80's 7" Single Mixes That Are Better Than The Album Versions (Vinyl Community)

[@bretcoale7577]

I love scouring 7 inch bins at record stores. It seems like they are often ignored, but there’s plenty of reasons to collect them!

[@dundee12]

"Rock the Casbah" by The Clash 45 single is far more in your face, bass-y. They intentionally mixed it that way, worth seeking out

[@farrellmcnulty909]

I used to have that. I prefer that one.

[@5150-for-music]

Big one that comes to mind is Eddie Money's "Two Tickets To Paradise". The single remix is way different. You get this guitar part after he says "waited so long". There are also some vocal differences in the song. Great video!

[@grooveyerbouti]

I have a great fondness for 80's 12" remixes.

[@jeffreycoy]

I don't care for Another Brick in the Wall Pt 2 radio edit. I never much cared for the album cut anyway until I heard Roger Waters play it live in 2017 and when that echoing bassline kicked in the hairs stood up on the back of my neck and it all made sense. Without that opening bassline it's no bueno for me.

[@the80sretroguy]

Thanks to this video, I am now a subscriber. This was informative and very enjoyable. Congrats to you👍

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@calvinwazoo]

Great examples. I've never been much of a singles collector, but you are correct that many single releases were different mixes. First time I noticed was with REM, I had eponymous for ever, and then finally got Murmur on vinyl and I was like, what? I'm still not much of a singles collector. But with some songs I've learned that the single release is seriously the one to get.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! Yes usually those mixes would end up on compilations so you could sill get them on LP. You wouldn't know which version you're getting until you got it home and played it

[@farrellmcnulty909]

Radio Free Europe?

[@mariawesley7583]

I have a wonderful disco mix of "The Reflex" on "Tiger Tiger" as well as 3 other songs. It's really enjoyable.

[@RobertFithen]

I will probably do a 12" remix video at one point.

[@mick5137]

The "dates version" of Rock Me Amadeus made me first aware that Mozart and I share a birthday.

[@TheEddieJ1984]

Queen's "I Want To Break Free" is one where the Album version is much shorter and seems to start right before the first verse where as the Single version as the intro and extended middle part. Also the production sounds alot better on the single version where the one on the Works doesn't.

[@clydecrashcup2708]

Hi Robert! This video was right up my alley, since I often get obsessed with discovering and owning varying versions of pop songs from the 60s/70s/80s. I'm familiar with almost all the titles you showed. I don't share your opinion regarding "Rock Me Amadeus" -- but that's probably because I usually heard the American version on the stations I listened to and am partial to that one. I will admit, though, the historical narration on it is somewhat educational but ultimately rather silly. Speaking of Pat Benatar...The original version of "We Live For Love", found on early pressings of In The Heat Of The Night, has a different rhythm track that gives it a mellower sound. Later album pressings replace that rhythm track with one that's guitar-driven, imparting more of a hard rock sound; this is the same version found on the single release and all compilations that I've come across. I've never found In The Heat Of The Night on CD, but would guess that's also going to have the later version of "We Live For Love." I remember my disappointment after buying Madonna's "The Immaculate Collection" (Greatest Hits Vol. 1): Most of the tracks were remixes with shorter running times than the original singles (usually early fades). Going back to the 70s, you may remember most of Three Dog Night's earlier singles are completely different mixes than the album versions and are typically superior. These mixes can be found on the excellent 2-CD compilation "The Three Dog Night Story". Unfortunately most radio stations/streaming services tend to play the album mixes of 3DN songs. Fun fact: There are three versions of their minor hit "Liar" (written by Russ Ballard; another terrific tune) -- the single mix, album mix with early fade (featured on most compilations), and full-length album mix from "Naturally". Ringo Starr's single "Goodnight Vienna" seamlessly combines the majority of the album track and reprise that ends the vinyl album into a more-cohesive listening experience. Lastly, the single version of "Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat & Tears has a short guitar solo in the middle that isn't on the album version (although the latter has a longer running time due to the jazz-mode instrumental break and extended ending). The single version is available on their greatest hits album (both LP and CD).

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks for the info! I didn't know that about "We Live For Love". I didn't know about "Goodnight Vienna" either. I definitely prefer "Collection" over "Immaculate Collection" for Madonna compilations (all original hit versions). I may do another video on 60's/ 70's single mixes at one point. Also, including The Beatles "Let It Be" and "Get Back" which have different single versions. Three Dog Night is similar to Fleetwood Mac in that those 70's single mixes have, unfortunately mostly been forgotten.

[@dewey70]

OMG that Falco Wikipedia Mix is terrible!! I gave away my LP because of it. Chicago's "Along Comes A Woman" is another one where the single remix has more oomph.

