Martina McBride Album Series Rankdowns

[kansasmeetsmo]

I like "You're in My House Now" way better then "One Night."However, I agree that "One Night" is a better concert opener. In this song I actually imagine Martina having a party in here own home and not at a concert, so that separates the two song, even if that wasn't the orignal intention of the song.

[castleoblivion26]

not one bit surprised that "You're In My House Now" is out but wish at least one of the bonus tracks could have made it to the Top 10 but this album really is that strong. First song to go that I wish lasted longer, even if only for one or two rounds. Would have preferred to see "Long Distance Lullaby" go before this one at least. Not sure why but I do not like that one even close to everything else left

[dub]

I've listened to Sean McConnell's version of "Closing Time" a few times now. My revised opinion is that I really like this song, but I strongly prefer Sean's to Martina's. I don't know why, but here we are. (again, I don't DISlike hers, it just doesn't stand out to me)

[bboat11]

I like the way you make my heart beat faster. 

You got me feelin’ like a sweet disaster.

 Oh, and I like it.

10. "Always Be This Way"

Track #2

Runtime: 3:26

Songwriters: Martina McBride, Brett James, Hillary Lindsey

Vocal Range: G3 - C5



Total: 144
Average: 9.00
Std Dev: 4.05 (4th largest!)


Kanenrá:ke - 2
castleoblivion26 - 4
codyj100 - 4
Cody Wants Out... - 4
BackwoodsBarbie - 7
tim - 7
fearlessarrow - 8
bboat11 - 9
.indulgecountry - 10
kansasmeetsmo - 11
dub - 11
someguy - 12
cerulean - 12
born - 14
d3vin44 - 14
@adam1995 - 15


Leo ✔


This song spent most of the submission process looking like it was going to just barely miss the top 10. Thanks to Cody Wants Out... and BackwoodsBarbie it saw a bit of a resurrection near the end, and was able to finish in the top 10!

My opinion on this song is that it is quite breezy and fun. It might be a little fluffy for Martina's standards, but sometimes an artist just needs to cut loose and have fun, and this song was a good example of her doing that. I love the different influences that seem to contribute to the vibe of this song, giving it a slightly beachy flavor and island vibe.







I am disappointed, because there was an AMAZING live video of this song from a pre-release event for the album where she previewed like 5 of the new songs acoustically... I swear I watched all of the videos just a month or two ago! But it seems to be gone now

[.indulgecountry]

Got a perfect ranking for this one!

[d3vin44]

This was a first listen for me, as were most of these songs. My notes were "cheesy, not a fan/voice straining". On second listen, just now, I don't know what I was hearing when I said voice straining, but I still do find it cheesy.

[codyj100]

Bummer. The more I listened to “Always Be This Way,” the more I liked it.

[castleoblivion26]

I love this song! It is different for her and I think that is why I like it so much. Sad to see this kick off the top 10

[kansasmeetsmo]

I have always liked the "boom-boom" part of this song. I actually enjoy this song a lot, but tend to skip it. Most of the time when I listen to this album I skip past the first 4 tracks, but I only skip this out of convience. I still like all those songs for the most part, but not enough to listen every time.

[bboat11]

I miss your voice. 

I miss your smile.

 I wish I could give you 

A kiss from a thousand miles.

9. "Long Distance Lullaby"

Track #11
Runtime: 2:58
Songwriters: Martina McBride, Mark Irwin, Josh Kear
Vocal Range: F#3 - B4



Total: 141
Average: 8.81
Std Dev: 3.62


d3vin44 - 3
codyj100 - 5
BackwoodsBarbie - 5
cerulean - 5
born - 6
bboat11 - 7
@adam1995 - 7
someguy - 9
Cody Wants Out... - 9
kansasmeetsmo - 10
tim - 10
dub - 10
fearlessarrow - 13
castleoblivion26 - 13
Kanenrá:ke - 14
.indulgecountry - 15

Leo ✔


Another song that almost missed the top 10, but managed to sneak up at the last minute thanks to cerulean! I am disappointed and shocked at all the hate this song got. Its highest point was my #7 ranking at the very beginning...

