George Strait Album Series

[bboat11]

Let me hold you, let me show you

What true love’s all about.

In these arms of mine, I know you will find

You won’t do without anymore.

I’ll love you forever.

Need I say more?

10. "Need I Say More"

Track #10

Runtime: 4:52

Songwriters: Clay Blaker, Roger Brown



Total: 144
Average: 9.0
Std Dev: 1.55


fearlessarrow - 5
gonecountry - 6
someguy - 8
Kanenrá:ke - 8
LBTrocks - 9
gardyfan - 9
ClevelandRox - 9
tim - 10
George Strait Junkie - 10
castleoblivion26 - 10
.indulgecountry - 10
bboat11 - 10
taylor is terrified - 10
lady𝓐fan - 10
Cody Wants Out... - 10
kw9461 - 10

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Do The Right Thing
I Ain’t Never Seen No One Like You
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I’d Just As Soon Go
King Of The Mountain
Rockin’ In The Arms Of Your Memory
She Knows When You’re On My Mind

[bboat11]

This should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody. "Need I Say More" is the OBVIOUS blemish on an otherwise super strong record. I have talked several times now about not being a huge fan of George's Sinatra-esque ballads, as "We Must Be Loving Right", "My Life's Been Grand", etc. have all made their appearances in my last place by now. And usually y'all have agreed with me, as they have invariably been our runaway last place contender every time!

Fortunately y'all did not let me down here. "Need I Say More" would at least have some benefit as a song to slow dance to when you're more focused on your lover than you are on how the song goes. But if you are listening to the album to actually listen to how everything sounds, this one sticks out like a sore thumb. To me this chorus is one of the most grating vocals of George's entire career. "All this discussion could never do justice" in particular sounds soooo flat and thin.

Also fearlessarrow I could not help but laugh at your rank when you list came in. Of COURSE you would have this song in your top 5. I feel like this is at least the 5th or 6th time over the course of this series where we have had an obvious last-place contender and you are the one person who is like "Nah, this is actually pretty great!" 😂

[bboat11]

I bought it for your birthday.

God, you looked so lovely in that dress.

I took you to a party.

Or was it to a nightclub? I forget.

Been twenty years and counting.

I’m drownin’ in your love a little more each day.

Now somewhere in the neon lights,

I’m holdin’ on for dear life,

Rockin’ in the arms of your memory tonight.

9. "Rockin' In The Arms Of Your Memory"

Track #3

Runtime: 4:17

Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Norro Wilson



Total: 125
Average: 7.81
Std. Dev: 1.87


taylor is terrified - 5
Cody Wants Out... - 5
kw9461 - 5
fearlessarrow - 6
gardyfan - 6
bboat11 - 7
ClevelandRox - 8
George Strait Junkie - 8
someguy - 9
tim - 9
castleoblivion26 - 9
.indulgecountry - 9
lady𝓐fan - 9
gonecountry - 10
Kanenrá:ke - 10
LBTrocks - 10

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Do The Right Thing
I Ain’t Never Seen No One Like You
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I’d Just As Soon Go
King Of The Mountain
She Knows When You’re On My Mind

[taylor is terrified]

Got a perfect ranking and then lost my #5...that's just how George albums have gone for me it seems 

[bboat11]

For some people this reveal will seem just about right, but for others the pain is already beginning. "Rockin' In The Arms Of Your Memory" got put in the bottom 2 by exactly half the participants, but also sees a flurry of top 5/6 losses.

I only ranked it as high as #7, but to me it is a bit painful to see it leaving at #9. This song has alway had a really dark, moody, wistful, and melancholy vibe to it, which makes it a unique listening experience. This is one that would have worked especially well on the Road Less Traveled, Honkytonkville, or It Just Comes Natural albums, all of which have similar dark vibes to some of their songs.

The lyrics are also super picturesque. Between the moody vibe and the way the story unfolds, you really get a good sense for the narrator's pain over the love that he lost. It's just ambiguous enough to where we have no idea how he lost her, making it really relatable to anyone who has suffered loss of love for any reason.

