(Peter Udell / Gary Geld) Andalusian Music Co, Inc. and Andrew Scott, Inc. ASCAP 2:46

A&M 1322 Single released: 12/23/71
Billboard #2, 1/15/72
b/w Maybe It’s You

Original album mix: There is no opening breath on this version
– A SONG FOR YOU LP, Remastered Classic CD, and original A&M CD
– CARPENTERS COLLECTED
– CARPENTERS-THE COMPLETE SINGLES
– JAPANESE SINGLE BOX
– ULTIMATE COLLECTION (NL)

The mono promo single uses a folddown of this mix.

1973 remix: slight tweak for THE SINGLES album, stereo balance is now slightly left, and an opening breath is now heard.
– A SONG FOR YOU (MFSL) and the COMPACT DISC COLLECTION version
– A&M GOLD SERIES VOL 2
– A&M NEW GOLD SERIES VOL 2
– ANTHOLOGY (89)
– CLASSICS VOL 2 and YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (85)
– ESSENTIAL COLLECTION
– ONLY YESTERDAY-THEIR GREATEST HITS
– REMINISCING
– THE SINGLES 1969-1973 (all versions)
– YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (UK)
– YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (84)

1973 remix, stereo reversed:
– O MELHOR DE CARPENTERS-ONLY YESTERDAY (BRZ)

1990 remix: stereo piano and reverb added, heavier bass, opening breath present but muted
– ANTHOLOGY (97)
– THE BEST OF CARPENTERS (Brazil)
– CARPENTERS BEST VOL. 1
– CARPENTERS COLLECTION (Time-Life)
– FROM THE TOP
– MAGICAL MEMORIES OF THE CARPENTERS
– SWEET MEMORY on and off
– THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (Readers Digest)
– TWENTY TWO HITS OF THE CARPENTERS

1991 remix: a slight tweak of the 1990 remix making the opening breath much stronger
– 40/40 BEST SELECTION (JP)
– 40/40 (US)
– BEST OF BEST+
– GOLD (US)
– LOVE SONGS
– THE NATION’S FAVOURITE CARPENTERS SONGS (UK)
– THE SINGLES 1969-1981
– THE SINGLES 1969-1981 SACD on SACD stereo layer and CD Audio layer
– ULTIMATE COLLECTION (UK)
– YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (98)

Karaoke mix: backing track to the 1990 remix
– ORIGINAL MASTER KARAOKE-YESTERDAY ONCE MORE

SACD 5.1 surround mix:
– THE SINGLES 1969-1981 SACD on surround layer

Quad remix:
– A SONG FOR YOU Quad 8-track
– THE SINGLES 1969-1973 Quad LP and 8-track

Live versions appear on LIVE IN JAPAN and in the medley on LIVE AT THE PALLADIUM

2018 RPO Mix: enhanced version recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
– CARPENTERS WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

 

Chris May says:
There are two things you can look for:

1. Basically, the remix from 1990 (“From The Top”) clocks in at both 2:45 (on “FTT”), and 2:46 on a few other compilations. The remix that was done in ’91 for the Karaoke album generally clocks in at 2:47.

2. The audible way you can clearly hear the difference (make sure to turn up your speakers) is on the opening breath itself. Basically the mix from ’90 has a very clean, “dry” breath with almost no hiss behind it at all. The mix created in ’91 has quite a noticeable amount of hiss on the lead vocal track right from the downbeat, almost drowning out Karen’s breath. The fact that the previous mix is so clean tells me Richard may have used another trick a la “Goodbye To Love” with the intro, trying to make it as perfect as possible. 

Regarding the SACD surround mix: a great remix/separation. The most notable change in the mix is the level at which the timpani drum is mixed at the final chorus to fade out. It is very audible in the rears, and gives the listener a great “orchestral surround” effect! Additional instrumentation from 1990 throughout.

Original promotional ad for this single: