MORE Of The ACTUAL Best Songs On Iconic Albums

A few years ago I made a post that asked the question – are the general public wrong about the so-called “best” songs from iconic albums?

I’m back at it again with fifteen more unpopular opinions! Same rules as before – I’m guessing what people consider are the “best” songs on an album based on word of mouth and Spotify streams (and I’m basing my opinion on my personal, biased thoughts).

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts:

Songs For The Big Choir (Tears For Fears)

NOT: Everybody Wants To Rule The World

With this first and arguably most controversial pick, it’s important I lay out some ground rules – just because I say a song “isn’t the best”, that doesn’t mean it’s outright “bad”.

“Everybody Wants To Rule The World” is a certifiable classic, nobody is denying that, and it’s quite frankly miraculous that a better song exists on the same album.

YES: Shout

Why do I like “Shout” more than “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”? Simple – I connect with it more.

The production sounds better, for starters, and it feels like a song sung straight from the heart.

Parachutes (Coldplay)

NOT: Yellow

“Looook at the staaars, see how they shiiine fooooor yooooooouuuu“.

I’ve just about had enough of “Yellow”. It’s not a bad song at all, and the chorus always hits, but I’d rather listen to most other Coldplay songs instead.

YES: Trouble

“Trouble” is exactly what “Yellow” wishes it could be.

Heartfelt lyrics, intelligent songwriting, and a rousing chorus that could force anyone to sing along.

The Joshua Tree (U2)

NOT: With Or Without You

There’s a trio of excellent songs to start off U2’s “The Joshua Tree”, and I’d struggle to pick an absolute favourite from them. Which is why it’s so weird that the public have collectively decided “With Or Without You” to be the best of the bunch.

It has a great chorus, but the overall package is a bit too soppy for it to be a personal favourite.

YES: Where The Streets Have No Name

If I was forced to pick a favourite, I’d go for the album opener “Where The Streets Have No Name”.

The rampant energy throughout is really infectious, and Edge’s guitar playing and Bono’s vocals are at an all-time high.

To Pimp A Butterfly (Kendrick Lamar)

NOT: Alright

Many regard “To Pimp A Butterfly” as one of – if not THE – greatest rap albums of all time. It has so many amazing tracks, like “The Blacker The Berry” and “King Kunta”, but one song took the public by storm.

“Alright” became the anthem for a generation, and as such it’s the most famous song from the album. But, as the point of this list may give away, it’s not the best track on the record.

YES: Wesley’s Theory

Yet again I’ve gone for an opening track, and I haven’t heard many better opening tracks than “Wesley’s Theory”.

The dense production and Thundercat’s funky bassline pop off, and every thirty seconds there’s a new highlight.

Songs In The Key Of Life (Stevie Wonder)

NOT: Sir Duke

I’m being a bit cheeky with this entry – “Songs In The Key Of Life” is a hugely beloved album, and there are two songs which many agree are the stand-outs.

It’s close, but I think the public prefers “Sir Duke” over the other. It’s an amazing track with one of the best band runs you’ll ever hear, but I enjoy the other one a tad more.

YES: I Wish

A more personal story, a thunderous bassline, a tighter groove … yeah, “I Wish” is the better of the two tracks.

It also has the better, catchier chorus, so it’s an all-round improvement.

“Awaken, My Love!” (Childish Gambino)

NOT: Redbone

I can plead ignorance on this one – for a time “Redbone” was my favourite Childish Gambino song because it was the only song of his I’d heard.

It shot to fame in 2017, and I’ve loved its production and eerie vibe ever since. But now that I’m an older, more mature man, I realise that another song from the same album is superior.

YES: Me And Your Mama

The opener from “Awaken, My Love!” isn’t underrated by any means, but I still think “Me And Your Mama” gets unfairly dwarfed by “Redbone’s” mass appeal.

I love the two minute build-up that leads to some of the most incredible vocals and songwriting of the decade, and the synths on the final few minutes cap the whole thing off in the best way possible.

Aladdin Sane (David Bowie)

NOT: The Jean Genie

If I ever make a list talking about music and I don’t mention David Bowie, you know the list was penned by an imposter.

“Aladdin Sane” is one of Bowie’s most famous albums (not necessarily a personal favourite, but iconic nonetheless), and “The Jean Genie” is the most recognisable song from the tracklist.

But it’s a little bit overrated, if I’m being honest with myself. There are a few other songs on the album I prefer, but one stands out as being an all-timer.

