B-side

noun

ˈbē-ˌsīd 

variants or B side

plural B-sides or B sides

1

: the reverse side of a phonograph record : flip side

The B-side of the album features a 12-minute instrumental piece …

—Quinn Moreland

2

: a recorded song (such as a remix or a previous outtake) that accompanies the lead selection on a single (see single entry 2 sense 1c(2)) or EP

The highly promoted single … will be backed with two B sides: a live gospel version of "One More Try" … and an instrumental version of "Older"…

—The Boston Herald

"I Promise" is yet another reminder that the songs Radiohead leaves off its albums are often just as good as the ones that make it on. … So why has the band still not put out a compilation of B-sides and rarities?

—Zach Schonfeld

often, specifically : such a song on the flip side of a record

The song ["I Saw Her Standing There"] … was chosen as the B side for the "I Want to Hold Your Hand" single that topped the charts in America.

—Rolling Stone

Examples of B-side in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The irony is that songwriter Ezra Koenig and his buddies can’t relinquish memories, which inform, on the transportive B-side, the most somber, regretful music of their career. —Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024

The digital deluxe edition arrives October 25 and includes unreleased demos, B-sides, live versions, and bonus songs. —Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 9 Aug. 2024

Galaxie 500 have announced a new album of outtakes, B-sides, rarities, and previously unreleased tracks. —Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 10 July 2024

Doobie Brothers Phoenix concert rocked every hit that stirs your '70s soul Best Prince songs of all time: 40 classics, from 'Purple Rain' to album tracks and B-sides Fuerza Regida announces new metro Phoenix concert. —Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2024

It was previously recorded by — and is often associated with — Elvis Presley, although his 1972 version was not a major hit at the time in the U.S., having been issued as an Elvis B-side. —Chris Willman, Variety, 12 June 2024

The world tour kicked off in 2023 and has encompassed 40 completely different shows, with B-sides, rarely performed songs and complete albums played throughout. —Spin Staff, SPIN, 12 June 2024

Since then, Radiohead has gotten diligent about archive management, rescuing legendary B-sides and maintaining a website without releasing any new music. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2024

The song’s got to earn its place on an album, or even a B-side. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1