George Strait Album Series

[bboat11]

There you have it! "Good News, Bad News" was the OBVIOUS last place contender for almost the entire submission process. The song was so far behind, I thought it stood no chance at all of making it out even if it got a little love. Well, I underestimated just how much love it might still receive! The song has four top-two placements, and almost all of them came within the last handful of lists... It took gardyfan and jimmy's carhartt 's #2 and #1 ranks to even get it back to catching distance of the rest of the album... After that, it was fortunate enough to end up in the good graces of .indulgecountry , castleoblivion26 , and collinkottke , pushing it all the way up to #8 Meanwhile, gonecountry and tim both lose their last-place.


This song is SO boring you guys. I like it because the lyrics are quite poignant in the way they portray the emotions and different perspectives of the two narrators. But melodically, this song absolutely belongs towards the back of the album... Literally the only reason to rank this highly is if you are such a huge Lee Ann Womack fan that you will rank her high despite the song having a terrible melody Lol. Of course that's just my opinion.


Like I said, I DO like this song. But it overstayed. George and Lee Ann are both capable of so much better.

[tim]

Aug 6, 2019 17:17:43 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

11. "High Tone Woman"

mamasaid - 9
gonecountry - 10
Cody Wants Out... - 10
collinkottke - 10
Kanenrá:ke - 11
jimmy's carhartt - 11
castleoblivion26 - 11

Aug 6, 2019 19:16:32 GMT -5 castleoblivion26 said:

wow that is just unacceptable. That song deserved way better. Disappointed in those who put this in their bottom 3, js!

[ClevelandRox]

So has "Texas" atleast made the album tracks rankdown at this point? 😫

[bboat11]

Aug 6, 2019 19:33:40 GMT -5 ClevelandRox said:

So has "Texas" atleast made the album tracks rankdown at this point? 😫

Yep! "Good News, Bad News" is the first song to make the album tracks rankdown It went all the way from being last place for the entire submission process to making the album tracks rankdown! Lol. So "Texas" made it!

[tim]

Aug 6, 2019 19:27:02 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Like I said, I DO like this song. But it overstayed. George and Lee Ann are both capable of so much better.

This! While I do like "Good News, Bad News" from a lyrical standpoint, the song just goes nowhere and I just couldn't believe that this was the duet we finally got from George and Lee Ann. Overall I always found it to be a rather underwhelming song and a bit of a letdown.

And don't even get me started on "High Tone Woman"...we might as well have just cancelled the album rankdown because that has zero business being the last song out. I happen to think this song fits right into Strait's overall style for the 2000's and this was always a highlight during his live shows at the time.

[.indulgecountry]

Aug 6, 2019 19:27:02 GMT -5 bboat11 said:

Literally the only reason to rank this highly is if you are such a huge Lee Ann Womack fan that you will rank her high despite the song having a terrible melody Lol. Of course that's just my opinion.

Guilty. :kii:

But seriously, I don't really care *too* much for George's part in the song, but LAW comes in and absolutely slays it vocally and really elevates this one. I think from her entrance on, it's a good song, but without her, I definitely wouldn't be as into the song.

That said, I think the duet they did for her album a few years later ("Everything but Quits" on Call Me Crazy) is absolutely dreadful and one of the worst songs in her entire catalog. By comparison, "Good News/Bad News" is phenomenal, lol.


I expected "Oh, What a Perfect Day" and "Ready for the End of the World" to go out soon, but I am very surprised to see "High Tone Woman" in last. I definitely had it pegged to go a bit higher than this for sure, though I did expect it to be a polarizing song.

[bboat11]

Alright, I promised a mess, and so far it seems a lot of us agree that is the case! Let's let the mess continue

[bboat11]

I left out of Tucson with no destination in mind.

I was runnin’ from trouble, and the jail term the judge had in mind.

And the border meant freedom, a new life, romance.

That’s why I thought I should go

And start my life over on the seashores of ol’ Mexico.

