Getcha passports ready - the middle-aged dummies are going to the British Isles! Top 31 song countdown. (4 Viewers)

[shuke]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I expected 4 bands to be on every list. Wow.

 

[Chaos34]

Lest anyone think I look down on anyone for not knowing where people are from, I learned in this endeavo(u)r that PJ Harvey is English.

Me too!

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Lest anyone think I look down on anyone for not knowing where people are from, I learned in this endeavo(u)r that PJ Harvey is English.

She has an album called Let England Shake, which includes a title track and another song just called "England." So I guess that one passed you by?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I expected 4 bands to be on every list. Wow.

I know DrIanMalcolm isn't including one of those four bands on his list. But otherwise, yeah.

 

[MAC_32]

Lest anyone think I look down on anyone for not knowing where people are from, I learned in this endeavo(u)r that PJ Harvey is English.

She has an album called Let England Shake, which includes a title track and another song just called "England." So I guess that one passed you by?

But did it make her cry? Make her blue?

 

[timschochet]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I’m a big fan of British folk music, so I’m guessing I chose some artists that will be unique to my list. (And yes I thought Sixpence None the Richer was British folk- turns out they’re Texas Christian rock.)

 

[Pip's Invitation]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I’m a big fan of British folk music, so I’m guessing I chose some artists that will be unique to my list.

Hopefully you'll pick a certain artist that I really wanted to make room for but couldn't.

 

[krista4]

Lest anyone think I look down on anyone for not knowing where people are from, I learned in this endeavo(u)r that PJ Harvey is English.

She has an album called Let England Shake, which includes a title track and another song just called "England." So I guess that one passed you by?

I most definitely have paid no attention to her career. As you might recall, I'm not really into female singers (other than Aimee Mann). Couldn't name a single one of her songs. But just lumped her incorrectly with a bunch of other female singers!

 

[krista4]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I expected 4 bands to be on every list. Wow.

Zeppelin, Beatles, Stones, and...? Pink Floyd? I'm not sure what the fourth is.

 

[Chaos34]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I expected 4 bands to be on every list. Wow.

I've been worn down by 60s and 70s rock to the point it's mostly played out for me. I haven't considered a Led Zeppelin song and The Beatles are hanging on to my list by a very thin thread. Then Pink Floyd has a top spot with the Stones and U2.
Those are the 5 I expect to dominate.

I'm holding out until the 12th or 13th in case I change my mind about stuff. Feels doubtful.

 

[krista4]

OMG GUYS LIBERTY COMEBACK.

Because you all care, I'm experimenting with a new structure to keep all this information, which should hopefully make it easier on me and @falguy at the end but a little more time-consuming now. :fingerscrossed: So I'll have fewer teasers at the moment.

 

[shuke]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I expected 4 bands to be on every list. Wow.

Zeppelin, Beatles, Stones, and...? Pink Floyd? I'm not sure what the fourth is.

Of course those four.

 

[shuke]

no Thin Lizzy Jailbreak

 

[krista4]

Of course those four.

Your fourth "of course" is on fewer than 50% of lists right now.

 

[shuke]

For solo artists, they are the only one who matters, even if they have guest artists on a song in question,

I want to triple check here so I don't get publicly raked over the coals.
Are you saying that any Ozzy Osbourne album is eligible if it's just "Ozzy Osbourne"? Regardless of who was in his band?

 

[shuke]

Of course those four.

Your fourth "of course" is on fewer than 50% of lists right now.

Well that's ridiculous.

 

[krista4]

For solo artists, they are the only one who matters, even if they have guest artists on a song in question,

I want to triple check here so I don't get publicly raked over the coals.
Are you saying that any Ozzy Osbourne album is eligible if it's just "Ozzy Osbourne"? Regardless of who was in his band?

You betcha. Anything that is credited to his long solo career is good. Thanks for confirming.

 

[Val Rannous]

I expected 4 bands to be on every list.

Don't bet on it. There's at least one major top group (that you're probably thinking of) eligible here that neither Mrs. R. nor I will listen to more than a second or two without changing the channel, and there's another one that neither of us is overly fond of. So we're gonna miss at least one, maybe 2 of your 4.

 

[krista4]

Of course those four.

Your fourth "of course" is on fewer than 50% of lists right now.

Well that's ridiculous.

Not gonna make my list, either.

 

[krista4]

I expected 4 bands to be on every list.

Don't bet on it. There's at least one major top group (that you're probably thinking of) eligible here that neither Mrs. R. nor I will listen to more than a second or two without changing the channel, and there's another one that neither of us is overly fond of. So we're gonna miss at least one, maybe 2 of your 4.

I've already confirmed that, of the first nine lists, no artist has made all nine.

 

[MAC_32]

I've got a weird relationship with 2 of them, no relationship with 1, platonic with another, and the last one has a restraining order against me.

 

[krista4]

I've got a weird relationship with 2 of them, no relationship with 1, platonic with another, and the last one has a restraining order against me.

