JOHN HUNTER - "Tragedy"
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=4177
Printed Date: 02 August 2025 at 11:51am
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Topic: JOHN HUNTER - "Tragedy"
Posted By: abagon
Subject: JOHN HUNTER - "Tragedy"
Date Posted: 03 September 2008 at 11:04pm
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JOHN HUNTER - "Tragedy"
The actual commercial 45 running time is (3:45), the listed time is "3:48" on the record label. (Private ZS4 04643) |
Replies:
Posted By: EdisonLite
Date Posted: 05 December 2011 at 6:15pm
| Does anyone have the John Hunter "Famous At Night" LP and can they tell me the timing of "Tragedy" on that? Was it longer than the single? |
Posted By: Roscoe
Date Posted: 05 December 2011 at 10:02pm
The LP cut runs just under 3:46 on my turntable, so I would say that the 45 and LP appear to be the same length. |
EdisonLite wrote:Posted By: crapfromthepast
Date Posted: 20 June 2012 at 11:04am
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I found a version from a 45 that runs 4:13. It's the same as the 3:46 version until the 2:00 mark, then it's a different edit. It looks like the 3:46 version can be created from my 4:13 version with a little editing and an early fade.
I dubbed it myself from vinyl in January, 2002, and all my notes say is: "Taken from A-side of Private I 7-inch #ZS4 04643, 1984 (3:48)" So the printed time is way off. I'd supply the matrix number, but the 45 has been buried in my basement and unseen by human eyes since January, 2002. Due to my ineffective filing system, I don't know if I have a commercial 45 or a promo 45. Anyone know? ------------- There's a lot of crap on the radio, but there's only one http://www.crapfromthepast.com" rel="nofollow - Crap From The Past . |
Posted By: crapfromthepast
Date Posted: 20 June 2012 at 11:20am
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Ha! Just for kicks I checked the "H" section, and there it was, right next to my Human League singles. Alphabetization rules!
It's a commercial 45, with a bar code and everything. Matrix number ZS4-04643-3AF-1, and I played it to confirm that it does indeed run 4:13, even though it has a printed time of 3:48. ------------- There's a lot of crap on the radio, but there's only one http://www.crapfromthepast.com" rel="nofollow - Crap From The Past . |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 20 June 2012 at 2:10pm
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Good find! I have dubs of the shorter commercial 45 and the LP, and they are the same 3:45 version. ------------- Aaron Kannowski http://www.uptownsound.com" rel="nofollow - Uptown Sound http://www.919thepeak.com" rel="nofollow - 91.9 The Peak - Classic Hip Hop |
Posted By: Jody Thornton
Date Posted: 20 June 2012 at 2:52pm
So what is it exactly? Does it simply have an extended second verse at 2:00? ------------- Cheers, Jody Thornton (Richmond Hill, Ontario) |
Posted By: cmmmbase
Date Posted: 20 June 2012 at 4:25pm
| I have 2 copies. My promo - Matrix BA-ZS4-04643-3 runs 3:46. My Stock - Matrix BB-ZS4-04643-3 (with an 06 scratched out after the ZS4, but before the rest) also runs 3:46. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 20 June 2012 at 6:51pm
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Yes, it's an extended verse. For the short version, they cut the verse in
half. ------------- Aaron Kannowski http://www.uptownsound.com" rel="nofollow - Uptown Sound http://www.919thepeak.com" rel="nofollow - 91.9 The Peak - Classic Hip Hop |
Posted By: MMathews
Date Posted: 26 August 2012 at 12:39am
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Figured i'd add some info i noticed about the longer 45
version. (thanks, Ron for sending it!!) I happened to notice a difference right in the intro, then i caught a few others. The longer version is at a faster pitch, and a different mix. The bass track was completely re-cut for the charting version of the song. Oh, and...due to some "inside info" that a friend has, we believe the longer version is the first one released. The shorter one's master is labeled as a remix, and it is. The vocal is drier, some very subtle mix differences, runs slower, and as i said has a completely different bass track re-cut for it. When comparing them, the bass-notes on the intro of the long version are a little different from each other, and have a few "flubbed" notes. Also the "clap" sound is in the center. The shorter hit version, every bass note is identical thru-out the intro, and the clap" is in the left channel. Just thought i'd share that! MM |
Posted By: Jody Thornton
Date Posted: 27 August 2012 at 2:51pm
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Is there a way to hear the longer 45-rpm version? Ron? LOL
(I would like to hear it though) ------------- Cheers, Jody Thornton (Richmond Hill, Ontario) |
Posted By: MMathews
Date Posted: 27 August 2012 at 5:19pm
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Hi guys...
