The best bonus tracks for today's extra day!

29 February 2024, 09:00 | Updated: 29 February 2024, 11:04

In 2024, we get an extra day on 29th February - and it's always nice to get a little surprise with your album. What happens when there's a bonus with your music?

By Radio X

@RadioX

1. Nirvana - Endless Nameless

   Ah, the hidden track. One of the most famous of these little CD surprises first appeared at the end of the classic Nevermind album. If you waited ten minutes after Something In The Way had finished, you were rewarded with this slab of noise. Ironically the CD versions without the hidden track are rarer.

   

   Endless, Nameless

2. Bloc Party - Two More Years

   Not included on the original release of Silent Alarm in 2005, this mini-classic was added when the album was reissued later in the year, along with Little Thoughts.

   

   Bloc Party - Two More Years (HQ)

3. The Clash - Train In Vain

   This favourite was added to the classic London Calling album at the very last minute - so last minute, in fact, that the initial pressings didn't even list the track on the sleeve. This would have been a pleasant surprise for anyone listening.

   

   The Clash - Train in Vain (Live at the Lewisham Odeon)

4. The Jam - English Rose

   Paul Weller was reportedly not too keen on the lyrics to this track and therefore it wasn't listed on the album cover to 1978's All Mod Cons. Another sweet surprise for record buyers!

   

   The Jam - English Rose (1978)

5. Razorlight - Somewhere Else

   One of Johnny Borrell's finest moments, but recorded after the release of the band's debut Up All Night and later added to a 2005 reissue.

   

   Razorlight - Somewhere Else

6. The Beatles - Her Majesty

   Originally recorded as part of the "big medley" on side two of the classic Abbey Road album, Paul McCartney decided he didn't like the song sitting between Mean Mr Mustard and Polythene Pam, so he ordered it cut. Tape op John Kurlander spliced the song to the very end of the tape for safety and Macca liked the effect… meaning the track now appears fourteen seconds after the dying notes of the official final track, The End.

   

   Her Majesty (Remastered 2009)

7. The Charlatans - The Only One I Know

   The original vinyl edition of Some Friendly in 1990 didn't include this Charlatans classic… but the CD version did. Later reissues restored the song to its rightful place.

   

   The Charlatans - The Only One I Know

8. The Libertines - France

   This song is stashed at the very end of the Libs' second, self-titled album after the final official track, What Became Of The Likely Lads.

   

   France - The Libertines

9. James - Sit Down

   Originally recorded in 1988, by the time the Gold Mother album came out two years later, it was a bit old hat for James fans. However, a re-recording of the track did huge business in those Madchester days and the song was added to a 1991 re-release.

   

   James - Sit Down

10. The Smiths - This Charming Man

    The 1983 single version of this all-time favourite never appeared on an album during the band's lifetime, but in the US this track was crowbarred between sides one and two of the CD version the debut album The Smiths. See also: How Soon Is Now's unexpected appearance on the Meat Is Murder CD.

    

    The Smiths - This Charming Man (Official Music Video)