Yesterday I found out that Mumford & Sons have a third album coming out. I read a small bit of blurb about new instrumentation & experiments and so, in the name of science, I went onto Spotify to listen to the first single. It’s awful, forgettable dullness, and I should have expected little else.
You see, I think the third album is where you show whether or not your in it for the long run. First album you have novelty, youth and years of life behind you to deliver. Second album, you can get away with doing whatever you did first time round. Third album, you have to step up and plant your flag, and the first single you choose is important.
So let’s hear it for Bohemian Rhapsody! Oliver’s Army! Papa Don’t Preach! And of course, The Beatles showing how Third Album; First Single should be done… Any other TA;FS suggestions?
James Blast says
No, let’s not.
Kid Dynamite says
Born To Run
Moose the Mooche says
….and
Great song, corking visuals
minibreakfast says
This one was pretty darn good:
Moose the Mooche says
Trash!
It hit big, the album hit big, the tour hit big. Bernard’s gone? Yeah, but we’re still here. And we rock.
Carlosthejacket says
Gary Numan – Cars
Moose the Mooche says
Can’t stop those fab Furry freak brothers….
Moose the Mooche says
Now get this….
Carlosthejacket says
Fountains of Wayne – Stacy’s Mom
Moose the Mooche says
I think you’ve hit upon something, Dr J.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jyWKm6qVIU
duco01 says
Magazine – A song from under the Floorboards
Moose the Mooche says
I’ll “Tuffm” you, young David!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-RDJ4Z4XrQ
Tiggerlion says
I think you’ll find it’s Life During Wartime
http://youtu.be/DblvhECdws0
Moose the Mooche says
Oh very well. Here’s David solo 3:1. Shudda binna hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YU0_1ddQSU
Tiggerlion says
Massive Attack – Teardrop
Probably the best single ever made. And, before you say anything, Risingson preceded the album by a year and was released by a band called Massive.
DrJ says
Great selections everyone, proving the TA;FS theory. I’ve just remembered this one:
Moose the Mooche says
Great video. The song you know.
Wheldrake says
Elvis Costello. Armed Forces. Oliver’s Army.
http://youtu.be/Ow1S4DJtLOk
Moose the Mooche says
Blue is the colour of farewell.
Moose the Mooche says
Oh come on! This is too easy!
Wheldrake says
Steely Dan. Pretzel Logic. Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.
duco01 says
And the gems just keep on coming!
Hüsker Dü – “Celebrated Summer”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q76GCw8qQVA
Moose the Mooche says
Tiggerlion says
Roxy Music – Street Life
Gary says
They didn’t care about the state of their hair…
Moose the Mooche says
Hmmm. I know Fight the Power was included on the album but it wasn’t recorded for or with it, it was just tacked on the end (in a token, truncated version). So this is the real 3:1 from PE. And it’s better than FTP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWTE1Uj9Z8c
Gary says
chilli ray virus says
Point of order. Bohemian Rhapsody was from the fourth album. “Killer Queen” would have been TAFS for Queen. Not too bad an effort. As you were
DrJ says
Oh yes! I totally forgot about Queen II. You’re right though, Killer Queen does the job.
Gary says
Kate Bush again.
duco01 says
Here’s a band that you don’t hear much about nowadays – the Comsat Angels.
From the very fine “Fiction”, this is “After the Rain”
Wheldrake says
Fleetwood Mac. Then Play On. Oh Well.
Carl says
Oh Well wasn’t on the original vinyl release. It appeared on the CD and I think it got included on US vinyl on re-release of a revised version.
ruff-diamond says
London Calling:
Moose the Mooche says
….Hello? Is this thing on?
minibreakfast says
Theory panning out pretty well so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC-YbvFy8lc
Moose the Mooche says
Possibly their finest moment. A track that reaches back to the old school (JMJ creating a “loop” from two copies of the same record) and into the near future (drum machines giving way to 70s funk beats). The golden age of hip hop (1986-92) starts here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMPlRaaafao
Gary says
Moose the Mooche says
Three years after Paul’s Boutique, a suitably hallucinogenic comeback.
ruff-diamond says
Obey your master!
Metallica, Master Of Puppets:
ruff-diamond says
Damn!
I meant this:
DrJ says
How could I forget this one:
Wheldrake says
The Human League. Dare. The Sound Of The Crowd.
