Can a Band's Best Song Ever Be Missed on Its Greatest Hits Album?
Many music enthusiasts and critics alike often wonder whether a band's best song ever could be left out of its greatest hits compilation. This question is more relevant than ever, as the evolution of music packaging and merchandising has shifted away from comprehensive albums to selected compilations.
Reasons for Missed Hits: Contractual and Rights Issues
One primary reason why a band's best song might not be included on its greatest hits album is the contractual obligations of the band or record label. When compiling a greatest hits album, it's not uncommon for bands to face limitations due to unfinished record contracts or the lack of rights to the entire catalog. Various factors come into play, such as which tracks were recorded, which labels own the rights, and whether new releases are included in the compilation.
Case Study: Bob Dylan
A classic example is Bob Dylan. While many great songs like 'Tangled Up in Blue' are often not included in his greatest hits albums, this is often a result of the record label's restrictions and the contractual agreements that bind the artist. It's a double-edged sword: on one hand, fans are given a limited selection; on the other, the band or label might be safeguarding its own interests, including financial gains and legal protections.
Unreleased Hits
Add to this the potential inclusion of unreleased songs that were intended as hits but didn't make it out of the studio. 'Positively 4th Street' by Bob Dylan is a prime example of a never-released song that could have easily made it into a compilation but didn't. This song, while a testament to Dylan's immense talent, failed to achieve mainstream success for various reasons—maybe due to its complexity or the fact that it was released in the early 1960s, before some of his more well-known hits.
Subjectivity in Defining "Best" Songs and Albums
Digging deeper, the term "best" is often subjective. What one person considers the pinnacle of a band's work might not necessarily align with another person’s taste. For instance, some might argue that 'Good Vibrations' by the Beach Boys, while an essential track for fans, should have been included in 'Pet Sounds.' However, the way albums are structured can sometimes lead to omissions that might seem perplexing.
Classic Examples: The Beatles and Pink Floyd
Take The Beatles and Pink Floyd, for instance. While 'Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band' is often considered one of the best albums of all time, it did not contain many of the band's most popular songs like 'Yesterday,' 'Come Together,' and 'Hey Jude.' On the other hand, 'Dark Side of the Moon,' which is often considered the pinnacle of Pink Floyd's work, does not include their most well-known song, 'Wish You Were Here.' In both these cases, the greatest hits compilation drill down into the essence of the band's legacy rather than play to popular demand.
Other Bands: Yes and Genesis
When it comes to Yes, their album 'Close to the Edge' is often regarded as one of their best, yet 'Gates of Delirium' stands out as one of their best singles. Conversely, in Genesis, fans might not consider 'Firth of Fifth' as their best single, while their album 'A Trick of the Tail' tops their list. Even in The Beatles, while 'A Day in the Life' is a standout, 'Abbey Road' is already considered one of their best albums.
A Famous Example: The Beach Boys and 'Pet Sounds'
The irony of the Beach Boys' greatest hits saga is perhaps best exemplified in their work. 'Pet Sounds,' widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, contains many groundbreaking tracks. However, 'Good Vibrations,' while a masterpiece of the era, was recorded during 'Pet Sounds' sessions but didn't make it onto the original release. This historic decision remains a point of debate among music historians and fans alike.
Conclusion
While the idea of a band's most beloved song being left off a greatest hits compilation can seem perplexing, it's a testament to the complexities of music packaging and the subjective nature of 'best' songs and albums. These subtle nuances in the music industry remind us that the fun of listening is often in the discovery and the interpretation, rather than in a strict definition of 'best.'