Long Versions that are better than the shortened Versions

[Ron]

It might be easier to go the other way with it, but everybody list some "Long" versions of songs that are better than the shortened edit.  I guess really they're almost ALWAYS better, although I can see where trimming it down helps promote it.

The two that immediately spring to mind are:

1. Crimson & Clover - They cut out so much of the trippy guitar work in the edited version, I think it makes it much better Long, the extended version rocks. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXrAUXbQ7Iw

After listening to it again, in my opinion that's possibly some of the most beautiful guitar work I've heard.  I know it's not all that but it's such a pretty song.  I used to work at a photo lab when I was a teenager, I had this guy come in the grocery store one day who swore up and down he was in the Shondells and played guitar on most of their hits including this one.  Wish I would have got his name.  At the time I honestly didn't give a sh*t. 


2. Amie by Pure Prairie League - on the album, it had an extended intro that they cut off for the single.  It's awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhbN1LCDcAM


Post me some more examples guys and girls where prudence got in the way of over the top can't contain themselves self indulgent 8 minute long rock songs, lol. 

[Sheriff John Stone]

The Doors - "Light My Fire"
The Doors - "Riders On The Storm"
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Freebird"
Pink Floyd - "Money"

[TheLazenby]

Well, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", obviously - the single version is absolutely worthless.  (There are MUCH better ways to condense that song onto a 45.  I've tried.)

Sometimes, the 'extended' version IS the true, complete song; for example, "Macho Man."  The extended version has verses the condensed version doesn't.

[MyGlove]

Rapper's Delight by the Sugarhill Gang.
Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan is better than the cover version (shortened cover version) by the Byrds
I honestly have heard some amazing mixes of 10-20 minute versions of Heroes and Villains and they blow even the Smile Sessions version out of the water.

[Lonely Summer]

Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan is better than the cover version (shortened cover version) by the Byrds

Probably a controversial opinion, but I agree with you. Too bad the Byrds didn't do a longer version for their first album, as their arrangement is classic, but yeah, I prefer Bob's version simply because he does the complete song.

[37!ws]

"Won't Get Fooled Again" -- the single version is just plain insulting.

[Aum Bop Diddit]

"Fooled Around and Fell in Love" by Elvin Bishop.  The single excises a wonderful guitar solo -- a highlight of a great pop record.

[Ron]

"Fooled Around and Fell in Love" by Elvin Bishop.  The single excises a wonderful guitar solo -- a highlight of a great pop record.

Gotta go find it gotta go find it  I love that song and I dont' think I've ever heard the album version.  


Edit: Found it, I think the single might have part of the solo on it or something, becuase I've heard some of it but you're right that makes the song MUCH better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Xf6XTgohA

[Aum Bop Diddit]

You're right -- the solo is partially there on the single version.  But very brief.

[onkster]

Ballet for a Girl in Buchanon vs. the 2 or 3 singles cut down from it. (Chicago). Does that count?

[Ron]

I have no clue what you're talking about.  So it may count.  Here's what I gleaned from your post.

You MAY be talking about the band Chicago, which I like.  I don't know much about them, but I know they have a propensity for making really long songs.  So maybe they made a really long piece of music alled "Ballet for a Girl in Buchanon", and it was so fucking long that they made two or three different singles (which I've never heard) from different parts of it. 

How close am I? 

[onkster]

On the nose. "Ballet" was a side-length suite, and "Make Me Smile" and "Color My World" were cut from it for singles. There might've been a third--or, actually, "Make Me Smile" was cobbled together from the first/last songs of the suite. And yes, they're great as singles, but the suite is pretty damned cool.

[Aum Bop Diddit]

In the 70s a lot of R&B/Soul hits would be truncated versions or divided into "Parts 1 & 2" on each side of a single -- James Brown had a few like this ("Sex Machine").  Edited examples are "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by the Temptations and I think "Shaft" by Issac Hayes.  Another group that did the "1 & 2" thing were the incredible Isley Brothers.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Kf1Iy5E6U

Man!

 

[Aegir]

I'm not sure I like any single edit better than the extended version.

[Ron]

I'm not sure I like any single edit better than the extended version.

Yeah, I was thinking maybe I should have made it the other way around

[Cabinessenceking]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCvOiwUMNW8

loop this endlessly and you got one monster of a track!

someone should post a 100 hour youtube vid of Shortenin Bread, it's just that great! just like Nyan Cat

[Dead Parrot]

I definitely prefer the full length version of "Love Is Like Oxygen" by The Sweet.

[roll plymouth rock]

Kraftwerk - Autobahn

[Alex]

Ding Dang

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Surprised nobody has picked this...

'Cool Cool Water'.

[18thofMay]

Life

[MBE]

In the 70s a lot of R&B/Soul hits would be truncated versions or divided into "Parts 1 & 2" on each side of a single -- James Brown had a few like this ("Sex Machine").  Edited examples are "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by the Temptations and I think "Shaft" by Issac Hayes.  Another group that did the "1 & 2" thing were the incredible Isley Brothers.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Kf1Iy5E6U

Man!

 

All of James Brown's stuff is better in the full versions

Cool, Cool, Water is much better to me in the long edit. Livin With A Heartache is far better short.

[Jukka]

Allman Brother's epic live version of Whipping Post totally annihilates the studio version (the SANE applies to many Grateful Dead songs, esp. Dark Star).

[Jay]

Time Has Come Today by The Chambers Brothers. Blinded By The Light by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Who Are You by The Who. The Kids Are Alright by The Who. I'll think of more as soon as I hit the "post" button. 

[Music Machine]

Yes - Into the Lens. The short version is my nomination for sloppiest single edit of all time. Have a listen; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCjU7ZwqI4U