I have always thought this song was amazing. Martina's voice is so beautiful here! This is one of those songs that doesn't need much lyrical complexity, because Martina's vocal performance shining through is the whole point of everything. She sings so softly throughout this song, which is a nice change of pace, and her voice sounds like it gets so high! I was shocked when I discovered that the highest note is only a B4... That's a note Zac Brown could hit. Lmao.

I could definitely understand the la la la's being annoying. I was like "WTF, this song would be perfect if it weren't for these" when I first heard it, but when the second chorus comes along and she does a call-and-response with herself during the la la las, it all comes together and redeems itself. I'm glad it was building up to something, rather than simply doing the la la las.

[d3vin44]

LA LA LA LA LOVE this song! Seriously, my notes for this one were "so pretty!".

[castleoblivion26]

I don't know why I cannot get into this song more. I've tried many times, its pretty but just there too. I don't hate this song at all despite my begging for it to be eliminated I just like everything else more.

everything remaining is in my Top 10, and my lowest remaining is "Teenage Daughters" so I'm good with that one leaving next but really as long as my Top 2 doesn't go anytime soon then I'm good with the results!

[codyj100]

This rankdown is not my friend. This song has some truly beautiful moments. 

[bboat11]

Tomorrow we will get down to the top 5! Anyone want to predict which 3 of the 8 remaining songs will miss the top 5?

Songs remaining!

Broken Umbrella
I’m Gonna Love You Through It
One Night
Summer Of Love
Teenage Daughters
Whatcha Gonna Do
When You Love A Sinner
You Can Get Your Lovin’ Right Here

[d3vin44]

Well this seems like an impossible task but I'll take a stab at!

Summer Of Love
Whatcha Gonna Do
When You Love A Sinner

[BackwoodsBarbie]

Sept 25, 2017 15:31:55 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Sept 25, 2017 14:58:18 GMT -5 BackwoodsBarbie said:

Vocal range is realy nice addition to this rankdown. How do you know in which vocal range is each song? I know you write something about her vocal range in first Martina McBride rankdown but I still have one question - is she soprano or not? The first thing I knew about Martin was that she is known by her soprano singing range (source wikipedia first paragraph :) ) but E3 seems prety low for soprano. I don't know much about singing voices and I'm sorry if this is stupid question.

Great questions! I know the vocal ranges because a couple years ago I sat down at a piano and noodled my way through each of her songs, and kept note of the highest and lowest notes that she sang throughout each song That's why I seem to know so much about her vocal range; I just happen to be nerdy enough to figure it out on a piano...

Regarding her vocal type, she is widely heralded as a soprano...by people who have no idea about voices. They hear how powerful her voice is, and how comfortable she is in her high range once she settles into a strongly belted chorus, and they say "OMG she's a soprano because she can sing higher than me!" When in reality, she is like the definition of a mezzo-soprano. Her high end caps off around E5, whereas most sopranos can belt much higher than that, if they are well-trained. For example, Carrie Underwood is a soprano, and she belted a G#5 in her cover of "Alone", if I remember correctly. Martina, being a mezzo, can comfortably hit low notes that sopranos struggle with. She goes down to E3 or even Eb3 very regularly, and I've heard even down to a D3 once. 

Long story short, in the world of regular people, Martina's songs are incredibly difficult to sing. 98% of women in the world get in their car, turn on "Independence Day," and sound like screech owls trying to keep up with Martina! But in the world of superstar divas, her high range is pretty limited. In addition to that, she doesn't seem to mix head/chest voice very often up high, which would definitely give her a few more notes up top, which would give her pretty much the same range as Faith Hill.

