Claim OwnershipSong 2
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In this podcast, Stephen Steps Lowe takes a classic album and argues that the LP's SONG 2 is the most important one.
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On this episode of Song 2, we’re making the case for why track two might be the most important slot on any album, and today’s example is Aretha Franklin an
The song appears on her 1968 album Aretha Now, released during the peak of her legendary Atlantic Records run, when everything she recorded felt deliberate and powerful. Interestingly, the song didn’t start with Aretha, it was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and first recorded by Dionne Warwick a year earlier.
The writers were inspired by the anxiety of the Vietnam War era, particularly the fear of loved ones being sent overseas, which adds surprising emotional depth to what sounds like such an upbeat pop classic.
“I don’t wake up trying to write the big song. I wake up trying to make a great album.”
Welcome back to Song 2, the podcast still fighting the good fight for track number two.
Five seasons in, we’ve converted a few believers, and this week might add another. With We Will Always Be The Way We Were on the horizon, Jack Savoretti joins the debate and, as it turns out, he doesn’t just agree with the theory… he’s been quietly living by it for years.
“It’s not my favourite song on the record… but it’s the point where you realise it’s not going to be another acoustic singer-songwriter album.”
Welcome back to Song 2, the podcast where we keep pushing the idea that track two might just be the album’s quiet MVP.
This time, it’s Heather Woods Broderick stepping into the debate, reflecting on how the second song on her record Labyrinth shifts expectations and resets the listener’s compass.
It’s less about being the “best”, and more about being the moment you realise what kind of journey you’re actually on.
“The second song is kind of like another opening track… if the first one doesn’t work, then the second one has to.”
Welcome back to Song 2, the podcast that continues to argue (no convince) that the second track on an album might just be the most important one.
This episode features a conversation Sarah Tapp had with Sprints (a little time back now) but timely, as it lands ahead of their show at Den Atelier, one of Luxembourg’s premier live venues.
The band were promoting their album All That Is Over, and what followed was a refreshingly honest look at the chaos, compromise and near-existential spirals that come with finalising a tracklist.
From vinyl-side constraints to anxiety-inducing sequencing, Sprints pull back the curtain on how albums are actually ordered, and whether track two really carries that much weight.
(image: David Wallis)
Nobody Knows might not be the biggest song on Hugo, but it’s the one that grounds the album and tells you exactly what kind of record you’re listening to
Welcome back to Song 2, the podcast that keeps flying the flag for track number two.
This week we rewind to 2022 and dive into Hugo, the Mercury-nominated album from British rapper and poet Loyle Carner.
Sitting second on the record is Nobody Knows, a track that doesn’t shout the loudest, but quietly defines everything that follows.
“If you listen to it as one piece, it’s almost like one song anyway… it’s about taking the listener on a journey.”
Welcome back to Song 2, the podcast where we try, sometimes stubbornly, mostly enthusiastically, to convince you that the second track on an album is either the best or the most important. Sometimes we win the argument. Often we don’t.
This time, we put the theory to Harry from Maruja, in a slightly chaotic pre-Christmas chat recorded from a car park in Germany with questionable Wi-Fi and strong opinions on tracklisting.
(image: Sony Music)
Harry doesn’t fully buy into the “second song supremacy” idea but what he does offer is something arguably more interesting: a defence of albums as cohesive journeys in a streaming world that increasingly fragments them.
"I truly believe that an album is a journey that needs to flow from first song to the last"
Bad Omen’s are having a bit of a renaissance at present with new music being drip fed and a new album touted for release in 2026, we caught up with Jolly from the band some time back – the full interview is available on RTL Play, on demand so get onto that after finishing up here. Jolly has some fantastic points on Song 2, unfortunately none of them support the theory… at all, but Jolly’s take on track-listing is a terrific listen. So go ahead and check it out. Joll of Bad Omen’s on the Song 2 theory….
Now, The Dark Side of the Moon really doesn’t need an introduction but let’s give it one anyway...
Released in 1973, it was the band’s eighth studio album and the one that took them from underground cult favourites to global superstardom.
Before that, Pink Floyd had spent the late 60s experimenting with long psychedelic jams and, yeah a fair bit of chemical inspiration which earned them a loyal following but not exactly mass appeal.
This week we are looking at Scottish musician Paolo Nutini, and his mega-smash Last Request.
Now, Paolo Nutini released his debut album These Streets in 2006, an instant hit which shot up the UK Albums chart, only to be topped by his next album Sunny side up which went straight to number one.
