1988 Modern Rock Year-End Chart Rankdown (finished)

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#71:  "Paradise" - Meat Puppets


102:  YE Rank (this one would've been an extra instead of being ranked)
#10:  peak on CMJ
575:  rankdown points

I promised you a tie & here is the losing half of it. The winner of the tie almost scored a top 10 rank - tune in tomorrow to find out what it is.


17 Geometrical
24 rowellfarm490
34 American Idiot
34 Daryl the Beryl
44 peacebone
47 singingrulebritannia

61 wheatsquares33
74 Juanca
75 campbellssoup
83 Mirago
84 Alex1901
85 Butterflies & Hurricanes
92 newpower
93 Doc Indie Party Rock
93 gonecountry


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Verisimilitude]

I Need A Man, So Excited, and Birth School Work Death are all gems. I hope Mandinka doesn't show up too soon.

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

time for some not-so-special extras (meaning they would've been extras anyway):

[peacebone]

Why did we go back to #98

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

Apr 23, 2020 20:13:58 GMT -5 peacebone said:

Why did we go back to #98

oops...fixed that...thanks

these things happen when you copy/paste <shrug>

[Juanca]

100. Go Bang (99): I like speedy fun rock, but wtf was this? This seemed more of a parody. Almost ranked it #100, but there was one song that just annoyed the dann outta me...

99. Breakfast In Bed (87): I'm often a supporter of both artists, but this has always been one of my least favorite songs from either. Far too boring. And Ali Campbell's falsetto didn't work this time. So despite my love for both, I couldn't rank it higher.

98. She's Having A Baby (90): I wanted to like this a bit more as it had a bit of sophistipop sound, but ended up being too middle of the road and unremarkable to me.

97. Rev Jack & His Roamin Cadillac Church (84): For a moment, the harmonies and bluesy sound got me hooked and I was ranking it in the 70s. However, the melody got too repetitive too soon.

96. Just Play Music (89): This was a disappointment discovery, considering it was so high in the yearend chart. It was fun, but like B-lister-band fun Definitely not as good as Globe or Rush.

95. Cold Metal (95): PPPP!!! I often like Iggy's hard rockers, but this sounded more like a bad combo of David Lee Roth and Poison stuff. Nope.

94. Other 99 (76): At least the main melody was good here, but the problem was that it kept coming over and over and over. Little variation. Overkill. Look forward to ranking their better singles

93. I'm Sorry (94): Just unremarkable, forgettable to me.

92. Airhead (81): At some point I ranked it in my 60s, as I liked the Peter Gabriel-like sound. However the melody wasn't as strong in the end for me to rank it higher.

91. Help Save The Youth Of America (75): I had it around #90 for most of the RD, but then the melody and lyrics struck a chord and I ranked it a bit higher. Interesting stuff at least.

[Doc Indie Party Rock]

#80: "Globe Of Frogs" - Robyn Hitchcock
You should have left this one on the outside. That intro and percussion reminded of some of those Tool songs. Not a fan of this snoozfest. At least this was an easy song for me to tank.

#79: "Aches And Pains" - The Bears
Usually the type of song I would upgrade, and I did. The chorus was alright. This list lacked uplifting music , so I took whatever melodic wonders it had to offer.

#78: "King Of Emotion" - Big Country
Wasn't sure if this was a first time listen, but I love 80's big arena rock sound. A big difference from "In A Big Country", but that chorus with all that cowbell made this one of my favorites on this list. This is also a song that would have made Mainstream '88 a much more interesting top 100.

#77: "I've Got A Feeling" - Screaming Tribesmen
This was a first time listen for me, but Boy was this HOT! My type of guitar vibe and Great vocals to carry the Bass line home too. This had a strong Glam Rock vibe. 

#76: "Sometimes" - Firehose
This was o.k. I might have preferred Firehouse, maybe,but this had a bit of Brit Pop vibes , which made it sound better than I expected. Their other entry is total crap tho.

#75: "Rev It Up" - Jerry Harrison
This sounded more apt for mainstream rock. It was o.k.. I should have liked it more, but I didn't. The chorus was too tainted.

#74: "Birth, School, Work, Death" - Godfathers
Much better song that it gets credit for here. It should have been at least Top 50.

