Songs that were the lead single, opening track AND best song on the album

[buzby]

Not an example from the band's best work by any means, but:

New Order - 'Regret' from 'Republic'

I love the song, but the parent album is patchy at best, probably due to being the work a band in the process of falling apart.

The four singles released from that album were the first four tracks, which I thought was a bit weird and a definite sign that the band themselves didn't have much faith in the quality of the record.

To borrow a phrase from HMHB, the track sequencing on Republic always had an air of 'Running Order Squabble Fest' about it. Given the situation in New Order at that time, I don't think most of them cared what songs would be singles (other than maybe Hook, who wanted the songs his bass appeared on, given his attitude towards Stephen Hague's production methods) and just wanted it over with as soon as possible.

Republic is a patchy record (Hague had too much input, co-writing the album, but again that was dictated by the circumstances within the band during it's recording), but I actually prefer the tracks on the latter half of the album. Spooky in particular I always thought sounded very messy and a strange choice as a single - there are at least four other tracks on the latter half of Republic (Young Offender, Chemical, Times Change, Special) that were better songs and would have made better singles (London might have had issues about Chemical though, as Sumner's lyrics on that seem to be already questioning their decision to sign with a major label). I still regard it as a better album than Waiting For The Sirens Call/Lost Sirens though, which really was the low point in New Order's career.

[buttgammon]

Little Fluffy Clouds from The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld (I'm actually not sure if it was the lead single thinking about it but it's the most well-known track off the album so fuckitpost).

[sevendaughters]

Freak Scene isn't the best off Bug imo (Let It Ride is).

only one I can come up with at this hour is 'Race for the Prize' by Flaming Lips off The Soft Bulletin.

[Video Game Fan 2000]

Bug

Yeah We Know

The Soft Bulletin.

Slow Motion

[Better Midlands]

Little Fluffy Clouds from The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld (I'm actually not sure if it was the lead single thinking about it but it's the most well-known track off the album so fuckitpost).

A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld was the lead single.

[Video Game Fan 2000]

Does "Radio Free Europe" really count? It was a re-recording of a two year old single.

I love it, mind. You can't beat the original but its so good they re-did their old hit as an arty track with distant production and harmony vocals drowning out the hook. It sounds like a student party in the next room.

[jobotic]

Yeah We Know

Bit rude

[buzby]

A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld was the lead single.

Though again like WTIL? that track existed as a standalone single, released 18 months before the album was released. Even the 1990 remix that briefly entered the Top 100 was from 10 months before the album was released. It probably was going to be part of the album that was scrapped after Cauty fell out with  Paterson and Glover in 1990 over who was going to release it (which eventually became Space).

[holyzombiejesus]

Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken - Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of This Country, and possibly French Navy from My Maudlin Career

[jobotic]

Johnny Boy - You Are The Generation that Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve"

First song on their only album. Apparently "Johnny Boy Theme" was the first single but come on, who's heard of that?

[RickOtter]

Pearl's Girl by Underworld off Second Toughest In The Infants

[purlieu]

Pearl's Girl by Underworld off Second Toughest In The Infants

Only that's track five on the album.


Suede - Trash - Coming Up is the only one I can think of other than Modern Life is Rubbish.

[buzby]

New Order - Crystal. Lead single and opening track on Get Ready (released 2 weeks before the album)

[tom_exorcisto]

If Dinosaur Jr's Freak Scene isn't allowed how about The Wagon?

Although it was rerecorded for the Green Mind album and Thumb is my personal fav song off there anyway.

[RickOtter]

Suede - Trash - Coming Up is the only one I can think of other than Modern Life is Rubbish.
[/quote]

Trash is a great shout

[RickOtter]

Only that's track five on the album.

The thin line between stupid and clever

[Chicory]

Barrel Of A Gun and also Dream On by Depeche Mode

[Mr Farenheit]

Right now I've got to tell you about the fabulous, most groovy Bellbottoms[nb]Jon Spencer Blues Explosion- Orange[/nb]

[Norton Canes]

Barrel Of A Gun and also Dream On by Depeche Mode

Yeah I ran through the DM possibilities

Barrel Of A Gun, which I've always thought of as a bit of an I Feel You re-tread, is edged out as best song by both Home and Useless. There's not much on Exciter to get heh excited about but I do love Comatose, the only track on there that's up with their best work.

The only other eligible albums are Songs of Faith and Devotion but I Feel You is aced by two or three other tracks; and Speak and Spell, which is actually the best shout, as New Life is easily at least the equal of any of the other songs.

[Norton Canes]

Oh, Erasure's Wonderland - my favourite song can vary but Who Needs Love Like That is a belter

[jobotic]

Right now I've got to tell you about the fabulous, most groovy Bellbottoms[nb]Jon Spencer Blues Explosion- Orange[/nb]

Also Afro from Extra Width

Although i'm not convinced either are the best songs on each album.

[Crabwalk]

I'm definitely seconding 'Bellbottoms'.

How about 'Making Plans for Nigel' by XTC from Drums & Wires?

[Crabwalk]

And 'Good Times' by Chic from Risqué

[Crabwalk]

Ohh, this is tricky one.

'Let's Stay Together' by Al Green from Let's Stay Together. The album does contain 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart' though...

[DrGreggles]

Sign o' the Times - Prince - Sign o' the Times

[DrGreggles]

Army Of Me - Bjork - Post

[DrGreggles]

Coming Up - Paul McCartney - McCartney II

[DJ Bob Hoskins]

A resounding YES to all three, Dr G.

As for Trash on Coming Up, Beautiful Ones just pips it as the best song on that album, surely?

[Egyptian Feast]

'Yes' by McAlmont and Butler off The Sound of McAlmont and Butler. Pisses over the rest of the album (if you can call a compilation of 2 singles and their B-sides an album)  from a great height.

[Glebe]

'Enter Sandman'.