Alternative versions of singles
Excuse the preamble but I feel like this sets the scene:
Long time Girls Aloud fan here (watched PSTR live back in 2002, owned all singles and album, and they were my first ever gig) and their music has shaped a key part of my love for pop music. Because of this, when I have pivotal moments in life, I often go back and listen to their music (whether it be a good moment such as a house move or new job) or something more upsetting. Their music helps me relax, party, uplift my mood or just give me a little nostalgic hit. I still typically listen to them semi regularly but not as much as when I was younger as I feel like there’s so much fantastic pop music everywhere and we’re somewhat spoilt for choice!
Fortunately it’s been a positive event of late and so I did my regularly scheduled re visit to their discography and came across a couple of fun things I hadn’t noticed before
I didn’t realise until the Alternative Vocal Mix of Sound of the Underground (released in 2023) that there were multiple vocal takes of their debut single. However, if you listen to the Brian Higgins remix of SOTU, we can hear that the chorus is actually a back and forth between the individual girls rather than an ensemble chorus. This adds a fun twist especially with the more drum and bass inspired reworking and allows individual voices to shine more and gives a little hint to how this iconic debut was originally recorded - and this remix had been on the CD single release back in 2002!
The Freezr remix of Something Kinda Ooooh features the extended pre chorus with Nadine & Nicola and is more akin to the funky demo version on the 20th anniversary rerelease of Chemistry. Whilst I love both the demo and official version of SKO, it’s very fun to hear that there had been an official remix in keeping with the original vision of a Too Funky inspired pop song.
Are there any other fun little Easter eggs or hints that anyone else has picked up on?