Live Version Becomes the Definitive Version

Breakdown - Tom Petty
the version with the "you guys are gonna put me out of a job" part

 

...but has the live 'Maybe I'm Amazed' (which WAS actually the hit version making #10 on Billboard's Top 40) ever appeared on a McCartney comp? The studio version is the one that seems to turn up on every comp despite never being a single, let alone a hit single.

 

Elvis Presley - The Wonder Of You - The original hit version by Ray Peterson hit #25 on the U.S. Billboard chart vs. Elvis hit live version which went to the #9 position on Billboard in 1970. Elvis's version went to number one in Britain as well.
Merle Haggard - Okie From Muskogee - The live version is far superior to the hit studio version in my opinion and was the only version the L.A. country radio station that I grew up listening to would play in the 1970's.

 

Agreed. the only version I have listened to since it came out.

 

Correct me if I am wrong, is that from 'Pack Up the Plantation'?

 

I've noticed that too, much against my wish that the live version would be used in some of those hits releases.

Then again. I can see, and respect, why the studio version be used if just for keeping the compilation more true to the studio work.

A telling thing, though, is that the recent Record Store Day release celebrated the "hit version" (The Wings Over America version) with a mono/stereo/short version/long version release. I was thrilled to pick up a copy!

 

Yes I believe it is.

 

Not to me, but I'll concede that even Ringo sang the opening lyric as "what would you do if I sang out of tune" when I saw him.

 

Awesome!! Never seen that before. You gotta love vintage Bon and Angus

 

Just in case you ain't seen these!:

 

Velvet Underground- "Rock 'n Roll"

 

Truly iconic concert and I still associate the covers as Nirvana songs no matter how good the originals may be.

 

I think Blue Oyster Cult's live Then Came The Last Days Of May from On Your Feet Or On Your Knees is much better than the studio version.

I don't think she did a studio version but the live Eva Cassidy version of Fields Of Gold is for me THE definitive version compared to anyone elses.

 

David Bowie - Five Years.

I've always loved the live version of 'Five Years' on 'Stage' and prefer it to the studio version on Ziggy. In fact, all the Ziggy songs on 'Stage' sound great to me. The band is really tight and zip through the songs at a cracking pace and Bowie's voice is on top form.

 

I think it's unfortunate that the Wings live, very generic sounding (IMO) version of MIA has, I have to agree, replaced the original "McCartney" album version. Wings do a great "Arena Rock" version no doubt...but it sounds like any band doing a good, hard Rocking version of the song with Paul at the lead mic. His original studio version not only has a far superior vocal (one of his all-time very best), it has both more rhythmic and textural identity than the live "straight Rock" version.

 

First one I'd thought of! "Smokin' "
Smoke on the Water - Made in Japan. Osaka 1972

 

...and, The Jack - AC/DC
Live in Paris. CD in Bonfire 4-disc box set (1997)

 

Eric Clapton, "Cocaine"...the live version is indeed, it.


The audience participation is perfect, and not many are quite as perfect as when Eric leaves the last "cocaine" to the audience.
I don't know many listeners who, when hearing this on radio or at home can resist joining in...."COCAINE"!

 

Humble Pie - Rockin' The Fillmore: (Live @ The Fillmore East)
I Don't Need No Doctor
Crank It Up!!!!

 

With Dire Straits, most live versions are superior to the studio ones.

 

John Denver - "Thank God I'm A Country Boy"

 

There is a "definitive" version of this song?????

I liked John Denver; I saw him in concert and used to have three of his albums, but sometimes I wished you could take the country out of John.

 

The studio version was released on his 1974 album Back Home Again, but the live version was released as a single a year later from the album An Evening with John Denver, peaking at #1 on the Pop and Country charts, so the live version is the more popular, well known version.