I tried to ask this question awhile back but did so less coherently. A couple of examples in the unanswered OP though.
ETA: The linked thread which I created was about songs where the longer version was created AFTER the fact.
I agree with the hatchet job that was done to Green Eyed Lady since they randomly snipped the ends of various instrumental sections.
I’ll add in a few by category with the radio station rationale.
Long-ass Intro that Gets the Boot.
Fly Like an Eagle
Jet Airliner both by Steve Miller
**John Mellancamp’s **I Need a Lover
Crappy Overlong Instrumental that Needs a -trimmin’
**Steely Dan **Do It Again
Fade out / Outro that needs to stop right…here
Hey Jude
Born on the Bayou
Heard it Through the Grapevine
Suzie-Q all by Creedence Clearwater Revival and actually deserved to be cut down since they end with pointless jam-session fades that offer nothing to the song.
Hey Jude started a bizarre, but fortunately short-lived fad in the late 60s/early 70s: the long, repetitive coda that takes up half the playing time. Examples:
Simon & Garfunkle, “The Boxer”
Donovan, “Atlantis”
Three Dog Night, “Celebrate”
Chicago, “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day”
Journey, “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’”