Last time I ranked the album, it had only been out a short time. The songs are mostly lyrically-based so it takes longer to appreciate them. I decided to rank them again now that I’ve listened a lot more.
Willow- Gr-G (it’s very catchy, but way too much “…man” repeats)
Champagne Problems- Gr (lyrically dense)
Gold Rush- A-Gr (Track 3?! Very visual of a song)
Tis the Damn Season- G-N
Tolerate It- A (Captures that gay feeling accurately)
No Body No Crime- A-Gr (What a fun song)
Happiness- G
Dorthea- G-N
Coney Island- G-S (Lots of repetition, and I think his singing is bad)
Gone are the days when artists can hide meh-bad songs in an album and still sell based on 1-2 singles (thank goodness). As such, I penalized the less than good songs more than I scored the awesomes high. Streaming is harsh. Here’s the scale I used for this entire list:
awesome 5
A-Gr cusp 4.5
Great 4
Gr-G cusp 3.5
Good 3
G-N cusp 1
Neutral -1
N-M cusp -2
Meh -3
M-S cusp -4.5
Skip -6
Another aside-I try only to rank songs released on the calendar year. Sometimes I’m unaware a ‘live’ song isn’t new, or I judge a remix or something. This year I must say there were a LOT of cheatee, not actually new, music put out in 2021:
Madonna-True Blue (35th Anniversary Edition); Green Day- Insomniac (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition); Avril Lavigne- Bite Me single; Metallica single; Sam Smith-Love Goes (live) & soundtrack produced by him? Rufus Wainwright-live; Jason Isbell- live; Sarah Bareilles-live; The Black Keys- remastered, live; Pink-remixes; Blondie-Spanish; Kelly Clarkson-Christmas
You see there were a lot of people putting something out, so the Wiki 2021 Albums list looked overwhelming, but a lot of artists were tricky. They got their name out, but didn’t put in a lot of work *side-eye* Seems to me like everyone had a lot of time to think and write and get something together during the 2020 Covid-pause.
There’s my parameters. Let’s commence the count-from bottom of my reviewed to the best of the best 2021!
Vampire Weekend– S (too experimental & discordant)
tot = nope
I abandoned this one, because I just couldn’t. You’ll see a theme this year-not everything is made for me, not everything is appreciated by me. It’s fine. This is one of those.
John Mayer-Sob Rock
I was torn about even reviewing this album. John Mayer has been a long time staple of mine, but new information has come to light (Jessica Simpson) and I feel like it isn’t all that ethical to support him. But I thought I’d at least give it a chance. Well, I shouldn’t have. It’s nothing special. Nothing much was going on in the songs. Boring. And by the time I got to the baby-talking track (cringe!) I was over it. There are just too many albums this year to fuss about with a meh one. So I aborted mission halfway through.
tot = NOPE
Last Train Home M
Shouldn’t Matter but It Does G
New Light M
Why You No Love Me S (baby talk)
Wild Blue M
Shot in the Dark; I Guess I Just Feel Like; Til the Right One Comes; Carry Me Away; All I Want is to be With You
Those were the only two albums that I could not make myself finish. The next ones scored in the negatives. That just means they either had tracks to skip, mehs, or not enough songs that moved me.
Neil Young Crazy Horse-Way Down the Rust Bucket-Live
I really couldn’t get past the awful singing. IDK why listeners are very hard on women who don’t/can’t/lose their singing, but it seems like it’s tolerated if men do it *cough patriarchy/misogyny*
Country Home- S (pretty bad singing)
Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleeze- S (bad)
Love to Burn- N
Days that Used to be- G
Bite the Bullet- M
Cinnamon Girl- M
Farmer John- M
Over and Over- G
Danger Bird- N (terrible singing knocks the score down)
Don’t Cry No Tears- G
Sedan Delivery- G
Roll Another Number (for the Road)- M (bad singing)
Fuckin’ Up- M
T-Bone- S (About 5 words in the song)
Homegrown- N (good harmonies)
Mansion on the Hill- S (bad)
Like a Hurricane- Gr (probably best on album)
Love and Only Love- Gr
Cortez the Killer- G
Skellig- M
Dun Loaghaire- G
Accumulates- G
Heart and Soul- N-G cusp
Laughing Gas- N
No False Gods- M-S cusp
Deep Water Swim- G
Spiral Arms- M (repetitive)
The White Owl- M
Dares My Heart be Free- N
House with No Walls-M
Can’t Hurt More Than This- M
All That We Asked for- M
Doja Cat- Planet Her:
Now, I know. This is the album that is getting the most hype this year. I only listened to it for that reason. And last year I listened to Dua Lipa for the same reason, and really liked it. The magic didn’t happen this year. I like the title of this album, and that’s about it for me. And that’s OK. Not every album is made for me, nor enjoyed by me. I wasn’t feelin’ this one. I might be the only one on the planet.
A; 1Gr4; 2Gr-G7; 2G3; 1G-N1; 1G-M0; 3N-3; 7M-21; S = tot -9
Woman- G (Repetitive.)
Naked- N
Payday- Gr-G (Good ambient sounds, but Minnie Mouse singing.)
Get Into It (Yuh)- Gr-G (Baby-voice is ehhhh, but rap is good and fast.)
Need to Know- Gr (Catchy and I like the repeated words)
I Don’t Do Drugs- N (Xylophone is interesting and different, but the rest of the song is kinda boring.)
Love to Dream- M
You Right- N
been Like This- N-M (Somewhat high note is good, but the song is just boring.)
Options-Gr (Moag!)
Ain’t Shit- M (The only thing I liked was the counting.)
Imagine- M
Alone- M
Kiss Me More- G-M (Disco sound)
You Right (Extended)- G (The duet is probably the best on the album. I also liked the breathes/breathing sounds.)
Up and Down- G-N
Tonight – M
Ride- M
Why Why- M
Kaleo
I wanted to love this one like I loved their last album. But it really fell off in the second half. It probably would have ranked higher if the latter half was edited out completely.
Listen!!! N-G (the brr brr noise saves it. and nice piano)
Don’t Need Nothing N-G (finally, a beat! is this what the album is missing?)
Stomach N
Personal Cathedrals Gr-G (a better singing style, more lyrically intricate)
Hold Out M
Billie Eilish- Happier Than Ever:
I almost aborted listening, because the entire first half of this long album was pretty ‘background music’ (boring). But it bothers me to not finish things so I pressed on a little more, and I’m kinda glad I did, bc it did get better. Track order is a major problem here! Mix it up or cut the front half.
Hailey’s Comet- N-G (Sounds a lot like 1930s type of singing/crooning. This goes on for too short of a time. There’s a pause and then it seems to be a whole different song? Then, that’s too short as well.)
Not My Responsibility- S (Need to sing)
Overheated M
Everybody Dies- M (I can hear her breathes a lot, and it doesn’t sound good. Big yawn.)
Your power- G
NDA- Gr-A. (catchy . Same tune as her 1st album. Good moàg)
Therefore I Am- N
Happier Than Ever- Gr
Male fantasy- G
M (Glitch is always welcome. Has rap .)
Shovels & Rope- Busted Jukebox Volume 3
Soooo? Is this supposed to be a kid’s album? Title it better, because I needed to listen with that expectation in mind.
Hush Little Baby- S (WTF is this shit?)
In My Room- G
What a Wonderful World- N (Great song, played too slow. Whistle & talking sucked)
You Are My Sunshine- N
Cry Baby- G
My Little Buckaroo- M
Everybody Hurts- N (Weird choice for a kid’s album, if this is one…)
Mother Earth and Father Time- M
The Ants Go Marching- A (Fucking great syncopation!)
Tomorrow- G
We’ll get into the middle of the pack tomorrow. And I’ll come back and number these when I finish the last two album-rankings.
