Most of the songs, that an album is named for, will be on that very album. What about album title songs that became , somehow, misplaced and appeared on another of that groups albums somewhere. I’ll try to locate a few here to talk about.
Brain Salad Surgery by Emerson, Lake & Palmer was written by Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and lyricist Peter Sinfield, and is a cheeky, fast-paced rock track filled with double entendres and carnival-like keyboard flourishes. Despite lending its title to ELP’s iconic 1973 album, the song itself did not appear on the Brain Salad Surgery LP.
Instead, it was first released as the B-side to the single “Fanfare For The Common Man” in 1977 and later received its first official album appearance on 1977’s Works Volume 2, a compilation of shorter, eclectic tracks. The phrase “brain salad surgery” was 1970s slang for oral sex, a provocative detail Sinfield acknowledged with tongue-in-cheek lyrics that stood in sharp
contrast to the more epic and serious tone of the Brain Salad Surgery album. Though it never became a charting hit or one of the band’s most celebrated compositions, it remains a cult favorite for fans, showcasing ELP’s irreverent humor and versatility. The song has since been included in later reissues and box sets, including The Return of the Manticore (1993).
Sheer Heart Attack by Queen is a ferocious, punk-driven track written by Roger Taylor, noted for its raw guitar attack, pounding rhythm, and manic energy that set it apart from Queen’s more refined sound. Although it shares its name with Queen’s 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack, the song was not included on that album, as it was left unfinished during those sessions.
It was later completed and released on 1977’s News of the World, where its unpolished, aggressive tone reflected Taylor’s fascination with the emerging punk scene, even as Queen were often mocked by punk bands. Taylor played most of the instruments himself, including rhythm guitar, and the song’s lyrics explore themes of psychological chaos and alienation.
While never issued as an A-side, Sheer Heart Attack was released as the B-side to the single “Spread Your Wings” in 1978, appearing on EMI 2757 in the UK and Elektra E-45478 in the US, among other territories. Though it never charted independently, the track has earned recognition as one of Queen’s most aggressive and uncompromising recordings, showcasing their stylistic versatility.
Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin is a rhythmically infectious, funk-infused rock track written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, with contributions from John Paul Jones on clavinet and John Bonham delivering one of his most syncopated drum grooves.
Though it shares its name with the band’s 1973 album Houses of the Holy, the song was left off that album, reportedly because the band felt it didn’t fit the mood or flow of the other tracks. Instead, it was released two years later on 1975’s Physical Graffiti. Lyrically, the song is a celebration of music, joy, and the
almost sacred power of rock and roll, delivered with playful energy and an experimental edge. It was not released as a single in the United States. Despite being overlooked as a single in major markets like the UK, the song has since become a fan favorite and is widely praised for its offbeat groove, layered arrangement, and genre-blending style.
Waiting for the Sun by The Doors is a brooding, atmospheric track written by Jim Morrison, with music composed collectively by the band—Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, and John Densmore. Though it shares its title with their third studio album, Waiting for the Sun (1968), the song was not included on that album, as it wasn’t completed to the band’s satisfaction at the time.
It finally appeared two years later on their 1970 album Morrison Hotel, where its tense, layered dynamics and evocative lyrics reflected Morrison’s disillusionment and desire for transcendence, likely drawing from the era’s political unrest and the fading idealism of the 1960s. Musically, the song builds on a repeating, almost hypnotic guitar riff and haunting keyboard
textures, culminating in a dramatic crescendo. Although not released as a single in major markets like the U.S. or U.K., it has since become a fan favorite and an essential deep cut in the Doors’ catalog. Its ironic placement on an album it was named for but didn’t appear on adds to its mystique, and it’s frequently praised for its lyrical depth and cinematic tension.
High Voltage by AC/DC is a gritty, hard-hitting rock anthem written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott, and it has the distinction of being both the title track of their debut Australian album High Voltage (1975) and a song that did not appear on that original album. It was released on their second LP, T.N.T..
The track was actually introduced later on the international version of High Voltage, released in 1976, which compiled songs from their first two Australian albums (High Voltage and T.N.T.). With its swaggering guitar riff, rebellious lyrics, and Bon Scott’s electrifying vocals, “High Voltage” celebrates the raw power of rock and roll and AC/DC’s no-frills musical ethos.
The lyrics paint rock as a life force, a theme central to the band’s identity. Released as a single in several countries, including the US, Australia, the UK, and Germany, it became one of the band’s early international calling cards. While not a major chart hit at the time, it has grown in stature as a fan favorite and a staple of AC/DC compilations and live performances, encapsulating the band’s high-energy sound and rock-defiant attitude.
Recurring Dream by Crowded House is an atmospheric and introspective track written by Neil Finn, originally recorded during the sessions for the band’s 1986 self-titled debut album but left off the original release. It first appeared as the B-side to the 1986 single “Now We’re Getting Somewhere” and was later featured on the 1988 film soundtrack for Rikki and Pete.
The song’s moody, dreamlike tone and elliptical lyrics explore themes of repetition, longing, and the inescapable cycles of thought and emotion—fitting the title’s suggestion of unresolved internal patterns. Although not a charting single or part of their main studio albums at first, the track gained broader recognition when it became the
title song of the 1996 compilation Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House, a retrospective that helped solidify the band’s legacy. With its melancholic beauty and understated arrangement, “Recurring Dream” has become a cult favorite among fans, emblematic of Neil Finn’s gift for melodic introspection.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “Brain Salad Surgery” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_Salad_Surgery
- Wikipedia “Sheer Heart Attack “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheer_Heart_Attack https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheer_Heart_Attack_(song)
- Wikipedia “Houses of the Holy” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houses_of_the_Holy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houses_of_the_Holy_(song)
- Wikipedia “Waiting for the Sun” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_the_Sun
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_the_Sun_(The_Doors_song)
- Wikipedia “High Voltage (1975 album)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Voltage_(1975_album) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Voltage_(song)
- Wikipedia “Recurring Dream” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurring_Dream https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikky_and_Pete