Wait...I'm no math pro, but isn't that five?

 

[jwb]

I've been worn down by 60s and 70s rock to the point it's mostly played out for me. I haven't considered a Led Zeppelin song and The Beatles are hanging on to my list by a very thin thread. Then Pink Floyd has a top spot with the Stones and U2.
Those are the 5 I expect to dominate.

I'm holding out until the 12th or 13th in case I change my mind about stuff. Feels doubtful.

Van Morrison should do well. I could see him doing a Stevie or Petty thing and having a bunch of songs.

The Beatles are juuuuust hanging on mine, and may not make it. I love the Beatles but when it comes to 31 favorites they are having a hard time cracking it. I also nixed the one per artist thing. I have a few doubles and one triple right now, and there may be two when I'm done. This list feels much more harder rock than my American one.

 

[MAC_32]

I've got a weird relationship with 2 of them, no relationship with 1, platonic with another, and the last one has a restraining order against me.

Wait...I'm no math pro, but isn't that five?

I lumped in the 5th band chaos mentioned.

 

[krista4]

I think we'll do the contest differently this time. Even though some people nailed it on the US countdown, favorite song is really tough, even more so in this countdown. I think I'll do a "which artist will win" among the Big Three (if you don't know who they are, you're not going to win), plus a "which artist will be tops among the rest" guess.

More to come.

 

[krista4]

I've got a weird relationship with 2 of them, no relationship with 1, platonic with another, and the last one has a restraining order against me.

Wait...I'm no math pro, but isn't that five?

I lumped in the 5th band chaos mentioned.

Ah got it!

 

[krista4]

Oh, and a separate "one-hit wonder" contest would be fun, too. @AAABatteries mentioned this last time.

 

[Doug B]

I've been working through this exercise mentally over the past few days. Right now, I'm actually putting pen to paper.

I've been laying all the big British bands to the side to "get to later" and meanwhile have been checking lots of other favorite tunes. The process has been something like: "Hey! I love that song** ... lessee ... are they all eligible ... yep! Goes on the list" (or "Nope -- kick 'em to the curb ").

The point is that I'm going to have dozens of favorite Brit/Irish songs even before I really start thinking much about the big classic-rock dogs.

I've had kind of the same experience as Chaos34 over the last 30+ years. I still like the old classic-rock standards ... but from those same bands I've discovered many other songs I like better now and are more properly termed "my favorites" today.


** defined as "Will I sit in the car an extra few minutes to finish listening to this song? Yes I will!"

 

[krista4]

I've collated the info from the first two lists, from @Pip's Invitation and @Binky The Doormat . Between them, they had three of the same songs chosen.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I’m a big fan of British folk music, so I’m guessing I chose some artists that will be unique to my list. (And yes I thought Sixpence None the Richer was British folk- turns out they’re Texas Christian rock.)

Missed it by thaaat much.

 

[Doug B]

One thing I'm spending some time on with the non-huge bands is making sure they don't have some stealth non-Brit member.

While I'm looking at them: Big Country bassist Tony Butler is of Dominican ancestry but was born in London.

EDIT: Dang it -- Big Country's guitarist Bruce Watson was born in Canada. Will try to see if his parents were UK nationals just in Canada for a job or something.

EDIT2: So, verifying Big Country -- African-British bassist Butler, check. Drummer with long Polish name ... was he born in Poland? Nope, born in UK. Now, I can take good ol' Bruce Watson for granted, right? Dangit, he's Canadian!

 

[krista4]

One thing I'm spending some time on with the non-huge bands is making sure they don't have some stealth non-Brit member.

While I'm looking at them: Big Country bassist Tony Butler is of Dominican ancestry but was born in London.

EDIT: Dang it -- Big Country's guitarist Bruce Watson was born in Canada. Will try to see if his parents were UK nationals just in Canada for a job or something.

EDIT2: So, verifying Big Country -- African-British bassist Butler, check. Drummer with long Polish name ... was he born in Poland? Nope, born in UK. Now, I can take good ol' Bruce Watson for granted, right? Dangit, he's Canadian!

Thanks, will add them to the list.

 

[cosjobs]

There was no point to that story, by the way. Just killing time while snowed in and watching a scintillating 10-7 Toledo-Liberty game.

Whenever Liberty loses, I feel like we all win.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I've collated the info from the first two lists, from @Pip's Invitation and @Binky The Doormat . Between them, they had three of the same songs chosen.

And Todd Rundgren doesn't qualify. So this should be interesting.

 

[jwb]

wait... why is Whitesnake in 1987 not eligible?

 

[Eephus]

wait... why is Whitesnake in 1987 not eligible?

American drummers from 1987 to present






ETA: I almost pulled a muscle trying not to be all snarky

 

[Tau837]

Led Zeppelin... The Beatles... Pink Floyd... Stones and U2... Those are the 5 I expect to dominate.

Same expectation.

