No..No..Don't cut it off..

[Menard]

Driving around today between stores and listening to the radio, Procol Harum's Whiter Shade of Pale came on. Since I was in the parking lot already, I just found a space and sat there to listen to it.

Two stanzas and it was over!

Maybe it has been a while since I've heard the radio version, but I recently watched a PBS special where they brought back many British groups and performers and the song was much longer.

Ever heard the short versions verses the long versions?

Genesis' Abacab comes to mind.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida anyone?

What comes to mind for you that is a shortened version of a song, and do you like it?

[Allhallowsday]

DIANA ROSS (who I have come to consider way overrated) "Love Hangover"... though I'm now finally old enough to prefer the longer version, I had the 45 and preferred that edited version for years. 
AEROSMITH's "Dream On" had a shortened version for 45; it took me a long time to accept the long ubiquitous "album" cut. 

[Menard]

Admittedly, I do like the shorter version of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. The long version is interesting, but really makes one want to beat themselves over the head with the radio if you listen to it too much.

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull.  They did a short version for a best of album it just fades out.  I hate that version, but the full one is a huge time investment.
-Ed

[Menard]

Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull.  They did a short version for a best of album it just fades out.  I hate that version, but the full one is a huge time investment.
-Ed

The short version of Whiter Shade of Pale was like that; two stanzas, it starts into a chorus and suddenly fades. Dang, I doubt it was even two minutes long; and for a Procol Harum song?

[Jack]

The TV show Charmed had a really cool theme song, How Soon is Now by Morrisey.  They edited it down for the show (acutally they just got rid of the crummy parts).  Sounded fantastic.  Then TNT edited even more out to make room fo more commercials.  Now it sounds like absolute crap.

[Rev. Powell]

When I was a kid growing up in Orange, Texas, the local radio station played short versions of "Hey Jude" and "American Pie."  I was delighted when I found out that the songs were actually much longer.  I think the station must have edited the songs themeselves to fit into their format.  Honestly, who fades out "Hey Jude"???

[Allhallowsday]

... Honestly, who fades out "Hey Jude"???

Y'mean other than Apple records?     Kidding, but it is true that "Hey Jude" has one of the longest fade-outs on a 45 that I can think of...

[Rev. Powell]

This version cut the fade out to about 10 seconds.