Tl;dr, she is a mezzo, and I am a nerd for figuring out all of her vocal ranges for her songs

Thank you for this explanation. It was very interesting read. I laugh so hard at screech owl comparison because I'm one of those women

I can only imagine how much time you invested into figuring out vocal range for each song. I really admire your enthusiasm.

[BackwoodsBarbie]

Sept 25, 2017 1:06:03 GMT -5 BackwoodsBarbie said:

Ask The Boy is alright song but it's kind of forgetable.

I think You're In My House Now is the last song that is going to miss the top 10.

Called it  

I'm sad Always Be This Way and Long Distance Lullaby are out already. They are among my favourite discoveries of this rankdown. Always be this way was my early favourite because of very catchy chorus but Long Distance Lullaby grown on me very much (more and more with every listen).

I also noticed that my rank for ABTW is 4 and I'm about 99% sure I ranked it 7th place (my number 4 being I give it to you) - I forgot to save my rankings on computer so I can't tell for sure but when I add up all the other people rankings there is 3 points difference. You wrote total score right and that is all that actually matters :)

My predictions for songs that are going to miss top 5

Broken Umbrella
One Night
When You Love A Sinner

[cerulean]

Loving all these last minute swings in the rankings. :kii:

I'm gonna predict Broken Umbrella, When You Love a Sinner, and Teenage Daughters misses the top 5.

[.indulgecountry]

Hopefully "Summer of Love" misses Top 5. It's the only thing left I don't really care for. Everything else I'm a fan of.

[kansasmeetsmo]

Broken Umbrella
Summer of Love
You Can Get Your Lovin' Right Here

All of these may have a shot to miss the top 5.

[bboat11]

Sept 26, 2017 5:10:05 GMT -5 BackwoodsBarbie said:

Sept 25, 2017 1:06:03 GMT -5 BackwoodsBarbie said:

Ask The Boy is alright song but it's kind of forgetable.

I think You're In My House Now is the last song that is going to miss the top 10.

I also noticed that my rank for ABTW is 4 and I'm about 99% sure I ranked it 7th place (my number 4 being I give it to you) - I forgot to save my rankings on computer so I can't tell for sure but when I add up all the other people rankings there is 3 points difference. You wrote total score right and that is all that actually matters :)

Lol good catch. I do have ABTW listed as #7 for you in all my data, I just typed the wrong number on the post. It's fixed now though!

Sept 26, 2017 7:26:53 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

Hopefully "Summer of Love" misses Top 5. It's the only thing left I don't really care for. Everything else I'm a fan of.

You're tearing me apart, Lisa!!!

[bboat11]

With your hand in mine, the sun always shines 

No matter what the weatherman says.

8. "Broken Umbrella"

Track #5
Runtime: 3:17
Songwriters: Josh Kear, Mark Irwin, Chris Thompkins
Vocal Range: A3 - D5



Total: 118
Average: 7.38
Std Dev: 3.28 (1st smallest!!!)


.indulgecountry - 2
tim - 3
fearlessarrow - 4
d3vin44 - 5
castleoblivion26 - 5
Cody Wants Out... - 6
Kanenrá:ke - 6
codyj100 - 6
bboat11 - 8
dub - 8
cerulean - 8
BackwoodsBarbie - 10
someguy - 11
@adam1995 - 12
born - 12
kansasmeetsmo - 12

Leo ✔


This is one of the first songs of the rankdown that started out poorly and ended up trending better over time! It never quite became a challenger for the top 5, but it did hold steady at #7 for awhile before cerulean's ranking helped push the #7 song up at the last minute. (Seriously, this song only missed out on #7 by 3 points!)

I'm not surprised to see "Broken Umbrella" leaving now. I really like it, and would give it a solid A if I had to grade it, but most of the remaining songs are SO strong that it would be hard for me to put this higher. Most people seemed to be predicting this would be one of the ones to miss the top 5, and they were right!








Ugh, there was a really amazing, high quality, professional live video of this song on YouTube literally a week ago... 

