Wayne Newton- Years

"Years" only peaked at #32 Cash Box / #35 Billboard / #61
in Record World. That lower Record World peak is most
likely what kept it out of Pat's database.

I'm pretty sure the song made at least one of Newton's
Curb compilations, but it was either a remix or a totally
new recording, I can't remember exactly which. The
original single was on the Aries II label, so it's not
surprising that it hasn't shown up much over the years.

It’s odd that the song isn’t in the database, since it is listed in the 10th
and final edition of Pat’s Top 40 Music On Compact Disc book. It
indicates the song’s only CD appearance as being on a Curb CD
consisting entirely of re-recordings.

Barbara Mandrell’s version of the song reached #1 on the country chart
the same month that Newton’s version debuted on the Hot 100, but I
don’t know who recorded it first.

I ordered the following CD this morning. Its the only one listed on discogs and yes its from Curb so you guys can compare the vinyl dropped 45 to the CD copy I obtain. It was my last ditch effort to collect this top 40 hit.

https://www.discogs.com/Wayne-Newton-The-Best-Of-Wayne-Newto n-Now/release/8515937

With that being said it sticks out as a sore thumb as the last remaining top 40 hit from 1980 on Billboard that is not sourced from vinyl that is needed to round out the collection digitally.

I take it Aaron that you've tried doing a dub and you got distortion on it? Is there any way to order a pristine copy?



Edited by PopArchivist

OK, I finally had a chance to do an A/B comparison of "Years" from the Curb "Best Of" CD. I think it would classify more as a remix rather than a re-recording, although there is one line where the vocal differs. Here are the main differences:

- Curb version has an acoustic guitar overdub
- Curb version has more reverb on lead vocal
- Curb version has the strings brought up much louder in the mix, especially on the intro and verses
- Curb version has an alternate vocal on the line "you feel so near" at 28 seconds into the song

All the other instrumentation and vocals are the same between the two. I wonder if this "remix" was done at the time the song was recorded rather than specifically for the Curb CD. It's not necessarily more modern sounding, just different.

There's a series of 6 CDs called "Dynasty Collection" that may be of interest to Wayne Newton collectors. I found the full series used once, and bought one of the discs that included the song "The Letter", just so I'd have a copy of this notorious song. The discs are odd, with no copyright date at all.

Here's a link on Amazon to one of the discs that purports to include the song "Years". I can't vouch for these, but if you're really intent on finding "Years" on CD, there's one listed at the link for dirt cheap.