Recently more and more artists are releasing stop-gap singles, but do you like them or not?

 

Personally I think it's a really successful tactic. The most notable ones I can remember off my head are Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party (twice), Razorlight, Biffy Clyro and Dizzee Rascal. Over the past two years or so, the 'top' acts have been coming back, and whilst some have had successful comebacks, others have sort of faded away into obscurity or floped. I think some of the acts coming back this year are kinda destined for flops from their previous standard (Anastacia and Dido) and I can't help but think they'd have been more successful if they'd released 1 single as a stop-gap whilst they've been away.

 

Dizzee Rascal had a #1, Razorlight a #2 (then the next album sold well over a million), Biff Clyro had their biggest hit to date... I think they really work in letting the general public know they're still around and making music, at the same time as offering their fans something new. I'd really like to see more Pop/RnB orientated artists take up this tactic, as I think it'd be worth their while...

 

I didn't know where this would be most suited either, so I posted it here. If a mod or something thinks it'd be better suited in another forum then by all means move it.

I might be stupid but what is exactly a stop-gap single? :wacko:

I might be stupid but what is exactly a stop-gap single? :wacko:

A new single released between albums. Or a new single that doesn't have an album following it very quickly.

 

Razorlight released 'Somewhere Else' the summer after their first album. Then the next single and album didn't come out for another year after it.

Bloc Party's haven't really been stop-gaps though as they've annoyingly re-issued the album with them on.

 

Futureheads 'Area' is another. Great song that was, shame it did nothing for them though!

I know this is going back a few years but Travis did it with 'Coming Around' - and then they didn't even put it on the next album! Definitely one of their best songs though. And Oasis kinda did it with 'Whatever'. Mcfly sort of did it with 'All About You'. Didn't George Michael do it with 'Freeek' or 'Shoot The Dog' or something? Can't really think of any other examples. I agree it's a really good idea though.

Yeah, i'd like to see some Pop/Urban artists try this out.

It used to be done all the time, but more recently artists decide to just have a single out and just rush the album the following week, I'd like to see artists release more than 1 single before the album is out GA used to stick to this routine, but aren't this year!

I like the idea of this, as it means they can have more time to make the new album (making it better, hopefully), while still releasing new music to the fans.

I have to agree with RFC a bit though - it's annoying sometimes, when you've bought the original version, not realising they'd re-release it with more songs! :arrr:

 

Except with Bloc Party of course...because I'd just buy both versions :lol:

(I know I'm a loser)

I guess they are a good idea, they keep fans going for a bit.

didnt madonna do something like this some years back with the oh father single,she was releasing a new ballads graetest hits and she took a step back and released oh father of the like a prayer album,,i no its not the same but in one way it is but done backwards

It's not really a great idea imo; it can work sometimes but if it's an amazing single it seems a waste to release it as a stand-alone with nothing to sell off the back of it, plus it leaves the issue months later of whether to include it on the next album - if you do, it's old, if you don't, it's an amazing song missed off.

 

Dannii sort of had that with Who Do You Love Now? - it made #3 and was a huge smash but the album didn't follow for another 18 months and it ended up as a bonus track. Fans still argue about whether it was a single from that album LOL.

I guess that is a good point, whats the point in having a big hit song and then no album to have on the back of it?

I guess that is a good point, whats the point in having a big hit song and then no album to have on the back of it?

 

I don't think it matters so much nowadays. For me stand-alone singles are put out, so fans don't have as long as wait between albums, and also for the artist to say to the public that they're still making music and not to forget about them whilst they're away recording. It normally works quite well for indie bands especially. Of course a lot comes down to the quality of the song also however.

A new single released between albums. Or a new single that doesn't have an album following it very quickly.

 

Razorlight released 'Somewhere Else' the summer after their first album. Then the next single and album didn't come out for another year after it.

oh thank you for clearing this

I think they're kind of pointless, I mean think of all the costs that will go down the drain with making the video, distributing the single etc. and no album to sell it off the back of.

The X-Factor winners release a sort of stop gap single as it come a long time before they release their debut albums.

I think they're kind of pointless, I mean think of all the costs that will go down the drain with making the video, distributing the single etc. and no album to sell it off the back of.

They keep interest up in a fickle market, so I think that is their use.

I guess Leona Lewis' ''Forgive Me'' would sort of be one. But I think she's re-issuing the album so I dunno.

I guess that is a good point, whats the point in having a big hit song and then no album to have on the back of it?

Because some people are in it for the music rather than making money?

I guess Leona Lewis' ''Forgive Me'' would sort of be one. But I think she's re-issuing the album so I dunno.

She's re-releasing her album so that doesn't count, no :P