As we all know there are many versions of the song out there - the orginal LP version, a 10 minute version, a 30+minute version, etc., all recorded around 1983-1984.

Usually with Prince he'd record and track a song and then cut/edit he song down to a shorter version for the record...but with IWD4U the vocal takes across the diffrerent versions are wildly different. It's a if he later recorded new versions of the same song later in the year...which for Prince is a bit odd for him, no??

Hmmm. To my mind there are really only two, but happy to be corrected!

The Purple Rain version, embellished and tinkered with from the 8.3.83 First Avenue version (with a bonus instrumental bit that was evidently added and then taken out again - 3mins 19 or something and on The Work iirc).

The 30 (plus) minute re-recording with the 'extended' Revolution that was edited to 10 minutes for the 12".

Yeah. 2 versions.

And he didn't 're-record' it as such.

One was the album version. The other, 30 minute version (which was indeed cut down to 10 for the single) was from a rehearsal that was recorded. He obviously liked what they captured in the rehearsal and decided to put it out there.

There is a reasonably good possibility that an earlier studio version of this song was recorded in late 1981 or early 1982, and may have been among the dozens/'hundreds' of songs for Dreams/PR presented to Magnoli and the production team, leading to its being rehearsed and tried out at the 8/3/83 Benefit Concert.

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I wouldn't trust that it would compare even remotely to the pop brilliance of the completed, studio reworked version from 1983. I'd rather him have released the unedited version, with its additional small number of seconds, and the album version of BIAS as the 12" A-Side, than the PR Tour rehearsal excerpt.

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For sake of completeness, the looped 'remix' created by the sound editors for use in the film could add to the count by technicality.

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[Edited 7/13/17 10:54am]

I believe 'we' have about 4-5 different renditions or rehearsals of I Would Die 4 U, like Computer Blue. But only 2 official releases the album cut and the other one.

soladeo1 said:

As we all know there are many versions of the song out there - the orginal LP version, a 10 minute version, a 30+minute version, etc., all recorded around 1983-1984.

Usually with Prince he'd record and track a song and then cut/edit he song down to a shorter version for the record...but with IWD4U the vocal takes across the diffrerent versions are wildly different. It's a if he later recorded new versions of the same song later in the year...which for Prince is a bit odd for him, no??

The 10 and 30 minute versions are the same take, of course. In fact, I just noticed the other day that there are some vocals mixed out in the 12" single. Right when Eddie is playing near the fade, on the 30-minute version you can hear Prince clearly calling out queues. On the 12", it's mixed out - almost, but you can hear it. Anyway- same take, different lengths. I really wish he'd have put as long of the take on there as possible.

I would imagine there is a studio version somewhere, as there always seems to be one, despite claims to the contrary. I don't think it's too odd. Someone noted the multiple versions of "Computer Blue". However, it's odd in that eventually Prince rarely did demos anymore, although a lot of songs were sometimes unfinished, or worked on again years later.

It's likely there is a least an early demo, much like 'The Bird'. It would be interesting if there was a full studio version, as the song lends itself to solo recording with linn and keys very nicely (think original Tick Tick Bang, Delerious or the unreleased Something in the Water).

I still think the holy grail of potential studio productions in Purple Rain.

Rimshottbob said:

Yeah. 2 versions.

And he didn't 're-record' it as such.

One was the album version. The other, 30 minute version (which was indeed cut down to 10 for the single) was from a rehearsal that was recorded. He obviously liked what they captured in the rehearsal and decided to put it out there.

And don't forget he sometimes performed the "rehearsal" version on the PR Tour. See: Syracuse '85

PurpleYoda3121 said:

Rimshottbob said:

Yeah. 2 versions.

And he didn't 're-record' it as such.

One was the album version. The other, 30 minute version (which was indeed cut down to 10 for the single) was from a rehearsal that was recorded. He obviously liked what they captured in the rehearsal and decided to put it out there.

And don't forget he sometimes performed the "rehearsal" version on the PR Tour. See: Syracuse '85

No coincidence. Thats because the released 'rehearsal' version 12" was a rehearsal for the tour performance, post PR album release, in Oct 84, not a rehearsal for the original recording in Aug 83.