Martina McBride Album Series Rankdowns

[bboat11]

One Sunday mornin’

 She didn’t go to church. 

He wondered why she didn’t leave. 

He went up to the bedroom, 

Found a note by the window 

With the curtains blowin’ in the breeze.

1. "A Broken Wing"

Track #4
Runtime: 3:36
Songwriters: James House, Sam Hogin, Phil Barnhart
Vocal Range: E3 - E♭5



Total: 63
Average: 3.72
Std Dev: 3.10

@adam1995 - 1
tim - 1
d3vin44 - 1
cerulean - 1
codyj100 - 1
born - 1
fearlessarrow - 2
dub - 2
castleoblivion26 - 3
bboat11 - 4
Cody Wants Out... - 4
kansasmeetsmo - 5
someguy - 5
BlueShades874 - 5
BackwoodsBarbie - 7
Kanenrá:ke - 8
.indulgecountry - 12

Leo ✔


Surprise! What is quite possibly Martina's most popular song ended up taking the top spot! I know nobody is really surprised... But looking at the graph below, you will see why I am surprised! This song spent almost the entire submission process fighting with "Be That Way" for 3rd or 4th place, while "Whatever You Say" and "Wrong Again" duked it out for 1st.

Well, that was until d3vin44 tanked "Wrong Again" and BackwoodsBarbie tanked "Whatever You Say", and then the final 3 submission ALL put "A Broken Wing" at #1! It ended up gathering the most #1 votes of the album, and shoved its way to the top position right at the last possible second thanks to born.

I am definitely not disappointed to see this take the top spot, because it definitely deserves to win based on its popularity and overall reception. This is quite possibly the most important song of Martina's career! She has to perform it live in basically every show, because the fans have such an appetite for it. To this day it is not unusual for her to receive a 5-minute standing ovation when she performs this song live. It is absolutely incredible to see! She's been singing the song for 20 years, and she'll STILL be standing there crying on stage at the end of it because her fans are cheering so loudly and throwing so much love her way. While I would have loved to see "Wrong Again" or "Whatever You Say" take this, there is no denying that "A Broken Wing" is every bit as worthy of a winner!

[bboat11]

And now for me to reveal my final hint that nobody got!

Oct 27, 2017 14:07:59 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Despite the fact that it didn't compete for the top spot, this song's placement in this rankdown is incredible because of how iconic the album is. Many of these album tracks are among most fans' favorites from her entire career, but this one rose above them all to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with 4 of her biggest hits in the top 5, and even managed to beat one of them! The 3 songs ahead of this one are 3 of her most career-defining songs.

We are left with "A Broken Wing", "Wrong Again", and "Whatever You Say". Two #1 hits and a #2 hit that should have been a #1. Two of them fought it out for #1 for the entire submission process, but ultimately ended up tying just behind the unexpected surprise winner. 1 of them was safe at #1 up until the last moment. One of them was #1 for the majority of the submission process, but ended up not being able to stay. And one of them was carried to #1 right when it mattered most, by the final submission, to take the crown.

Anyone want to change their predictions for which order these will be eliminated in?  The top 3 reveal will come sometime later, when I feel there are more people online!

1 of them was safe at #1 up until the last moment: "After all my heart had put me through, I knew that it was safe with you" - Wrong Again

One of them was #1 for the majority of the submission process, but ended up not being able to stay: "Whether I go, whether I stay, right now depends on..." - Whatever You Say

One of them was carried to #1 right when it mattered most: "With a broken wing, she carries her dreams" - A Broken Wing

[Leo ✔]

Great winner! I just hear it and I can get why it wins.!

[fearlessarrow]

Wow the master of hints strikes again!

And poor indulge lol

[someguy]

Such a great album that almost every track would have been a worthy winner. I was hoping that "A Broken Wing" wouldn't win because it's such an obvious choice, but it is an excellent song. Outside of "Independence Day" from The Way That I Am, I don't think that any of her other albums have 'obvious' choices to win, so it'll be interesting to see how subsequent Martina album rankdowns play out.

[bboat11]

Oct 28, 2017 22:32:22 GMT -5 someguy said:

Such a great album that almost every track would have been a worthy winner. I was hoping that "A Broken Wing" wouldn't win because it's such an obvious choice, but it is an excellent song. Outside of "Independence Day" from The Way That I Am, I don't think that any of her other albums have 'obvious' choices to win, so it'll be interesting to see how subsequent Martina album rankdowns play out.

