Falco "Rock Me Amadeus"
Printed From: Top 40 Music on CD
Category: Top 40 Music On Compact Disc
Forum Name: Chat Board
Forum Description: Chat away but please observe the chat board rules
URL: https://top40musiconcd.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=93
Printed Date: 29 April 2025 at 1:15am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Falco "Rock Me Amadeus"
Posted By: aaronk
Subject: Falco "Rock Me Amadeus"
Date Posted: 23 January 2005 at 11:54pm
|
I only have my memory working on this one... Back in '86, when "Amadeus" was a #1 record, I remember my local top 40 station (and possibly Casey Kasem) playing the Canadian Version of the song BUT the ending was different. While the Canadian Version ends abruptly, the version I recall hearing on the air sounded like it had the last part of the "American Edit" spliced onto the end.
Again, this is just from memory, but I remember where the Canadian Version would end, the "bridge" that says "baby, baby, do it to me, rock me" came back in (for the 2nd time) and then the American Edit played to the end of the song (ending with "Amadeus" echoing). Was this on a DJ 45 or was this simply an edit created by someone in radio? Perhaps Casey didn't like the abrupt ending on the Canadian Version... I'm sure I'm not making this up, because when it was popular I tried to recreate this edit myself using my 45 and a cassette. Wow, I feel really nerdy for posting this. |
Replies:
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 24 January 2005 at 10:59am
| OK, I just did a little searching online, and I ordered a copy of this mix. I'm not actually crazy...it's called the "Canadian-American '86 Mix" and I'm pretty sure that THIS is the version that received airplay where I lived (and I believe Casey used this version, too). I'll post my findings when I receive it. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 11 February 2005 at 7:35pm
|
My 45 of "Rock Me Amadeus" showed up today, and this definitely IS the version I remember hearing on my local top 40 station AND (if someone can back me up on this) the mix that Casey Kasem used on Casey's Top 40.
The mix is called the "Canadian/American '86 Mix" and (obviously) it's a combination of the Canadian and American versions. For those interested, the mix is edited like this: It starts similar to the Canadian Version, but goes right into the talking of Mozart's life. It then cuts to the American Version of the song with the first and second verses and choruses. Then, it's back to the Canadian Version with the sax solo. Finally, back to the American Version, where the girl sings "baby baby do it to me rock me" and plays to the end of the American Version ("amadeus" echos out). I highly doubt this version has ever shown up on CD (certainly not here in the U.S.), but it's still nice to hear the mix that I was familiar with but could never find until now. (FYI, the 45 that I found is from Holland on A&M 390 090-7.) |
Posted By: sriv94
Date Posted: 13 August 2008 at 2:05pm
|
My mid-to-late 1980s knowledge isn't nearly as strong as my 1960s/1970s/early 1980s knowledge, so bear with me.
I seem to recall hearing a version of "Rock Me Amadeus" in 1986 that has virtually no German lyrics at all--it starts with the "Rock me Amadeus Amadeus Amadeus. . .", has the "baby baby do it to me rock me" toward the end and ends cold (no "Amadeus" echo). Which version was this? ------------- Doug --------------- All of the good signatures have been taken. |
Posted By: Fetta
Date Posted: 13 August 2008 at 3:09pm
|
Sriv94,
The version you are talking about was the Canadian version and that is the one I remember being played on all of the stations in NY in the eighties. Aaronk....I can't speak for the AT 40 and what Casem was playing back then but like said, NY radio was definitely playing the Canadian version. -Fetta |
Posted By: Jody Thornton
Date Posted: 14 August 2008 at 12:06pm
|
Is the so-called "Canadian Version" the edited Salieri Version? I know that on the CD and 12", there is the full-length Salieri version, then on the LP/CD/Stock 45 was the edited Salieri version. Then there was the video version. The latter contained the verses which were used in the American mix and edit.
