Best QotSA B-Sides
Here are the best of Queens of the Stone Age's b-sides from throughout their career. I highly recommend checking these tunes out if you're a fan or just looking for any kind of a jam. |
| 1 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris
What song?: "Running Joke"
When?: 2007
Where?: Era Vulgaris vinyl/iTunes version
This is a smooth one to start out with. It's got a gentle beginning before growing in sound thanks to a jaunty rhythm section. Pair that with some lovely lyrics and vocals from the great Homme, it's just a shame it ends so soon. 9/10 |
| 2 |  | Kyuss / Queens of the Stone Age
Kyuss / Queens of the Stone Age
"Born to Hula" - 1997
Kyuss/QotSA Split EP (pre-S/T Era)
There's two versions of this track, the first is best (the other is on the Rated R deluxe). This is an absolutely epic banger with a mellow opening, chaotic middle, and chill bongo-laden outro. If this isn't a total jam, idk what is, and it definitely set up their direction even before their first album was out. 9/10 |
| 3 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
Songs for the Deaf
"Wake Up Screaming" (Subhumans cover) - 2002
"First It Giveth" single B-side
Can't get enough of Nick Olveri? You'll dig the hell out of this track, flipping back and forth between a frantic pace and hypnotic riffs and some good old screaming here and there, what's not to enjoy here? 8.5/10 |
| 4 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
Lullabies to Paralyze
"Like a Drug" - 2005
Lullabies to Paralyze vinyl/deluxe Version
This jazzy tune sounds like it would be played at a depressing saloon in an old western movie, but its hazy sound and rich atmosphere make this a winner on all accounts, improving on the Desert Sessions version their 6th Volume. 8.5/10 |
| 5 | | Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris
"White Wedding" (Billy Idol cover) - 2007
Era Vulgaris Best Buy version
Josh Homme's eerie croon lends itself irresistibly well to this cover of the classic 80s hit, as does the band's desert atmosphere, adding to the already creepy song a seriously sinister but charming atmosphere. 8.5/10 |
| 6 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
Rated R
"Back to Dungaree High"(Turbonegro cover) - 2001
Alpha Motherfucker: A Tribute to Turbonegro (Rated R Era)
I GOT A HEADACHE IN MY PANTS. This is a total fucking jam, that is all. 8.5/10 |
| 7 | | Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris
"The Fun Machine Took a Shit and Died" - 2007
Era Vulgaris International/Tour version
Besides having perhaps one of the greatest song titles in the history of music, the song has quite the history of being originally recorded for Lullabies before mysteriously disappearing. The band accused everyone of stealing it before finding it at another one of their recording studios. Then they re-recorded it, and we all end up with what might be the weirdest (and one of the best) Queens of the Stone Age songs ever made. 9.5/10 |
| 8 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
"18 AD" - 1997
Burn One Up! Music for Stoners (pre-S/T Era)
Utilizing their still-growing skills to incredible effect, they concocted a groovy jam with a plethora of riffs and iconic repetition that would be the cornerstone of their work in years to come. That opening riff alone makes the song. 8.5/10 |
| 9 | | Queens of the Stone Age
Rated R
"You're So Vague" - 2002
"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" single B-side, or Rated R Deluxe
This heavy spoof of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" plays powerful against taunting lyrics to a devilishly good degree. I've been known to pop in disc two of the Rated R deluxe just to jam this song alone. 9/10 |
| 10 | | Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris
"Christian Brothers" (Elliot Smith cover) - 2007
Era Vulgaris Canadian tour limited edition
Applying Josh Homme's haunting falsetto to an incredible guitar atmosphere, this song packs an incredibly emotional punch far more devastating than anything on it's parent album. Definitely a favorite of mine, B-side, cover, or no. 9/10 |
| 11 | | Queens of the Stone Age
Lullabies to Paralyze
"Precious & Grace" (ZZ Top cover) - 2005
Lullabies to Paralyze vinyl/International tour edition
Featuring ex-QotSA Mark Lanegan and original ZZ Top singer Mark Gibbons on vocals, the band captures the spirit of this rip-roaring track while infusing the distinctive Queens of the Stone Age touch to the song to create an insanely good time from an otherwise laid-back album. 8.5/10 |
| 12 | | Queens of the Stone Age
Rated R
"Never Say Never" - 2002
"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" single B-side, or Rated R Deluxe
Originally written for a female vocalist, Homme revels in his feminine side on this tune, singing in a teasing but scathing manner in-between rocking sections thrown in for good measure. Just a really fun song overall. 8.5/10 |
| 13 | | Queens of the Stone Age
Era Vulgaris
"Era Vulgaris" - 2007
Era Vulgaris (some) International versions
At this point it might seem like a conspiracy to keep some of the best tracks from Era off of the album, and when it got to the point where they kept the incredible title track featuring Trent Reznor off the final cut, I'd have to agree with you. Featuring an deep industrial tone common for the album paired with an apocalyptic tone, it's hard to imagine how much better Era would be with the weakest songs replaced with these incredible b-sides in their place. 8.5/10 |
| 14 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
...Like Clockwork
"Villains of Circumstance" - 2014
Unreleased live track (...Like Clockwork era)
Keeping in line with the newfound emotional resonance on their latest album, Josh Homme debuted this new song during a solo acoustic performance. It's hard to say if it'll appear on their next tune, but if it does I'll be sure to pick up a box of Kleenex while I'm out buying it, because these lyrics have been known to seriously fuck me up. 9/10 |
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