"maybe it's more important than I realised. Narratively, it's very important on this record I'm about to put out.” Elly Jackson

“Once we got the final track list down, we were like, let’s listen back and see if it feels right.” - Wishy

“Tracklisting is a huge part of it. It can change the whole entire context of the record.” - Jake Bugg

Five seasons, countless guests and an awful lot of unexpected detours later, Song 2 is back for a sixth season on RTL Today Radio.

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

“I don’t wake up trying to write the big song. I wake up trying to make a great album.”

“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.”

“The second song is kind of like another opening track… if the first one doesn’t work, then the second one has to.”

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

“If you listen to it as one piece, it’s almost like one song anyway… it’s about taking the listener on a journey.”

"I truly believe that an album is a journey that needs to flow from first song to the last"

Now, The Dark Side of the Moon really doesn’t need an introduction but let’s give it one anyway...

This week we are looking at Scottish musician Paolo Nutini, and his mega-smash Last Request.

"I always give an album 3 songs. If you're not into an album by track 3, then your switching off"

"The first song is why people bought the record, song two is why they KEPT listening"

What begins as a personal meditation quickly turns into something larger - gospel backing vocals and a communal spirit.

"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"

What a tune this is....

"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"

Go ahead and get the pronunciation right on first go... I dare you.

"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"

“It’s crucial that you draw people in when you’re making records. Putting a track listing together can be very complex”

"If I'm good through Song 2, then I'm probably going to listen to the whole thing (album)"

“I don’t think you can make rules like that (Song 2) about music. No track is more important than the other”

"Number 7 was always my favourite - I still believe in albums, they remain important, the order of songs matter to me"

This week, what was potentially one of the songs of the year in 2024. An absolute, certified banger.

"When we put this new one (listing) together, we were all really close in choice, I thought 'it could not be THAT easy'"

Today we’re getting airborne, quite literally, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Aeroplane”, from the 1995 album One Hot Minute...

"It's absolutely essential (tracklisting), it's your manifesto, you have to craft it, so you don't lose people"

The opener kicks the door in. But track two? Track two defines the journey.

Teaser Trailer

With Linkin Park back in a big way and the new record From Zero proving a hit with most but not ALL LP fans, it’s as good time to go back to the start

Let us take you back! The year is 2004, grime experienced its first wave of success the summer previous and the wait for Dizzee’s 2nd album is finally over

"I'm proud to say it, I love it when someone randomly hears a P.O.D song for the first time, and there's elements and they pause, and go 'THAT'S P.O.D'!"

This week we are taking into consideration a tune that I would wager nearly all of you have heard….

"These days, I would say no, but I do recall being told that...and in the 90s we fell in suit and put our so-called single at that position (two)"

Today, we’re diving into ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’—even if the title gives us a bit of a cringe!"

"I wouldn't put any song on an album unless, I wanted the audience to go WOW!"

For this week’s episode, we’ve gone a bit META and employed AI to try and take this argument to it’s natural, or rather artificial conclusion.

"Two? Two is all about what it does to your body. But for me, four and seven are absolutely crucial!"

Celebrated for its unparalleled ability to get just about anyone airborne, Jump Around is as strong an argument for Song 2 as it gets.

"Nope - I think it's very important but not THE most important. We often put a very Shed Seven sounding song as Track 2, it's kinda like a safety blanket"

For this particular episode we are looking at Dua Lipa’s song ‘Houdini’ which was released as a second song on Radical Optimism.

In case you were wondering where the pods were, we’ve been mad busy with LIVE Radio

On today’s episode we will be taking a look at the tremendous band Foals and their song Mountain at my Gates off their fourth studio album What Went Down.

"I've probably screwed some up and put a turd on second occasionally but I think mostly, they're pretty solid"

In this episode we are looking at what could arguably be described as a one hit wonder...

"I've never thought of that before, but I agree, and I can see how that (Song 2) makes a lot of sense" - Chino Moreno

"I don't think there is a definitive answer to this... the second song is often times a single but I don't think a single is the best song" - Julia Shapiro

"El Beach" by the Limiñanas is a masterclass in captivating its audience.