[@mrdjproductions3070]

i haven't laughed that hard in awhile...when you went on about Falco "Rock Me Amadeus"...the version with the dates in it. Here's a few more singles/album versions examples: 1) "Together Forever" by Rick Astley. I think it's single version that has an extra few synthesizer notes during the chorus. The 45 is labeled "Together Forever" (Remix). 2) "Strangelove" by Depeche Mode. There is a version on a promo 45 and 12" called "Remix Edit". That's the version my local station would play. It has an instrumental bridge at the end. good for DJ beat mixing. 3) "I Melt With You" by Modern English. most radio stations have the standard hit version from 1990. It was originally recorded in 1983. The 45 has mostly the exact same edit except that starting with the second verse there's a reverb/echo repeat. Then in that same version, when they get to the chorus, they say "stop the world" after each line that says "i'll stop the world and melt with you". Not sure how to tell them apart just by looking at the CD or record. A few 90s examples: 4) "All I Want" by Toad The Wet Sprocket. The single version has extra reverb in the drums and backing vocals in the chorus. 5) "Walk On The Ocean" by Toad The Wet Sprocket. The album version ends cold. After the "as we slowly grow..." the chorus starts again and then gradually fades out. There's a 45 single that has both of these together on 1 single. 6) "More Than Words" by Extreme. There are 3 different edits/mixes of this song. The first is the album version which runs over 5 minutes. The second is the video version which runs around 4:11 and is also on the cassette and cd single. The 3rd was released on a promo CD single and on a reissue 45 and runs around 3:40. It doesn't have the "oooh" in the middle of the song and the ending is different than the 4:11 version. 7) "Run Away" by Real McCoy. The single version that was on the radio is slightly different. I'm not a hundred percent on this but I believe the keyboard sound is slightly different. 8) "Closing Time" by Semisonic. the promo CD single i have has 3 different edits. i think the difference is the bridge is slightly different. Too many to list here but there are also other songs throughout the 2000s where mixes are slightly different. (Fuel - "Hemorrhage" has a longer intro. Vertical Horizon "You're A God" has a Top 40 edit where the guitar isn't as "up" in the mix". and Tonic's "If You Could Only See" has an edit where the guitar isn't as prevalent in the chorus). And I haven't been able to find this anywhere but there is a version of "All-Star" by Smash Mouth that starts with an instrumental intro and not the vocals. Finding these is great....but it would be nice to have all versions in 1 spot, instead of hearing something on the radio and then buying the album and hearing it's totally different.

[@RobertFithen]

There's also the "I Melt With You" with the background vocals going throughout. I have that "Closing Time" promo cd, but we just played the album version.

[@michaelslowack903]

Very informative vid, Robert! We posted '(Wish I could fly like) Superman' by The Kinks maxi-single on our IG. The album version of this song is good, but the maxi-single is extended and sounds a bit better as well!

[@RobertFithen]

Oh yeah, I could do a whole other video on extended versions, too.

[@karlsinclair9918]

Omg...I bought the original single of rock me amadeus. it was the 1st single I bought. Was good to see that you enjoy it still !

[@karlsinclair9918]

At the time i was 10 or 11 and still loved star wars so I remember flipping the b side and playing it at 78rpm and pretended it was an alien record by sy snootles and the Max Rebop band...

[@djhrecordhound4391]

Dedicated single mixes go back to at least the mid 50s. Dunhill probably did the most, with dedicated mixes on almost all 45s of Mamas & Papas, Steppenwolf, Grass Roots, and Three Dog Night. Some were longer than their LP counterparts--Three Dog Night "Old Fashioned Love Song" added a doo-woppy segment near its end, and Steppenwolf "Hey Lawdy Mama" runs almost a minute longer (with no wah-wah guitar in its drum breaks either). ABC dumped all their single master tapes in the mid-70s though "to save on storage"!!!! @Robert Fithen That 12" of Rock Me Amadeus has another cool phenomenon. My copy is slightly warped, and the song's pace is almost exactly at 45rpm, so it looks like the headshell is bouncing to the beat of the music!

[@RobertFithen]

I used to work on a station that played the single version of "Magic Carpet Ride". You could tell the master was lost. It actually sounded like it was from an overplayed 45.

[@ICenobyte1962]

Hey Robert! I agree 100% about "Here I go again,Yuk! Some others I feel the same way about; In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel; Single, 6+ minutes, LP horrible! Bringing on the heartache - Def Leppard, LP excellent! Single, Awful!. Good video, I can't think of others at the moment.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! I forgot all about "Bringing On the Heartache" with the added keyboards. That was a bonus track on the cassette. Terrible.

