The Big One - A George Strait Rankdown (Revealing)

[bboat11]

Here is your top 25!

All My Ex’s Live In Texas
Amarillo By Morning
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Carrying Your Love With Me
Check Yes Or No
Fool Hearted Memory
Give It Away
Heartland
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I Got A Car
I Hate Everything
If I Know Me
It Just Comes Natural
Love Without End, Amen
Ocean Front Property
Run
She Let Herself Go
The Chair
The Cowboy Rides Away
Troubadour
True
Write This Down
You Know Me Better Than That
You Look So Good In Love


Any big surprises at this point in the rankdown? Any predictions for which ones will miss the top 20?

---

Hint for #25:

[BackwoodsBarbie]

Today My World Slipped Away is one of the saddest songs I've ever heard. And it's not so sad just because divorce is a sad topic but especially because his vocal performance is so believable. A true sadness in his voice is perfectly accompanied by violins, steel guitar and a female back vocalist. All these things together make a song that makes me cry.

[.indulgecountry]

Pretty dang good Top 25, but I suppose that was to be expected. I'm too lazy to go look up my list and see where I ranked everything to see which of these songs I ranked lower, but I definitely like all of these.

[George Strait Junkie]

that hint is it "You Look So Good In Love" thats the only one i can think of it being but what do i know lol

[Cody Wants Out...]

"Living and Living Well" out already?!?

[fearlessarrow]

I'm thinking it's either "All My Ex's Live in Texas" or "Run" because that picture is of Miranda Kerr (I think?). And there is a famous country musician that shares the same first name...

There was the hurricane relief telethon that was for the hurricane that struck Texas (where Miranda Lambert sang "Texas" with George Strait among others and "All My Ex's Live in Texas" has the word "Texas" in it). It could also be from when Miranda Lambert performed "Run" (and "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls" but that got eliminated already) with George Strait in The Cowboy Rides Away tour.

To be fair I googled the part after realizing that picture was probably of Miranda Kerr, but I had to after I thought that hint could be alluding to Miranda Lambert.

[tim]

I have no idea what the hint for #25 could be, but since fearlessarrow mentioned it being model Miranda Kerr I’m going to go with “She Let Herself Go” as a random guess (the lyric came back knocked-out pretty comes to mind).

[mamasaid]

media.giphy.com/media/3o7TKrEzvLbsVAud8I/giphy.gifYou put out Marina Del Ray! This one is part of what set George apart from all the rest in 1982....Close your eyes when you listen to it...the images it evokes stagger the imagination...

[tim]

Jan 23, 2018 2:06:52 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Any big surprises at this point in the rankdown? Any predictions for which ones will miss the top 20?

I'm surprised to see "If I Know Me" make it this far as I wouldn't have guessed it to make the top 30. Same goes for "It Just Comes Natural," but I guess it's one of his most recent hits therefore more recognizable. I would've liked to have seen "Baby Blue" and "Marina Del Rey" beat out that one though.

[bboat11]

Jan 23, 2018 2:06:52 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Hint for #25:

LMAO fearlessarrow is the only one who got the hint right, but only through the most convoluted logic ever... I put no thought whatsoever into who this lady is! All that matters is...the dimples

"And Dimples who now lives in Temple's got the law lookin' for me..."

---

All my ex’s live in Texas,

And Texas is a place I’d dearly love to be.

But all my ex’s live in Texas,

And that’s why I hang my hat in Tennessee.

25. "All My Ex's Live In Texas

Album: Ocean Front Property
Year: 1987





Total: 765
Average: 38.25
Std Dev: 27.74


codyj100 - 5
gardyfan - 6
@adam1995 - 7
.indulgecountry - 9
mamasaid - 10
carriekins - 10
sabre14 - 16
zaclord 🌈 - 17
tim - 27
Cody Wants Out... - 30
CoJoFan - 39
Kanenrá:ke - 46
George Strait Junkie - 46
castleoblivion26 - 61
countrymusicjunkie - 67
fearlessarrow - 67
DistrictTwelve - 70
bboat11 - 74
BackwoodsBarbie - 78
LBTrocks - 80




I may not have ranked this song very high, but there is no denying its status as a classic. I would go so far as to say that this is one of the most iconic country songs of all time. Literally everybody has heard of this song! For the most part it is held in high regard, which is seen by the fact that SIX of us ranked this in the top 10. The most of any song so far! It also didn't have much hate, with nobody putting it in the bottom 20 (although LBTrocks might now be wishing that he had put it there).