Cheers, Jody Thornton (Hamilton, Ontario) ------------- Cheers, Jody Thornton (Richmond Hill, Ontario) |
Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 14 August 2008 at 1:05pm
|
So which is considered the hit version?
American Canadian New Mix '86 |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 14 August 2008 at 1:17pm
|
Jody, the US Falco 3 album version (i.e. Salieri version) can be edited to make the Canadian Version. My US 12" has a different mix, called "The American Edit," which is a longer version of the American Version on the 45. I would guess that the American Version side of the 45 can be edited from the US 12" but I've never tried. I believe other contries (perhaps Canada & maybe all European countries) released the Salieri version on the 12" as opposed to "The American Edit."
You're right that the video version was different from both the American and Canadian sides of the US 45. I wonder if this was the single version in Europe. I have a Falco compilation CD that has what I presume to be this mix, although I haven't seen/heard the video in years. For those interested, here's a summary of all the different versions I know of (feel free to add to the list, as there are many versions): 1. The Salieri Version (US CD, US vinyl LP, at least some non-US 12" singles) 2. The American Edit (US 12") 3. The American Edit 7" version (one side of the US 45 and presumably an edit of the US 12") 4. The Canadian Version (one side of the US 45 and an edit of the Salieri Version) 5. The Canadian/American '86 Mix (a combination of the US LP and US 12" versions; I've only ever found this version on an import 45) 6. Video Mix (my import compilation labels it as "The Gold Mix"; quite possibly the European 45 version) |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 14 August 2008 at 1:19pm
Well, I haven't heard too many folks say they remember the "Canadian American '86 Mix," and it wasn't pressed on a US 45 that I know of. Probably both sides of the US 45 version would be considered the "hit" versions. |
eriejwg wrote:Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 14 August 2008 at 1:28pm
| I ordered the Canadian/American import 45 yesterday. Not cheap either. This way, I'd have at least 3 versions. |
Posted By: jimct
Date Posted: 16 August 2008 at 12:23pm
|
Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 16 August 2008 at 8:48pm
|
Jim, Aaron and everyone, thanks for your input. I, too, remember a version we played on air that had a story of Mozart. It, too, must have been the Canadian version.
A shame that only one CD features the Canadian Version. If and when the new mix '86 comes in, will be nice to dub and have as a collector's item. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 17 August 2008 at 9:45pm
| Jim, I would agree with you that the Canadian Version is probably the one that received the most airplay. Again, my memory is hazy about the '86 Mix, but I swear I remember hearing it in my market. Of course, what I also might have heard was a custom edit that just spliced on the American Version ending to the Canadian Version. Heck, the only thing I can say for sure is the '86 mix is a cool sounding version, regardless of whether it ever got any airplay! |
Posted By: Todd Ireland
Date Posted: 04 September 2008 at 4:15pm
|
Regarding "Rock Me Amadeus", the database currently (and correctly) states:
((the “Canadian” side of this 45 states a running time of (4:02) but actually runs (4:07)) Just wanted to add that abagon reports the actual commercial 45 run time for the "American" side runs 3:11. |
Posted By: maciav
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 2:21pm
------------- Mike C. from PA |
Posted By: maciav
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 2:28pm
|
Aaron,
Can you tell me the length of your 45 from Holland with the Canadian-American mix? This is definitely the version that was played a lot on AT40, and it was also played a lot on the radio here in Central PA. And in my opinion, it blows away all other versions. Additionally, since your post in 2005, has this version been issued on any import CDs? This thread was last posted a year ago; I doubt there have been any releases in the past year with this version, but I wanted to at least ask the question. ------------- Mike C. from PA |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 6:13pm