[@GSPonsonby]

I’m of two minds with “Close To Me.” The horns on the single version are infectious and fun, easy to listen to and like. But the skeletal, nervous arrangement on the album better fits, to my ears, the mood and message of the song. It (the album version) is my favorite Cure tune as well, but I do jam to those horns on the single mix as well.

[@RobertFithen]

Exactly! The album version sounds more intimate and goes more with the lyrics, but for me, the single version is the better listen.

[@markandresen1]

British Goth funk band Fashion had a hit with 'Love Shadow.' The 7" mix is far superior to the album version, but, can I find the single version anywhere online . . . !? Also, the single mixes of 'The Eton Rifles' and 'Start!' by The Jam. Far more in your face (in a good way) than the album versions.

[@agomodern]

In every video I always stare at the pile on your jukebox to see if the whole pile will slide off. Close to Me is a "close second" on the original album. LOL Great word play. Madonna's Into The Groove also references masturbation. "Only when I'm dancing can I feel this free. At night I lock the doors, where no one else can see. I'm tired of dancing here all by myself Tonight I wanna dance with someone else." Well, and everyone knows the more blatant song Blister in The Sun by Violent Femmes. Hey, that would make an interesting topic for a video. lol

[@RobertFithen]

Yes I'll pin that idea. lol

[@bsquared4604]

I'd like to add No one is to Blame by Howard Jones. The single mix was produced by Phil Collins with his vocals and drums added. I can't even listen to the album version. Also, Monkey by George Michael was remixed by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for radio. To me the album version sounds like a demo when compared. On the same note, I still think Everything She Wants sounds like a demo. There's a version of Rock Me Amadeus that has the chorus of girls singing "baby baby do, do you rock me, baby baby do, do you rock me" which I love. When I put it in a mix tape back in the 80s, I dubbed it in twice because I loved it so much. I hope that's not in the version you hate. Also, I think it's deceptive to release a better single mix. Singles are like ads for the album and I'm sure many people bought these albums thinking they'll get what they heard on the radio.

[@RobertFithen]

There are several versions of "Rock Me Amadeus". I probably would have mixed my favorite, if I had access to them at the time.

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

I'm glad you brought up that hideous version of Whitesnake's. That has been a thorn in my butt for years. Hideous. Fortunately I don't hear it played anymore. Maybe enough people complained to the radio stations? Also there were 2 versions of Joy to the World by Three Dog Night. One had a guitar part in the break and one had a keyboard part. I don't know which was album and which was single though. Funny but I never noticed that til I saw the movie The Big Chill and it was in the soundtrack.

[@Davidicus-m8c]

some other good examples are,Dancing In the Sheets,by Shalamar,i like the 45 remix a lot better,, . Another Lover by Giant Steps,actually you have to get the 12 inch version(cause i have it) which has another remix which is different than the 45 version.

[@JCWiley2300]

.....something's missing from this video............ hopefully it will make an appearance soon!

[@agomodern]

Is he going to make a remix of this video?

[@RobertFithen]

Keyboards?

[@SeanKagalis]

I’m watching while I make this comment, but my vote goes to “No One is to Blame” by Howard Jones. About “Close to Me” - I agree with your assessment but my favorite version is the 1985 12” version on the Quadpus EP. The intro is solely horns for at least a minute.

[@RobertFithen]

I did not even know about "No One Is To Blame" I always heard it on the "Action Replay" ep which is the remix. I am hearing the album version now. Yikes! I will definitely have to check out the "Close To Me" 12"

[@SeanKagalis]

@@RobertFithen I only discovered the difference of the versions on the Howard Jones song myself a few years ago. I bought the album in stellar condition and of course the first two songs are freaking amazing and then I’m expecting to hear one of my favorite 80s songs ever and yes yikes indeed. It was Phil Collins who came along and reworked that song in the studio to make it single ready. I think he did a very good job.

[@karensingh2020]

have the reflex 12" long version its very loud!

[@Fluteboy]

While it may not be your bag, _Together Forever_ by Rick Astley had a better single mix. The album version sounded rather plastic and colour-by-number (which could be said about a lot of Stock/Aitlen/Waterman music), while the single was fresher and had new guitar bits thrown into the mix.

[@allyoopopp]

I preferred the 7"s of Hold Me Now by Thompson Twins and I Can See Clearly by Deborah Harry. They're both punched up nicely I never liked the 7" of The Tide Is High by Blondie with the opening drums cut out....why?

[@RobertFithen]

I never liked the 7" of The Tide Is High because no drum intro, but also it fades before the crazy laugh at the end.

[@rbdreamsart]

I prefer the 45 version Hall & Oats “Adult Education” with the echo vocals and slapping percussion. They did a boring take on their Rock & Soul. I’m glad I got the single.

