Barbra Streisand "The Way We Were"
Printed From: Top 40 Music on CD
Category: Top 40 Music On Compact Disc
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URL: https://top40musiconcd.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1410
Printed Date: 28 April 2025 at 12:40pm
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Topic: Barbra Streisand "The Way We Were"
Posted By: Roscoe
Subject: Barbra Streisand "The Way We Were"
Date Posted: 03 October 2006 at 9:54pm
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The database indicates the following note for the 2nd version of "The Way We Were" on Barbra Streisand's "Just For The Record" box set: "includes a (:54) spoken introduction, (1:56) of an alternate lyric version and (2:00) of the hit version". The box liner notes also indicate that the last part of this medley is the single version.
However, on comparing the box set with the 45, there are some mix and vocal differences. The box set version has some additional percussion on the "memories may be beautiful and yet", and a different vocal on the "we simply choose to forget". It's close to the 45 version, but no cigar. A shame that such a big hit has never been released on CD in its hit version, and we're not talking about just a subtle mix difference. The version that appears on all the CDs is a completely different performance than the 45. |
Replies:
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 04 October 2006 at 1:14am
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Roscoe is correct. That note should actually say, "and (2:00) of the LP version."
It is bizarre that this song has never appeared in its single verison on CD. I remember first buying Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits Volume II in, oh, 1981 on LP. The first time I heard "Way We Were" there, I thought, "That's not what I remember hearing on the radio." As the years went by, I convinced myself that my memory was faulty. (I've learned since to trust my memory... it's a good one.) Then I finally bought the vinyl 45 a couple years ago, and was shocked at how different they actually are. It was rumored that the US CD3 BackTrax single, issued in 1989 or thereabouts, contained the 45 version, but I own it, and it's the LP Version. I wonder if Streisand even remembers that the single version is different. |
Posted By: Glenpwood
Date Posted: 22 April 2013 at 10:25am
| Does anyone know if the Columbia Hall Of Fame 45 reissues of this are the original mix or did they switch over the later version that's on all of Babs' CD's? |
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 22 April 2013 at 10:46am
The vinyl 45s of the Hall of Fame reissues -- yes, they are he original 45 versions. "The Way We Were" / "All is Fair in Love" Hall of Fame single was issued on a CD3 in 1988 or '89, but the mo-fos used the album versions, since they were too lazy to do a new transfer and just wanted to use the existing digital transfer from her "Greatest Hits Vol. 2" CD. |
Glenpwood wrote:Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 22 April 2013 at 4:57pm
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I only have the Hall Of Fame reissue 45 (never got the
original 45) plus the common LP version on CD. I'm one that has trouble telling the two versions (common LP and 45) apart. To me they are very similar (but I don't hear the 45 version much). ------------- Santi Paradoa Miami, Florida |
Posted By: The Hits Man
Date Posted: 22 April 2013 at 6:26pm
It's easy! The 45 version has an extra wha-wha guitar part throughout the song, and the vocal is slightly different. That reissue 45 you have may have the LP version. ------------- |
Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 22 April 2013 at 7:34pm
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The deadwax info on the reissue 45 is ZSS158863-1AF. Now
I'm curious to know if it matches the original single. ------------- Santi Paradoa Miami, Florida |
Posted By: Yah Shure
Date Posted: 22 April 2013 at 8:29pm
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Here are my entries in the Babs deadwax sweepstakes:
1973 45944 Santa Maria vinyl stock: ZSS-158863-1D 1973 45944 Canadian vinyl stock: 158863-1A Hall Of Fame 33262 reissue: ZSS 158863-1K The groove spacing is noticeably narrower (and deadwax wider) on the HOF reissue than on either of the two original '73 issues. |
Posted By: KentT
Date Posted: 13 May 2013 at 8:34pm
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There may be early Hall Of Fame 45 reissues using original stampers out there. Some of these 45 re-releases did use original stampers. Some used promo side stampers here and there also. ------------- I turn up the good and turn down the bad! |
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 14 May 2013 at 6:59am
That must be why the "Stony End" Hall of Fame 45 was mono when the commercial issue was stereo. |
Posted By: Scanner
Date Posted: 12 November 2020 at 12:27pm
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Does anyone know where the Volume 2 version originated
from? I was stunned when I found the 45 version on YouTube by how different it was...and that does not even take into consideration the soundtrack version! Just how many versions (excluding countless live versions) exist of this song from Babs? |
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 12 November 2020 at 7:40pm
Yeah, it's "The Way We Were" album version (not the soundtrack album, her pop studio album). Unsure why they used the album version on all compilation releases. Either it's not remembered that there is a difference, or Streisand prefers it. (Wouldn't surprise me if it's the latter.) So there are three studio versions: single version, album version, and soundtrack album version. |
Posted By: Scanner
Date Posted: 13 November 2020 at 1:38pm
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By the time "Volume 2" was released, I imagine
Columbia listened to whatever Barbra wanted! I do wonder, though, why she recorded the song so many times in such a short period - the soundtrack, the single, the solo album. It doesn't surprise me that that the song was re-recorded for the single to make it more radio-friendly. But, that doesn't explain why they would not include the same version on the album. You would think that would have been a selling point for the album if it included the version everyone knew from the radio. Does anyone know why the 45 version has never been released on one of her compilations? There have been enough compilations released by now that this could have been included on at least one especially for what is arguably her biggest hit. |
Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 13 November 2020 at 4:14pm
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Since Barbra has been a superstar performer for decades,
I'm guessing artistic control over the versions released. Billy Joel is similar as initially some of his 45 versions were released but not in a very long time. And, those 45 versions were replaced by the LP versions. ------------- John Gallagher Erie, PA https://www.johngallagher.com" rel="nofollow - John Gallagher Wedding & Special Event Entertainment / Snapblast Photo Booth |
Posted By: EdisonLite
Date Posted: 17 November 2020 at 1:02am
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Yes, that's correct. Barbra has total control over what is released from her catalog. I don't think anyone at Sony even compiles any comps on her. Barbra and her manager Jay Landers do. While it's possible Barbra can't stand the hit version, it simply may be that neither is aware that the single is different. There's no outside person (like me, Bill Pitzonka, Joe Marchese) compiling a Babs comp saying "Put on the single version". So it could be just an oversight.
It is odd that Barbra wouldn't want the hit version on any CD. Strange to think the version played on the radio a million times back in the day, and winning her Oscars (and Grammys?) has been lost to the current world - except for those that are still continuining to listen to their 45! |
Posted By: garye
Date Posted: 26 December 2020 at 7:32pm
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Does anyone have a 45 dub of the 73 single?
Have a couple of MP3's that say they are from the single, but wanna compare to see. PM me and thanks in advance! |
Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 26 December 2020 at 7:52pm
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Check your email Gary. ------------- John Gallagher Erie, PA https://www.johngallagher.com" rel="nofollow - John Gallagher Wedding & Special Event Entertainment / Snapblast Photo Booth |
Posted By: garye
Date Posted: 26 December 2020 at 10:37pm
Thank you! Looking forward to a little coomparison test! |