The 3 disc Hits/B-sides is my favourite compilation, of course because of the B-sides but also for bringing a lot of 7" versions to CD for the first time. (Ultimate is great as well for the 12"'s).

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But I never understood why some tracks on the compilatons are the edits, and others are the albums versions.

IMO a compilation should contain as much hits as possible, so why 'waste time' with the longer tracks while the shorter are available.

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Don't get me wrong, I prefer the originals, and making an edit of Purple Rain is like commiting a crime, just like ruining the intro on the edit for Let's Go Crazy.

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But in fact those edits are the 'hit versions' and they could have made space for more tracks.

The compilations are missing Mountains, Anotherloverholenyohead, the Batman singles, TMBGITW for example, and so on.

Why not use the 7" versions of Alphabet St, Little Red Corvette, ICNTTPOYM, Pink Cashmere etc?

Why edit When Doves Cry but include the full version of Let's Go Crazy from the same album?

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Just wondering if anyone knows why (besides issues with rights and labels)?

And what's your favourite (officially released) compilation?

skipthecharades said:

But I never understood why some tracks on the compilatons are the edits, and others are the albums versions.

So they could fit as much on one CD as possible.

Here's the basic history behind the Ultimate compilation,

http://www.popmatters.com/feature/the-critical-untimeliness-of-ultimate-prince/

and some more info post-Prince passing

http://www.billboard.com/...e-pictures

Why the 7" version of alphabet street has never been released on a compilation is beyond me as well. I'd argue the "hit" versions of the songs from Purple Rain are as they appear on the album at this point, regardless of whatever came out on 7".

[Edited 5/27/16 9:30am]

jaawwnn said:

Here's the basic history behind the Ultimate compilation,

http://www.popmatters.com/feature/the-critical-untimeliness-of-ultimate-prince/

and some more info post-Prince passing

http://www.billboard.com/...e-pictures

Why the 7" version of alphabet street has never been released on a compilation is beyond me as well. I'd argue the "hit" versions of the songs from Purple Rain are as they appear on the album at this point, regardless of whatever came out on 7".

[Edited 5/27/16 9:30am]

Thanks a lot, did not know that story!

suomynona said:

skipthecharades said:

But I never understood why some tracks on the compilatons are the edits, and others are the albums versions.

So they could fit as much on one CD as possible.

Yes, but using all edits would have created even more space.