Single/album version distinctions...

I've decided to undertake a new project... I'm compiling a list of mostly late '80s and '90s songs whose single versions differ from their corresponding LP versions, but are not acknowledged as such in the 10th edition.

For each entry, I'll list the artist, song title, the commercial single version run time if I know it, and the LP version run time. I will also frequently interject my own comments in italic print when necessary.

If I'm unable to confirm a commercial single version's run time, I will instead quote the run time Joel Whitburn reports in his Pop Annual 1955-1999 book. His last name and run time will be enclosed in parenthesis like this: (Whitburn - 3:32). I realize that Whitburn's times are frequently off by 5-10 seconds, but his information can still be a useful indicator for determining if a single version has a significantly different run time than its corresponding LP version. In instances where I don't have a commercial single for a particular song, but Whitburn's run time for the single differs from the LP version by 11 seconds or more, I will list just the LP version and Whitburn's time in parenthesis. This will let readers know that the commercial single might differ from the LP version. Hopefully, someone will have a commercial single copy he can check and report back to us.

If an asterisk appears immediately after a single version run time, it means the time is based on how long the song runs on my Promo Only: Mainstream Radio subscription CDs (or some other source) and not on the retail commercial single itself. This means the run time from an actual commercial single copy still needs to be confirmed.

For the purposes of this discussion, I will use the more generic comment "single version" unless I can confirm that a commercial 45 is available, for which in those cases I'll use the traditional "45 version" comment. Please note that when I do use the "single version" comment it doesn't necessarily mean a vinyl 45 doesn't exist. It simply means I haven't confirmed that one does. As always, if someone has anything to add, correct, or dispute, your input is most welcome. If something is unclear to you, please ask me to clarify. I will be adding about a dozen or so new entries generally every 3-4 days. Ok, enough introduction... Time to roll up the sleeves and get to it!


Aaliyah - If Your Girl Only Knew ==> Single version - 3:54* (Whitburn - 3:51). LP version - 4:50.   

Aaliyah - The One I Gave My Heart To ==> LP version - 4:29. (Whitburn - 3:53)
The cassette single and CD single state "radio mix" on the track listing with a printed run time of 3:53.

Paula Abdul - My Love Is for Real ==> 45 version - 4:22. LP version - 5:19.

Ace of Base - Living in Danger ==> LP version - 3:41. (Whitburn - 3:08)
The cassette single and CD single state "single remix" on the track listing. I've seen the "single remix" run time listed at 3:10 or 3:15 depending on the website.

Aerosmith - Pink ==> Single version - 3:53. LP version - 3:54.
The CD single features the "south beach mix" and the "album version". Because the "south beach mix" is the leadoff track and due to the fact that it received significant Top 40 airplay, I definitely consider it to be the single version. It runs approximately the same length of time as the LP version, but is a different mix. The single version appears on Aerosmith's Oh Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits (Columbia 86700), but is currently marked only as "remix" in the 10th edition.

Aerosmith - I Don't Want to Miss a Thing ==> LP version - 4:57.
It's my understanding that the vinyl 45, cassette single, and CD single features a "pop mix" that runs approximately 4:58. This mix is reported to be slightly different than the LP version.

After 7 - Heat of the Moment ==> LP version - 4:25. (Whitburn - 6:10)
In his Pop Annual 1955-1999 book, Joel Whitburn notes the following under "Heat of the Moment" on page 576 : "(short version peaked at #74 in 1989)". It can be deduced from Whitburn's information that there are two different single versions of this song. The "long" version appears to be the "hit" single version.

After 7 - 'Til You Do Me Right ==> LP version - 4:53. (Whitburn - 4:05)
Track 1 on the CD single is an "edit", according to the track listing. The DJ CD single has the "edit" run time printed at 4:12.

Alabama featuring 'N Sync - God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You ==> 45 version - 3:18. LP version - 4:37.
The 45 version has Alabama featuring 'N Sync on background vocals, while the LP version is performed by Alabama only and does not include 'N Sync. The one and only CD appearance of this song in the 10th edition should have the comment: LP version. To date, the single version has only appeared on commercial vinyl 45 and CD single (and possibly cassette single).

Tatyana Ali - Daydreamin' ==> LP version - 4:59. (Whitburn - 3:58)
The CD and cassette single state "single edit", with the run time estimated to be around 4:02.

Alias - More Than Words Can Say ==> Single version runs 3:39. LP version runs 3:52. DJ CD single copies (EMI DPRO 04637) run (3:39), not (3:35) as the label states, and (3:52).

