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B Sides  [Berried Treasure #3]


With the demise of the physical single, the b side has become the victim of the download era. That often found gem that was hidden on the backside of a single that most of us of a certain age would only hear on the pub jukebox.

In the ’60 – 70’s adverts In the weekly music press for the latest single from the currant chart hopeful acts had a strange abbreviation, usually in smaller typeface C/W or B/W followed by the title of a track not normally found on the hopefuls next or previous albums. A lot of the time this track – especially in the ’60 – was – let’s be polite – rubbish. However from time to time many artists used this space to ‘experiment’ sometimes with remarkable results. The Beatles were the obvious exceptions using the b side to fill up with songs better than most of the competitions a sides.

As the 80’s arrived, along with the 12” single the CD single took over, and up to 5 tracks were allowed and was eligible for a chart placing. For collectors this was a purple patch. Many bands put out several singles with different tracks not available elsewhere hoping to gather enough sales form fans to reach the higher numbers in the chart. However, this was not all great. Many acts – or record company’s – just settled for a dodgy re-mix of the a side – or worse still an awful cover version.

Many bands of that era put out albums of their b sides – of note, The Smiths, Wedding Present and Elvis Costello. In the 90’s & 2000’s Manic Street Preachers, Oasis, Paul Weller & Morrissey. Lately the Deluxe Reissue CD has become the home of b sides that were issued around the time of the original album.

Over a few years, the chart rules changed and the physical single was restricted to the number of tracks allowed and maximum amount of playing time.

In the late ‘90s after the ‘Trailer’ single for the new album, b sides often just came with another track off the album – not that these tracks were bad, it just gave the impression that the band or artist didn’t give a shit for the fans. And the record companies’ wondered why single sales started to decline!

With bands increasingly dropping the format in favour of the download, the b side is increasingly becoming a thing of the past. A few bands still try to carry the tradition on by issuing the odd 7” single, but this again is just a novelty promotional tool.

So before there is no one left who remembers the b side, here with the help of my iPod are some of the best b sides I have hiding on my hard drive. Obviously I have given priority to b sides from stand alone releases. Please note, before you completeists start complaining, I have included a few EP tracks just to confuse things, plus a number of tracks that did subsequently end up on albums. This is still a 'work in progress' so I will be updating the list as I remember or as people remind me of overlooked classics.

Copyright Julian White © 2010

See Also:

