Xtra Trax XL

I did say: “maybe another one or two,” when I kicked off this series of posts, and this is one of those. With so many hits compilations released over the years, there are quite a few non-studio album tracks.

I’m honestly not sure what to do for a cover since this is a compilation of compilation albums. They have different designs, but there are some shared themes. Smoosh them together somehow and hope for the best?

Album

These ten tracks would make a pretty good album, don’t you agree?

1. June Afternoon (4:13)
2. You Don’t Understand Me (4:28)
3. She Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (4:05)
4. I Don’t Want to Get Hurt (4:19)
5. A Thing About You (3:51)
6. Breathe (4:34)
7. Opportunity Nox (2:59)
8. Little Miss Sorrow (3:54)
9. One Wish (3:03)
10. Reveal (3:43)

Demos

Of all the tracks included here, we’re only still to hear the demo for “She Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” And what’s not included here is the other track Per composed with Desmond Child. I wonder if there’s a demo we’ll ever get to hear?

1. She Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (demo, December 1992: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle
2. It Hurts (demo, 7 March 1993: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (2:57)
3. June Afternoon (demo, 17 July 1994: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (4:14)
4. I Don’t Want to Get Hurt (demo, 23 June 1995: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (3:53)
5. You Don’t Understand Me (demo, 30 July 1995: Tits & Ass) (4:16)
6. It Hurts (demo, 3 August 1995: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (2:56)
7. Makin’ Love To You (demo, 9 June 1996: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (3:30)
8. Stupid (demo, 28 October 1996: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (3:37)
9. Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla (You Broke My Heart) (demo, 27 July 1999: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (4:36)
10. Little Miss Sorrow (demo, 14 October 1997: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (3:41)
11. The Weight of the World (demo, 18 October 1999: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (2:56)
12. Every Day (demo, March 2000: Studio Vinden) — Marie Fredriksson (3:22)
13. A Thing About You (demo, 26 December 2001: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (3:56)
14. Breathe (demo, 10 January 2002: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (4:35)
15. Opportunity Nox (demo, 4 March 2002: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (2:50)
16. Reveal (demo, 9 April 2006: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (3:29)
17. One Wish (demo, 20 May 2006: Tits & Ass) — Per Gessle (2:33)

Outtakes and B-sides

Ignore the Abbey Road versions, stick the remaining eight tracks on a second disc with the ten album tracks above, and you get a pretty good double album.

1. Crazy About You (alternative mix)¹ (3:57)
2. The Look (acoustic version, 15 November 1995: Abbey Road Studios, London, UK) (3:46)
3. Listen to Your Heart (acoustic version, 15 November 1995: Abbey Road Studios, London, UK) (3:38)
4. You Don’t Understand Me (acoustic version, 15 November 1995: Abbey Road Studios, London, UK) (3:43)
5. Help! (acoustic version, 15 November 1995: Abbey Road Studios, London, UK) (2:54)
6. The Weight of the World (2:52)
7. It Hurts (3:54)
8. See Me (3:48)
9. Every Day (3:24)
10. Stupid (3:25)
11. Makin’ Love to You (3:52)
12. Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla (You Broke My Heart) (3:24)

Mixes and edits

The Chaps remixes are among my all-time favourites, and the two “Reveal” remixes are just chef’s kiss. I would also advocate for the Rapino 7-inch remix of “The Look” to be the version always played on the radio.

1. The Look (Chaps 1995 remix) (5:08)
   Remixed by Ian Curnow and Phil Harding
2. The Look (Chaps Donna Bass mix) (6:53)
   Remixed by Ian Curnow and Phil Harding
3. The Look (Rapino club mix) (5:22)
   Remixed by The Rapino Brothers
4. The Look (Rapino dub mix) (5:14)
   Remixed by The Rapino Brothers
5. The Look (Rapino 7-inch remix) (4:10)
   Remixed by The Rapino Brothers
6. Opportunity Nox (Hard Act 2 Follow vs. Sharpshooter remix)²
   Remixed by Johan Åberg, Mitch Petersson and Sharpshooter
7. Opportunity Nox (Hard Act 2 Follow vs. Sharpshooter extended remix) (5:28)
   Remixed by Johan Åberg, Mitch Petersson and Sharpshooter
8. The Rox Medley (4:40)
9. Reveal (The Attic remix) (3:29)
   Remixed by Michael Feiner and Eric Amarillo
10. Reveal (Kleerup remix) (3:34)
    Remixed by Andreas Kleerup

Considering the time between the first and last recordings and the changing styles over the years, this is actually a pretty decent compilation of tracks. Ending one track shy of fifty is more comprehensive than I’d imagined.