Martina McBride Album Series Rankdowns

[.indulgecountry]

1) What will be #1? "How Far" please!

2) What will be #13? Probably "Wearing White."

3) Which songs belong in the top 5? "How Far," "This One's for the Girls," and "Reluctant Daughter" for sure imo.

4) What song will be most polarizing? Least polarizing? "God's Will" for most; "How Far" for least.

5) Which of the singles will place highest? Where will it place? (This One's For The Girls, In My Daughter's Eyes, How Far, God's Will) "How Far" and I think it will win, or at least be Top 2.

6) Which of the singles will place lowest? Where will it place? "God's Will" and I think it'll come in around #9 or 10.

7) What will be the highest-placing album track? Where will it place? "Reluctant Daughter" in the Top 3.

[Cody Wants Out...]

1) What will be #1?
I'm actually hoping for "This One's For the Girls" to pull it off, but "How Far" would be a great winner too.

2) What will be #13?
"Show Me" or the live rendition of "Over the Rainbow" maybe?

3) Which songs belong in the top 5?
"This One's For the Girls", "How Far", and "God's Will" shouldn't have much trouble making it up there. I'd also like to see "City of Love" or "So Magical" there as well.

4) What song will be most polarizing? Least polarizing?
Most - "God's Will" and maybe "She's a Butterfly"? Least - "In My Daughter's Eyes" and maybe "Reluctant Daughter"?

5) Which of the singles will place highest? Where will it place? (This One's For The Girls, In My Daughter's Eyes, How Far, God's Will)
Hoping for a Top 2 with "This One's For the Girls" and "How Far"; not sure which one will previal though.

6) Which of the singles will place lowest? Where will it place?
Probably "In My Daughter's Eyes" at around #8.

7) What will be the highest-placing album track? Where will it place?
Hoping to see "City of Love" near the top 5 and "So Magical" around that same area as well.

8) Any other thoughts/predictions?
TBH, this album never really clicked with me on the first few listens, especially on my first one around the time the Martina singles RD was active. However, it is starting to grow on me some. This'll be an interesting rankdown for sure imo.

[castleoblivion26]

1) What will be #1?

"How Far"

2) What will be #13?

"Over The Rainbow" (Live) - the version from the live album is better than this version honestly.

3) Which songs belong in the top 5?

"How Far", "This Ones For The Girls", "Learning To Fall", "City of Love", and maybe "In My Daughters Eyes"

4) What song will be most polarizing? Least polarizing?

"In My Daughters Eyes" and "God's Will" will be most polarizing. Least polarizing I'm thinking "How Far", "This Ones For The Girls", "Over The Rainbow", and "Show Me"

5) Which of the singles will place highest? Where will it place? (This One's For The Girls, In My Daughter's Eyes, How Far, God's Will)

"How Far" most likely

6) Which of the singles will place lowest? Where will it place?

"God's Will" and I think it'll make it to about #8

7) What will be the highest-placing album track? Where will it place?

hopefully "Learning to Fall" or "City of Love"

8) Any other thoughts/predictions?

"Show Me" should not be last place. It is not the best song I'll agree but I love that song and think it deserves to be ahead of "Over The Rainbow".

[bboat11]

I know a lot of people will be busy with family today, but I am going to go ahead and start this! If you're around, buckle up and brace yourself, because the predictions so far have lead me to believe that some of you think these first two songs are way more well-liked than they actually are... Lol


Oh yeah, and HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

[bboat11]

#13 appears to be a very divisive song. We are going to kick things off with TWO people already losing a top 5, as well as two more who put it just outside at #6. However, it did still get 6 last-place ranks as well, which it ultimately could not overcome. It put up a hell of a fight, though! Before our final submission, this was tied with the #12 song, so this was by no means a runaway loser! codyj100's final submission was what sealed the fate for this song.

I'm just gonna say, y'all messed up by putting this in last place...

[bboat11]

Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue,

And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.

