Donna Summer "Love To Love You Baby" (Listing of Different Versions)

[70spop]

OK, after the bit of discussion with Disco Funk yesterday in this thread: http://www.discomusic.com/forums/dis...d-song-cd.html I did some more research last light, which basically involved a stopwatch, some note-taking and way more repeated listenings of "Love To Love You Baby" than any non-disco afficianado would be able to stand.

I have a couple of corrections to my posts from yesterday, and a bunch of other info which may be helpful or interesting to folks (hence the new thread).

First, while my 7" vinyl is stored somewhere in a box right now, I do also have it recorded on a cassette that's handy. I broke out the tape and a stopwatch and timed the song. I had thought that it was about 3:45, but it turns out it clocks in at 3:22. Keep that number in mind.

Second, I was mistaken regarding the length of the version on the Time-Life Sounds of the Seventies - 1976 CD. I had stated that it was 3:22, but it's actually 4:53, and contains part of the "new" material that's included in the 16:48 album version.

In addition to the Love To Love You Baby album on CD, I also have the song "Love To Love You Baby" on several other CDs.

On Endless Summer, the track length is 3:21

On The Journey, the track length is 3:22

On The Millenium Collection, the track length is 3:21

All three of these are the same recording, but they are different from the vinyl 7" that I have. More on that in a bit.

As mentioned, the Time-Life Sounds of the Seventies - 1976 version is 4:53, and is a very different version of the song.

On On The Radio, the track length is 4:07, and the song is similar in structure to the Sounds of the Seventies version. Also, the end of the song segues into "Try Me We Can Make It".

Now, as to the 16:48 album version, it is essentially two full run-throughs of the 3:22 single format - one at the beginning and one at the end - with different, less structured material for the roughly 9 1/2 minute middle section.

I believe the singles (both my vinyl copy and the 3:22 version on the above compilations) are at a very slightly faster tempo than the album version. On the album version, it took 3:30 or so to get to the same ending spot as the 3:22 versions, even though the structure of the song is identical. The "single" at the end of the album version also runs 3:30 to the same spot, but then continues for another :15 to the fade out.

The vocal track on both the beginning "single" and ending "single" of the album version sounds identical, like they just used the same recording twice (even down to all the moans, sighs and ad-libs!) However, the music is different. It's the same music, but the synth parts are different. On the first "single" part, there is less synth used for "shading" (I guess you might call it that) throughout the song. Also, the synth part at the bridge (about 1/3 into the song) is thinner and reedier sounding. It definitely sounds like a single synth line, whereas on the "single" at the end of the song, the bridge sounds more like a couple violins and a cello. The "end single" has a fuller sound to the music than the "beginning single".

Now, my vinyl 7" is identical to the "end single" from the album version, except that it doesn't have the extra 15 seconds at the end and it's slightly faster to squeeze it down to 3:22 (from 3:30). Also, it has the inhale before Donna first sings, "Iiiiiiiiii.... love to love you baby....", which of course is not on the "end single" portion of the album version; it's only at the beginning of the song.

The 3:22 single version that's on the CD compilations has music that sounds like the "beginning single" of the album version, with a couple of small added synth strokes, but with a DIFFERENT vocal track, one that I find kind of annoying. It sounds more forced, and the opening, "Iiiiiiiii.... love to love you baby"s sound sort of whiney.

I know there are at least a couple more Donna Summer compilations out there which I don't have. From what I have now, though, to get a CD copy of my vinyl 7", I would just record the "end single" off the album version of the song (starting at 13:03-1/2). It would have a 15 second longer fade-out and would be missing the inhale at the beginning, but otherwise it's the correct version.

The other option would be to use the "beginning single" of the album version and fade it out at 3:30. You would then get basically the same music as the compilation versions (as well as the inhale), but would get the (in my opinion) better vocal track of the album version(s).

Brian

[remicks]

*****

Great job Brian !!!! :icon_biggrin: :icon_biggrin: :icon_biggrin:

I love s*#t like this !!! :icon_mrgreen: :icon_cool: :icon_cool: :icon_cool:


You've answered some questions for me .....because lately I have fallen head first in love with this song all over again .... the LP version, and I have asked myself ..... what's this weird little abbreviated version tacked on the end all about???

