Is it just me, or are fewer & fewer artists bothering to give us proper b-sides, i.e. new songs, rather than just remixes (if they bother at all)? :(

 

I prefer to have the new songs. However it annoys me when a certain artist releases a B-Side on 7" or Cassette only making there be no way of me hearing the song. :lol: I'm not bothered if it's a download release, but on CD singles, I never buy the CD if there's just a Remix these days as with downloads I just buy whatever track I want...

 

I could have probably selected loads of those options. :lol:

Edited February 24, 201213 yr by Juranamo

New songs all the way.

Yeah, new songs FTW. I don't often care for remixes and a new song makes buying a single more worthwhile. There's a few acts still trundling on with b-sides for every release, The Saturdays have done it for each single and sometimes have 2 new tracks.

Yeah, I love artists who do b-sides still, such as The Saturdays and One Direction. Remixes don't interest me.

I prefer to have the new songs. However it annoys me when a certain artist releases a B-Side on 7" or Cassette only making there be no way of me hearing the song. :lol: I'm not bothered if it's a download release, but on CD singles, I never buy the CD if there's just a Remix these days as with downloads I just buy whatever track I want...

 

I could have probably selected loads of those options. :lol:

 

I did seriously think of making it multiple choice, but then I thought I'd covered most of the options anyway.

Just simply something good. I'd rather buy a good remix or acoustic version than a bad b-side which isn't a single or album track for a good reason.

Just simply something good. I'd rather buy a good remix or acoustic version than a bad b-side which isn't a single or album track for a good reason.

 

I'm the opposite - surely it's better to release an album-track-reject as a B-side, and get *something* for it, than have it sitting in a vault earning sod-all?

 

Not to mention the off-chance that a B-side night unexpectedly take off e.g. Boney M - 'Brown Girl In The Ring'...

 

Can anyone think of other successful songs that started off as B-sides?

 

Can anyone think of other successful songs that started off as B-sides?

 

Kylie's version of Santa Baby started off as a b-side on Please Stay, and has spent 3 weeks in the Top 100

I prefer new songs, although I like acoustic versions of previous songs to be on there too.

Kylie's version of Santa Baby started off as a b-side on Please Stay, and has spent 3 weeks in the Top 100

 

You have a rather wide definition of 'successful' there. ;)

 

You'd think record companies would realise that new B-side songs should be virtually indispensible for helping to sell post-album singles... :wacko:

Edited February 24, 201213 yr by vidcapper

Personally I like B sides if it's from an act that I like, as I don't care for remixes much.

 

I agree that it is be a good way to get people to buy post album singles, if the EP includes new songs. It's worked for the likes of JLS, 1D and The Saturdays, I've bought recent B sides from Beady Eye, Olly Murs and Lana Del Rey.

You have a rather wide definition of 'successful' there. ;)

 

Well, I doubt there will be more than one or two b-sides to even reach the Top 40 :P Also, another "successful" one was Pixie Lott's Use Somebody, peaking at #41

Personally I like B sides if it's from an act that I like, as I don't care for remixes much.

 

I agree that it is be a good way to get people to buy post album singles, if the EP includes new songs. It's worked for the likes of JLS, 1D

 

Oh dear, perhaps it's not such a good idea after all, then... :lol:

I'm the opposite - surely it's better to release an album-track-reject as a B-side, and get *something* for it, than have it sitting in a vault earning sod-all?

 

Not to mention the off-chance that a B-side night unexpectedly take off e.g. Boney M - 'Brown Girl In The Ring'...

 

Can anyone think of other successful songs that started off as B-sides?

 

Sorry I don't mean I'm against a b-side, I don't really have a preference either way, I just want something good whatever that is, plenty of poor b-sides.

if the remix is really good, then its worth putting on - an example being 19/2000 by Gorillaz, the remix FAR beats the original for me and there are a lot of songs that would do with a good remix that improves on the original

 

although mainly I'd say new music is the best, it also would be a bit more beneficial to the artists

'Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)' by Beyoncé originated as the B-Side to 'If I Were A Boy' and I think went on to outsell it.

 

Also, James Vincent McMorrow's cover of 'Higher Love' was just a B-Side to 'We Don't Eat' and wasn't on his album until they re-released it a couple of weeks ago. Same deal with Florence + The Machine's cover of 'You've Got The Love', which started as the B-Side to one of their earlier singles (can't remember which one).

Edited February 24, 201213 yr by Bré

if the remix is really good, then its worth putting on - an example being 19/2000 by Gorillaz, the remix FAR beats the original for me and there are a lot of songs that would do with a good remix that improves on the original

 

There have been some remixes that've I've preferred to the originals : e.g. Beyonce/Shakira-Beautiful Liar; Cee Lo-Forget You, Kelly Rowland-Work, to name three.

Edited February 24, 201213 yr by vidcapper

I wonder what the best known B-side of all time is? I know a lot of famous Beatles songs were originally B-sides (e.g. Strawberry Fields Forever) but I think in recent times, the best known one is probably Oasis 'The Masterplan'.

I wonder what the best known B-side of all time is? I know a lot of famous Beatles songs were originally B-sides (e.g. Strawberry Fields Forever) but I think in recent times, the best known one is probably Oasis 'The Masterplan'.

A few Oasis ones: Half The World Away (theme to the Royale Family), Acquiesce and yes The Masterplan. Oasis did some brilliant b-sides.

 

Some of you are confusing b-sides with AA sides - the Beatles did a few AA sides - Panny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever, We Can Work it Out/Day Tripper, Eleanor Ribgy/Yellow Submarine.....