All-4-One - I Can Love You Like That ==> LP version - 4:21. (Whitburn - 4:10)

Edited by Todd Ireland

I second that, Pat. But allow me to assist on the post...

Aaliyah - If Your Girl Only Knew I have the commercial CD Single, and it only contains the LP Version and a few remixes. The Single Version you have listed, Todd, is the Radio Edit from the promo single.

Aerosmith - I Don't Want To Miss... I don't have a commercial copy, but there were (at least) two promo singles released. One contains the "Pop Mix" that you're talking about. The other promo single, which I have, contains the "Pop Radio Edit No Orchestra Intro" version. This is the same as the Pop Mix, but it starts cold with the vocals--and it is a different mix, not just an edit.

In his Top Pop Singles 1955-1999 book, Joel Whitburn provides vinyl single availability information for all Top 40 singles appearing on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after 1989. As a service to vinyl 45 purists, I will start noting Top 40 singles that are available on 45.

Also, from here on out, I will unwaiveringly use the comments "single version" and "album version" to describe 45 and LP versions, respectively, because I believe these broader terms are more "format inclusive". (Of course, it's entirely up to Pat which comments he chooses to use in his book.)

A couple things to note from my previous set of entries:

==> In Top Pop Singles, Whitburn claims that the original 1989 version of After 7's "Heat of the Moment" runs 4:20. Meanwhile, no vinyl 45 was issued for the longer version running 6:10 that became a Top 40 hit in 1991.

==> A vinyl 45 was issued for All-4-One's "I Can Love You Like That".

Now, back to where we last left off...


All-4-One - Someday ==> Single version - 4:15. Album version - 4:16.
The single version is very similar to the album version. After doing an A/B comparison, I discovered that the album version contains an oboe and some extra strings (or are they synthesizers?) while the single version does not. The one and only CD appearance of this song in the 10th edition is the album version.

All Saints - I Know Where It's At ==> Single version - 3:56* (Whitburn - 3:54). Album version - 5:08. (available on vinyl 45)
The commercial and promo CD single contains the following track listing and printed run times: 1) Gutfather & Jo's Alternative Mix - Radio (4:01); 2) Original Radio Mix (4:00). I don't have a commercial copy so I'm not sure which version I have on my Promo Only CD.

Herb Alpert - Making Love in the Rain ==> Album version - 5:54. (Whitburn - 3:50) (available on vinyl 45)
I believe this was only available on vinyl 45, although it's possible a promo CD single might exist too.

Another Bad Creation - Iesha ==> Album version - 4:21. (Whitburn - 4:07) (available on vinyl 45)
The cassette single contains the same version on both sides, but I'm getting conflicting information as to whether the cassingle features the album version or the "radio version" (they may be one in the same). I'm not sure about the vinyl 45 track listing either. However, both the 12" single and the promo CD single have a track called the " 7" version ", which I've seen listed with a 3:10 run time on the 12". Not sure if "Iesha" runs 3:10 on the actual 45 as well, or if this so-called 7" version appearing on the 12" and promo CD is really just a radio edit.

Adam Ant - Wonderful ==> Single version - 3:55* (Whitburn - 3:48). Album version - 4:20. (available on vinyl 45)
The fade on "Wonderful" sounds like it's truncated on my Promo Only CD, so it may actually run a little bit longer than what I've listed as the possible 45 version run time. Either way, the run time needs to be checked via a commercial single copy, as indicated by the asterisk(*).

Tina Arena - Chains ==> Single version - 4:00. Album version - 4:21.

Az Yet featuring Peter Cetera - Hard to Say I'm Sorry ==> Single version - 3:15. Album version - 3:14. (available on vinyl 45)
The David Foster remix featuring Peter Cetera's vocals is actually the B-side of the commercial CD and cassette single, whereas the A-side features Az Yet only. Because the Peter Cetera version received the bulk of the airplay, it is considered the single version even though it appears as the "flipside" on the commercial single. Whitburn notes the vinyl 45 makes no mention of Peter Cetera, so I don't know if Cetera is on the commercial vinyl version or not.

Babyface - And Our Feelings ==> Album version - 5:39. (Whitburn - 3:52) (available on vinyl 45)
Commercial CD single's A-side states "radio edit" with an alleged run time of 3:59, according to an eBay seller I corresponded with via e-mail. Cassette and vinyl single contain the same track listing.

