When speaking of 7-inch singles, we say that the big song is on the A-side (side one). The other side of the record—the B-side—is often just a placeholder or throwaway track. But not always. Sometimes the B-side turns out to be the bigger of the two songs.
- For example, The Smiths’ most famous song is probably “How Soon is Now.” That started life of a B-side.
- “Dear God,” a massive hit for XTC, began as a B-side.
- Same thing with Pearl Jam’s “Yellow Ledbetter,” “Acquiesce” from Oasis, and “Landslide” from The Smashing Pumpkins.
- My favourite, though, is Green Day’s “Good Riddance” (Time of Your Life).” Its first appearance was as a B-side to the song “Brain Stew.”
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