Five Man Electrical Band-"Signs"

Jim,

Here is what I have on hand for the vinyl 45 "Signs":
1) commercial copy Lionel 3213 - label states (3:20) but actually runs (3:02) matrix number 70L1634. The label states "A side".
2) commercial copy Lionel 3213 - label states (4:05) but actually runs (3:25) matrix number 70L1634-2. The label does not state "A side".
3) commercial copy Lionel 3213 - label states (3:20) but actually runs (3:25) matrix number 70L1634-1. The label states "A side".
4) dj copy Lionel 3213 - label states (3:20) but actually runs (3:25) matrix number 70L1634. The label states "A side".
5) dj copy MGM K14182 - label states (4:05) but actually runs (3:25) matrix number 70L1634. The label has an * on the flip side which is "Hello Melinda Goodbye".

I have never come across a vinyl 45 that runs the full length of (4:05) hence the designation "LP version" for the cd appearances that do run (4:05).

Guys: I have learned something new today. Turns out BOTH my DJ copies of "Signs" skip repeatedly around the same point in the last :30-:40 seconds, prohibiting me from getting and noting accurate timings previously (and still). Until tonight, I was ALWAYS under the impression that the "long" intro was the tip-off to the (4:05) LP version, as a long-owned reprint 45 of "Signs" I have has an :03-ish intro before the vocal. I assumed ALL the (3:20) and (3:25) versions had that short intro. Thanks to Pat, I now know differently. My MGM promo deadwax (listed time 4:05) is K14182 70L1634-1, same as Pat's Lionel commercial 45. So, if my 45 would've played through, it must run (3:25). My Lionel promo deadwax has the EXACT same info, but scratches out the K14182 part, since that was MGM catalog info, also listing a time of (4:05). I'm sure that must also run (3:25). I could tell tonight, by how close to the end of the grooves both 45s got before skipping, that they wouldn't have reached the (4:05) mark. Obviously, an usually large amount of different 45 configurations have made their way around for this one. I apologize for my incorrect statements - I didn't note the skipping problems on the Post-It notes I attach to each 45 I own. But hey, thanks to our "Early-70's-DJ-Ace-In-The-Hole", Gary Mack, we now know that a (4:00+) promo DID in fact, exist! I KNEW the one I remember hearing on the radio in '71 went that long! And, now I finally know that the long intro can STILL mean edit, and does NOT automatically mean (4:05)! Thanks guys, and again, my apologies for my mix-up.   

Gary Mack wrote: 6) dj copy Lionel 3213 - label states (4:05) but actually runs (4:01) matrix number 70L1634-4. The label states "B side".

Pat, I think the only (4:01) 45 version Gary has confirmed is on a promo 45, not a commercial 45. But a commerical 45 of it is certainly possible.

Edited by jimct

edtop40 wrote: it has a real bad/abrupt edit at the 1:30 mark

OK, now I'm confused (again, not working with vinyl here, so I'm at a little disadvantage). I have three versions of this song on CD--a (3:02) version from the Rebound Class Reunion 1971 CD, the (3:27) version from the Rhino Have A Nice Decade box, and the (4:05) version from several sources (assuming that it's the LP version).

Ed mentions a bad/abrupt edit at (1:30) on his single. The (3:02) version I have runs faster than the other two versions, strips out the opening 23 seconds and fades early (a la the (3:27) version). But I don't hear any abrupt edit on that version. So is the (3:02) version on the Rebound CD not the correct short 45 version? (Could also be a skip or something.)

Edited by sriv94

My preference is the shorter stereo 3:02 version. It may be barely stereo, but I'm a big fan of "the shorter the better." The live cover by Tesla that was a hit two decades later is practically the same length as the original 3:02 edit with the same short intro.