The value of b-sides

What do people think of the value of b-sides? Are they an integral part of selling singles or do they just occupy a bit of disc space??

In general, b-sides aren't that important in selling a single because the average consumer is buying a song they've heard on the radio and like. However, in collector's circles, the b-sides do increase the value of a CDs. A CD with songs unreleased elsewhere will retain and gain value based on the rarity of the content.

Becky

It's truly for the fans...

With Bounce, we got 12 great new track, and if you add on the 6 demo tracks from the 2 Everyday singles as well as Postcards From The Wasteland and the American XS live version of Bounce, that's 20 new tracks for us to enjoy.

We get looked after here in Oz because since These Days nearly every BJ single has come in 2 formats with plenty of bonus tracks.

FOr the fan it makes a tidy collection of Bon Jovi rare tracks.

I agree that BJ thinks the fans here. We were buying the first Everyday single with my friend and noticed that Kelly Osbourne's single with only one song costed 6,00 € and Everyday single with 3 new tracks 5,49 €. So which single would you rather buy (if we don't think of the fact that Everyday is far better than Kelly's Papa Don't Preach )? I think that it's just great what BJ is doing here!! I wouldn't buy BJ singles if they didn't have demos, I'm not a collector.

Taija

B-sides, such as unreleased material, live or acoustic stuff, whatever... is just a bonus for those who are really fans. they have everything, all the albums, they want more, so the band gives this material. there's nothing more boring than a single with nothing extra on it.

I don't usually buy BJ singles anymore unless they have demos on them... The live songs are just a bore, they don't really capture the athmosphere of a Bon Jovi concert (after seeing them live, who would settle for anything less).

I'm with Taija. I only buy the singles when they have unreleased songs as b-sides because I have all album that have the A-side of the singles so there wouldn't be a need for me to buy the singles if they didn't have these demos. I am a collector but I collect BJ-songs, meaning for me it's more interesting to have all songs than having x different versions of one CD with the same songs.

I agree, it's for the real fans.

I'm kind of the opposite. I do like the demos and you get some real pearlers out of them, but I LOVE collecting unreleased live tracks! And yes, I have been to a BJ concert and I know it's not nearly the same thing. The live tracks get me with just all the little differences, the altered pace of the song, something Jon might say, crowd interaction, all that is awesome.

hmmmm the price of b-sides
I think they are great to listen to, coz personally i like listening to extra trax than the ones i am just going to get on the album anyway