7. "The Seashores Of Old Mexico"

Track #3

Runtime: 4:11

Songwriters: Merle Haggard


Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #65





Total: 89
Average: 6.36
Std Dev: 3.34 (3rd largest!)


gonecountry - 1
collinkottke - 3
Cody Wants Out... - 3
gardyfan - 4
LBTrocks - 4
mamasaid - 5
castleoblivion26 - 6
Kanenrá:ke - 6
tim - 6
jimmy's carhartt - 8
George Strait Junkie - 10
.indulgecountry - 11
ClevelandRox - 11
bboat11 - 11


Following:
Troublemaker

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
By The Light Of A Burning Bridge
If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk
She Let Herself Go
Somewhere Down In Texas
Texas
You’ll Be There

[bboat11]

Bowing out at #7, missing the top 5 by about 8 points, we say goodbye to the first single! "The Seashores Of Old Mexico" is the first single to leave us, despite gonecountry's insistence that it was the best single on the album by a long shot. He put his money where his mouth is, ranking it at #1, and was also helped by 5 people putting it in their top 5, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to get this song any higher than #7.

I have personally always found this song to be underwhelming. The lyrics tell a great story, but I have always found the orchestral arrangement to sound a bit too cheap and uninspired compared to George's usual output. A single fiddle and maybe some mandolin would have taken the song so much further. Plus the melody is just extremely repetitive. It is a great song if that is the type of story song you are looking for, but personally I tend to prefer story songs that have a chorus (A la "Fancy", "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia", etc.)

My last-place ranking might be a bit harsh, but tbh I had no idea what to put in last place. There aren't any songs that I outright HATE on this album... I probably enjoy my entire bottom 5 about the same amount... Lol

[bboat11]

I’ll be somewhere down in Texas,

If you’re lookin’ for me.

Drinkin’ in that great wide open,

Soakin’ up the summer breeze.

Kickin’ back and settled in

With my family.

I’ll be somewhere down in Texas,

If you’re lookin’ for me.

6. "Somewhere Down In Texas"

Track #2

Runtime: 3:55

Songwriters: Dana Hunt Black, Tim Ryan Rouillier, Charlie Black



Total: 86
Average: 6.14
Std Dev: 3.08


mamasaid - 1
Kanenrá:ke - 2
tim - 3
bboat11 - 3
jimmy's carhartt - 4
LBTrocks - 6
.indulgecountry - 6
ClevelandRox - 7
gonecountry - 8
Cody Wants Out... - 8
gardyfan - 9
castleoblivion26 - 9
George Strait Junkie - 9
collinkottke - 11


Following:
Troublemaker

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
By The Light Of A Burning Bridge
If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk
She Let Herself Go
Texas
You’ll Be There

[bboat11]

I am SHOCKED that "Somewhere Down In Texas" had so much trouble getting support here! I totally had it pegged as a top 2 contender in my head. I seem to recall this one being a fan favorite from this album, which is why I thought it would do so well. I do remember when it came out everybody was freaking out like, "OMG Is this a retirement announcement??!?!!" and George was like "LAWL gotcha! I didn't mean it that way, but maybe I'll sing it someday when I do decide to retire."

I was disappointed when he didn't sing it as part of his retirement tour... Lol

[castleoblivion26]

I didn't dislike "Somewhere Down In Texas" but it was kinda just there for me so it fell to the bottom. "The Seashores of Old Mexico" always seemed like such an odd choice for radio for me but it did grow on me a little and I had it in the middle of the album so it is going at the right time.

[bboat11]

I’d never gone to Tennessee

To sing my songs and chase my dreams.

Only Heaven knows just where I’d be

If it wasn’t for Texas.

5. "Texas"

Track #8

Runtime: 3:05

Songwriters: Steven Dale Jones, Phillip White


Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #79
(This wasn't a single, but I included it in the singles rankdown because it charted quite well thanks to unsolicited airplay from Texas stations! Plus it let us get to 100 songs.)





Total: 81
Average: 5.79
Std Dev: 3.31


ClevelandRox - 1
gardyfan - 1
tim - 2
gonecountry - 2
.indulgecountry - 3
jimmy's carhartt - 6
Cody Wants Out... - 6
Kanenrá:ke - 7
castleoblivion26 - 8
George Strait Junkie - 8
bboat11 - 9
LBTrocks - 9
collinkottke - 9
mamasaid - 10


Following:
Troublemaker

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
By The Light Of A Burning Bridge
If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk
She Let Herself Go
You’ll Be There

[bboat11]

And there is ClevelandRox's beloved "Texas"! Lol. It is actually the first song to have multiple #1 ranks, as gardyfan joined Crox in placing it at #1. A pair of #2 ranks from tim and gonecountry helped cement this song in the top 5.

