82. "b-side = originally released on the flip-side of a single." In response to In response to 79
*sigh* i'm old.
anyway, back in the wayback, singles...
there used to be these things called 'singles'. they were released by record labels to promote albums. the singles were actual vinyl records, cassettes, or CDs. up until the late 80s, these singles typically had 1 or 2 songs on them. the main song was often called the 'a-side' b/c it appeared on the a side of the vinyl record or cassette. that was the song the record label was using to promote the album on which the song also appeared. the other song or songs on the single were called the 'b-side' b/c they appeared on the b side of the vinyl record or cassette. these were used to encourage fans to buy the single in cases where the b-side song didn't appear on a current album. in cases where the b-side song also appeared on a current album, they were aimed at DJs who wouldn't otherwise play the song from the current album.
in this post we're discussing Prince songs that were originally available only on his singles, not his albums. most of them were compiled for the 1993 Hits/B-Sides album. ppl still consider them non-album tracks b/c they've only appeared on compilations like that and/or the Girl 6 soundtrack, which was basically another compilation of his past work. these songs didn't appear on his albums like Sign o' the Times or Purple Rain or Parade.