| Mike, it runs 4:02. To my knowledge, this version still has not been issued on CD. But please let me know if you find it! |
Posted By: mstgator
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 6:15pm
| Just a note from a huge AT40 fan... I've been listening to copies of the original AT40 shows chronologically (just rolled into 1987 this week), and the above-mentioned Canadian-American mix doesn't appear to have ever been played. The 7" American Edit was played two or three times while the song was climbing, and an extended version of the American side (probably the longer American Edit version on the 12") was played during its second week at number one. The standard Canadian Version was played all other weeks. Now, it's certainly possible that a local station could edit in a different mix if they so chose (since the song's open and close precluded any talkover by Casey), so perhaps that's why some listeners have different memories of what they heard. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 6:22pm
| It could also be that my memory is just not so good on this one. When I heard the import 45, though, I immediately thought "Aha! THIS is the version I remember hearing many times on the radio." Whether it was played on AT40 or not, I'm not sure. Perhaps I recall hearing that extended version when it was a #1 hit, and I associated it with the import version. |
Posted By: maciav
Date Posted: 01 October 2009 at 5:48am
|
Aaron,
Thanks for the info! I have been wondering about this for a long time! Obviously, I am still confused about this because I thought for sure this is the version I remember on AT40. Following up on that..... Mstgator, If you listen to the AT40 show from 3/29/86 when this song moved into #1, isn't the version that was played the version that Aaron is talking about? I thought it was. If not, is there a CD that has the remix you are talking about? And if you ever want to talk about the old AT40 shows, please let me know. I like listening to the old shows too! ------------- Mike C. from PA |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 01 October 2009 at 7:28am
|
Just curious, are you guys listening to AT40 on satellite radio or online? Or do you have personal copies of the shows? I only have a couple AT40 shows on CD---the year end shows for 1994 and 1995, I believe. I'd love to hear some of the '80s shows.
The 12" American Edit (running 5:50) has been issued on CD only once to my knowledge. Unfortunately, that CD has it mastered from what sounds like an mp3. If you don't mind the sound of mp3s and don't mind shelling out some dough, the disc is a 2-CD import from Japan called 80's 12 Inch Special on the Universal label. |
Posted By: mstgator
Date Posted: 02 October 2009 at 6:02pm
I loaded my copy of 3/29/86, and it's definitely the standard Canadian Version, clocking in at about 4:05. The following week (4/05/06) featured the full American Edit, running about 5:52. (The times vary a bit due to these shows being dubbed from vinyl by different collectors.) Regarding my AT40 listening habits, I started trading for old shows several years ago, and do occasionally listen to the classic shows airing in syndication from Premiere (although from what I understand XM/Sirius has taken to butchering the shows they air). About a year ago I obtained a hard drive containing most every AT40 and CT40, at which point I started listening chronologically beginning with 1978 (the year I first heard AT40... I plan on eventually going back to listen to the first seven-plus years). ...anyway, don't want to hijack the thread, but feel free to PM or email me if you want to discuss AT40. Meanwhile I'll go back to lurking. :) |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 06 October 2009 at 7:27am
Is your copy of the show an original vinyl LP? I had a lengthy discussion with Mike, and he told me that Shannon Lynn has, over the years, been working on "restoring" the old AT40 shows. During the restoration process, he often dubs in CD sources for the music. In fact, this is mentioned in another thread by someone else, too. One clue might be to listen to the very end of the song on AT40. The ending of the Canadian Version has some drums and music building up while Falco is mumbling something in German. It then ends very abruptly with no other lyrics. The Canadian-American '86 Mix ends with "Amadeus, deus, deus,..." echoing at the end. If the AT40 show has that echoing "Amadeus..." at the end, I would be willing to bet that the original source has been edited out and replaced with the Canadian Version, leaving only the ending of the original source since Casey is probably talking over it. |
