Best Album-Closing Tracks in Rock history?

[cthomer5000]

We've been kicking this around my office the last few days, discussing the best closing tracks in Rock history....and what makes a great closing track, etc.

I thought I'd throw it out here since it's been a pretty subjective but fun discussion.

Some of my faves:

Beatles - "A Day In The Life" (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)
Weezer - "Only In Dreams" (Weezer [Blue Album])
Led Zeppelin - "Bring It On Home" (II)
The Clash - "Train In Vain" (London Calling)

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

We've been kicking this around my office the last few days, discussing the best closing tracks in Rock history....and what makes a great closing track, etc.

I thought I'd throw it out here since it's been a pretty subjective but fun discussion.

Some of my faves:

Beatles - "A Day In The Life" (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)
Weezer - "Only In Dreams" (Weezer [Blue Album])
Led Zeppelin - "Bring It On Home" (II)
The Clash - "Train In Vain" (London Calling)

Course, I'm partial to Natural Science by Rush (Permanent Waves)
The End on Abbey Road (since I agree that Her Majesty shouldn't be included in the medley).

[Sun Tzu]

Tool - "Third Eye" (Aenima)
Metallica - "Damage Inc." (Master of Puppets)
Queensryche - "Anybody Listening?" (Empire)

[cthomer5000]

I think 'Her Majesty' is actually a great ending... i basically consider the whole suite of songs the end of the album, which is the only reason I didn't list it. As a whole I consider it the best overall end to any album ever, even better since it ended their career.

[Kodos]

That drummy unnamed filler track at the end of Def Leppard's Pyromania.

[Passacaglia]

Blondie's Attack of the Giant Ants has the highest rating of any final track in my itunes, although my ratings are still a work in progress.

[BrianD]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Beatles - "A Day In The Life" (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)

I don't know why, but "A Day In The Life" might be my favorite Beatles track. One other thought:

"We're Not Gonna Take It" / "See Me, Feel Me" - The Who (Tommy)

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by BrianD

I don't know why, but "A Day In The Life" might be my favorite Beatles track. One other thought:

"We're Not Gonna Take It" / "See Me, Feel Me" - The Who (Tommy)

+1!

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Blondie's Attack of the Giant Ants has the highest rating of any final track in my itunes, although my ratings are still a work in progress.

Quick question, is there some simple way i'm missing to use a smart playlist to put all final tracks together?

I couldn't think of one because obviously the number of the tracks varies... and to my knowledge you can't do something like track = "last"

[Lathum]

dyers eve- metallica- and justice for all

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

The End by the Doors? Not a terribly listenable song, perhaps, but a striking final song. I'd put Revolution #9 in the same category.

only if you want it to seem like the album is never gonna end...

[Oilers9911]

I am quite partial to Somewhere in Time/Believe from Savatage's album, Streets: A Rock Opera.

The End from The Doors self titled debut album.

Desolation Row from Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Quick question, is there some simple way i'm missing to use a smart playlist to put all final tracks together?

I couldn't think of one because obviously the number of the tracks varies... and to my knowledge you can't do something like track = "last"

I can't think of any either. I used Access to get a list, subtracting track count - track number. But I don't see a way to do it with smart playlists, either.

[Lathum]

Spicy McHaggis Jig- Dropkick Murphys- sing loud sing proud
Kiss me I'm Shitfaced-Dropkick Murphys- Blackout

[Butter]

"Videotape" from Radiohead's In Rainbows. Just a stunning track.

[Fidatelo]

A Day In The Life from the Beatles is the one that immediately came to mind, but since that's been mentioned I'll see if I can review my albums and come up with some other decent choices.

[Anthony]

i second Only In Dreams and will add in Sir Psycho Sexy off of BloodSugarSexMagik (RHCP). it was one of their most epic songs at that point, and the ending hinted that there was more under the hood than just frat cocks in socks music. a perfect way to end what was a huge album in 1991 and what is one of the most important albums in rock.

[Anthony]

i'm feeling supersonic
give me gin and tonic
you can have it all
but how much do you want it?

[dawgfan]

Some classics that come to mind:

the closing medley on Abbey Road;
"The Ends", Doors
"When the Levee Breaks", Led Zeppelin
"The Wheel", Jerry Garcia
"Shine On You Crazy Diamond 6-9", Pink Floyd

Some others:

"The River", Doves
"Love Spreads", Stone Roses
"Fools Gold", Stone Roses

[panerd]

I like Shine on You Crazy Diamond and Pigs on the Wing starting and ending Pink Floyd's albums.

But I will go with Brian Damage and Eclipse as my favorite ending to any album.

[bob]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Sir Psycho Sexy off of BloodSugarSexMagik (RHCP).

That's not the last song - "They're Red Hot" is.

[Fidatelo]

As I listen through my albums, Green Day was one track off of having the all time most-played last track ever (Good Riddance was the second last track on Nimrod).

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by bob

That's not the last song - "They're Red Hot" is.

