Getcha passports ready - the middle-aged dummies are going to the British Isles! Top 31 song countdown. (2 Viewers)

[Eephus]

So many oddball ones this time... I'm making the following ruling and would invite anyone who disagrees to start their own countdown let me know. The question arose as to a live version by an artist whose band that originally performed the song was ineligible, but not due to the artist in question. I see this as essentially a cover of a song, and if the cover version is performed by a person who is eligible - in this case, albeit someone who was a member of the original ineligible band - then I'll allow it. But I don't have to like it.

I thought about adding Sting's live version of "Bring On the Night/When the World is Running Down" to my longlist until I got to the part where Branford Marsalis does his rap verse

 

[Eephus]

Unfortunately I was just giving that as an example as I was trying not to spoil the song chosen. It's from this album, oddly enough with the title of that song but that song is on a different album? Is this a live album? I can't find this particular song (OK, I'm tired of playing around with this - it's track #3) anywhere else. Is it only here and therefore ineligible

The album is a compilation. Track #3 appears to be the B-side to a single that was released under the Blockheads name.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

I thought my US songs list was pretty chalky (for me) but I somehow ended up in the bottom quartile of falguy's chalkiness index, finishing lower than both ditkaburgers and Oliver Humanzee.

OH was just outside the top 1/3 in chalkiness, defying expectations.

reaction.

 

[krista4]

Unfortunately I was just giving that as an example as I was trying not to spoil the song chosen. It's from this album, oddly enough with the title of that song but that song is on a different album? Is this a live album? I can't find this particular song (OK, I'm tired of playing around with this - it's track #3) anywhere else. Is it only here and therefore ineligible

The album is a compilation. Track #3 appears to be the B-side to a single that was released under the Blockheads name.

And the person who submitted listed it as the Blockheads. I was just hoping not to nix anything. Oh well. Thanks for the input.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

I'm actually a bit shocked so many people are having trouble coming up with British artists/songs. The history of rock/pop music is littered with British artists. I figured people would have the opposite reaction - too much to chose from.

I may exclude some of the biggest rock acts in music history, and I'm usually sadly chalky. Otoh, it would be easy to pick three acts for 31 songs. Brits and friends includes several Tom Pettys. For me that just makes choosing the song problematic. Then there's my decades old addiction to the alt rock, new wave, post punk, glam, synth 2nd invasion.

Vetting is annoying. Is there a secret or we all just cut and paste each name into google and see what we find? Howwzzz you have patience for this?

yeah, this one is a bit more of a challenge Chaos ...but that is part of the fun.

I think we all are a bit OCD - clearly we love lists, tracking things, and ORDER MOTHER ****ER!!!

while still creating chaos ...seems like you would understand.

 

[Eephus]

And the person who submitted listed it as the Blockheads. I was just hoping not to nix anything. Oh well. Thanks for the input.

The original Stiff 7" credits the A side to "Ian & The Blockheads" and the B side to "Michael Gallagher, John Turnbull, Davey Payne, Norman Watt-Roy, Charlie Charles, Chaz Blockhead & Ian Blockhead".

Ian Dury And The Blockheads - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1978 Vinyl release of "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

 

[zamboni]

In the A-OK section, I'm adding "Dr. Feelgood." You might worry that they weren't due to Lee Brilleaux being born in South Africa, but he was born there to English parentage.

On the other hand, Manfred Mann, the band, is ineligible because of keyboardist and band namesake Manfred Mann -- born, raised, and started out as a professional musician in South Africa.

Same for Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Mann's 1970s project.

That wraps them up like a doosh.

 

[krista4]

I officially hate this countdown already.

Some more recent rulings; let me know of objections.

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

The artist "The Rutles" is ineligible even though they "play" the Beatles, because someone playing the Beatles is actually South African.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

So many oddball ones this time... I'm making the following ruling and would invite anyone who disagrees to start their own countdown let me know. The question arose as to a live version by an artist whose band that originally performed the song was ineligible, but not due to the artist in question. I see this as essentially a cover of a song, and if the cover version is performed by a person who is eligible - in this case, albeit someone who was a member of the original ineligible band - then I'll allow it. But I don't have to like it.

We allowed Bob Welch's solo version of Sentimental Lady in the US countdown even though he first released it with Fleetwood Mac (which has Brits in it). This example strikes me as similar to that.