I agree with everything here. I thought that "A Broken Wing" was too obvious as well, so I was really pulling for "Whatever You Say". However, I am definitely okay with how things turned out. The fact that the whole top 3 ended up putting up a huge fight made it all worth it! In my eyes the best songs on the album all ended up having a really good chance, and ABW didn't trounce the competition, which makes its victory easy to accept.

And I was just looking at her other albums wondering what might win for each of them, and you're right! For most of them I legitimately have no idea! Other than "Independence Day", the only other one I can think of that might be obvious is "Anyway" for the Waking Up Laughing era. But even that could get unseated by an album track like "House of a Thousand Dreams" depending on who participates. Beyond that, I don't even know whether to predict an album track or a single to win for most of the albums... They are all just so consistent.

[someguy]

Martina really does have such a consistent discography. I think you're absolutely right though, it depends on how familiar with the album participants are. If it's most people's first listen, then things might get skewed in favour of the singles. But if most people already know the album, Martina has so many album tracks that are worthy of taking it.

[castleoblivion26]

Sad that Whatever You Say wasn't able to win but at least it was #2. A Broken Wing is a worthy winner and Wrong Again would have been a great winner as well. Great top 3!

Great rankdown as always, bboat11 cannot wait for the next one!

[someguy]

Not sure what I'd expect to be the next one - my guess would be either Martina or Emotion, but will be happy no matter what it is.

[born]

Yesss my #1 wins! I have to say I'm pleased with the results! That was fun!

Thank you bboat11, you're awesome!

[.indulgecountry]

Yuck @ this winner. I'm even more upset knowing that this was the song that only hit #1 at the last second. Like, damn it got lucky. :'(

[Deleted]

Yes! I had #1 and #2 correct, and possibly #3. Both ABW and WYS have crazy amazing vocals. Very deserving spots in the rankdown.

[bboat11]

Recap Time!!

14. "I'm Little But I'm Loud"



13. "One Day You Will"



12. "Here In My Heart"



11. "I Won't Close My Eyes"



10. "Still Holding On"



9. "Keeping My Distance"



8. "Valentine"



7. "Some Say I'm Running"



6. "I Don't Want To See You Again"



5. "Happy Girl"



4. "Be That Way"



3. "Wrong Again"



2. "Whatever You Say"



1. "A Broken Wing"

[cerulean]

Yes!!! I really thought "A Broken Wing" was one of those that were sunk at the last minute. Crazy that it took the last 3 of us to all put it at #1 to get it to the top.

[kansasmeetsmo]

So I love all the single graphics/covers, but it keeps throwing me off that the "Wrong Again" picture isn't from the Evolution era time frame. Am I correct in that assumption? So I keep scrolling through the recap, wondering if it actually matches.

[bboat11]

Oct 29, 2017 18:04:42 GMT -5 kansasmeetsmo said:

So I love all the single graphics/covers, but it keeps throwing me off that the "Wrong Again" picture isn't from the Evolution era time frame. Am I correct in that assumption? So I keep scrolling through the recap, wondering if it actually matches.

Lol you may be correct in that assumption. It is so hard to find good album pictures from the '90s though! I ended up scanning all the artwork from the album booklet, and found a couple random ones online that seemed to be from the same time period. But I was still a couple pictures short, and couldn't find anything else that would work. Then when I stumbled upon the picture that I ended up using for "Wrong Again", I couldn't tell for sure what era it was from, but I thought it COULD be from a similar time frame. Usually I can look at her pictures and immediately say what album era they were from, but I look at that one and I legitimately have no idea! It does look like a more modern picture, but it doesn't fit the overall vibe of any of her modern album eras. Ultimately I ended up not finding anything better, so I just used that one. I figured it COULD have been from the late '90s, even if it probably isn't. The way her hair is up kinda reminds me of the way she had it in the "Broken Wing" music video.

[kansasmeetsmo]

Oct 29, 2017 18:22:29 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Oct 29, 2017 18:04:42 GMT -5 kansasmeetsmo said:

So I love all the single graphics/covers, but it keeps throwing me off that the "Wrong Again" picture isn't from the Evolution era time frame. Am I correct in that assumption? So I keep scrolling through the recap, wondering if it actually matches.

