MAD - Artist - Round 4 - #1's have been posted (2 Viewers)

[tuffnutt]

7.
Radio Free Europe- R.E.M.
from Murmur (1983)

The public’s introduction to R.E.M., “Radio Free Europe” was the first single for the band on Hib-Tone and an epochal moment from the early ’80s. A decidedly different arrangement appeared on the version of the song that kicked off Murmur. Regardless of which version you favor, this is the song which announced R.E.M. as one of the great bands of the 80s R.E.M. The song actually cracked the Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at 78) and made them immediate favorites of college kids all across the country. It also kicked off many in a long stream of R.E.M. songs with nearly indecipherable lyrics. In Radio Free Europe we already hear so much of what was to come... Mills’ melodic bass lines, Buck’s arpeggios, and the Stipe's rallying vocals. All bands hope to make a splash when they introduce themselves to the world for the first time. In R.E.M.’s case, they set the bar for their career by showing up with one of the greatest debut singles of all time.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

#7 George Clinton - "Atomic Dog"

By the early 1980s, George Clinton was in so much deep legal **** and was doing so many drugs that I don't think even HE knew what names he was allowed to record under. His empire had pretty much collapsed by this time. I know I had pretty much written P-Funk off as a thing in my past, which made me really sad as they had given me tons of listening (& thinking) joy.

Then, one day in late 1982, I hear this crazy-assed song on the radio. I cannot for the life of me remember how the artist was titled at the time. I used "George Clinton" above because that's how Youtube has the song titled.

This thing's kind of a mess. I remember seeing a P-Funk documentary where one of the producers/arrangers/band members said they had to carry Clinton into the studio because he was so wasted. This guy claimed Clinton could only speak gibberish when recording, and that the people on the board had to piece things together with sound effects. It turned out to be one of George's biggest and most influential records.

I didn't know where to place this in my list, but figured bookending "Testify" with it was as good place as any.

Up next, a song I entered by mistake into the @Zegras11 spreadsheet. I let he & KP know that I had made a mistake, and will post the correct Youtube link when the reveal happens. In any case, it's all chorus and no verse - one of P-Funk's most influential records.

 

[titusbramble]

My theme's going to be Grand Theft Auto, specifically the 3D era. Will expand more on exactly what that means when we get the new thread

 

[krista4]

We can do the M-aD themed countdown next if you'd like (and I've been keeping a half-assed list of participants and their categories), but I can also wait if you'd rather do Artist Countdown #5 first. No problem either way!

@krista4

(Or people who have decided)

What are the themes so far. My wife was curious what type of stuff people are doing, and no surprise i could only remember about 2.

This is what I had in my notes (obviously not well-formatted, etc.):

JML – Batman

Zegras – New wave

Kupcho – rain

Mrs. R – umlauts

DQ – TV theme songs

Raging weasel – name-checking Beatles/songs

Pip - Top 31 songs from albums produced and/or engineered by Todd Rundgren.

Dr. O – Top 31 guitarists I’ve seen live

Uruk – 1960-63

Yo Mama – World’s Worst Superheroes

Eephus – Single (Named) Ladies

ditkaburgers - TBD

KP – Songs from artists not on shuke’s list

Tau837 – hair metal

krista and/or OH - Chicagoland

Mister CIA – something something Texas locales in the title songs

 

[krista4]

For the theme draft, I'm going with songs from Mad Men.

Added.

When do we plan on starting the theme draft? Timing may affect whether I’ll be able to participate.

I'm open. Mid/late January? I haven't even started my own list.

I'll do 31 songs by 31 artists (if it's not already taken by someone?). I'll either avoid the more famous artists or possibly use them as my last 5-10 out. Assuming this won't be start too early in January as I'll be away the first week.

Added.

My theme's going to be Grand Theft Auto, specifically the 3D era. Will expand more on exactly what that means when we get the new thread

Added.

 

[Mister CIA]

Eephus – Single (Named) Ladies

Coocoo for Yoko. YOLO!

