Confirmed "Working" or Original Alternate Titles of Albums

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2 off hand that I found..

BEATLES "WHITE ALBUM" ORGINAL WORKING TITLE WAS "A DOLL'S HOUSE"

after Henrik Ibsen's 1879 play, but after british rock band Family released Music in a Doll's House, the Beatles decided to scrap that title in favor of something much simpler.

CARS "HEARTBEAT CITY" originally was to be called "WHO'S GONNA DRIVE YOU HOME?"

which eventually became the chorus of the albums biggest single. (From "Frozen Fire", Cars biography book by Toby Goldstein)

― Ric Stone, Tuesday, 19 October 2004 12:05 (twenty-one years ago)

David Bowie's Low was originally "New Music: Night & Day".

― Jonathan Z. (Joanthan Z.), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 12:24 (twenty-one years ago)

There were a lot of different titles for REM's Out Of Time, but the most memorable was "Cat Butt." Document was originally going to be called "File Under Fire." One of the working titles for U2's POP was "Elixir Vitae." Pavement briefly considered calling Terror Twilight "Farewell Horizontal."

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 12:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Smile --> Smiley Smile

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 12:29 (twenty-one years ago)

― Serghei Daduismus (Dada), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 12:29 (twenty-one years ago)

So he did go solo after leaving the Mysterions then...

― mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 12:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Killing Joke [2003] was originally titled The Death & Resurrection Show. Why they went with the eponymous title stupes everyone.

Firewater's Man on the Burning Tightrope had a working title of Glitter Gulch for a while.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 12:46 (twenty-one years ago)

license to ill = don't be a faggot

― peter smith (plsmith), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 12:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Limp Bizkit's last album was going to be called "Panty Sniffer" and one or two other things, though I forget now ...

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 13:02 (twenty-one years ago)

..so has everyone else.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 13:11 (twenty-one years ago)

"A Doll's House" would really suit "The White Album".

"Abbey Road" was originally to be titled "Everest", but they all hated each other so much by then that they didn't want to go any further than just outside the studio for a photoshoot.

― Wooden (Wooden), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 13:14 (twenty-one years ago)

"REM's Out Of Time, but the most memorable was "Cat Butt.""

Wait, was this before or after the K Records band by that name?

― Clusterfuck at the Baja Fresh Salsa Bar (Ben Boyer), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, and the Offspring was going to call their last album (the real name of which I don't know) "Chinese Democrazy (You Snooze You Lose),"
Which I found somehow pretty funny.

― Clusterfuck at the Baja Fresh Salsa Bar (Ben Boyer), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 16:23 (twenty-one years ago)

pretty much every guided by voices album had one or more different titles ("hardcore ufos" for "bee thousand," "broadcaster house" for "isolation drills," for two quick examples, but there were scores of others). i'm pretty sure robert pollard spends more time on album titles than on songs. and i'm pretty sure he wouldn't disagree with that statement.

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 16:31 (twenty-one years ago)

eight arms to hold you = help! (the beatles)
tonight matthew, we're going to be underworld = beacoup fish
(underworld)
elton john is number one* = 0898 (the beautiful south)
i hate myself and i want to die = in utero (nirvana)
crystal ball = sign o the times (prince)
animal lover = suede (suede)
keys, money and fags = elastica (elastica)
soft porn = parklife (blur)
shilling the rubes = young americans (bowie)
impossible princess = kylie minogue (kylie)
bounce = introspective (pet shop boys)
mass = 101 (depeche mode)

*he had a greatest hits coming out the same week

― piscesboy, Tuesday, 19 October 2004 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

They Said You Could Walk On Water=After Math/Aftermath (Rolling Stones)
After Geography=Revolver (Beatles)*
More New Numbers=Some Girls (Rolling Stones)

*A dig on The Stones title.

― Doobie Keebler (Charles McCain), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 16:41 (twenty-one years ago)

"after geography" sounds so cryptic and psychedelic, even if it is just mocking "aftermath".

― peter smith (plsmith), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 17:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Beck's "Odelay" was supposed to be called "Robot Jazz," pity it didn't come to pass.

― joseph cotten (joseph cotten), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 17:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Nellie McKay's Get Away From Me. Earlier working titles: Black America, (my favorite) Penis Envy.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 17:50 (twenty-one years ago)

IIRC, Pulp's "We Love Life" was slated to be "Pulp Love Life", then they opted for an eponymous title, and finally decided on the eventualy title.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 18:04 (twenty-one years ago)

ick, *eventual*

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 18:04 (twenty-one years ago)

the alternates generally aren't as good.

