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 The digital deluxe edition arrives October 25 and includes unreleased demos, B-sides, live versions, and bonus songs. Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 9 Aug. 2024 Galaxie 500 have announced a new album of outtakes, B-sides, rarities, and previously unreleased tracks. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 10 July 2024 Doobie Brothers Phoenix concert rocked every hit that stirs your '70s soul Best Prince songs of all time: 40 classics, from 'Purple Rain' to album tracks and B-sides Fuerza Regida announces new metro Phoenix concert. Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2024 It was previously recorded by — and is often associated with — Elvis Presley, although his 1972 version was not a major hit at the time in the U.S., having been issued as an Elvis B-side. Chris Willman, Variety, 12 June 2024 The world tour kicked off in 2023 and has encompassed 40 completely different shows, with B-sides, rarely performed songs and complete albums played throughout. Spin Staff, SPIN, 12 June 2024 Since then, Radiohead has gotten diligent about archive management, rescuing legendary B-sides and maintaining a website without releasing any new music. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2024 The song’s got to earn its place on an album, or even a B-side. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2024 The Tortured Poets Department, a new beef-sizzling new track from Drake, and a mystical Hozier B-side. Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'B-side.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of B-side was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near B-side

Cite this Entry

“B-side.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/B-side. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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