#73: "So Excited" - Ranking Roger
Very uplifting ,and very melodic, but not better than Dave Wakeling's movie soundtrack jam.. Vocals alone prove that. At least for me they do.

#72: "I Need A Man" - Eurythmics
Kinda hard to tank 80's icons. The songs have to be complete travesties or very different from their 80's stuff for me to do that. This one reminded me of "Would I Lie To You" so naturally it makes my top 50.

#71: "Paradise" - Meat Puppets
This was a serious corny wanna be ZZ Top ripp off, and I would have forgiven that, because the guitars are cool, but this is an abysmal vocal delivery.

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

it's time to see who wins that tie at #70...we'll be losing some high rankings today...only one top 10, but a total of ELEVEN top 20s will be lost today

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#70:  "Just Too Bloody Stupid" - Close Lobsters


087:  YE Rank
#09:  peak on CMJ
575:  rankdown points

Gates #11 rank for this beats out #17 for "Paradise" hence breaking the tie in favor of the lobsters. Which means Rowell (not Wheat) gets the PPPPP here. I had never heard of this Scottish band before researching for this rankdown. This song grew on me considerably upon each repeated listen. But don't expect to see them again as this & their extra from this year are the only time we will see them in these rankdowns.


11 singingrulebritannia

(echo in the canyon)

54 Doc Indie Party Rock
55 newpower
55 peacebone
59 Alex1901
59 Geometrical
60 gonecountry
61 Juanca
65 Daryl the Beryl
69 Butterflies & Hurricanes
70 rowellfarm490
71 wheatsquares33
77 campbellssoup
79 American Idiot
95 Mirago


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[singingrulebritannia]

These results are truly just the f**king worst

I swear to God if this song was titled anything other than "Just Too Bloody Stupid" y'all would've brought it up to the 40s at least

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#69:  "Put This Love To The Test" - Jon Astley


029:  YE Rank
#03:  peak on Billboard
576:  rankdown points

Only one point higher than the (very close) lobsters. Alex gets the PPPPP here - congrats!


11 Mirago
19 Juanca
29 newpower
36 Doc Indie Party Rock

53 Butterflies & Hurricanes
64 American Idiot
69 Alex1901
71 gonecountry
74 campbellssoup
75 wheatsquares33
82 peacebone
84 singingrulebritannia
85 Geometrical
89 rowellfarm490
98 Daryl the Beryl


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#68:  "Up There, Down There" - Patti Smith


058:  YE Rank
#06:  peak on Billboard
587:  rankdown points

Three songs in a row where we get to award a PPPPP? yup, congrats Peace! This song starts promising with the intro, but I'm not a fan of the guitars that kick in & then there's her voice, which is acquired taste to say the least...i can overlook that on her better songs, but this is not top-tier for Ms Smith.


15 American Idiot
24 Mirago
38 wheatsquares33
47 campbellssoup
56 Alex1901
57 rowellfarm490
65 Geometrical
68 peacebone
70 Butterflies & Hurricanes
71 Daryl the Beryl
73 singingrulebritannia
74 newpower
85 Doc Indie Party Rock
89 gonecountry
96 Juanca


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#67:  "Tomorrow People" - Ziggy Marley


010:  YE Rank
#01:  peak on Hard Report
595:  rankdown points

Another #1 falls. A new high in Pulse rankdowns for Ziggy I believe ... as it should be as this is probably his best song. Rowell is the latest to clear his bottom 10. Somebody clears theres on the next reveal, but for the rest of us, we'll be be waiting a while to clear ours.


14 Mirago
17 American Idiot
25 gonecountry
37 campbellssoup
48 Juanca

51 Butterflies & Hurricanes
60 newpower
68 singingrulebritannia
71 Geometrical
82 Daryl the Beryl
84 Doc Indie Party Rock
87 Alex1901
89 peacebone
93 rowellfarm490
94 wheatsquares33


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#66:  "Heaven Knows" - Robert Plant


104:  YE Rank (this one would've been an extra instead of being ranked)
#10:  peak on CMJ
606:  rankdown points

And it is Wheat's turn to clear his bottom 10! Surprised this was as low as it is, but it will get another chance for your love on the Mainstream rankdown (along with 3 of its album-mates).