I did this project while working. As such, I just ranked the songs on that post-it app on my desktop. So if this is easier for you to read than the bottom to top list of songs–here ya go!
IG Awesomes
1= elite awesome
1a top ever songs
1b = exactly elite
1c = better than your avg awesome
2= solid awesome
2a = top of list
2b = bottom of list
3 = better than good
3a = top of list
3b = bottom of list
IG AWESOME-ELITE 1
1A top of the top (final)
Closer to Fine (1200): C, L, N, S(!), U (pennywhistle?) = 1a (b/c you can hear how important/popular this song is w/the crowd = pure joy & a lesbian initiation)
Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (SDtBD): C, L, N (harmonies), S, U (Brandi!) = 1a (this song makes me super-enthuastic!)
Watershed (NIS): C, L, N, S(!) = 1a
Go (LwUoCSO): C, I, L, N, P = 1A (Amy belts it out!)
The Rise of the Black Messiah (OLD): C, I, L, N, P, U (strong & haunting) =1a
Galileo (RoP): C, L, P, S = 1a (same with this old friend-felt guilt out-ranking it)
Fill It Up Again (AtWLI); C, L, N, S = 1a
Kid Fears (ST): C, L, N, S, U (feat Michael Stipe) =1a
Closer to Fine (ST); C, L, N, S = 1a (I felt like I was somehow betraying these staple-favorites ranking any song higher)
Pushing the Needle Too Far (NIS): C, L, P, S = 1a
Prince of Darkness (ST): C, L, N, P, S =1a
Second Time Around (SDtBD): C, I, L, P, S, U (live = more emotional) 1A
Become You (BY): C, I, L, P, S = 1a
Compromise (LwUoCSO): C, I, N = 1a
AWESOME-ELITE
1B (exactly elite)
top exactly elite = i (final)
Galileo (1200): C, L, P, S = 1bi
Kid Fears (SDtBD): C, L, S, U (feat Shreena Mead sounds good) = 1bi
Moment of Forgiveness (SDtBD): C, L, N, S = 1bi
Yield (BY): C, I, L, N, S = 1bi
Hammer and a Nail (NIS): C, L, N, P, S! = 1bi
Chickenman (1200): C, I, L, N, P, U (harmonica= 1bi (best version?
Become You (SDtBD); C, L, P, S, U (accordian?) = 1bi
Yoke (BQS): C, I, L, P, S = 1bi
Moment of Forgiveness (BY): C, L, N, S =1bi
World Falls (1200-live): C, L, N, S = 1bi
Happy in the Sorrow Key (OLD): C, I, L, N = 2Bii (ENDING!)
Happy Joyous Hanukkah (HHD): C, I (BASS!), L, P, U (mandolin?) = 1Bi
Devotion (SDtBD): C, L, N = 1bi
I Feel the Christmas Spirit (HHD): C, I, L, N, U (blue grass) = 1bii
AWESOME-ELITE
1B (exactly elite)
bottom exactly elite = ii (final)
Tangled Up In Blue (1200); C, I, L, N, P = 1bii (Emily sings her ASS off!)
Pushing the Needle Too Far (1200): C, L, P, S = 1bii
Second Time Around (PatBB): C, I, L, P, S, U (harmonica?) = 1Bii
Go (CoNS): C, I, L, N, P, U (talking about activism in background, chanting) = 1Bii
World Falls (LwUoCSO): C, I, L, N!, P = 1bii (sounds just different enough; the singing!)
Land of Cannan (ST): C, I, L, S = 1bii
Least Complicated (1200): C, L, N, P, S = 1bii
Deconstruction (BY): C, L!, N, S! = 1bii
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (1200-live @ atwood): C, L, N, P, U (feat artists, drumming) = 1bii
Money Made You Mean (DOD-live): C, I (banjo-wow!), L, P = 1bii (don’t like plosives)
Cold Beer & Remote Control (SDtBD): C, L, N, P = 1
Love of Our Lives (PatBB): C, L, N, S = 1bii
Joking (1200): C, I, (bass @ end) L, N, P, S, U (false ending) = 1bii
Fugitive (LwUoCSO): C, I, N = 1bii
AWESOME-ELITE
1C (better than your avg awesome) (final)
Hope Alone (BY): C, L, N, S =1c
Last Tears (DOD: C, L, N, S = 1c
Philosophy of Loss (CoNS): C, I, L, P, S = 1c
Heartache for Everyone (AtWLI): C, I, L, S = 1c
Shame On You (SotS): C, L, N, P, S, U (road block trippin’ break-down) = 1c1
Scooter Boys (SotS): C, I (jengling) L, P, U (wail) = 1c
Shit Kickin (LL): C, I, L, P, U (choral backing) = 1c
Go (SDtBD): C, I, L, N, P = 1C
Howl at the Moon (LL): C, I, L, N, U (tribal) = 1c
Get Out the Map (SDtBD): C, L, N, P = 1c
Salty South (SDoBD): C, I, S = 1c
Rock and Roll Heaven’s Gate (SDtBD): C, L, N, P =1C
Land of Cannan (SF): C, L, N, S, U (harmonica) = 1c
Make It Easier (SF): C, I, L, N, P = 1c
The Wonder Song (HHD): C, L, N, U (country) = 1C
Second Time Around (PatBB-acoustic): C, L, P 1C
Shame On You (SDtBD): C, I, P, U (cajin instrument) =1c2 (different tempo from orig bothers me)
Money Made You Mean (DOD): C, I, L, P = 1c
see other post it for lower awesome groups
between awesome and good
final
1,2,3 (NIS): C, N, S = 2a
Blood & Fire (ST): C, L, N, P, S = a1i
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (1200): C, I, L, P = 2a (a cause near to my heart)
Chickenman (LwUoCSO): C, I!, L, N!, P = 2a
Tether (SDtBD): C, I, L, P = a1i (Amy belts. it. out!)
Sugar Tongue (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, P = a1i
Yoke (LwtUoCSO); C, I, L, N, P = a1i (wow-low register!)
final
You and Me of the 10,000 Wars (NIS): C, L, P, S = a1i
Hand Me Downs (NIS): C, I, L, S = 2b
Driver Education (PatBB): C, L, S = 2a
Cold Beer & Remote Control (CoNS): C, L, P, S! = 2a
Joking (RoP): C, L, P, S, U (false ending) = 2a
Collecting You (BY): C, L, N, S! = a1i
Philosophy of Loss (CoNS): C, L, P, S = a1
Fugative (SDtBD): C, L, N, Pa= 1i
final
Heartache for Everyone (SDtBD): C, L = 2b
It’s Alright (SotS): C, L, P, S = 2b
Get Out the Map (SotS): C, L, N, P, U (banjo?) = 2b
Kid Fears (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, N = a1i (crowd singing)
Midnight Train to Georgia (1200): C, L, N, P = a1i (Emily really sings!)
Sugar Tongue (SDtBD); C, N = 2a
O Holy Night (HHD): C, I, N, S = a1i (high difficulty notes)
Our Deliverance (BY); C, L, N, P, S = a1i
Rock and Roll Heaven’s Gate (DOD): C, L, N, P = a1i
Fill It Up Again (SDtBD); C, L, S = 2a ( a bit different from my fave version, audience sings)
Faye Tucker (CoNS): C, L, N, P, U (laugh, chanting) = 2b
Center Stage (ST): I, L, N, P = a1i (ending)
final
All the Way(DOD): C, L, S! = 2a (strong vocab, meaningful to me)
I’ll Change (PatBB): C, L, S = 2b
Believe in Love (SDtBD): C, I, L, N = a1i
Burn All the Letters (SotS): C, I, L, N, P, U (powwow chant) = a1i
Land of Cannan-radio single (ST): C, I, L, N, P, S = a1i
Love’s Recovery (ST): C, L, N, S = (don’t like Emily’s deep singing) = 3
final
Dairy Queen (AtWLI): C, I, S! = 2b
Olympia Inn (OLD): C, P = 2B
Learned It On Me (OLD): C, L, N (harmonies) = 2b (yes! a burn-song)
Favorite Flavor (LL): C, L = 3
Little Perennials (DOD): C, L = 1C
Love of Our Lives (LwtUoCSO): C, I!, L, N = a1i
This Train Revised (1200-live): C, I, N = 2b
final
Touch Me Fall (SO): I (really rocks at end) = 2b
I Don’t Wanna Know (1200); C, I, L, N = a1i (more lively version, “I don’t care either!”)