Now I know : ... its the original 45 version ! ... minus the inhale ..... (right?? )

Which begins at 3:07 in this youtube posting ( 6:45 - 3:07 = 3:39 )

LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY Donna Summer (pt.2 of lp version)

I have to say my new found fondness has more to do with the 9.5 mid-section part found on the LP ...

and.... ( & I can't believe that such turns out to be the case ) --- especially where it seems Donna has already left the studio for the night : the Donna- less parts :icon_eek: :icon_eek: ... and of that, especially the crescendo-ing, up an octave, choral climax ending !! Just love the fuller vocal sound of those multiple angelic voices playing off that trumpet :icon_cool: )
{That delicious part occurs at 1:43 on the youtube post }

Then immediately following that segment, the brief dialogue between the cello/violin and piano is a delight too.


Great song though no matter how and where you slice and dice it !!! :icon_biggrin::icon_cool::icon_mrgreen:



******

[PierreConstantin]

The 4:53 version is the original 7" B-side. This is the version featured on the double lp "On the radio" (minus the ending).
On recent compilations the song is slightly remixed to appear less sexual ("Could it be magic" is in the same case). I think that began in the 90's with "Anthology" and "Endless summer".

[Salsoul1975]

There is also a different version of "Love To Love You Baby" on one of the volumes of the Disco Nights series. From what I recall, it was quite choppy. It started out with the beginning "synth" version on the album, then when it reached that climatic crescendo (which would then cut to the 3:22-3:30 album 7" version on the LP), it resumes after the break and then runs its course to the end. I can't explain it like some of you guys, but I guess you would have to listen to the version to find out.

[Disco Funk]

I forget where I read it, but apparently this song received different edit treatments by the radio stations. Because of the LP version's length, radio stations were doing their own edits until a 'proper' 45 was released. That can't be right, unless the original 45 mix was put out in Europe first, and then the US had the 45 re-edit release AFTER the LP was released?

Disco Funk

[BrunoRepublic]

What I've read, though I'm not sure if it is true or not, is that the song was first issued on 7" in Europe. When Neil Bogart signed Giorgio and Donna, the song was remixed/re-recorded at Neil's request into the side-long version that we all know and love. The various compilation and single versions are all edits of the album version, except the original European version. I've never heard this original version (if it exists) so I can't be sure.

Can anyone confirm or refute this?

[PierreConstantin]

The 3:20 version is the new 7" version edited from the lp version (same mix). The original version, the one heard at the Bogart party, was never commercially available. Personnally, I've never heard it.

[70spop]

*****

Great job Brian !!!! :icon_biggrin: :icon_biggrin: :icon_biggrin:

I love s*#t like this !!! :icon_mrgreen: :icon_cool: :icon_cool: :icon_cool:

Thanks! I'm glad that I'm not the only one who gets all OCD analyzing songs. :icon_lol:

*****You've answered some questions for me .....because lately I have fallen head first in love with this song all over again .... the LP version, and I have asked myself ..... what's this weird little abbreviated version tacked on the end all about???

Now I know : ... its the original 45 version ! ... minus the inhale ..... (right?? )

Which begins at 3:07 in this youtube posting ( 6:45 - 3:07 = 3:39 )

I **think** so, but I could be wrong. That end portion of the YouTube (starting at 3:07) is what my vinyl 7" sounds like. The "violins" come in behind the "Do it to me again and again / Put me in such an awful spin..." verse (at 3:55), and the bridge following that verse (4:05-4:24) sounds more like violins and cello than it does on the 3:22 compilation cd versions. It's not as obvious on the YouTube post, but it's very clear on the album/cd (Love To Love You Baby).

I remember LTLYB being played on the radio back in late '75/early '76, but, really, probably 20 or so years passed between then and when I finally picked up that vinyl single. I remember the basic sound of the song from when I was younger, but I honestly couldn't tell you if what I have is the original single or a later version. I just know that I like the sound of it better - it sounds fuller and more like a *single* (as opposed to an album cut).

