Final Tracks: An Epic and Ongoing Series of Playlists

Friday is fun because it’s about music — so there’s playlists and links galore. Today, an absolute bunch of playlists all based around the “last songs on albums”.

Hey there. Happy Friday. Happy nearly weekend. I’ve gone over the top with the playlists. You may or may not thank me. I’ve created a bit of a monster. It started on the walk home. I’ve been doing a lot of listening to Lou Reed lately.

It’s still going. I’m up in the late 90s, and nearing the end of his catalogue. And I was thinking about how perfect the final songs are on some of his lesser known, or forgotten, or lower ranking albums. (All albums I adore, by the way, some of my favourites, but they always seem to be in the bottom half of the lists).

But of course, Lou Reed always knew how to say goodbye. The Velvet Underground albums close with gems. And his first solo record goes out on Ocean — an epic that the VU never quite got right, but attempted a few times. And he sure nailed it on his debut self-titled album. That gong alone tells you the album is closing…

The plan was hatched. I would make a playlist of every final track from every Lou Reed album.

Well, no sooner had I made it home, and made the playlist, I was off cooking on all cylinders. I’d make a Bob Dylan one, and a Patti Smith one. What about Kate Bush? And Lucinda Williams? And how about The Rolling Stones? They, like Reed, seemed to have a near special knack — although maybe not every single one is a gem. But why not find out…

Dylan though. Magical. Mostly. He even has final songs (Sara) that reference other final songs of his (Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands) and final songs (Highlands) that reference other artists (Neil Young). And, geez, there’s even a final song there that bloody well references pretty much everything that ever happened in the world! (Murder Most Foul).

So, I made a bunch of them. For you. For me. For you to share with others. For you to argue back to me that ‘what was I thinking?’ For you to start your own playlists of your favourite final songs from albums by artists you love and respect. For you to message/comment and tell me the ones you’d like to make but can’t be bothered, because you know I’ll probably just make them up for you…(and for me).

So, yeah, that’s today.

Below, a bunch of Best Last Songs:

Best.Last.Songs

I’m calling them Final Tracks — and this, perhaps ironically, is likely only the beginning…

So, forgive the indulgence. But I’m always thinking of new ways to listen to old music. And I know that there are plenty of other great artists to build up and compile in this way. Prince. Obviously. Bob Marley perhaps? The Beach Boys…

Obviously, to me, there’s artists that I love on some level, but don’t think they’d work well being compiled this way (Madonna, for instance). And others that might be brilliant (Roxy Music) but I’d never quite think to do it, or the catalogue is too finite to really get going in this way (Cyndi Lauper). Or also, the tail really doesn’t wag (Tracy Chapman). Midnight Oil might be good though? And how about Bee Gees? Or Bruce Springsteen? Or could we do Fleetwood Mac? I mean, technically, it’s a half-dozen different bands…

Anyway, I’d love to know what artists this would work for, as far as you’re concerned. And I’d be interested to know if any of these (above) work for you.

I didn’t compile Neil Young in this way. An obvious pick I guess. But also — his catalogue is a strange, brilliant mess. And I don’t think he always thinks about shaping albums. And I just love digging in to particular albums, or periods with him. He has groups of albums I love.

Also, I left him off the list today, because if I’m sharing any Neil Young, it’s the full album On The Beach. This sad and lovely masterpiece turned 50 last week. And some days it’s my all-time favourite Neil Young album. So why not finish today’s newsletter with a full album.

And then of course with one more playlist.

It’s our regular weekly selection. And it’s volume 179!

Happy Weekend!