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Post by tim on Jun 1, 2023 19:04:34 GMT -5
I am definitely not among the intended audience for Redneck Games. I'd be lying if I didn't say that this wasn't somewhat of a guilty pleasure of mine. There's also a nostalgia factor for whenever I hear this as Jeff Foxworthy was very much at the peak of his popularity and this is one of those videos I saw all the time on CMT that summer.
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Post by tim on Jun 1, 2023 19:06:37 GMT -5
23. “Trying Not to Love You”Released: 1994 Album: Mama's Hungry Eyes: A Tribute to Merle Haggard Total: 193 Average: 19.30 Std Dev: 4.47 (5th Lowest) {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) A Million Ways to Die Ain’t Just a Southern Thing As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blessed Assurance Blue Ridge Mountain Song Boats to Build (w/ Jimmy Buffett) Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes I’ll Fly Away If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Look At Me Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Love Is Hard Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Tequila Sunrise Wings You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie (w/ Bellamy Brothers)
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Post by tim on Jun 1, 2023 19:10:22 GMT -5
Bowing out next is "Trying Not to Love You" which Alan covered for the 1994 Merle Haggard Tribute Album Mama's Hungry Eyes. Four participants lose a bottom 5 which includes 🌺CountryLineDancer's last place while nathanalbright loses a near top 10.
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Post by tim on Jun 1, 2023 19:13:46 GMT -5
22. “Boats to Build” w/ Jimmy BuffettReleased: 2004 Album: License to Chill Total: 175 Average: 17.50 Std Dev: 5.64 {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) A Million Ways to Die Ain’t Just a Southern Thing As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blessed Assurance Blue Ridge Mountain Song Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes I’ll Fly Away If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Look At Me Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Love Is Hard Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Tequila Sunrise Wings You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie (w/ Bellamy Brothers)
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Post by tim on Jun 1, 2023 19:20:34 GMT -5
"Boats to Build" is the second duet to see its way out which mostly remained a bottom 5 contender over the course of its run. This was one of many songs Jimmy Buffett recorded with other fellow contemporary artists for his 2004 album License to Chill.
While four participants in all lose a bottom 5, six of us actually lose a top 20 with four of those being top 15s. That includes a lone top 10 from myself which means I become the second participant to do so. More than not, Jimmy Buffett is a rather polarizing figure amongst the country Pulse (and Tractor) community which means this was always bound to be a bit on the polarizing side. Not only have I always liked this song, but I was at the 2004 Jackson/Strait/Buffett concert in Dallas where I got to see them sing all of these songs together.
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Post by tim on Jun 1, 2023 19:25:06 GMT -5
21. “Blessed Assurance”Released: 2006 Album: Precious Memories Total: 173 Average: 17.30 Std Dev: 8.59 (HIGHEST!) {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) A Million Ways to Die Ain’t Just a Southern Thing As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blue Ridge Mountain Song Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes I’ll Fly Away If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Look At Me Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Love Is Hard Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Tequila Sunrise Wings You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie (w/ Bellamy Brothers)
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Post by tim on Jun 1, 2023 19:29:13 GMT -5
“Blessed Assurance” is the first of two songs included from Alan's first gospel album, Precious Memories, to exit. Not only was this the most polarizing song of the rankdown, but it takes nathanalbright's runner-up who becomes the first to lose theirs as well as the first to lose a top 5 who is joined there by 🌺CountryLineDancer. Despite its support, the majority of the group slotted this somewhere down in their bottom 5 which includes a last place from George Strait Junkie.
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Post by tim on Jun 1, 2023 19:30:00 GMT -5
Going to go ahead and pause there for now. I might return later on this evening for a few more reveals, but if not I'll see y'all tomorrow where I'll try and get us into the top 12!
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bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,267
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
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Post by bboat11 on Jun 1, 2023 19:54:17 GMT -5
"Seguro Que Hell Yes" is just sooooooo horrible. It might even be Alan Jackson's worst song imo. The Spanglish is about as cheesy as it could possibly be, and the melody becomes absolute mind-numblingly unlistenable by the time he repeats the title for about the 75th time!
I think Jeff Foxworthy is hilarious, so while it makes sense for "Redneck Games" to be low in terms of its quality as a song, I definitely couldn't slot it in my last place over SQHY!! Honestly, throughout "Redneck Games" I was like "Why do they even need Alan Jackson here." His part wasn't funny or anything; it was literally just a normal chorus that kept interrupting pretty good comedy bits! I know that's kinda the point of this album. But it just makes it hard to compare to "real" songs, even though I enjoy Jeff Foxworthy.
