Yeah, I pretty much totally agree with this post. I'm surprised so many people like the single version better. The strings soften the song too much. I just don't like the production as much - it's too muted, the album version is much better. That being said, it is a shame that the album version lacks the guitar solo at the end. The solo really elevated the song live.
On a similar note, is the single of IGWSHA really that much different? As I recall, it was exactly the same except for the addition of some lyrics by Bono: "And I don't have to know how, and I don't need to know why..." etc, whereas the album version he just sings something that is mostly unintelligible Those extra lines are good, but still overall not a big difference.
The single version of IGWSHA has a different structure. Another less noted but, imo, just as noticeable of a difference is that the album version has these awesome swoosh-type sounds at the beginning of each chorus, where the single version does not. Also, the album version has a long rhythm-fueld instrumental outro that is absent from the single version.
Album Version:
nobody else here baby no one else here to blame
no one to point the finger... it's just you and me and the rain
nobody made you do it, no one put words in your mouth
nobody here taking orders when love took a train heading south
it's the blind leading the blond
it's the stuff the stuff of country songs
HEy IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
AND IF GOD WILL SEND A SIGN
AND IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
Would everything be alright?
God has got his phone off the hook babe would he even pick up if he could?
it's been a while since we saw that child hangin' 'round this neighbourhood
see His mother dealing in a doorway see Father Christmas with a begging bowl
Jesus sister's eyes are a blister... THE HIGH STREET never looked so low
it's the blind leading the blond...
it's the cops collecting for the cons
so where is the hope and where is the faith... and the love?
what's that you say to me
does love... light up your Christmas tree?
the next minute you're blowing a fuse
and the cartoon network turns into the news
HEy IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
AND IF GOD WILL SEND A SIGN
WELL IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
WHERE DO WE GO
Jesus never let me down you know Jesus used to show me the score
then they put Jesus in show business now it's hard to get in the door
it's the stuff it's the stuff of country songs
but I guess it was something to go on
HEy IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
I SURE COULD USE THEM HERE RIGHT NOW
WELL IF GOD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS
WHERE DO WE GO...
(scat singing)
Single Version:
Nobody else here baby
No one here to blame
No one to point the finger
It's just you and me and the rain
It's the blind leading the blond
It's the stuff, it's the stuff of country songs
Hey if God will send his angels
And if God will send a sign
And if God will send his angels
Would everything be alright
God has got his phone off the hook, babe
Would he even pick up if he could
It's been a while since we saw that child
Hanging 'round this neighbourhood
You see his mother dealing in a doorway
See Father Christmas with a begging bowl
Jesus sister's eyes are a blister
The High Street never looked so low
It's the blind leading the blond
It's the cops collecting for the cons
If God will send his angels
And if God will send a sign
And if God will send his angels
Where do we go
Where do we go
Jesus never let me down
You know Jesus used to show me the score
Then they put Jesus in show business
Now it's hard to get in the door
It's the stuff, it's the stuff of country songs
But I guess it was something to go on
So where is the hope and where is the faith
And the love, what's that you say to me
Does love light up your Christmas Tree
The next minute you're blowing a fuse
And the cartoon network turns into the news
If God will send his angels
I sure could use them here right now
Well if God would send his angels
And I don't have to know how
Where do we go
And I don't need to know why
And I don't want to promise
Where do we go
And I don't want to lie
I just know that I need to
Where do we go
Tonight
Slowly, some night by your door
You take my hand by your door