15 Doc Indie Party Rock
20 Mirago
35 campbellssoup
50 newpower
50 Butterflies & Hurricanes

55 Alex1901
55 American Idiot
59 rowellfarm490
63 Juanca
73 gonecountry
79 Geometrical
83 singingrulebritannia
84 Daryl the Beryl
91 wheatsquares33
97 peacebone


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[House Lannister]

Apr 22, 2020 17:43:30 GMT -5 Butterflies & Hurricanes said:

#82:  "Wild, Wild West" - Escape Club

Aw, I got a soft spot for this one.

Maybe it doesn't quite count as rock, but that guitar does help make for a fun, interesting song.

And then the rap solo shows up and wouldn't you know it, it adds to the atmosphere.

I'd call it a guilty pleasure, except I feel no guilt towards liking this one.

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#65:  "Back On The Breadline" - Hunters & Collectors


033:  YE Rank
#03:  peak on Hard Report
616:  rankdown points

I like this band, but i prefer their other singles over this. Juanca clearly doesn't share my view.


14 Juanca
24 Daryl the Beryl
37 wheatsquares33
43 gonecountry
49 Mirago

57 Alex1901
59 campbellssoup
62 American Idiot
65 peacebone
66 Doc Indie Party Rock
72 singingrulebritannia
80 rowellfarm490
84 Geometrical
89 Butterflies & Hurricanes
98 newpower


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Deleted]

Why did we go back to #98 #75

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#64:  "Maybe It Won't Last" - Woodentops


098:  YE Rank
#10:  peak on Hard Report
626:  rankdown points

It didn't last.


18 wheatsquares33
38 Juanca
43 peacebone

53 Alex1901
54 newpower
55 Doc Indie Party Rock
55 rowellfarm490
57 Mirago
63 singingrulebritannia
65 gonecountry
70 Geometrical
76 Butterflies & Hurricanes
78 Daryl the Beryl
79 campbellssoup
85 American Idiot


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#63:  "Victoria" - The Fall


099:  YE Rank
#10:  peak on CMJ
628:  rankdown points

With seven top halves (most so far), this song was dragged down by the four bottom 11 rankings.


21 newpower
30 singingrulebritannia
34 Alex1901
38 Daryl the Beryl
38 rowellfarm490
46 Butterflies & Hurricanes
48 Doc Indie Party Rock

51 Mirago
53 peacebone
73 Geometrical
82 American Idiot
90 wheatsquares33
93 Juanca
95 campbellssoup
95 gonecountry


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#62:  "For The Singer Of REM" - Firehose


070:  YE Rank
#07:  peak on CMJ
634:  rankdown points

Geo loses his first Top 10! I'm afraid I may have under-ranked this one because it sounds better with each listen. But that's good news for Alex as we award him the lastest PPPPP.


10 Geometrical
21 singingrulebritannia
27 peacebone
39 wheatsquares33
42 American Idiot

53 newpower
54 rowellfarm490
62 Alex1901
73 Daryl the Beryl
73 Juanca
79 gonecountry
79 Butterflies & Hurricanes
87 Doc Indie Party Rock
88 campbellssoup
94 Mirago


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[singingrulebritannia]

I really don't understand what is continuing to carry "Tell That Girl To Shut Up" and "People Have The Power"....

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#61:  "When The End Comes Before" - Rave-Ups


103:  YE Rank (this one would've been an extra instead of being ranked)
#10:  peak on CMJ
649:  rankdown points

This is the highest song without a Top 25 rank.


26 American Idiot
35 Doc Indie Party Rock
36 singingrulebritannia
42 Juanca
43 Daryl the Beryl

55 Geometrical
56 newpower
56 peacebone
62 campbellssoup
71 rowellfarm490
72 gonecountry
72 Butterflies & Hurricanes
79 Mirago
80 wheatsquares33
81 Alex1901


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

...in our next set, we have two more 100s finally biting the dust, someone clears their bottom 10, & on the other end we see four Top 10s go by the wayside

will your favorites survive to the top half?...tune in later to find out

[rowellfarm490]

SPOILER: Click to show

{BACK ON THE STATLINE}

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

let's continue taking a closer look at some of the songs that should've been included (& would've if i'd been able to see the charts for certain weeks earlier) in our rankdown...here's today's SPECIAL EXTRA:

"Turning The Tide" - Richard Thompson



Beginning his career as part of a duo with wife Linda, Richard Thompson released 10 studio albums (not counting "fan club", live or compilations) prior to this album (Amnesia) release (his 4th after parting ways with Linda in '83). Peaking at #30 on Billboard, this marks his first time on the charts, but that's because there were no official Alt charts before this. He managed to climb as far as #7 on the Hard Report chart, which is why this song is being featured here.