I Believe in Love (DOD): C, L!, S = 2b
I Don’t Wanna Know (SF): C, I, N, U (harmonica?) = 2b
Run (DOD): C = 2b
final
Chickenman (RoP): C, L, P, U (harmonica?) = 2b
Last Tears-acoustic (DOD): C, L, N, S = a1i
Least Complicated (SO): C, L, N, P, S = 2a
Beauty Queen Sister (BQS): C, I, L, P = a1i
ig good
a= almost awesome
b= exactly good
c= almost OK
1 = top of catagory
2 = bottom of catagory
i = top of almost awesome
ii = bottom of almost awesome
a= almost awesome
1 = top of catagory
see different post it for higher goods group
a= almost awesome
1 = top of catagory
ii = bottom of almost awesome (final)
Closer to Fine (SDtBD): C, I, L, N, P, S = a1ii
World Falls (NIS): C, L, N, P, S = a1ii
Secure Yourself (ST): C, L, N, P, S = a1ii
Faye Tucker (CoNS): C, I, L, N, P = a1ii
Fugative (SO) = C, L, N, P = a1ii
Tried to be True (ST); C, L, S = a1ii
Happy in the Sorrow Key (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, N, P = A1ii
Cut it OUt (SotS): C, I, L, P = a1ii
You’ve Got to Show (BY): C, L, S = a1ii
Three County Highway-live (DOD): C, L, N, P = a1ii
Damo (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, N, P = a1ii
Lay My Head Down (DOD); C, L, N, P = a1ii
Airplane (RoP): C, L, N = a1ii
Little Perennials-live (DOD): C, I, N = a1ii
Angels We Have Heard On High (HHD): C, N, S = a1ii
a= almost awesome
2 = bottom of catagory
i = top of almost awesome (final)
Welcome Me (NIS): C, I, L, P, S = a2i
Galileo (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, N, P = AIi (good, but I like original better)
Tether (AtWLI): C, I, L, N, P = a2i
Able to Sing (LwtUoCSO): C, I!, L, N = a2i
Sugar Tongue (PatBB): C, L, P, S = a2i
Shed Your Skin (SofS): I, L, N, P, U (native american backing) = a2i
Starkville (BY); C, I, L, S = a2i
Southland in the Springtime (NIS): C, L, S = a2i
Pendulum Swinger (DOD): C, L, N, P = a2i
Gone Again (CoNS): C, I, L, P = a2i
Strange Fire (SF): C, I, L, N = a2i
Three County Highway (SDtBD): C, L, N = a2i
Love of Our Lives-acoustic (PatBB): C, L, N = a2ii (stronger singing)
Making Promises (BQS); C, L = a2i
Watershed (SDtBD): = C, I, L, N, S = a2i (5d, live singing = less)
Damo (BQS): C, I, L, N = a2i
a= almost awesome
2 = bottom of catagory
ii = bottom of almost awesome (final)
They Won’t Have Me (DOD): C, I, L, P = a2ii
Trouble (CoNS): C, I, L, N, P = a2ii
This Train Revised (SO); C, I, L, N, P = a2i
Free in You (AtWLI): C, N = A2i
Leeds (SotS): C, L, P, U (Indian chanting) = a2ii
Let it be Me (RoP): C, N, P = a2ii
Three Hits (RoP): C, I, N, P = A2ii
Romeo and Juliet (RoP); C, L, N, P = a2ii
What Are You Like (PatBB): C = A2ii
Crazy Game (SF): N = a2ii (great harmonies, bluesy)
b= exactly good
1 = top of catagory (final)
Keeper of My Heart (NIS): C, L, P, S = b1
Woodsong (LwtUoCSO): C, I, N = b1
Down by the River (1200): C, I, N = b1
True Romantic (PatBB): C, L, N = b1
Love of Our Lives (SDtBD): C, L, N = b1
Ozilline (SDtBD): I, L, N = b1
Reunion (SO): C, I, L, N = b1
Ozilline (CoNS): C, I, L, U (old lady talking) = b1
Jonas and Ezekiel (RoP): C, I, L, P = b1
Jonas and Ezekiel (1200): C, L, N, P = b1
The Girl w/the Weight of the World in Her Hands (NIS); L, P, S = B1
Run (DOD): C, N = b1
K.C. Girl (LL): C, L, = b1
b= exactly good
2 = middle of catagory (final)
Fleet of Hope-acoustic (PatBB); C, L = b1
What Are You Like-acoustic (PatBB): C = B1
The Wood Song (SDtBD): C, N = b1
Your Holiday Song (HHD); C, I, L, N = b1
Muster (LL): L, P = b1
Elizabeth (OLD): L, N = B1 (DETAILED STORY)
Change My Heart (LL); I, N, P = b1 (kinda weird lyrics)
Mariner Moonlighting (BQS): L = b1
b= exactly good
3 = bottom of catagory (final)
Fly Away (SDtBD): C, L, N = b2
Come a Long Way (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, N = b2 (Uneven singing; ending!)
I’ll Change-acoustic (PatBB): C, L, S = b2
True Romantic-acoustic (PatBB): C, L, N = b2 (the yearning!)
War Rugs (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, N, P = b2
Perfect World (AtWLI): C, L, P = b2
Digging for Your Dream (PatBB) = C, L, P = b2
Nashville (RoP): C, L, P = b2
The Wood Song (SO): C, L, N = b2
Ghost of the Gang-acoustic (PatBB): L, P = b2 (substancial story)
Peace Tonight (CoNS): C, L = b2
We are Together (CoNS): C, N = b2
Wild Horses (SDtBD); C, N = b2
Sorrow and Joy (LL); N, P = b2 (WTF is this song about? I like the sentiment of the chorus)
Southern California is Your Girlffriend (OLD): C, L = b2
Dead Man’s Hill (SO): C, L, P = B2
Get Together (SF) = C, L, P = b2 (NICE HARMONY)
c= almost OK
1 = top of catagory (FINAL)
Digging for Your Dream (SDtBD): C, L, P = C1
Salty South-acoustic (PatBB): C, I, L, P = c1
Dirt and Dead Ends (DOD): L, P = C1 (BLEAK)
Spread the Pain Around (OLD): C, I, L = c (CAJUN SOUNDS)
Feel this WAy Again (LL): C, L = c1
Something Real (AtWLI): C, L, N = c1
It Really is (A Wonderful Life) (HHD): C, N = c1
I’ll Be Home for Christmas (HHD): I, N = c1
Come a Long Way (OLD): L = c1
Love Will Come to You (RoP): C, L, N = c1
Walk Away (SF): C, I, N = c1
c= almost OK
2 = bottom of catagory (FINAL)
Love’s Recovery (1200): C, L = c2 (too much brass)
Thin Line (1200): c2
Ghost (RoP); C, I, L, N, P = c2
Country RAdio (LL): L, N, P = c2
Gone (BQS): C, N = c2
Back Together Again (1200): C = c2
Everybody’s Waiting for Someone to Come Home (SF): C, N = c2
Alberta (OLD): C, L = c2
IG OK (A[1,2], B, C)
IG OK
OA
1 (final)
Prince of Darkness (SDtBD): C, N, P, S = OA1
Compromise (CoNS): C, I, L, N, P = OA1
Three Hits-live (RoP): C, I, L, P = OA1
War Rugs (BQS): C, I, L, P = OA1 (instruments!)