This song has definitely always been a fan favorite, and probably a favorite of George's as well. I feel like I underranked it here! Sorry! There is no doubt in my mind that this would have made a better single than "The Seashores Of Old Mexico". Maybe the label never released it because it felt a little too Texas-specific, but I think that was a mistake based on how far the Texas stations were able to carry it on their own. It could have been a huge hit!

[bboat11]

Well, you don’t bring nothin’ with you here, and you can’t take nothin’ back.

I ain’t never seen a hearse with a luggage rack.

So I’ve torn my knees up prayin’, scarred my back from fallin’ down.

Spent so much time flyin’ high ‘til I’m face first in the ground.

So if you’re up there watchin’ me, would you talk to God and say,

Tell Him I might need a hand to see you both someday.

4. "You'll Be There"

Track #4

Runtime: 4:19

Songwriters: Cory Mayo

Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #44





Total: 71
Average: 5.07
Std Dev: 3.67 (2nd largest!!)


tim - 1
castleoblivion26 - 1
bboat11 - 1
collinkottke - 1
Cody Wants Out... - 2
ClevelandRox - 3
gardyfan - 5
gonecountry - 5
mamasaid - 6
LBTrocks - 7
.indulgecountry - 9
jimmy's carhartt - 9
Kanenrá:ke - 10
George Strait Junkie - 11


Following:
Troublemaker

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
By The Light Of A Burning Bridge
If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk
She Let Herself Go

[bboat11]

Coming in with a whopping FOUR #1 placements, "You'll Be There" saw a ton of support. It was the first #1 contender of the rankdown. Unfortunately, this song received WAY more hate than I would have ever expected, causing it to plummet for almost the entire submission period :'( Last-minute top two votes from Cody Wants Out... and collinkottke allowed it to sneak back into the top 4, but unfortunately that is all it was able to muster.

I was devastated to see all the hate for this song. It is not like George's usual style, but to me its uniqueness is where it draws a lot of its strength. Unlike "Seashores", the sweeping orchestral arrangement of this song feels huge and epic, and perfectly captures the emotions of the song. This has some of the best lyrical nuggets on the entire album. Plus George's voice just has a velvety timbre that is simply to die for. I can understand it being a bit underwhelming for people, but considering how much single bias has helped elevate lesser songs in other album rank downs, it is pretty sad to me that this one managed to be tanked the way that it was...

[castleoblivion26]

wow, just wow. This song is easily my favorite song of his so I definitely think people were a little harsh.

[.indulgecountry]

This was another one of his albums where I definitely think they got the singles wrong. This song and (especially) "The Seashores of Old Mexico" shouldn't have seen radio imo.

[tim]

“You’ll Be There” has always been a bit of a polarizing song so it leaving before the top 3 doesn’t surprise me but it nonetheless is disappointing. The song will always hold a special place in my heart as its release came just a couple days prior to the passing of my mom and so I pretty much balled my eyes out listening to this song over and over again. I got to share in so many wonderful memories going to George’s concerts with my mom and if there’s one constant in my life it’s that from the very beginning of my childhood George’s music has always been there for me.

I’m still expecting to see “She Let Herself Go” come out ahead but I wouldn’t mind seeing an album track win this either.

[bboat11]

Aug 8, 2019 7:58:45 GMT -5 tim said:

“You’ll Be There” has always been a bit of a polarizing song so it leaving before the top 3 doesn’t surprise me but it nonetheless is disappointing. The song will always hold a special place in my heart as its release came just a couple days prior to the passing of my mom and so I pretty much balled my eyes out listening to this song over and over again. I got to share in so many wonderful memories going to George’s concerts with my mom and if there’s one constant in my life it’s that from the very beginning of my childhood George’s music has always been there for me.

I’m still expecting to see “She Let Herself Go” come out ahead but I wouldn’t mind seeing an album track win this either.

I just used it in my mom's funeral like a year ago. It's one of those songs that perfectly describes and soothes the emotions of a tragic event like that...

[bboat11]

But I finally got my first good look.

A little fire was all it took.

And as the flames grew brighter,

I saw everything that I’d missed.

Once you get your courage up,

You light a match and your eyes adjust.

It’s amazing what a man can see

By the light of a burnin’ bridge.

