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.