Ten Pound Hammer
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Post by Ten Pound Hammer on Aug 13, 2015 21:08:13 GMT -5
Although he had good songs before it, I didn't really get on board with K.U. until "You'll Think of Me". Still a fantastic song. Except for "You're My Better Half" (weak mashup of "Days Go By" and Brooks & Dunn's "That's What It's All About", the latter of which it nearly plagiarizes), he had me all through Be Here and Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing, which I thought was an amazing album start to finish. Defying Gravity had me worried with the mediocre "Sweet Thing"/"Kiss a Girl"/"Only You Can Love Me This Way" trifecta, but "Til Summer Comes Around" made up for that. Get Closer was the low point, no doubt: "Without You" is still one of the blandest, most boring things ever to come out of Nashville, and none of the other singles were super-good (not that they were bad). I thought that Fuse was a masterpiece, even better than Love Pain etc., and "John Cougar" seems to be following in the path set by Fuse of pushing his sound in new directions without compromising his strengths.
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Aug 13, 2015 21:25:35 GMT -5
Except for "You're My Better Half" (weak mashup of "Days Go By" and Brooks & Dunn's "That's What It's All About", the latter of which it nearly plagiarizes) Not to derail the thread here but I've seen you point this out numerous times: the similarity between "You're My Better Half" and "That's What It's All About". Weren't they recorded at pretty much the same time? I know Brooks & Dunn's was released as a single in mid 2004 and Keith's was released at the end of 2004 but I'm sure the similar melody was just a coincidence since both songs were recorded at the same time. Now obviously Capitol could have released another single instead from Keith's Be Here album but "You're My Better Half" was getting released at some point since I personally think the song is great and it's one of the few things we disagree on. :)
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Ten Pound Hammer
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I watched it all on my radio
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Post by Ten Pound Hammer on Aug 13, 2015 21:40:43 GMT -5
Except for "You're My Better Half" (weak mashup of "Days Go By" and Brooks & Dunn's "That's What It's All About", the latter of which it nearly plagiarizes) Not to derail the thread here but I've seen you point this out numerous times: the similarity between "You're My Better Half" and "That's What It's All About". Weren't they recorded at pretty much the same time? I know Brooks & Dunn's was released as a single in mid 2004 and Keith's was released at the end of 2004 but I'm sure the similar melody was just a coincidence since both songs were recorded at the same time. Now obviously Capitol could have released another single instead from Keith's Be Here album but "You're My Better Half" was getting released at some point since I personally think the song is great and it's one of the few things we disagree on. :) That's why I said "near" plagiarism. I'm sure it was a coincidence that his song and B&D's both have lines about pulling in the drive and meeting the one you love. The other lyrics in the song generally don't grab me, except for the genuinely clever " They say behind every man is a good woman; well, I think that's a lie / 'Cause when it comes to you, I'd rather have you by my side". However the lyrics aren't my only problem with that song. I also think that YMBH has a weird, rambling melody that Keith really struggles on (e.g., the falsetto on "It's the sweeeeeeet love that you give to me"), and I think that the title is a very weak hook.
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Post by myeverything on Aug 14, 2015 11:35:22 GMT -5
Love hearing y'all talk about Keith's songs/albums throughout the years. Golden Road will always be my favorite of his. Love Be Here as well and as much as I love him, have no problem agreeing that some of the albums/songs weren't as strong as his earlier days but still amazing! We all know how much Nic means to Keith and when they met and really started getting serious, you could obviously tell that in his songs. Yes, he's sang a lot about love (especially during that specific time) but either way you cut it, they were still great songs. Just about every artist out there has something that they can be noted for singing about... Kenny = the beach, Toby = American everything, Carrie = good girl gone bad, Miranda = setting things on fire, etc Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit but y'all get what I mean. Anyway, one of the things I love most about Keith is his constant desire for growth, expanding his horizons, and not being afraid to try new things. He always challenges himself. I think Fuse is also a masterpiece and there is no doubt about it, he obviously tried new things (which IMO worked absolutely great) - I have no doubt in my mind that this next album will be more of that as well. JJJ is the perfect example. I am so excited to get started with this new Keith era, he amazes me more and more with each one he puts out.
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justme60
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Post by justme60 on Aug 14, 2015 18:29:36 GMT -5
To me,YMBH is a great song and I remember the first time I heard it on radio, the DJ saying, this has got to be another #1 by Keith Urban (unfortunately it wasn't). The falsetto being mentioned here is one of my favorite lines in the song and I do not consider it weak at all. We all hear and see things differently....don't we. :) Like Ashley stated above, a lot of artist sing about similar topics often and it's mostly what they know and what's going on in their life at the time. I remember Brad Paisley getting a lot of flack after he got married for singing mushy songs about his wife. And of course Luke and Jason get ragged about singing the same songs over and over.
I too am so anxious for new Keith music and to see what he has in store for us fans. He got off to a great start, IMO, with JJJ.
