Some Songs dot net: An Elliott Smith Resource
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B-Sides List
Artwork
Move It Along
What Are B Sides?
For the purposes of this list, B Sides are exactly that, songs that appeared on side B of the 7" vinyl singles. Every other non-album track is listed under 'non album tracks.' Note that some songs that are B Sides are also album tracks (Alphabet Town from S/T appears on the Needle in the Hay 7"). In cases like that, the song has been left off this list for purposes of brevity. Similarly, in the list of 'found on' locations, less common compilations have been left off the list, also for brevity. Also note some A sides appear as B sides on later releases (Division Day for example). In cases like that, the song is only on the 'non-album tracks' list. You can see all releases containing these tracks by clicking on the track name. 'Radio edit' tracks have been left off this list. Also note that there are several versions of XO and Figure 8 singles. You should verify catalog numbers and tracklists before you make a purchase.
Elliott Smith B Sides
Song Found On Notes
No Confidence Man Pete Krebs / Elliott Smith split 7" Shytown, the A side to this record was written by Pete Krebs. Elliott does play on the recording.
Some Song Needle in the Hay 7"
Ballad of Big Nothing 7"
This is the most frequently found non-album track. This song is found in two versions. One version is the original, recorded on a 4 track and can be distinguished from the re-recorded Some Song by its lack of background instrumentation and its vocal tracking error in the line "So you scratch your skin / your sand paper throat." It is very dificult to distinguish the two tracks by name on track lists as they are called different things on different releases. A good indication tends to be release date and label. If it's on a Dreamcast release, it's the re-recorded version. If it was released in 1997 or before, it's probably the original version.
No Name #6 Division Day 7"/CD The 7" was released first around the time Either-Or was released and then saw a rerelease on a CD single in 2000.
I Don't Think I'm Ever Gonna Figure It Out Speed Trials 7" One of the more saught after B sides. The Speed Trials 7" has fluctuated in and out of print. It seems every few years another printing is done. Recently it was released on iTunes.
Our Thing Waltz #2 UK 7" Our Thing is one of three comercially released instrumental tracks. It made its debut on the Drinking From Puddles radio show.
Waltz #1 (demo) Baby Britain UK 7"
Son of Sam (acoustic) Happiness 7"
A Living Will Son of Sam 7"
A Distorted Reality is Now a Necessity to be Free (alternate) Pretty (Ugly Before) 7" This version is quite different from the album version. It has different lyrics, and greatly different instrumentation.
Elliott Smith Non-Album Tracks
Song Found On Notes
Big Decision A Slice of Lemon (compilation)
Division Day Division Day 7"/CD
A Brief History (promo)
Ballad of Big Nothing (CD Single)
Some Song To All the URLs I've Loved Before (compilation)
Some Songs (compilation)
A Brief History (promo)
Ballad of Big Nothing (CD Single)
Baby Britain (CD single)
B-Sides, Alternate Versions, and Demos
See notes in B Side list.
Miss Misery Good Will Hunting (soundtrack)
A Brief History (promo)
See You Later (demo) Air Check Cassette (compilation) Elliott's songs on the last Heatmiser album, Mic City Sons were originally planned to be on a solo record. This acoustic demo is assumed to be one of the tracks from that lost album.
Waltz #1 (demo) Baby Britain (CD single)
B-Sides, Alternate Versions, and Demos
The Enemy is You Baby Britain (CD single)
Either/Or (Japanese pressing only)
B-Sides, Alternate Versions, and Demos
Bottle Up and Explode (demo) Baby Britain (CD single)
B-Sides, Alternate Versions, and Demos (CD promo)
The Amos House Collection, Volume II (compilation)
Rose Parade (live) YoYo a Go Go: Another Live Compilation (compilation) Recorded live 7/15/97
Our Thing Waltz #2 UK (CD single)
How to Take a Fall Waltz #2 UK (CD single)
Because American Beauty (soundtrack) This is a cover of a Beatles song from Abbey Road.
Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands (live) Drinking From Puddles: A Radio History (compilation) This is a track from a radio show performance and features early lyrics.
I Can't Answer You Anymore 3 Titres Inedits (CD promo)
Pretty Mary K (alternate version) 3 Titres Inedits (CD promo)
Happiness (acoustic) 3 Titres Inedits (CD promo) Happiness was originally recorded for XO. It is unknown if this is a demo from the XO sessions or the Figure 8 sessions.
Son of Sam (acoustic) Son of Sam (promo single)
Happiness (CD single)
A Living Will Son of Sam (CD single)
Figure 8 Son of Sam (CD single)
Figure 8 (Japanese pressing only)
This is a cover of a song from School House Rock.
Angel in the Snow Yeti: Volume I (compilation) This track is an outtake from S/T, and only saw the light of day on this compilation cd included with a zine.
Trouble Thumbsucker (Soundtrack) This is a cover of a Cat Stevens song. The entire soundtrack was planned to be covers by Elliott, but he died before finishing any of the other covers.
Thirteen Thumbsucker (Soundtrack) A Big Star cover taken from the Lucky Three video.