Born in the USA and other B Side Hits

When you hear someone say the ‘B’ side of a song, it refers to the single that was sent to the radio stations for airplay – having an ‘A’ side and a ‘B’ side. The executives decided the ‘A’ side was the hit, yet the label needed to press another song on the other side to complete the vinyl. Not all ‘A’ sides were the hits. In fact, many of the ‘B’ sides were the game changers.

“Born in the USA,” is perhaps Bruce Springsteen’s biggest radio hit, but the ‘A’ side or intended hit was actually a tune called “Shut Out the Night.” The singer won out as “Born in the USA” was a huge song in concerts, so the label realized they had made a mistake and pushed “Born in the USA” as the ‘A’ side instead.

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles released a song that the label was sure would go to the top of the charts called “Who’s Loving You.” The problem is that the radio programmers liked the ‘B’ side better – you know it as the smash “Shop Around.”

Staying in the Motor City, the Four Tops were supposed to have a big hit with the song, “Sad Souvenirs.” The problem is that everyone loved the ‘B’ side better. You know it as the Four Tops classic “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch.)”

“Green Onions” by Booker T and the MGs put the band on the map. Oddly the ‘A’ side would have sent them to the cellar. The ‘A’ side was called “Behave Yourself.”

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