Firefall - Strange Way

There may be an error in the database with regards to "Strange Way" by Firefall. The database lists several dj edits, but also indicates "commercial copies all ran (3:50)".

There are then several CD listings, including the following:
(S) (3:54) Time-Life SOD-20 Sounds Of The Seventies - 1978: Take Two (45 version but slower and slightly longer than the 45)
(S) (3:22) Rhino 71055 Greatest Hits (previously unreleased version)

I have both of these CDs and just acquired the 45. Here is what I found:
- The 45 times at about 3:21 (even though the label lists a running time of 3:50)
- The version on Sounds of the Seventies does not match the 45; the ending is different with an instrumental jam and fadeout
- Near as I can tell, the 45 matches the version on the Rhino Greatest Hits (they both have sort of a cold ending)

My 45 looks to be a commercial 45 and not a DJ copy. Any insight from the board members on this one?

Todd Ireland wrote: Roscoe: As you may already know (and for the benefit of those who don't), DJ vinyl 45 copies are usually issued with a white label and are marked something to the effect of "for promotional use only". If this doesn't fit the description of your 45, then you likely have a commercial copy. Since there are apparently several different DJ 45 pressings of "Strange Way" (which Pat does a nice job documenting in the database), it wouldn't surprise me if at least two commercial 45 pressings exist for this song as well. The Rhino label has always been pretty conscientious about issuing correct single versions of songs, so chances are good that the Firefall Greatest Hits disc does contain the commercial 45 version of which Roscoe speaks. Good info, Roscoe!

Yes, I definitely have a commercial pressing. It's a picture sleeve with the standard red Atlantic label.

Anyone else know if there were possibly 2 different versions of this song on commercial 45? The fact that my 45 lists an incorrect running time (3:50) that is awfully close to the running time on the Time Life CD may be indicative of 2 different commercial versions.

EdisonLite wrote: <The Rhino label has always been pretty conscientious about issuing correct single versions of songs, so chances are good that the Firefall Greatest Hits disc does contain the commercial 45 version> Actually, sometimes Rhino chooses the the dj 45 edit/length, as they did with KC & the Sunshine Band's "It's the Same Old Song", which was significantly shorter than the commercial 45.

And they've been known to go the other way as well--on the CSN Greatest Hits release, while they issued the 45 of "Marrakesh Express" (probably by just snipping the opening two seconds of the LP version), they did not do the same for "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" (giving us the widely available elsewhere LP version).

My commercial 45 of "Strange Way" lists 3:50 and actually runs 3:48. Looks like we have another case of at least 2 different commercial copies!

Grant wrote: ...or simply, listed timings that can't be trusteed...

They said they had two different commercial copies with different ACTUAL running times.