michael jackson "heal the world"

my cassingle issued as epic 74708 contains, as the A-side, a non described version which runs 6:24 and is identical to the full length cd/album version......this should be corrected in the db b/c it says the cassingle runs version runs 6:17...

As a follow up to my previous post, here are the actual run times for the 2-track "Heal the World" promo CD single release on Epic ESK 74790:

1) Heal the World (7" Edit with Intro) - 4:54
2) Heal the World - 6:24

Ah yes, another '90s song...

The single that was the top 40 hit here in the U.S. was Epic 74790 - i.e., the re-issue w/ the "(7" Edit with Intro)" on the B-side, and came in the plastic case w/ lyrics, as shown in Underground Dub's post. The one that edtop40 pictures in the cardboard sleeve w/ "She Drives Me Wild" on the B-side is the original pressing on Epic 74708, which FAILED to crack the top 40 (sorry, ed!)...

All of my old issues of Billboard magazine from 1992-93 are packed away in storage at the moment, but when "Heal the World" first debuted on the "Hot 100" at #74 in the 12/12/92 issue, it was the original on Epic 74708. The song then struggled its way up the chart, peaking at #27 in its 15th week in the 03/20/93 issue, and was then ultimately retired after its 20th week, when it had dipped to #42 on 04/24/93...

I don't know the exact date/week it occurred, but by the song's 9th week on the "Hot 100" - the 02/06/93 issue, when it sat at #56, and had been no higher than #52 the week before - it was then shown in the magazine as being the RE-ISSUE on Epic 74790. (That was the closest I could come from the back issues I could view on-line on Google Books here.) "Heal the World" then did a turn-around on the chart, but would NOT enter the top 40 until its 12th week, in the 02/27/93 issue, where it would stay for the next eight weeks. Those eight weeks in the top 40 were all on Epic 74790, and NOT Epic 74708...

Now, are the A-sides of Epic 74708 & 74790 identical??? While I don't own either of them myself, yes, it appears they are. I just know that Record Research's chart books - whether referencing Billboard, or more recently, Cash Box - only elect to list the original version of "Heal the World" on Epic 74708 as charting during the song's entire run, which is incomplete - and therefore, misleading. And while I admit I don't own Joel Whitburn's most recent edition of Top Pop Singles, and therefore a footnote may have since been added in this case, there are still other examples in his books...

Edited by 80smusicfreak

Great info 80smusicfreak! We may have to put in for that name change yet. 90smusicfreak does have a nice ring to it. ;)

I only recall the second release and thought it seemed 'wrong' that "She Drives Me Wild" was on the flip when I came across a copy in the cardboard slipcase a few weeks ago. A bit of research later I realized it was due to the different pressings.

just bought the correct cassingle for the collection on
ebay!!...thanks, guys