13. "Over The Rainbow (Live)"

Track #12
Runtime: 3:34
Songwriters: Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg
Vocal Range: G3 - D5



Total: 173
Average: 9.61
Std Dev: 3.27


d3vin44 - 3
cerulean - 5
bboat11 - 6
dub - 6
aerodynamite - 7
someguy - 8
austin - 8
SHOOTER - 9
Cody Wants Out... - 9
Kanenrá:ke - 11
g8erboi - 11
tim - 12
castleoblivion26 - 13
fearlessarrow - 13
Troublemaker 13
.indulgecountry - 13
kansasmeetsmo - 13
codyj100 - 13


That's right, we say goodbye to the live track on the album in last place! This is undoubtedly not a surprise to most of you, but to those who love the song, last place for this feels a bit excessive... :( "Over The Rainbow" is cheesy as fuq as a song, but Martina has always been able to absolutely nail this song, to the point where she is literally the only person I ever want to hear sing it! It is a major staple in her live shows, and she finally included it on this album due to popular demand from her fans. This version is especially strong, imo, and really allows her voice to shine. I love how this arrangement allows her to tease out the ending

That being said, I have always been a little confused by this version. She always performs this as a more stripped song in practically every concert and live video I have ever seen, with a much different arrangement. But this particular recording is a full band with a much more "bright" arrangement. Lol so she either ditched this arrangement immediately after releasing this album, or else only ever used this arrangement during a very brief and specific run of shows...

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
City Of Love
God’s Will
How Far
In My Daughter’s Eyes
Learning To Fall
Reluctant Daughter
She’s A Butterfly
Show Me
So Magical
This One’s For The Girls
Wearing White
When You Love Me

[castleoblivion26]

I have never been the biggest fan of "Over The Rainbow" and while Martina sounds great, it being a live track meant I always skipped it. That being said her version on her live album, which is a different arrangement, did win me over and I think works better overall. Glad to see this go first and not "Show Me". Totally expect that will be #12 unfortunately, though I'd prefer to see "Reluctant Daughter" or "Wearing White" go first.

[bboat11]

Up next, a song that was even more polarizing than "Over The Rainbow" (in fact, it is the 3rd most polarizing song of the album!) This song has four last-place ranks, but it will also wipe out FIVE top 5 ranks! Including somebody's #2...

[castleoblivion26]

I really hope this is not my #2, I'd be very disappointed to see that song this low

[bboat11]

Jesus, tell my Father I wanna come to Heaven. 

Tell Him to shout my name out

 So I won’t be forgotten.

12. "Reluctant Daughter"

Track #6
Runtime: 2:37
Songwriters: Jon Vezner, Sally Barris
Vocal Range: B3 - B4



Total: 164
Average: 9.11
Std Dev: 3.88 (3rd largest)


Kanenrá:ke - 2
dub - 3
.indulgecountry - 3
Troublemaker 5
codyj100 - 5
Cody Wants Out... - 8
g8erboi - 8
cerulean - 10
fearlessarrow - 10
aerodynamite - 11
austin - 11
d3vin44 - 12
castleoblivion26 - 12
kansasmeetsmo - 12
bboat11 - 13
someguy - 13
SHOOTER - 13
tim - 13


This is easily the last place song on the album for me. It was the clear last-place song from the beginning, and even once it got ahead of "Over The Rainbow" it was not able to build up much of a lead from it.

It's not that I dislike this song or anything. I just have always found it to be really cheesy and boring, compared to the rest of the album. And the song's placement does it no favors! This album packs an absolutely perfect 1-2-3-4-5 punch, rising to a climax with "How Far" at #5...and then THIS... Lmao how anyone could listen to "How Far" and then get to "Reluctant Daughter" and not feel fairly let down is beyond me. The sparse instrumentation feels like such a departure from the sound the album was going for, because nothing in the first 5 songs on the album even slightly hints that such a sound might be coming, and the simple lyrics are oddly vague and simple in a way that has always left me slightly underwhelmed. However, Martina sounds amazing, as per usual!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
City Of Love
God’s Will
How Far
In My Daughter’s Eyes
Learning To Fall
She’s A Butterfly
Show Me
So Magical
This One’s For The Girls
Wearing White
When You Love Me

[g8erboi]

I completely saw that coming...

