Konichiwa B*tches! - A Robyn Rankdown (Revealing...)

[born]

This deserved a bit better.

[aerodynamite]

Oh snap, this is starting already.

Neither of these first two is a surprise. I expect a lot more of the pre-Robyn songs to show up soon.

Robyn and Body Talk will likely dominate (as they should).

[bat1990]

#28: Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)



Stats
Points: 325
Average: 23.21
Std Dev: 6.750

Charts
Sweden 2
Norway 7
Denmark 4
US 32 (Airplay)
Europe 60
UK 20

Host Opinion
The sing-songy nature of this song is simultaneously annoying and endearing. This is another I don't often seek out of its own accord, but won't necessarily skip once it begins playing. I'm not surprised it wasn't as huge as "Show Me Love" and "Do You Know (What It Takes)" though.

History & Tidbits
It is hard to number the single order from Robyn's debut album, with this song being the worst offender. In some territories, this was single #1, others #2, and #3 or 4 in more still, charting in various countries between 1995 and 1998. Still, it's undeniably catchy chorus lent itself to a moderate hit, despite occupying a rather forgettable spot in Robyn's discography. There are three (!) videos for this song - the original 1995 version, the 1997 version for the rest of the world, and the 1998 Urban Mix for North America.

Original


International


Urban Mix


Participant Rankings
beach1 5
Mirago 14

when the pawn... 19
Hefty Hanna 21
Ginger Spice 23
Juanca 24
Ty  25
★Disco★ 26
aerodynamite 27
born 27
SHOOTER 28
Zeebz 28
Pale Shelter 29
bat1990 29

Viewers:
@mirza

[Pale Shelter]

my bottom 3 gone in the first 3 reveals, nice!

[Ty]

I'm fine with both of them ranking low.

They're essentially not bad songs but definitely not among her best.

[Juanca]

All these were first listens.
30. My Only Reason (26) is catchy but feels a bit too generic. At least one of my bottom 5 left last.
29. You've Got That Something' (21): Oh!! This was quite catchy and ear worm since I first heard it a few days ago. It's actually my second-favorite from her 1990s songs.
28. Do You Really Want Me (24): The singy here was cute. And I liked her vocals. Overall, liked it more than DYK.

[SHOOTER]

DYRWM isn’t even so bad it’s good; it’s just bad!

[bat1990]

#27: Main Thing





Stats
Points: 310
Average: 22.14
Std Dev: 6.573

Charts
N/A

History & Tidbits
Somehow, despite the abortion controversy (see other My Truth single descriptions) which lead to a lack of budget and promotion inside and outside of Sweden, Robyn's second album got a fourth single release. The song received no video and did not chart anywhere, but the fact that it was even released is a miracle and a half.

Participant Rankings
Ty  3

Juanca 16
Ginger Spice 19
born 21
SHOOTER 22
bat1990 22
beach1 23
Pale Shelter 24
Mirago 24
Hefty Hanna 25
aerodynamite 26
when the pawn... 28
★Disco★ 28
Zeebz 29

Viewers:
@mirza

[Ty]

f**k YALL WHACK BITCHES.

[aerodynamite]

lol, I've been one off on all of these. My 29 through 26 have been revealed in order.

[bat1990]

May 21, 2018 10:14:05 GMT -5 aerodynamite said:

lol, I've been one off on all of these. My 29 through 26 have been revealed in order.

That's because your #30 indicates you have no taste

[Ginger Spice]

30. My Only Reason - This one is cute and doesn’t deserve to be the first one out. The video is more interesting now knowing the abortion tidbit.

29. You’ve Got That Something - I didn’t know this was her lead single until this rankdown, and I find it rather forgetable. In fact, whenever I see the title. I hear the line from Britney’s “(You Drive Me) Crazy” in my head, which is an infinetly better song.

28. Do You Really Want Me - Slightly less forgettable than the former track, but not as good as “Do You Know What It Takes.” I prefer the bonus US remix to the original, I think.

27. Main Thing - On paper, this sounds like something I’d love, but it hasn’t clicked with me yet and is probably my least favorite single from My Truth.

[bat1990]

#26: Sayit
Röyksopp & Robyn





Stats
Points: 302
Average: 21.57
Std Dev: 7.521

Charts
N/A

History & Tidbits
This was the second single from the Robyn & Röyksopp mini-album Do It Again. A video was produced in partnership with H&M (which I find difficult to watch from the jerky prodcuction).

Participant Rankings
SHOOTER 10
Pale Shelter 12
★Disco★ 12
when the pawn... 15

Hefty Hanna 17
beach1 18
aerodynamite 21
Zeebz 23
Mirago 27
Juanca 28
Ginger Spice 29
Ty  30
born 30
bat1990 30

Viewers:
@mirza

[SHOOTER]

Sayit just sneaks up on me and takes me over every time I hear it! Damn y'all!

[Ginger Spice]

Loved the other Röyksopp collabs, but “Sayit” is so reptative and annoying.

[born]

May 21, 2018 22:01:34 GMT -5 Ginger Spice said:

Loved the other Röyksopp collabs, but “Sayit” is so reptative and annoying.

Same.

[bat1990]

#25: Electric


Why do you all HATE My Truth so much?!?!?