 

[krista4]

So many oddball ones this time... I'm making the following ruling and would invite anyone who disagrees to start their own countdown let me know. The question arose as to a live version by an artist whose band that originally performed the song was ineligible, but not due to the artist in question. I see this as essentially a cover of a song, and if the cover version is performed by a person who is eligible - in this case, albeit someone who was a member of the original ineligible band - then I'll allow it. But I don't have to like it.

We allowed Bob Welch's solo version of Sentimental Lady in the US countdown even though he first released it with Fleetwood Mac (which has Brits in it). This example strikes me as similar to that.

Thanks for that reminder. I like when I'm inadvertently consistent.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The artist "The Rutles" is ineligible even though they "play" the Beatles, because some people playing the Beatles are actually Americans.

Ricky Fataar is actually South African and also rendered certain Beach Boys albums ineligible for the US countdown.

 

[krista4]

The artist "The Rutles" is ineligible even though they "play" the Beatles, because some people playing the Beatles are actually Americans.

Ricky Fataar is actually South African and also rendered certain Beach Boys albums ineligible for the US countdown.

Ah yes, it was South African. I made this ruling a couple of days ago via PM and didn't look back at the details.

 

[krista4]

More good news: Idlewild's Rod Jones was born in South Africa, but with British parentage. Added to the "A-OK' list.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

Ummm…yeah….uhhhhh…..are the cartoon characters Bristish…wait….what?

I have no idea.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Wait, Queen is out? That's like 20 of my songs.

Zanzibar was a British protectorate.... he was basically born in our equivalent of Guam.

Would Guam have counted in the American list?

This is more me venting than anything while waiting for the game to start.

 

[krista4]

Stereophonics are partially ineligible due to Javier Andrés Weyler (2022 World Cup-winning Argentina)

 

[zamboni]

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

Ummm…yeah….uhhhhh…..are the cartoon characters Bristish…wait….what?

I have no idea.

So Magilla Gorillaz is fine.

 

[Eephus]

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

Ummm…yeah….uhhhhh…..are the cartoon characters Bristish…wait….what?

I have no idea.

A bunch of their singles have credits featuring non-British singers and rappers

 

[Eephus]

Stereophonics are partially ineligible due to Javier Andrés Weyler (2022 World Cup-winning Argentina)

Another drummer.

RIP Stuart Cable

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

Ummm…yeah….uhhhhh…..are the cartoon characters Bristish…wait….what?

I have no idea.

A bunch of their singles have credits featuring non-British singers and rappers

Band membersEdit​

Virtual members Murdoc Niccals – bass, drum machine (1998–present; hiatus 2018)[a] 2-D – vocals, keyboards, melodica, rhythm guitar, piano, synthesizers (1998–present) Noodle – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals (1998–2006; 2012–present) Russel Hobbs – drums, percussion, drum machine (1998–2006; 2012–present) Seems to me they should be eligible in the “catch all, everything else” Song list.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

Ummm…yeah….uhhhhh…..are the cartoon characters Bristish…wait….what?

I have no idea.

A bunch of their singles have credits featuring non-British singers and rappers

Band membersEdit​

Virtual members Murdoc Niccals – bass, drum machine (1998–present; hiatus 2018)[a] 2-D – vocals, keyboards, melodica, rhythm guitar, piano, synthesizers (1998–present) Noodle – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals (1998–2006; 2012–present) Russel Hobbs – drums, percussion, drum machine (1998–2006; 2012–present) Seems to me they should be eligible in the “catch all, everything else” Song list.

I don't care what this means and it seems way over aggressive.

yikkes ...this was meant to be funny ...should all band member edits be ****ing gigantic from now on???

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

Ummm…yeah….uhhhhh…..are the cartoon characters Bristish…wait….what?

I have no idea.

A bunch of their singles have credits featuring non-British singers and rappers

Band membersEdit​

Virtual members Murdoc Niccals – bass, drum machine (1998–present; hiatus 2018)[a] 2-D – vocals, keyboards, melodica, rhythm guitar, piano, synthesizers (1998–present) Noodle – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals (1998–2006; 2012–present) Russel Hobbs – drums, percussion, drum machine (1998–2006; 2012–present) Seems to me they should be eligible in the “catch all, everything else” Song list.

I don't care what this means and it seems way over aggressive.