[tim]

Not at all surprised by the results thus far. I like Martina's cover of "Over the Rainbow," but nothing will ever compare to the original version by Judy Garland (although Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole is my second favorite cover). "Reluctant Daughter" was easily my least favorite song on the album and I agree with bboat11 that it's placement on the album did it no favors...I think this song probably should've been down near #11 on the tracklist instead of "God's Will."

edit: as many times as I've seen Martina with George I can't say I've ever heard her include "Over the Rainbow" in her setlist...I could be wrong but I'll have to go back and check as I might've been sneaking out to grab a drink before George came on

[castleoblivion26]

for some reason I thought this song was loved a lot so figured I'd be on the low end of the rankings. Glad to see I was wrong. This isn't bad persay but as bboat11 pointed out in the write-up it really sticks out badly. Glad to see it out now.

2 perfect rankings so far, can I get a 3rd please?!

[bboat11]

I am going to pause there for now, because my family is buzzing around and keeps trying to talk to me.

When I return, I will show you the last song to miss the top 10. The top 5 losses will continue, as 3 people put this in their top 5 (including somebody's #3). And this time, only 1 person loses their #13!

Enjoy your 4th of July, everyone!

[bboat11]

Jul 4, 2018 12:43:58 GMT -5 tim said:

Not at all surprised by the results thus far. I like Martina's cover of "Over the Rainbow," but nothing will ever compare to the original version by Judy Garland (although Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole is my second favorite cover). "Reluctant Daughter" was easily my least favorite song on the album and I agree with bboat11 that it's placement on the album did it no favors...I think this song probably should've been down near #11 on the tracklist instead of "God's Will."

edit: as many times as I've seen Martina with George I can't say I've ever heard her include "Over the Rainbow" in her setlist...I could be wrong but I'll have to go back and check as I might've been sneaking out to grab a drink before George came on

Actually, for being a live staple, she actually doesn't perform it live all that often... It's just one of those songs that her fans love so much, it has taken on a bit of a legendary aura. It's not unusual to see her in concert and not hear that song, but when you DO hear it you know the night is extra special. Lol. It's hard to explain, so hopefully that makes sense!

Like, for her live cd/dvd in 2008, she performed her whole regular set, came out for an encore, and then everyone thought she was done. But surprise! She came out for a second encore just to sing "Over The Rainbow", just her and a guitar. And the way the crowd reacted, she might as well have just sang the biggest hit in her catalog!

When she performs that song, it's the type of live performance that allows her to end an entire high-energy concert with a stripped back, emotional ballad... Lol. That should speak to the intensity of her performance, because she is like the only person I have ever seen who can do that type of ending to a concert and not have it be a disappointment

[d3vin44]

Omg, Reluctant Daughter leaving TOTALLY makes up for y’all screwing “Over The Rainbow”.

[Troublemaker]

Jul 4, 2018 13:14:29 GMT -5 d3vin44 said:

Omg, Reluctant Daughter leaving TOTALLY makes up for y’all screwing “Over The Rainbow”.

[bboat11]

Jul 4, 2018 12:50:50 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

I am going to pause there for now, because my family is buzzing around and keeps trying to talk to me.

When I return, I will show you the last song to miss the top 10. The top 5 losses will continue, as 3 people put this in their top 5 (including somebody's #3). And this time, only 1 person loses their #13!

Enjoy your 4th of July, everyone!

And as per usual, here was my thinly veiled attempt at a hint!

---

Run with me like a hell-bent gypsy.

 Scream for me from the highest balcony. 

