POLL: Big Tall Wall Version 1 Or Version 2?

My vote: Version 2

The scary version. The one devoid of all the sugar and spice. The one where he sounds like he really wants to hurt his intended target.

Version 1 all the way, version 2 is awful.

I thought the boot of V2 I had was an unfinished demo. Nope, real one is just as shit. No idea what people are hearing in this that makes them like it.

Handel said:

The scary version. The one devoid of all the sugar and spice. The one where he sounds like he really wants to hurt his intended target.

That would be Version 2 lol

I like the build up on Version #1

TheEnglishGent said:

Version 1 all the way, version 2 is awful.

I thought the boot of V2 I had was an unfinished demo. Nope, real one is just as shit. No idea what people are hearing in this that makes them like it.

I love that Bell sound on Version 1.

Handel said:

The scary version. The one devoid of all the sugar and spice. The one where he sounds like he really wants to hurt his intended target.

THIS. not interested in any other version, not even the one on SOTTD

Version 1

Version 2 is funkier, more intense. It has passion and an edge. I vote for version 2.

Big Tall Wall V2 was one of my favourite previously unreleased songs - i think a great sounding leak of it came out a few years ago and i loved it, especially the way it starts off minimal but the vocals build up and up and the narrative gets more complex. It definitely would have fit on SOTT in amongst IT, Forever In My Life, Sign O The Times, Hot Thing etc

Hearing in the podcasts about what was going on his life, with susannah and the revolution, makes it even more fascinating to listen to, as he generally starts sounding more like an arrogant d**k to the women in his life.

By contrast Big Tall Wall V1 was personally one of the biggest disappointments of SOTT Deluxe.

It's got an odd ATWIAD kind of hippy vibe, especially with the acoustic guitar and indian sounding instruments, and it really didn't float my boat or seem to fit the song. Having heard the sleek "black album" esque V2 the earlier version really paled in comparison.

And, weirdly, the organic Witness V1 i prefer far more than the edgier austere V2. I think the songs don't always fit the styles he went for, but its fascinating he can twist the same material into two different extremes

[Edited 10/12/20 2:21am]

[Edited 10/12/20 2:22am]

Version 2, love them both but I always loved version 2 ever since I heard the muffeld version on tape back in the 90's, so I love to finally have it complete in perfect quality.

Version 2 all the way. Version 1's music doesn't match the rather nasty feel of the lyrics.

I am not crazy over either tho. Not my fave from the set that is for sure.

This is one of the very few Prince songs that I can't stand to hear. Neither version gets my vote.

Version 2 definitely

Version 2. It's always been a favorite of mine. I was surprised how different Version 1 was. I didn't really like it at first, but it has grown on me.

version 2

I'm not that big on either, but Version 1 is preferable to me. I find Version 2 quite tedious.

Version 2 is more personal and amazing. version 1 is just ok

LoveGalore said:

Love both but v2 conveys the desperation a bit better. The mood is so different. He doesn't seem like a very nice dude by v2.

yes

Neither as of yet

I agree with everyone who points out the tone of version 2 (menacing) better fits the lyrics and makes it more consistent thematically. However, when it comes down to the question of "which one is more enjoyable to listen to from a purely aural perspective?", it's version 1, hands down for me. Version 1 is so much more pleasing to the old ear drums. Plus, version 2 is too monotonous.