Fortunately this album had enough hits that this song made the album tracks rankdown, so its fans can take solace in the fact that "Need I Say More" existed and prevented this from being in last place

[bboat11]

Oh, I forgot to mention that Kanenrá:ke slipped in a list at the last possible minute! So we actually finished with 16 participants!

[bboat11]

We have our top 2 most polarizing songs coming up next! Yes, multiple top 2 losses are imminent

[bboat11]

I can tell by your smile you don’t believe a word I say.

You’re thinkin’ I’ll just stay awhile then be on my way.

But girl, I think it’s fair to warn ya,

I done been to California.

I ain’t never seen no one like you!

8. "I Ain't Never Seen No One Like You"

Track #5

Runtime: 3:15

Songwriters: Bruce Bouton, Mark Chesnutt, Roger Springer



Total: 106
Average: 6.63
Std Dev: 2.70 (Largest!!!)


someguy - 2
kw9461 - 3
gonecountry - 3
Cody Wants Out... - 4
George Strait Junkie - 5
Kanenrá:ke - 5
castleoblivion26 - 6
tim - 7
lady𝓐fan - 7
.indulgecountry - 8
LBTrocks - 8
taylor is terrified - 9
bboat11 - 9
fearlessarrow - 10
gardyfan - 10
ClevelandRox - 10

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Do The Right Thing
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I’d Just As Soon Go
King Of The Mountain
She Knows When You’re On My Mind

[bboat11]

I have also never been a huge fan of this particular uptempo western-swing style. (Flashback to "It Takes All Kinds" being my last place for the Cold Beer Conversation rankdown). Songs like this are great to dance to, but that's about it. This one has always had really stupid lyrics imo that make it hard to compare to the rest of the album. The entire hook, for example, is basically "Trust me, I've been to California, and I've still never seen anyone like you!" As if the fact that he's been to California is supposed to give his attraction to he more credence 😂 What a corny concept!

It's kinda interesting to me that someguy would put this at #2 despite being unimpressed with the majority of George's good music...

[bboat11]

Sometimes late at night I hear her crying.

She turns to me, but you won’t let her in.

She knows the door is locked, but she keeps trying.

She knows when you’re on my mind again.

7. "She Knows When You're On My Mind"

Track #4

Runtime: 3:16

Songwriters: Wayne Kemp, Mack Vickery

Total: 106
Average: 6.63
Std Dev: 2.28 (2nd largest!!)


George Strait Junkie - 1 (RIP :'( )
LBTrocks - 4
taylor is terrified - 4
kw9461 - 6
tim - 6
lady𝓐fan - 6
.indulgecountry - 6
ClevelandRox - 6
Kanenrá:ke - 7
gonecountry - 8
castleoblivion26 - 8
bboat11 - 8
gardyfan - 8
Cody Wants Out... - 9
fearlessarrow - 9
someguy - 10

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Do The Right Thing
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I’d Just As Soon Go
King Of The Mountain

[bboat11]

"She Knows When You're On My Mind" was a pretty serious competitor towards the beginning, largely due to most of its high ranks coming fairly early on, including its #1 rank from George Strait Junkie.

This song has some great lyrical moments. It's a very interesting song in that it is so sad, but doesn't exactly sound sad! Melodically I don't think it holds a candle to anything that is left, so I am happy seeing it leave now. My top 6 is the top 6, no biggie ;)

[bboat11]

Which of these six songs is gonna miss the top 5??!??!

Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
Do The Right Thing
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I’d Just As Soon Go
King Of The Mountain

[ClevelandRox]

Every night she opens up the door to heaven
But when you're on my mind, I can't go in

[bboat11]

Y'all, I think ClevelandRox's mind is in the gutter!

[ClevelandRox]

Nov 15, 2020 2:17:34 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Y'all, I think ClevelandRox's mind is in the gutter!

It clearly implies George can't perform and went soft... because she's always on his mind!

[tim]

Given the Sinatra-esque of “Need I Say More”, I pretty much assumed that this would end up in last place. George recored quite a few of these type of songs during this period which was likely influenced both by George being a Sinatra fan as well as him recording a duet with Frank on “Fly Me to the Moon”. While I don’t dislike that this song as much as my last place ranking might entail, it’s about the only album track I don’t feel compelled to revisit so with that I’m not surprised it came in last place.