"Trying Not To Love You" is just so boring. And I'm also just not the biggest fan of throwing random minor notes into the melody of a song. I mean, maybe the key is consistent; I haven't charted the whole thing out. But it just sounds like the song is in one key, and then they'll randomly throw in other minor notes that aren't even part of the key. Idk. Throw in the fact that this song isn't available anywhere except YouTube, and it's all just a recipe for something that I have zero desire to revisit.
I like most of the collaborations on Jimmy's License to Chill album, but imo "Boats To Build" is probably the least memorable of them all. "Trip Around The Sun" with Martina and "Sea Of Heartbreak" with George Strait are both favorites of mine, but "Boats" is just a bit closer to being filler imo. Still good, of course! Just not a favorite. I'm not sad to see it be bottom 5.
Alan has a pretty strong rendition of "Blessed Assurance"! It is almost awkwardly fast upon first impression, but as a hymn it is still really pretty, and he sounds great. But yeah, a hymn is always hard to rank alongside "normal" songs, and not everyone likes religious music, so it makes sense for it to be this low!
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Post by castleoblivion26 on Jun 1, 2023 20:21:55 GMT -5
"Seguro Que Hell Yes" is just sooooooo horrible. It might even be Alan Jackson's worst song imo. The Spanglish is about as cheesy as it could possibly be, and the melody becomes absolute mind-numblingly unlistenable by the time he repeats the title for about the 75th time! I think Jeff Foxworthy is hilarious, so while it makes sense for "Redneck Games" to be low in terms of its quality as a song, I definitely couldn't slot it in my last place over SQHY!! Honestly, throughout "Redneck Games" I was like "Why do they even need Alan Jackson here." His part wasn't funny or anything; it was literally just a normal chorus that kept interrupting pretty good comedy bits! I know that's kinda the point of this album. But it just makes it hard to compare to "real" songs, even though I enjoy Jeff Foxworthy. "Trying Not To Love You" is just so boring. And I'm also just not the biggest fan of throwing random minor notes into the melody of a song. I mean, maybe the key is consistent; I haven't charted the whole thing out. But it just sounds like the song is in one key, and then they'll randomly throw in other minor notes that aren't even part of the key. Idk. Throw in the fact that this song isn't available anywhere except YouTube, and it's all just a recipe for something that I have zero desire to revisit. I like most of the collaborations on Jimmy's License to Chill album, but imo "Boats To Build" is probably the least memorable of them all. "Trip Around The Sun" with Martina and "Sea Of Heartbreak" with George Strait are both favorites of mine, but "Boats" is just a bit closer to being filler imo. Still good, of course! Just not a favorite. I'm not sad to see it be bottom 5. Alan has a pretty strong rendition of "Blessed Assurance"! It is almost awkwardly fast upon first impression, but as a hymn it is still really pretty, and he sounds great. But yeah, a hymn is always hard to rank alongside "normal" songs, and not everyone likes religious music, so it makes sense for it to be this low!
bboat11 says it best about "Redneck Games", it is a fun game and I do enjoy the ridiculousness of Jeff Foxworthy but this wasn't the best nor is it anything I would revisit unless I was listening to Jeff Foxworthy so that made it the obvious last place for me.
"Seguro Que Hell Yes" definitely deserves to be out early cause it's just not good. The only reason it escaped my bottom 2 is "Redneck Games" and "Blessed Assurance" were here. Speaking of "Blessed Assurance" I really struggle with religious songs most times. Just not a genre I'm a fan of and while there are songs I like this is not one of them and it is a chore to listen to for me, hence the bottom 2 rank.
I do think that "Trying Not To Love You" deserved better, despite the fact that it can be a bit boring.
Lastly, I expected "Boats To Build" to be Bottom 5 just because of Jimmy Buffett but I do think it deserved to escape bottom 5 at the very least so I'm not surprised but disappointed to see it leave this early.
Look forward to seeing how the rest of this plays out.
