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

Dishwashing, the B-side to Thanksgiving cooking, can be as satisfying as preparing the feast. —Genevieve Ko, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023

Think of this collection as the definitive box set of a seminal rock band where all of the albums, singles, B-sides, and import EPs have been remastered and repackaged for digital consumption. —Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023

There is currently no information as to whether the three titles are new songs, B-sides from This Is Why or perhaps a deluxe version of the album, as fans are speculating in the comments. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1