What are You Like (SDtBD); C, I, L = OA1 (end!)
Pendulum Swinger-live (DOD): C, L, P = OA1
Virginia Woolf (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, N = OA1 (some of the singing a bit iffy, instruments good!)
Rise Up (AtWLI): C = OA1
Bitterroot (BY): C =OA1
Three County Highway (DOD): L, S = OA1
Ghost of the Gang (PatBB); C, L, P = OA1
We Get to Feel it All (BQS); C, I, L, N = OA1
IG OK
OA
2 (final)
Fleet of Hope (PatBB): C, L = OA2 (harmonies even stronger than usual)
Driver Education-acoustic (PatBB); C, L, P = OB1
Ghost (LwtUoCSO): I, L, N = OA1
In the Bleak Midwinter (HHD): I, N = OA1 (original; harmonies!)
Don’t Give that Girl a Gun (SotS): C, L, N, P = OA2
Caramia (SotS): C, I, L, N = OA2
She’s Saving Me (BY); L, N, S = OA2
Come On Home (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, N = OA2
Share the Moon (BQS): C, I, L = OA2 (pretty strings)
IG OK
OB
1 (final)
Sugar Tongue-acoustic (PatBB): C, L = OB1
Crazy Game (SF): C, N = oa2 (kinda bluesy & has flute?)
Sister (CoNS): L = (too quiet) = OB1
Dirt and Dead Ends (PatBB): L, N, P =ob1
Fly Away-acoustic (DOD): L, N =OB1
Virginia Woolf (1200); C, L, N = OB1
Digging for Your Dream-acoustic (PatBB): C, L, P = OB1
IG OK (final)
OB
2
Center Stage-live (ST): C, L, P = OB2 (little off-key)
Come On Home (SDtBD): C, L = ob2
Everything in it’s Own Time (SotS): C, I, L, P = OB2
Ghost-live (1200): L, N = OB2
I’ll Be Home for Christmas (HHD); N, S = OB1
Cordova (SDtBD): C, L = OB2
Fishtails (OLD): L, N, P = OB2
Soon be to Nothing (CoNS); C, L =ob2
Virginia Woolf (RoP): C, L = OB2
IG OK (final)
OC
1
Fly Away (DOD): C, L, N, P = OC1
Power of Two (SO); L = OC1
All That We Let In (AtWLI): C, L = OC1
If I Don’t Leave Here Now (OLD): N = OC1 (more in depth)
Hey Kind Friend (SotS): I, L = OC2
Look Long (LL): C, L, N, P = OB2
Language or the Kiss (1200): L, N = OC1
IG OK (final)
OC
2
Language or the Kiss (SO); L, U (bike bell) = OC2
Love Will Come to You-live (RoP): L = OC2
Mystery (SO): L, N = OC2
Closer to Fine (LwtUoCSO): C, I, L, P = OC2 (Emily sounds out of breath; slow)
Texas was Clean (OLD): L = oc2
Findly, Ohio 1968 (OLD); L, P = OC2 (slow & depressisng)
I actually started this catalogue-ranking prior to my Taylor Swift ranking. It just took much longer, because the Indigo Girls have an enormous body of work! I started around December off and on, then January-March, all of first quarter. Then, formatted the list for almost a whole month. So I’ll link the methodology I used for Taylor Swift (and every ranking project) here:
As for the categories, enjoy them if that’s your thing, ignore them if it’s not. The list is from my least favorite song to my very favorite song. Oh, and I included most of the legit albums, including lives and repeated songs, except a very redundant live (Retrospective) and a short EP (I think, those are the ones I skipped, I’m too lazy after all this work to Google).
Here’s what the letters stand for:
(C)ATCHY (I)NSTRUMENTALS-extra (L)YRICS (N)OTES-super high or low or complex (P)OLITICAL MESSAGE (S)ENTIMENTAL (U)NIQUE
Without further adieu: Here is the catalogue of my long-term favorite music group–The Indigo Girls!
Skips:
Skip-dislike; skip-boring
Skip: Last place song:
-Fare Thee Well (SO):
Skip-dislike
-History of Us (ST): L, N
-Left Me a Fool (SF): L
Skip
-Sister (CoNS): C, L
Skip-Boring
-Birthday (BQS): N
Best skip:
-Feed & Water the Horses (BQS):
Meh:
Last meh: -Mystery (1200): L, N
-When We Were Writers (LL): N
-Andy (CoNS): L, N
-Power of Two (1200): L, N
-Power of Two (LwtUoCSO): I, L, N
-Cedar Tree (RoP): I, N, U (bag pipe sounding)
-There’s Still My Joy (HHD): L, N
-Peace Child (HHD): C, L, N
-John (BQS): L, N, P
-Mistletoe (HHD): C, L
-Cordova (AtWLI): C, L, N, P
-Neuvose Senorita (BY): L, P
-Mystery (LwtUoCSO): I, N
-Able to Sing (BQS): C, N
-Dead Man’s Hill (1200): N, P
-Come On Home (AtWLI): C, L
Best meh: -Strange Fire (1200): C, I, L, P
IG OK = neutral songs
A = top of OK [1 =higher part of OK-A; 2 = lower part of OK-A]
B = exactly OK
C = lower OK [1 = higher part of OK-C; 2 = lower part of OK-C]
Top Awesome-Elite-1-B-i: -Galileo (1200): C, L, P, S = 1bi
IG AWESOME-ELITE 1
1A top of the top
Last awesome-elite-1A: -Compromise (LwUoCSO): C, I, N = 1a
-Become You (BY): C, I, L, P, S = 1a
-Second Time Around (SDtBD): C, I, L, P, S, U (live = more emotional) 1A
-Prince of Darkness (ST): C, L, N, P, S =1a
-Pushing the Needle Too Far (NIS): C, L, P, S = 1a
-Closer to Fine (ST); C, L, N, S = 1a (I felt like I was somehow betraying these staple-favorites ranking any song higher)
-Kid Fears (ST): C, L, N, S, U (feat Michael Stipe) =1a
-Fill It Up Again (AtWLI); C, L, N, S = 1a
-Galileo (RoP): C, L, P, S = 1a (same with this old friend-felt guilt out-ranking it)
-The Rise of the Black Messiah (OLD): C, I, L, N, P, U (strong & haunting) =1a
-Go (LwUoCSO): C, I, L, N, P = 1A (Amy belts it out!)
-Watershed (NIS): C, L, N, S(!) = 1a
-Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (SDtBD): C, L, N (harmonies), S, U (Brandi!) = 1a (this song makes me super-enthusiastic!)
***Very top of all IG songs: -Closer to Fine (1200): C, L, N, S(!), U (pennywhistle?) = 1a (b/c you can hear how important/popular this song is w/the crowd = pure joy & a lesbian initiation)
and check out the many (not final) lists for more description
(numbers) are the album/era
(C)atchy, (D)etailed story, (G)aylor references, (I)nstrumentals, (L)yrical complexity, very high/low (N)otes, (P)roduction stands out in a good way, (S)entimental
Skips Last Place Song:
Superman (3)
Soon You’ll Get Better (7) (best skip) Epiphany (8)
Mehs 3 boring:
A Perfectly Good Heart (1): I, N (best boring-meh) The Archer (7): G, L
Mehs 2 Personally Dislike:
The Lakes (8): G, L, N, P
End Game (6): C, G, L, P (terrible feat!) (best disliked meh) Coney Island (9): G, L, N (terrible feat!)