[castleoblivion26]

I love "Broken Umbrella"! My entire Top 5 are songs I still listen to from this album whereas the songs below it I really don't listen to anymore. Not surprised it is out here though, had a feeling it would be.

I think the last two songs to miss top 5 will be between:
"Summer of Love"
"Teenage Daughters"
"You Can Get Your Lovin' Right Here"

I have a feeling because "Teenage Daughters" was a single that it could sneak into the top 5 but imo it doesn't belong when compared to the other remaining songs. I'd probably say "Summer of Love" is the next weakest song. Both are great just the others are better. Cannot wait to see, as long as "Whatcha Gonna Do" doesn't miss top 5 since that should be #1 easily!!! though I know it most likely won't be it should still be top 5!

[.indulgecountry]

"Broken Umbrella" totally deserved top 5. One of her best album tracks ever. :( :( :(

[bboat11]

I am just going to preface this next reveal by saying that it is bound to be a controversial one... Some people are going to have some justifying to do...

[BackwoodsBarbie]

I hope is not Teenage Daughters because this song not only deserve top 5 but it deserve top 3 :)
I think Broken Umbrella is good song I just happen to like others more. And also out of the last 3 rankdowns I've been doing (Faith, Jo and Martina) they all have songs with similar meaning - Red Umbrella, Broken Umbrella and Bring On The Rain - all this songs talk about that everything is going to be ok even if it rains

[bboat11]

You hate the temptress in the bottle 

Seducin’ him again.

 And you blame the cold for the winter

 When you love a sinner.

7. When You Love A Sinner"

Track #10
Runtime: 2:57
Songwriters: Kacey Musgraves, Jay Clementi, Chip Boyd
Vocal Range: E3 - A4



Total: 115
Average: 7.19
Std Dev: 3.29 (2nd smallest!)


kansasmeetsmo - 2
@adam1995 - 3
dub - 4
cerulean - 4
bboat11 - 5
Kanenrá:ke - 5
someguy - 5
.indulgecountry - 6
d3vin44 - 8
castleoblivion26 - 9
BackwoodsBarbie - 9
Cody Wants Out... - 10
fearlessarrow - 11
tim - 11
born - 11
codyj100 - 12

Leo ✔



This was another song that had a major fall from glory... It was a top 5 contender for the majority of the submission process, but ultimately it could not hold on in the end. Which sucks, but in all honesty there were 3 or 4 songs fighting for the last couple spots in the top 5, and the ones that made it ended up getting higher votes than this one.

This song is amazing though! It definitely would have been a deserving candidate for the top 5! This is one of the lyrical masterpieces of the album. There are some BRILLIANT lyrical moments here, my favorite of which is highlighted at the top of the post. Which should be no surprise considering Kacey Musgraves was the primary co-writer. Martina has said that this is the type of country song that everybody wishes they could write. Regardless of who wrote it, I am glad it fell into Martina's hands, because her voice is absolutely perfect for conveying the heartache that the sinner is causing for their lover in the song.





Another one that seems to have not been performed live.

[bboat11]

Sept 26, 2017 13:14:45 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

I am just going to preface this next reveal by saying that it is bound to be a controversial one... Some people are going to have some justifying to do...

"I love a sinner.
I justify it how I can.
So it's the sin I'm leaving, not the man."

Yes, there are occasional hints in this rankdown too

[bboat11]

One more song will miss the top five! Anyone want to change their predictions for what it will be now that we are so close?

Hint: I don't want to let go of it...



I’m Gonna Love You Through It
One Night
Summer Of Love
Teenage Daughters
Whatcha Gonna Do
You Can Get Your Lovin’ Right Here

[BackwoodsBarbie]

^ I guess its still to early that One Night would leave so I think it's going to be Summer Of Love (and I also get a feeling that you like this song).
Edit: I might be overanalyzing things but she didn't want Summer Of Love to end so maybe that's the point of hint :)