AnneOK,
I think you're right that the songs on the cassette were rearranged to balance the length of material on both sides of the cartridge. Back in 1970 (egads I'm dating myself with this admission!) I had an 8 Track recording of the "If You Could Read My Mind" album. The track "Me and Bobby McGee" was actually cut in half with a 15 second pause in the middle of the song while the tape switched from Side A to Side B! At least that practice died with the 8 Track format.
Why am I suddenly feeling older than dirt?