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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This week, what was potentially one of the songs of the year in 2024. An absolute, certified banger.
We’ve had ABBA, the Spice Girls, the McRib, and of course, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior – supposedly rising from the dead. Welcome to our very own musical bible, where we follow the doctrine that the second song on an album is the best – or at least the most important.
"When we put this new one (listing) together, we were all really close in choice, I thought 'it could not be THAT easy'"
Steps caught up with the effervescent Lauri from Finnish megagroup, The Rasmus, this is Lauri's take on the Song 2 theory.
Today we’re getting airborne, quite literally, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Aeroplane”, from the 1995 album One Hot Minute...
...a song that isn’t just track two, it’s bass heavy, unhinged and brilliant.
One Hot Minute was the band’s first album after guitarist John Frusciante left the group, mid-tour, mid-breakdown, mid-lots-of-things. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were coming off a career-defining high. Their 1991 album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, had sold over 13 million copies worldwide and turned them from cult funk-rockers into global stadium-fillers.
Tracks like Give It Away and Under the Bridge had become massive MTV hits, and the band was now a household name.
"It's absolutely essential (tracklisting), it's your manifesto, you have to craft it, so you don't lose people"
Welcome to Song 2, the podcast where we argue that the second track on any album is often the best, boldest, or most important, and we ask the artists themselves if they agree. Along the way, we dig into the craft of tracklisting and how sequencing can shape the entire listening experience.
This week, our guest is Gavin Rossdale — frontman of Bush, one of the UK’s biggest alt-rock exports of the ’90s. With hits like Glycerine, Machinehead, and Swallowed, Bush sold millions worldwide and carved out their place alongside grunge’s heavyweights.
Gavin joins us fresh off the release of his latest album I Beat Loneliness, a record that proves his songwriting is as sharp and urgent as ever. We’ll be talking about Bush’s legacy, the challenge of keeping albums cohesive in the streaming era, and of course, whether track two really is the sweet spot.
The opener kicks the door in. But track two? Track two defines the journey.
This is episode one of season five and if it seems like we’ve been away for ages, it’s because we have. Not, you understand, due to the relentless beatdowns we’ve had when voicing our USP but due to a lot of other things, cush as Show Tunes, new radio programme launches, and a lot there besides.
Today, we head into the sonic wilderness with none other than Iceland’s most fearless innovator: Björk. And her second track from 1995’s Post, the glacial, emotional masterpiece “Hyperballad” might just be the clearest proof of our theory yet.
Teaser Trailer
Anyway, this is to announce that Song 2 Season 5, which is really season 4.5, as we stopped unexpectedly…is on the way
Look, we are aware that this little hiatus might appear as though we ran out of steam, but the truth is, we simply got overwhelmed…like massively so…
The time, then, is right to get this big old juggernaut turned round and back on track.
We’ve Song 2 agreements, challenges and downright shutdowns coming in thick and fast, including from the likes of Bush, Air, Skunk Anansie, Kaleo, Sprints, Maricka Hackman, Slow Crush, The Murder Capital, Lacuna Coil, Heriot , Chokecherry, Warmduscher, Gia Ford, Sofi Tukker. Jeff Goldblum, Dani Filth, The Wombats, Gurriers and many more.
Is the second track on an album the best, or most important?
Be sure to check back soon
With Linkin Park back in a big way and the new record From Zero proving a hit with most but not ALL LP fans, it’s as good time to go back to the start
Hybrid Theory was a huge record, released in 2000, it was and is packed full of massive tunes, the first of which to garner any attention and / or acclaim was One Step Closer, the debut single and second track from a generation defining record.
One Step Closer still holds a special place in the hearts of fans because it was this song that introduced the band to a mainstream audience, setting the tone for their unique fusion of rock, nu-metal, and of course the electronic elements that became synonymous with their sound.
(image: RTL.fr)
Let us take you back! The year is 2004, grime experienced its first wave of success the summer previous and the wait for Dizzee’s 2nd album is finally over
With “Boy In Da Corner” Dizzee Rascal put Grime well and truly on the map, but what was to follow? Was it going to be another fad like those silly tectonic dances of the early 2000’s or was it here to stay? Dizzee is set to play den Atelier in tickets at atelier.lu
"I'm proud to say it, I love it when someone randomly hears a P.O.D song for the first time, and there's elements and they pause, and go 'THAT'S P.O.D'!"
Welcome to Song 2, the podcast where we dive into the theory that the second song on an album is often the best or most important. This week, I’m chatting with Sonny, lead vocalist of the iconic band P.O.D. We explore the "Song 2" theory, the strategic importance of tracklisting, and how the second track sets the tone for an album’s journey. Tune in for an insightful conversation with Sonny about crafting memorable albums and the magic behind the perfect song order.
This week we are taking into consideration a tune that I would wager nearly all of you have heard….
….on the radio, in ads, in your favourite TV shows, in films and in your sleep… and in your sleep. But, you might not immediately recall the artist’s name. So, if you happen to be on Who Want’s To Be A Millionaire, or any other quiz show and end up winning some moolah thanks to this and ergo us, then our cut is a meagre 7.5%... ok? Good.