Nov 14, 2020 20:55:54 GMT -5 taylor is terrified said:

Got a perfect ranking and then lost my #5...that's just how George albums have gone for me it seems

I’m actually glad you enjoyed “Rockin’ in the Arms of Your Memory” as this ended up being one of the hardest songs for me rank. Despite my bottom two ranking, I quite adore this song and it’s one that I often find myself wanting to frequent whenever I revisit the album. No shame in your top 5 ranking at all!

“I Ain’t Never Seen No One Like You” sounded like the type of song that might be a tad bit polarizing and sure enough it was the most! I really didn’t know where to place this because based on my mood I think I could easily put this as high as my top 3 on any given day, but in the end it settled just outside of my bottom 3. I’m thrilled it ended up getting quite a bit of support including a top 2 from someguy !

I didn’t anticipate that “She Knows When You’re On My Mind” to make it much further, so I’ll take this as a win. George’s voice just molds perfectly into songs such as this one and honestly is just an earworm. Again, I’m pleasantly surprised by the support this received within the top 5.

[tim]

As for which of the six songs might miss the top 5, I'd gather that one of the singles ("King of the Mountain") and the other two album tracks ("Do the Right Thing" and "I'd Just as Soon Go") are the likeliest candidates. I'll give a bit of single bias for the edge and therefore guess that "I'd Just As Soon Go" will exit just before the top 5.

[bboat11]

You might choose me, or choose to lose me.

Someday you’ll see the good thing you had.

Do the right thing, baby,

Do the right thing.

Go with your heart and do the right thing.

6. "Do The Right Thing"

Track #8

Runtime: 3:09

Songwriters: Jim Lauderdale, Gary Nicholson

Total: 101
Average: 6.31
Std Dev: 1.62


taylor is terrified - 3
ClevelandRox - 4
castleoblivion26 - 5
gardyfan - 5
someguy - 5
Kanenrá:ke - 6
bboat11 - 6
Cody Wants Out... - 6
George Strait Junkie - 7
LBTrocks - 7
.indulgecountry - 7
gonecountry - 7
tim - 8
lady𝓐fan - 8
fearlessarrow - 8
kw9461 - 9

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I’d Just As Soon Go
King Of The Mountain

[bboat11]

Nov 15, 2020 4:48:44 GMT -5 tim said:

As for which of the six songs might miss the top 5, I'd gather that one of the singles ("King of the Mountain") and the other two album tracks ("Do the Right Thing" and "I'd Just as Soon Go") are the likeliest candidates. I'll give a bit of single bias for the edge and therefore guess that "I'd Just As Soon Go" will exit just before the top 5.

Well, you were right about it being an album track, but ended up backing the wrong album track!

"Do The Right Thing" is a super catchy song. It is one of those quintessentially '90s uptempos that just feels like the time period in which it was released. I have always thought the chorus was ear candy, despite its somewhat repetitive nature.

They nailed the single choices from this album, so I don't necessarily think this was a missed hit opportunity like I usually do by the time we get to the second highest album track. There is no doubt it would have been a huge hit if released, but it also makes perfect sense as an album track.

[bboat11]

You say you wanna talk it over,

Want to try again.

But there’s no way you’re workin’ out

This love that we’re not in.

We could talk and talk and accomplish nothin’.

We’ve tried it all before.

It’s time somebody did some walkin’,

And I can see the door.

5. I'd Just As Soon Go

Track #9

Runtime: 3:16

Songwriters: Aaron Barker, Dean Dillon

Total: 93
Average: 5.81
Std Dev: 1.97


ClevelandRox - 3
Kanenrá:ke - 3
tim - 3
.indulgecountry - 4
lady𝓐fan - 4
bboat11 - 5
taylor is terrified - 6
someguy - 6
LBTrocks - 6
castleoblivion26 - 7
gardyfan - 7
Cody Wants Out... - 7
fearlessarrow - 7
kw9461 - 7
George Strait Junkie - 9
gonecountry - 9

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
King Of The Mountain

[LBTrocks]

"She Knows When You're On My Mind" deserved top 5, otherwise very happy with these results thus far.

