bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 19, 2023 21:21:50 GMT -5
14. "Trains Make Me Lonesome"
Album: Holding My Own Decade: '90s Original Placement: #6
Total: 281 Average: 31.22 Std Dev: 21.02tim - 6 kw9461 - 7 George Strait Junkie - 9 gardyfan - 22 castleoblivion26 - 35 gonecountry - 40 LBTrocks - 47 bboat11 - 55 nathanalbright - 60 {Songs Remaining}80 Proof Bottle Of Tear Stopper Designated Drinker Hollywood Squares Honk If You Honky Tonk If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk Kicked Outta Country Murder On Music Row Sittin’ On The Fence That’s What Breaking Hearts Do The Nerve The Road Less Traveled When The Credits Roll Where The Sidewalk Ends
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 19, 2023 21:23:48 GMT -5
Iconic!! "Trains Make Me Lonesome" just feels like such a George Strait classic! I bet you could slip this into a playlist of his hits and the casual listener wouldn't question it. It SOUNDS like a hit, with its unique subject matter and its memorable melody.
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 19, 2023 21:26:27 GMT -5
13. "Kicked Outta Country"
Album: Strait Out Of The Box - Part 2 Decade: '10s Original Placement: #9
Total: 277 Average: 30.78 Std Dev: 27.35 (7th largest)gardyfan - 6 gonecountry - 6 George Strait Junkie - 10 nathanalbright - 18 kw9461 - 19 castleoblivion26 - 20 LBTrocks - 59 bboat11 - 62 tim - 77 {Songs Remaining}80 Proof Bottle Of Tear Stopper Designated Drinker Hollywood Squares Honk If You Honky Tonk If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk Murder On Music Row Sittin’ On The Fence That’s What Breaking Hearts Do The Nerve The Road Less Traveled When The Credits Roll Where The Sidewalk Ends
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 19, 2023 21:35:34 GMT -5
"Kicked Outta Country" is George's response to ageism in the country industry, coming at a time when he himself was starting to age out of radio playlists. I can't help but wonder how much truth there is to the verses of this song. Especially the opening lines: "Just got the news today. The record I sent 'em, they threw it away." I can't imagine that sort of behavior being shown to the King of Country, who very obviously has a HUGE following even if radio is no longer on board, but it definitely is a reality that many artists might have to deal with if they are not giving the industry executives what they are looking for.
The sentiment of "Well, it don't really matter, 'cause I ain't gonna change. And gettin' kicked outta country won't hurt a thing" is awesome! Unfortunately, where this song loses me a bit is the fact that the chorus becomes a laundry list of how other past legends dealt with aging out of the radio industry, some of which were not particularly healthy, like the fact that George Jones was famous for not showing up to shows Like why is that the aspect of his artistry that is being celebrated?! Having a "don't care" attitude towards radio is one thing, but no-showing all those concerts is full-on not caring about the fans. My point is, it feels to me like the only reason certain things were mentioned was because they were easy stereotypes for fans to relate to, rather than actually making a point.
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 19, 2023 21:41:15 GMT -5
12. "The Road Less Traveled"
Album: The Road Less Traveled Decade: '00s Original Placement: #8
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 19, 2023 21:48:35 GMT -5
Bowing out next is "The Road Less Traveled", the title track of George's 2001 album that successfully proved that his career was going to continue to be an unstoppable force well into the 21st century, after the self-titled era from the year before was a little bit of a disappointment at radio. "Run", "She'll Leave You With A Smile", and "Living And Living Well" were all HUGE hits at the time, but tbh they EASILY had the material to go for another single or two. "Stars On The Water" is the obvious one, based on reception at the time, but "The Road Less Traveled" belongs high in the runnings as well in my opinion!
I love the slightly dark vibe of this song. Like, even though it's not slow or anything, it's one of those songs that just somehow hits even harder at night. Honestly, they nailed the album cover, as that's the vibe that I get from nearly this entire album. The whole arrangement is just so tight, from the way the bass suddenly hits as they enter the second verse to the electric guitar solo that feels both so unusual for George yet entirely natural at the same time. And on top of it all, this is a pretty complicated melody, and George sings the hell out of it!
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 19, 2023 21:51:15 GMT -5
11. "If The Whole World Was A Honky Tonk"
Album: Somewhere Down In Texas Decade: '00s Original Placement: #6
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 19, 2023 21:56:20 GMT -5
Another one that just feels kinda random to be this high. I do love this one, but tbh in context of his whole career, I find Somewhere Down In Texas' leftovers to be pretty mid. Like, it's a good album, but not as many standouts as some of the others. This one could have been a hit, but its exclusion also doesn't feel like a major injustice to me quite the same way as like "You Haven't Left Me Yet", "Where The Sidewalk Ends", "80 Proof Bottle Of Tear Stopper", "If It's Gonna Rain", "As Far As It Goes", etc. I wouldn't have been sad to see this miss the top 30 with "By The Light Of A Burning Bridge".
