Albums that changed Rock History

Five B-Side Fueled Albums That Changed Rock History

While B-sides are often seen as hidden gems, some albums blur the line between A-side and B-side greatness, with deep cuts that shaped rock music just as much as their hit singles. These five albums are packed with B-sides that influenced entire genres, introduced legendary sounds, or became fan favorites over time.

1. The Rolling Stones – Tattoo You (1981)

Why It Matters: Built almost entirely from past B-side recordings that had been shelved, proving that B-sides can create a masterpiece.

Features “Start Me Up,” originally a discarded reggae-infused B-side that became one of their most iconic tracks.

“Waiting on a Friend” was an outtake from the Goats Head Soup sessions (1972) but became a cult classic.

🔥 Essential B-Sides:

“Slave” – A bluesy, hypnotic jam with a sax solo that foreshadowed the rise of groove-based rock.

“Black Limousine” – A deep cut showcasing The Stones’ raw blues roots.

“Tops” – A track from the early ’70s that was rediscovered and refined for Tattoo You.

💡 Impact: This album proves that B-sides aren’t just leftovers—they’re sometimes ahead of their time.

2. Nirvana – Incesticide (1992)

Why It Matters: A B-side compilation album that captured Nirvana’s raw energy before Nevermind took over the world.

Gave fans access to rare demos, B-sides, and early recordings that showcased their punk and grunge influences.

Highlights Kurt Cobain’s love for weird, experimental rock, showing a side of Nirvana often hidden behind their polished hits.

🔥 Essential B-Sides:

“Aneurysm” – One of Nirvana’s greatest tracks, full of distorted energy and unfiltered Cobain lyrics.

“Sliver” – A lo-fi, grunge-punk anthem that captures the rebellion of the early ’90s.

“Dive” – A dark, murky track that helped define the Seattle sound.

💡 Impact: This album proved that B-sides and deep cuts were just as powerful as chart-topping hits, giving grunge fans an alternative to mainstream success.

3. The Smashing Pumpkins – Pisces Iscariot (1994)

Why It Matters: A B-side compilation that became one of their most beloved albums—showing that deep cuts can be just as impactful as studio releases.

Blended psychedelic, alternative, and dream pop elements in ways that their mainstream albums didn’t.

Gave a glimpse into Billy Corgan’s songwriting evolution, with tracks that were too experimental for radio but loved by fans.

🔥 Essential B-Sides:

“Starla” – A 10-minute slow build into psychedelic guitar madness.

“Frail and Bedazzled” – A song that could have been a hit but stayed an underground favorite.

“Whir” – A melancholic, dreamy ballad that influenced the alt-rock sound of the late ’90s.

💡 Impact: Helped redefine alternative rock as more than just angst-driven grunge—it could be expansive, artistic, and deeply personal.

4. Radiohead – Hail to the Thief (2003)

Why It Matters: Blended the band’s experimental B-side aesthetic with their main releases, creating an album that felt like a collection of A-sides and B-sides in one.

Tracks like “There There” and “2+2=5” felt like lost gems from previous experimental sessions.

Pushed political and dystopian themes into rock in a way that later influenced bands like Muse and Arctic Monkeys.

🔥 Essential B-Sides:

“Gagging Order” – An acoustic-driven, haunting song that showed a softer side of Radiohead.

“Paperbag Writer” – A jazz-infused B-side that could have fit into Kid A.

“Fog” – A surreal, dreamlike track that sounds unlike anything else in their catalog.

💡 Impact: Showed that deep cuts could be just as essential to an album’s legacy as hit singles.

5. Oasis – The Masterplan (1998)

Why It Matters: A collection of B-sides that arguably holds up better than some of their main albums.

Proved that Oasis’ B-sides were often better than their A-sides, filled with deep lyrics and experimental sounds.

Gave the world “The Masterplan”, a song many consider one of the greatest Oasis tracks ever written.

🔥 Essential B-Sides:

“The Masterplan” – A sweeping orchestral rock masterpiece that rivals their biggest hits.

“Half the World Away” – A soft, melancholic ballad that inspired an entire generation of Britpop songwriters.

“Acquiesce” – One of Liam and Noel Gallagher’s best vocal duets, full of stadium-sized energy.

💡 Impact: Proved that Britpop B-sides weren’t just throwaways—they were sometimes better than the main releases.

Final Takeaway

Some of the greatest rock albums weren’t just about the singles—they were fueled by deep cuts, outtakes, and B-sides that shaped their band’s sound and legacy. Whether it was The Rolling Stones resurrecting forgotten tracks, Nirvana’s raw early grunge, or Oasis proving their B-sides were just as legendary, these albums show that hidden gems often become timeless classics.

👉 Which B-side fueled album do you think deserves more attention? Let’s hear it in the comments! 🎸🔥

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