[bboat11]

2,000th post in this thread   (Edit: Damn it, Flops snuck in!!!!!)

"I'd Just As Soon Go" is our highest album track! It was very consistently settled in at either #5 or #6 for the entire rankdown, always in the running for our highest album track but never coming close to infiltrating the four singles.

I'm happy seeing this as our favorite album track. The lyrics here are not as compelling and heavy-hitting as the likes of "I Can Still Make Cheyenne", but they are definitely still among the strongest that the album has to offer! The section that I highlighted, for example, has the zinger "There’s no way of workin’ out this love that we’re not in." This song really gets at the futility of trying to save a fading love, and leaves the listener with a palpable feeling of "why bother".

Again, I don't ever think about this one as being a huge missed hit opportunity because the singles from this album were the perfect choices, but there is no doubt that it would have still been a huge hit had it been released. It will be interesting to see how well it can do in the album tracks rankdown.

[bboat11]

I gave her that diamond she dreamed of,

And I bought her a home with a view.

I took her to the end of the rainbow,

But all I left her was blue.

Seems I never had time to love her.

And now it seems time just stands still.

I thought I was king of the mountain,

But I was only a fool on the hill.

4. "King Of The Mountain"

Track #7

Runtime: 3:30

Songwriters: Larry Boone, Paul Nelson

Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #83 out of 100

Total: 89
Average: 5.56
Std Dev: 2.00 (3rd largest!)


George Strait Junkie - 2
bboat11 - 4
castleoblivion26 - 4
gardyfan - 4
fearlessarrow - 4
gonecountry - 4
tim - 5
.indulgecountry - 5
lady𝓐fan - 5
LBTrocks - 5
ClevelandRox - 7
someguy - 7
taylor is terrified - 8
Cody Wants Out... - 8
kw9461 - 8
Kanenrá:ke - 9

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blue Clear Sky
Carried Away
I Can Still Make Cheyenne

[bboat11]

In what should be absolutely NO surprise to anyone who has paid even a tiny bit of attention to how Pulse perceives George's hits, "King Of The Mountain" is the first song to leave now that we are down to just the singles. This song finished at #83 out of 100 in his singles rankdown, which I take to be a testament to how strong his catalog is moreso than a statement of the quality of this song itself. It was the "flop" of the album, only peaking at #19 on the country charts, and has gone on to be quite forgotten compared to stuff like "Blue Clear Sky", "Check Yes Or No", "Carrying Your Love With Me", etc. that all came out in this similar time period. Despite its rather soft chart performance, upon its release it was met with a ton of critical acclaim.

The song has such a great hook. "I thought I was king of the mountain, but I was only a fool on the hill." George confidently belts this incredibly difficult chorus melody with power and dexterity despite it pushing him to the upper regions of his range, and sounds both confident and regretful at the same time.

This was also a George Jones cover. Imo they both do a great job with it, but I'll give the edge to Strait. Maybe it's just because he was younger when he recorded it, but I feel like his version is just more energetic and moving.

[bboat11]

As I started to say in that last post, it should be no surprise that KOTM is the first single to leave. It finished at #83 in the singles rankdown...while the three remaining singles all finished in the top 10!!!!

The Blue Clear Sky album absolutely dominated his singles rankdown. No other album had multiple songs in the top 10, and yet there this one was with 75% of its singles in the top 10!

Yes, this rankdown was always destined to be a showdown between these three remaining songs All three were huge #1 hits on the charts, and all three are beloved Pulse favorites. It's a shame one of them is going to have to miss the top 2, as they all definitely deserve the honor...

[bboat11]

It might seem like an ordinary night;

Same ol’ stars, the same ol’ moon up high.

But when I see you standin’ at your door,

Nothin’s ordinary anymore.