3. "By The Light Of A Burning Bridge"

Track #11

Runtime: 3:18

Songwriters: Walt Aldridge, Michael White



Total: 69
Average: 4.93
Std Dev: 1.77 (Smallest!!!)


George Strait Junkie - 1
mamasaid - 3
ClevelandRox - 4
gonecountry - 4
Kanenrá:ke - 4
collinkottke - 5
Cody Wants Out... - 5
LBTrocks - 5
.indulgecountry - 5
jimmy's carhartt - 5
gardyfan - 6
castleoblivion26 - 7
bboat11 - 7
tim - 8


Following:
Troublemaker

SPOILER: Click to show

{Songs Remaining}
If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk
She Let Herself Go

[bboat11]

"By The Light Of A Burning Bridge" isn't a standout on the album, imo, but it is a smooth, introspective song that just has a really easy melody to like. I have no issues seeing it this high; in fact it's a bit of a nice surprise! I especially like how it feels like yet another mid-tempo on a rather slow album, but then all of a sudden the first chorus is double-time. The driving tempo helps breathe a gentle life into this song.

[bboat11]

If the whole world was a honky tonk,

And it revolved around an old jukebox,

We’d tell our troubles to the bar

Over cryin’ steel guitars

And soon they’d all be gone.

Yeah, if you ask me what I thought,

I’d say we’d be better off

If the whole world was a honky tonk.

2. "If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk"

Track #1

Runtime: 4:08

Songwriters: Bryan Simpson, Ashley Gorley, Wade Kirby

Total: 66
Average: 4.71
Std Dev: 2.20 (3rd smallest!)


LBTrocks - 2
George Strait Junkie - 3
gonecountry - 3
Kanenrá:ke - 3
mamasaid - 4
Cody Wants Out... - 4
.indulgecountry - 4
castleoblivion26 - 4
tim - 4
ClevelandRox - 5
bboat11 - 5
gardyfan - 7
collinkottke - 8
jimmy's carhartt - 10

Following:
Troublemaker

---

He wondered how she’d take it

When he said goodbye.

Thought she might do some cryin’,

Lose some sleep at night.

But he had no idea

When he hit the road

That without him in her life,

She’d let herself go.

Let herself go on a single’s cruise

To Vegas once, then to Honolulu.

Let herself go to New York City.

A week at the spa, came back knocked out pretty.

When he said he didn’t love her no more,

She let herself go.

1. "She Let Herself Go"

Track #10

Runtime: 3:18

Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Kerry Kurt Phillips 

Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #14





Total: 39
Average: 2.79
Std Dev: 2.36


LBTrocks - 1
Kanenrá:ke - 1
Cody Wants Out... - 1
.indulgecountry - 1
George Strait Junkie - 2
mamasaid - 2
ClevelandRox - 2
bboat11 - 2
collinkottke - 2
castleoblivion26 - 3
gardyfan - 3
jimmy's carhartt - 3
gonecountry - 7
tim - 9


Following:
Troublemaker

[bboat11]

I was pretty surprised to see "If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk" do this well here! But it was clearly not a fluke. The song even occupied the #1 position for four lists, despite not receiving a single #1 rank itself. I kinda figured the top album track would be "Somewhere Down In Texas" based on what I have heard from people through the years, but I am okay seeing ITWWWAHT get a bunch of love. This song starts the album off on a really confident note, and it is just a classic straight-up country honkytonker which could have been a live favorite regardless of whether it had ever been released as a hit or not.

"She Let Herself Go", however, was the right choice for #1 here imo. This song may seem like one of his more forgotten recent #1s, but that twist in the phrase is hella iconic, and rivals his best work! The way the first verse sets the song up sounding all somber, like we're supposed to believe that she's fallen apart and let herself go in the wake of her breakup, only for the chorus to speed up and switch to a happier chord pattern, and George offers the clarification that she let herself go do all the things that she always wanted to do but was not allowed to because of her relationship, is literally perfect. Feminist empowerment jam from one of the leading men in country music What did we ever do to deserve George!!

[bboat11]

Let's get to a new page.

[bboat11]

Then I can post our next albums!

[bboat11]

[bboat11]

Holy shit. I am listening to Sara Evans' "Every Little Kiss" right now, and that gif lines up perfectly with the beat! I feel so acknowledged by the universe!

[bboat11]

This is scary/crazy.

[bboat11]

Alright, last one!