Michael Bolton-"How Can We Be Lovers"

Does anyone know if/how the single version differs from the album version?

In Pat's database, which has 7 CD entries for "How Can We Be Lovers", he doesn't list any particular CD as being "single mix" or "album mix". All time out between 3:53 and 3:54. He does address the fact that a dj 45 contains an "AC mix". My guess is, to distinguish between the AC mix on one side of the 45 and the version on the other side of the 45, Columbia decided to label the one side "single version". So I'd bet that the single version and album version are one and the same.

But I wonder if the AC mix has appeared on any import CD or on a promo CD single. Has anyone seen it on CD?

I finally picked up an early pressing copy of Michael Bolton's Soul Provider CD (Columbia 45012), and I have come to the conclusion that "How Can We Be Lovers" should probably warrant a single/album version distinction in the database. When performing an A/B comparison, the original album version appears to contain more reverb and run slightly slower than the single version. Yet one other distinct difference I am able to detect is the break at 2:35 of the album version and at the 2:36 to 2:37 mark of the single version. On the latter, right after Bolton sings "we can work it out", there is what sounds something like a hi-hat cymbal sweep effect that terminates sharply and cleanly, followed by a split second of silence and then Bolton belting out: "HOW CAN WE BE LOVERS IF WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS". On the album version, there's a lower-pitch sound effect used instead of the hi-hat cymbal sweep effect. It also doesn't terminate sharply and cleanly, like on the single version, but rather trails off with some reverb.

I can confirm that the Michael Bolton Greatest hits 1985-1995 CD (Columbia 67300) contains the single version. Unfortunately, I don't have "How Can We Be Lovers" on any other CDs listed in the database, so I can't verify which version appears on them. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say there's a very good chance that the single version is on all of the other database CDs. However, we know that one can never just assume anything with this whacky hobby. So, if anyone has any of these other CDs and can verify the version of "How Can We Be Lovers" on those CDs for us, based on the description I provided of the single/album version difference, this would be a great help!

This isn't all of the database CDs, but here are the ones I can verify.

original LP version
Soul Provider (first pressing)
The Essential Michael Bolton (2 disc) (It's likely the 3.0 version is the same.)

single version
Soul Provider (second pressing)
Greatest Hits 1985-1995
Power Of Love - Feelin' Good (Time Life) (this is a reissue of Ultimate Love Songs Collection - Feelin' Good)
Easy 80s (Box Set) (Time Life) (10-disc set that includes Power Of Love - Feelin' Good)

Edited by aaronk

aaronk wrote: This isn't all of the database CDs, but here are the ones I can verify. original LP version Soul Provider (first pressing) The Essential Michael Bolton (2 disc) (It's likely the 3.0 version is the same.) single version Soul Provider (second pressing) Greatest Hits 1985-1995 Power Of Love - Feelin' Good (Time Life) (this is a reissue of Ultimate Love Songs Collection - Feelin' Good) Easy 80s (Box Set) (Time Life) (10-disc set that includes Power Of Love - Feelin' Good)

See, it's a good thing I didn't commit to my wager!

Yet one other distinct difference I am able to detect is the break at 2:35 of the album version and at the 2:36 to 2:37 mark of the single version. On the latter, right after Bolton sings "we can work it out", there is what sounds something like a hi-hat cymbal sweep effect that terminates sharply and cleanly, followed by a split second of silence and then Bolton belting out: "HOW CAN WE BE LOVERS IF WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS". On the album version, there's a lower-pitch sound effect used instead of the hi-hat cymbal sweep effect. It also doesn't terminate sharply and cleanly, like on the single version, but rather trails off with some reverb.

I noticed the line "We Can Work It Out" on the Single Version sounds a little lower than at the same point on the Original LP Version. At least
it sounded that way to me.

music4life75 wrote: Funny enough, I actually listened to this whole album (not CD), the other night. I'm having an L3-L5 laminectomy this Thursday, so how fitting it was to hear "When I'm Back On My Feet Again." This should be my inspiration song. I believe in the power of Michael Bolton!

Oh, wow. I will be praying for a smooth surgury and a fast recovery. I believe in the power of prayer :)