The Track 7 Theory

[Stan]

Several years back now, Brett Anderson of Suede claimed that in 90% of cases the seventh track of an album (excluding compilations or best-ofs etc) was the best. A friend told him the theory and he'd gone through his collection and discoverd it was true.

Anyway, I did the same and found it does work. About 80% of albums I'd say. It's still freaky.

The seventh track on YATQ is 'How Could Anybody Know...' which I think will be a lot of people's favourite.

I know this sounds crazy but get a heap of CDs and try it for yourself.

By the way - two things to consider. It DEFINATELY doesn't apply on Southpaw Grammar and also, Brett was on heroin.

[Johnny]

> Several years back now, Brett Anderson of Suede claimed that in 90% of
> cases the seventh track of an album (excluding compilations or best-ofs
> etc) was the best. A friend told him the theory and he'd gone through his
> collection and discoverd it was true.

> Anyway, I did the same and found it does work. About 80% of albums I'd
> say. It's still freaky.

> The seventh track on YATQ is 'How Could Anybody Know...' which I think
> will be a lot of people's favourite.

> I know this sounds crazy but get a heap of CDs and try it for yourself.

> By the way - two things to consider. It DEFINATELY doesn't apply on
> Southpaw Grammar and also, Brett was on heroin.

Funny enough Stan I've just been listening to Suedue's singles C.D.

It's really very good but you can almost trace a decline in the lyrics of Brett over the years.

Musically they remained quite solid even after B.B left but some of the later lyrics were really poor.

Anyone that says drugs improve a writer's out out is quite frankly on drugs...probably.

Oh and the 7th track thing is nonsense

[Tingle]

A variation on this is that IF the second track of the 2nd side of an LP is any good then the whole thing is probably up-to-scratch. Of course in the days of CDs it doesn't really apply, but I think the reasoning is that bands make an effort to make the opening of each side great and to keep something good for the final track. Therefore if track 2 on the 'B' side is any good then it must be 'quality'.

Of course it's a rubbish theory, but a theory nevertheless!

> Funny enough Stan I've just been listening to Suedue's singles C.D.

> It's really very good but you can almost trace a decline in the lyrics of
> Brett over the years.

> Musically they remained quite solid even after B.B left but some of the
> later lyrics were really poor.

> Anyone that says drugs improve a writer's out out is quite frankly on
> drugs...probably.

> Oh and the 7th track thing is nonsense

[i hate scum]

> Funny enough Stan I've just been listening to Suedue's singles C.D.

> It's really very good but you can almost trace a decline in the lyrics of
> Brett over the years.

> Musically they remained quite solid even after B.B left but some of the
> later lyrics were really poor.

> Anyone that says drugs improve a writer's out out is quite frankly on
> drugs...probably.

> Oh and the 7th track thing is nonsense

yes but when he was heavily dependant on drugs he was far more interesting, you only have to look at the first two albums when he was a junkie to see that your not actually correct in what you are saying. They were great albums.

bowie wrote a few great albums off his tree as well

cheers

[Johnny]

> yes but when he was heavily dependant on drugs he was far more
> interesting, you only have to look at the first two albums when he was a
> junkie to see that your not actually correct in what you are saying. They
> were great albums.

> bowie wrote a few great albums off his tree as well

> cheers

We'll have to agree to disagree then.In my experience there is nothing interesting about a performing addict.
They are the dullest people on earth( and I speak from experience) because their whole world evolves around one person..themselves.

People can still write decent stuff whilst on drugs but they are not writing quality stuff BECAUSE of drugs.

[i hate scum]

>People can still write decent stuff whilst on drugs but they are not writing quality stuff BECAUSE of drugs.

agreed

['Radar' O'Reilly]

This reminds me of the time Microdisney recorded three songs for a drugs education video, in the end the powers that be decided that, 'Patrick Moore says you can't sleep here', 'Michael Murphy', and 'Pretoria Quickstep' were more likely to encourage drug taking and the project was cancelled. The tracks ended up on the compilation 'We Hate You South African Bastards'.

Hilarious stuff.

[anonymous]

oh i definitely believe in the 7th track theory, or rather the mid-album track theory. If you look at Morrissey's albums, you can clearly see that the middle track is meant to re-enthuse the listener after an epic piece or several ballads, eg

Viva Hate - Suedehead
Kill Uncle - Found, found, found
Southpaw Grammar - Dagenham Dave
Vauxhall - The more you ignore me