20 B-Sides That Were Better Than The A-Sides
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20 B-Sides That Were Better Than The A-Sides

The Beatles and others ignored the fact that b-sides weren't supposed to sound as good as the singles.

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20 B-Sides That Were Better Than The A-Sides
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There are so many under appreciated, hidden songs out there for music listeners to discover. More often then not, these lesser-known songs are the b-sides (or the reverse side) of the famous singles that fans all know and love. B-sides are those songs for the diehard fans to rave about, but not many other people know about. B-sides are traditionally songs that were recorded in studio sessions for a band's album, but it was decided that they weren't quite good enough to make the album's final cut.

So, they are released on the reverse side of the album's singles, which are deemed the hits or the albums's strongest songs that get tons of radio play. Usually, there are legitimate reasons why those songs are b-sides and they really aren't as good as the album tracks. However, there are those special b-sides that fans will recognize as being better than or just as good as the singles. Those b-sides would drive record companies crazy because they would tell bands that they were too good to be b-sides and they should wait to release them as singles for their next albums, but many bands just didn't listen. Here's a list of 20 famous b-sides that deserve all the proper love and respect that the singles originally got.


1. The Clash - Pressure Drop (English Civil War)

The Clash did a cover of the Toots and the Maytals' tune, "Pressure Drop" and it's nothing short of a classic. It's quite weird hearing this song with guitars over it, but it's still got those horns that are essential to the Toots and the Maytals sound.

2. Booker T & The MG's - Green Onions (Behave Yourself)

Everybody has heard this song at least once in their lifetime from its appearances in movies like Happy Gilmore or The Sandlot. I first heard this song in The Sandlot and then was reintroduced to it after hearing it on a mod compilation, Our Generation: 75 Mod Classics A Way Of LIfe. It was one of the most important tracks ever recorded in the history of music.

3. The Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There (I Want To Hold Your Hand)

The Beatles' first single that made it big in America was a song called "I Want To Hold Your Hand." However, it was the b-side "I Saw Her Standing There", written by Paul McCartney that really was the better tune.


4. Beady Eye - Sons Of The Stage (Bring The Light)

Beady Eye (the remaining members of Oasis after Noel left) released just two albums before splitting up in 2014 and their first record was nothing short of fantastic. A b-side from one of their singles, "Bring The Light", which was called "Sons Of The Stage", was one of their most memorable tracks.

5. Catfish and the Bottlemen - Asa (Rango)

The Llandudno band's second single, "Rango" was completely overshadowed by a song on the reverse side of the 7". I'll always wonder why it was never rerecorded and put on their 2014 debut album, The Balcony, but at least it was officially released for fans to listen to.

6. Luther Ingram - Exus Trek (If It's All The Same To You Babe)

Luther Ingram was an American R&B and soul singer from the 60's and 70's. The b-side to one of his singles, "If It's All The Same To You Babe" was an instrumental version of the a-side and it was christened a Northern Soul classic in Britain in the 70's.

7. Johnny Marr - Use Me Up (Easy Money)

Former Smiths' guitarist, Johnny Marr hasn't covered much ground yet as a solo artist, only releasing two albums, but that doesn't mean he hasn't found his stride yet. "Easy Money", a single from his second album, was fantastic, but it also brought fans a hidden gem in the b-side called "Use Me Up."

8. The Beatles - Rain (Paperback Writer)

The Beatles, as we all know, are the greatest band to ever have graced this Earth and their greatness did not stop short of their b-sides. One of my favorite Beatles' tunes ever, "Rain", was the reverse side of a song called "Paperback Writer" and the bassline and Lennon's vocals are just sublime.

9. The La's - Knock Me Down (Way Out)

The La's, one of the best forgotten bands ever, only released one album before calling it quits, but they didn't need any time to perfect their craft. "Knock Me Down", a b-side from one of their singles, "Way Out", proves their status as a legendary Liverpool band alongside others like The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers.

10. Miles Kane - Woman's Touch (Give Up)

Miles Kane, a guy who's still carrying the torch for that classic 60's British rock and roll sound, is, no doubt, one of my favorite singer-songwriters out there at the moment. "Woman's Touch", the b-side to his single, "Give Up" may be the best song he's ever recorded and it doesn't even feature on any of his studio albums.

11. The Beatles - Revolution (Hey Jude)

I know this is going to turn a lot of heads, but, yes, John Lennon's "Revolution" needs to stop playing second fiddle to Paul McCartney's "Hey Jude." This is one of the greatest rock and roll songs ever released and it's time people started acting like it.

12. Morrissey - That's Entertainment (Sing Your Life)

Morrissey, former Smiths' frontman, has had an extremely successful solo career since his first solo release in 1988. However, Morrissey did release a few lackluster singles in his long career, one being a song called "Sing Your Life." Luckily, it was saved by the b-side, "That's Entertainment", a cover of the classic song by The Jam.

13. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Revolution Song (Ballad Of The Mighty I)

Noel Gallagher has had a very successful post-Oasis solo career. However, his decision to not include his tune, "Revolution Song" on the tracklisting of his second album, Chasing Yesterday, will go down as one of the most head-scratching tracklist choices in the history of British rock.

14. Supergrass - We Still Need More Than Anyone Can Give (Late In The Day)

90's Britpoppers, Supergrass, are one of Britain's most under appreciated bands of the last decade. They released six incredible studio albums and one of my favorite songs of theirs is a b-side, which channels The Who, called "We Still Need More (Than Anyone Can Give)."

15. The Beatles - I Am The Walrus (Hello, Goodbye)

"I Am The Walrus" is one of the Beatles' most interesting songs because of the song's nonsensical, psychedelic lyrics. It was the brainchild of John Lennon and it completely overshadowed its a-side, Paul McCartney's "Hello, Goodbye."

16. Viola Beach - Like A Fool (Boys That Sing)

The great music of Viola Beach, a band who suffered a terrible tragedy earlier this year, needs to be carried on for generations to come. The b-side to their song "Boys That Sing" is a particular favorite b-side of mine because of its bright guitars and the wonderful vocal delivery of lead singer, Kris Leonard. RIP.

17. The Beatles - Hey Bulldog (All Together Now)

"Hey Bulldog" is probably the best somewhat unknown song that The Beatles ever recorded. I was first introduced to it after Miles Kane did a cover of it and I went back to the original and was completely blown away by the song, especially its famous piano riff.

18. Primal Scream - Velocity Girl (Crystal Crescent)

Primal Scream are one of the greatest Scottish rock bands ever and they're still going strong to this day. Their b-side, "Velocity Girl" is one of my favorite b-sides ever (even though it's only a minute and a half) and it holds a special place in my heart because it laid the blueprint for the iconic sound of Manchester band, The Stone Roses.

19. The Smiths - What She Said (Shakespeare's Sister)

The Smiths are one of the best bands to come out of the 80's in the UK. "What She Said", the b-side to their song "Shakepeare's Sister", featured on the band's second album, Meat Is Murder and it's got some of the best guitar playing and one of the best intros that I've ever heard.

20. Oasis - The Masterplan (Wonderwall)

Noel Gallagher, Oasis' guitarist and songwriter, is notorious for not being so good at picking tracklistings. Sure, he would argue it's because "he doesn't write s*** songs", but they were tons of b-sides like "Stay Young", "Half The World Away", and "The Masterplan" that will always make Oasis fans wonder what he was thinking.


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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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