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
Quinn Moreland2
: 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
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
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
Rolling Stone Examples of B-side in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This week, Gunna drops his final release with YSL records, Lucy Dacus unearths intimate Forever Is a Feeling B-sides, and Ethel Cain delivers a quietly haunting LP.
—Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2025
This 40th anniversary 2-CD edition of Listen Like Thieves also features a brand new 2025 remix of the album, plus several B-sides, remixes and live recordings from that period.
—David Chiu, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
And, earlier this year, Real Estate put out The Wee Small Hours, a collection of rarities, B-sides, and previously unreleased songs.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 July 2025
The single was divided into two parts, the A-side fueled by one of Peter Green’s most memorable riffs, the B-side exploring his interest in Spanish classic guitar and Spaghetti Western soundtracks.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
The collection will also wind in the band’s 1998 B-sides compilation, The Masterplan.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 July 2025
The aspect of the show that consisted of delighting day-one-ers with B-sides or world premieres could be considered not much more than an effective fan-service stunt.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 July 2025
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Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2025
This 40th anniversary 2-CD edition of Listen Like Thieves also features a brand new 2025 remix of the album, plus several B-sides, remixes and live recordings from that period.
—David Chiu, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
And, earlier this year, Real Estate put out The Wee Small Hours, a collection of rarities, B-sides, and previously unreleased songs.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 July 2025
The single was divided into two parts, the A-side fueled by one of Peter Green’s most memorable riffs, the B-side exploring his interest in Spanish classic guitar and Spaghetti Western soundtracks.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
The collection will also wind in the band’s 1998 B-sides compilation, The Masterplan.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 July 2025
The aspect of the show that consisted of delighting day-one-ers with B-sides or world premieres could be considered not much more than an effective fan-service stunt.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“B-side.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/B-side. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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