#too bad I cannot find any 1980's j-pop songs with extended versions of their songs (not even instrumental versions)

[firebirdtransam68]

Some Extended Versions Of Some 1980′s Songs Are Really Good

When most people listen to music (this includes 1980′s music), each song has a duration of around two to four minutes, and many of us are familiar with these songs.  However, most music listeners are not too familiar with the extended versions of the songs (that is, songs that have a longer duration than their original duration/s).

In my personal opinion, most extended versions of some 1980′s songs are very good; perhaps even better than their shorter versions (by beat, instrumentation, additional lyrics, or basically the length).  Of course, there are exceptions, and that the extended versions are not as good as the original versions (sometimes even worse); however, the songs I remember listening to are just fantastic.  Despite that, almost all songs have a few flaws, and that there are some extended versions that I wish have the original instrumentation; then again, no song or version of song is perfect.

Here are some of the extended versions of the 1980′s songs that I like that I like even more (with or without flaws):

- “Thriller” by Michael Jackson: While most radio shows go straight to the synthesizer introduction that we all know before the groove starts, the extended version starts with a creaking door, the wind, the footsteps, a howling (were?)wolf, and some of the musical instruments build up before the iconic beginning starts; even the introduction is a little longer featuring the chorus (sometimes it does not, like this version); all of these parts are what makes this song one of the best extended versions of the most iconic 1980′s song to play in the night (also, it is one of the extended versions most of us 1980′s music fans know about); a song even more extended features an organ playing first before the song begins

- “Take On Me” by A-Ha: The original duration was just as good, but the extended version already attracted me to the song even more; the beginning part after the vocal startup even played after the second chorus and before the third verse; what is not to like about this song?

- “Gloria” by Laura Branigan: While the original version has a building up part before the introduction kicks in, the extended version just goes straight to the introduction, along with extra instrumentations in certain areas; someone said that the extended version’s introduction was much better than the original version’s, and, I must admit, they may actually be right...

- “Playing With The Boys” by Kenny Loggins: The beginning of the original version featured the flute (or some other woodwind sounding instrument), which I have no problem with; the extended version has a much better pace that makes me wait, then slowly get to the “groove,” and then the introduction kicks in; I played this song even more times than I did the original version; if there was an extended version of “Danger Zone” and/or “I’m Free (Heaven Helps The Man),” not only will I extended my playlist more, but I will very much like Kenny Loggins' music even more

- “Missing You” by John Waite: What can I say, besides the fact that I like the extra instrumentation and longer duration of the extended version of John Waite’s song; oh, and it is much more moving, in my opinion...

- “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears: Many of us know this song (it featured in movies like Bumblebee (2018), which made me like the song even more), but did you know there is an extended version of this song?  Like most extended versions of other songs, this song builds up more before we hear the introduction; mix this extended format with the original instrumentations (including the instrumental break between the third chorus and the fourth chorus), and you get an even more fantastic extended version

- “Goodbye Seventies” by Yazoo: The original version is much shorter, and there is a fading end; the extended version, on the other hand, has a much longer introduction, a third verse (which is the same as the first verse), and a finishing end; the end is quite dark, in my opinion...

- “You’re My Heart, You’re My Soul” by Modern Talking: I recently discovered Modern Talking by their hit song, and it was really good (so good to the point where I am interested in other songs by Modern Talking); the extended version is even better, because the instruments build up and, depending on the listener, has much better quality; both the original and the extended versions have two verses and two choruses, but that does not change the fact how good this underrated song is

- “(She’s A) Maniac” by Michael Sembello: This song featured in Flashdance (1983), and is considered one of the most iconic dance songs of the 1980′s; as much as I like the original version, I like the extended version even more; not only is it much more impacting in instrumentation and volume, but the chorus featured a synth drumbeat between lines, which I do not hear in the original version (unless it did appear, but it was very faint...); a much extended version features the cowbell sound and then it builds up before the introduction, has an instrumental version of the song play before the lyrical part begins, and, depending on the listener, is much more powerful

- “What A Feeling” by Irene Cara: Like “(She’s A) Maniac” above, this song featured in Flashdance (1983), which made it a very iconic dance song of the 1980′s; the extended version is better, because it lifts us listeners more and is much more powerful in beat and sometimes volume; the introduction of the extended version is a little longer, as well (depending on which type of recording you have for the original version)

- “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes: Basically, the extended version has more instrumentation and extra lyrics (usually the same, but can be mixed with one another); mix this format and musical patterns with the original instrumentation, and you would get a much better extended version of one of Kim Carnes’ iconic songs

- “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley: Say what you will about Rick Astley and this song, but this is one of the most fantastic songs of the late 1980′s (not to mention it featured in Bumblebee (2018) and a few other movies); the extended version is just as good as the original, with build-up for the introduction and a much more “groovy” tune; mix that format with the original instrumentation, and the extended version will be much better than the original

- “What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner: The beginning builds up more before the introduction kicks in, and the last verse and chorus was repeated after an extended instrumental break; the original version is good, too, but I listened to the extended version the most because of its length, extra instrumentation, and is the most stuck in my head after I listen to it

- “We Don’t Need Another Hero” by Tina Turner: Speaking of Tina Turner, there is another song by her that is extended; what makes the extended version of the Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985) original soundtrack song better is not just the length, but the beginning that starts with the wind and some of the other instruments that remind us of a barren land (or the very end of the movie where Max walks away from the camera with a weapon in hand), as well as extra instrumental breaks between choruses; the only disadvantage that I can think of is depending on which recording we have, the song may sound a little soft

Honorable Mention:

- “Little Red Corvette” by Prince: I designated this song as an honorable mention, because while I really like the format and some extra instrumental breaks in certain areas, the extended version does not have the impact the original version does to me; perhaps if the instrumentation from the original version was blended in with the extended format, I would like the extended version a whole lot more and NOT designate it as an honorable mention

Of course, any song from any decade can have extended versions that are better, just as good, or worse than the original versions; the 1980′s (considered the best decade for music) is no exception.

Feel free to reblog if you have other songs with extended versions that you like or that I may have missed.  Otherwise, you may reblog without commenting, just like the post, or just comment if you want to add something else; I do not mind any other way.

This is FirebirdTransAm68 signing out.