bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 6, 2018 22:43:52 GMT -5
Blame it on Mexico if you need a reason. Say too much guitar music, tequila, salt, and lime. Blame it on Mexico, but she’s the reason That I fell in love again for my last time.
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 6, 2018 22:46:53 GMT -5
tim, I guess you can make that ANOTHER perfect rank with this song! Lol. But in more noteworthy news, DistrictTwelve's #1 for this rankdown lasts a LOT longer than his #1 in the George singles rankdown did  Anyway, "Blame It On Mexico" bows out at #3, and it is our final album track to leave us. It is also two people's least favorite song on this album... Lmao of course one of them is Flops. I have always thought George sounded a lot like Kenny Chesney on this song.
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 6, 2018 22:49:34 GMT -5
With that, it is down to the two biggest hits from the album! "Unwound", the song that only peaked at #6 but has since become one of George's signature songs from the '80s, versus "If You're Thinking You Want A Stranger", which peaked at #3 and is therefore the biggest hit on the album! Which one will it be???  |
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Post by fearlessarrow on Sept 6, 2018 22:58:59 GMT -5
tim , I guess you can make that ANOTHER perfect rank with this song! Lol. But in more noteworthy news, DistrictTwelve 's #1 for this rankdown lasts a LOT longer than his #1 in the George singles rankdown did  Anyway, "Blame It On Mexico" bows out at #3, and it is our final album track to leave us. It is also two people's least favorite song on this album... Lmao of course one of them is Flops. I have always thought George sounded a lot like Kenny Chesney on this song.  Not to mention Kenny has a song called "Beer In Mexico"... hmm... lol |
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 6, 2018 23:00:36 GMT -5
Lately you’ve been showin’ all the signs
Of a woman with someone else on her mind.
It’s not your fault.
Some nights I’ve left you alone.
And if you’re thinkin’ you want a stranger,
There’s one comin’ home.
2. "If You're Thinking You Want A Stranger (There's One Coming Home)"
Track #4
Runtime: 2:58
Songwriters: Blake Mevis, David Wills
Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #64
Well, she packed my bag and opened up the door,
And I got a feelin’ she didn’t want me around no more.
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 6, 2018 23:06:37 GMT -5
There you have it folks! The obvious winner prevails!! Except, the winner was not as obvious as I thought it would be... You might notice from the trajectory graphs that "If You're Thinking You Want A Stranger" was actually on pace to win this thing for the majority of the submission process! It was immediately on pace to win, and never left the top 2 for the entire submission process, whereas "Unwound" had to climb a bit before it could claim victory. Ultimately the fact that "Unwound" was the least polarizing song on the album ended up helping it hold on to the top once it got there in the final stretch. I'm a little bummed that IYTYWAS couldn't hold onto the top spot, because that definitely would have been a bit of a surprise! And imo it is the better song of the two. But there is no arguing that "Unwound" is a classic, and probably deserved to represent this album in the winner's circle more than any other song on the album  Thanks for following along and participating!! Sorry again for taking so long right at the end. Cold Beer Conversation will be much smoother, I assure you |
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Post by fearlessarrow on Sept 6, 2018 23:09:15 GMT -5
JOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Well great top 2 (it's just my #1 and #2 in reverse order), and I'm looking forward to Cold Beer Conversation reveals!
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Post by tim on Sept 6, 2018 23:13:36 GMT -5
Thanks for following along and participating!! Sorry again for taking so long right at the end. Cold Beer Conversation will be much smoother, I assure you Thank you so much for jump-starting this! I know you've been super busy lately and we all appreciate your dedication. I've already submitted for the next two albums so I'm just going to sit back for a bit and savor my 8 perfect rankings for this rankdown  |
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 6, 2018 23:16:33 GMT -5
Cold Beer Conversation Rankdown: Results Time!
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 6, 2018 23:19:46 GMT -5
I would like to welcome BackwoodsBarbie to our group for Cold Beer Conversation!!! She missed the initial deadline, but I farted around so much with Strait Country that she was able to sneak in a list for Cold Beer Conversation while y'all were all waiting So yay, we hit 15! The more the merrier!! |
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LBTrocks
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Post by LBTrocks on Sept 6, 2018 23:27:17 GMT -5
YAS "UNWOUND" IS A CLASSIC JAM!!!!!!
SO IS "IF YOU'RE THINKING YOU WANT A STRANGER"
FLAWLESS TOP 2
PULSE DIDN'T DISAPPOINT FOR ONCE!
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LBTrocks
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Post by LBTrocks on Sept 6, 2018 23:31:55 GMT -5
Strait Country is probably my favorite era from George. So amazing!
