3 Times an Unreleased Classic Rock Song Became a Cult Classic

Usually, unreleased material from majorly famous bands remains unreleased for a reason. Sometimes, they just aren’t great songs. Other times, legal issues keep the work shelved. But sometimes, an unreleased classic rock song or two will stay in the vault for seemingly no reason. And their bootleg versions become cult classics anyway. Let’s look at just a few examples from some of the biggest bands in classic rock!

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1. “Carnival Of Light” by The Beatles

The Beatles have quite a few unreleased songs in their discography that have been the subject of intrigue among fans. However, something about “Carnival Of Light” landed the unreleased 1967 track in cult classic territory.

This very avant-garde song was definitely on the experimental side, featuring the Fab Four shouting, playing the organ, and distorting various sounds. It was considered a bit too abstract, so the band never released it. Paul McCartney has talked about releasing the song, but a true album version has never seen the light of day.

2. The Whole of ‘Smile’ by The Beach Boys

This isn’t just one unreleased classic rock song; the whole of the unfinished album Smile by The Beach Boys never saw the light of day. The album Smile was meant to follow up The Beach Boys’ legendary album Pet Sounds. Sadly, too many creative spats and internal band issues kept the album on the shelf. It’s a shame, considering the whole record was nearly completed by 1967.

Songs like “Good Vibrations” ended up making it to other albums, but the full Smile record remained shelved for decades. Bootlegs and and B-sides from the record have popped up here and there, but many outtakes from that unfinished record remain unheard.

3. “Swan Song” by Led Zeppelin

This unreleased classic rock song has become the stuff of legend among Led Zeppelin fans. “Swan Song” is definitely not the classic rock outfit’s only unreleased track, but this one is one of few that has leaked to the public. 

This mid-1970s track was nixed from Physical Graffiti and Ten Years Gone. “Swan Song” was one of many tracks that fell through the cracks, considering the band had a wealth of material at the time. And it hasn’t even been released on any of Jimmy Page’s recent Leppelin reissues.

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