Anyway, the lyrics to this song are super fun, and George's character is so unlikeable that you can't help but enjoy him. I have come to find the melody to be slightly grating after hearing this song so much through the years, but it is still REALLY good, and undoubtedly deserved to finish in the top 1/4 of the rankdown.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Amarillo By Morning
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Carrying Your Love With Me
Check Yes Or No
Fool Hearted Memory
Give It Away
Heartland
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I Got A Car
I Hate Everything
If I Know Me
It Just Comes Natural
Love Without End, Amen
Ocean Front Property
Run
She Let Herself Go
The Chair
The Cowboy Rides Away
Troubadour
True
Write This Down
You Know Me Better Than That
You Look So Good In Love

[fearlessarrow]

 @ me getting the answer right (sort of) but through the most...

[bboat11]

Well, thank you. Could I drink you a buy?
Oh, listen to me. What I mean is can I buy you a drink?
Anything you please.
Oh, you’re welcome. Well, I don’t think I caught your name.
Are you waiting for someone to meet you here?
Well, that makes two of us glad you came.

24. "The Chair"

Album: Something Special

Year: 1985

Total: 760
Average: 38.00
Std Dev: 24.91


carriekins - 2
@adam1995 - 6
castleoblivion26 - 8
gardyfan - 9
bboat11 - 11
tim - 18
zaclord 🌈 - 22
BackwoodsBarbie - 25
countrymusicjunkie - 26
Cody Wants Out... - 34
Kanenrá:ke - 38
George Strait Junkie - 50
CoJoFan - 53
LBTrocks - 57
mamasaid - 59
fearlessarrow - 59
codyj100 - 65
sabre14 - 66
DistrictTwelve - 75
.indulgecountry - 77




That awkward moment when .indulgecountry says that he enjoys everything that is left, and then he is the lowest ranker for "The Chair"... Imo, this song was robbed! This is such a classic song, and the story within it is so well crafted! George comes across as such a charming pick-up artist, in like the least sleazy way possible, and I can't but give him some major props, from one bro to another. We need more men acting like gentlemen when they flirt with women. This song has a very unique flow to it, with the hook not really coming until the end of the song, which really helps this one to stand out, and the steel-guitar driven instrumentation makes it even better. Should have been a top 10, non-negotiable.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Amarillo By Morning
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Carrying Your Love With Me
Check Yes Or No
Fool Hearted Memory
Give It Away
Heartland
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I Got A Car
I Hate Everything
If I Know Me
It Just Comes Natural
Love Without End, Amen
Ocean Front Property
Run
She Let Herself Go
The Cowboy Rides Away
Troubadour
True
Write This Down
You Know Me Better Than That
You Look So Good In Love

[Cody Wants Out...]

I honestly thought this would easily be in the top 10 or top 15 at worst. I mean, this is just wrong.

[.indulgecountry]

Jan 23, 2018 22:16:50 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

That awkward moment when .indulgecountry says that he enjoys everything that is left, and then he is the lowest ranker for "The Chair"...

Only three spots lower on mine than where you ranked "All My Ex's Live in Texas" on yours which you still liked so...

[bboat11]

Continuing the outrage, it's time for somebody else to lose their #1!!!

[sabre14]

"The Chair" is fine, I like it, but there's just ao
many better George songs.

[Cody Wants Out...]

SPOILER: Click to show

{I. HATE. YOU. BBOAT11.}I can tell this this is my #1...

[castleoblivion26]

Jan 23, 2018 22:32:40 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Continuing the outrage, it's time for somebody else to lose their #1!!!