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Post by tim on Sept 6, 2018 23:42:41 GMT -5
1) What will be #1? I'm guessing either "Cold Beer Conversation" or "It Was Love" since that seemed to be a fan favorite on here
2) What will be #13? "Even When I Can't Feel It" or "Cheaper Than A Shrink"
3) Which songs belong in the top 5? "Cold Beer Conversation," "It Was Love," "Goin' Goin' Gone," and hopefully both "Take Me To Texas" and "Everything I See"
4) What song will be most polarizing/least polarizing? Most: maybe the lead single "Let It Go" / Least: probably "Cold Beer Conversation"
5) Which of the singles will place highest and where will it place? "Cold Beer Conversation" and top 2
6) Which of the singles will place lowest and where will it place? "Goin' Goin' Gone" in top 5 and "Let It Go" in top 7
7) What will be the highest-placing album track and where will it place? Probably "It Was Love" and maybe top 2
8) Any other thoughts/predictions? I better see "Take Me To Texas" in y'alls top 5!
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 8, 2018 0:50:05 GMT -5
I'm going to try to get a word in edgewise here amongst the flood of all your predictions, because I want to give y'all a hint for #13! Just like the previous album, our first elimination was in last place for the entire submission process It was never even close to being at risk of doing better... Lol. |
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 8, 2018 0:54:48 GMT -5
Strait Country is probably my favorite era from George. So amazing! Even on the more redeemable side of your tastes, you still manage to flop... You realize this is the same man who gave us such extremely amazing eras as Carrying Your Love With Me, It Just Comes Natural, Love Is Everything, Blue Clear Sky, Strait From The Heart, Pure Country, One Step At A Time, Always Never The Same, The Road Less Traveled, Honkytonkville, and on and on and on and on and on and on? I mean, Strait Country is a great album too, but compared to the rest of George's career it's like his Kindergarten art project |
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Post by LBTrocks on Sept 8, 2018 1:25:11 GMT -5
Strait Country is probably my favorite era from George. So amazing! Even on the more redeemable side of your tastes, you still manage to flop... You realize this is the same man who gave us such extremely amazing eras as Carrying Your Love With Me, It Just Comes Natural, Love Is Everything, Blue Clear Sky, Strait From The Heart, Pure Country, One Step At A Time, Always Never The Same, The Road Less Traveled, Honkytonkville, and on and on and on and on and on and on? I mean, Strait Country is a great album too, but compared to the rest of George's career it's like his Kindergarten art project Wow okay so if you dog on CLASSIC George than you are the flop not I just saying |
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Post by LBTrocks on Sept 8, 2018 1:25:47 GMT -5
Strait Country is probably my favorite era from George. So amazing! Even on the more redeemable side of your tastes, you still manage to flop... You realize this is the same man who gave us such extremely amazing eras as Carrying Your Love With Me, It Just Comes Natural, Love Is Everything, Blue Clear Sky, Strait From The Heart, Pure Country, One Step At A Time, Always Never The Same, The Road Less Traveled, Honkytonkville, and on and on and on and on and on and on? I mean, Strait Country is a great album too, but compared to the rest of George's career it's like his Kindergarten art project yes those are great eras! So is this one! George was on fire during this era. I mean, he'a always on fire.... but still. this album is a CLASSIC. |
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 8, 2018 14:26:25 GMT -5
That’s what makes this world go ‘round. You keep doin’ your thing, ‘Cause I’m doin’ mine right now. Some say it is, some say it ain’t. Some say we can, some say we can’t. Winners, losers, sinners, saints; It takes all kinds.
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 8, 2018 14:30:10 GMT -5
Ugh, "It Takes All Kinds" is SO annoying... It is very rare that George releases a song I dislike as much as this one... And it seems you all agreed with me for the most part, because 5 people put this in last place, and over half of us had this in our bottom 2. This song was a very clear and obvious runaway contender for last place, staying there for the entire submission process.
I dislike every aspect of this one, but the worst part has got to be the lyrics. Like, what is that verse about how to chew tobacco?? It's so awkward and cringey... Lmao
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 8, 2018 14:35:47 GMT -5
It’s sixteen-fifty for a bottle of Jack. No pourin’ out your heart to some high-dollar quack. Just a flip of the wrist and you’re gettin’ it done, And gettin’ just as messed up and havin’ a lot more fun. And it’s cheaper than a shrink.
