The 20 Greatest B-Side Tracks Ever Released

GOSPORT WAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL — Hello to all our listeners across the wards! Whether you’re recovering, visiting, or keeping the wheels turning on a busy shift, we have a very special “musical treasure hunt” for you today. At Gosport Hospital Radio, we love a good hit. But sometimes, the real magic isn’t found on the “A-side” of a record—the song the radio stations were told to play. Often, the most heartfelt, experimental, or surprisingly catchy tunes were tucked away on the back, known as the B-side tracks.

In the days of vinyl and CDs, buying a single was a gamble. You’d pay your few pounds, get the song you knew from the charts, and then—if you were lucky—you’d discover a “hidden gem” on the flip-side. Today, we’re celebrating 20 of the greatest B-sides ever recorded. These are the songs that were too good to be “filler.”

1. Oasis – “The Masterplan”

B-side to: Wonderwall (1995)

Arguably the greatest B-side of the 90s. Noel Gallagher has since admitted that he was “too young and too stupid” to realize this should have been a lead single. With its sweeping orchestral arrangement and philosophical lyrics, it’s a stadium anthem that never actually lived on a studio album.

2. The Smiths – “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want”

B-side to: William, It Was Really Nothing (1984)

Originally released as the B-side to “William, It Was Really Nothing,” “How Soon Is Now?” eventually became one of The Smiths’ most famous songs.

Johnny Marr’s hypnotic guitar sound created something haunting and atmospheric, while Morrissey delivered lyrics filled with loneliness and insecurity. The song’s importance grew so much that it was later added to compilations and became a defining track of 1980s alternative music.

It is hard to imagine today that such an iconic song was once considered a secondary release.

3. The Beatles – “Revolution”

B-side to: Hey Jude (1968)

Although many people now see “Revolution” as one of The Beatles’ most important songs, it originally appeared as the B-side to the 1968 single “Hey Jude.”

Written primarily by John Lennon during a period of political unrest and social change, the song captured the tension and uncertainty of the late 1960s. Unlike many protest songs of the era, “Revolution” questioned violence and extremism while still recognising the desire for change.

4. Arctic Monkeys – “No Buses”

B-side to: Who the Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys? (2006)

Released as a B-side to the 2006 single “When the Sun Goes Down,” “No Buses” quickly became one of the most loved hidden gems in the Arctic Monkeys catalogue.

At a time when the band were exploding onto the British indie scene with sharp, energetic tracks about nightlife and northern life, “No Buses” revealed a quieter and more reflective side to Alex Turner’s songwriting. Built around gentle acoustic guitars and understated melodies, the song carried a sense of loneliness and emotional frustration that connected deeply with fans.

5. Suede – “The Living Dead”

B-side to: Stay Together (1994)

Released as the B-side to Suede’s 1994 single “Stay Together,” “The Living Dead” is widely regarded by fans as one of the band’s most haunting and emotionally powerful songs.

At the height of Britpop, when many bands focused on swagger and laddish confidence, Suede often explored darker themes and more cinematic storytelling. “The Living Dead” perfectly captured that mood. Written by Brett Anderson and guitarist Bernard Butler during the band’s creative peak, the song painted a bleak but deeply human picture of loneliness, poverty and isolation in urban Britain.

6. Blur – “The Universal” (Wait, no… “Young and Lovely”!)

B-side to: Chemical World (1993)

Originally released as the B-side to Blur’s 1994 single “Chemical World,” “Young and Lovely” became one of the band’s most adored hidden gems.

During the early Britpop years, Blur were producing music at an astonishing rate, and many of their B-sides could easily have stood alongside their album tracks. “Young and Lovely” showed a softer, more emotional side to Damon Albarn’s songwriting, combining melancholy lyrics with beautiful melodies and rich arrangements.

7. The Stone Roses – “Standing Here”

B-side to: She Bangs the Drums (1989)

Released as the B-side to the 1989 single “She Bangs the Drums,” “Standing Here” became one of the most treasured hidden gems in The Stone Roses’ catalogue.

At a time when the Manchester music scene was exploding with creativity, The Stone Roses were redefining British guitar music with their blend of psychedelic rock, dance rhythms and effortless swagger. While many bands would have saved a song like “Standing Here” for an album, The Stone Roses treated even their B-sides with remarkable quality and ambition.