I don't think Revolution 9 is the final track on anything, either.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by bob

That's not the last song - "They're Red Hot" is.

that's not really an official close to the album. they always had these short throwaway songs on every album (One Hot Minute was the last album to have one), i can run down the list for you if you like. They're Red Hot just happens to be the last track, but its not the last official song.

just like if you listen to a hip hop album and the last track is like a track of people talking, that doesn't mean its the last song on the album.

in fact, i'll give you a list of the throwaway little ditties on every RHCP off the top of my head (and in chronological order):

Red Hot Chili Peppers (self titled): You Always Sing The Same
Freakey Styley: Thirty Dirty Birds
Uplift Mofo Party Plan: Skinny Sweaty Man
Mother's Milk: Punk Rock Classic
BSSM: They're Red Hot
One Hot Minute: Pea

you can make the case that Right On Time is one of the throwaway songs, since its under 2 minutes, but its a complete song and there's nothing difference about it other than its a short song. Pea is really the last one of those short little ditties of theirs.

[Draft Dodger]

Prince - Purple Rain (Purple Rain)
SRV - Riviera Paradise (In Step)
Asleep in the Desert - ZZ Top
PE - Fight the Power (Fear of a Black Planet)
Jane's Addiction - Pigs in Zen (Nothing's Shocking)
GNR - Rocket Queen (Appetite for Destruction)
Def Leppard - No No No (High N Dry)
ACDC - Whole Lotta Rosie (Let There Be Rock)
(AC DC could have won this hand's down, but they put Ride On as the 2nd to last track on both versions of Dirty Deeds - it would be a perfect final track)

[Draft Dodger]

oh, also
Tesla - Before My Eyes (Mechanical Resonance)

[Draft Dodger]

and, really, we've had 2 Metallica entries already and neither was Call of the Ktulu or Wiplash?

[Hurst2112]

that's not really an official close to the album. they always had these short throwaway songs on every album (One Hot Minute was the last album to have one)

except One Hot Minute. That whole album was filled with throwaways. hah.

[Hurst2112]

Prince - Purple Rain (Purple Rain)

Forgot about that. Quite epic for a final song. Possibly most epic ending song in regards to drama and production.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

except One Hot Minute. That whole album was filled with throwaways. hah.

LOL, i consider you awesome. i don't acknowledge One Hot Minute as a RHCP album, much like how Bill Simmons pretends Rocky V never happened.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

GNR - Rocket Queen (Appetite for Destruction)

yes, this too.

[Anthony]

case in point, "My Second Album" is technically the last song on STP's "Purple" album. it's a hidden track, but it's just a silly throwaway song. no one would consider it the proper ending to the album. its goofy. as is They're Red Hot, which isn't even a song the Chili Peppers wrote.

[Hurst2112]

I will say though, I think Warped is a really great song. A song that if somebody else did as well, it would make said band somewhat famous.

Aeroplane is probably the best RHCP song on that album. At least an attempt to bridge the obvious gap in era styles. Navarro isn't as Navarro on that song and you could say that John could fit into the guitar role for that tune.

[wade moore]

Greenday - "All By Myself" - Dookie

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Anthony

case in point, "My Second Album" is technically the last song on STP's "Purple" album. it's a hidden track, but it's just a silly throwaway song. no one would consider it the proper ending to the album. its goofy. as is They're Red Hot, which isn't even a song the Chili Peppers wrote.

I saw an interview with the dude who performed My Second Album. He was a big, bald guy who had hundreds of lounge style songs. He appeared to be slightly autistic or something. It was years ago so my memory of the interview isn't that clear. Rich Peterson or something.

[Karlifornia]

Pink Floyd-Brain Damage/Eclipse
Modest Mouse-The Good Times Are Killing Me
Cursive-The Night I Lost The Will To Fight
Sunny Day Real Estate-The Days Were Golden


Hey Anthony..if you're gonna take an RHCP as an album closer, I think Road Trippin' is the one to pick.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

I saw an interview with the dude who performed My Second Album. He was a big, bald guy who had hundreds of lounge style songs. He appeared to be slightly autistic or something. It was years ago so my memory of the interview isn't that clear. Rich Peterson or something.

the cool thing about all that is that on the cd packaging (i think the back of the cd) is a cake with 12 candles and on the cake, in icing, is "12 precious melodies".

the only words i remember on that song is:

"The second album
12 precious melodieeeees
to. be. sung.
including this number..."

now i got the song stuck in my head.

[Hurst2112]

how could I forget Dark Side of the Moon. Dang. That gives Purple Rain a run for its epic-sounding money.

[cthomer5000]

To me, you pay the price for dumb-ass hidden tracks by being removed from consideration.

It is probably the best thing about the digital age - death of the hidden track.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Pink Floyd-Brain Damage/Eclipse
Modest Mouse-The Good Times Are Killing Me
Cursive-The Night I Lost The Will To Fight
Sunny Day Real Estate-The Days Were Golden


Hey Anthony..if you're gonna take an RHCP as an album closer, I think Road Trippin' is the one to pick.

great pick. Sir Psycho Sexy is just a more epic song, and a more musically important album. starts off in a traditional funky Peppers-eqsue way, has a really beautiful bridge, goes back to the funk and last verse goes "ooooo, and it's nice down here, i think i'll stay for a while" and boom, takes you the outro that fades into a sound of girls singing and cars whizzing by. a new era begins right after that track is played. welcome, 1990's.

