If Music Could Talk

Thought this would be a cool playlist idea. Alternate versions of songs by the same artist that are so much better than the popular versions as to be noteworthy - demos, different arrangements, live, whatever.

A couple that spring to mind immediately:
-the live version of Every Day I Write The Book from the 2003 Punch The Clock remaster.
-the live version of Empire Ants from the new Gorillaz album that's posted over on The Network from that London soundboard
-technically it's not that comparable, but I still think the Black Hawk Down version of Minstrel Boy is a billion times more enjoyable to listen to than the long version
-pretty much any live version of Hallelujah by Cohen. God, I can't stand the studio version.

Any suggestions?

Great idea BJ, I'll have a think.

The Peel Session version of Bed and Breakfast Man by Madness tramples on the LP version.

Ditto the alt. take of That's Entertainment on the Jam Box Set.

Pretty much any live version of "Pink Flag" that Wire has recorded, in studio and live, since 2000 is better than the original.

The version of "This Charming Man" off Hatful of Hollow is bouncier, more fun than the single/album version off The Smiths.

Greetings To the New Brunette by Billy Bragg is a great song. But the alternate version with Johnny Marr on guitar is even better.
Parklife by Blur on the Live at Hyde Park is much better than the original.

And two by Warren Zevon:
-Seminole Bingo on Letterman. Much better arrangement, salvages a great song from a really shittily recorded/arranged album
-Mutineer on Letterman, for exactly the same reason, and the vocals are a lot more heartfelt given the circumstances.

Modern Lovers "Roadrunner" Beserkly Chartbusters version.

The Beatles video version of "Revolution" has the bite of the single version with the shoo-be-do-wops of "Revolution 1." Best of both versions.

In the vein of Minstrel Boy:

The under 3 minute single version of "Inna Gadda Da Vita." All the awesome riffage, none of the endless soloing.

Dr. Medulla wrote:The Beatles video version of "Revolution" has the bite of the single version with the shoo-be-do-wops of "Revolution 1." Best of both versions.

I prefer Rev1

tepista wrote:

Dr. Medulla wrote:The Beatles video version of "Revolution" has the bite of the single version with the shoo-be-do-wops of "Revolution 1." Best of both versions.

I prefer Rev1

I don't dislike it by any means, but it works better electrified and nasty. As one Beatles biographer said, if the lyrics were ambivalent—count me in/out—the electric version sounded like a vote for revolution.

The demo version of 'Bye Bye Badman' by the Stone Roses is interesting...no bass or drums, just John Squire's lovely guitar.

Also, the live Glastonbury '09 version of Blur's 'End Of The Century', mostly cos it is a brilliant display of Alex James' often-hidden bass playing skills. And since I want Alex very badly, this appeals to me...

That weird alternate Dutch version of "This is England" that only I like.

Oh, and the live version of "Folsom Prison Blues" from San Quentin with Carl Perkins on guitar.

The original, pre-Gillian 7" version of "Ceremony" is much better than the re-recorded, more commonly played 12" version.