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Post by taylor is terrified on Oct 30, 2019 23:07:31 GMT -5
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.indulgecountry
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Post by .indulgecountry on Oct 31, 2019 10:31:52 GMT -5
Both of these sucked. The correct bottom 2.
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Post by tim on Oct 31, 2019 21:08:16 GMT -5
Both of the first two songs out were also in my bottom 2 albeit in reverse order. I rarely ever revisit either song and more than not skip over them whenever I happen to give the album a spin. George has long been a fan of Merle Haggard’s so I can understand him wanting to include some of his idols songs and “My Life’s Been Grand” was only the second song by Merle that George recorded for a studio album with the first one being "Our Paths May Never Cross" from Right or Wrong. While I might not listen to this song much I do quite enjoy to hear George sing it because he sounds so at ease and sincere on this. I only placed “Good Time Charley’s” in last place because I really have to be in the right kind of mood for such an upbeat song. It’s just one of those songs that I’d enjoy at a bar or a night out on the town versus something that I’d listen to on a day to day basis. I do want to rescind my prediction for the most polarizing song because I agree with gonecountry that “Stars on the Water” is likely to be quite divisive and might even end up missing the top 5 altogether (although I hope not!) |
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Post by bboat11 on Oct 31, 2019 21:29:30 GMT -5
I do want to rescind my prediction for the most polarizing song because I agree with gonecountry that “Stars on the Water” is likely to be quite divisive and might even end up missing the top 5 altogether (although I hope not!) Good thing, too, because the song you previously said would be the most polarizing song is actually the LEAST polarizing song...
Way out here, you can see for miles, And if there was anything to be seen, Maybe I could tell the difference between Where I am and where I been.
8. "The Middle Of Nowhere"
Track #8 Runtime: 3:15 |
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Post by tim on Oct 31, 2019 21:59:12 GMT -5
“Middle of Nowhere” is a song that I don’t think I quite love as much as I used to but still enjoy. I have previously mentioned that I was an early fan of Shawn Camp and so I can easily pick up on some of his style that’s incorporated into the songwriting. And while I may have put this down in my bottom 3 this is a song I revisit often for road trips!
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Post by Kanenrá:ke on Oct 31, 2019 22:08:19 GMT -5
For me "Middle Of Nowhere" just felt too much like other songs already on the album, I preferred the other textures provided by "My Life's Been Grand", "Stars On The Water", or "Good Time Charley's" vs. something we already had.
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 19:59:12 GMT -5
I never did any commentary for "The Middle Of Nowhere"! This song is pretty good, but I agree with tim that I don't love it as much as I used to, and I also agree with Kanenrá:ke that it seems like a song that was done better elsewhere on the album. Still, it is a pretty good song, so I am glad seeing it at least escape the bottom 2! I was really worried when it started out as a #10 contender... Is anybody around to continue this??!!? I might even finish tonight if people care  |
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 20:05:13 GMT -5
Sweet love songs bring you to tears. Come on, baby, don’t hide in your fear. Let your lips say what your heart already knows. Your denial is the last thing to fall, The only brick left holdin’ the wall. Don’t hold back, speak with your heart and your soul.
7. Don't Tell Me You're Not In Love"
Track #6 Runtime: 3:32 |
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 20:09:33 GMT -5
"Don't Tell Me You're Not In Love" was the prominent #6 contender for this rankdown, but ultimately ended up falling back to #7 thanks to Kanenrá:ke pushing a song ahead by ONE POINT at the last minute  I was so disappointed!! Lol This song is very sweet. Tbh it has always reminded me of "As Far As It Goes" off of his next album, Honkytonkville. Just like that one, this one has always seemed like a missed single opportunity. However, this album still has MUCH better missed singles left, so I think we got it right putting songs like "Stars On The Water" and "Road Less Traveled" ahead of it  Still, I feel that DTMYNIL should have been at least another position higher... |
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 20:15:45 GMT -5
I don’t want you under my roof With your 86 proof watered down ‘til it tastes like tea. You’re gonna pull my string, Make it the real thing for me.
6. "The Real Thing"
Track #5 Runtime: 3:35 |
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LBTrocks
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Post by LBTrocks on Nov 2, 2019 20:19:33 GMT -5
"The Middle of Nowhere" is great, but half of the album is better! This is a great record.
Yay PR for "Don't Tell Me You're Not In Love!" Again, great song, I really love the melody and instrumentation but it was never contender for one of my fav songs on the album.
"The Real Thing" is absolutely fantastic and I'm glad it at least got close to the top 5!!! Dear God the chorus is HEAVEN! I wish this would have made top 5 instead of "Stars on the Water" tho.
