Style Council - You’re The Best Thing

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   "Kick out the Style, bring back the Jam!" - Tears For Fears, 1989

"You're The Best Thing" is terrific.  Not a big hit here in the US, but quite big in the UK.

I'm having a hard time deciphering the various versions of this, and I don't have any of their stuff on vinyl, so I'm calling on the Style-o-Philes here...

There's a version running 4:33 on Simitar's Number Ones Smooth Love (1998).  In this version, there are no strings starting at 0:10, and the first sung syllable is "oh" at 0:25.  The Simitar disc is sourced from some other CD, released before 1993, but I don't know which one.

The version on EMI UK's 2-CD Now 1984 (1993) uses the same analog transfer as the Simitar disc, but faded early from 3:42 to 3:55.

There's a different version that sounds like a complete rerecording, running 4:22 or 4:23.  It has a string part starting at 0:10, and the first sung syllable is "ooooh" at 0:25.  Overall, it just sounds busier than the other mix, and with a different vocal track, leading me to think it's a rerecording.  This version turns up on the 5-CD promo set Best Of CMJ 1979-1989 Disc 3 (1989) and on the disc Café Bleu (no info; I only have a ripped file).

Anyone?

Edited by crapfromthepast

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crapfromthepast Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 14 September 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote crapfromthepast Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Style Council - You’re The Best Thing Posted: 05 October 2012 at 5:28pm
	"Kick out the Style, bring back the Jam!" - Tears For Fears, 1989 "You're The Best Thing" is terrific. Not a big hit here in the US, but quite big in the UK. I'm having a hard time deciphering the various versions of this, and I don't have any of their stuff on vinyl, so I'm calling on the Style-o-Philes here... There's a version running 4:33 on Simitar's Number Ones Smooth Love (1998). In this version, there are no strings starting at 0:10, and the first sung syllable is "oh" at 0:25. The Simitar disc is sourced from some other CD, released before 1993, but I don't know which one. The version on EMI UK's 2-CD Now 1984 (1993) uses the same analog transfer as the Simitar disc, but faded early from 3:42 to 3:55. There's a different version that sounds like a complete rerecording, running 4:22 or 4:23. It has a string part starting at 0:10, and the first sung syllable is "ooooh" at 0:25. Overall, it just sounds busier than the other mix, and with a different vocal track, leading me to think it's a rerecording. This version turns up on the 5-CD promo set Best Of CMJ 1979-1989 Disc 3 (1989) and on the disc Café Bleu (no info; I only have a ripped file). Anyone? Edited by crapfromthepast
	There's a lot of crap on the radio, but there's only one Crap From The Past.

MMathews Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 18 August 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote MMathews Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 October 2012 at 1:40pm
	Ok, i hesitated to even post because much of this is from faded memory of when the song was new, and what little i could see in their discography. This post reminded me i needed to rip more of their UK hits for my playlist... our new wave station did also play some of their other UK hits like "Money-Go-Round" and "Speak Like A Child" were big, as was "You're The Best Thing". So, ok, i THINK the version that runs about 4:22 - 4:25, depending where they faded it - and has the strings starting at :10, this is the hit single recording, and also is an edit of the 12" single. to me, this sounds like the hit version. Now, someone may correct me, but i think the other version without the strings and alternate take/vocal etc. I think that was the original Cafe Bleu LP version in the UK. I think they re-cut and remixed it for a single release. After this, it looks like they re-issued the UK album to contain the full 12" single version. The LP was then issued in the US with the title "My Ever Changing Moods" and on the US LP was the single edit. Now, i think the first US release of the old version was on the 1989 comp "The Singular Adventures Of the Style Council, Greatest Hits Vol. 1". I don't see anything indicating we heard that version before that release. Hope that helps if not confusing enough! MM