Best FINAL album cuts of the rock era

Cafe Society
1

(Inspired by the “best first cuts” thread.)

What are among the best final album tracks of the rock era? It’s interesting to search for these songs because so many albums front-load their best material and leave filler for the end.

There are exceptions aplenty, however. Here are a few nominees that reflect my tastes:

**“Don’t Bring Me Down” by ELO, on Discovery (CD)

“Gold Dust Woman” by Fleetwood News on Rumours (CD)

“The Party’s Over” by Journey on Captured (live CD)

“Open Arms” by Journey on Escape (CD)

“When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin on Led Zeppelin IV (CD)

“The Ocean” by Led Zeppelin on Houses of the Holy (CD)

“Suite Madame Blue” by Styx on Eqionox (CD)

“A Day in the Life” by the Beatles on Sgt Pepper (CD)**

…

For the purposes of this OP, exclude greatist-hits compilations. Live albums are OK.

Also, indicate whether or not your track is the last on the vinyl album, casette, or CD. There seems to be some variation. For instance, the final cut of the casette version of Rumours is not “Gold Dust Woman” (going from memory … is that right?).

2

Okay, the first thing I thought of was “Her Majesty”: the last track on the last album the Beatles ever recorded (Abbey Road). I’m at least half serious about this one. I love how, after the grandiose sweeping epical career-capping music that is The End of Abbey Road, we get this short silly little ditty. :slight_smile:

Also, “Waterloo Sunset” at the end of Something Else By The Kinks.

3

A couple of good picks…

Good Morning, Captain from Spiderland by Slint
Soon from Loveless by My Bloody Valentine
Won’t Get Fooled Again from Who’s Next (vinyl version) by The Who
Untrustable Pt 2 from Perfect From Now On by Built To Spill
Long Distance Runner from Red Medicine by Fugazi
Here Come The Warm Jets from Here Come The Warm Jets by Brian Eno
Sister Ray from White Light/White Heat by Velvet Underground

4

At the risk of being a cliche (version of myself), Whipping Post from At Fillmore East DOES have to be on this list.

5

Brain Damage/Eclipse was a good summing up for Dark Side of the Moon.

Find the River was a nice end track for R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People.

6

“Moon Over Marin”, Dead Kennedys

7

“Night Prowler,” Highway to Hell, AC/DC

hrh

8

Desolation Row from Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited
In My Hour of Darkness from Gram Parsons’ Grievous Angel

9

Jackson Browne Running On Empty The Load Out/Stay

and

The Eagles Hotel California The Last Resort

10

“Won’t get Fooled Again” definitely, other possibilities:

“Jungleland” Born to Run
“How Many More Times” Led Zeppelin I

11

“The End” on the Doors’ eponymous debut is a pretty good one.

12

“S.M.F.” on Twisted Sister’s Stay Hungry. I love how it just…ends.

“Hallowed Be Thy Name” on Iron Maiden’s The Number of the Beast.

“Blood of the Kings” on Manowar’s Kings of Metal. Good Lord, that song is wayyy over the top, even for them!

“Supper’s Ready” on Genesis’s Foxtrot. Of course, it took up half the album… :cool:

I’d list more but I’m too tired and drunk to type vB code properly. hic

13

“Train in Vain” off London Calling by the Clash. It’s just so damn catchy.

And to reference a more esoteric band, AFI has put their best song last on their past 3 albums.

14

Alive Alone by the Chemical Brothers. Easily the best song on the album.

15

“White Punks On Dope” on The Tubes’ first album.
“Keep On Chooglin’” on “Bayou Country” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
“Three More Days” on “Share The Land” by The Guess Who.
“So Long Bannatyne” on the LP of the same name by The Guess Who.
“When The Levee Breaks” on Led Zeppelin IV.
“In Context Of The Moon” on “High Class In Borrowed Shoes” by Max Webster.
“Cry Out Your Life” on “Universal Juveniles” by Max Webster.

Only Canadians would know some of these. Sorry to leave out the rest of you guys, but there was some great music made in Canada that never escaped.

16

I win again:

Shine on you crazy diamond (*part2) from Wish you were here by Pink Floyd…

17

Echoes, Meddle - Pink Floyd
Sharleena, The Lost Episodes - Frank Zappa
Sketches of China, Baron von Toolbooth and the Chrome Nun - Pauk Knatner/Grace Slick
Hyperdrive, Dragonfly - Jefferson Starship

18

I second that.

B-Boys Bouillabiasse on the Beastie Boy’s second album, Paul’s Boutique, was, IMHO, a perfect end to the perfect album.

19

“Here Comes A Regular” from Tim by the Replacements.
“Can’t Hardly Wait” from Pleased To Meet Me, again by the Replacements.

20

Welcome aboard(s), fishbicycle! Some very tasty selections there.

Starship Trooper from the second Yes album. Quite possibly one of the finest overall sides in all of rock and roll. Certainly their best album, that much is for sure.