I had my SOTT SDE on random play the other day in the car, and listened to Forever In My Life (Early Vocal Run-Through). In this moment, I thought - gee, this version, slightly tweaked, with its bit of C&W / Americana feeling, could have been a successful single in 87/88. Lyrics are sweet, and with a good video it could have been a smash hit, almost an anthem (imagine the many wedding parties it would have been played).

I do like the version which ended up on SOTT much more, but it is a bit too left-field, too quirky to be a popular hit - but the other version - number 1 me thinks ;=)

What do you feel?

what do you mean by too left-field?

I still love the album version the most, but I'm forever grateful that we got the early version
it's such a sweet track and I love that it goes on a bit longer.

This song is just a good song. The live version from the movie is something else, too. A-ma-zing.

I don't think I ever properly listened to this version, at least not with an open mind, but your post prompted me to go back and give it a shot... and I love it! I can't believer I'd been overlooking it. Definitely adding it to my rotation.

Vannormal said:

what do you mean by too left-field?

It's odd. It's got an odd juxtaposition between lyrics/song concept and overall beat/vibe.

The demo is significantly more straight-forward by comparison. It's a charming love song and it's got a charming love song vibe in the demo. Release version is like the "We'll try to imagine what silence looks like" coda in "If I Was Your Girlfriend" or the "When you smile, when you smile, when you smile" transition in "Hot Thing". Interesting, but definitely different/quirky/"odd"/"left-field".

[Edited 2/2/23 4:43am]

I like that this version doesn't fade out, so you get so much more acoustic guitar. I always felt cheated with the album version because the acoustic guitar is so minimal in it. I'd always assumed there might be a longer version with more guitar, similar to the live version from the SOTT film.

They're like fraternal twins. The same, but very different. The album version is a classic for many reasons.

But that early version really tells a bigger story. First, it shows how a nice little ditty can be warped into what is on the album.

It also gives us the chords of the song.

It gives us that guitar part from the SOTT movie.

It also gives us that "fooooooooooooorever in my LIFE" bit from the SOTT movie.

Those are gem moments.

I kinda wish there had been bigger voices (choir-esque" in that latter part, as it was in the SOTT movie. Just raise the emotion in it even more, the hype that lie within.

I still sorta prefer that early on more, for the reasons stated above. It's still weird to hear the backing vocals in their correct position.

TrivialPursuit said:

They're like fraternal twins. The same, but very different. The album version is a classic for many reasons.

But that early version really tells a bigger story. First, it shows how a nice little ditty can be warped into what is on the album.

It also gives us the chords of the song.

It gives us that guitar part from the SOTT movie.

It also gives us that "fooooooooooooorever in my LIFE" bit from the SOTT movie.

Those are gem moments.

I kinda wish there had been bigger voices (choir-esque" in that latter part, as it was in the SOTT movie. Just raise the emotion in it even more, the hype that lie within.

I still sorta prefer that early on more, for the reasons stated above. It's still weird to hear the backing vocals in their correct position.

Well said. Agree on all points.

lurker316 said:

I like that this version doesn't fade out, so you get so much more acoustic guitar. I always felt cheated with the album version because the acoustic guitar is so minimal in it. I'd always assumed there might be a longer version with more guitar, similar to the live version from the SOTT film.

Well, i've mixed both songs into one

Works perfect!

First song as album version, once the acourstic guitar kicks in... second part of earlier version as extended part.

Gives it a whole different vibe, feel, joy.

Much less 'left-field' feel.

-

I wonder why the album version indeed fades out so quick.

I know it was Prince's choice, obviously... but...

Could it also be that there wasn't enough time left on that vinyl side II, or even the 1st CD?

I'm not expert in this, but sometimes it's the case... right ?

TrivialPursuit said:

They're like fraternal twins. The same, but very different. The album version is a classic for many reasons.

But that early version really tells a bigger story. First, it shows how a nice little ditty can be warped into what is on the album.

It also gives us the chords of the song.

It gives us that guitar part from the SOTT movie.

It also gives us that "fooooooooooooorever in my LIFE" bit from the SOTT movie.

Those are gem moments.

I kinda wish there had been bigger voices (choir-esque" in that latter part, as it was in the SOTT movie. Just raise the emotion in it even more, the hype that lie within.

I still sorta prefer that early on more, for the reasons stated above. It's still weird to hear the backing vocals in their correct position.

Exactly.

MrSharon said:

I like them both equally now that's I've edited the earlier version Prince's work couldve benefited sometimes if he had a great editor Some songs of his just go on for too long and the early version of forever in my life is a good example I trimmed the song down to 3:17 Sounds a lot better

They'd all be better trimmed down to 3:17 or so, let's be honest. And it's not an aversion to long songs or anything, I enjoy classical, classical modernism, some prog art metal what have you, P-funk could funk for 10 minutes plus, just something about that one-man band style is more effective going out swift instead of sticking around for a half-hour sitcom's worth.

Vannormal said:

lurker316 said:

I like that this version doesn't fade out, so you get so much more acoustic guitar. I always felt cheated with the album version because the acoustic guitar is so minimal in it. I'd always assumed there might be a longer version with more guitar, similar to the live version from the SOTT film.

Well, i've mixed both songs into one

Works perfect!

First song as album version, once the acourstic guitar kicks in... second part of earlier version as extended part.

Gives it a whole different vibe, feel, joy.

Much less 'left-field' feel.

-

I wonder why the album version indeed fades out so quick.

I know it was Prince's choice, obviously... but...

Could it also be that there wasn't enough time left on that vinyl side II, or even the 1st CD?

I'm not expert in this, but sometimes it's the case... right ?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the album version has a synthetic beat while the outtake is more organic, right? So how did you blend them? Can you hear an abrupt change when the synthetic beat drops out?

[Edited 2/19/23 10:12am]

lurker316 said:

Vannormal said:

Well, i've mixed both songs into one

Works perfect!

First song as album version, once the acourstic guitar kicks in... second part of earlier version as extended part.

Gives it a whole different vibe, feel, joy.

Much less 'left-field' feel.

-

I wonder why the album version indeed fades out so quick.

I know it was Prince's choice, obviously... but...

Could it also be that there wasn't enough time left on that vinyl side II, or even the 1st CD?

I'm not expert in this, but sometimes it's the case... right ?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the album version has a synthetic beat with the outtake is more organic, right? So how did you blend them? Can you hear an abrupt change when the synthetic beat drops out?

The drum patterns are a bit different.

Plus, the BPMs and pitch's are slightly off, too.

nayroo2002 said:

The drum patterns are a bit different.

Plus, the BPMs and pitch's are slightly off, too.

All of which is easily adjusted in something as simple as Mixmeister, or any other editing app.

I think the most obvious mash would be the album drum beat under the outtake, to start.

The early demo sounds to me like easy listening, adult contemporary R&B schmaltz. But I can't hate on the track because without it, neither the album version nor the movie version could have existed... and they are perfect.

[Edited 2/20/23 9:32am]

The album version is a masterpiece, maybe the best song on his best album. The earlier version is really sweet, but its nowhere near as striking. I do enjoy the long groove section toward the end, though.