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DJ General
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Post by DJ General on Aug 18, 2015 12:26:15 GMT -5
This is still a fantastic song. I just can't believe he might not put an album out this year. I hate country music and how they work lol. I think I read in an interview from late July Keith said he still had quite along ways to go with the album.
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slbs5
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Post by slbs5 on Aug 19, 2015 14:49:30 GMT -5
Well another top 10 for keith, just seen where this week went from #11 to #8 on the country billboard airplay charts, i also love how he is not afraid to try new things,
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Post by myeverything on Aug 19, 2015 20:21:23 GMT -5
34th consecutive Top 10 hit...unreal!!!
And back in June, I was told from a very reliable source that the album will not be out until spring of next year. JJJ seems to be one of Keith's quicker rising songs (chart wise) in a long time. Maybe they weren't expecting it to go up that fast and they thought they had more time. I also know (confirmed) that in July Keith was in serious recording mode, so maybe he stepped it up a notch. I think after the fact I read that he recorded 6 or 7 songs in one day.. Either way though, if they were going for a fall release I'm all but certain we would have heard at least something by now.
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on Aug 26, 2015 10:13:43 GMT -5
#1 in Canada!
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Post by northwestfan on Aug 26, 2015 13:21:32 GMT -5
This is the 4th best selling country song right now on ITunes! That's pretty good for Keith since his songs don't usually chart this high on ITunes. It's just a GREAT song - I think one of his best ever!
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Aug 26, 2015 14:07:11 GMT -5
This is the 4th best selling country song right now on ITunes! That's pretty good for Keith since his songs don't usually chart this high on ITunes. It's just a GREAT song - I think one of his best ever! Actually, he's had songs routinely sell 300-500k (if not more). This one, of course, is in the same boat and likely finishes off around 500k (GOLD). 34th consecutive Top 10 hit...unreal!!! And back in June, I was told from a very reliable source that the album will not be out until spring of next year. JJJ seems to be one of Keith's quicker rising songs (chart wise) in a long time. Maybe they weren't expecting it to go up that fast and they thought they had more time. I also know (confirmed) that in July Keith was in serious recording mode, so maybe he stepped it up a notch. I think after the fact I read that he recorded 6 or 7 songs in one day.. Either way though, if they were going for a fall release I'm all but certain we would have heard at least something by now. They can just release a second single and slate the album for a February 2016 release and be just fine, honestly. Why rush it if it's not done?
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Marv
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Post by Marv on Aug 26, 2015 14:18:29 GMT -5
I was certainly hoping for a new CD from him sometime in October, but the final quarter of 2015 still has a nice bunch of new CDs from several format stars and superstars on tap.
Hard to believe that 'Better Life' was the fastest-riding song on the chart TEN years ago this month.
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Post by myeverything on Aug 26, 2015 20:00:03 GMT -5
34th consecutive Top 10 hit...unreal!!! And back in June, I was told from a very reliable source that the album will not be out until spring of next year. JJJ seems to be one of Keith's quicker rising songs (chart wise) in a long time. Maybe they weren't expecting it to go up that fast and they thought they had more time. I also know (confirmed) that in July Keith was in serious recording mode, so maybe he stepped it up a notch. I think after the fact I read that he recorded 6 or 7 songs in one day.. Either way though, if they were going for a fall release I'm all but certain we would have heard at least something by now. They can just release a second single and slate the album for a February 2016 release and be just fine, honestly. Why rush it if it's not done? I never said to rush anything? I was just stating what I know and my thoughts about it.
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rsmatto
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Post by rsmatto on Aug 27, 2015 15:28:20 GMT -5
They can just release a second single and slate the album for a February 2016 release and be just fine, honestly. Why rush it if it's not done? I never said to rush anything? I was just stating what I know and my thoughts about it. Wasn't directed at you personally. :) Was more of a general statement about not rushing a project to get something out there.
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Post by myeverything on Aug 27, 2015 20:12:48 GMT -5
Oh, okay..lol, I'm in full agreement with you, trust me. Good things take time
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Aug 28, 2015 4:31:05 GMT -5
At the risk of severely bumming people out, I must confess that I find this song to have zero redeeming qualities... I have loved basically every song Keith Urban has ever put out, until the Fuse era. I loathed "Little Bit Of Everything" and "We Were Us". But then I loved "Cop Car" and grew quite fond of "Somewhere In My Car", so I was mollified. But then "Raise 'Em Up" was painfully boring and I thought the hook was very poorly done. Overall I felt as if Fuse took him in a direction I did not like, and now this lead single seems to be suggesting his new album is going to push him even further in that direction. I will still give him a chance because of his previous track record, but Keith is losing me very quickly with songs like this...
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Aug 28, 2015 12:02:35 GMT -5
Official Music Video:
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justme60
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Post by justme60 on Aug 28, 2015 13:10:11 GMT -5
Gosh, I just don't understand some not liking this song! I love it more and more and can so relate. bboat11, so sorry Keith may be losing you but I feel he's heading in a better direction. JJJ is his fastest rising song and it sits up higher on ITunes than most of Keith's songs have. I hope this is just a sign of better things to come for him.