I think we'll do the contest differently this time. Even though some people nailed it on the US countdown, favorite song is really tough, even more so in this countdown. I think I'll do a "which artist will win" among the Big Three (if you don't know who they are, you're not going to win), plus a "which artist will be tops among the rest" guess.

More to come.

I had thought about this and thought the same thing, that it would be great to have a contest that eliminates the bigs at the top. IMO it is debatable if it is a big 3, big 4, or big 5, but even eliminating the big 3 would make it more interesting.

 

[jwb]

wait... why is Whitesnake in 1987 not eligible?

American drummers from 1987 to present






ETA: I almost pulled a muscle trying not to be all snarky

Aynsley Dunbar is the credited band member drummer for their 1987 self-titled album. He's English.

​

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I think the aforementioned Big 5 will likely be the top 5 artists with the most points. The question is, does The Who make it a Big 6? Middle-aged dummies love them too.

 

[jwb]

Led Zeppelin... The Beatles... Pink Floyd... Stones and U2... Those are the 5 I expect to dominate.

Same expectation.

I think we'll do the contest differently this time. Even though some people nailed it on the US countdown, favorite song is really tough, even more so in this countdown. I think I'll do a "which artist will win" among the Big Three (if you don't know who they are, you're not going to win), plus a "which artist will be tops among the rest" guess.

More to come.

I had thought about this and thought the same thing, that it would be great to have a contest that eliminates the bigs at the top. IMO it is debatable if it is a big 3, big 4, or big 5, but even eliminating the big 3 would make it more interesting.

In doing my list, I had a definite case of Classic Rock Fatigue. And cuts were made. Maybe it's contagious?

 

[Eephus]

wait... why is Whitesnake in 1987 not eligible?

American drummers from 1987 to present






ETA: I almost pulled a muscle trying not to be all snarky

Aynsley Dunbar is the credited band member drummer for their 1987 self-titled album. He's English.

​

Well, right you are. Their self titled 1987 album was recorded with Dunbar but Coverdale broke that band up prior to its release. The new lineup had an American rhythm section and appeared on the followup album in 1989.

 

[DrIanMalcolm]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I expected 4 bands to be on every list. Wow.

I know DrIanMalcolm isn't including one of those four bands on his list. But otherwise, yeah.

You'd be correct. Somehow I can't help but see Bowie as the "4th" in a lot of ways, though.

Of course those four.

Can't believe I'm the only one who caught this Princess Bride reference.

I think the aforementioned Big 5 will likely be the top 5 artists with the most points. The question is, does The Who make it a Big 6? Middle-aged dummies love them too.

I get the feeling that all 5 of the aforementioned artists will see a lot of spreading out among songs, and Bowie too. The Who, I expect to be more concentrated.

I still feel like I'm missing some artists, and have barely gotten started...I'll vet mine with Pip again more than likely.

 

[Eephus]

I most definitely have paid no attention to her career. As you might recall, I'm not really into female singers (other than Aimee Mann). Couldn't name a single one of her songs. But just lumped her incorrectly with a bunch of other female singers!

My list will almost certainly have fewer women than the American one. The ineligibility of Sade and Joan Armatrading removes two sure things.

 

[Eephus]

I like Pink Floyd just fine but they're not really a big "songs" band for me.

 

[Manster]

Of course those four.

Your fourth "of course" is on fewer than 50% of lists right now.

Floyd??? My biased self would assume that they would be a given on every list submitted. How could they not be? I don't think I would trust someone who didn't like Floyd.......of course, you won't see U2 on my list, which is probly sacralige with this group, so take my opinions with a grain of salt.

 

[Manster]

I most definitely have paid no attention to her career. As you might recall, I'm not really into female singers (other than Aimee Mann). Couldn't name a single one of her songs. But just lumped her incorrectly with a bunch of other female singers!

My list will almost certainly have fewer women than the American one. The ineligibility of Sade and Joan Armatrading removes two sure things.

Its interesting isn't it? My American list has exactly zero female artists. My UK list is shaping up to have several.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I expected 4 bands to be on every list. Wow.

I've been worn down by 60s and 70s rock to the point it's mostly played out for me. I haven't considered a Led Zeppelin song and The Beatles are hanging on to my list by a very thin thread. Then Pink Floyd has a top spot with the Stones and U2.
Those are the 5 I expect to dominate.

I'm holding out until the 12th or 13th in case I change my mind about stuff. Feels doubtful.

well I have 3 of those 5 on my list ...

 

[krista4]

Always thought of Pink Floyd as kind of a niche band loved by the stoners I knew.

 

[KarmaPolice]

A quick vetting of the first nine lists show two artists that have hit eight lists and one that has been selected on seven. You might have heard of them.

I expected 4 bands to be on every list. Wow.

Nope, I will have no Beatles. There's always at least one of idiots mucking things up.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Always thought of Pink Floyd as kind of a niche band loved by the stoners I knew.

How dare you.