Eric Church Album Series: Desperate Man (Finished)

[recordyear]

3. Desperate Man
Track 8 written by Eric Church and Ray Wylie Hubbard

I'm a half-cock, full-tilt, scarred-hands-to-the-hilt, don't-push-me grown-ass man
Yeah flashin' light, caution, careful where ya cross son, 'til she comes back again



Total: 69
Average: 4.6
SD: 3.180296482 (highest)

gonecountry 1
Zack 1
bboat11 2
gardyfan 2
ethanhunt 2
recordyear 3
someguy 3
Tim 4
🌺CountryLineDancer 4
George Strait Junkie 5
castleoblivion26 6
HeyHeyHey 7
austin 8
kw9461 10
.indulgecountry 11

[recordyear]

Title track is understandably the first single out, costing the #1 from gonecountry and Zack , while .indulgecountry can sigh a relief that his #11 is finally gone.

Lyrically it shows his swagger well, with some daredevil imagery such as walking glass barefooted and strolling across hot coal, courtesy of Ray Wylie Hubbard's outlaw persona, or you may remember the numerous "boo" chants between every part of the song, or the drums which sound very similar to Rolling Stones' Sympathy For The Devil.

In the music video, EC got busted by agents whose uniforms read EMI which is the name of his record label while sending out the album, mirroring the release strategy of the previous album.

PS. Ray Wylie Hubbard reworked this song with The Band Of Heathens in his recently released album Co-starring Too.

[recordyear]

2. Monsters
Track 5 written by Eric Church and Jeff Hyde

Anymore when a restless feelin' keeps me up at night
Fallin' on my knees is my new turnin' on the light
I keep my faith intact, make sure my prayers are said
'Cause I've learned that the monsters ain't the ones beneath the bed



Total: 59
Average: 3.933333333
SD: 2.344192419 (3rd lowest)

gonecountry 2
Zack 2
🌺CountryLineDancer 2
castleoblivion26 2
HeyHeyHey 2
austin 2
bboat11 3
Tim 3
recordyear 4
someguy 4
kw9461 5
.indulgecountry 5
ethanhunt 6
George Strait Junkie 7
gardyfan 10

---

1. Some Of It
Track 4 written by Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Clint Daniels and Bobby Pinson

When you can, take it slow
'Cause time sure won't
What really makes you a man
Is being true to her
'Til your glass runs out of sand



Total: 39
Average: 2.6
SD: 2.501428163 (4th highest)

🌺CountryLineDancer 1
castleoblivion26 1
HeyHeyHey 1
austin 1
Tim 1
someguy 1
George Strait Junkie 1
gardyfan 1
kw9461 2
.indulgecountry 2
gonecountry 3
Zack 3
recordyear 5
ethanhunt 7
bboat11 9

[recordyear]

With absolutely no surprises, Some Of It is the champion of Desperate Man album rankdown with 20 points lead over Monsters, which took the second place. Monsters is the slightly stronger song for me because I like the words more (melted like butter, minefield of bad decisions). It's heartwarming to see his sons and him leaning towards different figures for peace. I really wish this song would have got a music video because the thematic arc ending on Some Of It feels under explored especially when the ending is supposed to be a teaser.

I feel Some Of It to be a safe hit song from him. The lyrics about what one has learnt are a bit checklisty, but what saves it is the flowing guitar playing that really eases up the mood. I also think his acting in the music video is solid.

Congratulations to gonecountry and Zack for getting a perfect ranking for Monsters, Tim, someguy and George Strait Junkie for a perfect #1, and 🌺CountryLineDancer, HeyHeyHey, austin and castleoblivion26 for the perfect top 2.

[recordyear]

And that's the end of Eric Church's album rankdown series this year. We will rank Heart & Soul and some extras before the grand final album tracks rankdown next year. See you then!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Rankdown closeness}
1. someguy 1
2. gonecountry 1.272727273
3. Zack 1.363636364
(=). castleoblivion26 1.363636364
5. 🌺CountryLineDancer 1.545454545
(=). austin 1.545454545
7. recordyear 1.727272727
(=). kw9461 1.727272727
9. Tim 1.909090909
(=). HeyHeyHey 1.909090909
11. gardyfan 2.363636364
(=). bboat11 2.363636364
13. George Strait Junkie 2.454545455
14. .indulgecountry 2.727272727
15. ethanhunt 3.181818182

SPOILER: Click to show

{Perfect rankings}
recordyear 4
🌺CountryLineDancer 4
Tim 3
someguy 3
gonecountry 2
castleoblivion26 2
kw9461 2
bboat11 2
.indulgecountry 1
austin 1
George Strait Junkie 0
gardyfan 0
HeyHeyHey 0
Zack 0
ethanhunt 0

[🌺CountryLineDancer]

Great top 3. Eric Church's single choices are usually hit or miss for me, but this album was the only era when I liked all the three singles. Also glad to see Hippie Radio making it to the top 5, as it was the obvious standout of all the album tracks for me. Thanks for hosting!!

[gonecountry]

Thanks recordyear for a great rankdown!  Not surprising to see top 3, pleased to see Monsters make #2.