B-Side: A Flipsided History of Pop

A channel featuring playlists to accompany readers of B-Side: A Flipsided History of Pop by Andy Cowan

Pop music would be a different beast without the B-Side. Music history is riven with songs deemed throwaway that revolted against their lowly status and refused to be denied. Be it rock ‘n’ roll’s national anthem (‘Rock Around The Clock’), disco’s enduring game-changer (‘I Feel Love’) or hip-hop’s most notorious dis track ‘(Hit ’Em Up’), all three started life as the so-called ‘lesser’ track on releases primed for maximum chart impact. But the B-side has done much more than make stars of Bill Haley, Donna Summer and 2Pac. A quickfire A-Z, detailed with original label artwork, B-Side is the first serious examination of the format’s covert role in pushing the musical envelope. Its revelations will prick up the ears of music fans of all persuasions.

B-Side is published on July 6, 2023, by Headpress.com