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Do Artists Specifically Record B-Sides Or Are They Just Left Over Album Tracks?


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Old 01-09-2009, 21:02
simmer
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Do artists specifically record a song to add as a b-side or are b-sides just leftover album tracks?

some b-sides are really good and its surprising they're not on an album or released as a single.
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Old 01-09-2009, 21:03
eugenespeed
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Both, it depends on the artist.
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Old 01-09-2009, 23:57
xRedx
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Do artists specifically record a song to add as a b-side or are b-sides just leftover album tracks?

some b-sides are really good and its surprising they're not on an album or released as a single.
Back in the day.. When Funk and Disco first hit the scene, the music played in Clubs had no airplay. There were many import singles around.. this is the only way that most of this genre was heard. As the Disco and Funk scene gathered pace, the producers of Disco were putting out very limited numbers of records, in an attempt to satisfy the growing demand. However, as they were blind to what the clubbers actually wanted they released B sides on records that were in reality A sides. Take LTD for instance. "Back in Love Again" was twinned with "Love Ballad" as a B side to a totally insignificant A side. The result of this marketing led to what are now known as rare groove records, and if you have any old disco and funk records in your collection.. as I have.. You should maybe start looking into the potential value of them!
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Old 02-09-2009, 09:03
CLL Dodge
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On the singles I have (many hundreds) the extra tracks are either:

1. recorded at the album sessions but left off as they did not fit (either thematically or because the album was just too long).

2. recorded at an extra session.

3. remixes, nearly all terrible.

4. live tracks, radio sessions, demos and any other bit of flotsam that the artist/record company has lying around.

5. CD singles used to have video tracks - the official promo video, making of & other documentary footage, photo gallery, etc.

6. Interactive stuff, or links to online exclusive content.

Either way if gives compilers of deluxe edition albums plenty of stuff to stick on the 2nd disc before they even get to the previously unissued material.
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Old 02-09-2009, 09:25
Gaz@NokiaMusic
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^^ And that pretty much covers it, just really stuff that doesn't fit the flow or feel of the album or just in the bands opinion just isn't as good as the choice cuts. Most of my favourite songs in the world are B-Sides. I recommend these if you like any of the bands

Skunk Anansie - Decadence Of Your Starvation
- Off the "Lately" single, It's everything that makes this band great in my opinion (must be played loud)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Sealings
- Though technically not a B-Side (Stealth OST, Spider-Man 3 OST)

Muse - Map Of Your Head
-Off the "New Born CD2" single and Hullaballoo.
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Old 02-09-2009, 09:34
musicdude
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Sometimes in years to come, certain artists may release an album full of b sides. Boyzone did it last year.
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Old 02-09-2009, 09:48
marc822
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Years ago, artists used to record b-sides to cover the other side of the vinyl record. Rather than have to use up album tracks. Remember, artists used to release about 2 or 3 singles months before you would even see an album. Nowadays, singles are released and the album follows a week or so later most of the time.

Some artist still record b-sides and they are usually leftover album tracks that didnt quite make the cut for the main album.
However, i do like b-sides as you can have an album with 20 songs by your favourite artist.
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