3. "Carried Away"

Track #2

Runtime: 3:22

Songwriters: Steve Bogard, Jeff Stevens

Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #4 out of 100

Total: 46
Average: 2.88
Std Dev: 1.45 (2nd smallest!!)


castleoblivion26 - 1
gardyfan - 1
fearlessarrow - 2
gonecountry - 2
LBTrocks - 2
ClevelandRox - 2
Cody Wants Out... - 2
George Strait Junkie - 3
bboat11 - 3
.indulgecountry - 3
lady𝓐fan - 3
someguy - 3
tim - 4
kw9461 - 4
Kanenrá:ke - 4
taylor is terrified - 7

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
Blue Clear Sky
I Can Still Make Cheyenne

[gonecountry]

Cheyenne or Bust

[bboat11]

I think it is safe to say that "Carried Away" defied all expectations and probably shocked us all when it hung around to finish at #4 in his singles rankdown. It outlasted huge career-defining classics like "Carrying Your Love With Me", "Write This Down", "Ocean Front Property", "True", and even its album counterpart "I Can Still Make Cheyenne", all of which I could have easily seen deserving that #4 spot.

That is not to say it was not deserved, however! This song is iconic in its own right, with its artfully crafted lyrics, its soaring melody, and of course the warmth radiating off of George's velvety baritone vocals. I have always loved how this song grows from a piano ballad into having one of the best electric guitar solos of George's entire catalog. The whole thing is just such an inspiring listening experience.

This song was actually our solid #2 contender for most of the submission process, but unfortunately lost its footing slightly in the home stretch. Still it finished with nearly half the point total of "King Of The Mountain", and is our 2nd least polarizing song, so its performance here is nothing to sneeze at!

Hopefully we can find a way for this song to end up in the BotB/RotB rankdowns someday..... I guess it will be in the 1996 whenever it is finally able to happen, but will be competing with "Blue Clear Sky" and "I Can Still Make Cheyenne" once again...

castleoblivion26 maybe this should "randomly" show up in one of your Shuffle rankdowns! ;)

[bboat11]

She said, “Don’t bother comin’ home.
By the time you get here, I’ll be long gone.
There’s somebody new,
And he sure ain’t no rodeo man.”
He said, “I’m sorry it’s come down to this.
There’s so much about you that I’m gonna miss.
But it’s alright, baby,
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne.
Gotta go now, baby,
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne.”

2. "I Can Still Make Cheyenne"

Track #6

Runtime: 4:16

Songwriters: Aaron Barker, Erv Woolsey

Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #8 out of 100

**From the For the Last Time: Live From The Astrodome special in 2003**

Total: 41
Average: 2.56
Std Dev: 1.46 (3rd smallest!)


gonecountry - 1
.indulgecountry - 1
kw9461 - 1
taylor is terrified - 1
castleoblivion26 - 2
bboat11 - 2
lady𝓐fan - 2
tim - 2
Kanenrá:ke - 2
gardyfan - 3
fearlessarrow - 3
LBTrocks - 3
Cody Wants Out... - 3
someguy - 4
ClevelandRox - 5
George Strait Junkie - 6

---

Here she comes, a walkin’, talkin’ true love,
Sayin’, “I been lookin’ for you, love.”
Surprise, your new love has arrived
Out of the blue clear sky.

1. "Blue Clear Sky"

Track #1

Runtime: 2:55

Songwriters: Bob DiPiero, John Jarrard, Mark D. Sanders

Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #1 out of 100

Total: 29
Average: 1.81
Std Dev: 1.22 (Smallest!!!)


bboat11 - 1
lady𝓐fan - 1
tim - 1
Kanenrá:ke - 1
fearlessarrow - 1
LBTrocks - 1
Cody Wants Out... - 1
someguy - 1
ClevelandRox - 1
.indulgecountry - 2
kw9461 - 2
taylor is terrified - 2
gardyfan - 2
castleoblivion26 - 3
George Strait Junkie - 4
gonecountry - 5

[bboat11]

Nov 15, 2020 23:24:42 GMT -5 gonecountry said:

Cheyenne or Bust

Sorry! Cheyenne is super iconic of course, and would be a rankdown winner in a perfect world. But "Blue Clear Sky" won his entire singles rankdown... I'd say this is yet another album where there are just so many iconic hits that they all get kinda done dirty in the presence of each other...