I was looking into this, it seems there are many extended versions of P's songs. I am wondering is this the real length of the song originally recorded, then the actual released version is edited to a shorter length? Or is it added on after the fact? What is the logic behind it? Are they meant to be added in with singles that are released?

It seems to me like Prince just doesn't try to follow standards when making songs. Like the SST single for example. I thought, when I first heard it that it sounded cut off. Low and behold, Brand New Orleans was the rest of it. So it seems like he just jams in the studio and then his record company or marketing persons tell him to edit it into a radio-friendly 3-minute single version. Then he does. I could be wrong but those extended singles are the way they were meant to be originally.

Its a trip because it wasn't as easy to edit songs back in the day with analog tape and having to splice stuff. Now it's so easy with digital recording.

It varies from track to track. Some extended versions are indeed the actual
'full length version' of the track, as originally recorded. Whereas other
extended versions are added on later. But either way it's always Prince
himself who makes the decision on what to release and what to edit.

here's a few extended versions that are actually the original full length
versions...

Let’s Go Crazy (Extended Version) (7:35)
Erotic City (Extended Version) (7:24)
Another Lonely Christmas (Extended Version) (6:47)
She’s Always In My Hair (6:48)
Pop Life (Extended Version) (9:07)
America (Extended Version) (21:46)
Girl (Extended Version) (7:36)
Love Or Money (Extended Version) (6:49)
Alexa De Paris (Extended Version) (4:54)
La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) (10:32)
Shockadelica (Extended Version) (6:12)
Escape (Free Yo Mind From This Rat Race) (6:26)
Scarlet Pussy (Extended Version) (6:09)
Feel U Up (Long Stroke) (6:30)
My Name Is Prince (Original Mix Edit) (8:06)

Whereas these extended versions were re-recorded/remixed later...

Sexy Dancer (long version) (8:41)
Let’s Work (Remix) (8:02)
Little Red Corvette (Dance Mix) (8:21)
I Would Die 4 U (Extended Version) (10:15)
Raspberry Beret (Extended Remix) (6:36)
Paisley Park (Remix) (6:56)
Pop Life (Fresh Dance Mix) (6:16)
Hello (Extended Remix) (6:29)
Kiss (Extended Version) (7:14)
Mountains (Extended Version) (9:56)
U Got The Look (Long Look) (6:45)
Housequake (7 Minutes MoQuake) (7:15)
Glam Slam (Remix) (8:52)
I Wish U Heaven (Part 1, 2 & 3) (10:15)

.

As I've gone back to listen to older Prince tunes over the years, I find that I can hear where some songs have been edited, and have always wondered if we'll ever hear the "true" version of the song.

For example, right before the drum solo on Irresistable B@$&#*, there is an edit. What did he edit out? Another chours, some more lyrics? What?

The same can be said of "The Stick", there is an edit and the 6:24 mark. What was cut? Why was it cut?

The fade out on "The Dance Electric" - is there more?

For my money, all the extended versions are better than the short versions except for "America",batter-cake snare drum indeed! The versions from the Parade era are particularly great as they go completely off their heads and warp into some very interesting and strange dimensions.

BorisFishpaw said:

i thought sexy dancer long version was the original. it says in DMSR prince couldn't decide what to omit when making the album version. is this true?

I'd have to say that one of my all time favorite extended jams is also a slammin' B-side.....La, La, La, He, He, Hee.....


That is a baaaaad jam!!!

I've been always wondering what happenes in "Forever In My Life" after the fading!!!
I bet there's an original full lenght version in the Vault...

seems like Ps extended versions went away with vinyl records

Cheek said:

I love you.

I have wondered about that often. I always imagine a version like the live version...

BorisFishpaw said:

R&R=Alive?
Horny Pony?
Stuff AFTER 92

HamsterHuey said:

HamsterHuey said:

We're talking extended versions. There's only one version of Rock And Roll Is
Alive and Horny Pony. And I think all the extended versions after '92 were
remixed, not extended (I certainly can't think of any extended versions of
tracks after '92 that were the original full length version of tracks rather
than a remix off the top of my head).
[Edited 12/16/05 12:03pm]

monte said:

Quite right, my mistake, I'd put it on the wrong list.

I got lucky recently and went to a record show in Houston. I copped this CD called "The 12 Inch" for like $20. It's 4 CD's long and has all the extended versions of Prince's songs. If you can find that, that's a good deal.

holy fuck.. a twenty minute of america? how have i never seen this?

These are NOT alternate versions, but rather the unreleased original longer cut of these songs:

1. Baby I'm A Star (4:55)
2. Computer Blue (12:06)
3. The Beautiful Ones (6:04)
4. Darling Nikki (4:14)
5. Around the World In A Day (5:15)
6. Take Me With U (4:56)
7. Thunder (10:57)

chookalana said:

BorisFishpaw said:

I've never heard any of those...