Song 2

On this episode of Song 2, we’re making the case for why track two might be the most important slot on any album, and today’s example is Aretha Franklin an The song appears on her 1968 album Aretha Now, released during the peak of her legendary Atlantic Records run, when everything she recorded felt deliberate and powerful. Interestingly, the song didn’t start with Aretha, it was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and first recorded by Dionne Warwick a year earlier. The writers were inspired by the anxiety of the Vietnam War era, particularly the fear of loved ones being sent overseas, which adds surprising emotional depth to what sounds like such an upbeat pop classic.

“It’s not my favourite song on the record… but it’s the point where you realise it’s not going to be another acoustic singer-songwriter album.” Welcome back to Song 2, the podcast where we keep pushing the idea that track two might just be the album’s quiet MVP. This time, it’s Heather Woods Broderick stepping into the debate, reflecting on how the second song on her record Labyrinth shifts expectations and resets the listener’s compass. It’s less about being the “best”, and more about being the moment you realise what kind of journey you’re actually on.

Nobody Knows might not be the biggest song on Hugo, but it’s the one that grounds the album and tells you exactly what kind of record you’re listening to Welcome back to Song 2, the podcast that keeps flying the flag for track number two. This week we rewind to 2022 and dive into Hugo, the Mercury-nominated album from British rapper and poet Loyle Carner. Sitting second on the record is Nobody Knows, a track that doesn’t shout the loudest, but quietly defines everything that follows.

"I truly believe that an album is a journey that needs to flow from first song to the last" Bad Omen’s are having a bit of a renaissance at present with new music being drip fed and a new album touted for release in 2026, we caught up with Jolly from the band some time back – the full interview is available on RTL Play, on demand so get onto that after finishing up here. Jolly has some fantastic points on Song 2, unfortunately none of them support the theory… at all, but Jolly’s take on track-listing is a terrific listen. So go ahead and check it out. Joll of Bad Omen’s on the Song 2 theory….

This week we are looking at Scottish musician Paolo Nutini, and his mega-smash Last Request. Now, Paolo Nutini released his debut album These Streets in 2006, an instant hit which shot up the UK Albums chart, only to be topped by his next album Sunny side up which went straight to number one. The song Last Request was the second tune on his debut and became a fan favourite immediately, receiving tons of global acclaim. It’s a sweet song inspired by his relationship with his then girlfriend Teri Brogan, which became one of the defining songs of his career.

"The first song is why people bought the record, song two is why they KEPT listening" Kodaline were, for a while MASSIVE, that they decided to call it quits makes a large statement about the music business. Recorded a long while back when Kodaline last visited the GD. Sam Steen's full interview with Jay is available on demand via RTL Play.

"It depends on the album, but I'd say the 1st song is most important, for the 2nd one, you need to back it up. For Hickey, it was more about the first" Check out the full interview with Otis on The Lunchbox AND on-demand via RTL Play. Here though Otis tells us about the band's track listing and whether or not he agrees with our rather muddled theory....

"Generally the most important songs are the ones on the first half - with streaming you can skip songs easily, so there's no need to consider placement" Welcome back to Song 2, the podcast where we make a bold claim and back it up track by track: that the second song on any album isn’t just filler… it’s the statement. The moment where a band plants the flag and says, “Here’s who we really are.” This week, we’re going dark, dramatic, and gloriously heavy, because joining us is Cristina Scabbia, the powerhouse voice of Lacuna Coil. We’ll talk riffs, sequencing, and why that all-important second track often holds the emotional key to an entire record. Lacuna Coli are playing Rockhal in a couple of weeks, and we’ve a full length interview on Today Radio and via RTL Play. So, plug in, turn it up, and prepare to rethink your playlist, because on Song 2, the follow-up track is always the one that hits hardest. (image: CUNENE Official Press)

"With algorithms, people might not get to your best songs. I think albums are great - and our fans seemed to love them too. Listen to all of it" Tim Burgess of The Charlatans had already provided a great conversation for our full interview on RTL Play. Tim gained huge praised for his 'Listening Party' show. So I was not sure where this was going to go. Tim's writing a book called Closer - all about the final track, so it was not looking good for Song 2. Track 7 crops up again but we've got Tim onboard. And I'll put that on a t-short than you very much.

"If I'm good through Song 2, then I'm probably going to listen to the whole thing (album)" There is a FULL interview with Brandon on LOUDER and NEW Noised (plus it's on-demand) via RTL Play. Atreyu will tear the Rockhal a new one in their upcoming show......

"Number 7 was always my favourite - I still believe in albums, they remain important, the order of songs matter to me" Today we’re testing that theory with someone who knows all about building an album’s tension and release: Jehnny Beth. Musician, actor, and former frontwoman of the electrifying band Savages, Jehnny has a gift for sequencing songs that feel like carefully staged dramas.

"When we put this new one (listing) together, we were all really close in choice, I thought 'it could not be THAT easy'" Steps caught up with the effervescent Lauri from Finnish megagroup, The Rasmus, this is Lauri's take on the Song 2 theory.

"It's absolutely essential (tracklisting), it's your manifesto, you have to craft it, so you don't lose people" Welcome to Song 2, the podcast where we argue that the second track on any album is often the best, boldest, or most important, and we ask the artists themselves if they agree. Along the way, we dig into the craft of tracklisting and how sequencing can shape the entire listening experience. This week, our guest is Gavin Rossdale — frontman of Bush, one of the UK’s biggest alt-rock exports of the ’90s. With hits like Glycerine, Machinehead, and Swallowed, Bush sold millions worldwide and carved out their place alongside grunge’s heavyweights. Gavin joins us fresh off the release of his latest album I Beat Loneliness, a record that proves his songwriting is as sharp and urgent as ever. We’ll be talking about Bush’s legacy, the challenge of keeping albums cohesive in the streaming era, and of course, whether track two really is the sweet spot.