Mehs 1 Exactly Meh:
It’s Nice to Have a Friend (7); D, G, L (Ambiguity bothers me; weird production)
The Other Side of the Door (2): I, L, N
A Place in This World (1): I, N
Right Where You Left Me (9): C, G, L, N (repetitive) (best exactly meh) The Outside (1): I, N (weak)
OK3 = nearly meh (final) OK-3B BOTTOM OF LIST:
Tell Me Why (2): C, I, N = 3b (thin voice & a bit generic lyrically)
Sad, Beautiful, Tragic (4): C = 3B (both blah and bummer)
Superstar (2); D = 3B (zzzzzz)
I Almost Do (4); C = 3 (too needy/pathetic/un-feminist. Yet catchy) (best OK-bottom of nearly meh) Jump Than Fall (2): C, I = 3B
OK3 = nearly meh (final) OK-3A = TOP OF LIST:
The Other Side of the Door (2); C, I, L, N = 3A
Innocent (3): C, I, N = 3A
Last Kiss (3): C, D, N = 3A
The Best Day (2): C, D, = 3A (best nearly meh) Fearless (2); C, I, N = 3a
OK2 = exactly neutral OK-2B = BOTTOM OF LIST:
Peace (8): C, D, G, L = 2b (hate pulsing; lyrics condescending(?))
Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince (7); C, D, G, L, N = 2b (don’t care for HS/politics mixing & end chant is too much. But lots of good one-liners)
I Wish You Would (5): C, G = 2A
It’s Time to Go (9): C, D, G, L, N = 2B
Illicit Affairs (8); C, D, G, L = 2B
August (8); C, G, L = 2B (best OK-bottom of exactly neutral) A Place in the World (1): C, I, N = 2B
OK2 = exactly neutral OK-2A = TOP OF LIST:
The Way I Loved You (2): C, D, I, N = 2A
False God (7): C, G, L = 2A
Breathe (2): C, G(?), L = 2A
Dorthea (9): C, D, G, L, N = 2A
Happiness (9): C, D, L = 2A
Seven (8); C, D, G, L, N = 2a (best of OK-exactly neutral) Long Live (3): C, D, I, N = 2A
OK1 = almost good OK-1B= BOTTOM OF LIST:
Mary’s Song (oh my my) (1): C, D, I, N = 1B
This Love (5): C, G, L, N, P = 1b
I Think He Knows (7): C, G, L, P = 1b (best OK-bottom of almost good) London Boy; C, D, L, P = 1b
OK1 = almost good OK-1A= TOP OF LIST:
New Romantics (5): C, D, G, L, N, P = 1A
Hey Stephen (2): C, D = C2
Call It What You Want (6); C, G, L, P = 1A
Tied Together w/a Smile (1): C, D, I, N = C2 (less repetition, some more notes & instrumentals
Gorgeous (6): C, D, L, N, P = 1A
King of My Heart (6): C, L, N, P = 1A (ENDING)
Change (2); C, I (@ END!), N = 1A
Back to December-acoustic (3): C, D, I, N, S = 1A (best OK-almost good) Cornelia Street (7); C, D, G, L, N = 1A
Good c = almost OK Gc2 = bottom of category:
State of Grace-acoustic (4): C, L = C2
Begin Again (4): D, I, L = C2
The Last Time (4): C, I = C2 (weird collaboration) (best Good-bottom of almost OK) Cold as You (1): I, N = C2
Good c = almost OK Gc1 = top of category:
22 (4): C = c1
Untouchable (2): C, I, N = C1
Come in w/the Rain (2): C, I = C1
All Too Well (4): D, I, L, N = C1 (almost a powwow beat; and yup I did rank it this low)
Starlight (4); C, I = C1 (best Good-almost OK) Sparks Fly (3); C, I = C1
Good b= exactly good Gb2 = bottom of category:
If this was a Movie (3): C, D, I, N = B2
Never Grow Up (3): C, D, I, N = B2 (problematic sentiment)
’tis the damn Season (9): C, D, L, B2
You are in Love (5): C, N = B2
Stay Beautiful (1): C, I, N = B2
Treacherous-demo (4): C, G(!), L = B2
Cardigan (8): C, D, G, L = B2
Red-demo (4): C = B2
The Last Great American Dynasty (8): C, D = B2
How You Get the Girl (5): C, D, G = B2 (best Good-bottom of exactly good) White Horse (2): D, I, N = B2
Good b= exactly good Gb1 = top of category:
Everything has Changed (4); C, N = B1
Holy Ground (4): C, D, G, L = B1
This is Me Trying (8): C, I, L(!) = B1
Afterglow (7): C, P = B1
Treacherous (4): C, G(!), L =B1
Daylight (7): C, G, L, N = b1
Come Back…Be Here (4): C, N = B1
Mirrorball (8): C, G, L = B1
I’m Only Me When I’m w/You (1): C, I(!) = b1
Forever & Always-piano (2): C, I, N = B1
The Lucky One (4): C, D, N, = B1 (best Good-exactly good) Fifteen (2): C, D, I = B1
Good a= almost awesome Ga2 = bottom of category:
This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things (6): a2
Welcome to New York (5): C, D, G, N, P = A2
Me! (7): C, G, I, N = A2 (yup, I ranked it this high–it grew on me)
Wildest Dreams (5): C, N, S = A2 (sexy)
Delicate (6): C, D, G, L, P = A2
So It Goes…(6): C, G, P, L, N = A2 (sexy lines)
Mine-pop (3): D, I, N = A2
Clean (5): C, G, L, P = A2
Tim McGraw (1): C, D, G, I, N = A2
Champagne Problems (9): C (bridge), D, G, L = A2a (best Good-bottom of almost awesome) Betty (8): C, D, I, G, L = A2a (catchy, & swelling instrumentals)
Good a= almost awesome Ga1 = top of category:
Mine (3): C, D, I, N = A1
Haunted-acoustic (3): C, I, N, P = A1
Getaway Car (6): C, D, G, P = A1
Death by a Thousand Cuts (7): C, D, G, L, = A1b
Gold Rush (9): C, G, L = A1b
tolerate it (9): G, I, L = A1
Cruel Summer (7): C, G, L, N = A1b
Red (4): C, I, L, P = A1
New Year’s Day (6): C, D, I, N =A1
Cowboy Like Me (9): C, D, G, I, L = A1
willow (9): C, G, L, N = A1 (so effing catchy!)
Dress (6): C, G, L = A1 (SEXY)
Haunted (3): C, I (!), N, P = A1a
Teardrops On My Guitar-RADIO (1): C, I, L, N = A1 (sounds almost the same to me) (best Good-almost awesome) Teardrops On My Guitar-POP (1): C, I, L, N = A1 (more beat & echo)
Awesome- 3 BETTER THAN GOOD:
All You had to do was Stay (5): C, N = 3
Evermore (9): C, L, N = 3
Stay, Stay, Stay (4): C, D, S = 3
Bad Blood (6): C, N = 3
The Moment I Knew (4): D, N = 3 (best Awesome-better than good) Ours (3); C, L, N = 3
Awesome-2 SOLID AWESOME 2b = bottom of list:
You Belong w/Me (2); C, D, I, N, S = 2b
I Forgot that You Existed (7); C = 2b
Girl at Home (4): C, N = 2b
Our Song (1): C, D, I =2b
Paper Rings (7): C, D, G, P = 2b
No Body, No Crime (9): C, D, L (pronoun/subject) = 2a
Closure (9); C, G, L, P = 2b
The 1 (8): C, D, G, L = 2b
Wonderland (5); C, G, L, N, P = 2b (best Awesome-bottom of solid awesome) Ivy (9); C, G, L = 2b
Awesome-2 SOLID AWESOME 2a = top of list:
my tears ricochet (8): D, L, P = 2a
Mad Women (8): C, L, N = 2a
Out of the Woods (5): D (bridge), G, L = 2a (is this car crash real? who and when? major gay closet vibes)
The Man (7): C, G, L = 2a
Invisible String (8); C, D, L = 2A
You Need to Calm Down (7): C, G, S = 2a (the 3 things being compared aren’t related? enthusiastic!)