›› Mojo Lost Albums
››
Q 500 Greatest Lost Tracks
››  Lost Tracks #2


Band/Artist - Title - Where To Find It - Year - Original A Side


• Animal Collective - What Would I Want? Sky - Fall Be Kind Ep - 2009 - Fall Be Kind
• Arctic Monkeys - Temptation Greets You Like Your Naughty Friend - Brianstorm - 2007 - Brainstorm
• Arctic Monkeys - Bigger Boys And Stolen Sweethearts - I Bet You Look Good On The Dance floor - 2005 - I Bet You Look Good On The Dance floor
• Ash - Where Is Our Love Going - Cosmic Debris - 1997 - A Life Less Ordinary
• Ash - I Need Somebody - Cosmic Debris - 1996 - Goldfinger
• Ash - Day Of The Triffids - Cosmic Debris - 1994 - Kung Fu
• Aztec Camera - Orchid Girl - High Land, Hard Rain - 1983 - Oblivious
• Badfinger - Rock Of All Ages - Best Of Badfinger - 1969 - Come And Get It
• Badly Drawn Boy - Last Fruit - You Were Right [Single] - 2002 - You Were Right
• The Beatles - I Am The Walrus - Magical Mystery Tour - 1967 - Hello Goodbye
• The Beatles - Rain - Past Masters, Vol. 2 - 1966 - Paperback Writer
• The Beatles - Revolution - Past Masters, Vol. 2 - 1968 - Hey Jude
• The Beatles - Don´t Let Me Down - Past Masters, Vol. 2 - 1969 - Get Back
• Beck - Electric Music And The Summer People - Odelay [Deluxe Edition] - 1996 - The New Pollution
• Beck - Feather In Your Cap - Odelay [Deluxe Edition] - 1996 - Sissyneck
• Beck - Strange Invitation - Odelay [Deluxe Edition] - 1996 - Jack- Ass
• Black Sabbath - Wizard - Iron Man [Spectum] - 1970 - Paranoid
• Bob Dylan - Lily Of The West - Dylan - 1970 - A Fool Such As I
• Bob Marley - Smile Jamaica - One Love: The Very Best Of Bob Marley - 1976 - Satisfy My Soul
• Bob Marley - Punky Reggae Party - One Love: The Very Best Of Bob Marley - 1977 - Jamming
• The Box Tops - Happy Times - The Best Of The Box Tops: Soul Deep - 1967 - The Letter
• Bruce Springsteen - Pink Cadillac - Spare Parts Ep - 1988 - Spare Parts
• Bruce Springsteen - Chimes Of Freedom (Live) - Spare Parts Ep - 1988 - Spare Parts : Cover
• Bruce Springsteen - Roulette - Tougher Than The Rest - 1987 - Tougher Than The Rest
• The Buzzcocks - Just Lust - Love Bites - 1978 - Ever Fallen In Love
• The Buzzcocks - Noise Annoys - Love Bites - 1978 - Love You More
• The Buzzcocks - Lipstick - Love Bites - 1978 - Promises
• The Byrds - Why [Single Version] - Fifth Dimension [Bonus Tracks] - 1966 - Eight Miles High
• The Byrds - She Don't Care About Time (Single Version) - Turn! Turn! Turn! - 1966 - Turn Turn Turn
• The Byrds - Don't Make Waves - Younger Than Yesterday [Bonus Tracks] - 1967 - Have You Seen Her Face
• The Clash - The Prisoner - Clash On Broadway - 1977 - White Man In Hammersmith Palais
• The Clash - Pressure Drop - Clash On Broadway - 1977 - English Civil War
• The Clash - Armageddon Time - Clash On Broadway - 1979 - London Calling
• The Clash - City Of The Dead - Clash On Broadway - 1977 - Complete Control
• The Clash - Jail Guitar Doors - Clash On Broadway - 1991 - Clash City Rockers
• Coldplay - Easy To Please - Brothers & Sisters - 1999 - Brothers & Sisters
• Coldplay - For You - Select/Revolutions - 1999 - Shiver
• Coldplay - A Spell A Rebel Yell - Violet Hill - 2008 - Violet Hill
• Damien Rice - Woman Like A Man - Morning Becomes Electric - 2004 - Cannonball
• David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World - The Man Who Sold The World - 1971 - Life On Mars
• David Bowie - Port Of Amsterdam - Pin-Ups - 1973 - Sorrow
• David Bowie - Velvet Goldmine - Ziggy Stardust [Bonus Tracks] - 1975 - Space Oddity
• Deep Purple - Speed King - Deep Purple In Rock [Bonus Tracks] - 1970 - Black Night