i just forwarded the DL link to the "larger group" for Jody and anyone else who missed it the first time. enjoy. MM |
Posted By: Roscoe
Date Posted: 27 August 2012 at 5:44pm
Thanks. It was interesting to hear this version; their remixing choices were wise even though the revised version ultimately stalled in the lower reaches of the top 40. This song certainly deserved a better fate than its lackluster chart position and decades of unavailability on CD. Truly a "lost" 80s hit in every sense of the word, yet it does seem to be fondly remembered by those that were familiar with it. A CD release is almost certainly a lost cause at this point, but perhaps an iTunes release may be possible? I wonder who owns the rights. |
Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 27 August 2012 at 8:35pm
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Who owns the rights? Good question. Was the Private I label
a part of a larger label? I can't remember any other artist on that label (not the same as Private Stock). John Hunter never hit the BB Hot 100 again even tho this single spent four months riding the Hot 100 in late '84/early '85. ------------- Santi Paradoa Miami, Florida |
Posted By: cmmmbase
Date Posted: 27 August 2012 at 9:29pm
| Private I was a CBS label. Matthew Wilder, Staple Singers and LaToya Jackson all charted hits on the Hot 100/bubbling under the hot 100 (in the case of the Staple Singers) while on the label. It appears to have been absorbed in to the more generic label "CBS Associated" in 1986. John Hunter's second album appeared on this label. |
Posted By: musicmanatl
Date Posted: 28 August 2012 at 5:01am
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I've moved recently so I can't lay my hands on my copy of Frederic Dannen's book "Hit Men", but if I remember correctly, he said that Private I was a specialty label that Walter Yetnikoff gave to Michael Jackson's manager at that time, Frank Dileo. Dileo had been the promotions director for Epic from '79 to '84 or so. If you haven't read the book, it's a fascinating if disturbing portrayal of the underside of the music business.
I would imagine that Sony would own the masters for this label, but who knows, the way the music business goes. |
Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 28 August 2012 at 4:09pm
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I had forgotten about Matthew Wilder's "Break My Stride"
being on that same label. That must be the only 45 I have on this label since I never bought John Hunter's "Tragedy" or any of Matthew's other singles. I bet Sony would have released this song by now if they had it (but like Frank says who knows). ------------- Santi Paradoa Miami, Florida |
Posted By: mlyles
Date Posted: 03 February 2018 at 6:44pm
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I purchased a cd of "Famous At Night" on eBay (seller
was from Estonia). It includes the original 10 songs plus 6 bonus tracks. The album is listed on Discogs as reissued on cd on CBS 39626 2. The CD, liners, etc. all look legit. Does not sound like it was recorded from vinyl. Anyway, I ripped Tragedy (3:48) from the cd. It sounds great and noticeably louder than the version I ripped from my vinyl 45. But, of course, the database lists "Tragedy" as not on cd. Can anybody shed any light on this? Thanks. |
Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 03 February 2018 at 7:31pm
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Very interesting find. Does that CD have a US address on it anywhere?
