Masterplan, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb6e2Brz9Nw&list=OLAK5uy_nrtrdTB0MvG7gPWh3v7hKnIVeWcK46huA&index=3