It is, of course Kaleo’s Way Down We Go, taken from the hugely successful debut album A/B released in 2016 via Elektra records.
"These days, I would say no, but I do recall being told that...and in the 90s we fell in suit and put our so-called single at that position (two)"
Posdnuos, one of the legendary members of De La Soul, is our guest for this episode! Known for their innovative approach to hip-hop and their unforgettable lyrics, De La Soul has changed the game since their debut record, 3 Feet High and rising. In this episode, Posdnuos will delve into the fascinating world of tracklisting—an often underappreciated aspect of album-making. He’ll discuss how the sequence of songs can influence the listener's experience and why the second track holds particular significance in crafting an album's narrative – but he’s not sure that it is THE best by definition.
Check out my two-part interview with Pos, available on RTL Play.
Today, we’re diving into ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’—even if the title gives us a bit of a cringe!"
"SexyBack" is widely regarded as the standout track on that album for several reasons. It marked a bold evolution in Timberlake's sound, merging pop, R&B, and electronic elements in a fresh, innovative way. Produced by Timbaland, the song features a driving beat and catchy hooks, making it perfect for pre-drinks and just as lively on the dance floor as it is on a bar stool.
"I wouldn't put any song on an album unless, I wanted the audience to go WOW!"
Today, we have a rock legend in the mix: Alice Cooper! Known for his theatrical performances and groundbreaking sound, Alice has been a pivotal figure in the music world for decades. In this episode, we’ll dive into the often-overlooked topic of tracklisting. Alice will share his insights on how he carefully curates the order of songs on an album, discussing the emotional journey that each track takes listeners on. We’ll explore how the arrangement can transform an album from a collection of songs into a cohesive experience, and why each placement matters. But does he agree that the second track is the best? Let’s find out.
For this week’s episode, we’ve gone a bit META and employed AI to try and take this argument to it’s natural, or rather artificial conclusion.
And before anyone scream out about the threat of SKYNET taking over track listing, I remind you that most of the songs you get, an the order in which you get them are being pumped and parped out by the ALGORITHM, anyway. This pod has always been a subtle love letter to the albums and mixtapes of the world and the range of answers we have had over our 4 seasons…and counting, goes to show just how personal a thing it really is.
The two questions: we asked CHAT GPT on our theme were:
“Why is the second song on an album the best or most important”
And:
“Which is the most important track on an album and why?”
"Two? Two is all about what it does to your body. But for me, four and seven are absolutely crucial!"
Known for their catchy hooks and electrifying sound, Razorlight has made a significant impact on the music scene since their debut. In this episode, Johnny joins us to discuss one of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of making an album: tracklisting and tells us if he’s a Song 2 fan. So, whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about the artistry behind the music, sit back and enjoy our conversation with Johnny Borrell. (image: Rob Crawford via Facebook)
Celebrated for its unparalleled ability to get just about anyone airborne, Jump Around is as strong an argument for Song 2 as it gets.
It is a rather safe bet to say that if you’ve ever been to a sporting match, a rowdy get together or even just a social gathering where alcohol and personal interaction go hand in hand, odds on you have gone a bit salmon-like and leapt around to House of Pain’s 1990s jam ‘Jump Around’.
"Nope - I think it's very important but not THE most important. We often put a very Shed Seven sounding song as Track 2, it's kinda like a safety blanket"
Hello and welcome to the second episode from the fourth season of Song 2. Don’t tell anyone but we were also surprised that Episode 1 came out when it did, we thought we had a couple more weeks to go. We will go ahead and blame calendar formatting.
Right then, excuses out of the way, let’s get into this week’s episode and we are back nattering with Rick Witter singer and founding member of UK Britpop revivalists Shed Seven, whose 2023 album A Matter Of Time hit number one for a good for weeks and did tidy business for the band to boot.
Not bad for an act that have been written off more times than the end of The Lord Of The Things movies amirite?
Check out the interview I had with Rick available on RTL Play…. For now, though, lets see what the Shed Seven frontman has to say on the Song 2 Theory.
For this particular episode we are looking at Dua Lipa’s song ‘Houdini’ which was released as a second song on Radical Optimism.
Even though the singer also says of herself ‘I come and I go’, she adds the ‘they’ seemingly to imitate people’s rumours, or to prove she is popular for her ways. Dua Lipa picks up on the fast pace of the dating sphere, if you don’t act fast it necessarily means that you’ve missed your chance and will have to move on just as quick.
In case you were wondering where the pods were, we’ve been mad busy with LIVE Radio
Fear not, admin, broadcasting, scheduling and interviewing can only keep us away for so long. We’ve heaps of new content on the boil, including Mike Portnoy, Billy Corgan, Alice Cooper, Cola, Bdrmm and many, many more. See you soon. And remember, it’s two or nothing.
On today’s episode we will be taking a look at the tremendous band Foals and their song Mountain at my Gates off their fourth studio album What Went Down.
Having firmly established themselves as icons in the UK indie rock scene, there was a certain level of expectation on their shoulders in 2015 before releasing their album, but the band from Oxford delivered on all fronts and their second song is an absolute banger.
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