Rolling Stones-"Paint It, Black"

I've noticed some of the versions are mono (I assume the original single mix) and some are stereo:

Aftermath: mono
Grrr!: stereo
Hot Rocks 1964-1971: stereo
Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits 2): stereo on two versions, mono on a third

I also have a couple of two-track CD singles that both have it in mono.

I'm curious if the single was only issued in mono, and if the stereo mix was done at the same time. It reminds me of some of those two track recordings that were later "remastered" in stereo with the drums all in one channel, etc. I also thought of some of the early "throwaway" Beatles stereo recordings that was done just because stereo would sell while the mono mix had blood, sweat, and tears poured into it.

It's also odd to me that this thread reports the single running about 3:20-ish, which is the length of all of the stereo versions I have, while all of the mono versions I have run closer to 3:45-ish.

What's the story on the longer mono version, and should the stereo version be held in equal regard with the mono?

The stereo versions seem to be an early fade of the mono version, and the mono version tracks so tightly with the stereo version on Grrr! that I'd almost think Aftermath was a mono folddown of the stereo digital master used on Grrr! (I assume that's not the case; coincidence, or very well maintained reel to reel decks?)

Any insight on the mono vs. stereo mixes and the 3:20 vs. 3:45 lengths would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, David! So the "hit" version is mono, the LP version is stereo, and both are the same length. The mono long version is the single mix faded about 20 seconds later.

...I wonder if the later fade has ever made it out in stereo?

This is good info; thanks again.

PopArchivist wrote: Interestingly enough the only correct mono version for the 45 is on the The Rolling Stones In Mono (Box Set). Otherwise it seems all appearances in mono run 20 seconds too long....

The mono box actually runs a little longer than the U.S. 45
as well. The single drops the last two "hmm-hmms" of the
fourth line. There are four "hmm hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm hmm,
hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm...' lines in the mono box, but the 45
doesn't quite have the complete fourth one; it cuts off the
final two "hmm hmms."

eriejwg wrote: I found some UK 45's on YouTube that fade out as early as 3:15 and then found a U.S. 45 that runs 3:21. I had to slow the Rolling Stones in Mono version by 1.3% and fade slightly earlier to match the 3:21 45 which matches Jim's 45 timing.

It's possible that the 45s were faded on the fly during the mastering process. I've heard of that happening before.