YES: Lady Grinning Soul

One of Bowie’s best closers, and one of my favourites songs of his in general.

“Lady Grinning Soul” is so seductive yet creepy, appealing yet haunting, and the vocal performance is sublime.

Doolittle (Pixies)

NOT: Here Comes Your Man

It’s quite hard to pick what the “fan-favourite” song is on the Pixies’ “Doolittle”, as quite a few of the tracks are underrated in their own right.

“Here Comes Your Man” seems to be the front-runner – a lovely ditty that would either be my second or third favourite from the album.

YES: Monkey Gone To Heaven

I almost gave the nod to the opener “Debaser” for how hard-hitting it is, but in the end I chose “Monkey Gone To Heaven”.

Those choruses get stuck in your brain, and the “If man is five then the devil is six then GOOOOD IS SEVEN” refrain is my highlight from the album.

Fear Of Music (Talking Heads)

NOT: Heaven

None of the songs from “Fear Of Music” are particularly famous, but there are so many great Talking Heads songs peppered throughout.

The public would probably veer towards “Heaven” as their favourite – a heart-warming yet unsettling ballad about the banality of the afterlife. On some days it’s also my favourite, but for now it has to settle for a top three finish.

YES: Life During Wartime

The closer “Drugs” almost clinched this spot, but in the end I went for the furious “Life During Wartime”.

It’s filled to the brim with energy and fervour, and David Byrne’s erratic vocal delivery makes every verse and chorus stand out.

Lateralus (TOOL)

NOT: Schism

You can never go wrong with a bit of TOOL, and “Schism” might be their most famous song across any of their albums.

The slick bassline by Justin Chancellor is what makes it, but the rest of the production is really solid too.

YES: Parabola

The one-two combo of “Parabol” and “Parabola” is absolutely euphoric.

“Parabola” in particular is one of the greatest Rock / Metal songs I’ve ever heard, with some gnarly riffs and lyrics that cut to my soul.

Document (R.E.M.)

NOT: It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Hot take time – I’ve always found “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It” to be slightly overrated.

It’s in the same boat as another R.E.M. song “Shiny Happy People” in that it’s too Pop for my tastes.

YES: The One I Love

“The One I Love”, on the other hand, is a classic R.E.M. tune.

Its chorus is far more memorable, and the vocals are absolutely killer.

Brothers In Arms (Dire Straits)

NOT: Money For Nothing

“Brothers In Arms” is one of my favourite albums from the 80’s, and its opening track “Money For Nothing” is a helluva crowd-pleaser.

That riff is an earworm and a half, and Sting’s background vocals are one of music’s great cameo appearances. That being said, the overall track is a bit too long.

YES: Brothers In Arms

The closer and title track, however, uses its length to maximum effect.

It’s a sweeping, emotional epic with some of Mark Knopfler’s greatest guitar work and lyrics.

So (Peter Gabriel)

NOT: Sledgehammer

Peter Gabriel’s biggest hit, and rightly so.

“Sledgehammer” is direct, incredibly produced and mixed, and Tony Levin’s funky bassline always makes me want to pick up my own bass guitar and jam along.

YES: In Your Eyes

Despite my praise for “Sledgehammer”, “In Your Eyes” is in a different league.

It’s so heartfelt and moving, and Gabriel’s vocals always give me goosebumps.

IGOR (Tyler, the Creator)

NOT: EARFQUAKE

“EARFQUAKE” is by far the most streamed song from Tyler, the Creator’s “IGOR”, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why.

The sub-bass is cool, I suppose, but the pitched-up vocals and simple melody can get really annoying.

YES: GONE, GONE / THANK YOU

“GONE, GONE / THANK YOU” is the best song from “IGOR” and it’s not even close.

The pitched-up vocals work to great effect this time, and all three sections of the song – “My love’s gone”, the rapping part and “Thank you for the love” – all contrast yet compliment each other.

The Bends (Radiohead)

NOT: Fake Plastic Trees / High And Dry / Just etc.

I’ll end this list with a big one – “The Bends” was Radiohead’s first great album, and as a result it’s packed with bangers.

“Fake Plastic Trees”, “High And Dry”, “Just”, “My Iron Lung” and so on could ALL be considered the “fan-favourite” from the album, but I’ve always leant a different way.

YES: Street Spirit (Fade Out)

Not only is “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” superior to the other aforementioned songs, I’m struggling to thing of a stronger Radiohead album closer.

It’s utterly gorgeous from start to finish, and the vocal melodies and harmonies always take me to my happy place.

Aaaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: