In the vinyl era — particularly up until the 1980s — singles were released on 7-inch records with two sides. When you put the record on, most listeners stayed loyal to the A-side: the main track, the one intended for radio play, chart success, and most of the attention.
But flip the record — and another world was waiting on the other side: the B-side.
B-sides were where artists often hid their curiosities. Lesser-known tracks, songs that didn’t quite fit the main album, small experiments, oddities, and beautiful leftovers. Sometimes rougher, sometimes stranger — but often just as good, if not better.
Who is on this playlist?
The Beatles — perhaps the most famous example of B-sides being just as strong as the hits. David Bowie, who often used them as a playground for more experimental material. And Arctic Monkeys, who carried the tradition well into the 2000s.
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