Carve my name on an old red door in Spain. 

Make me immortal, make me immortal in your heart.

11. "Show Me"

Track #13
Runtime: 4:30
Songwriters: Troy Verges
Vocal Range: A3 - E5



Total: 157
Average: 8.72
Std Dev: 2.95 (3rd smallest)


aerodynamite - 3
dub - 4
tim - 4
kansasmeetsmo - 7
SHOOTER - 7
cerulean - 8
castleoblivion26 - 8
bboat11 - 8
.indulgecountry - 9
codyj100 - 9
austin - 9
Troublemaker 10
fearlessarrow - 11
someguy - 11
Kanenrá:ke - 12
Cody Wants Out... - 12
g8erboi - 12
d3vin44 - 13


Once again, we lose the bonus track very shortly into the reveal process. This one managed to make it longer than expected, however, because her Waking Up Laughing and Shine albums set a pattern where her albums with only one bonus track always seem to lose said bonus track in the second-to-last position.

"Show Me" is a really good song, that took me SO LONG to find, because I missed out on the WalMart version of the album when it was first released. Now, however, "Show Me" has gone on to be probably her most accessible album track, as it has become available in a couple different ways through the years. I absolutely LOVE the production of this song, as well as the orchestra-heavy instrumentation. I live for the cello drop in the intro and then halfway through the first verse, and I am happiest when it is turned up so loud that I can feel my soul reverberate.

Throughout the submission process this song was always poised to outperform the two songs that it managed to beat, and tried to do even better towards the middle, but ultimately it couldn't hang on to its momentum. d3vin44 is the only one to lose a #1 here, while 3 people lose a top 5. And then there's fearlessarrow and someguy with the perfect rankings!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
City Of Love
God’s Will
How Far
In My Daughter’s Eyes
Learning To Fall
She’s A Butterfly
So Magical
This One’s For The Girls
Wearing White
When You Love Me

[g8erboi]

"Show Me" feels sonically out of place with the rest of the album, and the melody isn’t that exciting. Not surprised that it was a bonus track. Still far from a bad song though!

[bboat11]

Alright, I am home from work! Time to continue with reveals :)

I am heartbroken that #10 is going to be leaving us so soon, up next... This song is so well-done, and imo has one of the most creative and interesting musical accompaniments of Martina's entire career. I remember this song being buzzed about as a song that people wanted to see released as a single, so the fact that it barely escaped the bottom 3 was astonishing to me :'(

[bboat11]

She remembers when she first got her wings,

And how she opened up the day she learned to sing.

10. "She's A Butterfly"

Track #2
Runtime: 4:00
Songwriters: Big Kenny, John Rich
Vocal Range: G#3 - B♭4



Total: 152
Average: 8.44
Std Dev: 2.97


tim - 3
Kanenrá:ke - 3
bboat11 - 5
.indulgecountry - 5
d3vin44 - 6
cerulean - 7
kansasmeetsmo - 8
castleoblivion26 - 9
fearlessarrow - 9
g8erboi - 9
aerodynamite - 10
someguy - 10
Cody Wants Out... - 10
dub - 11
Troublemaker 11
SHOOTER - 12
codyj100 - 12
austin - 12


Lyrically, vocally, instrumentally, melodically, and in literally every other adverb, this song is just SO pretty. I can't believe it was done so dirty here, because it is always talked about like one of the highlights of the album. I figured it would be in the top 4 album tracks.

This song started out as a top 5 contender, but unfortunately proved to be incredibly inconsistent. It steadily plummeted for the middle of the submission process, finally stabilizing around the bottom of the top 10. This is the first song where nobody loses a #13, but it still did have 5 bottom-3 votes compared to only 2 top 3 votes.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
City Of Love
God’s Will
How Far
In My Daughter’s Eyes
Learning To Fall
So Magical
This One’s For The Girls
Wearing White
When You Love Me

[bboat11]

Up next, TWO people lose their #2!!!! 2 people will also lose their #13 I must admit, I was a little surprised this song did as well as it did.

