Single Versions on Import CDs

With the recent posts about the single versions of Billy Joel's "Piano Man" and Air Supply's "Every Woman In the World" being released on import CD, it gave me the idea that we should have a thread for single versions that are available ONLY on import CDs, since obtaining single versions is of interest to many of us. As I think of cases, I'll list them here. If others can contribute to the list, it would be greatly appreciated. One that comes to mind is:

BORDERLINE - MADONNA - Japan's 40 CD single box set

Thanks for the heads up on the full-length single version of Jimmy Ruffin's "Hold on to My Love", EdisonLite. I'm amazed this early '80s Top 10 hit is still so rarely issued on CD after all these years!

It's also incredible to me the 45 versions of many hits by Madonna, a singles driven artist, are so hard to find on CD. Brian W. went into beautiful detail documenting where to find nearly all of them in his thread titled "Madonna - The 45 Versions on CD" found elsewhere on the message board. In addition to "Borderline", the Japanese CD single box set EdisonLite refers to is also the only place you can find the 45 versions of "Angel", "True Blue", Papa Don't Preach", and "La Isla Bonita" on CD. If you're fortunate enough to find a copy of this rare box set though, be prepared to shell out... well, a fortune. It will likely cost you upwards of over $400 for a used set!

By the way, I would also be interested in locating '50s, '60s, and '70s Top 40 hits that have never appeared on a U.S. CD release, but have been issued on an import disc. If you're not sure if a song has ever been released on a U.S. disc, you can check on the "Top 40 Hits still not on cd in the US" message thread. All I ask is, please no references to bootleg or "gray area" CDs... only legitimate CD releases.

Todd writes: <the Japanese CD single box set EdisonLite refers to is also the only place you can find the 45 versions of "Angel", "True Blue", Papa Don't Preach", and "La Isla Bonita" on CD.>

This statement got me curious about "La Isla Bonita" and "True Blue" (because I don't remember any differences) so I went back to the original Brian W. post that you referenced. He indicates no difference for "La Isla Bonita", and for "True Blue" he indicates that his blue vinyl and black vinyl 45s are the same as the LP version, and that the shorter 3:59 mystery version only appears on the Japanese box set and as a LISTING in Joel Whitburn's book (which Brian thinks may be a typo.) So can anyone confirm any differences for these 2 songs between the 45 pressings and LP pressings, and if so, what? (early fades?) Does anyone have the promo 45 of "True Blue", and is that where the short version actually appeared?

EdisonLite wrote: Does anyone have the promo 45 of "True Blue", and is that where the short version actually appeared?

Yes, the short version of "True Blue" is the U.S. radio edit, and also the single version in much of the world. Papa Don't Preach was the LP version on the US 45, at least on my copy, though the Japanese CD3 box also uses the radio edit.

"La Isla Bonita"... mmm, as far as I know, the 45 used the LP version. There was a remix/edit, but I think it was only available on the flip side of the promo 45. There were three remix/edits from the "True Blue" album that have never shown up on CD, for the title track (which oddly was not on the promo, only the commercial 12"), "Open Your Heart," and "La Isla Bonita."

<EdisonLite:

Let me just say, I LOVED the Radio Daze: Pop Hits of the '80s series and was so disappointed that Rhino discontinued the series after five volumes.>

Thanks, Todd. Believe me, I was disappointed, too. We had a listing for the next 5 volumes, which initially were going to be released 3 months after the first 5. Then it didn't happen, but a year later, we tried getting it going again. Then I found out it wasn't happening because Rhino couldn't license enough of the "A" songs.

<Is there any chance Rhino could reconsider resurrecting the Radio Daze series? >

It is highly unlikely. I've approached them about this every year. But I am getting a little interest from another label so we'll see what happens.