Inspired by the thread comparing the two versions of "Big Tall Wall", I thought I'd see where folks stand with "Teacher, Teacher". We've got the (presumably) original version from 1982 on the super deluxe of 1999, and the 1985 version on the super deluxe of Sign o' the Times. The versions sound quite different, indeed!

I've known the 1985 version for a long time as a bootleg, and I have long loved its whimsical charms. It's certainly the more polished and catchy of the two, and it's a highlight of the Sign o' the Times deluxe for me.

That said, I like the 1982 version better --- there's something about its naked vulnerability that I find quite endearing. Placing the male student as the one resisting the teacher's charms makes it more unique. Stories of male teachers inappropriately getting involved with female students had been covered quite a bit, even by Prince with "Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian" for Apollonia 6. Not only does the 1982 version stand out for flipping the sexes in the story, but also by the hesitation of the student --- it's not a "Hot for Teacher"-style high-fiving schoolboy fantasy story, but rather one where the boy has reservations. Those ascending falsetto "no-no-no-no"s in particular are so striking. It's a cousin to "Sister" if "Sister" was sung from a perspective of still being 16.

What do you think?

The 'Dream Factory' 86 version

Moonbeam said:

Inspired by the thread comparing the two versions of "Big Tall Wall", I thought I'd see where folks stand with "Teacher, Teacher". We've got the (presumably) original version from 1982 on the super deluxe of 1999, and the 1985 version on the super deluxe of Sign o' the Times. The versions sound quite different, indeed!

I've known the 1985 version for a long time as a bootleg, and I have long loved its whimsical charms. It's certainly the more polished and catchy of the two, and it's a highlight of the Sign o' the Times deluxe for me.

That said, I like the 1982 version better --- there's something about its naked vulnerability that I find quite endearing. Placing the male student as the one resisting the teacher's charms makes it more unique. Stories of male teachers inappropriately getting involved with female students had been covered quite a bit, even by Prince with "Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian" for Apollonia 6. Not only does the 1982 version stand out for flipping the sexes in the story, but also by the hesitation of the student --- it's not a "Hot for Teacher"-style high-fiving schoolboy fantasy story, but rather one where the boy has reservations. Those ascending falsetto "no-no-no-no"s in particular are so striking. It's a cousin to "Sister" if "Sister" was sung from a perspective of still being 16.

What do you think?

'86.

Wendy & Lisa's harmonies.

I love both, but I think my vote goes to the SOTT version, it sound a little bit more whimsical which I like.