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What is the difference between single and promotional single?

Masonh

Masonh

Invincible
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Unbreakable was planned to be single, but it was canceled. But I just discovered, that actualy it was the last promotional single from Invincible. Just like This Time Around from History. So, is it correct after all to count Unbreakable as part of MJ's singles collection? Or there are too many differences between these 2 things?
 
A single is used for commercial sale, and it is released along with a music video.

A promotional single is used for promotional purpose, and it is released along with its remixes and radio edits.

For example, 'This Time Around' was a promotional single from the 'HIStory' album (it was released with its remixes and radio edits, but without a music video).
 
A single is something that was actually released, ie you could walk into a store and buy a copy of the song on CD or other format.

A "promotional single" isn't a single. It's just the record label telling the radio to play a song.

Videos don't make any difference.

None of it matters anymore. It's all streamed, there is no such thing as an album or single, now it's all just songs, listen to whatever you want.
 
Yes, videos don't matter anymore. It's sad that the format that MJ helped pioneer, which in turn drove his own success is no longer of such relevance these days. And I think that does make it harder for today's generation to appreciate some of MJs achievements. But that's technological advancement for you. It's only all relevant through the lens of history.
 
R1chard said:
A single is something that was actually released, ie you could walk into a store and buy a copy of the song on CD or other format.

A "promotional single" isn't a single. It's just the record label telling the radio to play a song.
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Seems like you are a little bit wrong. This Time Around and Ubreakable could be bought as a copy of song on CD and other formats.
 
TTA was never commercially available for sale. The promo CD is very rare. The vinyl pressing less so but could only be found at DJ or other specialty stores. The average consumer was not able to purchase them.

Edit- photo clearly shows the promo not for sale Mark on the back
 
mj_frenzy said:
A single is used for commercial sale, and it is released along with a music video.

A promotional single is used for promotional purpose, and it is released along with its remixes and radio edits.

For example, 'This Time Around' was a promotional single from the 'HIStory' album (it was released with its remixes and radio edits, but without a music video).
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Sorry, but what you've written is completely nonsense. A release of a single is not related to music videos at all. Also a single, even a promotional one, doesn't need any additional content (remixes, edits, etc.).

For instance, Speed Demon has a music video, but was only released as a promotional single in Europe (with no extra content; album cut on both sides of the 7" vivyl).
 
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jasmine.uddin said:
Yes, videos don't matter anymore. It's sad that the format that MJ helped pioneer,
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Not entirely accurate. Music videos have existed since at least the 1930s. They were called various terms like soundies & Scopitones. On The Monkees TV show, they were called "romps". The ones made by The Beatles were called "promotional films". Technically, the performance parts in old movie musicals can be considered videos. Here's a video by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas from the 1960s.
 
DuranDuran said:
Not entirely accurate. Music videos have existed since at least the 1930s. They were called various terms like soundies & Scopitones. On The Monkees TV show, they were called "romps". The ones made by The Beatles were called "promotional films". Technically, the performance parts in old movie musicals can be considered videos. Here's a video by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas from the 1960s.
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Michael Jackson helped pioneer music videos in the sense that from the 'Thriller' music video onwards, the production of music videos was improved radically.

Also, the 'Thriller' music video was the starting point not only of the creation of a market for VHS rentals/sales, but also of music videos having a story/plot.
 
Masonh said:
Seems like you are a little bit wrong. This Time Around and Ubreakable could be bought as a copy of song on CD and other formats.
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Not quite. Look at the small print "Promo only, not for resale".

ie it was not available in shops. There was just an extremely small print run, to give to DJs. ie they made 10 copies and not 2 million copies.
 
R1chard said:
Not quite. Look at the small print "Promo only, not for resale".

ie it was not available in shops. There was just an extremely small print run, to give to DJs. ie they made 10 copies and not 2 million copies.
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Some record stores sold promo singles and even bootleg albums. Also "white label" remixes & interview discs. White label mixes were unofficial mixes made by various club DJs. The DJs would make vinyl copies to sell in stores. The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, & Prince were some of the most bootlegged artists. A well known one is A Toot & Snore in 74. which was Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, & a few others. It is the only known recording made by John & Paul after The Beatles broke up.
 
A single is someone who doesn't have a partner. A promotional single is someone who doesn't have a partner and promotes the idea that no one should have one.
Oh, wait, wrong forum!
 
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