Fourth track syndrome


Elvis Costello once said (in a music issue of Vanity Fair) : "The fourth track on an album is usually the best one".

Let's find out, shall we? Here are some albums from my collection :


1. Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome : The Seeger Sessions
~ "Oh Mary Don't You Weep"
Oh yes!

2. Michael Jackson - Dangerous
~ "She Drives Me Wild"
Hahahaha! One of the worst songs on the album!

3. Amy MacDonald - This Is The Life
~ "The Youth Of Today"
Not bad, but not the best track of the bunch.

4. The Rolling Stones - Beggar's Banquet
~ "Parachute Woman"
Um, no.

5. Bruce Springsteen - Born In The U.S.A.
~ "Working On The Highway"
Oooh, difficult. This mean little rockabilly is definitely one of the absolute highlights, but I still prefer "I'm Going Down", "Downbound Train" or "I'm On Fire".

6. Green Day - American Idiot
~ "St. Jimmy"
A top tune - and the lyrics include one particular outstanding line - but not the pick of the litter.

7. The Doors - The Doors
~ "Twentieth Century Fox"
Nope, "Alabama Song" (track 5) is better.

8. Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II
~ "Knocking On Heaven's Door"
Nice cover, but the band's own compositions "Breakdown" and "Estranged" are superior.

9. a-ha - Stay On These Roads
~ "This Alone Is Love"
Fat chance, Norwegian boys. The title track is a lot tighter.

10. M.C. Hammer - Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em
~ "On Your Face"
Not by a longshot.


I'm not convinced, Costello!



Julian De Backer, 25 April 2009