4 Classic Rock B-Sides That Deserved to Be A-Sides

4 Classic Rock B-Sides That Deserved to Be A-Sides

In the world of music, first impressions are everything, and the selection of an A-side over a B-side can make or break a song’s success. However, there have been numerous instances where bands misjudged the potential of their own work. Some songs, initially sidelined, have gone on to become legendary, proving that a B-side can sometimes outshine its designated A-side. Below are four classic rock tracks that, in hindsight, absolutely deserved top billing.

1. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” – The Rolling Stones

In 1969, The Rolling Stones released “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” as the B-side to their twangy hit “Honky Tonk Women.” Both songs later appeared on their seminal album Let It Bleed, but it was the B-side that ultimately became one of the band’s most enduring tracks.

While the song only reached No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its initial release, it has since become one of The Rolling Stones’ most iconic anthems. Its gospel-infused intro, introspective lyrics, and sweeping orchestration have cemented it as a timeless classic. Just as Mick Jagger sings, “You can’t always get what you want,” but in this case, listeners certainly got what they needed.

2. “Bennie and the Jets” – Elton John

Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is packed with hits, but few are as instantly recognizable as “Bennie and the Jets.” Interestingly, its status as a B-side was not consistent worldwide. In the U.K. and several other countries, it was relegated to the flip side of “Candle in the Wind.” However, in the U.S. and Canada, record executives saw its potential and released it as an A-side instead.

Initially, John himself was skeptical about the song’s success, believing it lacked commercial appeal. He was proven wrong when “Bennie and the Jets” shot to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining track of his career. It remains one of his most beloved and frequently performed songs.

3. “Black Water” – The Doobie Brothers

Sometimes, a band doesn’t realize they have a hit on their hands until the audience tells them. That was exactly the case with The Doobie Brothers’ 1974 track “Black Water,” which originally served as the B-side to “Another Park, Another Sunday.”

Despite its humble placement, “Black Water” started gaining traction through radio play and fan requests. Recognizing its growing popularity, the band’s label eventually re-released it as an A-side. By March 1975, the song had climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it The Doobie Brothers’ first chart-topping single and a staple of their catalog.

4. “We Will Rock You” – Queen

Few bands have managed to craft a B-side as iconic as Queen did in 1977 with “We Will Rock You.” While it served as the B-side to “We Are the Champions” in the U.K. and Europe, both tracks were inseparable anthems in the eyes of fans and radio stations alike.

With its unmistakable stomp-clap beat and electrifying call-and-response chorus, “We Will Rock You” became a universal stadium anthem. The song’s cultural impact was further solidified when Queen performed it as the final track of their legendary 1985 Live Aid set—their last performance as a full band.

Conclusion

The music industry is filled with stories of overlooked songs that later gained the recognition they deserved. These four tracks, despite initially being relegated to B-sides, have outlasted their A-side counterparts in many ways. They prove that sometimes, even the most iconic bands underestimate the power of their own music.