FEATURE:
The Digital Mixtape
PHOTO CREDIT: Sound On/Pexels
A Premature Peak: Albums Tracks That Should Have Been Closers
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GETTING the sequencing of an album…
PHOTO CREDIT: Miguel Á. Padriñán/Pexels
is an artform in itself. Many people do not consider how important it is making sure that the songs are in the right order. Maybe a subjective measure, it is clear that there are certain tracks that should be near the top of an album and those near the end. Ideally, an album should have one of its best tracks at the top. It makes sure you have a strong statement hooking listeners from the start. Also, if you can, ending with the finest song means you end on a high. If you have any weaker songs or those not as immediate or epic, then they could go near the middle. There are artists that get it wrong. Potentially classic albums that have the songs in the wrong place. A few minor tweaks could have made it much better. I have explored this subject before. I have been thinking about albums that have natural album closers that are not where they should be. In the sense that this amazing and finale-worthy song is higher up the tracklisting. This thought was compelled by me listening to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. It is an album where I think the sequencing is wrong – in spite of Rumours being a classic. The Chain is near the middle of the pack. I am always baffled why this is not the closing song. It is such a fascinating song. It should have ended Rumours. Gold Dust Woman ends Rumours. It is a fantastic song, yet The Chain seems like the perfect way to end a magnificent album. It got me thinking about other albums where the wrong closing track was selected. I have compiled a playlist featuring the songs that should have ended the album. Those finales that never were. Perhaps people will have their own views. Here are my views of the album tracks that should have…
IN THIS PHOTO: Fleetwood Mac circa 1977
BEEN the closers.