Great job on the video, too!
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Aug 28, 2015 15:01:16 GMT -5
Gosh, I just don't understand some not liking this song! I love it more and more and can so relate. bboat11, so sorry Keith may be losing you but I feel he's heading in a better direction. JJJ is his fastest rising song and it sits up higher on ITunes than most of Keith's songs have. I hope this is just a sign of better things to come for him. Great job on the video, too! I think there is just some kind of feeling to his earlier music that has been missing lately. I listen to something like "Better Life", "Days Go By", "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me", "Somebody Like You", "Raining On Sunday", and they still sound fresh and exciting to me. Honestly, I think the stupid electronic drum loops may be what is doing it for me with his latest material. He seems to be going fully computerized with drum beats and synthesizers, when his voice has always sounded best surrounded by banjo and mandolin. I won't go so far as to say that he is just another artist cashing in on the latest R&B trend yet (I'll wait until the album comes out to judge). That being said, I agree with you about being thrilled to see Keith having a resurgence of success! He works hard, and it is wonderful to see him successfully rebuilding his momentum and star power. I may not be super gung-ho about his latest changes in sound, but I will always give him another chance with every new song. I cannot imagine country music without Keith Urban :)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 17:52:25 GMT -5
Did they seriously just release the video for the songs two months after it was released? Lemme bite my tongue.
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Post by myeverything on Aug 28, 2015 21:13:46 GMT -5
Keith has always released his videos a little bit later in the chart run. Love it too, by the way.
Classic Keith is always my favorite, it's those songs listed above that introduced me to him and his music in the first place and what made me completely fall in love with him and his music. With that being said, however, I'd loved just about anything and everything he's ever put out: new or old. Love to see artists constantly changing and growing and no one does it better than Keith!! Thrilled to see the success he's having too. Always.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 21:34:18 GMT -5
This has grown on me admittedly, I still wish the production didn't muck this up so much but I actually think its got some good lines when you actually look at the lyrics.
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Marv
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Post by Marv on Aug 31, 2015 20:48:37 GMT -5
If it were up to me this standout song would soar to #1 by the end of this week and spend all of September in the penthouse.
I for one am deliriously delighted that he's making some of the best music of his life since he overcame his chemical dependency issues; this standout tune when clustered with 'Raise Em Up', We Were Us' and 'Cop Car' are all extraordinary singles from an extraordinary artist and masterful guitar player.
His body of work over the past decade since the 'Better Life' era has been downright extraordinary and compares ver favorably to most of his contemporaries.
Suffice it to say that a brand spankin' new Keith Urban CD to start 2016 is downright wonderful.
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justme60
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Post by justme60 on Aug 31, 2015 21:32:04 GMT -5
If it were up to me this standout song would soar to #1 by the end of this week and spend all of September in the penthouse. I for one am deliriously delighted that he's making some of the best music of his life since he overcame his chemical dependency issues; this standout tune when clustered with 'Raise Em Up', We Were Us' and 'Cop Car' are all extraordinary singles from an extraordinary artist and masterful guitar player. His body of work over the past decade since the 'Better Life' era has been downright extraordinary and compares ver favorably to most of his contemporaries. Suffice it to say that a brand spankin' new Keith Urban CD to start 2016 is downright wonderful. Totally agree! My Granddaughter told me when she first heard this song she didn't like it....then just today she was turning it up and singing along with it. She said I was so wrong about this song. I love it!
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Post by defying gravity on Sept 1, 2015 9:27:23 GMT -5
Is this Keith's fasting climbing single of his career so far? Sorry if it was already mentioned.
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Post by myeverything on Sept 2, 2015 10:36:26 GMT -5
Not sure on THE fastest, but definitely ONE of the fastest....so happy for him!!!
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Cody Wants Out...
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Post by Cody Wants Out... on Sept 5, 2015 19:37:22 GMT -5
Wow, this took forever to grow on me, but once this got comfortable in the top 10, I've really started to enjoy it. It's probably one of only three or four songs I listen to on country radio now.
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bksouthga
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Post by bksouthga on Sept 5, 2015 23:11:29 GMT -5
I'm ok with this song although its not exactly a favorite. I think the choice of John Cougar (Mellencamp) is interesting in that Australia is where he had his first major hit (I Need A Lover) so I wonder if that's one that Keith enjoyed as a kid. It has some absolutely rip-it-up guitar work on it. One odd thing to me is that with all the lyrical references I don't hear any to Mellencamp songs. So for all that was learned from John Cougar I guess most of it wasn't worth passing along!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2015 5:19:15 GMT -5
Didn't become a fan of this until early August, and it's rapidly grown on me ever since.
Almost top 40 on the Hot 100 now, as it rolls 42-41 in its 13th week.
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gonecountry
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Post by gonecountry on Sept 12, 2015 6:17:00 GMT -5
Is it just me or does this sound like a George Michael dance song? His voice wasn't only familiar sounding in the first verse.
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