The song Last Request was the second tune on his debut and became a fan favourite immediately, receiving tons of global acclaim.
It’s a sweet song inspired by his relationship with his then girlfriend Teri Brogan, which became one of the defining songs of his career.
"I always give an album 3 songs. If you're not into an album by track 3, then your switching off"
Another one that we've had on the back burners for a little while. Skin is a fascinating character - check out the full interview (on demand) via RTL Play. Since this interview was recorded, SA have been in Luxembourg a couple of times and the band show no signs of slowing down. Skin is categorically NOT a Song 2 believer. But does take the view that artist front load their records with the best stuff.
"The first song is why people bought the record, song two is why they KEPT listening"
Kodaline were, for a while MASSIVE, that they decided to call it quits makes a large statement about the music business. Recorded a long while back when Kodaline last visited the GD. Sam Steen's full interview with Jay is available on demand via RTL Play.
What begins as a personal meditation quickly turns into something larger - gospel backing vocals and a communal spirit.
track, one that not only drew listeners in but also earned the band a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.
"It depends on the album, but I'd say the 1st song is most important, for the 2nd one, you need to back it up. For Hickey, it was more about the first"
Check out the full interview with Otis on The Lunchbox AND on-demand via RTL Play. Here though Otis tells us about the band's track listing and whether or not he agrees with our rather muddled theory....
What a tune this is....
For many of us, the song I’m still standing is up there as one of the best songs of all time, with the best music video too. I mean the video is over 40 years old and I can still picture the beach, the sunglasses and hats, all of it.
But if you’re having trouble remembering, we’ll go back to the start.
"Generally the most important songs are the ones on the first half - with streaming you can skip songs easily, so there's no need to consider placement"
Welcome back to Song 2, the podcast where we make a bold claim and back it up track by track: that the second song on any album isn’t just filler… it’s the statement. The moment where a band plants the flag and says, “Here’s who we really are.”
This week, we’re going dark, dramatic, and gloriously heavy, because joining us is Cristina Scabbia, the powerhouse voice of Lacuna Coil.
We’ll talk riffs, sequencing, and why that all-important second track often holds the emotional key to an entire record. Lacuna Coli are playing Rockhal in a couple of weeks, and we’ve a full length interview on Today Radio and via RTL Play.
So, plug in, turn it up, and prepare to rethink your playlist, because on Song 2, the follow-up track is always the one that hits hardest.
(image: CUNENE Official Press)
Go ahead and get the pronunciation right on first go... I dare you.
Today, we’re jumping back to 1972 Italy, to an artist who somehow managed to predict mumble rap, YouTube virality, and the power of rhythm over meaning, all in one glorious nonsense track.
That artist is Adriano Celentano, and the song is the magnificent, the bizarre, the utterly infectious “Prisen colinens inain ciusol”, track two on his album Nostalrock.
"With algorithms, people might not get to your best songs. I think albums are great - and our fans seemed to love them too. Listen to all of it"
Tim Burgess of The Charlatans had already provided a great conversation for our full interview on RTL Play. Tim gained huge praised for his 'Listening Party' show. So I was not sure where this was going to go. Tim's writing a book called Closer - all about the final track, so it was not looking good for Song 2. Track 7 crops up again but we've got Tim onboard. And I'll put that on a t-short than you very much.
“It’s crucial that you draw people in when you’re making records. Putting a track listing together can be very complex”
Joining us this time is legendary troubadour Billy Bragg. For over four decades, Billy has blended sharp political insight with heartfelt storytelling, from early anthems like Between the Wars to recent records that prove his voice is as vital as ever.
Few artists understand the power of a perfectly sequenced album like Billy, and his catalogue is full of second tracks that land like mission statements, passionate, pointed, and unforgettable.
There’s a great Joshua Tree Anecdote too.
"If I'm good through Song 2, then I'm probably going to listen to the whole thing (album)"
There is a FULL interview with Brandon on LOUDER and NEW Noised (plus it's on-demand) via RTL Play. Atreyu will tear the Rockhal a new one in their upcoming show......
“I don’t think you can make rules like that (Song 2) about music. No track is more important than the other”
Shortly after the release of latest LP ‘Futique’ James of Biffy Clyro gives us his thoughts on the merits of Song 2. As Ben has already done this, we just need Simon to get the memo and we can complete the set. Full interview on the way.
(Image: Nostromo Management)
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