Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:22:15 GMT -5
"Dirty Diana" by: Michael Jackson Beaten by this much. Had the post happened later, I would have made a joke about you not being the first to guess a hint based on one of your rankdowns. The King of Pop was always going to find his way onto one of these Journey rankdowns. It was only a matter of finding a way to fit him into the proceedings. As it turns out, all that we needed was to bring the 80's into the fold. I have been a MJ fan from...man, seemingly the beginning of my music fandom. His music has always been there, especially after I really started to get into music, even after rock became my genre of choice. Simply put, Michael Jackson could make some damn fine tunes, and I've been a fan of those songs before and after his death. As for the song to choose for this rankdown, I figured, "Hey, why not showcase the original version of the cover that James included in his Shuffle rankdown?"
She looked me deep in the eyes She's touchin' me so to start She says there's no turnin' back She trapped me in her heart
SONG #11 Michael Jackson - Dirty Diana
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:23:53 GMT -5
When you think of New Wave, this is likely one of the first songs you'll think of. It's the biggest hit of one of the most recognizable acts of the genre, a Christmas #1 in the UK, and a #1 hit on the Hot 100 the year after. This is the only pre-2017 song that I've already used for a tournament...albeit because I forgot that I was using it for this rankdown. One of their songs was the inspiration for the title of this particular chapter, though it's not this particular song. Also, someone already guessed this song for another hint. And I just gave it away.
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peacebone
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Post by peacebone on Oct 26, 2017 17:24:36 GMT -5
Don't You Want Me
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:26:44 GMT -5
At least someone will be happy that this song actually did pop up later! Okay, so I completely forgot that I was going to use this for the second Journey rankdown when I included this in the non-rock tournament over in the Alt/Active forum. (cheap plug) Whoops. I was always going to use it for this rankdown, no matter what, so...yeah, kind of screwed things up in that regard, especially when I went out of my way not to include songs that will be featured in future Journey rankdowns in other tournaments and even in THAT particular tournament that I nominated this song for. I can be quite forgetful in my older age. Okay, all of that having been said...yes, Human League, for this rankdown, I DO want you...r song.
It's much too late to find You think you've changed your mind You'd better change it back Or we will both be sorry
SONG #12 The Human League - Don't You Want Me
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:28:56 GMT -5
Compared to the previous five songs, this song...was not as much of a big hit as the others. I think it did pretty well, though...I mean, it peaked in the top 10 on the Hot 100 and was a big hit on the radio in 1982, it had a Steve Barron-directed video, and it was even nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammy's...wait, really? *looks it up* Oh wow, it WAS. It also lost in that category to an artist already revealed in this rankdown. Anyone else suddenly have the urge to want to take a trip to the Big Apple?
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BackwoodsBarbie
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Post by BackwoodsBarbie on Oct 26, 2017 17:29:40 GMT -5
Yay!! I actually just vote for this song a couple hours ago in non - rock tournament.
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peacebone
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Post by peacebone on Oct 26, 2017 17:31:33 GMT -5
Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out
:o
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Green Baron
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Post by Green Baron on Oct 26, 2017 17:33:58 GMT -5
Steppin Out
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:34:24 GMT -5
Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out Yeah, figured this one might raise an eyebrow or two. Hey, we have our first Songs From the Past contender of this Journey! This is a song that I was kind of familiar with and enjoyed before 2017, but this was the year where I REALLY fell for this particular song. There's something kind of timeless AND timely about this song. It definitely would have fit in on a pop radio station in 1982, which it did, as a top ten Hot 100 and pop radio hit, but there's something about the song that feels universal. I mean, who DOESN'T like a good drive out and about? Joe Jackson certainly does, and he was particularly having a good time in New York City when he came up with the premise for the next song. Oh, and by the way...ANOTHER Vice City song. Man, that game had an impact on the way I listen to music.
Now, the mist across the window hides the lines But nothing hides the color of the lights that shine Electricity so fine Look and dry your eyes
SONG #13 Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:37:16 GMT -5
Okay, hardest swerve yet, as we re-enter the world of rap. What, you thought rap would be a one-Journey-only deal? Please. This first rapper was discovered by Dr. Dre. (No, it's not Eminem.) For a time, he was closely associated with another, more popular rapper. This particular song is one of his two biggest hits without that rapper, from the breakthrough debut album that featured the biggest hit he's ever had.
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maine
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Post by maine on Oct 26, 2017 17:40:33 GMT -5
Total shot in the dark (heh no pun intended)
"I Shot the Sheriff" by: Warren G...?
ETA: or "Regulate" - I think it's Warren G?
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:42:42 GMT -5
Total shot in the dark (heh no pun intended) "I Shot the Sheriff" by: Warren G...? ETA: or "Regulate" - I think it's Warren G? I love Warren G, but it's not him. Think more recent than Warren G.
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maine
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Post by maine on Oct 26, 2017 17:43:07 GMT -5
Snoop Dogg - "Gin & Juice"?
Though, that's produced by Dr. Dre. I'm pretty sure it's Snoop nonetheless.
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:44:15 GMT -5
Snoop Dogg - "Gin & Juice"? Though, that's produced by Dr. Dre. I'm pretty sure it's Snoop nonetheless. More recent than Snoop. It's post-Eminem, if that helps.