Stats
Points: 297
Average: 21.21
Std Dev: 7.526

Charts
Sweden 6

History & Tidbits
This song was released as the lead single from Robyn's second album My Truth in April 1999 in Sweden. An electro mid-tempo with attitude, it speaks of the highs and lows of life which make one feel alive. RCA was going to do a wider release in September, but they disputed with Robyn's songs about her abortion on the album and shelved the project when she refused to remove, re-write, or re-record the content. It's a shame because the song and video likely would have done well coming off
the hype and success of her first album.

Host Opinion
I love this, especially when in the mood to strut. Robyn's ambivalent delivery completes the mood of being stone faced and needing the "electric" moments to feel alive. It's also a reminder of what could have been sooner, instead of having to wait 9-10 years between international distribution deals.

Participant Rankings
Ty  5
Ginger Spice 14
beach1 15
aerodynamite 15
bat1990 15

★Disco★ 19
when the pawn... 23
SHOOTER 24
born 24
Pale Shelter 27
Zeebz 27
Hefty Hanna 29
Mirago 30
Juanca 30

Viewers:
@mirza

[Ty]

Please untag me. I'm OUT.

[bat1990]

May 22, 2018 11:15:26 GMT -5 Ty said:

Please untag me. I'm OUT.

I wish I could untag myself as the host. If My Truth had actually been released worldwide, I'm sure these heauxs would appreciate the smash hits that never were a lot more.

[SHOOTER]

Robyn herself doesn't even use My Truth; she just said last night she considered this new album coming to only be her third.

[Ginger Spice]

May 22, 2018 12:33:40 GMT -5 SHOOTER said:

Robyn herself doesn't even use My Truth; she just said last night she considered this new album coming to only be her third.

Ugh I hate it when artists say stuff like this. Especially when Don't Stop The Music has some amazing moments.


I wonder if the US lead would've been "Electric" or if they would've given her another "Do You Know What It Takes"/"Show Me Love" retread. 

[Ty]

May 22, 2018 12:33:40 GMT -5 SHOOTER said:

Robyn herself doesn't even use My Truth; she just said last night she considered this new album coming to only be her third.

She can say whatever she wants and it doesn't change the fact that My Truth is a great album.

Oh, and I was joking about the untag thing. But I know I'll be cussing a lot in this rankdown.

[bat1990]

#24: Set Me Free
Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique





Stats
Points: 287
Average: 20.50
Std Dev: 6.273

Charts
US Dance/Electronic Songs 48

History & Tidbits
Released as the second "single" from the Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique project, this song did not fare to well anywhere and received no video.

Host Opinion
Easily the weakest for me on this EP. All other four songs are much more memorable and deserved focus over this one.

Participant Rankings
Mirago 4
Ty  13

when the pawn... 17
SHOOTER 18
Pale Shelter 21
★Disco★ 21
Zeebz 21
aerodynamite 22
Juanca 22
born 23
Hefty Hanna 24
Ginger Spice 25
bat1990 26
beach1 30

Viewers:
@mirza

[Juanca]

27. Main Thing (16): This was my favorite off My Truth (all the MT songs were first listens to me). I think she did a great job with her vocals, and I really liked the production here.
26. Sayit (28): Another first-listen. It started promising but got stale and repetitive quickly. It could've been better, as the beat goes quite strong at some points.
25. Electric (30): This also felt repetitive and the chorus was just too meh for me. I tried to warm up to it, but with more listens it got more annoying whereas older songs at least felt cuter
24. Set Me Free (22): The beat is good enough and the song has some interesting elements. Not that memorable , though.

[bat1990]

#23: Play





Stats
Points: 284
Average: 20.29
Std Dev: 8.343

Charts
Sweden 31

History & Tidbits
A worthy successor to "Electric" to showcase the versatility of My Truth, Play performed moderately in Sweden. Sadly there is no music video to accompany this breezy, playful track.

Host Opinion
A fun song that lives up to its name. It's great to listen to when having a bad day or when the weather is warm and sunny. It makes me feel like a kid who just wants to frolic and play outdoors.

Participant Rankings
beach1 7
bat1990 8
Ty  10
born 12
Ginger Spice 13

★Disco★ 22
Juanca 23
aerodynamite 25
Pale Shelter 25
when the pawn... 26
Zeebz 26
Mirago 28
SHOOTER 29
Hefty Hanna 30

Viewers:
@mirza

[Ty]

May 23, 2018 17:28:04 GMT -5 bat1990 said:

#23: Play
SHOOTER 29

[born]

This deserved top half.

[SHOOTER]

May 23, 2018 17:33:20 GMT -5 Ty said:

May 23, 2018 17:28:04 GMT -5 bat1990 said:

#23: Play
SHOOTER 29

[Mirago]

Set Me Free is better than that.

[bat1990]

#22: Love Is Free
Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique f/ Maluca





Stats
Points: 276
Average: 19.71
Std Dev: 7.740

Charts
US Dance/Electronic Songs 34
US Dance/Club Play 3

History & Tidbits
This was one of the final collaborations between Robyn and Christian Falk before his untimely death. This track was released as the lead single with a clever video. However, it underperformed in most territories due to lack of promotion. Robyn did not make many live performances during this time as she was grieving the loss of Falk.

Host Opinion
Love this!! I can't help but dance whenever it comes on.

Participant Rankings
SHOOTER 6
Zeebz 10
when the pawn... 12
aerodynamite 14
bat1990 14
Juanca 15

Mirago 20
Ginger Spice 22
Pale Shelter 26
Hefty Hanna 26
Ty  26
★Disco★ 27
beach1 29
born 29

Viewers:
@mirza
fearlessarrow