I hope it is someone that ranked "You'll Be There" or "Living For The Night" low, I'm still bitter lol

[bboat11]

Jan 23, 2018 22:38:30 GMT -5 Cody Wants Out... said:

SPOILER: Click to show

{I. HATE. YOU. BBOAT11.}I can tell this this is my #1...

Lol trust me, if it IS your #1, I am not the one you will have to direct your hate towards!

[Cody Wants Out...]

OK, how about this?

SPOILER: Click to show

{I. HATE. THIS. PART. BBOAT11.}I just know it's my #1.

[tim]

I'm actually not surprised that "The Chair" leaves at this point, but I still think it deserved a top 20 finish. If I were to guess, I'd say out of all George's songs I've probably heard "The Chair" and "All My Ex's Live In Texas" the most. Both are iconic hits that even the average country music fan could probably instantly recognize.

Speaking of "All My Ex's Live In Texas," George's only Grammy performance was in 1988 where he performed a snippet of this song since it was nominated (he lost to "Always and Forever" by Randy Travis). I've seen a video of it before but can't seem to find it now.

[bboat11]

Seasons change, rivers wind.
Tumbleweeds roll, and the stars shine.
Wind howls, dawn breaks.
Cowboys ride, and time slips away.

23. "It Just Comes Natural"

Album: It Just Comes Natural

Year: 2006





Total: 747
Average: 37.35
Std Dev: 28.63


Cody Wants Out... - 1
zaclord 🌈 - 5
fearlessarrow - 6
bboat11 - 13
carriekins - 12
mamasaid - 15
George Strait Junkie - 16
sabre14 - 18
castleoblivion26 - 24
.indulgecountry - 30
CoJoFan - 33
Kanenrá:ke - 35
countrymusicjunkie - 38
LBTrocks - 48
codyj100 - 58
@adam1995 - 69
gardyfan - 75
tim - 82
BackwoodsBarbie - 83
DistrictTwelve - 86




Unfortunately for Cody Wants Out..., he was correct, and the rolling tumbleweed gif referred to his #1 song. I was hoping somebody would take the bait and see the desert and predict "Ocean Front Property"... Lol.

Honestly, this song exceeded my expectations for this rankdown. Almost half of the participants placed this in our top 20s! I am super happy it made the top 1/4. However, seeing how close this came to being a top 15 contender, I am still left a little bit unsatisfied with this sub-top 20 placement...

This song is such an ear worm. The lyrics are a little bit listy, but it is in a way that works well, and George sings the fire out of it. I am glad to see it is mostly so well-received in relation to George's catalog.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Amarillo By Morning
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Carrying Your Love With Me
Check Yes Or No
Fool Hearted Memory
Give It Away
Heartland
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I Got A Car
I Hate Everything
If I Know Me
Love Without End, Amen
Ocean Front Property
Run
She Let Herself Go
The Cowboy Rides Away
Troubadour
True
Write This Down
You Know Me Better Than That
You Look So Good In Love

[Cody Wants Out...]

[Cody Wants Out...]

The sad thing is...I changed my #1 song at the last minute (my #2 was originally my #1 a long time before I changed my mind).

Oh well, time to go dig up my grave I guess...

[fearlessarrow]

Nooooooo "It Just Comes Natural" :'(  I had the song way lower but moved it all the way up into the top 10 once I listened to it a couple more times. The chorus has to be one of my favorite choruses from all the George Strait songs so far. It's so great. The melody and the way George sings "And I love you, it just comes natural" is pure gold to me.

[tim]

I really underranked "It Just Comes Natural" and probably would place it higher if I had to do it over again; I think I just became a bit fatigued with the song because it was a jam of mine back when the album first got released and I listened to it nonstop. I remember "It Just Comes Natural" charting/climbing even while "Give It Away" was slowly coming down the charts.

[bboat11]

When you hear twin fiddles and a steel guitar,

You’re listenin’ to the sound of the American heart.

