3 Classic Songs That Prove the Album Cut Can Beat the Single

Sometimes album cuts can be better than the singles chosen. Just because a song is marketable doesn’t mean it’s objectively better in terms of content. The three classic songs below prove that singles aren’t always the best songs on an album. At the very least, they prove there is stiff competition on these tracklists.

“Songbird” — Fleetwood Mac

Christine McVie proved she was one of the best songwriters, if not the top, in Fleetwood Mac with “Songbird”. This piano ballad is stunningly simple with relatable lyrics. McVie lulls out this song with intimacy and earnestness. She rivals Stevie Nicks as the most introspective songwriter with the lyrics, “And the songbirds are singing / Like they know the score / And I love you, I love you, I love you / Like never before.”

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This song wasn’t chosen as a single on Rumours, but it’s every bit as good as any of the four actually selected. In another world, this song would’ve done just as well on the charts as any of the featured songs did.

“The Beautiful Ones” — Prince

It’s hard to battle the title track for Prince’s Purple Rain, not to mention the four other singles selected from this record. But if any album cut could stand a chance, it’s “The Beautiful Ones”. This vocally impressive, catchy track could’ve easily been a single if given the chance.

“Baby, baby, baby / What’s it gonna be / Baby, baby, baby / Is it him or is it me,” Prince sings in the opening lines to this ballad. It features his iconic falsetto, proving his vocal chops without a shadow of a doubt. It might not be the rousing, guitar-heavy “Purple Rain”, but it’s every bit as memorable.

“Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” — The Smiths

The Smiths’ “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” has long been a fan favorite despite originally being released as a B-side. “So please, please, please / Let me, let me, let me / Let me get what I want,” the lyrics in the chorus read. This is one of The Smiths’ most enduring and memorable hooks.

It’s a wonder that this song didn’t get picked as a single. It’s every bit as effective as “How Soon Is Now?” or “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”.

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