• Doves - Darker - Lost Sides - 2003 - Sea Song
• Doves - Down To Sea - Lost Sides - 2003 - Catch The Sun
• Doves - Hit The Ground Running - Lost Sides - 2003 - There Goes The Fear
• Elton John - Mama Can't Buy You Love - The Thom Bell Sessions 1977 - 1979 - Are You Ready For Love
• Elvis Costello - Psycho - Almost Blue (Disc 2) - 1981 – Sweet Dreams
• Elvis Costello & The Attractions - (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? - Armed Forces [Disc 1] - 1978 - American Squirm - Nick Lowe
• Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Tiny Steps - Armed Forces - 1978 - Radio Radio
• Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Girls Talk - Get Happy!! - 1979 - I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
• Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Hoover Factory - Get Happy!! (Disc 2) - 1979 - Clubland
• Elvis Presley - Blue Moon Of Kentucky - The Sun Collection - 1954 - That's All Right Mama
• Elvis Presley - I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine - The Sun Collection - 1954 - Good Rockin' Tonight
• Family - Strange Band - Anyway - 1970 - Weavers Answer
• Franz Ferdinand - Fabulously Lazy - Do You Want To [Single] - 2005 - Do You Want To
• Franz Ferdinand - All For You, Sophia - Franz Ferdinand [Disc 2] - 2004 - Take Me Out
• Glasvegas - The Prettiest Thing On Saltcoats Beach - Geraldine - 2008 - Geraldine
• Graham Parker - Mercury Poisoning - Another Grey Area - 1982 - I Want You Back
• Graham Parker & The Rumour - I Want You Back (Alive) [Live] - Squeezing Out Sparks + Live Sparks - 1979 - Protection
• Ian Dury & The Blockheads - There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards - Reasons To Be Cheerful: The Best Of Ian Dury (1 Of 1) - 1978 - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
• The Jam - So Sad About Us - All Mod Cons - 1978 - Down In The Tude Station
• The Jam - The Butterfly Collector - Extras: A Collection Of Rarities - 1979 - Strange Town
• The Jam - Liza Radley - Extras: A Collection Of Rarities - 1980 - Start
• The Jam - Dreams Of Children - Snap! - 1979 - Going Underground
• Jethro Tull - Teacher [Original Uk Mix] - Benefit - 1970 - The Witches Promise
• Johnny Cash - Get Rhythm - Walking The Line: The Legendary Sun Recordings 1 - 1955 - I Walk The Line
• Johnny Cash - Hey Porter - Walking The Line: The Legendary Sun Recordings 1 - 1961 - Cry! Cry! Cry!
• Johnny Cash - So Doggone Lonesome - Walking The Line: The Legendary Sun Recordings 1 - 1957 - Falsome Prison Blues
• Kasabian - Julie & The Mothman - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum - 2009 - Underdog
• The Killers - Shadowplay - Sawdust - 2007 - Tranquilize
• The Killers - The Ballad Of Michael Valentine - Sawdust - 2007 - Somebody Told Me
• The Killers - Daddy's Eyes - Sawdust - 2007 - Bones
• The Kinks - I'm Not Like Everybody Else - Face To Face - 1966 - Sunny Afternoon
• The Kinks - Sittin' On My Sofa - The Kink Kontroversy - 1965 - Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
• The Kinks - Act Nice And Gentle - Something Else By The Kinks - 1967 - Waterloo Sunset
• Manic Street Preachers - Donkeys - Lipstick Traces: A Secret History Of Manic Street Preachers - 1993 - Roses In The Hospital
• Manic Street Preachers - Sculpture Of Man - Lipstick Traces: A Secret History Of Manic Street Preachers - 1994 - Faster
• Manic Street Preachers - Bored Out Of My Mind - Lipstick Traces: A Secret History Of Manic Street Preachers - 1992 - Motorcycle Emptiness
• The Members - Love In A Lift - At The Chelsea Nightclub - 1978 - Flying Again
• Morrissey - Hairdresser On Fire - Bona Drag - 1990 - Suedehead