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 20:24:19 GMT -5
"The Real Thing" is a pretty fun song. There is a lot of sassy spunkiness to George's vocals, which is undoubtedly why this is the first song we have seen so far that managed to obtain a #1 rank! "The Real Thing" is the song that Kanenrá:ke pushed ahead of "Don't Tell Me You're Not In Love" at the very last minute! Both songs seemed to be each other's primary competition as the submissions played out. Neither one posed a threat to the to 5, however. In fact, all 5 songs remaining were in the top 5 for the entire submission process!!!! No song we have seen thus far has occupied the top for even one moment of the submission process. The top 5 from this album was quite a dominating force Here is our top 5:
Living And Living Well
Run
She’ll Leave You With A Smile
Stars On The Water
The Road Less TraveledAlso, congrats to tim, myself, and ClevelandRox for having the correct top 5! Cody Wants Out... was really close as well, as he still has his top 4 and his #6. |
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Post by LBTrocks on Nov 2, 2019 20:33:00 GMT -5
Predictions:
1. Run
2. Living And Living Well
3. She'll Leave You With A Smile
4. The Road Less Traveled
5. Stars On The Water
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 20:34:59 GMT -5
Beer joint lights come on And then the crowd starts rollin’ in. Pretty soon you got stars on the water. You got stars on the water. You got stars on the water If it rains.
5. "Stars On The Water"
Track #3 Runtime: 3:44 Songwriters: Rodney Crowell
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Post by LBTrocks on Nov 2, 2019 20:40:39 GMT -5
I love "Stars On The Water" but the auto-tune was such an odd choice lol so it was easy to put this towards my bottom. I was actually expecting this to be one of the first few songs out based on the auto-tune, but I guess that doesn't bother y'all like I thought it was going to. It doesn't really bother me and it works okay with the song, but still, with an album this strong, it was definitely a factor in my lower ranking.
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 20:43:03 GMT -5
There we have the most polarizing song on the album! "Stars On The Water" was always bound to be polarizing, and that is not surprising at all considering George's creative use of autotune throughout the song. I mean, who would have thought that George freaking Strait would be one of the first country artists to blatantly experiment with creative autotune?!??!?  That factor alone is enough to make some people hate the song. However, the way I see it is, underneath the autotune there is still a damn good song. I mean, just look at how good that live video above is!! That mid-tempo country shuffle groove that keeps this song driving full-speed ahead is insanely catchy, and the melody, albeit repetitive, is very pleasing to the ear. This song SLAYS, tbh, and for those who are fans of the song, the autotune has even come to be seen as a distinguishing characteristic of the song, and a big part of its inherent charm. I had no doubt that this would be polarizing, but I am also not at all surprised to see it get enough love to make the top 5. It would have been very disappointing to see it miss, imo, because it is definitely a fan favorite! |
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 20:49:01 GMT -5
And it all might come together, Or it all might come unraveled On the road less traveled.
4. "The Road Less Traveled"
Track #7 Runtime: 3:55 |
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LBTrocks
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Post by LBTrocks on Nov 2, 2019 20:50:56 GMT -5
"The Road Less Traveled" is amazing and is rightfully in the top 5! The instrumentation is gorgeous, and George is delivering some A+ vocals here as usual. The chorus is melodic goodness.
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 20:58:05 GMT -5
Y'all NAILED this highest album track pick I am SO happy to see the title track do so well!!!! This has always been one of George's most underrated album tracks to me. "Stars On The Water" seems to be the attention-getter from this album, while the singles are all still so popular, so it seems like the title track is just never talked about. This song is so flipping perfect though!! My favorite thing about this song is the overall dark vibe that it has. Plus the instrumentation is very creative yet undeniably country. It is basically the uptempo equivalent of "Run". The loud electric guitar solos in this song make this sound a bit different from anything George had ever released before. The way the melody builds and swells from louder to softer throughout the song is a master class in how to not make a song formulaic and predictable. The lyrics are well-constructed, introspective, and deep. This is a perfect song for driving at night. Lmao I could list things I love about this song all day. But long story short, this is what I was hoping would be the highest album track, and y'all came through!!! Tbh, anyone who ranked this in the bottom 3 needs to listen to it again. |
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 21:01:55 GMT -5
Now, the single bias may have come through again on this album, but that is exactly the way it should have been! MCA and George completely nailed the single choices from this album I present to you, George's 48th, 49th, and 50th #1 hits  |
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 21:23:01 GMT -5
If there’s a plane or a bus leavin’ Dallas, I hope you’re on it. If there’s a train movin’ fast down the tracks, I hope you caught it. ‘Cause I swear out there ain’t where You ought to be. So catch a ride, catch a cab. Don’t you know I miss you bad?
But don’t you walk to me.
3. "Run"
Track #2 Runtime: 4:05 |
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 21:24:43 GMT -5
Welp, I should've just canceled the entire rankdown when those #9 ranks came in...  Literally the only reason that this song wasn't the runaway winner... |
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Post by Cody Wants Out... on Nov 2, 2019 21:26:34 GMT -5
 In that case... "Living and Living Well" ftw!  |
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Post by gonecountry on Nov 2, 2019 21:29:32 GMT -5
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 21:37:53 GMT -5
There’s a difference in livin’ and livin’ well. You can’t have it all all by yourself. Somethin’s always missin’ ‘til you share it with someone else. There’s a difference in livin’ and livin’ well.