Back to December (3): C, D, S(!) = 2a
Blank Space (5): C, G, L, N = 2a (best of Awesome-solid awesome) I Knew You Were Trouble (4); C, N, P = 2a (subtle-moag)
Awesome-1 ELITE 1b= bottom of list:
Love Story (2-TV): C, D, I, N = 1a (same except staccato reme-o & fa-ding)
Love Story (2): C, D, I, N = 1a (her 1st crowd favorite, but rom-com effect w/princess stuff & severe heteronormativity)
Dear John (3); C, D, L, N = 2a
Enchanted (3): C, D(!), I, N, S = 1b
Better Than Revenge (3): C, D, I(!), N, S = 1B (sounds like Paramore; problematic mean-girl stuff, but it was a time)
Exile (8): C, G, I, L, N = 1b
Dancing with Our Hands Tied (6): C, G, L, N, P = 1b
Marjorie (9); C, G, L, P, S = 1b (I love the sentiment more than the song. Intense memories of my Grandma, thanks Taylor, for that) (best of awesome- bottom of elite) Long Story Short (9): C, G, L, P = 1b
Awesome-1 ELITE 1a = top of list:
Style (5): C, G, I, L, N, P = 1a (who is she talking about, what car crash is referenced, is it real?)
Lover (7): C, G, L, S = 1a
Shake It Off (5): C, N = 1a (love the sentiment, & catchiest of ever!)
I Did Something Bad (6): C, N, P = 1a (moag is the star here)
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (4): C, I, P = 1a
Look What You Made Me Do (6): C, P = 1a (exciting like several songs w/in 1 song, I don’t trust nobody bridge)
The Story of Us (3): C, I, S = 1a ( like the next chapter, the end)
Picture to Burn (1): C, I, S = 1a
Shoulda Said No (1): C, I, N, S(!) = 1a
…Ready for It? (6); C, G, N, P = 1a (sexy sounds & moag) (4th best song) I Know Places (5): C, G, L, N, P = 1a
–and the top 3 songs in the entire catalogue (in my opinion): *Don’t Blame Me (6): C, G, L, N(!), P = 1a (that moag! She sings her ASS off! Probably the best, barring sentimental favorites)
You’re Not Sorry (2): C, I, N, S(!) = 1a
(My #1 song) Mean (3): C, L, S(!) =1a (after all the listening I learned sentimental really does trump every other characteristic.)
This is the result of ranking each album by song. What I mean is I ranked each song on the album awesome, good, OK, meh, or skip. The ranking is what I like! It’s not technical, it’s not based on song complexity or singing–just my opinion. But my consistent opinion. I listened and checked each of these lists until my opinion didn’t change, and the songs were locked into their ranking. For the album ranking, I counted up the number of songs in each group. The albums with the highest amount of awesome songs were ranked the highest.
awesome good to ok meh skip
1989 7 5 4 0
speak now 7 5 4 1
red 5 13 0 0
folklore 6 9 1 1
Evermore 6 8 0 1
reputation 5 8 2 0
fearless 5 8 4 1
self-titled 5 6 3 1
lover 4 7 4 3
P.S. I think the above chart might have changed a little after I ranked each individual song. I’ll have to update it after the catalogue ranking is posted.
Then I took it further. I wanted to rank every song in Taylor’s catalogue (album songs only). I started with the awesome, good, OK, meh, skip playlists from the album ranking, then narrowed those groups into smaller groups.
For example, I took the awesome list and ranked those songs into 3 groups within awesome: Elite, exactly awesome, and almost good.
I did this with all 5 of the original playlists.
At the same time, I marked the song characteristics.
(C)atchy
(D)etailed story
(G)aylor references
(I)nstrumentals
(L)yrical complexity
very high/low (N)otes
(P)roduction stands out in a good way
(S)entimental
Some of the lists were still overwhelmingly large, so I split them in half
like top of the elite-awesomes and bottom of elite-awesomes.
There’s more. Once the lists were manageable, I tried to put the songs in order on each list. This required a lot of listens. I would put the songs on each different group in order, then listen to each different section to make sure the list was accurate. If there was any changes on a section (at least one song moved), I’d mark the list to double-check.
I listened from the bottom to the top, each different group from skip all the way up to awesome, marking any sections with song changes.
If there was a change I would listen to that section again later. I listened over and over until no songs needed to be moved.
Well, I finally finished today! After the holiday music, I started this project so it’s been a long time coming. As soon as I format the lists, I’ll post it up. Hope you enjoy!
1 = awesome elite 2 = awesome solid 3 = awesome better than good a = top of list b = bottom of list
Awesome-1 ELITE a = top of list Don’t Blame Me (6): C, G, L, N, P = 1a I Did Something Bad (6): C, N, P = 1a I Know Places (5): C, G, L, N, P = 1a Look What You Made Me Do (6): C, P = 1a Lover (7): C, G, L, S = 1a Mean (3): C, L, S =1a Picture to Burn (1): C, I, S = 1a …Ready for It? (6); C, G, N, P = 1a (sexy sounds) Shake It Off (5): C, N = 1a (not much substance, but catchiest of ever!) Shoulda Said No (1): C, I, N, S = 1a The Story of Us (3): C, I, S = 1a Style (5): C, G, I, L, N, P = 1a We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (4): C, I, P = 1a You’re Not Sorry (2): C, N, S = 1a
Awesome-1 ELITE b= bottom of list Better Than Revenge (3): C, D, I, N, S = 1B Dancing with Our Hands Tied (6): C, G, L, N, P = 1b Enchanted (3): C, D, I, N, S = 1b Exile (8): C, G, I, L, N = 1b Long Story Short (9): C, G, L, P = 1b Love Story (2): C, D, I, N = 1a Love Story (2-TV): C, D, I, N = 1a (same except staccato reme-o & fa-ding Marjorie (9); C, G, L, P, S = 1b (I love the sentiment more than the song)
Awesome-2 SOLID AWESOME a = top of list Back to December (3): C, D, S = 2a Blank Space (5): C, G, L, N = 2a Dear John (3); C, D, L, N = 2a I Knew You Were Trouble (4); C, N, P = 2a Invisible String (8); C, D, L = 2A Mad Women (8): C, L, N = 2a The Man (7): C, G, L = 2a my tears riccochet (8): D, L, P = 2a No Body, No Crime (9): C, D, L (pronoun/subject) = 2a Out of the Woods (5): D (bridge), G, L = 2a Speak Now (3); C, D, N, S = 2a You Need to Calm Down (7): C, G, S = 2a
