Unique Versions of Familiar Songs

by Patrice Bruhat

When you buy a rare U2 record, you certainly already know all songs on it, and you don't listen carefully to it. That's a big mistake! I'm going to give you some examples of songs that have unique versions, without being stated on the sleeve.

The most interesting record which have unique versions is "The Unforgettable Fire" 12" from Australia (Island L 18002). (Click here for large photo) You certainly know that sleeve has a mispelling error: Unforgetable with only one 'T', on the back and the front sleeve. On this 12", you can hear a unique version of "Love Comes Tumbling" with completly different lyrics. This version is not stated as long version like on other 12", and so, it doesn't have the intro. Moreover, "A Sort Of Homecoming (live)" has also different lyrics at the beginning (from 01:15 to 01:30). I don't know if the Australian tape also has these different versions.

Another interesting item is the War gold CD (from Mobile Fidelity Soundlab UDCD 571). First of all, it's a 24-karat gold audiophile CD, in a different sleeve. It contains longer versions of "Seconds" and "Like a Song" (10 seconds). In "Seconds", it's the break at 2:02 which is longer (more than 20 seconds of break). "Like a song" has a longer end loop.

The first U.S. LP pressings of Under a Blood Red Sky have a different version of "Electric Co.", which contains a snippet of "Send in the Clowns" and "I Want to Live in America". It was later removed due to royalties problems. Other countries have left this snippet on LP and tapes, but it was removed from all CD versions.

The "Two Hearts Beat As One" French 7" has a nearly unique remix as b-side (cat #814653-7). It's stated on the sleeve as "US Remix", but it's slightly different. Moreover, it also has a unique yellow sleeve, instead of the red usual one. This mix  is also available on the U.S. 7" of "I Will Follow" (live version from Under a Blood Red Sky, cat #7-99789, red diecut sleeve). I can't give other information because I haven't heard the mix.

The last song to talk to you about is "Even Better Than the Real Thing", and I'm sure you all own this different version. It's on the CD single (all countries). Yes, this version is very slightly different from the album version! You can hear a different growing guitar slice at 02:37 (you should listen to it carefully with a headphone).

Other unique versions certainly exist, so feel free to complete this listing!