*****I have to say my new found fondness has more to do with the 9.5 mid-section part found on the LP ...

and.... ( & I can't believe that such turns out to be the case ) --- especially where it seems Donna has already left the studio for the night : the Donna- less parts :icon_eek: :icon_eek: ... and of that, especially the crescendo-ing, up an octave, choral climax ending !! Just love the fuller vocal sound of those multiple angelic voices playing off that trumpet :icon_cool: )
{That delicious part occurs at 1:43 on the youtube post }

Then immediately following that segment, the brief dialogue between the cello/violin and piano is a delight too.

Yeah, I totally love the song - single or album version. I'm not usually one for songs that go on forever, but I have no problem listening to the album version of this one. And yeah, with or without Donna (sorry), I just love the music.

As I was listening to it again (a few times) last night, I was thinking that a 6 or 7 minute version could be edited together to incorporate some of the middle-section material to stretch out the "single" a bit but not be a 17 minute oddessy that stops several times. If I can get some music editing software at some point, maybe I'll play with that.

*****Great song though no matter how and where you slice and dice it !!! :icon_biggrin::icon_cool::icon_mrgreen:

I think so! :icon_mrgreen:

[dbmc]

Funny this should come up - I've jsut finished a disco mix and used just the middle part of the song as the last track on the mix - from the (brilliant) bassline break at about 3.22 to the orchestra finish at around 13.00 before the 'song comes back. Genius song.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

What I've read, though I'm not sure if it is true or not, is that the song was first issued on 7" in Europe. When Neil Bogart signed Giorgio and Donna, the song was remixed/re-recorded at Neil's request into the side-long version that we all know and love. The various compilation and single versions are all edits of the album version, except the original European version. I've never heard this original version (if it exists) so I can't be sure.

Can anyone confirm or refute this?

Yes... To make a long story, short...

"Love To Love You" was released as a single on Groovy/Basart Records - Holland. (In this version Donna, unmistakably, starts singing in a higher key.) It was not available on any LP, until the OASIS collection, "The Sound of Munich", was released on Star 7/Durium Records, Italy. NOTE: The other incarnations of similar OASIS compilations do not use the original version.

The song was re-recorded, with new vocals, additional bv's and orchestration added, and re-released as "Love To Love You Baby".
ALL subsequent releases are edited versions of the 2nd recording. There are no other remixes from the original multi-track masters.

Also, the only completely-intact release of the "Love To Love You Baby" LP, is the German release, on Atlantic Records.

Personally, I feel the best version is the approximately 8 minute edit, from the 1977 Greatest Hits LP, on GTO Records, UK.

[BrunoRepublic]

Yes... To make a long story, short...

"Love To Love You" was released as a single on Groovy/Basart Records - Holland. (In this version Donna, unmistakably, starts singing in a higher key.) It was not available on any LP, until the OASIS collection, "The Sound of Munich", was released on Star 7/Durium Records, Italy. NOTE: The other incarnations of similar OASIS compilations do not use the original version.

Hmm, I think I might have this...

Also, the only completely-intact release of the "Love To Love You Baby" LP, is the German release, on Atlantic Records.

What do you mean by completely intact? What is the Casablanca version missing? Please reveal!

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

What do you mean by completely intact? What is the Casablanca version missing? Please reveal!

LOL! Mention something with the slightest reference to a Casablanca abnormality, and the heads just SNAP! right back to it.:icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol:

1st Release - Germany
Side B:
Lady Of The Night***
Pandora's Box
Need-A-Man-Blues
The Hostage***


2nd Release - France
Side B:
Lady Of The Night***
Pandora's Box
Need-A-Man-Blues
Whispering Waves


3rd Release - US
Side B:
Full Of Emptiness
Need-A-Man-Blues
Whispering Waves
Pandora's Box
Full Of Emptiness (Reprise)

[BrunoRepublic]

...OASIS collection, "The Sound of Munich", was released on Star 7/Durium Records, Italy. NOTE: The other incarnations of similar OASIS compilations do not use the original version.

*digs through record collection*

I do have this album (although the label is "Start" records and not "Star 7"). But I think it's the re-recorded version...

[PierreConstantin]

I have those two:

4th Release - France [Atlantic/WEA Filipacchi]
Side B:
Full Of Emptiness
Need-A-Man-Blues
Whispering Waves
Pandora's Box
Full Of Emptiness (Reprise)
The Hostage***

Donna Summer - Love to Love You Baby Donna Summer, Love to Love You Baby : disques vinyles d'occasion, album 33T, maxi et single 45T, CD, vinyland
(you can see a big picture of the B-side and on the back cover that "The hostage" was added at the last moment).