I was under the impression that the third countdown would be everything ineligible in the first two. I was just saying that band may fit in better with that list.

 

[Eephus]

Noodle – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals (1998–2006; 2012–present)

Noodle's cartoon character is a Japanese women even though Albarn's real-life collaborators are Englishmen

 

[Don Quixote]

Has the nationality of “The Machine” in the Florence and the Machine been confirmed? I only see Wikipedia pages for a couple of members.

 

[krista4]

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

Ummm…yeah….uhhhhh…..are the cartoon characters Bristish…wait….what?

I have no idea.

A bunch of their singles have credits featuring non-British singers and rappers

Band membersEdit​

Virtual members Murdoc Niccals – bass, drum machine (1998–present; hiatus 2018)[a] 2-D – vocals, keyboards, melodica, rhythm guitar, piano, synthesizers (1998–present) Noodle – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals (1998–2006; 2012–present) Russel Hobbs – drums, percussion, drum machine (1998–2006; 2012–present) Seems to me they should be eligible in the “catch all, everything else” Song list.

I'm aware of this. I do look at this stuff, for some reason for many hours. Those are "virtual members." It seems that the people voicing them are eligible, though, which I was I said they would be fine. I'm open to the idea that that's wrong, but not based on the identities of fictional characters.

 

[krista4]

Has the nationality of “The Machine” in the Florence and the Machine been confirmed? I only see Wikipedia pages for a couple of members.

I haven't had cause to look at this one yet, but will.

 

[krista4]

By the way, not aiming this at anyone in particular, but I have added this reminder to post #3:

THIS LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND YOU STILL NEED TO VET YOUR OWN PICKS

 

[simsarge]

If the door is still open, I'm in... As long as I don't have to read all the what-ifs and if this's than that's in the 1st 8 pages. Reading just the 1st page and this one makes my hair hurt. You guys are insane(in a good way, like Saint Nich)

 

[krista4]

Has the nationality of “The Machine” in the Florence and the Machine been confirmed? I only see Wikipedia pages for a couple of members.

I haven't had cause to look at this one yet, but will.

I found something showing Aku Orraca-Tetteh was born in NY. Now, it could be a different Aku Orraca-Tetteh, I suppose.

 

[Chaos34]

specials ineligible, rip terry hall

Aw man, Ghost Town is such a wonderful strange wth this is ska (?) song, it made my list before i got to 10 songs. Down to 18.

 

[Don Quixote]

Has the nationality of “The Machine” in the Florence and the Machine been confirmed? I only see Wikipedia pages for a couple of members.

I haven't had cause to look at this one yet, but will.

I found something showing Aku Orraca-Tetteh was born in NY. Now, it could be a different Aku Orraca-Tetteh, I suppose.

Thanks. From what I’ve been able to find, it looks like others born in British isles (or at least have not found to the contrary) and Aku joined in 2018, so earlier stuff is good.

 

[Doug B]

“Gorillaz”, musically, is one person — former Blur member Damon Albarn. The other member of Gorillaz is a visual artist who handles the images of the virtual band members.

Like Steely Dan and The Alan Parsons Project, every other musician who. collaborates with Albarn on Gorillaz projects is a hired gun.

 

[krista4]

specials ineligible, rip terry hall

Aw man, Ghost Town is such a wonderful strange wth this is ska (?) song, it made my list before i got to 10 songs. Down to 18.

I’m not checking your particular song, but please remember that the band is only partially ineligible.

“Gorillaz”, musically, is one person — former Blur member Damon Albarn. The other member of Gorillaz is a visual artist who handles the images of the virtual band members.

Like Steely Dan and The Alan Parsons Project, every other musician who. collaborates with Albarn on Gorillaz projects is a hired gun.

Great way to put it.

Other virtual bands will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

 

[krista4]

Has the nationality of “The Machine” in the Florence and the Machine been confirmed? I only see Wikipedia pages for a couple of members.

I haven't had cause to look at this one yet, but will.

I found something showing Aku Orraca-Tetteh was born in NY. Now, it could be a different Aku Orraca-Tetteh, I suppose.

Thanks. From what I’ve been able to find, it looks like others born in British isles (or at least have not found to the contrary) and Aku joined in 2018, so earlier stuff is good.

Great - I'll put on the partially ineligible list.