[Hurst2112]

working in music recording business, I've experienced how hard it is to put an album sequence together. Think of all the lame songs that finish an album. Rush has quite a few from 90s to now. Most bands put their filler towards the end. Concept albums (The Who/Pink Floyd Beatles) have a better shot at having some amazing at the end. For the most part, bands don't really have 9-12 killer songs so they will throw their slo-jam or avant garde piece towards the ass end.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

To me, you pay the price for dumb-ass hidden tracks by being removed from consideration.

It is probably the best thing about the digital age - death of the hidden track.

hidden tracks have lost their shock value. Last band I did a full length for wanted one. I told them it was lame but we put it on anyway.

I'm not into secret meanings behind space between last song and secret song. Or, I won't make 40 fricken index points so the cd shows 52 tracks. That's bunk.

I told band to include dead space on advertised last song. after that runs through, the 'secret' song starts as the 14th track. CD shows 14 tracks, CD art shows 13. (also told them to make their debut album 9-10 songs but they didn't agree. That's a whole nuther story...haha).

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

To me, you pay the price for dumb-ass hidden tracks by being removed from consideration.

It is probably the best thing about the digital age - death of the hidden track.

to me, the hidden track was the bonus for the uber-fan.

Coldplay's X&Y has Kingdom Come, officially "Twisted Logic" is the last track listed on the album. it's a much superior song in every way and has a really good ending. it's a wonderful song and that's the end of the album in my book, i don't care if Kingdom Come is the last song played. for all intents and purposes they really should've released it as a B-side, either that or include it in the track listing. nothing weird or unorthodox about it that it deserves "hidden track" status, its just not as strong as the other songs. but its there if you're a fan.

i think of hidden tracks as those little added scenes at the end of movies after the credits have rolled. the scenes add nothing to the movie, it's more of a little thanks or nod from the creators.

[Sun Tzu]

OMG how could I forget...

Pink Floyd - "Shine on you Crazy Diamond parts VI - IX" - Wish You Were Here

Well done on Call of the Ktulu by the way.

[stevew]

Yeah, Weezer Only in Dreams is an excellent last song.

Find the River-REM-Automatic for the People

[Fidatelo]

I hate hidden tracks because they ruin 'shuffle'. Either you end up listening to a bunch of dead air on a track, or even worse the CD skips around between 85 empty 'tracks' (I forget what album, but in high school I had a CD with two hidden songs on tracks 98 and 99. It was very annoying and probably almost destroyed my CD player).

[Pyser]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

working in music recording business, I've experienced how hard it is to put an album sequence together. Think of all the lame songs that finish an album. Rush has quite a few from 90s to now. Most bands put their filler towards the end. Concept albums (The Who/Pink Floyd Beatles) have a better shot at having some amazing at the end. For the most part, bands don't really have 9-12 killer songs so they will throw their slo-jam or avant garde piece towards the ass end.

the whole concept of album sequencing goes back to vinyl.

its not a coincidence that most albums have their heavier songs at the beginning of the side, and ballads close the side. its because of the weight and makeup of vinyl...in the 60s, it simply couldnt handle it

at least, thats that way it was described to me in the studio, and it made sense

and its funny that albums are still kind of made like that today. come out with a bang, rest around tracks 4-6, then pick it up again. anyway, thats why most closing tracks would be slower songs rather than rocking anthems...at least back in the day.

[Fidatelo]

Ok I'm only halfway through my collection but I'm going to throw some out there before I get interrupted and never have a chance. So this is artists starting with A-L

(Oh, and while I know this says 'rock', I'm including some other genres. If you don't like it, stop reading now.)

Anthem - Blink 182 (Enema Of The State)
Time - Blind Melon
Guaranteed - Eddie Vedder (Into the Wild OST)
Encore/Curtains Down - Eminem (Encore)
Exhausted - Foo Fighters
Wayne Gretzky - Goldfinger (Open Your Eyes)
Number 1 - Goldfrapp (Supernature)
My 1st Song - Jay-Z (The Black Album)
Money Ain't A Thang - Jay-Z (Vol 2 Hard Knock Life)

[Draft Dodger]

Although Diamond and Brain Damage are amazing songs, the albums they come from are so consistently awesome that I don't know how you could single them out. For that matter, I guess you could put Echoes on there as well.

[Bigsmooth]

Some of my favorites:

Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands - Dylan - Blonde on Blonde
Buckets of Rain - Dylan - Blood on the Tracks
Bold as Love - Hendrix - Axis: Bold as Love
Voodoo Child - Hendrix - Electric Ladyland
My Sexual Life - Everclear - Sparkle and Fade
Descending - Black Crowes - Amorica
One Road to Freedom - Ben Harper - Fight for Your Mind
All Apologies - Nirvana - In Utero
Luna - Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream

All Time Favorite
Release - Pearl Jam - Ten