My memory may be playing tricks but I think that when I had a UK issue [[TMG660) of Gladys Knight & The Pips "It Should Have Been Me" it didn't have the string flourish near the beginning. This would equate to the 2:50 version.

However the green label promo has the time at 2:59 which equates to the version with the string flourish - this also seems to be the version on the US single - the one on TCMS.

I much prefer the cleaner version without the strings there. Does anyone have the UK issue and can confirm either way? Unlikely I know but could the demo single be the longer version and the standard issue the shorter one?

The version without the flourish....