 

[Chaos34]

i wanted my #31 to be Aztec Camera's Good Morning Britain. It's a duet with Roddy Frame and The Clash's Mick Jones. In this expression of AC the drummer is Ghanaian Frank Tontoh. So, no dice. Partially ineligible and I'm not vetting the half dozen versions of AC. Really it's Roddy's thing from start to finish, but he didn't call his guys session musicians. Just new versions of the band.

 

[Eephus]

i wanted my #31 to be Aztec Camera's Good Morning Britain. It's a duet with Roddy Frame and The Clash's Mick Jones. In this expression of AC the drummer is Ghanaian Frank Tontoh. So, no dice. Partially ineligible and I'm not vetting the half dozen versions of AC. Really it's Roddy's thing from start to finish, but he didn't call his guys session musicians. Just new versions of the band.

as far as I can tell, the first two albums are eligible

 

[krista4]

In the latest installment of "bizarre eligibility issues in this countdown," I'm deeming songs that were on soundtrack albums for plays and listed therein as being sung only by one character from the play (who is eligible), but were released as a single with a "featuring" designation to an artist of unknown origin that might not have even been a band, ever, and were listed only as "other" on the album, to be eligible. Update your cheatsheets accordingly.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

Ummm…yeah….uhhhhh…..are the cartoon characters Bristish…wait….what?

I have no idea.

A bunch of their singles have credits featuring non-British singers and rappers

Band membersEdit​

Virtual members Murdoc Niccals – bass, drum machine (1998–present; hiatus 2018)[a] 2-D – vocals, keyboards, melodica, rhythm guitar, piano, synthesizers (1998–present) Noodle – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals (1998–2006; 2012–present) Russel Hobbs – drums, percussion, drum machine (1998–2006; 2012–present) Seems to me they should be eligible in the “catch all, everything else” Song list.

I'm aware of this. I do look at this stuff, for some reason for many hours. Those are "virtual members." It seems that the people voicing them are eligible, though, which I was I said they would be fine. I'm open to the idea that that's wrong, but not based on the identities of fictional characters.

I wasn’t saying it based just on the cartoon characters but based on what Eephus said and the confusing nature of the whole thing - honestly I’m not looking to see them eliminated and certainly ok with you making them eligible.

 

[krista4]

The artist "Gorillaz" is eligible as it was created by English people, even though it is, apparently, a virtual band whose membership includes Americans? Do I have that right? Good god, music has passed me by.

Ummm…yeah….uhhhhh…..are the cartoon characters Bristish…wait….what?

I have no idea.

A bunch of their singles have credits featuring non-British singers and rappers

Band membersEdit​

Virtual members Murdoc Niccals – bass, drum machine (1998–present; hiatus 2018)[a] 2-D – vocals, keyboards, melodica, rhythm guitar, piano, synthesizers (1998–present) Noodle – lead guitar, keyboards, vocals (1998–2006; 2012–present) Russel Hobbs – drums, percussion, drum machine (1998–2006; 2012–present) Seems to me they should be eligible in the “catch all, everything else” Song list.

I'm aware of this. I do look at this stuff, for some reason for many hours. Those are "virtual members." It seems that the people voicing them are eligible, though, which I was I said they would be fine. I'm open to the idea that that's wrong, but not based on the identities of fictional characters.

I wasn’t saying it based just on the cartoon characters but based on what Eephus said and the confusing nature of the whole thing - honestly I’m not looking to see them eliminated and certainly ok with you making them eligible.

I think Doug B explained my thinking better than I did.

 

[shuke]

In the latest installment of "bizarre eligibility issues in this countdown," I'm deeming songs that were on soundtrack albums for plays and listed therein as being sung only by one character from the play (who is eligible), but were released as a single with a "featuring" designation to an artist of unknown origin that might not have even been a band, ever, and were listed only as "other" on the album, to be eligible. Update your cheatsheets accordingly.

This is getting too complicated for me.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I have a list in already, plus a "last five out."

I was off work this week and I needed something to take my mind off things because I don't think we're going to have Cassidy for much longer.

Aw, I'm so sorry. It had sounded like Cassidy had been doing better.

He had been. But these things can turn quickly. On Friday they did.

Today we said goodbye to Cassidy. A few months ago he was diagnosed with lymphoma and a tumor in his intestines was spotted. On Friday it became apparent that the tumor was starting to prevent his body from doing certain things it’s supposed to do, so we made the call. A hospice service that provides in-home euthanasia came out this morning. Cassidy became our cat after my father-in-law passed away, and now they are reunited.

