Praying for Time - George Michael

Just noticed my old 1990 import CD single of "Praying for Time" by George Michael actually runs FASTER than the version on "Ladies and Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael." It runs an actual 4:36, compared to an actual 4:39 for the "Ladies and Gentlemen" version. The original import CD single has it sped up by 1.2%. (Or, at least resampling it to 0.989 will get it to the exact speed of the CD single. I'm quite surprised that a, basically, 1% speed difference is audible, but I noticed it immediately in the pitch.)

The 4:40 time is listed for the "Listen Without Prejudice" album version, too, so... was the original single faster than the album version? Or is it just the import? Perhaps someone (such as Jim) who has the original promo CD single could chime in here.

It wouldn't be the first time for George Michael. As I've posted in previous threads, "I Want Your Sex" and "Hard Day" from his "Faith" album were both sped up slightly for the album versions.

Edited by Brian W.

Thanks, Jim. Hmm, I wonder if they could actually be a slightly different mix.

This comes as a big revelation for yours truly! When I purchased George Michael's Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 CD back in 1990, I distinctly remember thinking upon first listen that "Praying for Time" somehow sounded slower than what I was accustomed to hearing on the radio, but I figured it was just my imagination and never gave it another thought. Thanks, Brian, for confirming all these years later that my brain wasn't playing tricks on me!

Just timed the commercial cassingle at (4:36). No listed time. Timed it
twice.