New Pop incarnate.
http://youtu.be/2c9C_sVxnyI
Moose the Mooche says
Wowser….
Gary says
I remember seeing this on TOTP. At 0.30 Knopfler clicks his fingers in a really cool nonchalance. I always do the same when I hear it.
Ahh_Bisto says
The Cure – Primary
Gary says
Ahh_Bisto says
Fannies – Star Sign
Moose the Mooche says
Pedants will go for Midnight Lamp… but that was over a year before this.
Jackthebiscuit says
I have no suggestions to add (for the moment at least) but I would just like to say that there are some fantastic songs posted on this thread.
Your third album/ first single theory has been well & truly proven DrJ.
Good post
Moose the Mooche says
I’m your yes man, yes ma’am, I’m your yes man
Moose the Mooche says
Solo Lloyd… from the underrated Bad Vibes
Moose the Mooche says
Flaming heck, DrJ! You been down to the crossroads or someat?
jezk says
Best band ever’s best album ever’s first single…
jezk says
One of their best
http://youtu.be/DYp2LGKOF_M
Jackthebiscuit says
Got one…
Please forgive my computer numptyness, but I cannot post links/ clips at the moment.
One of my fave album 3/ first singles is Peter Gabriel & Games without frontiers.
Gary says
Beat you to it , Mr Thebiscuit sir. Uppa da page. Great song.
badartdog says
jezk says
Under appreciated…
The Good Doctor says
Tune!
jezk says
Some say it’s Behaviour but Introspective is the 3rd PSB album, and their best, in its full 12″ glory the 1st single from it….
http://youtu.be/L0T3FFrHtLE
DrJ says
It could be argued that Always On My Mind was the first single from Introspective, but I think you can plead the Massive Attack defence used above, it wasn’t *really* the first single…
Tiggerlion says
Oh good. I’m glad the Massive defence is valid.
Here’s Pixies.
If you count Come On Pilgrim as an album, or.
If you don’t.
Rigid Digit says
Third album – released with a new singer and new (second) guitarist
Iron Maiden – Run To The Hills
Art Vandelay says
The Jam – All Mod Cons
Rigid Digit says
From Go For It, the first single was Just Fade Away.
A superb slice of Powerpop – that failed to find a wider audience (not chosen for Radio 1 Playlist and Chrysalis didn’t push it much further)
ruff-diamond says
The first single from All Mod Cons was David Watts/A Bomb in Wardour Street…
Art Vandelay says
Ah, was reading it as first track!
Rigid Digit says
OK – convoluted logic time:
David Watts release was a result of Wellers lost confidence (hence being sung by Bruce Foxton), and A Bomb In Wardour Street was probably the only track finished from All Mod Cons at the time of the single release.
Therefore, the first single from All Mod Cons was Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.
Undeniably one of PWs best songs, and better supporting the theory in the OP
Gatz says
Fairport Convention, Unhalfbricking, A Sailor’s Life. No more need be said.
Rigid Digit says
Madness – 7
First Single: Grey Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS4JS3BU2yo
Rigid Digit says
Oops – missed that one above
Rigid Digit says
The ‘Oo – I Can See For Miles
The only single lifted from The Who Sell Out
Rigid Digit says
I’ve done it again, haven’t I
Moose the Mooche says
Oh fine. Ignore me then. That’s fine with me.
FINE.
Rigid Digit says
Sorry Moose – too much beer, not enough checking.
How about Suede – Trash.
Damn fine single from a damn fine album ……
(oh, already done – move away from the keyboard you drunken lump!)
Moose the Mooche says
Too much beer. That’s always your excuse when you’ve got no time for me. Your dinner’s in the oven, I’m going home to mother.
Rigid Digit says
From the peerless Machine Gun Etiquette – Love Song
DrJ says
And still they keep coming:
Gary says
Moose the Mooche says
he doesn’t make records like that any more!
Rigid Digit says
whatever happened to him?
