OT: Wordy Rappinghood - Tom Tom Club

Greetings, Gene! I, too, have been down the dark road of trying to re-create the 45 version of this song only to find the last 20 seconds or so, are nowhere to be found in the 12" or LP Versions (I must have listened back through them both 100 times before finally pulling my hair out). It's been a whole lot of years since this one for me, but let me try to recall some things that may help:

First, the LP Version and the 12" Remix you mentioned are actually not the same. The structure of the song is mostly similar in both, but the 12" Remix is crisper, and you can hear some different effects, like slight reverb on the verse vocals. When I was doing my edit, I decided that the 45 is an edit of the Remix, not the LP Version (again, it's been a lot of years so verify it yourself, of course -- but I stand by this). The LP Version is just dryer all the way around, and it's really obvious when you zero in on the vocals at the beginning of the first verse.

Regarding your questions:

#1 - I have not been able to "confirm" the US 45 is the 3:45 edit, but there are plenty of UK and European 45 rips on YouTube that play this version. The stated tracklist for the US 45 appears to mirror all other worldwide releases, so it's my belief that it's the same unless someone can confirm otherwise (this would be good to know, yes).

#2 - I used to have the 45 version ripped from an import CD 'Les Années New Wave 2' with audio that ran to 3:44 before going dead. I could never find it in higher than 128k MP3, but it sounded great, as far as mastering levels, etc. When I gave up on making my edit, I was able to paste the end of this track onto the higher-quality file of my edit and call it a day. It's my plan to pick that CD up one day, but I haven't yet. I see it's going cheap on Discogs right now.

#2.5 - Never seen the video. I am glad to know that the 4:30-ish version is not some weird edit they put together in lieu of being able to find the single mix on later comps.



Edited by EternalStatic

EternalStatic: This is fantastic information! Thank you so much. After reviewing the 6:45 length file I have, I think it must be the alternate 12" mix you mention here. I'll have to try again to edit it down to what we believe is the single version. I'm very curious about those last 20 seconds! Thanks for the heads up so I won't be too disappointed when I get to the end. :)

ChicagoBill: I'll call that more excellent circumstatial evidence to suggest the original U.S. single WAS indeed 3:45... or 3:46 in this case. :)

Thank you both! Ron is on the case with us as well and has provided some interesting research; I'll try to get it reviewed tonight.

I think it's sometimes missed that, although it was Genius of Love that went up the pop charts, Word Rappinghood rode along with GOL to the #1 position on the dance charts... not too shabby.

I'd be interested in having all the proper files myself.

I may have the 12” Remix in lossless. Will report back tomorrow if no
one beats me to it.

I ended up not having the Remix in lossless. I need to order this album
anyway.