Oh man, I am sorry for your loss.

 

[Eephus]

In the latest installment of "bizarre eligibility issues in this countdown," I'm deeming songs that were on soundtrack albums for plays and listed therein as being sung only by one character from the play (who is eligible), but were released as a single with a "featuring" designation to an artist of unknown origin that might not have even been a band, ever, and were listed only as "other" on the album, to be eligible. Update your cheatsheets accordingly.

I quit if someone picks something off this

We Will Rock You: Cast Album

The Cast Of 'We Will Rock You' · Album · 2002 · 24 songs.

open.spotify.com

 

[HellToupee]

I’m so confused

 

[KarmaPolice]

Musical Youth is fully eligible. All were born in Birmingham.

I have fifty-one different bands listed. How on Earth are you people having a problem here?

I have the opposite reaction. I feel like either I am missing a bunch, or just have wildly different tastes in music. I only have 24 in my playlist right now and 5-6 are were just random clicks as I went through and wasn't super sold on the ideas. I might have to triple up on artists' songs at this rate.

It seems like 80% of the artist/bands in the 80s were British - maybe concentrate on “songs” more than “bands”.

I’m obviously taking plenty of songs by bands I love but maybe 1/5 of my list are songs I love by bands that I haven’t really ever dug deeply into despite loving that particular song or when/if I did, nothing else really stood out for me.

I had that exact thought today.

Some of it is a mental block that I have doing these. There are songs that I do like by bands like The Beatles, but I won't take them because they aren't in my rotation things that I normally gavitate to so it feels a bit fake for me to take them, if that makes sense. My favorite things about the movie and music threads are seeing what other people love and reading their posts about their connections to a medium I love. So I try probably too hard to find "KP brand" picks when doing these. So I think between that and just generally not listening to hardly any New Wave before the last few years and not digging punk much - it seems to wipe out a ton of songs and bands that I see when looking and thinking about it.

I am sure digging will reveal more options. If not? Hey - you guys get multiple posts and songs about Radiohead and a couple others.

 

[krista4]

In the latest installment of "bizarre eligibility issues in this countdown," I'm deeming songs that were on soundtrack albums for plays and listed therein as being sung only by one character from the play (who is eligible), but were released as a single with a "featuring" designation to an artist of unknown origin that might not have even been a band, ever, and were listed only as "other" on the album, to be eligible. Update your cheatsheets accordingly.

This is getting too complicated for me.

Imagine if you were the one who actually had to read all this **** and make rulings on it. FUN.

 

[krista4]

I am sure digging will reveal more options.

I have a little advantage of having been reminded of some I'd forgotten by seeing other lists. I would go ahead and put my list together such that I wouldn't be affected by that, but I'm seriously spending a full-time-job's worth of time just on vetting others right now.

 

[KarmaPolice]

@rockaction was talking about hip hop picks for this, I believe. Off the top of my head, I couldn't name a UK hip hop artist, so it got me thinking. Then I looked at a list of the greatest from the UK and I knew ONE artist. So I started researching and listening..... and that is damn near the only thing I've been listening to for a few days. Rap music and British slang/accents?? Why hasn't this been in my life until this week????

I might actually take a song or two.

 

[krista4]

I am sure digging will reveal more options.

I have a little advantage of having been reminded of some I'd forgotten by seeing other lists. I would go ahead and put my list together such that I wouldn't be affected by that, but I'm seriously spending a full-time-job's worth of time just on vetting others right now.

Actually, I just looked at my current list, and I haven't added anything based on a "oh yeah" moment from someone else's list. But I have had several "that was a great one I'd forgotten" moments.

 

[krista4]

@rockaction was talking about hip hop picks for this, I believe. Off the top of my head, I couldn't name a UK hip hop artist, so it got me thinking. Then I looked at a list of the greatest from the UK and I knew ONE artist. So I started researching and listening..... and that is damn near the only thing I've been listening to for a few days. Rap music and British slang/accents?? Why hasn't this been in my life until this week????

I might actually take a song or two.

I have a list from someone that includes a few hip-hop artists. They're out there!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I’m so confused

Gorillaz are eligible. Magilla Gorilla is not because Hana and Barbara were Americans.