Too many albums these days seem to be front-loaded: they start off strong and then fade toward the end. But not all albums are like that.

What are some of your favorite album-closing songs... the final tracks of albums that are noteworthy either for being one of (or THE) best song on the album, or for simply closing out the album in a fitting, satisfactory way.

I'll start with two:

Road To Nowhere by Talking Heads (Little Creatures)

Rock 'N' Roll Suicide by David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust)

I'd best get 'em before somebody beats me too it:

"A Day in the Life" The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

"Caroline, No" The Beach Boys Pet Sounds

Ziggy Stardust is actually a pretty brilliant Alpha and Omega, MME. "Five Years" sets up the album just as well as "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" brings it to a close.

Now Playing: "Someday Soon" Doves Some Cities (EMI)

This is open for lots more, but I'll start with:

"Purple Rain" from Purple Rain by Prince
"12XU" from Pink Flag by Wire
"Prairie Rose" from Country Life by Roxy Music
"Forever Paradise" from Positive Touch by the Undertones
"Radio, Radio" from This Year's Model by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

I'd add "Dive For Your Memory" by the Go-Betweens (from 16 Lover's Lane). Added greatness for a sad goodbye song that was goodbye for the first incarnation of that band.

One right off the top of my head:

"Motion Picture Soundtrack" from Kid A by Radiohead

Kevin Ayers - Beware of the Dog
Melvins - Charmicarmicat
Randy Newman - God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)
Velvet Underground - After Hours
Leonard Cohen - One of us must be wrong
Blue Oyster Cult - Astronomy
Pink Floyd - Echoes or Jugband Blues
Black Sabbath - Under the Sun
Hawkwind - Dust of Time (considering original LP release)
Syd Barrett - Effervescing Elephant
Bob Dylan - Desolation Row

Oh, plus

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Effigy

And

King Crimson - Starless
Henry Cow - Nine Funerals of the Citizen King
Can - Quantum Physics

for progressive rock haters. Tons more but I'm buzzed now.

"Oh Effendi" - 10cc - Sheet Music album
"Brighter Day" - Jellyfish - Spilt Milk
"Throw Back the Little Ones" - Steely Dan - Katie Lied
"Where They Walk over Sainte Therese" - Loud Family - Interbabe Concern

and a second nod for

"Astronomy" - Blue Oyster Cult - Secret Treaties


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quote:

Originally posted by flem_snopes:

"Brighter Day" - Jellyfish - Spilt Milk

Good one.

I'll add "Fools Like Us" which closes Echo and the Bunnymen's What Are You Going To Do With Your Life.

This one I have to explain:

Sixtoo (featuring Damo Suzuki) - Storm Clouds and Silver Linings

It's not the last song on the album, but it's the climax of the album. "Closing Day Sale" is like an epilogue. I think that in the sense relevant to this thread, that it's the same idea as being the last song.

EDIT:

Yes - Heart of the Sunrise

The Doors - The End
Violent Femmes - Good Feeling
Black Sabbath: Paranoid - Jack the Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots
Angry Samoans: Back From Samoa - Not of this Earth
Slayer - Seasons in the Abyss
The Rocky Horror Show - Super Heroes

Fairport Convention - Crazy Man Michael
Mothers of Invention - The Chrome-plated megaphone of destiny

Replacements - "Can't Hardly Wait" - A perfect pop tune if there ever was one, and strangely fitting to close the Pleased to Meet Me album)

Primal Scream - "Shine Like Stars" - (This is not a particularly great song. There is much better tracks off Screamadelica, but it just works so well as a closer.

I'll think of more later.

"Can't Hardly Wait" is a GREAT pick, Robot.

I should add "A Distorted Reality is Now a Necessity to Be Free" by Elliott Smith. Sniff.

Most of my favorites have been said but I'll add this one:

"Raining In Darling" Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

My Bloody Valentine-Soon

The best.

I'll second 'Raining in darling', the whole album is of course, brilliant, but along with 'I see a darkness', 'Minor Place' and 'Knockturne' (sp?) those songs really lift me,the undiluted humanity, the honesty, they just connect like nothing else...

Toss up between the title track from Eno's "Here Come The Warm Jets" and "Donimo" from Treasure by the Cocteau Twins.

Nice topic. I have always loved songs that can perfeclt close a great album. First to mind is "Me in Honey," on REM's Out of Time. Just a great groove and leaves you totally chilled out.

Both of the Posies' "Dear 23" and "Frosting on the Beater" close with brilliant, 8 minute opus' (opi?)--Flood of Sunshine and Coming Right Along...

Screaming Trees - Gospel Plow. (Love the Indian devotional vibe that goes into their trademark Crazy Horse rock form and then comes back)
Voivod - Sub-Effect (Nothingface is a masterpiece of left-field metal as are Killing Technology and Dimension Hatross)
Jefferson Airplane - House at Pooneil Corners
Motorhead - Bomber

Maybe it's too soon, but "Long Slow Goodbye" from Lullabies to Paralyze by Queens of the Stone Age seems pretty great to me.