George Strait Album Series

[LBTrocks]

It's probably "Down and Out" FML!

[bboat11]

Well, I don’t like

 People always tellin’ me that I should change. 

Think it’s impolite

 For them to think they’ve got my life to rearrange.

10. "I Get Along With You

Track #5
Runtime: 2:43
Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Frank Dycus, Murray F. Cannon, Raleigh Squires, Jimmy Darrell



Total: 114
Average: 8.14
Std Dev: 2.44


castleoblivion26 - 2
fearlessarrow - 5
LBTrocks - 7
Kanenrá:ke - 7
Troublemaker - 7
DistrictTwelve - 7
collinkottke - 9
bboat11 - 10
@adam1995 - 10
tim - 10
George Strait Junkie - 10
Cody Wants Out... - 10
.indulgecountry - 10
gardyfan - 10


mamasaid

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blame It On Mexico
Down And Out
Every Time You Throw Dirt On Her (You Lose A Little Ground)
Friday Night Fever
Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart
Honky Tonk Down Stairs
If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)
She’s Playing Hell Trying To Get Me To Heaven
Unwound

[bboat11]

Aug 24, 2018 21:45:34 GMT -5 LBTrocks said:

It's probably "Down and Out" FML!

Gurl, why you always thinking that "Down And Out" is so hated? Lol

[castleoblivion26]

I should have listened to the album more I'm thinking lol

[bboat11]

"I Get Along With You" was THE last place contender on this album. Lmao. Literally everybody put it in last place on their own lists, until about halfway through the submission process when collinkottke finally put it at #9 No song was ever in danger of falling past it, and I am not even close to surprised. IGAWY is just the epitome of "meh". It doesn't match George's artistic style at all, the lyrics are super basic, and the production sounds somehow more dated than the rest of the album. I'm so glad this is the first song to leave us!

[bboat11]

Well, I promised to go to church with her 

About a month of Sundays ago. 

Well, here it is, it’s Sunday again,

 And I ain’t been once in a row.

9. "She's Playing Hell Trying To Get Me To Heaven"

Track #9
Runtime: 2:42
Songwriters: Dean Dillon, David Wills, Charles Quillen



Total: 101
Average: 7.21
Std Dev: 2.39


Troublemaker - 3
@adam1995 - 4
George Strait Junkie - 5
gardyfan - 5
castleoblivion26 - 6
LBTrocks - 6
.indulgecountry - 7
collinkottke - 8
bboat11 - 9
tim - 9
Cody Wants Out... - 9
fearlessarrow - 10
Kanenrá:ke - 10
DistrictTwelve - 10


mamasaid

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blame It On Mexico
Down And Out
Every Time You Throw Dirt On Her (You Lose A Little Ground)
Friday Night Fever
Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart
Honky Tonk Down Stairs
If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)
Unwound

[bboat11]

"She's Playing Hell" was pretty consistent in its ability to sit at #9 for this rankdown as well. This song is much more creative than "I Get Along With You" from a lyrical standpoint. I particularly love the lyric that I highlighted above! However, it is also incredibly dated, and the melody can be a little grating if you're not in the mood for it. I am not at all surprised to see it leaving second. (In fact, I get my second perfect ranking in a row, alongside tim and Cody Wants Out...!)

[.indulgecountry]

"I Get Along with You" was the only correct choice for last place imo.

[bboat11]

Up next, another #2 drops out! This was one of the biggest wildcards of the rankdown. I would say it established the least amount of consistency out of all the songs, never really settling into any place and staying there for awhile.

[bboat11]

Well, I’m out on a tear,

 ‘Cause she’s tearin’ me apart.

 If I look rough on the outside,

 You oughta see my heart.

8. "Down And Out"

Track #6
Runtime: 2:25
Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Frank Dycus

Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #93





Total: 89
Average: 6.36
Std Dev: 2.21 (3rd smallest)


LBTrocks - 2
George Strait Junkie - 3
collinkottke - 4
castleoblivion26 - 5
Cody Wants Out... - 6
fearlessarrow - 6
DistrictTwelve - 6
@adam1995 - 7
.indulgecountry - 8
bboat11 - 8
tim - 8
Kanenrá:ke - 8
Troublemaker - 9
gardyfan - 9


mamasaid

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blame It On Mexico
Every Time You Throw Dirt On Her (You Lose A Little Ground)
Friday Night Fever
Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart
Honky Tonk Down Stairs
If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)
Unwound

[bboat11]

With "Down And Out", we say goodbye to the first single from the album. "Down And Out" was the second single of George's career, peaking at #16. It was the only single from this album to miss the top 10. (In fact, it was his only single to miss the top 10 until 1992's "Lovesick Blues" Seriously, what a legend!)

