This summer, I have been hearing a version on different radio stations of "Borderline" where the lead synth line is basically muted. You can hear where it should be, like it leaked through other analog tracks, but it is gone.

The only main differences I noticed before was a very loud chugging drum machine with quantized 16th high-hats on original versions of "Borderline" (album mix). There was something released back then on the single called New Mix which was closer to the one on Immaculate Collection, that had more of the acoustic drums, which sounded more pop/rock and less... pop-n-lock.

But now it is almost like we are trying to remove the disco-ish element on the song. It has never sounded so quiet before.

This mix probably has existed for years, but now this is the only one radio plays here.

I Shazamed it and it said "Borderline (Remix)" and had the 1983 cover art.

Cinny said:

This summer, I have been hearing a version on different radio stations of "Borderline" where the lead synth line is basically muted. You can hear where it should be, like it leaked through other analog tracks, but it is gone.

The only main differences I noticed before was a very loud chugging drum machine with quantized 16th high-hats on original versions of "Borderline" (album mix). There was something released back then on the single called New Mix which was closer to the one on Immaculate Collection, that had more of the acoustic drums, which sounded more pop/rock and less... pop-n-lock.

But now it is almost like we are trying to remove the disco-ish element on the song. It has never sounded so quiet before.

This mix probably has existed for years, but now this is the only one radio plays here.

I Shazamed it and it said "Borderline (Remix)" and had the 1983 cover art.

This is a very good question.

I believe the New Mix had existed in 1983, and for some odd reason, Borderline is now replaced with this "new mix" on streaming sites instead of the Immaculate Version that we all know and love. Not sure as to why they did that but now we have at least 4 different versions of Borderline that can be played on the whim depending on where they got their source from.

Album Version

Video / 7" edit

New Mix

Immaculate Collection Mix

Dub Mix

paisleypark4 said:

Album Version
Video / 7" edit

New Mix

Immaculate Collection Mix

Dub Mix

Thank you for listing them like this. I have heard of them all before except Dub Mix and whatever Shazam is calling "Remix" that has almost no lead synth on it.

(The Instrumental also exists.)

alphastreet said:

Borderline is a perfect song and doesn’t deserve to be tampered with

Okay, but which version you know is the perfect one?

It better not be this new one on the radio with no lead keys.

Cinny said:

Her remixes always suck. Total bummer pulling up a video and remembering it's some bad remix ("Fever", "Express Yourself", "What It Feels Like for a Girl").

[Edited 8/30/21 18:45pm]

WhisperingDandelions said:

Her remixes always suck. Total bummer pulling up a video and remembering it's some bad remix ("Fever", "Express Yourself", "What It Feels Like for a Girl").

That's totally not true. The thing is, she uses so many of her remixes in concert. "Erotica," "Fever," "Why's It So Hard," "Justify My Love," "Deeper and Deeper," and others from The Girlie Show used were remixes or had remix-elements in it. The remix of "Fever" is incredibly better than the album version. And honestly, "Erotica" is basically a remix of "You Thrill Me" anyway.

I think the remix of "Express Yourself" is far more popular (and was even dubbed over the video) than the horn-driven pop sounding album version. She used a remix of "Like A Prayer" on that tour, instead of the album version. (Same with "Express Yourself.)

I will say this: There is early Madonna remixes which is when folks were still figuring out what a remix should be. Then there's late 80s Madonna where remixes became a whole other thing, and were good. (That "Beast" mix of "Justify My Love" still makes me salivate.) Then there was uber-heavy monotone blowing it out of the water 2000 and beyond Madonna mixes. Ever since she got on that electronica kick (which was displayed on American Life in the worst way), her remixes were really out of left field just to make them appear different.

Of course, most times artists just let these folks have the song and fuck with it how they want, then approve of what goes on a single after they're done. The last great set of remixes was probably from Bedtime Stories (although there's a dance mix of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" that is an anthem!), but the exception is some of the remixes from Confessions On A Dance Floor. When Pet Shop Boys got a hold of "Sorry," it was what we all needed but never knew we wanted.

Cinny said:

This summer, I have been hearing a version on different radio stations of "Borderline" where the lead synth line is basically muted. You can hear where it should be, like it leaked through other analog tracks, but it is gone.

The only main differences I noticed before was a very loud chugging drum machine with quantized 16th high-hats on original versions of "Borderline" (album mix). There was something released back then on the single called New Mix which was closer to the one on Immaculate Collection, that had more of the acoustic drums, which sounded more pop/rock and less... pop-n-lock.