8. David Bowie – “Panic in Detroit”

B-side to: Time (1973)

Although “Panic in Detroit” originally appeared on David Bowie’s 1973 album Aladdin Sane, the song later gained renewed attention through live recordings, alternative versions and special single releases that helped cement its cult reputation among Bowie fans.

Inspired by stories about political unrest and revolution in America during the late 1960s and early 70s, Bowie created a track filled with tension, mystery and cinematic imagery. The lyrics painted vivid scenes of chaos and paranoia, blending real-world influences with Bowie’s unique storytelling style.

9. Pet Shop Boys – “Paninaro”

B-side to: Suburbia (1986)

A cult classic that became so popular in Italian clubs that it eventually earned its own remix and a place in the band’s permanent live set.

10. The Jam – “Tales from the Riverbank”

B-side to: Absolute Beginners (1981)

Released as the B-side to The Jam’s 1979 single “Strange Town,” “Tales from the Riverbank” is often regarded by fans as one of the finest hidden gems in the band’s catalogue.

Written by Paul Weller during The Jam’s creative peak, the song perfectly captured the sharp observational songwriting and emotional depth that made the band one of the defining voices of late-70s British music. While many punk-era songs focused on anger and speed, “Tales from the Riverbank” revealed a more reflective and atmospheric side to The Jam.

The Midway Point: Why do B-sides matter?

For our listeners in the hospital, B-sides represent the “unsung heroes.” Just like the many staff members who work behind the scenes to keep things running, these songs did the hard work of making a single feel like a complete package.

Artist	B-Side Title	Year
New Order	1963	1987
Pulp	Underwear	1995
The Cure	Exploding Boy	1985

11. Nirvana – “Aneurysm”

B-side to: Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)

If you wanted to know why Nirvana changed the world, you just had to flip over their biggest hit. This track is a masterclass in the “quiet-loud-quiet” dynamic of grunge.

12. Depeche Mode – “Dangerous”

B-side to: Personal Jesus (1989)

Electronic perfection. Many fans argue this synth-heavy track was actually more danceable and “radio-friendly” than the bluesy A-side.

13. Manic Street Preachers – “Donkeys”

B-side to: Roses in the Hospital (1993)

A fitting choice for our station! This track shows the band’s softer, more melodic side during their early, chaotic years.

14. Radiohead – “Talk Show Host”

B-side to: Street Spirit (Fade Out) (1996)

A moody, trip-hop influenced track that became famous after appearing on the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack. It signaled the experimental direction the band would take with OK Computer.

15. The Verve – “So It Goes”

B-side to: Love is Noise (2008)

Even in their later years, Richard Ashcroft and company could still produce soaring, psychedelic B-sides that felt like they could float away.

16. George Michael – “Fantasy”

B-side to: Waiting for That Day (1990)

A funky, upbeat track that showed George’s incredible ability to write a pop hook, even when he wasn’t trying to top the charts.

17. Queen – “I’m in Love with My Car”

B-side to: Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)

Drummer Roger Taylor famously locked himself in a cupboard until Freddie Mercury agreed to put this on the B-side of their magnum opus. It’s now a fan-favorite rock anthem.

18. T. Rex – “Raw Ramp”

B-side to: Get It On (1971)

Marc Bolan at his most eccentric and groovy. It’s two songs in one, blending from a steady beat into a full-on glam rock “Electric Boogie.”

19. Paul McCartney & Wings – “Girls’ School”

B-side to: Mull of Kintyre (1977)

While the A-side was a bagpipe-led folk song, the B-side was a blistering rock and roller. It holds the record for being part of the best-selling non-charity single in UK history.

20. Oasis – “Acquiesce”

B-side to: Some Might Say (1995)

Many Oasis fans believe “Acquiesce” should have been a major single rather than a B-side to “Some Might Say.” Featuring vocals from both Liam and Noel Gallagher, the song perfectly captured the swagger and emotional honesty that made Oasis such a defining band of the Britpop era.

The soaring chorus and unforgettable line “Because we need each other” gave the song an anthem-like quality that made it a staple of the band’s live shows. It remains one of the finest examples of a B-side becoming just as legendary as a band’s biggest hits.

Your Turn to Choose!

At Gosport Hospital Radio, we want to know: what’s the song you discovered by accident? Was it a B-side on a cassette you bought at the precinct, or a hidden track on a CD? If you have a request for a song that didn’t quite make the A-list but holds a special place in your heart, let us know!

Stay tuned, keep smiling, and remember—sometimes the best things in life are found right where you least expect them.