The Clash: The B-Sides

[Flex]

Good discussion on the quality of B-sides by the band. They had a rep for releasing gold on both sides of the single, but that reputation probably stopped being earned partway through the band's tenure. Here's how I'd group the B-sides (and excluding songs that appeared on the Capital Radio and Cost of Living EPs or anything post-85) that didn't end up on their proper albums:

Great songs
1977
City of the Dead
Jail Guitar Doors
The Prisoner
Pressure Drop
Armagideon Time
Radio Clash

Good songs
London's Burning (Live)
1-2 Crush on You
Radio One

Uh, whatever songs
Rockers Galore... UK Tour
The Magnificent Dance
Long Time Jerk
Do It Now

These songs are bad and should feel bad
Stop the World
First Night Back in London
Cool Confusion
Sex Mad War

[Dr. Medulla]

If Radio One gets to be in the good, so does Mag Dance. Otherwise, your sorting looks solid to me.

[Heston]

Good discussion on the quality of B-sides by the band. They had a rep for releasing gold on both sides of the single, but that reputation probably stopped being earned partway through the band's tenure. Here's how I'd group the B-sides (and excluding songs that appeared on the Cost of Living or post-85) that didn't end up on their proper albums:

Great songs
1977
City of the Dead
Jail Guitar Doors
The Prisoner
Pressure Drop
Armagideon Time
Radio Clash

Good songs
London's Burning (Live)
1-2 Crush on You
Radio One

Uh, whatever songs
Rockers Galore... UK Tour
The Magnificent Dance
Long Time Jerk
Do It Now

These songs are bad and should feel bad
Stop the World
First Night Back in London
Sex Mad War

I kind of agree with your lists. I forgot all about Radio Clash when I claimed LTJ was their best b-side since AT, I really rate that song much higher than This Is....

I think Do It Now is a pretty decent song albeit badly recorded, I would probably have that in the higher list. At least it's a real song.

[101Walterton]

Rockers Galore is brilliant and a fave of mine.

[Flex]

If Radio One gets to be in the good, so does Mag Dance. Otherwise, your sorting looks solid to me.

Yeah, I was thinking Mag Dance should be bumped up actually. I sort of split the baby with those two since I didn't feel like making another tier in between good and whatever.

[Heston]

Ps You forgot Cool Confusion, put that straight in the bottom set please.

[Flex]

Ps You forgot Cool Confusion, put that straight in the bottom set please.

Oh yeah, I knew I'd forgotten a really bad song.

Addendum: Do It Now would be higher if the recording was a bit better. Sex Mad War would be higher if they had stuck to something closer to earlier live performances.

[Heston]

Radio One and Rockers Galore are a bit meh for me. Mikey has done much better.

Mag Dance is ok for a club or soundtrack but nothing I would sit and listen to, the lyrics maketh that song.

[Low Down Low]

Love both Rockers Galore and Radio One. How many other bands were doing that kind of stuff in the early 80s? They're possibly a bit too throwaway to be included on single releases but dont have much problem with it either.

[101Walterton]

Radio One and Rockers Galore are a bit meh for me. Mikey has done much better.

Mag Dance is ok for a club or soundtrack but nothing I would sit and listen to, the lyrics maketh that song.

Mag Dance was the theme tune to that great TV show I have forgotten the name of?? It also had that story line based around Bankrobber and the lyrics to the song.

[Heston]

Ps You forgot Cool Confusion, put that straight in the bottom set please.

Oh yeah, I knew I'd forgotten a really bad song.

Addendum: Do It Now would be higher if the recording was a bit better. Sex Mad War would be higher if they had stuck to something closer to earlier live performances.

I think Sex Mad War is my least favourite Clash song ever. Worse even than Junkie Slip and anything on CtC. I simply despise it.

[matedog]

I'm less inclined to include things like Mag Dance as it isn't an entirely new song. Same for Radio Clash.

[Heston]

I'm less inclined to include things like Mag Dance as it isn't an entirely new song. Same for Radio Clash.

Yeah but Radio Clash is better.

[eumaas]

I always thought it was weird that CK loved Stop the World.

[Heston]

I always thought it was weird that CK loved Stop the World.

There might be a good song lurking in that echo soup but I've yet to hear it.