Method Man & Mary J. Blige - All I Need

aaronk wrote: In the US, the CD-maxi single contained UNCENSORED versions for both the "Puff Daddy Mix" (track 1) and the "Razor Sharp Mix" (track 3). I also have a promo CD single (which does not have a catalog number anywhere on the disc) that contains the CENSORED versions for both of these mixes, on tracks 1 & 2 respectively. Actually, track 1 is called the "Puff Daddy Radio Mix" and track 2 is called the "Razor Sharp Radio Mix."

I remember getting a CD single, sent from Def Jam when this was new. The disc had the full artwork, so I believe it was the commercial maxi-single, though I might be mistaken. Strangely, the Puff Daddy mix had Meth's rap censored, yet the Notorious BIG samples ("f'ing die together") were left uncensored. Is this the same as your version?

Eric

To date, all CD appearances of the "Puff Daddy Radio Mix" run 3:56. If the actual promo CD single run time is 4:02, as Ed reports, then does this mean all CD appearances of the "Puff Daddy Radio mix" are faded early?

Edited by Todd Ireland

Pat Downey wrote: After just listening to the 2 cd's that contain the "razor sharp mix" I hear the F word at :56 on both cd's.

Pat, I think you're misunderstanding the lyrics. At (0:56) on the Reflections CD, the lyrics are:

"That's why I'm wit' ya to this day, boo, no frontin'"

Those are the same lyrics you reference at (0:53) on the "Puff Daddy Radio Mix."

The way you can tell the difference between the censored and uncensored versions of the "Razor Sharp Mix" is:

- at (1:05), there's a quick sound effect of a woman moaning over the "p" word ("never ever give my p---y away")
- immediately following at (1:10) the word "ass" is blanked out
- there are a few other words that are also blanked out in the censored version

There are also several words blanked out on the "Puff Daddy Radio Mix," except there is not the moaning sound effect. In fact, Method Man's vocals are completely re-recorded on this version (both censored and uncensored), and he changes the line to "never ever give my booty away." Also, on the censored version, the sample of Notorious BIG has the "f" word blanked out on the chorus ("I swear to God I hope we ....... die together"). The "f" word is left in tact on the uncensored version; however, the alternate lyrics on the verses still remain (alternate lyrics meaning different from the "Razor Sharp Mix"). Eric, that probably helps explain your question.

Ed --- Does the UK CD single you have match the US CD single? Is the cassingle uncensored? I have a UK CD single, but the catalog number ends in "3" instead of "1" and it has the "Razor Sharp Mix" as track 5. This mix is also uncensored on that UK single.

I just reviewed the cassingle version, thanks to Ed. The Razor Sharp Mix on the cassingle is, without question, uncensored. The version on the promo CD and the Mary J. Blige compilation is definitely censored.

No CHR/top 40 stations in my area played it, but MTV played the Puff Daddy Radio Mix, as did Rhythmic leaning top 40 stations I heard it on.