TheEnglishGent said:

The 84 version isn't finished and shouldn't have been released. I'll fight to the death with anyone who claims otherwise. If you need any further proof, the call and response section where Prince sing, "If you relate to the feeling, let me hear you say yeah" and there's no response in the backing vocals with a reply of yeah. The next part he asks to let me hear you say ooh, and there's an ooh response.

Has there been any other released song by Prince where he's sung for an answer and we haven't heard the answer? It just sounds so empty.

Apart from the lack of response to his call, it just sounds like a work in progress version to me.

I think that first call and response section is intentional.
When there's no response to his call for 'Yeah' he reacts with a 'Nobody?!'

TrivialPursuit said:

ufoclub said:

Well how do you feel about the live "James Brown" version on the Syracuse concert?

The 1984 version is hollow and mind-numbing. I'd have to disagree about it not being complete, since it was in Purple Rain as we know it.

Isn't that the instrumental version in the movie?

They feel so different like two different songs that I enjoy them for where they are

Possessed 84 feels like it should be in Purple Rain, 82 doesn't. 82 feels like it should be in the dark studio recordings of 1999, 84 doesn't.

JorisE73 said:

TrivialPursuit said:

The 1984 version is hollow and mind-numbing. I'd have to disagree about it not being complete, since it was in Purple Rain as we know it.

Isn't that the instrumental version in the movie?

I mean, the '84 version, if I'm still thinking of the non-medley version in the movie, is pretty long, so it's not hard to find an instrumental section to play.

I like them both for different reasons: '84 is far more musically complex, but I'm not a fan of the theatrical vocals; '82 has far more enjoyable vocals, but the music is pretty simplistic. Either one is catchy as hell, but I would love a less theatrical vocal performance over the '84 music--that would be my "perfect" version of the song.

Honesstly, I don't care too much for either Possessed version- both always sounded too "80s" for me. On the other hand, Possessed from the Live video (now available on streaming) goes extremely hard and is the only version that I care to listen to. Go figure.

*

This is my 1st time ever hearing that the Deluxe version of IB is superior to the released version. No problem, we all have our own opinions...

Neither of them, I don't get the appeal for this song.

CoolMF said:

Honesstly, I don't care too much for either Possessed version- both always sounded too "80s" for me. On the other hand, Possessed from the Live video (now available on streaming) goes extremely hard and is the only version that I care to listen to. Go figure.

*

This is my 1st time ever hearing that the Deluxe version of IB is superior to the released version. No problem, we all have our own opinions...

A false and wrong statement, yeah it's doesn't matter the opinions, is wrong.

PurpleMusic7689 said:

You have an opinion on 2 different versions of a track so you felt the need to make a whole thread on it? This place can't get any more stupid... There, I jinxed it.

I mean, what else is there to discuss? Why not talk about a great Prince song and have a spirited debate about two different versions of it? Why not just refrain from clicking the thread if you didn't like the premise?

[Edited 5/22/20 15:45pm]

MattyJam said:

I listened to the two versions back to back last night, and the Purple Rain era version blows compared to the 82 version on 1999 bonus disc. What's the deal with that? So many of his later reworkings were inferior in every way to the original versions, another case in point being the version of Irresistible Bitch that ended up being released as opposed to the far funkier original on 1999 deluxe.

I really like elements of the '84 such as the harp and the funky keyboards in the middle of the track, however I think the '82 version as a whole is stronger representation of the song

I prefer the '82/'83 version, but I am a "purist" and usually prefer his original trackings. Same with Extraloveable and others. It's fun to compare versions though.

The 1982 version is flawless, a great gem among his previously unreleased work. The '84 version is interesting but pales in comparison.

82 by a country mile ...

82 version is 9/10

84 hurts my ears

82 version - What does it for me is the second half of the song, around the 4:30 mark the song becomes more loose and I like the delivery of so many great lines(lyrics).

84 version - Is not as memorable and runs long.

And IB.. both are a 10. turn it up, good lord, lord!

I find the 1982 version (although a fun listen) too close to the song '1999'. The 1984 version is insane, manical, over the top and I love it!!

SchlomoThaHomo said:

I personally prefer the older version, one because the playing is so damn epic (that rhythm guitar outro ), and because of the slower tempo, it has more of a laid back, gutbucket funk approach, with more opportunites for effective stabs, and fills, and pocket grooving.

That's exactly why i like this version more.