― Sympatico (shmuel), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 18:36 (twenty-one years ago)

the alternates generally aren't as good.

license to ill = don't be a faggot

― peter smith (plsmith), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

can you even imagine tibetan-freedom-yauch trying to live that down? it wouldnt have been a success like it was, im sure, but it would have totally personified their MO at the time.

― peter smith (plsmith), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:08 (twenty-one years ago)

sonic youth "goo" = "blow job"

― Loose Translation: Sexy Dancer (sexyDancer), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:13 (twenty-one years ago)

in the "don't be a faggot" alterante universe, I don't think there ever would have been a Free Tibet Yauch. So I guess it would have been a better title.

― Sympatico (shmuel), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:15 (twenty-one years ago)

grateful dead = skullfuck

(anything offensive, or where i could have possibly seen profanity written on a manufacturer's cd top-tab is what im looking for)

― peter smith (plsmith), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:17 (twenty-one years ago)

The Fall - "The Real New Fall LP (Formerly 'Country on the Click')" = "Country on the Click"
The Fall - "Interim" = "Cocked"

― Loose Translation: Sexy Dancer (sexyDancer), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:24 (twenty-one years ago)

for its asian release, the fall should call the new album Country on the Click [Formerly 'The Real New Fall LP (Formerly "Country on the Click)].

― peter smith (plsmith), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Supergrass' eponymous 1999 album = "Monkey Tennis"

― Richard C (avoid80), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Manic Street Preachers - "Everything Must Go" = "Sounds in the Grass"

― Richard C (avoid80), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Blur - "Modern Life is Rubbish" = "England Vs America"

― Richard C (avoid80), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Belle & Sebatian - If You're Feeling Sinister = Cock Fun

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Is that Belle & Sebastian one true?!

― Clusterfuck at the Baja Fresh Salsa Bar (Ben Boyer), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 20:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Sleep - "Jerusalem" = "Dopesmoker"

― Loose Translation: Sexy Dancer (sexyDancer), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 20:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes. Working title rather than alternate one, though.

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Beth Orton's "Trailer Park" was originally titled "Winnebago" and was even advertised in the music press under that name before Winnebago forced the last minute name change.

― wombatX (wombatX), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 22:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Smile was originally Dumb Angel.

Smiley Smile and Smile are different, sorta.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 22:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Beth Orton's "Trailer Park" was originally titled "Winnebago" and was even advertised in the music press under that name before Winnebago forced the last minute name change.

-- wombatX (wombat...), October 19th, 2004 11:44 PM.

I hate it when non-US artists embrace whimsical Americana like that. It just seems so fake. See The Thrills for the ultimate example.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

― Wooden (Wooden), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 23:20 (twenty-one years ago)

The working title for the Ashlee Simpson record was "Pimpin' My Other Daughter." Okay, I made that up.

― mottdeterre (mottdeterre), Tuesday, 19 October 2004 23:33 (twenty-one years ago)

I think we need a "should have been the alternate titles" thread

― Sympatico (shmuel), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 00:05 (twenty-one years ago)

A famous one: $8.98=Hard Promises (Tom Petty)

― Doobie Keebler (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 00:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't Be a Faggot would have been a really great title. Remember back then you could say the word "faggot" and not mean a homosexual (e.g. "That little faggot got his own jet airplane..." in "Money for Nothing").

England Vs. America is another fantastic one. Why do Blur hate America so much?

Animal Lover is just gross. What is with all those damn beastiality songs on that record anyway?

I Hate Myself and Want to Die. Wow.

― Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 04:06 (twenty-one years ago)

The Amazing Pudding became Atom Heart Mother
Eclipsed became Dark Side of the Moon
Looking Through the Knotholes in Granny's Wooden Leg became Meddle
Spare Bricks (Wall outtakes) became The Final Cut

― Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 04:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Radiohead was going to call Kid A 'No Logo,' after the Naomi Klein book of the same name. It would have been a horrible, pretentious title -- fitting some would say.

