20 great Side Two, Track Ones

2 August 2023, 20:03

What's the first track on Side 2 of this classic album?
What's the first track on Side 2 of this classic album? Picture: Getty/Alamy

With the vinyl album a part of everyone's lives again, let's pay tribute to the art of the track that opens the second side...

  1. The Rolling Stones - Street Fighting Man

    Mick Jagger sums up the mood of 1968 with this stirring side-opener on the Beggars Banquet album.

    The Rolling Stones - Street Fighting Man (Official Lyric Video)

  2. The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun

    Abbey Road’s first side comes to a close with the howling synth-wind of I Want You (She’s So Heavy). Thanks heavens that the second half kicks off with George’s ode to a nice Spring day.

    The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (2019 Mix)

  3. Pink Floyd - Money

    Imagine the surprise of listeners in 1973 when the needle dropped onto the vinyl and they were confronted by the rhythmic cash registers of this classic.

    Pink Floyd - Money (Official Music Video)

  4. AC/DC - Back In Black

    The title track of the Aussie rockers' big 1980 comeback kicks off side 2.

    AC/DC - Back In Black (Official Video)

  5. Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime

    One of the best singles ever, never mind a great Track 1, Side 2 - this classic opened the second side of 1980's Remain In Light.

    Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Official Video)

  6. The Doors - People Are Strange

    Jim Morrison's bewitching tale of outsiders, which kicks off the second side of their second album, Strange Days.

    The Doors - People Are Strange (Official Audio)

  7. R.E.M. - Orange Crush

    The "Metal Side" of 1988's Green album starts off with this scorching attack on US foreign policy. It's a shock after the haunting end to Side One ("Air Side"), The Wrong Child.

    R.E.M. - Orange Crush (Official Music Video)

  8. Pixies - Where Is My Mind

    After the relentless shouting of Side One closer River Euphrates, the flipside of Surfer Rosa opens with the quiet acoustic of this Pixies classic.

    Where Is My Mind?

  9. The Beatles - Eight Days A Week

    Another great Fab Four example which should have been a single. Instead, it's tucked away halfway through their 1964 album Beatles For Sale. It fades in, too.

    The Beatles - Eight Days A Week

  10. The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again

    Morrissey and Marr knew how to pace an album. The Queen Is Dead ends Side One with the poignant Cemetery Gates, but comes back all guns blazing with this hilarious single.

    The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again

  11. Blur - To The End

    Side One of Parklife ends with the ponderous Syd Barrett-esque Far Out. Turn the record over and you're confronted by this elegant ballad.

    Blur - To The End

  12. Radiohead - Just

    The second half of 1995's The Bends gets underway with this 'Head classic.

    Radiohead - Just

  13. Editors - The Racing Rats

    This live favourite starts the second side of 2007's excellent An End Has A Start album.

    Editors - The Racing Rats

  14. Joy Division - She's Lost Control

    After the majesty of New Dawn Fades, flip the record over for the "Oustide" and get ready for one of the band's classic tracks.

    Joy Division - She's Lost Control (Official Reimagined Video)

  15. New Order - Your Silent Face

    This exquisite piece of electronica wasn't a single, but remains a favourite track of the band's fans, thanks to its appearance on the album Power Corruption & Lies in 1983.

    New Order - Your Silent Face

  16. U2 - The Fly

    Stomping, distorted single that ushered in a new phase for Bono and co, as a teaser to their Achtung Baby album.

    U2 - The Fly (Vídeo oficial subtitulado al español)

  17. Prince - When Doves Cry

    The first song on side 2 of the massive Purple Rain soundtrack - and one of Prince's monster hits.

    Prince & The Revolution - When Doves Cry (Official Music Video)

  18. Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon

    This all-time classic gets Side 2 of 1984's Ocean Rain underway.

    Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon (Official Music Video)

  19. Arctic Monkeys - Riot Van

    If you have the vinyl version of Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, this is what greets your ears when you flip the vinyl.

    Riot Van

  20. Nirvana - Negative Creep

    Classic grunge which heralds the second half of the band's 1989 debut Bleach.

    Negative Creep (Remastered)

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