Posted By: torcan
Date Posted: 06 October 2009 at 9:40am
This greatly disappoints me that they're "restoring" old AT40s. What I liked was, when a song was on the chart for a while they would usually play different versions over the course of the chart run. For example, instead of the 45 they might play the longer album version one week, or maybe a 12-inch remix another. If they are going to edit in new music, they should at least try to find the version that was used on that particular show. I like hearing the different versions of the songs - it seems that they're being taken away. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 06 October 2009 at 10:25am
|
Here's an email from Shannon Lynn that helps clarify things:
My 1986 version is straight from the AT40 master tapes. Just to clarify, "I know you often times replace the music with CD sources for better sound quality" I do but only with the exact mix, edits and version of the original program content. It's the people at XM and Premiere who apparently hack things up once it leaves me by cutting down songs or not paying attention to different mixes, DJ edits, etc. I am very meticulous that anything I replace is identical to what was there just clearer. Shannon |
Posted By: mstgator
Date Posted: 07 October 2009 at 5:21pm
| The majority of what I've listened to in my collection sound like they were dubbed from the original show discs. Most have the original network commercials (beginning in 1982) and original show promos (beginning around 1984). I have run across one 2002-era Flashback show (replacing the last three original hours) and a couple from XM's "Casey Kasemas" marathon several years ago (before the hack jobs started), but none of those during Falco's run. The Canadian Version airings all have the same cold ending as the normal 45. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 07 October 2009 at 7:06pm
| Thanks for the additional info, mstgator. I really appreciate you checking it out further. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 09 July 2010 at 5:37pm
|
I just obtained a 4-track UK 12" single, and it contains the "Can Am
Mix" of Amadeus. As it turns out, this is the same hybrid version that appears on my Dutch 7" single. There is also an "Extended Version" on the record that is derived from the same mix as the video version. I can understand why they wanted to make the additional 12" mixes, as the original extended mix is kinda lame. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 09 July 2010 at 5:38pm
|
Please excuse the additional line breaks. It seems to be a
compatibility issue with my iPhone. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 29 February 2016 at 3:20pm
|
Bumping up for Chatfan MA. ------------- 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: eriejwg
Date Posted: 25 April 2017 at 12:27pm
|
Great news. Not sure if it's available in lossless, but
there is a digital 30th anniversary copy of "Rock Me Amadeus" available digitally. It contains all the mixes of the son discussed in this thread, including the American Edit (runs 3:12) and the Canadian/American Edit. Enjoy! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rock-me-amadeus-30th- anniversary/id1095422509 |
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 25 April 2017 at 4:36pm
It is indeed, and not just regular lossless, but 24-bit lossless! Actually, this came out a year ago... I guess we all missed it. https://us.7digital.com/artist/falco/release/rock-me-amadeus-30th-anniversary-5246268?f=20%2C19%2C12%2C16%2C17%2C9%2C2 - https://us.7digital.com/artist/falco/release/rock-me-amadeus -30th-anniversary-5246268?f=20%2C19%2C12%2C16%2C17%2C9%2C2 |
Posted By: radiofan16
Date Posted: 27 April 2017 at 2:58am
|
I grew up hearing the "American Edit" on Star 1045 in the 90s, and I also heard
the "Canadian American Edit" on WSTW around the same time. Didn't realize the latter version was so rare. |
Posted By: Jody Thornton
Date Posted: 18 September 2019 at 9:50am
|
OK so what I have yet to clarify is this: what is the difference between the Canadian Edit (4:08) and the Short Salieri Version? (apparently it clocks in at 4:50).
