Is it so hard to grasp that repetition of a theme builds tension? That you sometimes need the boring bits to make the good bits work? I don't always want to hear three minutes of train sound effects and guitar noise either, but you need the build-up to have a payoff.

The idea that you could condense that process to 8 seconds and get the same effect is like cutting all the exposition from an action movie and still expecting it to be dramatically interesting.

Touche on "Heroes" being a better recording/performance than song though; the myriad cover versions have proven that.