Atlanta Rhythm Section - Alien
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=8093
Printed Date: 22 August 2025 at 7:56pm
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Topic: Atlanta Rhythm Section - Alien
Posted By: jimct
Subject: Atlanta Rhythm Section - Alien
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 4:53am
Current db CDs for this forgotten song, which was the group's only 80's
hit, only hit for Columbia, and final Top 40 entry, has one CD with the 45
length, while the others all feature the (4:52-4:53)-ish LP length.
We were sent a promo 12" single for "Alien" (Columbia AS 1271) in 1981,
and here are its particulars:
Side 1:
1-Alien (listed 4:45)
Side 2:
1-(a different song, "Homesick")
2-(a different song, "Quinella")
My initial conclusion here was that the listed (4:45) time for Side 1 was
just off by a few seconds, and that, in truth, this was simply the LP
version. Columbia was always among the very worst labels, as to
providing any "unique version" clues, aside from "short version/long
version". Unless the label guy had specifically told us they were gonna
send out a 12" promo re-mix, and why (which was very rare), it was very
easy for us to overlook the small print. We were always busy, and the
amount of new product coming in to us each week was always quite
steady.
Over the years, there have been several cases where, now that I've gone
back and more closely examined an item's contents, I'd discover
additional info about a promo 12" mix, that I often wish I'd known about
back then. Like for this one. I just now noticed, in the smallest possible
print size, at the very bottom of Side 1, that it says "Special Version Of
The Columbia Single 18-02471". This promo 12" includes a unique mix.
Just for perspective, we'd often receive 12" singles that simply featured
the LP version of a song, so it was very easy to overlook minor details -
especially when you needed a magnifying glass to become aware of such
version differences!
In this particular case, though, it mattered not. This song was on our
radar, all during both Sept. & Oct. of 1981. And, while we did come close,
we never did end up actually adding "Alien" to our playlist.
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Replies:
Posted By: AndrewChouffi
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 6:58am
Hi Jim,
Could you describe this promo 12" mix?
Was it more AOR-friendly (as in rockier/crunchier)?
I've always loved the song & never knew there may be an alternate mix.
Andy
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Posted By: jimct
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 8:16am
Andy, patience my friend. I don't think my copy has ever been played. And
while my stylus is fine, I can't currently shoot vinyl dubs out.
I'd rather not give it even a single spin, just yet. But rest assured, I already
have a process in place, to obtain the absolute highest-quality de-vinyl
results possible, usually within a month or two. So when I get the results
back myself, I will immediately shoot you out the results.
I'm pleased to know that you're so happy to discover this new mix. It's the
entire reason that I'm now going through all my promo "hit" 12" singles. I'm
thinking there could be many other such "unknown" version discoveries. I'm
still not even done with the "A's" yet! :)
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Posted By: Todd Ireland
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 11:28pm
Jim:
I appreciate you posting all the fascinating new information recently regarding your promo 12" single releases! Even though it appears Pat has made an executive decision to not incorporate this info into the database (which is his prerogative, especially considering that commercial 12" single info typically isn't included either), I'm sure it will still serve as a valuable guide for those on the forum who may be interested in doing some extra digging to discover some little known versions of Top 40 hits that apparently had been serviced to radio!
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Posted By: AndrewChouffi
Date Posted: 07 May 2014 at 5:36am
To Jim:
Thanks! I don't mind waiting at all.
Andy
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Posted By: AndrewChouffi
Date Posted: 12 May 2014 at 9:28am
To Jim:
I had a chance to listen to the promo 12"
Thank you!!
It sounds like it's the same mix as the album length version with maybe a little more high-end.
Andy
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Posted By: jimct
Date Posted: 12 May 2014 at 9:37am
I guess what Columbia considers to be a "Special Version", worthy of a
promo 12" single, could sometimes be as insignificant as just adding a little
treble. Sorry it turned out to be basically a marketing ploy by the label, Andy.
Sure wasn't the first time that tactic was employed. The only way to tell for
sure is to analyze the track, as you just did - thanks!
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