Babyface - Every Time I Close My Eyes ==> Single version - 4:11*. Album version - 4:56. (available on vinyl 45)

Backstreet Boys - Everybody (Backstreet's Back) ==> Single version - 3:43* (Whitburn - 3:44). Album version - 4:45. (available on vinyl 45)

Bad Company - Walk Through Fire ==> Album version - 4:47. (Whitburn - 4:10)
The single version is shown on commercial single copies as a "remix".

Bad English - Price of Love ==> Album version - 4:46. (Whitburn - 4:38) (available on vinyl 45)
The single version is shown on commercial copies as a "remix", which runs approximately the same length as the album version. I don't have a commercial single copy yet, so I can't report the exact differences between the single and album version.

Due to my increased work load, I won't be able to add entries to this list every three to four days like I originally planned. Nevertheless, as my time permits, I will do my best to post new entries at least once a week until the list is complete.

I have updates for four entries I posted earlier:

All-4-One - I Can Love You Like That
An eBay seller informs me that the song runs 4:23 on the CD single he has up for sale. He didn't mention if this is the printed run time or if he actually timed the song himself. Either way, his data seems to suggest that the commercial single and album version of "I Can Love You Like That" are essentially the same, which of course means no single version/album version distinction would apply here.

Bad Company - Walk Through Fire ==> Single version - 4:17. Album version - 4:47.
I got hold of a commercial cassette copy and confirmed the run time.

The B-52's - Deadbeat Club ==> Single version - 4:19. Album version - 4:45.
I came across a commercial cassette single copy and confirmed the 4:19 run time, even though the label states 4:15.

Black Box - Strike It Up == Single version - 3:06*. Album version - 5:15.
I asked edtop40 to check his cassette single copy for me. He says it contains the "radio mix" and runs 3:06. I believe this is how long the "radio mix" runs on the promo CD single as well. It would be good if someone could verify this.

And now, let's get back to where we last left off...


Brent Bourgeois - Dare to Fall in Love ==> Single version - 4:08. Album version - 4:05.
The cassette single states "edit" on the sleeve. The main difference between the single and album version is the single version edits out part of the keyboard solo after the first set of verses. But what's interesting here is the album version fades out sooner than the single which explains why the latter has an overall longer run time.

The Boys - Crazy ==> Album version - 5:05. (Whitburn - 4:03) (available on vinyl 45)
My sources say the commercial cassette single features a radio edit version.

Boys Club - I Remember Holding You ==> Album version - 4:52. (Whitburn - 4:09) (available on vinyl 45)
The commercial and promo 45 both have a printed run time of 4:09 on the label.

Brandy - I Wanna Be Down ==> Album version - 4:51. (Whitburn - 4:03) (available on vinyl 45)
The CD single appears to contain the "LP Version". But given Whitburn's listed run time, I'm wondering if the cassette single might feature a different mix or edit on the A-side?

Brandy - Baby ==> Single version - 4:19*. Album version - 5:12. (Whitburn - 4:16) (available on vinyl 45)

Brandy - Brokenhearted ==> Single version - 4:45. Album version - 5:51.
The cassette single features the "Soulpower Mix", which is also the version I remember hearing on the radio. The label incorrectly states a run time of 4:29.

Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan - Missing You ==> Single version - 4:11*. Album version - 4:22. (Whitburn - 4:09) (available on vinyl 45)

Brandy & Monica - The Boy Is Mine ==> Single version - 3:59*. Album version - 4:54. (Whitburn - 4:00) (available on vinyl 45)

Brandy - Have You Ever? ==> Album version - 4:31. (Whitburn - 3:33) (available on vinyl 45)
My sources say the commercial single features what appears to be the radio edit.

Brother Beyond - The Girl I Used to Know ==> Single version - 4:11*. Album version - 4:21.
The "single version" runs 4:11 on my promo CD copy (EMI DPRO #04521), though the label states a time of 3:59. In the 10th edition, the song is listed as running 3:51 on Decades of Dance: The 90's (EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets 19578) and Pat comments that this is the "dj edit". Is there another promo DJ single pressing featuring this 3:51 version? I notice the Decades of Dance track listing does state that "The Girl I Used to Know" is the "radio mix edited version". Since I don't have this disc, I'm unable to look into this.

Sharon Bryant - Let Go ==> Album version - 4:51. (Whitburn - 4:09)

Bush - Comedown ==> Single version - 4:08. Album version - 5:24. Promo CD copies of the single run 4:08, but states a time of 4:19 (Trauma PRCD 6297).

me too.....the cheap trick song "i can't stop fallin into love" that is on their greatest hits is identical to the 45 AND cassingle versions even though each plainly states that the version was/is the "radio mix".....they are identical...........