But now it is almost like we are trying to remove the disco-ish element on the song. It has never sounded so quiet before.

This mix probably has existed for years, but now this is the only one radio plays here.

I Shazamed it and it said "Borderline (Remix)" and had the 1983 cover art.

So I'm kinda perplexed by this. I never knew this mix existed. It seems to be the default track for Madonna, but Immaculate and Celebration have the same basic arrangment, but the drums are different for sure. Different drum machines. I'd almost bet the early original was a Linn or something else. The other mix on Celebration has a dryer snare, whereas Immaculate has a fatter snare.

There is also a quirky keyboard that is more upfront on the Madonna version which almost makes her or the keyboard sound off pitch. (I know, I know.) It's buried in the other mixes and is less intrusive. It's in the "I've given all I can, cuz you got the best of me" area.

This empty sounding version is a very odd mix. I don't like it. Without that lead line, it sounds like a demo. GUTTED AND BRICKWALLED!

TrivialPursuit said:

Cinny said:

This summer, I have been hearing a version on different radio stations of "Borderline" where the lead synth line is basically muted. You can hear where it should be, like it leaked through other analog tracks, but it is gone.

The only main differences I noticed before was a very loud chugging drum machine with quantized 16th high-hats on original versions of "Borderline" (album mix). There was something released back then on the single called New Mix which was closer to the one on Immaculate Collection, that had more of the acoustic drums, which sounded more pop/rock and less... pop-n-lock.

But now it is almost like we are trying to remove the disco-ish element on the song. It has never sounded so quiet before.

This mix probably has existed for years, but now this is the only one radio plays here.

I Shazamed it and it said "Borderline (Remix)" and had the 1983 cover art.

So I'm kinda perplexed by this. I never knew this mix existed. It seems to be the default track for Madonna, but Immaculate and Celebration have the same basic arrangment, but the drums are different for sure. Different drum machines. I'd almost bet the early original was a Linn or something else. The other mix on Celebration has a dryer snare, whereas Immaculate has a fatter snare.

There is also a quirky keyboard that is more upfront on the Madonna version which almost makes her or the keyboard sound off pitch. (I know, I know.) It's buried in the other mixes and is less intrusive. It's in the "I've given all I can, cuz you got the best of me" area.

This empty sounding version is a very odd mix. I don't like it. Without that lead line, it sounds like a demo. GUTTED AND BRICKWALLED!

I wonder if that was on the same track as the other one that is missing. Who at WB spilled coffee on Madoon's multi-track?

Totally agree. New Mix is somewhat annoying productionwise. The Immaculate Collection version they used to play has been replaced for no reason...with an even more rare version...that wasn't even good to begin with.

Also, the remix of Fever is 10x better than the album version.

TrivialPursuit said:

WhisperingDandelions said:

Her remixes always suck. Total bummer pulling up a video and remembering it's some bad remix ("Fever", "Express Yourself", "What It Feels Like for a Girl").

That's totally not true. The thing is, she uses so many of her remixes in concert. "Erotica," "Fever," "Why's It So Hard," "Justify My Love," "Deeper and Deeper," and others from The Girlie Show used were remixes or had remix-elements in it. The remix of "Fever" is incredibly better than the album version. And honestly, "Erotica" is basically a remix of "You Thrill Me" anyway.

I think the remix of "Express Yourself" is far more popular (and was even dubbed over the video) than the horn-driven pop sounding album version. She used a remix of "Like A Prayer" on that tour, instead of the album version. (Same with "Express Yourself.)

Nah, they suck, OG "Fever" was basically a remix of "Goodbye to Innocense" anyway, by Remix #2 it's like the Droste effect.

More popular (they were the singles mixes after all), played in concert, whatever, the album mixes are superior in every facet

[Edited 8/31/21 20:34pm]

WhisperingDandelions said:

Her remixes always suck. Total bummer pulling up a video and remembering it's some bad remix ("Fever", "Express Yourself", "What It Feels Like for a Girl").

[Edited 8/30/21 18:45pm]

The Above and Beyond remix of What If Feels Like For A Girl was superb. I was in a club for a Judge Jules set back just before it came out and he played it ... place went nuts! Great fun

"Borderline (Remix)" now seems to be pointing me to the Immaculate Collection where indeed synth is missing through the verse, but the lead line on the intro still isn't as quiet as the radio version.

However, I have not checked if it was simply a matter of that element panning left or right, because sometimes the radio does not broadcast in stereo. It could also be a weird cancellation issue rising from the Q Sound 3-D mixing done on that compilation.