Greatest back-to-back songs of all-time
Attentive JSB readers may recall I've hinted at a list of the greatest back-to-back songs of all-time. According to Google this could be the first such list, allowing me to abuse (meaning use) the classic rock cannon.
Most of these albums come from the age of the LP, but I come from the age of the CD, so there is no consideration of side one and side two.
1. Sloop John B/God Only Knows The Beach Boys Pet Sounds
Pet Sounds may be the most overrated album in the history of music. If the rest of the songs were half as good as these two it would deserve every accolade received.
2. Dead Flowers/Moonlight Mile Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers
Actually the second best back-to-back of all-time, despite what I previously wrote. I've come to realize my slight problem with the Rolling Stones is I don't like Jagger's voice. Their music is better when Keif sings, or when Mick goes faux-country, like he does on Dead Flowers.
3. Goldfinger/Girl from Mars Ash 1977
Crazily enough, these aren't even my two favorite Ash songs (Burn Baby Burn on Free All Angels.) Yet the Irish band snags the three spot. These songs remind me of college and what a garage/punk band can do when they use a lot of fancy tools.
4. Saint Dominic's Preview/ Redwood Tree Van Morrison Saint Dominic's Preview
I am largely in the dark when it comes to "soul." But I have a vague notion it probably sounds like Van the Man singing these two songs.
5. I'm Beginning To See The Light/I'm Set Free Velvet Underground Velvet Underground
The two best songs on the Velvet's best album. They also have a nice of a cause-effect thing going on.
6. Down By The Seaside/Ten Years Gone Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti
Side one of Zeppelin IV might get you laid, but side one of disc two of Physical Graffiti is where it's really at. Both songs build brilliantly. Ten Years Gone is my favorite Zeppelin song.
7. Levon/Tiny Dancer Elton John Madman Across The Water
You could argue that these are Elton's two finest recordings. That they play back-to-back is just the kind of coincidence this list was designed to recognize.
8. Bodhisattva/Razor Boy Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill
These songs represent the two best things about Steely Dan; I don't just tolerate, but embrace their jamming, and the way these crazy kids are always "sticking it to somebody" (a line I've ripped straight from one of those VHI top-100 shows.)
9. 3rd Planet/Gravity Rides Everything Modest Mouse The Moon & Antarctica
Because I'm really into Modest Mouse these days. They ask the big questions. They offer the big answers. All in neat little packages.
10. Come Together/Something Beatles Abbey Road
How can you have a derivative classic rock list without the Beatles? You can't. Many of the many sides of the Beatles are present in song one and song two of their last album together.
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