# "Undiscovered" Masterpieces on Classic Albums **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 3, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887 "2020-01-03T16:38:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/41 "2020-01-05T08:56:16Z")
**My Melancholy Blues** from Queens’ _News of the World_. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/42 "2020-01-05T12:11:55Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > … The more “sleepers” on that album are Four Sticks for sure, and probably Battle of Evermore, though every song on that album gets played on the classic radio stations here. > … I’ve always been very partial to _Going to California_, especially the bridge-like bit that goes : _Seems that the wrath of the Gods Got a punch on the nose and it started to flow I think I might be sinking Throw me a line if I reach it in time I’ll meet you up there where the path Runs straight and high_ The melody, and **Plant** ’s voice there are haunting. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/43 "2020-01-05T12:48:37Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, with the Beatles… […] What about “There’s a Place”? Another one of my favorites, but probably not well known. (Looks like it only peaked at #74 on the charts.) Is “Things We Said Today” under-the-radar enough? That may be my favorite early Beatles song, period. I’ve recently got into “There’s a Place”, really love it along with the neighbouring “A Taste of Honey” (which is a cover), and have decided to ration my listenings in order to preserve the magic. There are so many masterpieces on the “A Hard Day’s Night” album, many of which are probably not widely known nowadays. “Things We Said Today” is one of them. The best for me is possibly “I’ll Be Back”, which I can actually listen to repeatedly without it losing the haunting quality that is essential to the Beatles’ genius. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/44 "2020-01-05T13:12:48Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > **My Melancholy Blues** from Queens’ _News of the World_. I disagree. [“It’s Late”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2c6qblEwnQ) is an all time great rock and roll track from NotW. It’s arguably the best song on the album but way too long to get any airplay. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/45 "2020-01-05T13:24:38Z")
> [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](#): > > There are so many masterpieces on the “A Hard Day’s Night” album, many of which are probably not widely known nowadays. “Things We Said Today” is one of them. The best for me is possibly “I’ll Be Back”, which I can actually listen to repeatedly without it losing the haunting quality that is essential to the Beatles’ genius. Both of these feature parallel major/minor changes (like, A major/A minor — this is much rarer than _relative_ minor sequences, like C major/A minor). Perhaps you are drawn to this feature, even if subconsciously. (“Michelle” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” do this, too, but between verses/refrains, not WITHIN a musical phrase like the examples you cited, which is more exciting). (By the way, I grew up with “I’ll Be Back” as a song in the American LP _Beatles ‘65_, released about six months after _A Hard Day’s Night_, so it sounded to me just a little ahead of its time…not _quite a bit_ ahead it’s its time, as it actually was. Ahh, the Sixties, when half a year made such a difference in evaluating musical innovation…) (Also, I love your mentioning of holding back from listening to a song too often, lest it lose its delicious pungency for you. I don’t recall actively detaining myself in this way, but I know exactly what you’re describing.) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/46 "2020-01-05T13:37:41Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Do we consider A Trick Of The Tail by Genesis a classic album? The first one with Phil Collins on vocals. > > If so, I’ll submit Mad Man Moon. Never done live and certainly doesn’t get radio play on commercial radio, but I think it’s up there with their absolute best. My pick would be “Ripples”. One of my favorite of Hackett’s guitar solos, even when Tony Banks decides to jump in and stomp all over it with his keyboards. (Kind of a musical version of Kanye with his “I’mma let you finish, but…”) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/47 "2020-01-05T15:40:32Z")
> [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](#): > > I’ve always been very partial to _Going to California_, especially the bridge-like bit that goes : Oh, yeah, sorry. I misused “sleepers” there as meaning songs that don’t get much radioplay, rather than “undiscovered masterpieces.” (For the _Pet Sounds_ discussion, I was using “sleeper” in the latter sense.) I hear all the songs from IV on classic rock radio, but I would agree with you of the lesser-played songs “Going to California” is the best (though I feel it gets reasonable airplay, but I’d be willing to guess it’s the third-least played song on classic radio here off the album.) I’m also surprised at the mention of “Ramble On.” Great song, one of JPJ’s most iconic bass lines, but I’d guess that’s one of the most played songs on that album (maybe the second most, after “Whole Lotta Love,” though “Heartbreaker/Living Loving Maid” may be in that position), at least with the stations here. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/48 "2020-01-05T19:23:54Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Both of these feature parallel major/minor changes (like, A major/A minor — this is much rarer than _relative_ minor sequences, like C major/A minor). Perhaps you are drawn to this feature, even if subconsciously. > > (“Michelle” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” do this, too, but between verses/refrains, not WITHIN a musical phrase like the examples you cited, which is more exciting). Many, many Beatles songs do it. Beach Boys too. It’s one of the things that makes those groups’ songs so enduring - they threw in subtle chord changes and harmonies that created a push-pull of musical tension or mystery. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/49 "2020-01-05T20:03:58Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > I disagree. [“It’s Late”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2c6qblEwnQ) is an all time great rock and roll track from NotW. It’s arguably the best song on the album but way too long to get any airplay. Disagree how? No one said there couldn’t be more than one. > [@](#): > > so here’s the question: ARE there any ‘classic albums’ that you think contain a masterpiece track that has flown under the radar all these years? ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/50 "2020-01-05T20:08:52Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Nitpick: “Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part One.” > > I nominate “Long Long Long” from the White Album. Jaycat hit it for six with LLL - one of the best Beatles songs ever. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/51 "2020-01-05T20:17:33Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Both of these feature parallel major/minor changes (like, A major/A minor — this is much rarer than _relative_ minor sequences, like C major/A minor). Perhaps you are drawn to this feature, even if subconsciously. > > (“Michelle” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” do this, too, but between verses/refrains, not WITHIN a musical phrase like the examples you cited, which is more exciting). I don’t hear that in “Eleanor Rigby”. It’s all in E minor (specifically, Dorian). There’s a C major chord in it, but no parallel major E, unless I’m missing it somewhere. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” does move between A minor and A major, though. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/52 "2020-01-05T20:21:50Z")
Nobody mentioned Eleanor Rigby. ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/53 "2020-01-05T20:29:11Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t hear that in “Eleanor Rigby”. It’s all in E minor (specifically, Dorian). There’s a C major chord in it, but no parallel major E, unless I’m missing it somewhere. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” does move between A minor and A major, though. He might have been thinking of Fixing a Hole (mentioned in OP). McCartney still plays it live and I noticed similar harmony in Say Say Say (with MJ). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/54 "2020-01-05T20:33:28Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > Many, many Beatles songs do it. I’m having a tough time coming up with many more examples of Beatles songs that have key changes from the major to the parallel minor or minor to parallel major. “Norweigian Wood” fits for major -\> parallel minor; “Hey Bulldog” also goes major -\> parallel minor. Any others? ETA: Ah, yes, “Fixing a Hole” fits this shuffling between F major and F minor in the verses. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/55 "2020-01-05T20:36:22Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > Nobody mentioned Eleanor Rigby. _smack_ What the hell is wrong with my brain today? Michelle, Eleanor Rigby, same difference. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/56 "2020-01-05T20:37:47Z")
“…that weren’t important yesterday” So haunting. I’ll suggest one I’ve mentioned here before: Blues Variation by ELP on the Pictures at an Exhibition album. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/57 "2020-01-05T20:40:25Z")
> [@jerez](#): > > He might have been thinking of Fixing a Hole (mentioned in OP). McCartney still plays it live and I noticed similar harmony in Say Say Say (with MJ). No, I’m apparently blind and my brain swaps one Beatles song with a woman’s name as a title with another. Where’s the embarassed emoji? Oh, there actually is one: ⭕o:o ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/58 "2020-01-05T20:57:30Z")
Supertramp. The album, _Even In the Quietest Moments_. The song. _Downstream_. Such a pure, simple little uncluttered song. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/59 "2020-01-05T20:58:07Z")
Maybe _So What_ is not a classic album per se, but there was, I think, a fair bit of airplay for its rendition of _Turn to Stone_, as well as _Time Out_. Has anyone here ever listened to _[this song](https://youtu.be/TvvtD98ItIc)_? The bridge alone is breathtaking. One might say that _On Every Street_ is not a big classic, but a few of its songs got airplay and were covered by others. The song that mostly got ignored, _[Iron Hand](https://youtu.be/EXvWHWxNgH4)_, which can give you chills if you listen to the lyrics (“_That night, they, it had even shocked the queen_”). ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887/60 "2020-01-05T21:02:11Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m having a tough time coming up with many more examples of Beatles songs that have key changes from the major to the parallel minor or minor to parallel major. “Norweigian Wood” fits for major -\> parallel minor; “Hey Bulldog” also goes major -\> parallel minor. Any others? > > ETA: Ah, yes, “Fixing a Hole” fits this shuffling between F major and F minor in the verses. It’s not so much as a “key change” from the major to the parallel minor", so much as simply using the parallel minor as a passing chord to transition to a different chord within the same key They used this technique all the time. They also did the same thing with augmented and diminished chords. They didn’t linger on them, they’d be used strictly as a passing chord, for half a bar or less, but the effect was enough to make even their simplest songs really pack a punch. Edit - they also did this with the dominant seventh (of a given major chord) a lot. I.e. using it as a passing chord instead of lingering on it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undiscovered-masterpieces-on-classic-albums/845887.md?page=4)