5th Release - France [Casablanca/Polygram]
Side B:
Virgin Mary
Need-A-Man-Blues
Whispering Waves
Pandora's Box
Full Of Emptiness
On the label the year is wrong (1978).
Donna Summer - Love To Love You Baby (LP) at Discogs

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

I do have this album (although the label is "Start" records and not "Star 7"). But I think it's the re-recorded version...

You're right about the "Start" name (now I see that the graphic is a racing flag. DUH!) But mine is definitely the original recording, because I also have a couple copies of the Groovy/Basart 7" single. And it's the same version. Albeit with much better sound quality.

Have you checked it against the US Oasis recording yet? The dead-giveaway is the opening, accapella vocal... "Aaaaahhh, Love To Love You Baby"

[70spop]

The dead-giveaway is the opening, accapella vocal... "Aaaaahhh, Love To Love You Baby"

So, what does that sound like on your "original"? My 7" vinyl sounds like the LTLYB album CD that I bought just a few years ago. The "Aaaaaaahhh..." sounds consistent from start to finish, like she picked a note and mouth position and held it.

On the 3:22 version that is on most of the recent compilation CDs, it changes from start to finish, like "aaaaAAAAHHHY..."

It sounds somewhat whiney to me.

[BrunoRepublic]

Have you checked it against the US Oasis recording yet? The dead-giveaway is the opening, accapella vocal... "Aaaaahhh, Love To Love You Baby"

I just checked it. It's an edit of the LP version.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

So, what does that sound like on your "original"? My 7" vinyl sounds like the LTLYB album CD that I bought just a few years ago. The "Aaaaaaahhh..." sounds consistent from start to finish, like she picked a note and mouth position and held it.

On the 3:22 version that is on most of the recent compilation CDs, it changes from start to finish, like "aaaaAAAAHHHY..."

It sounds somewhat whiney to me.

I can't comment on the CD versions, because I haven't heard them. But I'd bet, for purposes of collectability, that they do contain the original recording.

Otherwise, your description of the upwards inflection in the first note, is just how the 1st recording sounds. And "whiney" is about as accurate a description as you could give it.:icon_lol:

There isn't any profound difference between the recordings. So don't look for something that sounds like a full-on remix. The basic differences are:

The horns and string sections were recorded for the extended version.

The moans are the same in part of the song because they were from a separate vocal track, that was added-onto for the extended version.

The lead vocals were re-recorded almost identical to the first session. Except Donna cleaned-up the iffy notes (most notably, the 1st note of the song) and gives a bit stronger performance, the 2nd time around.

The big choir section that peaks the LP and latter singles ("love to love you... baby, baby... love to love you... baby, baby... love to love you... baby, love to love..."), was written and recorded for the extended version.

This performance video is done from the original Groovy/Basart recording.
YouTube - Donna Summer - Love To Love You Baby(1975)

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

I just checked it. It's an edit of the LP version.

Interesting... I'm surprised they'd change the version on a compilation. When I get home, I'll post you the catalogue numbers from the lead-out grooves on the A-side. We'll see if there's a difference there.

Though, I checked the same collection, released in Germany on OASIS (this one came with an OASIS poster), and it uses the second recording, with an asterisk next to the title noting that it's "a GMC production". Whereas the first recording, on the START/Durium, Italian release, is "a Say Yes production by Pete Belotte".

[70spop]

I can't comment on the CD versions, because I haven't heard them. But I'd bet, for purposes of collectability, that they do contain the original recording.

Otherwise, your description of the upwards inflection in the first note, is just how the 1st recording sounds. And "whiney" is about as accurate a description as you could give it.:icon_lol:

There isn't any profound difference between the recordings. So don't look for something that sounds like a full-on remix. The basic differences are:

The horns and string sections were recorded for the extended version.

The moans are the same in part of the song because they were from a separate vocal track, that was added-onto for the extended version.

The lead vocals were re-recorded almost identical to the first session. Except Donna cleaned-up the iffy notes (most notably, the 1st note of the song) and gives a bit stronger performance, the 2nd time around.

