Loggins & Messina- Thinking of You
Printed From: Top 40 Music on CD
Category: Top 40 Music On Compact Disc
Forum Name: Chat Board
Forum Description: Chat away but please observe the chat board rules
URL: https://top40musiconcd.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10365
Printed Date: 20 May 2026 at 4:05pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Loggins & Messina- Thinking of You
Posted By: DON-FM
Subject: Loggins & Messina- Thinking of You
Date Posted: 10 May 2026 at 11:08am
Listening to AT40 from this week in 1973 and I had no idea that there was a totally different mix/version of this song. (I'm 63 years old!) It doesn't appear to have ever made it to any CD although I'm looking into an import of a GH compilation to get some possible verification. There is a video of it on YouTube but the quality isn't there for me.
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Thanks,
Don Buettner
Creator, DON-FM
https://donfm.us
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Replies:
Posted By: MPH711
Date Posted: 10 May 2026 at 12:55pm
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The hit 45 is a different recording than the slower album version. It’s one of those forgotten versions since it seems most radio stations play the album version which is also what’s on their great hits album. I like both versions but the 45 is what was played back then. And for us DJ’s it had had a great upbeat intro to talk over. It’s sort of like James Taylor’s Country Road. Another forgotten 45 version. The 45 is a different recording and sounds great with a choir in the background for over half of the song.
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Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 11 May 2026 at 10:13am
The 45 version is definitely a superior version. I asked Google why it's never been released digitally. Kenny Loggins doesn't like the mix.
"The 1973 45 RPM single version of "Thinking of You" by Loggins & Messina remains unreleased digitally primarily due to Kenny Loggins' vocal dislike of the mix. He felt the label forced it to capitalize on the success of "Your Mama Don't Dance," leading to a sound he viewed as commercially compromising.
Why it was altered:
Released as a single from their self-titled sophomore album, Columbia Records wanted an uptempo, sound-alike track to match their recent radio hits. The 45 version differs from the mellower LP mix with:A noticeably faster and funkier tempoA punchier, energetic guitar riff, distinct vocal overdubs and more prominent drum fills.
Why it never got a digital release:
Throughout his career, Kenny Loggins has been fiercely protective of his artistic integrity. In his 2022 autobiography, Still Alright, he openly admitted his dislike for this radio-friendly, label-driven single rearrangement.
Prioritization of LP Mixes: Like many artists from the analog era, Loggins and Messina preferred fans to experience the album as the definitive artistic statement. Because the duo never championed the 45 mix, the master tapes were left off of official compilations and digital reissues, leaving the original album version on digital streaming platforms.
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John Gallagher
Erie, PA
Celebrating 29 years as a full-time wedding & special event DJ!
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Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 11 May 2026 at 2:53pm
You know what I say: What does Kenny Loggins know? All he had to approve was the single version be added to the digital LP as a bonus track.
Then everyone is happy. Oh well.
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Santi Paradoa
Miami, Florida
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Posted By: LunarLaugh
Date Posted: 11 May 2026 at 4:26pm
Album versions over singles was probably more Messina's call rather than Kenny Loggins since he was more involved in the production side than Kenny was.
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https://thelunarlaugh.bandcamp.com/ - Listen to The Lunar Laugh!
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Posted By: AndrewChouffi
Date Posted: 11 May 2026 at 6:41pm
Yes, Jim Messina produced, wrote and sang lead vocal on "Thinking Of You".
The single version is EXCELLENT.
Andy
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Posted By: rnell
Date Posted: 11 May 2026 at 6:45pm
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I love both single edits for Peacemaker and Pretty Princess from Native sons album. Does anybody know if they are available in any CD or digitally in their 7" versions? Pretty Princess is over 6 minutes in the album.
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