Awesome-2 SOLID AWESOME b = bottom of list The 1 (8): C, D, G, L = 2b Closure (9); C, G, L, P = 2b Girl at Home (4): C, N = 2b I Forgot that You Existed (7); C = 2b Ivy (9); C, G, L = 2b Our Song (1): C, D, I =2b Paper Rings (7): C, D, G, P = 2b Wonderland (5); C, G, L, N, P = 2b You Belong w/Me (2); C, D, I, N, S = 2b
Awesome- 3 BETTER THAN GOOD All You had to do was Stay (5): C, N = 3 Bad Blood (6): C, N = 3 Evermore (9): C, L, N = 3 The Moment I Knew (4): D, N = 3 Ours (3); C, L, N = 3 Stay, Stay, Stay (4): C, D, S = 3
1= elite awesome 1a top ever songs 1b = exactly elite 1c = better than your avg awesome 2= solid awesome 2a = top of list 2b = bottom of list 3 = better than good 3a = top of list 3b = bottom of list
IG AWESOME-ELITE 1 1A top of the top Become You (BY): C, I, L, P, S = 1a Closer to Fine (ST); C, L, N, S = 1a Closer to Fine (1200): C, L, N, S, U (pennywhistle?) = 1a Compromise (LwUoCSO): C, I, N = 1a Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (SDtBD): C, L, N (harmonies), S, U (Brandi!) = 1a Fill It Up Again (AtWLI); C, L, N, S = 1a Galileo (RoP): C, L, P, S = 1a Go (LwUoCSO): C, I, L, N, P = 1A Kid Fears (ST): C, L, N, S, U (feat Michael Stipe) =1a Prince of Darkness (ST): C, L, N, P, S =1a Pushing the Needle Too Far (NIS): C, L, P, S = 1a The Rise of the Black Messiah (OLD): C, I, L, N, P, U (haunting) =1a Second Time Around (SDtBD): C, I, L, P, S, U (live = more emotional) 1A Watershed (NIS): C, L, N, S = 1a
AWESOME-ELITE 1B (exactly elite) Become You (SDtBD); C, L, P, S, U (accordian?) = 1b Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (1200-live @ atwood): C, L, N, P, U (feat artists, drumming) = 1b Chickenman (1200): C, I, L, N, P, U (harmonica?) = 1b Cold Beer & Remote Control (SDtBD): C, L, N, P = 1b Deconstruction (BY): C, L, N, S = 1b Devotion (SDtBD): C, L, N = 1b Fugitive (LwUoCSO): C, I, N = 1b Galileo (1200): C, L, P, S = 1b Go (CoNS): C, I, L, N, P, U (talking about activism in background, chanting) = 1B Hammer and a Nail (NIS): C, L, N, P, S = 1b Happy in the Sorrow Key (OLD): C, I, L, N = 2B (ENDING!) Happy Joyous Hanukkah (HHD): C, I (BASS!), L, P, U (mandolin?) = 1B I Feel the Christmas Spirit (HHD): C, I, L, N, U (blue grass) = 1b Joking (1200): C, I, (bass @ end) L, N, P, S, U (false ending) = 1b Kid Fears (SDtBD): C, L, S, U (feat Shreena Mead sounds good) = 1b Land of Cannan (ST): C, I, L, S = 1b Least Complicated (1200): C, L, N, P, S = 1b Love of Our Lives (PatBB): C, L, N, S = 1b Moment of Forgiveness (BY): C, L, N, S =1b Moment of Forgiveness (SDtBD): C, L, N, S = 1b Money Made You Mean (DOD-live): C, I (banjo-wow!), L, P = 1b (don’t like plosives) Pushing the Needle Too Far (1200): C, L, P, S = 1b Second Time Around (PatBB): C, I, L, P, S, U (harmonica?) = 1B Tangled Up In Blue (1200); C, I, L, N, P = 1b World Falls (1200-live): C, L, N, S = 1b World Falls (LwUoCSO): C, I, L, N, P = 1b Yield (BY): C, I, L, N, S = 1b Yoke (BQS): C, I, L, P, S = 1b
AWESOME-ELITE 1C (better than your avg awesome) Get Out the Map (SDtBD): C, L, N, P = 1c Go (SDtBD): C, I, L, N, P = 1C Heartache for Everyone (AtWLI): C, I, L, S = 1c Hope Alone (BY): C, L, N, S =1c Howl at the Moon (LL): C, I, L, N, U (tribal) = 1c Land of Cannan (SF): C, L, N, S, U (harmonica) = 1c Last Tears (DOD: C, L, N, S = 1c Little Perennials (DOD): C, L = 1C Make It Easier (SF): C, I, L, N, P = 1c Money Made You Mean (DOD): C, I, L, P = 1c Philosophy of Loss (CoNS): C, I, L, P, S = 1c Rock and Roll Heaven’s Gate (SDtBD): C, L, N, P =1C Salty South (SDoBD): C, I, S = 1c Scooter Boys (SotS): C, L, P, U (wail) = 1c Second Time Around (PatBB-acoustic): C, L, P 1C Shame On You (SotS): C, L, N, P, S, U (road block trippin’ break-down) = 1c1 Shame On You (SDtBD): C, I, P, U (cajin instrument) =1c2 Shit Kickin (LL): C, I, L, P, U (choral backing) = 1c The Wonder Song (HHD): C, L, N, U (country) = 1C
AWESOME-SOLID 2A 1,2,3 (NIS): C, N, S = 2a All the Way(DOD): C, L, S = 2a Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (1200): C, I, L, P = 2a Chickenman (LwUoCSO): C, I, L, N, P = 2a Cold Beer & Remote Control (CoNS): C, L, P, S = 2a Driver Education (PatBB): C, L, S = 2a Fill It Up Again (SDtBD); C, L, S = 2a Joking (RoP): C, L, P, S, U (false ending) = 2a Least Complicated (SO): C, L, N, P, S = 2a Sugar Tongue (SDtBD); C, N = 2a
AWESOME-SOLID 2B Chickenman (RoP): C, L, P, U (harmonica?) = 2b Dairy Queen (AtWLI): C, I, S = 2b Faye Tucker (CoNS): C, L, N, P, U (laugh, chanting) = 2b Get Out the Map (SotS): C, L, N, P, U (banjo?) = 2b Hand Me Downs (NIS): C, I, L, S = 2b Heartache for Everyone (SDtBD): C, L = 2b I Believe in Love (DOD): C, L, S = 2b I Don’t Wanna Know (SF): C, I, N, U (harmonica?) = 2b I’ll Change (PatBB): C, L, S = 2b It’s Alright (SotS): C, L, P, S = 2b Learned It On Me (OLD): C, L, N (harmonies) = 2b Olympia Inn (OLD): C, P = 2B Run (DOD): C = 2b This Train Revised (1200-live): C, I, N = 2b Touch Me Fall (SO): I (really rocks at end) = 2b
AWESOME-BETTER THAN GOOD 3 Favorite Flavor (LL): C, L = 3 Love’s Recovery (ST): C, L, N, S = (don’t like Emily’s deep singing) = 3
a= almost awesome b= exactly good c= almost OK 1 = top of category 2 = bottom of category
a= almost awesome 1 = top of category Cruel Summer (7): C, G, L, N = A1b Cowboy Like Me (9): C, D, G, I, L = A1 Death by a Thousand Cuts (7): C, D, G, L, = A1b Dress (6): C, G, L = A1 (SEXY) Getaway Car (6): C, D, G, P = A1 Gold Rush (9): C, G, L = A1b Haunted (3): C, I (!), N, P = A1a Haunted-acoustic (3): C, I, N, P = A1 Mine (3): C, D, I, N = A1 New Year’s Day (6): C, D, I, N =A1 Red (4): C, I, L, P = A1 Teardrops On My Guitar-POP (1): C, I, L, N = A1 Teardrops On My Guitar-RADIO (1): C, I, L, N = A1 tolerate it (9): G, I, L = A1 willow (9): C, G, L, N = A1
a= almost awesome 2 = bottom of category Betty (8): C, D, I, G, L = A2a Champagne Problems (9): C (bridge), D, G, L = A2a Clean (5): C, G, L, P = A2 Delicate (6): C, D, G, L, P = A2 Me! (7): C, G, I, N = A2 Mine-pop (3): D, I, N = A2 So It Goes…(6): C, G, P, L, N = A2 This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things (6): a2 Tim McGraw (1): C, D, G, I, N = A2 Welcome to New York (5): C, D, G, N, P = A2 Wildest Dreams (5): C, N, S = A2
The story and detailed writing really puts many of these this high on the list.
