VA - Back To The 80's: The Long Versions Vol.2 (2003)

Another four-disc box that compiles extended and uncut versions of '80s singles, Back to the 80's: The Long Versions, Vol. 2 (from Sony Holland) might be worth it for those who still love mainstream pop from that bygone decade. Most '80s-themed compilations use truncated radio edit versions in order to cram as many songs as possible on one disc; this does just the opposite and therefore sticks out compared to the average various-artists collection. The Blue Nile's "Tinseltown in the Rain," Jan Hammer's "Miami Vice Theme," Captain Sensible's "Wot," Bronski Beat's "Smalltown Boy," Donald Fagen's "I.G.Y.," and Thomas Dolby's "I Scare Myself" are just some of the songs presented in extended or full form here. Amazingly, all 17 minutes of Steve Miller Band's "Macho City" - a very uncharacteristic song from Miller, and an unlikely underground club hit in the U.S. are included.

Tracklist:

CD 1

01. Queen - Radio Ga Ga (Long Version) (5:44)
02. Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight (Long Version) (5:29)
03. Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (12'' Mix) (9:00)
04. Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) (Performance Mix) (7:26)
05. Jan Hammer - Miami Vice Theme (12'' Disco Mix) (6:53)
06. Jon & Vangelis - State Of Independance (Long Version) (7:56)
07. Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F. (12'' Disco Version) (6:57)
08. The Blue Nile - Tinsel Town In The Rain (Long Version) (5:55)
09. Ben Liebrand - Jeff Wayne's ''the Eve Of The War'' (Deepspace Mix) (7:08)
10. The Stranglers - Always The Sun (Hot Mix) (5:58)
11. The Cure - Why Can't I Be You (12'' Mix) (8:07)

CD 2

01. Spandau Ballet - Gold (12 Inch Version) (7:15)
02. Icehouse - Crazy (12'' Mix) (7:20)
03. Kim Wilde - You Came (12'' Version) (7:33)
04. The Romantics - Talking In Your Sleep (Long Version) (5:34)
05. Paul Hardcastle - 19 (Long Version) (5:14)
06. Flash & The Pan - Midnight Man (Extended Remix Version) (6:59)
07. Level 42 - Love Games (Long Version) (7:26)
08. Chris Rea - On The Beach (Summer '88) (Long Version) (6:50)
09. Marc Almond - Tears Run Rings (12'' Mix) (5:18)
10. Captain Sensible - Wot (Maxi Version) (5:39)
11. Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Rage Hard (12 Inch Version) (12:08)

CD 3

01. Howard Jones - What Is Love (Extended Mix) (6:34)
02. Freiheit - Play It Cool (Extended Mix) (5:55)
03. Owen Paul - My Favorite Waste Of Time (Jumbo Remix) (7:46)
04. Wham! - Everything She Wants (Long Version) (6:31)
05. Tom Tom Club - Wordy Rappinghood (Long Version) (6:29)
06. Blondie - Rapture (12'' Mix) (7:13)
07. Toto - Mushanga (Long Version) (5:35)
08. Thomas Dolby - I Scare Myself (Long Version) (5:40)
09. Alison Moyet - All Cried Out (Long Version) (6:50)
10. Sade - Hang On To Your Love (Us Remix) (5:29)
11. Simply Red - Jericho (Long Version) (6:02)
12. Tears For Fears - Broken - Head Over Heels - Broken (Live) (7:34)

CD 4

01. Abc - Poison Arrow (Jazz Remix) (6:55)
02. The Moody Blues - The Voice (Long Version) (5:15)
03. A-Ha - Stay On These Roads (12 Inch Version) (6:10)
04. Mike & The Mechanics - Silent Running (Long Version) (6:13)
05. The Style Council - My Ever Changing Moods (12'' Version) (5:43)
06. Swing Out Sister - Surrender (Stuff Gun Mix) (6:40)
07. Donald Fagen - I.g.y. (Long Version) (6:03)
08. John Farnham - Age Of Reason (Long Version) (5:05)
09. Dusty Springfield Feat. Pet Shop Boys - Nothing Has Been Proved (Dance Mix) (5:55)
10. Phil Carmen - On My Way To L.a. (Long Version) (6:57)
11. Steve Miller Band - Macho City (Long Version) (16:24)