Black Celebration says
Well it’s certainly beginning to stack up as a theory
It felt like they were just getting started whereas Duran and Culture Club were starting to look a bit ropey by the time they got to TA:FS
(Union of the Snake and The War Song not embedded here)
Rigid Digit says
Manic Street Preachers – Faster
Blue Boy says
There’s this…
atcf says
Or this
Blue Boy says
Green River was when Creedence really started motoring, not least with the first single, their only UK number one…
Deviant808 says
More compelling evidence
(“Can’t Get There From Here” off “Fables of the Reconstruction” by REM)
Carl says
All Right Now. Free’s third album was Fire And Water and the first single was… You don’t need me to post it.
Blue Boy says
Hmm – you really are on to something aren’t you? This from Ladies of the Canyon….
Deviant808 says
Don’t remember seeing this video at the time, it’s rather good
(“Hey Boy Hey Girl” – Chemical Brothers, off “Surrender”)
Moose the Mooche says
The Small Faces’ third official album was Ogden’s… therefore:
Deviant808 says
One last one from me
http://youtu.be/Swzp1eeOMj4
(“Souvenir” from OMD’s “Architecture and Morality”)
Yep, there’s definitely something in this theory…
Walter Rego says
This single was the first record i ever bought.
walker1 says
Glad I scrolled down this far before posting. First album for me, on the back of this single!
Sewer Robot says
Prodigy – Firestarter
Adam & The Ants – Stand And Deliver
The Boo Radleys – Wake Up Boo
Carlosthejacket says
Ultravox – Slow Motion
Japan – Quiet Life
Paul Wad says
The Byrds – Eight Miles High
Blondie – Picture This
Chris Isaak – Wicked Game
Slade – Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Squeeze – Another Nail in My Heart
Definitely something in this.
Walter Rego says
https://youtu.be/sPLEbAVjiLA
Ahh_Bisto says
The Replacements – I Will Dare
From the corker Let It Be
https://youtube.com/watch?v=RJcCzWcgPsY
Kaisfatdad says
Brilliant theory which has been proved in spades here.
Can I play devil’s advocate for a second and ask: what a 20 year old would make of all this?
Is it all arcane knowledge from an ancient civilization?
We were all brought up to see that third album as difficult. Do people still think this way in the mp3 , Spotify age?
Ahh_Bisto says
Wings – Jet
el toro says
He’s been very quiet for sometime now. Must be working on new material.
el toro says
Not sure why this is down here. Supposed to be on the Gerry Rafferty comment and now just looks stupid…..
badartdog says
Were you posting from an iPad? Seems to be an issue with tablets.
duco01 says
Here’s a prime example of Dr J’s theory: Billy Bragg’s “Levi Stubbs’ Tears”, from “Talking with the Taxman”
RubyBlue says
Just mentioned that on the ‘Storytelling’ thread; and what a wonderful song it is, too.
Wheldrake says
Counting Crows. This Desert Life. Hanginaround.
Tiggerlion says
Nicki Minaj – Pills ‘n’ Potions
Interesting album. No less than four singles are included which were released before the album itself, thus rendering the Massive defence void.
Tiggerlion says
Kendrick Lamar – The Blacker The Berry
http://youtu.be/6AhXSoKa8xw
The version of “i” released as a single is quite different to the one on the album.
Tiggerlion says
Prince – Uptown
http://youtu.be/8H_pvvRetLA
Tiggerlion says
Pity those whose third albums yielded no singles; The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Brian Eno, Buzzcocks….
duco01 says
Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers – “Egyptian Reggae”, off “Rock ‘n Roll with the Modern Lovers”.
A bit of a minor classic.
Mavis Diles says
Can’t believe nobody has mentioned 10cc with I’m Not In Love, first single from third album The Original Soundtrack.
Mavis Diles says
Except, d’oh! I think it might have been Life is Minestrone.
todayoutof10 says
So do I!! I’m having a real Dire Straits love affair at the moment and this is a belter of an album. This song can still make me cry. I’m going to see Mark Knopfler live soon and I’m beyond excited ❤️
Skirky says
This theory. It all stacks up
LesterTheNightfly says
How about Blur “Girls And Boys”
LesterTheNightfly says
Or The Modfather himself with “The Changingman”
duco01 says
I think “The Changingman” was the second single from “Stanley Road”, Lester, with “Out of the Sinking” being the first.
Wheldrake says
The version of Out of The Sinking on the album is a different version. That single was released in 1994 way before any album was due, so technically Changingman was the first single taken from Stanley Road. And that’s all from Pedant’s Corner……
Sniffity says
Funny, I thought it was the first single from ELO’s first album
Wheldrake says
James. Gold Mother. Come Home.