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.indulgecountry
Diamond Member
Best Country Poster 2011, 2017, & 2018
"You left a mark on my face // And brought a dozen red flags in a vase"
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Post by .indulgecountry on Jun 1, 2023 21:56:26 GMT -5
I was so close to losing all of my bottom 5 in the bottom 5, lol. I'll take 4/5 tho! đź’Ş
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:00:06 GMT -5
"Seguro Que Hell Yes" is just sooooooo horrible. It might even be Alan Jackson's worst song imo. The Spanglish is about as cheesy as it could possibly be, and the melody becomes absolute mind-numblingly unlistenable by the time he repeats the title for about the 75th time! I certainly didn't dislike this song compared to the majority here, but it should also be noted that Alan's is actually a cover as it was originally recorded in 1994 by Flaco Jimenez and Raul Malo of The Mavericks. This also wasn't Alan's first time incorporating a little Latin flare into his songs as longtime fans will remember him recording a dual-language English/Portuguese version of "I'll Go On Loving You". Anyways, let's go ahead and dive into the top 20 which will see someone already lose their #1 song...who might that be?! You'll find out very shortly .
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:00:17 GMT -5
20. “I’ll Fly Away”Released: 2006 Album: Precious Memories Total: 153 Average: 15.30 Std Dev: 6.45 (9th Highest) {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) A Million Ways to Die Ain’t Just a Southern Thing As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blue Ridge Mountain Song Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Look At Me Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Love Is Hard Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Tequila Sunrise Wings You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie (w/ Bellamy Brothers)
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:03:51 GMT -5
"I'll Fly Away" exits next which means Alan's first gospel album Precious Memories suffers back-to-back losses. While this may not have picked up any top 5s like "Blessed Assurance" did, four participants overall did place this inside their top 10 including a very near top 5 from recordyear. This also received much fewer bottom 5s in comparison with no one putting this in last place.
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:09:12 GMT -5
19. “A Million Ways to Die”Released: 2014 Album: A Million Ways to Die in the West Soundtrack Total: 151 Average: 15.10 Std Dev: 7.99 (2ND HIGHEST!) {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) Ain’t Just a Southern Thing As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blue Ridge Mountain Song Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Look At Me Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Love Is Hard Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Tequila Sunrise Wings You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie (w/ Bellamy Brothers)
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:13:00 GMT -5
My condolences to Kanenrá:ke as becomes the first to see their #1 song fall and just a couple spots shy of the bottom 5 at that. Speaking of, this garnered three placements there which included a pair of last places from both myself and gardyfan. Outside of that, the majority placed this somewhere at or near their top 15. All in all, this clocks in as our second most polarizing song! I've admittedly never seen this movie, but this was a clear last place for me from the get-go as I just find this song to be way to gimmicky to be taken seriously (which is probably the point considering it's a movie written and directed by Seth MacFarlane).
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:15:58 GMT -5
18. “Look At Me”Released: 2008 / 2010 Album: Billy: The Early Years Soundtrack / 34 Number Ones Total: 149 (Tied) Average: 14.90 Std Dev: 7.23 (4th Highest) {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) Ain’t Just a Southern Thing As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blue Ridge Mountain Song Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Love Is Hard Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Tequila Sunrise Wings You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie (w/ Bellamy Brothers)
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.indulgecountry
Diamond Member
Best Country Poster 2011, 2017, & 2018
"You left a mark on my face // And brought a dozen red flags in a vase"
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Post by .indulgecountry on Jun 2, 2023 19:22:31 GMT -5
"Look at Me" has a really sneakily pretty melody, but Alan's version just didn't hold a candle to Carrie Underwood's rendition that I've long-since been accustomed to. She really nails the vocal on this one and elevates it, where Alan's just kind of sits as more subdued and forgettable.
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:23:48 GMT -5
"Look At Me" was originally recorded and released for the 2008 biographical film, Billy: The Early Years, which tells the story of the early life of evangelist Billy Graham. As it was previously unreleased on a Jackson album, the song was then included on Alan's greatest hits compilation album, 34 Number Ones, which was released in late 2010. This is tied with our next song and comes in as the fourth most polarizing overall. It picked up a trio of top 10s including a top 5 from 🌺CountryLineDancer as well as a trio of bottom 5s. I found I had a hard time ranking this song personally as it just ended up being somewhat forgettable and blended in a bit too much with everything else here. That said, I do really enjoy this song (if I happen to be in the right mood for it) and think Alan's voice sounds absolutely incredible on this track.