This is one of the first examples we see of Punny George coming out. The breakdown in the chorus of "down and out" turning into "down at the bar and out of my mind" is CLASSIC George, but I will admit that his little puns have gotten much better throughout his career. This ones seems a little forced to me, and I will admit it is also not one of George's stronger vocal performances. Still, I love this song, but I am not surprised to see it finishing next :)

[LBTrocks]

bboat11 oh gee wonder why I think "Down and Out" is hated 🤔

[bboat11]

Aug 24, 2018 22:23:21 GMT -5 LBTrocks said:

bboat11 oh gee wonder why I think "Down and Out" is hated 🤔

I know, but LAST place?! On an album that also features "I Get Along With You"?!?! Have more faith in us

[LBTrocks]

Aug 24, 2018 22:28:01 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Aug 24, 2018 22:23:21 GMT -5 LBTrocks said:

bboat11 oh gee wonder why I think "Down and Out" is hated 🤔

I know, but LAST place?! On an album that also features "I Get Along With You"?!?! Have more faith in us

I have no faith in y'all at all tbh

[bboat11]

My wife works all night long

 For a man who’s halfway gone. 

She’s the barmaid in the honky tonk downstairs.

7. "Honky Tonk Down Stairs"

Track #2
Runtime: 2:33
Songwriters: Dallas Frazier





Total: 89
Average: 6.36
Std Dev: 2.62 (3rd largest!)


.indulgecountry - 1
George Strait Junkie - 4
DistrictTwelve - 4
gardyfan - 4
LBTrocks - 5
Kanenrá:ke - 5
fearlessarrow - 7
bboat11 - 7
tim - 7
Cody Wants Out... - 8
@adam1995 - 8
castleoblivion26 - 9
collinkottke - 10
Troublemaker - 10


mamasaid

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blame It On Mexico
Every Time You Throw Dirt On Her (You Lose A Little Ground)
Friday Night Fever
Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart
If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)
Unwound

[bboat11]

"Honky Tonk Downstairs" was tied with "Down And Out", but managed to win the tiebreaker because .indulgecountry's #1 rank pushed this ahead of LBTrocks' #2 rank. Which means that Indulge is the first person to lose their #1 in this rankdown. This song was on pace to finish lower for most of the rankdown, but managed to sneak back up to #7 at the end thanks to the tie.

I have always liked this song, but to me the lyrics are a little vague and confusing. Like, it seems like the husband is an alcoholic, and feels ashamed... But then the wife also works in a honky tonk, which seems to be the point of the song. But what does the husband's alcoholism have to do with it? The best thing I can come up with is that he is feeling ashamed because he's an alcoholic, and puts his wife through so much, only to watch her have to push all her reservations aside and serve alcohol to other men with drinking problems. It's like she's caught between both worlds, having to enable the habit as part of her job, and then deal with the tragic consequences in her own home life. Only told from the perspective of the alcoholic husband. If that's what the song is intended to be then it is a very interesting premise, but imo the husband's perspective is not very poignant or reflective. Something like "Drinkin' Man" is an amazing song from an alcoholic's perspective, but this one has no character depth other than saying "it's a shame". Lol so I like this song, but have always had a little trouble buying into the lyrics.

[collinkottke]

I'm a little salty on "Down and Out" leaving so soon, but otherwise I think all the songs that personally I'm 'meh' on are out so I'm satisfied with the results so far.

[bboat11]

She wouldn’t change me if she could. 

I wouldn’t change her, she’s too good. 

Sometimes a man just needs a change of pace.

 I’ve heard all those come-on lines, 

But I go home at closin’ time.

 I know no one could ever take her place.

6. "Friday Night Fever"

Track #7
Runtime: 2:29
Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Frank Dycus, Blake Mevis



Total: 85
Average: 6.07
Std Dev: 2.09 (2nd smallest!)



bboat11 - 3
LBTrocks - 4
Kanenrá:ke - 4
fearlessarrow - 4
DistrictTwelve - 5
tim - 5
collinkottke - 5
Troublemaker - 6
gardyfan - 7
Cody Wants Out... - 7
castleoblivion26 - 8
.indulgecountry - 9
George Strait Junkie - 9
@adam1995 - 9


mamasaid

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blame It On Mexico
Every Time You Throw Dirt On Her (You Lose A Little Ground)
Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart
If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)
Unwound

[bboat11]

I have always really liked "Friday Night Fever". It is a very unique version of a honky tonk song. Almost every time you hear a guy singing about how much he loves going out and drinking at the bars, there is almost always a wife waiting at home feeling neglected. Well, not in this song! In this song, he just needs to step out and unwind, and the wife is totally cool with it. In fact, she welcomes it, because it allows her to sit there and watch football without having to worry about him getting in her way! They are both secure in the relationship, and it just sounds like such a comfortable bond of mutual trust and respect, even if they like to unwind in different ways every once in awhile.

This one was always towards the middle of the album, trajectory-wise. It came close to the top 5 several times, but never quite managed to make it in.

[bboat11]

It’s hard to bite my lip,
But I ain’t sayin’ a word.
I give you all the rope to hang yourself
That you deserve.
You might be ahead of me in her heart today,
But that’s okay.
Every time you throw dirt on her,
You lose a little ground.