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Green Baron
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Post by Green Baron on Oct 26, 2017 17:46:11 GMT -5
P.I.M.P. by 50 Cent?
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:46:57 GMT -5
Getting warmer...but it's not by 50.
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Green Baron
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Post by Green Baron on Oct 26, 2017 17:48:51 GMT -5
Dreams by The Game
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:50:06 GMT -5
Right artist, right album...wrong song. ...and then you edited it to the correct answer. Book Two, Chapter Four: Rap Continues to Be a Thing
Yeah, I know, not the most imaginative title for the next chapter, but it's definitely true. It's not like rap was a brief fling for me. I've liked rap songs and artists for a long time. Hell, I was really into rap around 2005. How into rap was I at that point? I actually really liked Encore. The Eminem album. Yeah, that opinion has not stood the test of time. You know what opinion HAS stood the test of time, though? My love of The Game's first album, The Documentary. The 50 Cent songs were the songs that really broke out The Game, but it was this particular single that I fell in love with and continue to love. Is it any surprise that this rap song that I really like was produced by Kanye West?
Daydreamin' yesterday, dozin' off backstage I thought I saw Eazy talking to Jam Master Jay So I walked over, heard Jam Master say "It's a hard knock life, then you pass away" They say sleep is the cousin of death, so my eyes wide open Cause a dream is kin to your last breath
SONG #14 The Game - Dreams
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maine
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Post by maine on Oct 26, 2017 17:50:47 GMT -5
The Game was my next choice, but he didn't seem like the likely candidate lol.
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 17:53:20 GMT -5
The next song is from a rapper who signed to a major label with the help of one of the biggest names in hip hop. He was introduced onto the national stage as part of a collaboration with another, more famous rapper. The following year, he released his debut album, where this song can be found. This song is also produced by the rapper he shared his national debut with. The title of this song would go on to be the title of this rapper's next album. Oh, and by the way, one of the names mentioned in the previous reveal might have had a hand in helping this guy break out...
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maine
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Post by maine on Oct 26, 2017 17:58:45 GMT -5
The second half of that hint should be a dead giveaway, but I cannot place it.
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peacebone
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Post by peacebone on Oct 26, 2017 18:02:59 GMT -5
Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 18:06:00 GMT -5
Never mind. And SPEAKING OF Kanye West, we don't need to veer very far when it comes to the next song reveal, as Kanye has his fingerprints all over this one, too. In fact, it was through Kanye that the rapper on this song had his breakout moment. I love "Touch the Sky", mostly for the production and the sample of Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up", but it's also partly because of the feature on that song: A young up-and-coming rapper by who goes by the name of...Lupe Fiasco. The following year, Lupe released his debut album, Food & Liquor, an album that was a BIG hit among my close circle of friends. They all had their songs that they liked the most, but one song kept calling back to me. The first verse, in particular, is one of my favorite verses in all of rap.
He came back in the same suit that he was buried in Similar to the one his grandfather was married in Yes, he was still fresh to death Bling, two earrings, a chain layin' on his chest
SONG #15 Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 18:08:14 GMT -5
The most famous rapper of this bunch? Depends on how you feel about the artist after the one on this song, but he's definitely a bigger name than the first two rappers. His debut album is widely considered to be one of the best rap albums ever, and the album that this song is featured on is considered the "spiritual successor" to that album. This is the centerpiece of said album, both figuratively and literally. A fun fact that I actually forgot about: The video for this song was nominated for Video of the Year at the VMAs in 2002.
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peacebone
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Post by peacebone on Oct 26, 2017 18:15:09 GMT -5
Nas - One Mic
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maine
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Post by maine on Oct 26, 2017 18:16:08 GMT -5
"Without Me" by: Eminem or "One Mic" by: Nas ETA: damn you peacebone!!!
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 18:17:27 GMT -5
It's all I need. (Poor James.) I don't know if I've talked about this album all that much, but Illmatic is one of the crowning achievements of rap. What amazes me about Illmatic is that it's not just that it's a really good album, too. It's also a DEBUT album. Nas started and finished recording it before he turned 21. Think about that: He released one of the greatest albums of his genre before he was old enough to drink legally in the US. A prodigal talent, Nas was never really able to live up to his first offering (though following that album was always going to be a herculean task), but I would argue that the spiritual successor to Illmatic came closest, and on that spiritual successor is this song, one of the absolute best songs Nas has ever made.
Hoodrats, don't abortion your womb We need more warriors soon Sent from the star, sun and the moon In this life of police chases, street sweepers and coppers Stick-up kids with no conscience, leavin' victims with doctors
SONG #16 Nas - One Mic
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Red
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Post by Red on Oct 26, 2017 18:20:03 GMT -5
I probably should have included this song first among the rap songs here, as it is, by far, the oldest of the four rap songs featured. It's also, unquestionably, the most famous of the four. It was originally recorded specifically for one of the most important films of the 1980's, and it wound up being released the following year (with a somewhat different version) on, perhaps, their most popular album...and that distinction, I guess, depends on how you feel about their previous album. This artist was the fourth hip-hop act ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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BackwoodsBarbie
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Post by BackwoodsBarbie on Oct 26, 2017 18:23:13 GMT -5
When it comes to rap music I am so clueless that even google can't help me.
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peacebone
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Post by peacebone on Oct 26, 2017 18:24:41 GMT -5
Public Enemy - Fight the Power
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