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#60:  "Love Will Tear Us Apart" - Swans


026:  YE Rank
#02:  peak on CMJ
652:  rankdown points

This cover prompted Alt radio to start re-playing (or playing for the 1st time in some cases) the Joy Division original. The JD version even showed up on the charts, but instead of reduce it to an extra here, we will be saving it for a full-fledged rankable song in 1980.

Gone & New were NOT impressed with this version & finally get rid of their 100s. Meanwhile on the opposite end, SIX top half rankings are shed, led by Peace's 12. Shockingly this was not one of the 5 highest standard deviations.


12 peacebone
21 Daryl the Beryl
21 wheatsquares33
37 American Idiot
43 campbellssoup
50 Alex1901

52 Juanca
54 singingrulebritannia
56 Geometrical
58 Doc Indie Party Rock
67 rowellfarm490
94 Butterflies & Hurricanes
98 Mirago
100 gonecountry
100 newpower


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#59:  "Killer Moon" - T-Bone Burnett


047:  YE Rank
#05:  peak on Hard Report
668:  rankdown points

I had heard the name, but never any of his music until researching this rankdown. I was surprised at how much this song grew on me & steadily rose up my ranking (it's no "Killing Moon" but it's still good). Daryl disagrees as this reveal clears his bottom 10.


20 campbellssoup
28 singingrulebritannia
33 Mirago
34 Butterflies & Hurricanes
39 rowellfarm490
42 Geometrical
44 American Idiot

58 Alex1901
58 wheatsquares33
62 peacebone
65 Juanca
88 gonecountry
89 Doc Indie Party Rock
92 Daryl the Beryl
95 newpower


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#58:  "Away" - Feelies


023:  YE Rank
#02:  peak on Hard Report
670:  rankdown points

Amazing how many Hollywood producers/directors got their start doing 80s music videos for relatively obscure artists. James Cameron directed a video for Martin Ranch while Jonathan Demme directed this one. But of course he'll be remembered more for making TH's Stop Making Sense.


25 American Idiot
25 singingrulebritannia
26 peacebone
39 Daryl the Beryl
42 rowellfarm490

54 Alex1901
54 wheatsquares33
64 Geometrical
64 newpower
66 campbellssoup
74 Butterflies & Hurricanes
76 Doc Indie Party Rock
77 gonecountry
77 Juanca
82 Mirago


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#57:  "Tell That Girl To Shut Up" - Transvision Vamp


080:  YE Rank
#09:  peak on Billboard
690:  rankdown points

Is there anyone shocked that Doc is the high ranker for this one? No! But maybe you didn't expect him to include it in his Top 10.


9 Doc Indie Party Rock
13 newpower
24 Juanca
42 wheatsquares33
48 American Idiot
52 Butterflies & Hurricanes
53 campbellssoup
64 Mirago
64 rowellfarm490
67 Daryl the Beryl
69 peacebone
74 Alex1901
80 gonecountry
81 Geometrical
85 singingrulebritannia


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

#56:  "Get Started, Start A Fire" - Graham Parker


016:  YE Rank
#01:  peak on Hard Report
694:  rankdown points

Along with Elvis Costello & Joe Jackson, Graham Parker was considered one of the "angry young men" who surfaced in the late 70s making music on the more melodic side of punk. We lose yet another Alt #1 song & have back-to-back songs losing #9 rankings (this time it's mine - it has always resonated with me).


9 Butterflies & Hurricanes
18 Mirago
26 Geometrical
41 rowellfarm490
46 Doc Indie Party Rock
48 gonecountry

53 wheatsquares33
58 Juanca
60 singingrulebritannia
67 newpower
70 Daryl the Beryl
76 Alex1901
78 peacebone
85 campbellssoup
86 American Idiot


spectators:
House Lannister
Verisimilitude
@humanshazam
janinho
MoD
Red
somelikeitwhen