5. "Every Time You Throw Dirt On Her (You Lose A Little Ground)"

Track #8
Runtime: 3:06
Songwriters: Michael Garvin, Tom Shapiro



Total: 81
Average: 5.79
Std Dev: 2.36


Troublemaker - 1
@adam1995 - 2
.indulgecountry - 3
Cody Wants Out... - 4
bboat11 - 6
Kanenrá:ke - 6
tim - 6
collinkottke - 7
castleoblivion26 - 7
George Strait Junkie - 7
LBTrocks - 8
fearlessarrow - 8
DistrictTwelve - 8
gardyfan - 8


mamasaid

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blame It On Mexico
Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart
If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)
Unwound

[bboat11]

#5 sees us lose one of the seemingly large amount of songs on the album with an inexplicably long title! "Every Time You Throw Dirt On Her" was the clear #5 contender for this rankdown, as it held that spot for almost the entire submission process. This song is yet another song centered around a pun, and imo this one is really creative! "Every time you throw dirt on her, you lose a little ground" is such a perfect statement, both in the literal sense as it applies to digging holes, and in the figurative sense as it applies to disrespecting somebody's feelings in a relationship. So simple, yet clever. More like this please, George! Thank God he has a career full of clever songs like this, because as good as this one is, they just got better from here!

Troublemaker sees the second #1 loss of the rankdown here, but this is also the first song that nobody put in their bottom 2!

[bboat11]

I would like to point out that every song in the top 5 has #1 votes, so somebody will be losing their fave each time from here on out! Up next at #4, we actually have THREE people losing their #1...



With that, here is our top 4! Feel free to predict the way this will shake out :) We will finish this one tomorrow!

Blame It On Mexico
Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart
If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)
Unwound

[fearlessarrow]

The thing with long titles is that it's harder to make it fit into the chorus, and I don't think this one worked that well.

[Deleted]

I loved "Everytime You Throw Dirt...", I just thought it was so creative.

I like long titles. I don't really know why, it just seems like there are a ton of really wordy titles in country music and they are really good.

[tim]

Aug 25, 2018 17:47:36 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

With that, here is our top 4! Feel free to predict the way this will shake out :) We will finish this one tomorrow!

Blame It On Mexico
Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart
If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)
Unwound

This has pretty much gone just as I had expected so far and I even had four perfect rankings in a row (#10 - #7)! I also figured "Every Time You Throw Dirt On Her" would be the one to sneak into the top 5 over "Friday Night Fever," but the latter is such a fun honky tonk song that is a go-to for me whenever I pull out this album.

As for the top 4 I'm expecting "Blame It On Mexico" and "Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart" to be in either the #3 or #4 positions, although it's entirely possible that one of those sneaks into the top 2. I'm still expecting a win for "Unwound" as I think it's the rightful winner considering it launched George's career!

[bboat11]

Y'all, I am so sorry about the delay. I mentioned in the 2013 Country rankdown thread that I have been hired at the last minute to take over teaching Biology and Biotechnology at my hometown high school... So the past couple weeks have been absolutely insane! Between moving across the state and trying to prepare the room at the last minute, I have been away from my computer for days at a time. However, school finally started, and life is kind of settling down slightly, so I am gonna go ahead and finish this first album tonight

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}
Troublemaker -
@adam1995 -
.indulgecountry -
Cody Wants Out... -
bboat11 -
Kanenrá:ke -
tim -
collinkottke -
castleoblivion26 -
George Strait Junkie -
LBTrocks -
fearlessarrow -
DistrictTwelve -
gardyfan -
mamasaid

[Troublemaker]

Sept 6, 2018 22:22:55 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Y'all, I am so sorry about the delay. I mentioned in the 2013 Country rankdown thread that I have been hired at the last minute to take over teaching Biology and Biotechnology at my hometown high school...

Congrats, wishing you all the best. 

[bboat11]

There’s never been a man who could bring me down.

 I’ve walked away from the toughest of towns.

 But her last words tore me apart.

 Her goodbye hit me in the heart.

4. "Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart"

Track #10
Runtime: 3:03
Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Frank Dycus





Total: 72
Average: 5.14
Std Dev: 3.16 (1st largest!!!)


bboat11 - 1
Kanenrá:ke - 1
gardyfan - 1
.indulgecountry - 2
castleoblivion26 - 3
tim - 4
Cody Wants Out... - 5
@adam1995 - 6
collinkottke - 6
Troublemaker - 8
George Strait Junkie - 8
LBTrocks - 9
fearlessarrow - 9
DistrictTwelve - 9


mamasaid

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blame It On Mexico
If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)
Unwound

[bboat11]

Bowing out at #4, we say goodbye to the first song that was in the top 5 for the entire submission process! With 3 #1s, and 3 #9s, this was easily the most polarizing song on the album too... I'm surprised anyone could dislike this one though. It is one of the most immediate songs on the album, imo! Definitely would have made a better radio single than "Down And Out", imo, and the results of this rankdown seem to suggest the same.

Also, that live video says it is from Nampa, Idaho in 2013... If that's the case, that was the stop of his farewell tour that I was at!!!! I saw him and Martina in Nampa in January of 2013 very close to the start of his retirement tour!!

[tim]

George has mentioned a few times that "Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heat" is one of his favorite tracks from Strait Country. I think I've only seen him perform this once myself and that was probably on the same tour you went to bboat11 .

Oh...I also got another perfect ranking under my belt for this rankdown