Battle of the Songs #2: Be True To Your School (Single Ver. vs Album Ver.)

[Wata]

Hi, here's the second BotS between two different versions of the song Be True To Your School.

I wrote this several months ago on PSF:

In my opinion, the single version is 1000% better than album Version. The album version has  nice chorus but the production is flat, so the song itself is ended up as an OK song.
However, Brian might realized the potential Be True To Your School has, and he re-recorded the song for a single. The single version features great production that seems to try to be like Phil Spector, and chorus here is much powerful and has much life than album ver. It somehow captures the passion and transitoriness in one's youth. Every time I listen to the version it reminds me of the students practicing hard for the games I often see at school, and makes me thinking about my "empty" youth years that I'm going through.  I mean, the album version is very sad and has a deep feeling  :-S  

Now, I'm not sure my youth years have been so empty, but my opinion on these two versions is still the same as above.

Which version do you think is better? Looking forward to seeing your interesting opinions on them

[RangeRoverA1]

Single. Some hate the cheerleaders - to me, it adds coolness. & it fits. The album track lacks energy.

[Wata]

Single. Some hate the cheerleaders - to me, it adds coolness. & it fits. The album track lacks energy.

Oh, that's exactly what I tried to say

[JK]

Not as easy as it would seem. It's the two R(h)ondas all over again!

The 45 version is more guitar-fuelled (i.e. those opening chords), has The Honeys, the school tune on flutes, a modulation and is pretty over-the-top really.

The album version has a great wall of saxes, simple rising harmonies between verses and a doo woppy Hawaii-style coda. And it's more sedate.

I like 'em both but I'll vote for the album version as it looks likely to be the loser in this round...     

[B.E.]

Not as easy as it would seem. It's the two R(h)ondas all over again!

The 45 version is more guitar-fuelled (i.e. those opening chords), has The Honeys, the school tune on flutes, a modulation and is pretty over-the-top really.

The album version has a great wall of saxes, simple rising harmonies between verses and a doo woppy Hawaii-style coda. And it's more sedate.

I like 'em both but I'll vote for the album version as it looks likely to be the loser in this round...     

Spot on observations, JK! (although I have no difficulty choosing Rhonda over Ronda )

There are so many differences between the album and single version of Be True To Your School that inevitably there will be aspects of each which we will prefer over the other. As a result, I'm glad we have both! I wouldn't be surprised if many fans prefer the album version out of familiarity, which is sort-of counter intuitive considering the single version was the hit. In regard to the coda of the album version, I prefer it. In addition to the falsetto, Mike's bass vocal is so crisp. It sounds fantastic. I also like that they sing the title as the song fades. Conversely, I think the backing vocals during the verses are better arranged and mixed in the single version. I also prefer the lower key and slightly faster tempo of the single version. I certainly understand how some people might feel that the single version is "over-the-top", but I just find it more interesting and fun. Although, during the intro, Mike sings the line "I tell him right away" MUCH better in the album version. It distracts me when listening to the single version. There are other differences, but I'll stop there. In the end, I'd miss the single version far more.

[Summer_Days]

The single version. It's a fun listen. Besides, the album version of BTTYS doesn't entirely fit thematically on the car concept album Little Deuce Coupe.

[Wata]

The winner is the single version.