• Morrissey - Ganglord - Ringleader Of The Tormentors - B Sides - 2006 - The Youngest Was The Most Loved
• New Order - 1963 - Substance - 1987 - True Faith
• Nick Lowe - They Called It Rock - Jesus Of Cool - 1978 - I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass
• Nick Lowe - I Don't Want The Night To End - Jesus Of Cool - 1978 - Halfway To Paradise
• Nirvana - Marigold - Heart-Shaped Box [Single] - 1993 - Heart Shaped Box
• Nirvana - Even In His Youth - Smells Like Teen Spirit [Single] - 1991 - Smells Like Teen Sprit
• Oasis - Acquiesce - The Masterplan - 1995 - Some Might Say
• Oasis - Half A World Away - The Masterplan - 1994 - Whatever
• Oasis - The Masterplan - The Masterplan - 1995 - Wonderwall
• Paul McCartney & Wings - Girls' School - London Town - 1978 - Mull Of Kintyre
• Paul McCartney & Wings - Hi, Hi, Hi - Red Rose Speedway [4 Bonus Tracks] - 1973 - C Moon
• Paul Weller - Here's A New Thing - Fly On The Wall: B Sides & Rarities - 1991 - Into Tomorrow
• Paul Weller - Ends Of The Earth - Fly On The Wall: B Sides & Rarities - 1993 - Wild Wood
• Paul Weller - Eye Of The Storm - Fly On The Wall: B Sides & Rarities [Disc 2] - 1996 - Peacock Suit
• Paul Weller - Heliocentric - Fly On The Wall: B Sides & Rarities [Disc 2] - 2000 - He's The Keeper
• Paul Weller - There's No Drinking After You're Dead ("Noonday Underground" Remix) - Fly On The Wall: B Sides & Rarities - 2000 - Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea
• Pet Shop Boys - In The Night - Please/Further Listening - 1985 - Opportunities
• Pet Shop Boys - A Man Could Get Arrested - Please/Further Listening 1984-1986 - 1985 - West End Girls
• Pet Shop Boys - Jack The Lad - Please/Further Listening 1984-1986 - 1986 - Suburbia
• Peter Gabriel - Across The River - Big Time (Single) - 1987 - Big Time
• Prince - Gotta Stop (Messin' About) - The Hits/The B-Sides - 1980 - Lets Work
• Prince - Feel U Up - The Hits/The B-Sides) - 1989 - Partyman
• Prince - Erotic City - The Hits/The B-Sides - 1984 - Lets Go Crazy
• Public Enemy - Sophisticated Bitch - Yo! Bum Rush The Show - 1987 - Bring The Noise
• R.E.M. - Arms Of Love - The Automatic Box: Cover Versions - 1993 - Man On The Moon
• R.E.M. - Crazy - Dead Letter Office - 1987 - Driver 8
• R.E.M. - Wall Of Death - E-Bow The Letter (Single) - 1996 - E-Bow The Letter
• R.E.M. - The Lifting - Imitation Of Life - 2001 - Imitation Of Life
• Radiohead - Palo Alto - Airbag/How Am I Driving? [Ep] - 1997 - No Surprises
• Radiohead - Paperbag Writer - NME Awards 2004: Rare And Unreleased - 2003 - There There
• The Ramones - Cretin Hop - Rocket To Russia [Expanded] - 1977 - Do You Wanna Dance
• The Ramones - I Don't Care - Rocket To Russia [Expanded] - 1977 - Sheea Is A Punk Rocker
• The Ramones - Teenage Lobotomy - Rocket To Russia [Expanded] - 1977 - Rockaway Beach
• The Rolling Stones - Dancing With Mr. D. - Goats Head Soup - 1973 - Dododod Heartbreaker
• The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want - Let It Bleed - 1969 - Honky Tonk Woman
• The Rolling Stones - Good Times - Out Of Our Heads [USA] - 1965 - It's All Over Now
• Roxy Music - Editions Of You - For Your Pleasure - 1973 - Do The Strand
• The Smiths - Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want - Hatful Of Hollow - 1984 - William It Was Really Nothing
• The Smiths - Jeane - This Charming Man [Single #1] - 1983 - This Charming Man
• Sonic Youth - Genetic - 1992 - 100%
• The Specials - Nite Klub - The Specials - 1979 - A Message To You
• The Specials - Why? - The Specials Singles - 1981 - Ghost Town