― The TAO that can be Posted is not the TAO! (The Tao that can be Posted is), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 04:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Tonight, Matthew, We Are Going To Be... Underworld -> Beaucoup Fish

Apparently that first one was 'too silly' or something.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 04:47 (twenty-one years ago)

pavement: bright in the corners --> brighten the corners

― cinniblount (James Blount), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 04:49 (twenty-one years ago)

beach boys: landlocked --> surf's up

― cinniblount (James Blount), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 04:55 (twenty-one years ago)

u2: the enduring chill --> the joshua tree

― cinniblount (James Blount), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 04:57 (twenty-one years ago)

beach boys: dumb angel --> smile

― cinniblount (James Blount), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 04:58 (twenty-one years ago)

elvis costello: emotional fascism --> armed forces

― cinniblount (James Blount), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 05:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Remember back then you could say the word "faggot" and not mean a homosexual (e.g. "That little faggot got his own jet airplane..." in "Money for Nothing").

But I thought the point was that he was mimicking rednecks who did perceive glammy rock stars ("little faggot with his earring and his makeup") as, if not gay per se, at least unmanly.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 05:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Captain Beefheart, Strictly Personal, originally It Comes To You In A Plain Brown Wrapper
Sly & The Family Stone, There's A Riot Goin' On, originally Africa Talks To You
Metallica, Kill 'em All, originally Metal Up Your Ass
Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti, originally Swan Song

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 08:17 (twenty-one years ago)

mr. snrub per usual is a moron - in 1986 'faggot' decidedly meant homosexual.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 08:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Tori Amos - Under The Pink was originally (oh dear) God With A Big G.

― The Lex (The Lex), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 09:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Justin Timberlake - Out of The Blue -> Justified (true)
Tiffany - Teenage Mall Hooker -> Tiffany (false)

― B.A.R.M.S. (Barima), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 10:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Teenage Mall Hooker
I'd buy that record with that title (for a dollar.)

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 10:37 (twenty-one years ago)

>Metallica, Kill 'em All, originally Metal Up Your Ass

they did have t-shirts with that title. featuring a hand holding a knife coming out of the toilet . no, really. i had one (sorta stole it from a friend). i really, really wish i still had it now (it got completely ripped when grunge came along)

― marcdrums (marcdrums), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 10:54 (twenty-one years ago)

The Avalanches -> Pablo's Cruise -> Since I Left You

― Mil (Mil), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 11:04 (twenty-one years ago)

sundar is right.

― piscesboy, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 11:19 (twenty-one years ago)

In 1994, when I first heard the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion had a new album coming out, it was referred to as Real Folk Blues not Orange.

― Vic Funk, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 12:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Smiths - 'Bugger Bognor' -> 'Queen is Dead'; 'Smiths on Heat' -> Rank

― bham, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 12:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Super Furry Animals - Mobile Phones Are Killing The Pub Quiz As We Know It --> Guerilla

Blur - When You're Walking Backwards Towards Hell, All You Can See Is God --> 13

i'm kinda sorry i know these

― pete b. (pete b.), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 13:03 (twenty-one years ago)

There was an R.E.M album--Out of Time, maybe--whose alternate title was said to be "Trolling For Olives," but I think this (like 'Cat Butt' probably) was a joke.

― Dark Horse, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Smiths - 'Bugger Bognor' -> 'Queen is Dead'

Not true, as far as I know. Morrissey did mention these famous last words of George V (aka 'some old corporal') in an interview once, which Google has helped me to dig up. This was after The Queen Is Dead was released, though.

It's like famous last words. So many people's last words were so riotously memorable. [...] some old corporal dying, smothered in blood 'Don't be silly Charles, cheer up, cheer up, we're going to Bognor this weekend'. And he turned round to his friend and said 'Bugger Bognor!' and 'Bugger Bognor!' actually appeared on his tombstone as his famous last words. I think that should be an LP title... 'Bugger Bognor!'."

Not heard the 'Smiths on Heat' one.

― Alba (Alba), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 23:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I heard that the working title was actually "Margaret on the Quillotine"

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Thursday, 21 October 2004 00:26 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry, that should've been Guillotine.

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Thursday, 21 October 2004 00:26 (twenty-one years ago)

six months pass...

Not a big change, but I just learned that Queen's THE GAME was originally to be titled PLAY THE GAME until drummer Roger Taylor worried that it sounded like an "instruction to conform"

― ZionTrain, Thursday, 5 May 2005 04:22 (twenty years ago)

'Some Girls' = 'More FAST Numbers'
'Aftermath' = 'Could *You* Walk on the Water?"

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Thursday, 5 May 2005 04:38 (twenty years ago)

Stand and Deliver and Junior Gichi were working titles for Scritti Politti's Songs to Remember.

― Ian Riese-Moraine has a grenade, that pineapple's not just a toy! (Eastern Mantr, Thursday, 5 May 2005 15:07 (twenty years ago)

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