4 Classic Rock Tunes That Never Got a Proper Album Release

Plenty of rock stars out there have kept a few hidden gems off of their albums. It’s a shame, really. We think the following classic rock songs that never really got a proper release could have made any of these musicians’ albums even better. Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. “Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac

“Silver Springs” is the one that got away. Thankfully, this reject from Rumours has gotten the love it deserves in recent years. But when Stevie Nicks first put the song together, the rest of the band wasn’t interested in adding it to their famed 1977 album. The rejection sparked tension in the band, and Nicks ended up being in the right. “Silver Springs” has since become a fan favorite. 

Sadly, this song has yet to receive a proper album release and is still known as the B-side to “Go Your Own Way”. A live version of the song was included on the band’s 1997 live album The Dance and it has also been included in the band’s 1992 box set. But it never got its rightful place on a Fleetwood Mac studio album.

2. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles

“Hey Jude” isn’t the only classic rock Beatles track to never get a proper release. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some of the Fab Four’s greatest tunes have been standalone singles. 

“Hey Jude” was written by Paul McCartney as a comforting tune of sorts for John Lennon’s son, Julian, as his father was separating from his mother Cynthia. It’s a heartwrenching track, but also an inspiring one full of optimism. And naturally, it’s still a fan favorite today.

3. “Murder By Numbers” by The Police

The Police’s untimely end was pretty predictable, considering how much the band members butted heads. Despite being rife with drama at the time, The Police managed to put together a stellar piece of work titled “Murder By Numbers”. Fans might know this song as the B-side to the smash hit “Every Breath You Take”. 

4. “Sappy” by Nirvana

Out of all the classic rock songs to never get a solid release, “Sappy” is particularly unfortunate. Nirvana’s discography is painfully short, and it would have been amazing to see this grunge track make it to the band’s debut album Bleach. 

However, “Sappy” was originally released as a hidden track on the compilation benefit record No Alternative in 1993. It’s since been released in re-issues and box sets through the years, but it definitely could have made it to a proper studio album.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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