• The Specials - Bright Lights - Stereo-Typical: A's, B's & Rarities - 1983 - Racist Friend
• The Specials - Break Down The Door - Stereo-Typical: A's, B's & Rarities - 1984 - Nelson Mandela
• Spiritualized - Rock & Roll - Stop Your Crying [EP] - 2001 - Stop Your Crying
• Squeeze - Spanish Guitar - Big Squeeze: The Very Best Of Squeeze - 1982 - Annie Get Your Gun
• Squeeze - Trust - Big Squeeze: The Very Best Of Squeeze - 1981 - Tempted
• Squeeze - All's Well That End's Well - Big Squeeze: The Very Best Of Squeeze - 1979 - Slap And Tickle
• Stereophonics - The Last Resort - B Sides - 1998 - Local Boy In The Photograph
• Stereophonics - Angie - B Sides - 1999 - Hurry Up And Wait
• The Stone Roses - Full Fathom Five - Elephant Stone - 1988 - Elephant Stone
• The Stone Roses - Going Down - Made Of Stone - 1989 - Made Of Stone
• The Stone Roses - Something's Burning - One Love - 1990 - One Love
• The Stone Roses - Standing Here - She Bangs The Drums - 1989 - She Bangs The Drum
• The Stone Roses - What The World Is Waiting For - What The World Is Waiting For - 1989 - Fools Gold
• The Strokes - Barely Legal - Is This It [Uk] - 2001 - Modern Age
• The Strokes - When It Started - Last Nite - 2001 - Last Night
• Suede - Painted People - Animal Nitrate - 1993 - Animal Nitrate
• Suede - My Insatiable One - The Drowners - 1992 - The Drowners
• Suede - Where The Pigs Don't Fly - Metal Mickey - 1992 - Metal Micky
• Suede - My Dark Star - Stay Together - 1994 - Stay Together
• Sugarcubes - Motor Crash - Birthday [Disc 1] - 1988 - Birthday
• Sugarcubes - Organic Prankster - Deus - 1988 - Deus
• Super Furry Animals - Smokin' - Ice Hockey Hair - 1998 - Ice Hocky Hair
• Super Furry Animals - Guacamole - Outspaced - 1996 - If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You
• Super Furry Animals - Don't Be A Fool. Billy - Outspaced - 1996 - Hometown Unicorn
• Super Furry Animals - Carry The Can - Outspaced - 1997 - Demons
• Teenage Fanclub - I Lied - I Need Direction - 1995 - I Need Direction
• Teenage Fanclub - Some People Try To Fuck With You - Mellow Doubt - 1995 - Some People Try To Fuck With You
• Teenage Fanclub - My Life - Neil Jung [#1] - 1995 - Neil Jung
• Traffic - Coloured Rain - Mr. Fantasy - 1967 - Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush
• Travis - No Cigar - Flowers In The Window - 2002 - Flowers In The Window
• Travis - Definition Of Wrong - Re-Offender - 2003 - Re-Offender
• Travis - You're A Big Girl Now - Side - 2001 - Side
• U2 - The Three Sunrises - B-Sides 1980-1990 - 1985 - The Unforgettable Fire
• U2 - Sweetest Thing - B-Sides 1980-1990 - 1987 - Where The Streets Have No Name
• U2 - Walk To The Water - B-Sides 1980-1990 - 1987 - With Or Without You
• U2 - Hallelujah Here She Comes - B-Sides 1980-1990 - 1988 - Desire
• The Verve - So Sister - Bitter Sweet Symphony [Single #2] - 1997 - Bitter Sweet Symphony
• The Verve - Stamped - The Drugs Don't Work [Single #2] - 1997 - The Drugs Don't Work
• The Wedding Present - Don’t Laugh - Nobody's Twisting Your Arm - 1988 - Nobody's Twisting Your Arm
• The Wedding Present - Not From Where Im Standing - Why Are You Being So Reasonable Now - 1988 - Why Are You Being So Reasonable Now
• The Who - Shout And Shimmy - My Generation (Deluxe Edition) - 1965 - My Generation : Cover
• The Who - I Don't Even Know Myself - Who's Next - 1971 - Won't Get Fooled Again
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Down Boy - Is Is [Ep] - 2007 - Is Is
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Our Time - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 2002 - Bang
• Yello - La Habanera - The Race - 1998 - The Race