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:29:19 GMT -5
A second participant will have to depart with their #1 song next which might come as a bit of a head-scratcher to some...
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:29:38 GMT -5
17. “You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie” w/ Bellamy BrothersReleased: 2005 Album: Angels & Outlawas Total: 149 (Tied) Average: 14.90 Std Dev: 6.82 (6th Highest) {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) Ain’t Just a Southern Thing As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blue Ridge Mountain Song Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Love Is Hard Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Tequila Sunrise Wings
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:41:18 GMT -5
Originally released in 1979, “You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie” was re-recorded by The Bellamy Brothers with Alan Jackson for their 2005 album Angels & Outlaws. As this was tied in points with our previous song, the deciding factor came down to a somewhat surprising #1 ranking from 🌺CountryLineDancer who becomes the second participant to lose theirs. Other than a top 10 from myself, much of the group slotted this somewhere at or near their top 15. Outside of that, two others placed this down in their bottom 5 including a last place from Kanenrá:ke. There's no doubt that a song such as this with lyrics referencing both Robert E. Lee and the Confederacy would likely cause quite a bit of controversy today. That likely explains why this was one of the more polarizing songs overall and even more reason for the surprise #1 ranking. Putting some of the song references aside, I've always rather enjoyed this song if nothing else for the melody and how great both The Bellamy Brothers and Alan sound on the track. It also just makes for a great summertime drive along song.
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:43:30 GMT -5
16. “Tequila Sunrise”Released: 1993 Album: Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles Total: 146 Average: 14.60 Std Dev: 6.26 {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) Ain’t Just a Southern Thing As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blue Ridge Mountain Song Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Love Is Hard Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Wings
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:51:24 GMT -5
"Tequila Sunrise" was recorded by Alan for the 1993 tribute album Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles which went on to win Album of the Year honors at the 1994 CMAs. Many of the songs from that album received quite a bit of airplay on county radio during this time as I can remember not only hearing this song, but also "Desperado" by Clint Black, Vince's "I Can't Tell You Why", and course most notably Travis Tritt's "Take It Easy". It is because of that reason I had to rank this in my top 5 as I have a fond memory of this song. Luckily I wasn't alone in that as gardyfan joined me there as well. This was actually a solid top 15 contender for the majority of its run and in fact only missed doing so by a mere point. While the majority placed this inside their top 15 or 20, it did pick up a couple of bottom 5s which likely held this back just a bit in the end.
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 19:51:56 GMT -5
I'm going to pause there for now but hope to return shortly for a few more additional reveals. Stay tuned!
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 20:35:07 GMT -5
15. “Love Is Hard”Released: 2015 Album: Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story Total: 145 Average: 14.50 Std Dev: 4.65 (7th Lowest) {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) Ain’t Just a Southern Thing As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blue Ridge Mountain Song Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Wings
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 20:42:47 GMT -5
Initially recorded for the Good Time album, “Love Is Hard” is the second song to exit from the compilation album, Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story, and is in fact the first song out that did not pick up any bottom 5s. All of the participants put this somewhere within their top 20 with three of those being top 10s.
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 20:44:58 GMT -5
14. “Ain’t Just a Southern Thing”Released: 2015 Album: Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story Total: 138 Average: 13.80 Std Dev: 5.75 {Songs Remaining} A Good Year for the Roses (w/ George Jones) As She’s Walking Away (w/ Zac Brown Band) Blue Ridge Mountain Song Born Too Late Don’t Close Your Eyes If Tears Could Talk Let’s Get Back to Me and You Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (w/ Caylee Hammack) Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (w/ Martina McBride) Murder On Music Row (w/ George Strait) Racing the Dark Ring of Fire Wings
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 20:50:18 GMT -5
“Ain’t Just a Southern Thing” is another previously unreleased track that was included on the Genuine compilation album. This remained a steady top 15 contender for its entire run and even flirted with the top 10 a few times. The majority of the group did slot this somewhere within their top 15 which included a trio of top 10s and very near top 5s from both .indulgecountry and castleoblivion26. The only one outside of that was 🌺CountryLineDancer who placed this down inside his bottom 2. This song is without a doubt a grower and one that I just couldn't get out of my head. I can easily see this fitting right in with any number of Alan's studio albums and this is one track that I think would've fared quite well in a live setting.
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Post by tim on Jun 2, 2023 20:52:35 GMT -5
Don't mind me...just using this to fill space for a new page
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