The big choir section that peaks the LP and latter singles ("love to love you... baby, baby... love to love you... baby, baby... love to love you... baby, love to love..."), was written and recorded for the extended version.

This performance video is done from the original Groovy/Basart recording.
YouTube - Donna Summer - Love To Love You Baby(1975)

OK, I think that all clears it up for me. Yes, the 3:22 version on the compilation cds is exactly the same as that YouTube video (love the pasty guy in the body stocking with the tighty-whiteys on the outside). :icon_rolleyes::icon_lol:

So, it would seem that the compilation version is the original single; the album that's available on cd (American) has the extended version of the song (of course) with the cleaned up first note and generally stronger vocals as well as the strings added to the "end single" (last 3:45 of the 16:48 album version); and that the vinyl single that I have (and which was likely what was heard on American radio) is an edit of the "improved" album version.

Groovy! Thanks for the info, Stephen. :icon_mrgreen:

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

So, it would seem that the compilation version is the original single; the album that's available on cd (American) has the extended version of the song (of course) with the cleaned up first note and generally stronger vocals as well as the strings added to the "end single" (last 3:45 of the 16:48 album version); and that the vinyl single that I have (and which was likely what was heard on American radio) is an edit of the "improved" album version.

Groovy! Thanks for the info, Stephen. :icon_mrgreen:

Exactamundo, my friend!
And it's most definitely my pleasure.
After all, it is Donna!

[Salsoul1975]

Not sure if this has been mentioned already, but I also have on CD (a British import) the 16:49 album version of LTLY (that was the timing listed on the CD, as opposed to the American 16:48). Anyhow, on this version after the climax of clashing stroking strings at the 13:00 mark, Donna inhales and goes "Ahhhhhhhh". On the American LP reissue, it just goes to a cold "Ahhhhhhhhh" after the crescendo.

[remicks]

*****



LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY Donna Summer (pt.2 of lp version)

and of that, especially the crescendo-ing, up an octave, choral climax ending !! Just love the fuller vocal sound of those multiple angelic voices playing off that trumpet :icon_cool: )
{That delicious part occurs at 1:43 on the youtube post }

******

It occurs to me that that little part becomes the main thrust of Giorgio's I WANNA FUNK WITH YOU TONIGHT ....especially the concluding climatic two minutes .... ....





And thank you Stephen .... who here points out the very different single 45 versions of LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY ... Never caught on to two versions before ! .... the original to me being comparably raw in its tone with the moans too far forward & almost interfering with Donna's vocal . They are pulled back in the later version but more importantly there are now string arrangements that replace the more crude tinny keyboard - bringing to the piece its needed sensuousness .... the feeling of romance in this sexual frolic that strings illicit.:icon_cool:


*****

[70spop]

It occurs to me that that little part becomes the main thrust of Giorgio's I WANNA FUNK WITH YOU TONIGHT ....especially the concluding climatic two minutes .... ....

You're right!! The last couple minutes of "I Wanna Funk With You Tonight" sounds very similar to the "Love to love you, baby, baby. Love to love you, baby, baby. Love to love you baby, love to love" part.

But, wow, "I Wanna Funk With You Tonight" is BAD! The music I like, but the vocals and lyrics.... let's just say Thank Goodness that Giorgio found Donna Summer to work with. Although the femal vocalists singing over Giorgio's music sounds a bit like Silver Convention in a parallel universe. :icon_confused:

...but more importantly there are now string arrangements that replace the more crude funkier keyboard - bringing to the piece its needed sensuousness .... the feeling of romance in this sexual frolic that strings illicit.:icon_cool:

Yeah, I much prefer the "strings" version. It sounds like a fuller song to me. The original sounds "icy".

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Although the femal vocalists singing over Giorgio's music sounds a bit like Silver Convention in a parallel universe. :icon_confused:

It's familiar because it's the girls from all the Alec R. & Cerrone recordings...from the birds of paris...

Giorgio was using them (alternating with Gitta, **Lucy & Betsy) prior to Alec & Cerrone. That's why he named them "The Midnight Ladies" for the 1st Munich Machine LP, entitled, anywhere EXCEPT the US, as "...featuring The Midnight Ladies"

And... **Lucy was in the original line-up for Silver Convention.:icon_confused: