THE UTM B-SIDES COUNTDOWN

THE UTM B-SIDES COUNTDOWN

Now that CUe FM have compiled lists for the best songs, albums and EPs, Under the Microscope decided to now look for the best B-sides! B-sides were initially the songs on the flip side of 7-inch singles. The terminology has remained as we’ve moved on to CDs. While many bands will put throwaway tracks not good enough for the album on the b-sides and others simply put 4 different remixes of the single, there are a few bands out there who put in the extra effort to produce quality b-sides such that the singles are worthwhile. There are also cases where bands leave songs off albums not because they are not good enough but because they don’t fit in with the rest of the album. Such tracks end up as b-sides and are often overlooked!

As per usual there are some strict criteria that the tracks must meet to be eligible for the list. They are as follows.

Must not be a track taken from an album or soundtrack and must not have been previously released.
Must not be a cover version.
Must not be an alternate version of a previously released track (e.g. remix, live version, etc).

Here are the top 50 B-sides chosen by the Under the Microscope team. The singles which they appeared on are listed in brackets.

1. BEATLES -you know my name (let it be)

2. RADIOHEAD - fog (Knives out)

3. THE CURE - the exploding boy (In-between days)

4. THE CHURCH - sisters (to fast for you)

5. XTC - dear god (Grass)

6. MOBY - thousand (next is the E)

7. PINK FLOYD - careful with that axe Eugene (Point me at the sky)

8. EELS - I write the b-sides (Souljacker part 1)

9. DAVID BRIDIE - hide (Act of Free Choice)

10. THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS - she was a hotel detective (snail shell)

11. PRIMITIVE RADIO GODS - future followers of Erika (fading out)

12. THE ANIMALS - I'm gonna change the world (It's My life)

13. RIDE - at the end of the universe (How does it feel to feel)

14. DIED PRETTY - wonder (DC)

15. BEATLES - rain (paperback writer)

16. VIOLENT FEMMES - gimme the car (ugly)

17. TISM - last guitar hero (Yob)

18. PINK FLOYD - paint box (Apples and Oranges)

19. CHEMICAL BROTHERS - morning lemon (block rockin’ beats)

20. NEW ORDER - 1963 (true faith)

21. U2 - sweetest thing (where the streets have no name)

22. SMASHING PUMPKINS - last song (thirty-three)

23. THE CURE - A few hours after this (In-between days)

24. CARTER USM - re-educating Rita (anytime anyplace anywhere)

25. PET SHOP BOYS - Paninaro (Opportunities)

26. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - sikamikanico (Under the bridge)

27. REM - crazy (Wendell Gee)

28. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - clear the lane (killing in the name)

29. SKUNK ANANSIE - kept my mouth shut (charity)

30. THE CURE - it used to be me (the 13th)

31. POWDERFINGER - wobbly knee (pick you up)

32. HUNTERS AND COLLECTORS - the trade off (easy)

33. THE THE - mental healing process (This is the day)

34. THE WHITLAMS - curse stops here (blow up the pokies)

35. CARTER USM - her song (Lenny & Terrence)

36. THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS - I'll sink manhatten (they'll need a crane)

37. GARAGELAND - cut it out (Beelines to heaven)

38. NED'S ATOMIC DUSTBIN - faceless (trust)

39. BUSH – Solomon’s bones (Glycerin)

40. THE DRUGS - no sense (bold and the beautiful)

41. MONO PUFF - oddball (devil went down to newport)

42. NIRVANA - marigold (heart shaped box)

43. YOU AM I - opportunities (trike)

44. FOO FIGHTERS - the color and the shape (Monkey Wrench)

45. GELBISON - heart attack five (Metal detector)

46. THE CHURCH - life speeds up (Almost with you)

47. GARBAGE - alien sex fiend (Stupid girl)

48. JEBEDIAH – ski trip (harpoon)

49. OASIS - rocking chair (Morning glory)

50. SUPERGRASS - nothing more's gonna get in my way (Richard III)