b= exactly good 1 = top of category Afterglow (7): C, P = B1 Come Back…Be Here (4): C, N = B1 Daylight (7): C, G, L, N = b1 Everything has Changed (4); C, N = B1 Fifteen (2): C, D, I = B1 Forever & Always-piano (2): C, I, N = B1 Holy Ground (4): C, D, G, L = B1 I’m Only Me When I’m w/You (1): C, I(!) = b1 The Lucky One (4): C, D, N, = B1 P Mirrorball (8): C, G, L = B1 This is Me Trying (8): C, I, L(!) = B1 Treacherous (4): C, G(!), L =B1
b= exactly good 2 = bottom of category Cardigan (8): C, D, G, L = B2 How You Get the Girl (5): C, D, G = B2 If this was a Movie (3): C, D, I, N = B2 The Last Great American Dynasty (8): C, D = B2 Never Grow Up (3): C, D, I, N = B2 (problematic sentiment) Red-demo (4): C = B2 Stay Beautiful (1): C, I, N = B2 ’tis the damn Season (9): C, D, L, B2 Treacherous-demo (4): C, G(!), L = B2 White Horse (2): D, I, N = B2 You are in Love (5): C, N = B2
All of these are so catchy!
c= almost OK 1 = top of category 22 (4): C = c1 All Too Well (4): D, I, L, N = C1 (almost a powwow beat) Come in w/the Rain (2): C, I = C1 Sparks Fly (3); C, I = C1 Starlight (4); C, I = C1 Untouchable (2): C, I, N = C1
c= almost OK 2 = bottom of category Begin Again (4): D, I, L = C2 Cold as You (1): I, N = C2 Hey Stephen (2): C, D = C2 The Last Time (4): C, I = C2 (weird collaboration) State of Grace-acoustic (4): C, L = C2 Tied Together w/a Smile (1): C, D, I, N = C2
ig good a= almost awesome b= exactly good c= almost OK 1 = top of category 2 = bottom of category i = top of almost awesome ii = bottom of almost awesome
The groups were too big so I had to narrow them down to a, b, and c almost awesome, exactly good, and almost OK respectively. Than those groups were too big so I did 1 as top of their category and 2 as the lower part. And still, some of those groups were too large so I split those into top and bottom (i and ii).
a= almost awesome 1 = top of category Philosophy of Loss (CoNS): a1 ugh–this song. It’s a secret song only. And the song it’s attached to is on a different ranking list, so it’s always harder to rank… I did it after I published this post.
a= almost awesome 1 = top of category i = top of almost awesome Beauty Queen Sister (BQS): a1i Believe in Love (SDtBD): a1i Blood & Fire (ST): a1i Burn All the Letters (SotS): a1i Center Stage (ST): a1i (ending) Collecting You (BY): a1i Fugative (SDtBD): a1i I Don’t Wanna Know (1200); a1i Kid Fears (LwtUoCSO): a1i Land of Cannan-radio single (ST): a1i Last Tears-acoustic (DOD): a1i Love of Our Lives (LwtUoCSO): a1i Midnight Train to Georgia (1200): a1i O Holy Night (HHD): a1i (high difficulty notes) Our Deliverance (BY); a1i Rock and Roll Heaven’s Gate (DOD): a1i Sugar Tongue (LwtUoCSO): a1i Tether (SDtBD): a1i You and Me of the 10,000 Wars (NIS): a1i Yoke (LwtUoCSO); a1i
a= almost awesome 1 = top of category ii = bottom of almost awesome Airplane (RoP): a1ii Angels We Have Heard On High (HHD): a1ii Closer to Fine (SDtBD): a1ii Cut it OUt (SotS): a1ii Damo (LwtUoCSO): a1ii Faye Tucker (CoNS): a1ii Fugative (SO) = a1ii Happy in the Sorrow Key (LwtUoCSO): a1ii Lay My Head Down (DOD); a1ii Little Perennials-live (DOD): a1ii Secure Yourself (ST): a1ii Three County Highway-live (DOD): a1ii Tried to be True (ST); a1ii World Falls (NIS): a1ii You’ve Got to Show (BY): a1ii
a= almost awesome 2 = bottom of category Able to Sing (LwtUoCSO): a2 Crazy Game (SF): a2 Free in You (AtWLI): A2 Damo (BQS): a2 Galileo (LwtUoCSO): a2 (good, but I like original better) Gone Again (CoNS): a2 Leeds (SotS): a2 Let it be Me (RoP): a2 Love of Our Lives-acoustic (PatBB): a2 (stronger singing) Making Promises (BQS); a2 Pendulum Swinger (DOD): a2 Romeo and Juliet (RoP); a2 Shed Your Skin (SofS): a2 Southland in the Springtime (NIS): a2 Starkville (BY); a2 Strange Fire (SF): a2 Sugar Tongue (PatBB): a2 Tether (AtWLI): a2 They Won’t Have Me (DOD): a2 This Train Revised (SO); a2 Three County Highway (SDtBD): a2 Three Hits (RoP): A2 Trouble (CoNS): a2 Watershed (SDtBD):a2 (5d, live singing = less) Welcome Me (NIS): a2 What Are You Like (PatBB): A2
A lot of the songs in this section remind me of Seattle ZooTunes. Whatever year I went it seemed like they played most of these.
b= exactly good 1 = top of category Change My Heart (LL); b1 Down by the River (1200): b1 Elizabeth (OLD): B1 (DETAILED STORY) Fleet of Hope-acoustic (PatBB); b1 The Girl w/the Weight of the World in Her Hands (NIS); B1 Jonas and Ezekiel (1200): b1 Jonas and Ezekiel (RoP): b1 K.C. Girl (LL): b1 Keeper of My Heart (NIS): b1 Love of Our Lives (SDtBD): b1 Mariner Moonlighting (BQS): b1 Muster (LL): b1 Ozilline (CoNS): b1 Ozilline (SDtBD): b1 Reunion (SO): b1 Run (DOD): b1 True Romantic (PatBB): b1 What Are You Like-acoustic (PatBB): B1 The Wood Song (SDtBD): b1 Woodsong (LwtUoCSO): b1 Your Holiday Song (HHD); b1
b= exactly good 2 = bottom of category Come a Long Way (LwtUoCSO): b2 (ending!) Dead Man’s Hill (SO): B2 Digging for Your Dream (PatBB) = b2 Fly Away (SDtBD): b2 Get Together (SF) = b2 Ghost of the Gang-acoustic (PatBB): b2 I’ll Change-acoustic (PatBB): b2 Nashville (RoP): b2 Peace Tonight (CoNS): b2 Perfect World (AtWLI): b2 Sorrow and Joy (LL); b2 (WTF is this song about?) Southern California is Your Girlffriend (OLD): b2 True Romantic-acoustic (PatBB): b2 War Rugs (LwtUoCSO): b2 We are Together (CoNS): b2 Wild Horses (SDtBD); b2 The Wood Song (SO): b2
c= almost OK 1 = top of category Come a Long Way (OLD): c1 Digging for Your Dream (SDtBD): C1 Dirt and Dead Ends (DOD): C1 (BLEAK) Feel this WAy Again (LL): c1 I’ll Be Home for Christmas (HHD): c1 It Really is (A Wonderful Life) (HHD): c1 Love Will Come to You (RoP); c1 Salty South-acoustic (PatBB): c1 Something Real (AtWLI): c1 Spread the Pain Around (OLD): c1 Walk Away (SF): c1
I suspect these songs are ranked relatively low bc they’re a bummer. They all have serious, heavy (very important) topics, but the bleakness just gets to me. In all this ranking, I learned I prefer upbeat and fast songs.
c= almost OK 2 = bottom of category Alberta (OLD): c2 Back Together Again (1200): c2 Country RAdio (LL): c2 Everybody’s Waiting for Someone to Come Home (SF): c2 Ghost (RoP); c2 Gone (BQS): c2 Love’s Recovery (1200): c2 (too much brass) Thin Line (1200): c2
Ironically, Spotify and Lastfm will probably say I listened to this section most. But only bc I’d either tune out, or it wasn’t clear where they should be ranked on the list…
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