Also, welcome to the board. ------------- Santi Paradoa Miami, Florida |
Posted By: mlyles
Date Posted: 03 February 2018 at 7:58pm
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On the CD itself: This compilation *copyright symbol*
2013 SONY BMG Music Entertainment (EU) Limited. On back insert: *copyright symbol* 1984 CBS Records Inc. Printed in EU. |
Posted By: MMathews
Date Posted: 04 February 2018 at 12:33am
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An import CD which is why it's not in the database. It
would have been pretty awesome if they had included the original mix as one of the bonus tracks. But at least it's cool the album was reissued at all. MM |
Posted By: EdisonLite
Date Posted: 07 February 2018 at 2:39pm
| If it's from Estonia, it's probably a seller I have bought from occasionally - who sells only bootleg CDs he makes himself. What is the seller's username on ebay? I'd probably still remember it. He does very clean vinyl. Most people wouldn't be able to tell. If this isn't from clean vinyl, I'd probably buy the CD in a heartbeat, but it most likely is. He specializes in reissue albums that have never been on CD, and cleans the vinyl himself. He had the 5 Neil Sedaka CDs from '77 ("A Song") through '82 ("Come See About Me") - all from vinyl. If you ask him before buying, "Is this from vinyl or master tape", he's very honest and responds "from vinyl". Please let me know the seller's name. It should be in your emails, or on ebay, on your "Items bought" page. Thanks. |
Posted By: mlyles
Date Posted: 07 February 2018 at 7:13pm
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The seller is "ruthem." If this is from vinyl, it's the
cleanest I've ever heard. |
Posted By: EdisonLite
Date Posted: 07 February 2018 at 11:55pm
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Yeah, ruthem - that's the one who cleans records from vinyl.
Nice to know he cleans them up so well. Have you bought anything else from this seller? Sometimes I don't notice something's from vinyl when listening on speakers. Then when I hear it on headphones, it becomes very evident. You hear record noises more clearly. |
Posted By: JL328
Date Posted: 07 April 2018 at 8:49am
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I'd bet dollars to donuts there's an early vinyl pressing of "Famous at
Night" with the 4:13 version on it. |
Posted By: davidlg1971
Date Posted: 12 March 2021 at 11:56am
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It's hard to believe a Top 40 song from 1985 (okay, just
barely breaking that barrier) has yet to be officially released on CD. Was it just too low of a chart success to be licensed for any 80s CD compilations, or are there rights issues? |
Posted By: EdisonLite
Date Posted: 12 March 2021 at 12:56pm
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There are no rights problemd with the song. Sony owns it. Had Rhino's Radio Daze series expanded beyond 1981 and gone to at least 1985, we surely would have asked for this song.
I think it simply boils down to the fact that no label has ever requested this song to be on a comp. (And the original album has never been released on CD in Japan or Europe, etc.) I really like the song a lot! Another song in the same category is Stallion's "Old Fashioned Boy (You're the One)" - a top 40 hit that peaked in the low 30s that's never been released on CD. |
Posted By: AdvprosD
Date Posted: 12 March 2021 at 8:03pm
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1985 was a busy year for me outside of music related interests. I have been reminded of that twice now after this topic and watching a mini-series on Netflix about the guy in Salt Lake who
was forging Mormon documents. The whole year appears to be a blank! This song doesn't ring a bell for me at all. ------------- <Dave> Someone please tell I-Heart Radio that St. Louis is not known as The Loo! |
Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 12 March 2021 at 9:05pm
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Did a bit better on the Cash Box singles chart peaking
at #31. The song did spend 16 weeks on both the Billboard and Cash Box singles charts. Since it has never been officially released on CD it's no wonder it doesn't ring a bell. It's a lost 80s tune for sure. Pretty cool tune in my book (I prefer the shorter 45 remix). ------------- Santi Paradoa Miami, Florida |
Posted By: Paul Haney
Date Posted: 13 March 2021 at 4:34am
| One of my favorite "forgotten" tunes from 1985. It actually peaked at #3 on the WLOL-FM (Minneapolis) weekly survey. |
Posted By: bclark71
Date Posted: 05 June 2023 at 7:31am
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Just to add my 2-cents, I have a really good dub of the
4:13 version from a 45 I bought back in 1985. If anybody wants it, please PM me. |
Posted By: bclark71
Date Posted: 06 June 2023 at 5:42am
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I've had a few PMs and I have shared my Google Drive link
to the mp3. Everyone here is so nice! Thank you for allowing me into the forum!
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