Billy Swan-"I Can Help"

My commercial 45, which is stereo, has a listed time of (2:57), but an actual time of (3:00). Unfortunately, current "45 Version" notated CDs in the database all state running times of between (2:54) and (2:56).

The LP version of "I Can Help" fades before the audience applause while the 45 does contain audience applause at the end of the song hence my decision to call one a 45 version rather than length.

Pat Downey wrote: The LP version of "I Can Help" fades before the audience applause while the 45 does contain audience applause at the end of the song hence my decision to call one a 45 version rather than length.

In the past, I know there's been debate as to whether a situation like this one is an issue of "version" or "length". Of course, you have the final word on these matters, Pat, and I respect your decision. But do you agree that we also have a speed issue with "I Can Help" that probably warrants some kind of notation in the database?

Happy to oblige, Ed! Actually, my initial recreation without hearing the 45 ran 2:59. Listening to the 45 gave me a chance to give the Have a Nice Day copy I had the proper speed.

Tom, like yours, my promo 45 copy also says "DJ Re-Service" on both sides. From my experience, the Columbia family of labels would sometimes add that comment onto a promo 45 label, usually for a big hit. I always thought that this was simply their way of indicating that a "second promo 45 copy pressing run" had been done, usually for a very popular song. Obviously, the bigger a hit is, the more radio spins it gets. Which means more 45 copies naturally get worn out, hence the need for/station requests made to the label for additional copies. And if/when the label's initial promo 45's pressing run's supply is exhausted, they would sometimes opt to do a second, "re-service" promo 45 pressing run, that's all. If not, they would also sometimes opt to instead send radio stations "stock" replacement 45 copies, with either a "Promotional Copy-Not For Sale" rubber stamp or sticker affixed to the 45 label. Tom, I picked up my "I Can Help" promo 45 copy used, and it has a "12/5/74" date written on the label in pen. Now, this song debuted back on 9/28/74, peaked in Nov., and was actually on the way down the charts by 12/5/74. My promo copy is styrene, which, for radio purposes, doesn't hold up 1/100th as well as a vinyl copy does. For the many stations still playing records on-air (and not carts) at this time, "cue-burn" of the first note of styrene 45 copies happened quickly. I'm sure Monument/Columbia were getting tons of radio requests for more 45 copies of the #1 hit, "I Can Help", as radio was playin' it heavy, and they were blowing through/cue-burning copy after copy of it. I just thought that the person wrote "12/5/74" on my promo so they knew when this particular 45 copy had been placed in the studio for airplay, not because it was a different mix or anything. My promo 45's stereo side deadwax is "AB ZS8-8621-3", while my stock 45, (which I bought as soon as it debuted on the chart) has deadwax of "AA ZS8 8621-3". Long story short, Tom, I believe that all "I Can Help" promo 45 copies, whether or not they state "Re-Service" on them, contain the exact same version.