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 8, 2018 14:39:58 GMT -5
"Cheaper Than A Shrink" is quirky and fun, but unfortunately it leaves us next. It was #12 for the majority of the submission process, but seemed likely to escape to #11 at the end until BackwoodsBarbie 's final list bumped it back again. The lyrics to this song are really fun, and classic George, but I could see the melody being a little obnoxious to some. Jamey Johnson contributed to writing this song, who previously gave George a #1 hit with "Give It Away". Jamey also provides background vocals to this recording. Joe Nichols previously recorded this song for his Old Things New album. |
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 8, 2018 14:45:50 GMT -5
The sky is fallin’ down around me. This kind of storm just might drown me if I let it. It’s hard to look on the bright side When you’ve been blindsided by Somethin’ you never saw comin’, That worst thing you could imagine.
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 8, 2018 14:49:06 GMT -5
I'm a little shocked "Even When I Can't Feel It" was so disliked, but it was so consistently low on peoples' lists that it was basically destined for that #11 spot. This song has one of the best production jobs on the album, imo, and while the lyrics are pretty vague they also effectively capture the uncertainty that you feel when your world is crashing down around you. Not one of the best album tracks of his career or anything, but I didn't expect it to be so disliked in the context of this album.
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.indulgecountry
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Post by .indulgecountry on Sept 8, 2018 15:17:14 GMT -5
The lyrics to "Cheaper Than a Shrink" are so distasteful. I know it's meant to be a light-hearted song, but it reeks of toxic masculinity ("therapy is useless" ideology that a lot of men have) and verges on promoting alcoholism. The only thing that kept me from putting it in last place is that the melody is a little interesting, so it has the edge over one other song on this album that I'm surprised is still in because it's painfully boring and forgettable.
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Post by tim on Sept 8, 2018 19:38:43 GMT -5
"It Takes All Kinds" - While this is one of my least favorites on the album, it does seem to fit George's quirky sense of humor quite well. That said, I still usually hit skip on it. "Cheaper Than A Shrink" - Not surprised to see this come up next to last considering some of the lyrics are questionable as pointed out by .indulgecountry. Once the song gets going I usually find myself humming and bobbing my head along with it, though. Again this is another song that suits George's sense of humor well I think. "Even When I Can't Feel It" - Definitely my least favorite song on the album and one I can never make it all the way through. I've never liked how George slows his voice down right before going into the chorus and while lyrically it looks good on paper it just doesn't do much for me when I actually listen to it. This song also always reminds me of "I Believe" if only because he repeats the same two words four times in the chorus. |
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 9, 2018 15:32:44 GMT -5
Well, I recall a buddy of mine. He dropped dead when he was only 49. Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink. He left all his money behind. His best friend married his widow-wife. Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink.
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 9, 2018 15:37:10 GMT -5
For whatever reason, this song has always felt like something is missing to me. I think the verses set up the concept pretty well, but the chorus just doesn't go anywhere. This is a song with a lot of potential for masterful pun-work, and ultimately fails to live up to its full potential in that regard. When I see the title my mind goes a lot of creative places, but a description of stopping, going to a bar, finding a tall barstool, sitting on it, etc. is like the most boring angle possible for this song that I could imagine...but that was exactly what it was... The melody is not catchy enough to elevate it into the realm of "fun drinking song" either.
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 9, 2018 15:43:40 GMT -5
I love this song. I love the way you sing along. The strings are barely holdin’ on to your body, And that silky satin gown. Mmm, come on, baby, Let’s get somethin’ goin’ down.
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Post by bboat11 on Sept 9, 2018 15:51:42 GMT -5
First of all, Cold Beer Conversation is one of my least favorite George Strait albums... And a huge reason is because for whatever reason he chose to switch producers all of a sudden. After working with Tony Brown on every album since 1992's Pure Country, he suddenly switched to Chuck Ainlay for this album, and imo Chuck completely failed to capture the same magic that Tony and George had given us for 25 years. The album seems oddly bombastic despite the traditional instrumentation, and the musical arrangements have way fewer memorable moments than I have come to expect from George's albums.
That being said, "Something Going Down" sounds much more like something Tony Brown would have produced. That low guitar throughout the song is a very nice, simple touch, and it just all-around sounds like a classic George song!
Unfortunately, the song itself is incredibly disappointing... While the musical arrangement and then the verses sets us up for an epic love song, as soon as the chorus starts everything completely falls apart. Why the hell did the songwriters feel the need to turn this into a call/response song where the background singers start the chorus and George sings a random sentence fragment that doesn't make any sense without the contributions of the background singers?? This song could have been a real moment on this album, but instead becomes just another disappointment of un-realized potential.
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.indulgecountry
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Post by .indulgecountry on Sept 9, 2018 15:51:52 GMT -5
Oh good, this had overstayed. "Something Going Down" is painfully boring. Easy last place, even edging out the problematic alcoholic song for me.
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Anyway, "Blame It On Mexico" bows out at #3, and it is our final album track to leave us. It is also two people's least favorite song on this album... Lmao of course one of them is Flops.