[bboat11]

It’s hard to be everything to everyone. 

There’s so many roles I have to play. 

Sometimes I’m just barely hangin’ on. 

Seems like I’m always fightin’ to be strong,

 To find somewhere that I belong.

9. "When You Love Me"

Track #8
Runtime: 4:32
Songwriters: Brett James, Angelo Petraglia, Hillary Lindsey
Vocal Range: F3 - E5



Total: 151
Average: 8.39
Std Dev: 3.70


g8erboi - 2
aerodynamite - 2
austin - 3
.indulgecountry - 4
castleoblivion26 - 5
Kanenrá:ke - 8
fearlessarrow - 8
dub - 8
kansasmeetsmo - 9
bboat11 - 10
d3vin44 - 10
codyj100 - 10
tim - 11
SHOOTER - 11
someguy - 12
Troublemaker 12
cerulean - 13
Cody Wants Out... - 13


This is a song that did a bit better than I was expecting. I figured it was an easy bottom 3 contender. And for the first half of the submission process, it appeared that I was right! But then all of a sudden it had a slurry of high ranks, which bumped it all the way up as high as #7! It settled back down to #9, but in the end was never at risk of finishing much lower (other than the fact that it only beat "She's A Butterfly" by only 1 point... #bitter) I was very shocked to see so many high ranks pour in!

This has always been one of my least favorites from the album, but I'm not sure I can really explain why. Something about it just didn't work for me the first time I heard it, so it has always just been one that I kinda avoid. It's almost like the production is a little too AC-leaning compared to what Martina usually puts out, so it is a little sonically out-of-place.

However, I am starting to enjoy it a lot more lately! I realized recently that this song is absolutely dripping with heavenly steel guitar It is also cool how Martina switches between head voice and belting in the chorus. Not to mention that the 3rd chorus is one of her highest vocal moments on the album, capping out at E5, which is the highest note she has ever sang in studio. "City of Love" is the only other song on this album that goes that high.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
City Of Love
God’s Will
How Far
In My Daughter’s Eyes
Learning To Fall
So Magical
This One’s For The Girls
Wearing White

[SHOOTER]

To be fair, the only song I'm totally fine with never hearing again is Reluctant Daughter. Still have zero clue what the purpose of that "come to Jesus" moment in the middle of the album was.

[bboat11]

Now that we have said goodbye to 2 more album tracks, that means we are down to the top 4 album tracks! So ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the four album tracks from this album that will be progressing to the future rankdown of her best album tracks  (Alphabetically, of course)












Prediction time! In what order will these songs leave as we continue with the rankdown?

[d3vin44]

Wearing White
Learning To Fall
City of Love
So Magical

[kansasmeetsmo]

Wearing White
City of Love
Learning to Fall
So Magical

[tim]

Well my top 5 took a beating with my #4 "Show Me" and #3 "She's a Butterfly" leaving already...and way too soon for both IMO! I had actually never heard "Show Me" before and after only one listen I fell in love with it; I'm actually surprised it wasn't included on the full album versus just being regulated to a bonus track. I initially thought I overranked it but after listening to it just now I would've kept it inside my top 5. I'm most surprised to see "She's a Butterfly" out this early as I thought it was a standout album track that really kicks the album off on an upbeat note. As for what to expect for the next few songs here's my best guess:

Learning to Fall
Wearing White
City of Love
So Magical

[castleoblivion26]

Hopefully it goes in this order:

"Wearing White"
"So Magical"
"City of Love"
"Learning To Fall"

I love "Learning To Fall" and really hope it does better than the other non-singles because it deserves it.

[g8erboi]

OMFG NO. "When You Love Me" left way too damn early! Such a beautiful song ahhhhhh!

Anyway, I’m expecting:

Wearing White 
City of Love 
Learning To Fall 
So Magical