During it's broadcast run, oddly enough I never remember hearing the song played on Canadian stations, but I heard the Canadian Edit on Rock 102 (WBEN - Buffalo), and WNYS 104.1 played the American 12" Single. I only ever heard the American edit on Scott Shannon's Top 30 syndicated show. Really, it seems that all of the mixes/versions stem from two versions: The Full Salieri Version which in Canada was on the 12" single and on the Falco 3 cassette and CD (but not the LP). And the German verses come from the album version (known I guess as the Gold Mix). Everything else is just mix-mash of those two versions. The American 12" single and the American 45-rpm disc were also sped up and verses (from the Gold Mix) were more heavily compressed too. Quite a list of versions. ------------- Cheers, Jody Thornton (Richmond Hill, Ontario) |
Posted By: AndrewChouffi
Date Posted: 19 September 2019 at 6:55am
|
To Jody Thornton:
I seem to recall the "American Edit" suffered from undecoded Dolby giving it that 'heavily compressed' sound. Note: Just going by what it sounded like - not confirmed by anyone... Andy |
Posted By: Jody Thornton
Date Posted: 19 September 2019 at 8:06am
That sounds about right, because it is really compressed sounding (even straight from the vinyl pressing). I made my own edit this week from the two original versions. It runs at the right speed, and the edits are somewhat better. And yes, the dynamic range is definitely improved. ------------- Cheers, Jody Thornton (Richmond Hill, Ontario) |
Posted By: edogak2000
Date Posted: 18 June 2020 at 12:42am
|
There's a new EP in FLAC-Format: (2020)
1 Rock Me Amadeus (The Gold Mix) 3:22 2 Rock Me Amadeus (The Gold Mix - Rough) 3:47 3 Rock Me Amadeus (Extended Version) 7:03 4 Rock Me Amadeus (The American Edit) 3:14 5 Rock Me Amadeus (The American Extended) 5:51 6 Rock Me Amadeus (Canadian Version) 4:10 7 Rock Me Amadeus (Canadian / American '86 Mix) 4:06 8 Rock Me Amadeus (Salieri Mix) 8:22 9 Rock Me Amadeus (Salieri Version Edit) 4:51 10 Rock Me Amadeus (Special Radio Salieri Version Edit) 4:04 11 Urban Tropical 3:51 12 Urban Tropical (Extended Version) 7:27 |
Posted By: PopArchivist
Date Posted: 18 June 2020 at 6:57pm
Do you have a link? Thanks! ------------- Favorite two expressions to live by on this board: "You can't download vinyl" and "Not everything is available on CD." |
Posted By: edogak2000
Date Posted: 18 June 2020 at 11:43pm
|
https://www.discogs.com/de/Falco-Rock-Me-Amadeus-EP/release/ 15470504
FLAC I didn't found, only MP3 on amazon Germany. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 18 June 2020 at 11:48pm
|
I believe this is unavailable in the US. I did manage
to find the flac files listed on this site: https://www.highresaudio.com/en/album/view/yzrb2z/falco- rock-me-amadeus-remastered ------------- 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: Bellenger1981
Date Posted: 19 June 2020 at 6:12am
|
It's available in lossless at qobuz:
https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/rock-me-amadeus-ep- falco/leqe6dqms1p5a ------------- Jason Bellenger Byron Center, Michigan, USA |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 19 June 2020 at 10:22am
|
Sup-sup-sup-sup-super! (star) ------------- 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: VWestlife
Date Posted: 19 March 2021 at 1:27pm
|
Today on Philly's 95.7 "Ben FM" I heard the version with the spoken history introduction, and no Falco singing/rapping in German -- aside from the "Amadeus, Amadeus" chant and a woman briefly singing in English towards the end, it was all instrumental. This is definitely not the version I remember hearing on the radio years ago.
|
Posted By: Jody Thornton
Date Posted: 19 March 2021 at 3:08pm
Yes it depended on the market. Our Canadian stock 45-rpm disc (and I think the Canadian promo) had the Edited Saleri Version (which sounds like what you heard today). If it was longer, it was the Extended Saleri Version, which I know was on the Canadian CD and cassette, but not the LP. I think the American releases were similar on A&M. I'm guessing what you heard on the radio in 1986 was a remix which was adapted from both the Saleri and Video versions (the latter had the Austrian verses.) This remix was also sped up a tad, and a semi-tone higher in pitch. Then there was a shorter edit of this remix which was played on a few of the US countdown shows, including Scott Shannon's Top 30. ------------- Cheers, Jody Thornton (Richmond Hill, Ontario) |