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 19, 2023 21:59:04 GMT -5
With that, here's the top 10!!!
The top 10:
80 Proof Bottle Of Tear Stopper Designated Drinker Hollywood Squares Honk If You Honky Tonk Murder On Music Row Sittin’ On The Fence That’s What Breaking Hearts Do The Nerve When The Credits Roll Where The Sidewalk Ends
Any surprises or predictions??!!!?!?!
|
|
gardyfan
2x Platinum Member
Bad Mother Trucker
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,745
|
Post by gardyfan on May 19, 2023 22:37:43 GMT -5
I don't even have a top 10 left.
Nevermind I do have 2.
|
|
LBTrocks
Diamond Member
Joined: September 2012
Posts: 17,179
|
Post by LBTrocks on May 20, 2023 11:50:07 GMT -5
I hope LBTrocks didn't think it was THAT "She'll Leave You With A Smile" when he submitted his list with this as his #1 "She'll Leave You With A Smile" is a title that has taken on a whole new meaning in George's career since this song was released, seeing as it was the name of a huge #1 smash hit on his Road Less Traveled era, about the time he headlined that infamous final show at the Houston Astrodome! This version from 1997's Carrying Your Love With Me, however, is a completely different song, and a beautiful one at that! Carrying Your Love With Me is another George Album that is filled to the brim with missed hit opportunities despite having an undeniable amount of songs that did actually end up smashing too. "She'll Leave You With A Smile" is a beautiful song about a woman who will love you for awhile, but then she will ultimately leave you and feel no remorse, wearing a smile as she walks away. It's generally a similar theme to the famous hit, actually, lmao, but this one is in ballad form!
Finally catching up on this and no, I knew what I was ranking lmao Carrying Your Love With Me is my fav George album and has been literally my entire life, so I was def not thinking of the hit single when submitting my list for the album tracks finale, lol. Both are phenomenal songs but this one >>>
|
|
gonecountry
3x Platinum Member
Joined: February 2014
Posts: 3,410
|
Post by gonecountry on May 20, 2023 16:51:43 GMT -5
2,3,8,10 17,23,29 62,63,65
Pretty normal bell curve distribution there. Glad to see I've 4 of my top 10 still in the mix.
With George it is really hard to go wrong...
|
|
|
Post by castleoblivion26 on May 20, 2023 20:38:38 GMT -5
I knew there was no chance "House of Cash" had any prayer of being #1 but I do feel it went out way too early.
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 20, 2023 21:46:31 GMT -5
I kinda let it get a little bit later for some of y'all than I meant to, but I'm ready to finish this up regardless! If anyone is around and happens to be able to follow along for the GRAND FINALE, it's starting now!
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 20, 2023 21:49:27 GMT -5
10. "The Nerve"
Album: Carrying Your Love With Me Decade: '90s Original Placement: #4
|
|
|
Post by castleoblivion26 on May 20, 2023 21:54:38 GMT -5
I really enjoyed "The Nerve" and am glad to see it make the Top 10
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 20, 2023 21:58:07 GMT -5
Kicking off the top 10, the Carrying Your Love With Me era is finally eliminated with the exit of its final song, "The Nerve". I have written plenty about my love for this song through the years, but I'll gladly do it again! I LOVE the way this song is written. It starts with the narrator and his lover, and how he is glad he had the nerve to talk to her in a crowded airport back in the day. But then it zooms out a little bit further, praising the narrator's father for having the nerve to propose to his mother. Before going ever further back to when one of his ancestors came to America and started a forbidden affair with an Indian maiden. Overall there is a sequence of choices that were made, all of which involved some degree of courage, and they all led the narrator and his lover to THIS moment, and how happy they are, and how much they have been through together. I just love that perspective so much.
And the cherry on top is that the final "nerve" moment goes back to the beginning of our universe and life itself. It does imply the existence of a God, who had the nerve to create the universe and life in general. But the line "with one tiny atom, or an Adam and an Eve, however you look at it, whatever you believe, I'm glad he had the nerve." And I just feel like that line is so well-written, as it manages to be respectful to just about everyone's beliefs while also fitting with the theme of the song in a way that feels profound rather than stereotypical bring-it-back-to-jesus-cuz-country-fans-love-him!
And the cherry on top is George's absolutely amazing vocal performance! He really nails this one I can't get enough of the way he belts it out when he needs to!
|
|
|
Post by tim on May 20, 2023 22:00:24 GMT -5
I'm here and just in the nick of time...let's do this!
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 20, 2023 22:02:21 GMT -5
9. "Honk If You Honky Tonk"
Album: Honkytonkville Decade: '00s Original Placement: #3
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 20, 2023 22:03:44 GMT -5
I don't even have a top 10 left. Well apparently this wasn't true You still had at least one perfect ranking left in ya heading into the top 10!
(And your #4 is still in too)
|
|
|
Post by tim on May 20, 2023 22:03:51 GMT -5
I wanted to add that while the final top 10 songs aren't quite what I'd put in the bucket of George's best album tracks, they are a great representation of the Pulse country community and encapsulates y'all's favorites overall. So with that being said, I'm ready to see how this all plays out!
|
|
|
Post by tim on May 20, 2023 22:07:02 GMT -5
Both "The Nerve" and "Honk If You Honky Tonk" feel like the hits that got away from their respective albums, so them making the top 10 here wasn't all that surprising. Looking back, I do wonder if "The Nerve" would've been a slightly better option over "Today My World Slipped Away" (but that's really a flip of the coin because both are superb on their own).
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 20, 2023 22:07:37 GMT -5
"Honk If You Honky Tonk" is of course the major fan favorite from Honkytonkville. It's still unbelievable that an album with this song AND "As Far As It Goes" sitting right there with all that excitement behind them managed to be his only album from his prime to not have a #1 hit on it. This song is definitely one of those songs that radio would have eaten up back in the day, and concert crowds seemed to love it as well! No surprise to see it in the top 10...although I am slightly surprised that it wasn't more of a top 5 contender!
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 20, 2023 22:10:28 GMT -5
8. "Sittin' On The Fence"
Album: Love Is Everything Decade: '10s Original Placement: #3
|
|
|
Post by tim on May 20, 2023 22:14:43 GMT -5
Going into this, I'm not sure I would've guessed that there would've been not one, not two, but three tracks from Love Is Everything in the top 10. Of those, "Sittin' On The Fence" does seem like a bit of an outlier to me especially when put up against the likes of some of his other well-known album cuts. Don't let my own ranking for this fool you as I do love the song, but when put up against the other tracks here it certainly falls towards the bottom quarter of my list.
|
|
|
Post by castleoblivion26 on May 20, 2023 22:16:58 GMT -5
"Honk If You Honky Tonk" is a favorite and I am very glad it made the top 10.
"Sittin' On The Fence" is a good song but I definitely don't think it deserved Top 10 over some of the songs that missed
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 20, 2023 22:17:57 GMT -5
"Sittin' On The Fence" is by far the biggest surprise of the top 10 to me! Imo just about everything here has an undeniable place, but this one could totally be argued. I'm not gonna complain though, as you can see it's in my own top 10. I have always loved the overall hook of this one. George is great for delivering a witty hook delightfully often throughout his career, and I feel like "sittin' on a stool sittin' on the fence" as a description of drinking and being uncertain about the trajectory of your relationship is one of his cleverest ones in recent years. Also, what an honor it is for the Love Is Everything album to have THREE album tracks in the top 10! I expected "That's What Breaking Hearts Do" to be this high for sure, and felt like "When The Credits Roll" had a good chance of being at least top 20 if not top 10... But "Fence" was more of a wild card. To see all three of them here is so cool for that album, as it truly is such an astoundingly strong late-career gem!
|
|
|
Post by tim on May 20, 2023 22:18:48 GMT -5
Of the remaining songs, I'm thinking that "80 Proof Bottle Of Tear Stopper" and "Hollywood Squares" will be the two to bow out before the top 5 as I just can't see them gaining an edge over the five others.
|
|
bboat11
Moderator
Pulse's Resident Martina McBride Expert
Joined: February 2013
Posts: 27,298
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Staff
|
Post by bboat11 on May 20, 2023 22:21:38 GMT -5
7. "When The Credits Roll"
Album: Love Is Everything Decade: '10s Original Placement: #1
A little more villain than hero...
gonecountry - 63 George Strait Junkie - 72 {Songs Remaining}80 Proof Bottle Of Tear Stopper Designated Drinker Hollywood Squares Murder On Music Row That’s What Breaking Hearts Do Where The Sidewalk Ends
|
|
|
Post by tim on May 20, 2023 22:23:18 GMT -5
Just when I was also going to add that I'm sure we'd be in for a surprise (or two!), bboat11 delivers on cue lol. I thought for sure that "When the Credits Roll" was a lock for not just the top 5 but possibly the top 3.
|
|