2. "Living And Living Well"
Track #4 Runtime: 3:38 Songwriters: Tony Martin, Mark Nesler, Tom Shapiro
Placement in the Singles Rankdown: #30
At first she’s gonna come on strong, Like she’ll love you all night long, Like it’s goin’ out of style, Then she’ll leave you with a smile.
1. "She'll Leave You With A Smile"
Track #1 Runtime: 2:59 |
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 21:53:50 GMT -5
My thoughts on the top 3: "Run" is one of the most incredible songs George has ever recorded. Seriously, I can think of very few songs, period, that I love as much as this one. And it has always done very well in rankdowns, finishing at #3 in George's own singles rankdown, and #2 in the 2002 Country rankdown, allowing it to end up in the previous Revenge of the Best rankdown. But it faced adversity every step of the way in this rankdown, where it should have been a runaway winner  It was fixing to run away with the lead until the first tanking came in and put it in the midst of the other singles. It slowly gained ground, but every time it was about to get back ahead, somebody would rank it a position or two below the other singles, causing it to stay behind. On most albums I feel that this would have been able to withstand the low ranks and still been able to win, but on this album the singles are all so well loved that the other 2 both put up a HUGE fight, giving "Run" a run for its money. What I love most about this song is that it just feels so dark, and rich, and almost eerie. The steel guitar snaking its way throughout the instrumentation is both creative and tasteful. This is another song that is perfect for driving at night! Of course, I LOVE the unpredictability of this top 3!!! The fact that this song got tanked made this whole rankdown WAY more interesting, which is not always the case with these album rankdowns! That brings us to "Living And Living Well". This song is probably the most overplayed out of all the singles from this album, but it still slays. The arrangement is such a deliciously perfect blend of '90s and '00s country, and George sounds better than ever. One of my favorite vocal moments of his career is when he flawlessly and effortlessly reaches up to that glory note at the end of the bridge Such a Martina Move, but it just proves once again that he does not get enough credit for his vocal strength. Oddly enough, George himself hates this song... I remember seeing an interview years ago where he mentioned that this was probably the least favorite song of his career. Like, he didn't even remember the title of the song when he did the interview But I am glad his label was able to convince him to record it and release it as a single, because this is easily one of his most quintessential hits. "She'll Leave You With A Smile" is once again a deliciously dark sounding song. It has a very unique vibe to it that give it a lot of charm, imo. I am so glad this managed to be George's 50th #1 hit, and I am also pleasantly surprised to see it pull off a win in this rankdown!!! Thank you to everyone who participated and followed along This was one of the funnest albums to do yet! I love it when so many high quality songs have to face off As you can see, sometimes it can lead to some really unexpected results!! |
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Post by LBTrocks on Nov 2, 2019 21:56:45 GMT -5
WHAT?!!?!!?!? I AM SHOOK!!!! I thought for SURE "Run" had this in the bag!!!! I nailed the #2 position for "Living and Living Well" but I never imagined it would lose to "She'll Leave You With A Smile"!?!?!? So the top 3 was FANTASTIC so I'm not upset, but I am shocked! Thanks for hosting again bboat11 ! These George album RDs are bliss <3 |
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Post by tim on Nov 2, 2019 22:46:03 GMT -5
Even though I ranked “Don’t Tell me You’re Not In Love” just shy of my top 5 I was actually kind of hoping it might make it in and as bboat11 mentioned had they gone with another single I could have actually seen this getting released. This song has always been one of my favorites from the album. While I really enjoy “The Real Thing” it’s never been a song that I seek out to listen to from this album, but whenever it does happen to come on I can’t help but to get into it. Pleasantly surprised to see this do so well. I’m not at all surprised to see “Stars On the Water” be the most polarizing song if only because of the auto-tune. This has always been one of my favorite album tracks and also a very fun song to hear George sing live because it’s obvious he really enjoys this one as well. This song pretty much became a staple in his set list for years and he’d often kick off his shows with it. I very much agree with bboat11 ’s thoughts on “The Road Less Traveled” as the title track has always been an underrated gem that usually never gets talked about. Absolutely thrilled to see this as the highest ranking album track and knowing that I’m not alone in enjoying it! The top 3 really caught me by surprise because I’m pretty sure we all thought “Run” was going to sweep this. While “She’ll Leave You With a Smile” wasn’t my #1 I’m very happy the end result because all things considered all three singles were worthy of winning this rankdown. Thanks again bboat11 for another series! |
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Post by bboat11 on Nov 2, 2019 23:14:08 GMT -5
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Post by tim on Nov 2, 2019 23:23:57 GMT -5
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I was so disappointed!! Lol
Literally the only reason that this song wasn't the runaway winner...
It was fixing to run away with the lead until the first tanking came in and put it in the midst of the other singles. It slowly gained ground, but every time it was about to get back ahead, somebody would rank it a position or two below the other singles, causing it to stay behind. On most albums I feel that this would have been able to withstand the low ranks and still been able to win, but on this album the singles are all so well loved that the other 2 both put up a HUGE fight, giving "Run" a run for its money.