Lol you may be correct in that assumption. It is so hard to find good album pictures from the '90s though! I ended up scanning all the artwork from the album booklet, and found a couple random ones online that seemed to be from the same time period. But I was still a couple pictures short, and couldn't find anything else that would work. Then when I stumbled upon the picture that I ended up using for "Wrong Again", I couldn't tell for sure what era it was from, but I thought it COULD be from a similar time frame. Usually I can look at her pictures and immediately say what album era they were from, but I look at that one and I legitimately have no idea! It does look like a more modern picture, but it doesn't fit the overall vibe of any of her modern album eras. Ultimately I ended up not finding anything better, so I just used that one. I figured it COULD have been from the late '90s, even if it probably isn't. The way her hair is up kinda reminds me of the way she had it in the "Broken Wing" music video.

I'm guessing it's from around the Everlasting era. Or maybe it is a really recent picture not connected to any specific album? I just know the hair is too dark for it to be from the 90's, but I digress.

[BlueShades874]

Man, tough break for Wrong Again. I'm all for an exciting ending and all, I just wish that my favorite of the last three didn't have to fall from first to third haha. Whatever You Say has grown on me quite a bit over the last few weeks. I may have ranked it a little higher if I could do it over again, but not by much. I'm not surprised in the least that A Broken Wing won, I am very surprised though that it wasn't at #1 at all until literally the last submission.

This was lots of fun, I'm already looking forward to the next!

[BackwoodsBarbie]

I love Wrong Again very much - It's among my top 10 all time favourite songs. If I'm in the right mood I can listen to it for hours - melody and instrumentation are awesome, lyrics are so beautiful but above all she sounds beyond amazing - there is something special in her voice - it's like she feels every single word she sings.

I'm a little sad that it didn't win especially because it was so close but there is nothing I can do about that.

Also someguy and fearlessarrow




bboat11 Thank you for hosting. It was another great rankdown. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Kanenrá:ke]

I arrived a free the party was over but I still had a great time! Sad “A Broken Wing” won but it was close so I can live with it. I also don’t hate ABW by any means just was rooting against it.

[bboat11]

Yay, thanks for unlocking this thread Kanenrá:ke!

[bboat11]

I just have to say, I am currently working on my rankings for the next album...and it is WAY harder for me than Evolution was...   I didn't even know that was possible!

[born]

Nov 1, 2017 1:54:53 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

I just have to say, I am currently working on my rankings for the next album...and it is WAY harder for me than Evolution was...   I didn't even know that was possible!

I'm lowkey hoping this'll be my favorite so far. Unless it's even older than "Evolution" hmm

[castleoblivion26]

I cannot wait to see what the next album is going to be though I'm thinking that Emotion has to be up there, maybe Shine.

[bboat11]

Nov 1, 2017 3:07:32 GMT -5 born said:

Nov 1, 2017 1:54:53 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

I just have to say, I am currently working on my rankings for the next album...and it is WAY harder for me than Evolution was...   I didn't even know that was possible!

I'm lowkey hoping this'll be my favorite so far. Unless it's even older than "Evolution" hmm

Yeah...we'll just have to see! I definitely think you will like newer ones like Shine or Everlasting the best. Maybe even Martina. Although I really think you would like Emotion as well, because even though it is from 1999 she really took a turn in a more modern direction. And of course White Christmas is pretty much genreless and classic in every way...

But will it be any of those this time?? Stay tuned!

[bboat11]

Nov 1, 2017 9:49:11 GMT -5 castleoblivion26 said:

I cannot wait to see what the next album is going to be though I'm thinking that Emotion has to be up there, maybe Shine.

I will say, I was both surprised and not surprised that y'all picked the album that you did!

[bboat11]

I will start posting hints in a little bit!

[bboat11]

I'm hoping/trying to get to a new page first... 2 to go!!!

[fearlessarrow]

Not that I'll understand any of the hints, but yay!!!

Btw how do you know when it's about to go to a new page? (See, I gave you a question to answer so you can fill up space! EDIT: Nvm someone else posted so you didn't have to do the job yourself!)

[BackwoodsBarbie]

Well I'm eagerly waiting :)

Edit - I think there are 30 posts in each page :) So you just look the number next to each post.