Wheldrake says
The Four Tops hit their stride with Shake Me, Wake Me from their third album On Top.
Tiggerlion says
Stevia Wonder – Fingertips Part II
http://youtu.be/hjCfRvcXuY0
Tiggerlion says
The Temptations – Since I Lost My Baby
Rigid Digit says
A case for disproving the theory:
Oasis
Be Here Now was album #3 and was bloated, overblown, over-produced, somewhat aimless and predictable (if I’m honest, dull in places too).
Lead single D’You Know What I Mean was all of the above packaged onto 7″ of plastic (or CD single).
Hitting their stride ? Treading water and getting lost in a cocaine haze and media profiles.
BUT, in retrospect Be Here Now ain’t all bad.
Mavis Diles says
Doesn’t that sort of prove the theory? Oasis ran off the rails with the first single from the third album; it’s the point where you step up or tread water.
Rigid Digit says
um … yeah.
Forgot about the downside of the stated theory.
But I reckon they got back on the rails (albeit in a slower, more hit & miss type way) with Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (I like it, not many others do). Heathen Chemistry and Don’t Believe The Truth are great albums, but can’t escape the shadow of the critical f**k up of Be Here Now
Mavis Diles says
I think they stopped “being Oasis” and became “band that reminds you of how good Oasis were” to most listeners, merits of the later material (or otherwise) aside.
Rigid Digit says
Nail hit firmly on head there Sir!
Nik says
They Might Be Giants – Flood – Birdhouse in your Soul
DrJ says
I can’t believe I forgot this. Career-defining!
The Good Doctor says
Yep
Zanti Misfit says
Although second single ‘Moving’ was better, this a’ TOON!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-AJlTHL1I
Zanti Misfit says
Controversial? And yes, jackthebiscuit, it IS the third Specials album!
duco01 says
How could we have left out Dunfermline’s finest – the Skids?
The first single from “The Absolute Game” was “Circus Games”…
Mike Hull says
Talking Heads with Fear of Music – first single was Life During Wartime
http://youtu.be/DblvhECdws0
Jackthebiscuit says
Good call on Special AKA Zanti. Great song, I dont think they played it when I saw them a few years ago.
Mike Hull says
Didn’t see Fear of Music further up the thread.
So how about the (now) much derided U2. After a disappointing second album, October, they came back with War and the first single was, if I’m not mistaken, New Year’s Day
Zanti Misfit says
The reunited The Special AKA .AKA The Specials don’t play anything from In The Studio. More’s the pity.
When is a line up, not a line up, eh?
Charlie Gordon says
Galaxie 500 – This Is Our Music
Elton John – Tumbleweed Connection
Dire Straits – Making Movies
Curtis Mayfield – Superfly soundtrack
Randy Newman – Sail Away
The National – Alligator
and can I stretch this one given it was his third entirely solo album…Gene Clark – No Other
Simonl says
I’m not going to post a song, but I’ve been through this thread and a good 90% of these songs are on my Ipod. Maybe because we’re talking bands that released singles rather than ‘album’ bands. I love a good singles band me.
davidks says
Bjork, “Army of Me”
Post
davidks says
The Boo Radleys, “Lazarus”
Giant Steps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3syHCPMJucM
SixDog says
I hate purity, I hate goodness. I want everything corrupted.
F.A.S.T.E.R.
davidks says
PJ Harvey, “Down by the Water”
To bring you my love
thecheshirecat says
If I could call to the witness box, Mr Julian Cope
Mavis Diles says
I wonder how many of the artists who pulled a blinder on the first single from the third album were on three-album deals? No hit = no renewal. Just a thought.
GCU Grey Area says
XTC – Drums And Wires – Making Plans for Nigel
Their first top 20 single, and perhaps the one XTC track that ‘everyone’ has heard of.
walker1 says
Camille says
Seems legit
deramdaze says
The Rolling Stones: ‘Out Of Our Heads’…..erm…..there wasn’t one.
45s, EPs and LPs released by The Stones in the 60s were almost entirely made up of new material. Gives a bit of a lie to the idea of ‘nasty old Decca’ that the group were so eager to nurture!