Live Version Becomes the Definitive Version

So in a short span today listening to the radio I heard the live version of McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" (from Wings Over America) and KISS' "Rock n Roll All Nite" (THE live album ), and thought how those live versions seem to have replaced the studio tracks as the kind-of the definitive version, at least played on the radio/streaming (I know people may disagree).

Then I thought about the live version of U2's "Bad" on Wide Awake in America, which I think not only is much better than the studio track, but is THE definitive live version of that song (again, you may disagree). If you haven't heard it, it's a fortuante snapshot of musical history -- and I'm not even near being a big U2 fan; just a powerful performance.

In any event, what are your thoughts not only about the above songs but are there others where it seems the live version has become the one most played or recognized? And how about the entire Frampton Comes Alive album ?

 

Agreed about U2 - Bad

I'll go with the live version of Young Man Blues by the Who.

 

Cheap Trick’s live version of:
“I Want You To Want Me”
from their Budokan album is the definitive version.

 

Turn The Page - Bob Seger

 

FTW

 

Cheap Trick, "I Want You To Want Me."
Peter Frampton, "Do You Feel LIke We Do," "Show Me The Way," and "Baby I Love Your Way."

 

Yup, I agree with McCartney, Kiss and Frampton. Sometimes the studio versions pale in comparison, if the live version was your introduction to the song.
l'll add:
I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick
Ridin' the Storm Out by REO Speedwagon.

 

Be Bop Deluxe, "Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape."

 

Judas Priest - Victim of Changes

 

One might consider Lynyrd Skynyrd's live "Freebird" to be definitive. It's the only version that's been played on the radio around here (Cincinnati Ohio) for forever.

 

I totally reject the McCartney reference, the studio version is superior in every possible way.

For the sake of this thread, The Who - Summertime Blues - Live at Leeds.

 

(What song is it you wann hear? ...)

McCartney - “Coming Up”
Bob Seger - “Travelin’ Man > Beautiful Loser”

 

Most if not all the tracks on "Waiting for Columbus".
"Crossroads."

 

The Allman Brothers Band "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed", "Whipping Post", "One Way Out" from the Fillmore album
The Who "A Quick One (While He's Away)" from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus.

I only remember hearing A Quick One on the radio once when I was growing up but when I hear the album "The Kids Are Alright" I though, "Wow! Now THAT"S how you play rock and roll!".

 

Jane Says from Kettle Whistle seems to have become the preferred version over the years

Frampton Do You Feel Like I Do, Show Me The Way, Baby I Love Your Way (Frampton Comes Alive)

Cream Crossroads (Wheels Of Fire)

Fleetwood Mac Silver Springs (The Dance)

Bob Marley No Woman No Cry (Live At The Lyceum)

 

Exactly

 

"She's Got a Way" by Billy Joel
"No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley and the Wailers
"Fingertips, Pt. 2" by Little Stevie Wonder
"Midnight Rambler" by the Rolling Stones

 

Lou Reed - Intro/Sweet Jane from RnR Animal
Billy Joel - I prefer almost everything on Songs From The Attic to their studio counterparts
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Hoedown from Welcome Back My Friends

 

OP here. I agree with Summertime Blues, but every facet of Maybe I'm Amazed is better live on WOA, particularly the lead guitar work.

 

Rory Gallagher- A Million Miles Away (Irish Tour 74)

 

Personally:

Genesis - Supper's Ready [Live at the Rainbow 1973]

 

I completely agree with you on McCartney, but I would have to concede that the live Wings version is the only one that gets any airplay. I don't think I've ever actually heard the studio version on the radio.

 

Can't say it is considered the definitive version in popular opinion, but the live at the Hollywood High version of Elvis Costello's Alison should be.

 

"About a Girl" by Nirvana (MTV Unplugged version)

 

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