[@erics8757]

Hmmm...... it's beginning to look like SOMEONE gets a kickback from 45 manufacturers. Also, if I may- I'm a little unclear as to how you really feel about Falcos "Rock Me Amadeus".

[@RobertFithen]

lol "Rock Me Amadeus" is fine as long as it's the single version.

[@jeffreycoy]

Most shocking, most infuriating radio edit is GnR Sweet Child 'O Mine. I'm not sure if this is a more recent development but my local 80s station plays a version that absolutely butchers the guitar solo. I don't know about the 45 or radio edit much because I heard that song mostly on MTV, where the solo was left intact. Slash's guitar playing is of equal importance to the singing, and that solo is one of the most iconic. 80s DJs in my area just phone it in. They don't know the proper edits to play!

[@RobertFithen]

That's the single edit. It most likely not the DJ's themselves, but a corporate radio structure that wants to represent the song rather than playing it as it was intended.

[@haciendavil]

@@RobertFithen Axl complained about it back then.

[@TheFerretLives]

My version of Whitesnake 87 doesn’t even have Here I Go Again on it

[@RobertFithen]

Having heard the US version for years, it's hard for me to imagine that album without it. Also, I don't think I've ever heard "Looking For Love" which is the UK track that replaces it.

[@TheFerretLives]

@@RobertFithen Really it doesn't have Looking for Love? It's epic, starts slow but ends loud and epic. Better than Is It Love in my opinion

[@thechronicnoizeco.6675]

I’m always surprised to know that people actually like the 80’s Heart music.

[@RobertFithen]

Heart doesn't even like 80's Heart music.

[@thechronicnoizeco.6675]

@@RobertFithen they are correct! The eighties production sound always had me asking “who is this for?”.

[@Frip36]

The "Rock Me Amadeus" single isn't so bad if you pretend it's Penn Jillette explaining things. Which he kinda sounds like. I like the ironic arrogance of equating the man Mozart in any way, shape, or form, to the guy Falco.

[@romanlewandowski5027]

My guess is a lot of us have a kind of first-love syndrome when it comes to songs. I suppose, since this is an 80s-related video, I could also call it the New Coke syndrome. It's hard for a different mix of a song to match the version we first heard and fell in love with. "There's different lyrics?" "Where are the gunshots?" "No cowbell?!?!" So, not necessarily "better," just different. For the record, I don't remember ever drinking a New Coke when I was a kid. Maybe it really was awful. I also think Cyndi Lauper should have put out a special Filthy 15 version of "She Bop." "Oh, you thought that was bad? Wait till you hear this . . ." In parting, as they say in Germany, "Warm up the tanks, we're heading to Poland." Sorry. I meant to say auf wiedersehen.

[@RobertFithen]

I remember sirens being muted out of some singles as to not confuse drivers when played on the radio. I vaguely remember New Coke. I think it tasted more like Pepsi.

[@romanlewandowski5027]

​@@RobertFithen I live in Indiana. The song "Indiana Wants Me" by R. Dean Taylor, a Canadian, opened with a police siren. The second version of the song omitted the siren because people were pulling over to the side of the road when they heard it. In 1970 the song hit #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. I think drivers in the 70s were more jittery because back then Coke still had cocaine in it. The song "Cocaine" by J.J. Cale was originally written as an advertising jingle for Coke. "If you got bad news / You want to kick them blues, cocaine." In my opinion that jingle was even better than Pepsi's jingle "You Got the Right Stuff, Baby" by Ray Charles and the New Kids on the Block.

[@jsteed44]

Dead Kennedys holiday in Cambodia single is amazing with its explicit pic sleeve but on album comes off flat and thin

[@RobertFithen]

I like the album version better. lol.

[@jeffreycoy]

I heard Everything She Wants by Wham! so many times on the radio in the 80s and never once heard the truly pointless 45 version. Only the album cut, which is pop perfection. Recently I heard the longer version for the first time. Yikes! The added synths are too loud in the mix!

[@cliffmckay]

How about “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie? Single version is great, not super short but gets to the point and holds the listener’s interest. Album version is over 7 minutes long with an annoying saxophone part that completely disrupts the flow of the song. Yuck.

[@Frip36]

It was painful as a true heavy metal fan to hear Judas Priest's kiddy metal Turbo. Then to add insult to injury, release a 12-inch dance version of Turbo Lover.

[@Fuddydutty]

Great video. I had no idea about the "hit me with your best shot" version. You NEVER hear that. I just recently found out there was a single version of "two tickets to paradise" by Eddie Money which is awful. Another one you never hear and for good reason. Cheers!