22. "Heartland"

Album: Pure Country

Year: 1993







Total: 718
Average: 35.90
Std Dev: 25.46


Cody Wants Out... - 3
tim - 3
bboat11 - 7
carriekins - 8
sabre14 - 11
.indulgecountry - 14
CoJoFan - 26
fearlessarrow - 30
castleoblivion26 - 31
LBTrocks - 32
DistrictTwelve - 34
@adam1995 - 34
gardyfan - 39
codyj100 - 40
countrymusicjunkie - 51
George Strait Junkie - 53
mamasaid - 60
Kanenrá:ke - 74
BackwoodsBarbie - 79
zaclord 🌈 - 89




Yeah, this rankdown is officially becoming quite painful... This song is literally the first thing I think of when I think of quintessential George. This song could be the theme song for his entire career! That opening lyric "When you hear twin fiddles and a steel guitar, you're listening to the sound of the American heart" might as well be my life motto! Lmao.

It is catchy, well-produced, and well-sung. Seriously, the only fault with this song is that it is too short. And to think, George was not sure about recording this when he first heard it because he was not sure how the fans would react to this "rock-leaning" sound from him

This song was also firmly in the top 15 right up until the end... Its position was so sure, in fact, that it was able to withstand BackwoodsBarbie's #79 ranking right at the end with only a minor 1-position fall! Unfortunately, Kanenrá:ke decided to commit murder on music row yet again, and his #74 ranking was enough to shove it back 8 positions out of the top 20... Shows how close the next several songs are in point totals, I guess!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Amarillo By Morning
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Carrying Your Love With Me
Check Yes Or No
Fool Hearted Memory
Give It Away
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I Got A Car
I Hate Everything
If I Know Me
Love Without End, Amen
Ocean Front Property
Run
She Let Herself Go
The Cowboy Rides Away
Troubadour
True
Write This Down
You Know Me Better Than That
You Look So Good In Love

[Kanenrá:ke]

Lol I now see why you told me I ranked so many good ones too low. This is what the 4th song I tanked out of a good ranking at last minute?

I'm sorry for you but oh so happy for me that this one is out before the top 20!

Now let's get rid of my #56 and I'll be very happy with the top 20!

[bboat11]

He fills the jukebox, then plays the same old song. 

He fills his glass, and then he turns her memory on.  

But it’s a fool-hearted memory. 

It won’t let him see that she walked out the door.

21. "Fool Hearted Memory"

Album: Strait From The Heart

Year: 1982





Total: 716
Average: 35.80
Std Dev: 23.77


Kanenrá:ke - 7
carriekins - 9
LBTrocks - 9
@adam1995 - 14
castleoblivion26 - 16
bboat11 - 21
zaclord 🌈 - 21
countrymusicjunkie - 23
mamasaid - 25
codyj100 - 26
gardyfan - 30
BackwoodsBarbie - 35
Cody Wants Out... - 37
CoJoFan - 44
tim - 46
fearlessarrow - 56
sabre14 - 63
.indulgecountry - 72
George Strait Junkie - 77
DistrictTwelve - 85




In a fit of karmic justice, Kanenrá:ke is the highest ranker for the next elimination! With this reveal, we say goodbye to George's very first #1 hit. My lover zaclord 🌈 and I both got P-P-P-P-PERFECT RANKINGS here! Unfortunately, I don't feel like this song should have missed the top 20... Lol. This song is one of George's more underrated '80s singles, but it is SO good! I also love everything in the top 20 though, so this is probably going to be a constant problem with every elimination from here on out.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Amarillo By Morning
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Carrying Your Love With Me
Check Yes Or No
Give It Away
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I Got A Car
I Hate Everything
If I Know Me
Love Without End, Amen
Ocean Front Property
Run
She Let Herself Go
The Cowboy Rides Away
Troubadour
True
Write This Down
You Know Me Better Than That
You Look So Good In Love

[Kanenrá:ke]

No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No NoNo No No No No No No....No...I said #56 fix this obvious mistake!