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Uruk – 1960-63

My tentative title is "Music Jann Wenner Wants You To Believe Didn't Matter". If I do this, I'm going to run two lists concurrently and will give them each a different name. I have to put up a lot of guardrails, though, and I'm still working on those.

 

[zamboni]

My theme will be “And Then There Was One”.

That is, bands with only one surviving original member. A bit ghoulish, but that’s music.

 

[Mister CIA]

My theme will be “And Then There Was One”.

That is, bands with only one surviving original member. A bit ghoulish, but that’s music.

Ah, the ol' State Fair (County Fair) circuit.

 

[Don Quixote]

DQ – TV theme songs

I’m a bit tentative on this one. I was not really feeling it as much I thought I might when I started pulling together, but will see. I have some backup themes in mind in case I switch it out.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

7.


Song: You and I
Artist: Wilco
Album: Wilco (The Album)
Year: 2009


You and I, we might be strangers
However close we get sometimes
It's like we never met

But you and I, I think we can take it
All the good with the bad
Make something that no one else has but

You and I, you and I


The first (and only) song on my list off the non-descript Wilco (The Album), which is best known for containing Wilco (The Song) by Wilco (The Band) – but outside of this track is a fairly average album.

I chose this song in the “Story of Our Lives” draft, and felt I gained some street cred, when wikkid responded that this was the “best new to me song” he’s heard in a long time – and he was generally not a big fan of the band.

I think the first half of this album is pretty good, and two of my favorites by them are there. The second half is indeed nondescript.

 

[Scoresman]

The Walkmen # 7 - In the New Year​

I've been sick with the flu and missed a bunch of these top 10 writeups, but am returning for a hell of a banger. Maybe the band's best vocal performance. This is a song about better things ahead. For me, The Walkmen are at their best when the leave you feeling charged up, and this song is one of the best at that. I was wondering if the countdown would have this song be revealed around New Years. Close enough. Have a great 2025.

 

[Yo Mama]

7.


Song: You and I
Artist: Wilco
Album: Wilco (The Album)
Year: 2009


You and I, we might be strangers
However close we get sometimes
It's like we never met

But you and I, I think we can take it
All the good with the bad
Make something that no one else has but

You and I, you and I


The first (and only) song on my list off the non-descript Wilco (The Album), which is best known for containing Wilco (The Song) by Wilco (The Band) – but outside of this track is a fairly average album.

I chose this song in the “Story of Our Lives” draft, and felt I gained some street cred, when wikkid responded that this was the “best new to me song” he’s heard in a long time – and he was generally not a big fan of the band.

We should have timed our lists better.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

7.
Radio Free Europe- R.E.M.
from Murmur (1983)

The public’s introduction to R.E.M., “Radio Free Europe” was the first single for the band on Hib-Tone and an epochal moment from the early ’80s. A decidedly different arrangement appeared on the version of the song that kicked off Murmur. Regardless of which version you favor, this is the song which announced R.E.M. as one of the great bands of the 80s R.E.M. The song actually cracked the Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at 78) and made them immediate favorites of college kids all across the country. It also kicked off many in a long stream of R.E.M. songs with nearly indecipherable lyrics. In Radio Free Europe we already hear so much of what was to come... Mills’ melodic bass lines, Buck’s arpeggios, and the Stipe's rallying vocals. All bands hope to make a splash when they introduce themselves to the world for the first time. In R.E.M.’s case, they set the bar for their career by showing up with one of the greatest debut singles of all time.

This was the first overall pick in the REM song draft I did on another board, to no one’s surprise.

I prefer the Hib-Tone version, but they are both spectacular.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#7 George Clinton - "Atomic Dog"

By the early 1980s, George Clinton was in so much deep legal **** and was doing so many drugs that I don't think even HE knew what names he was allowed to record under. His empire had pretty much collapsed by this time. I know I had pretty much written P-Funk off as a thing in my past, which made me really sad as they had given me tons of listening (& thinking) joy.

Then, one day in late 1982, I hear this crazy-assed song on the radio. I cannot for the life of me remember how the artist was titled at the time. I used "George Clinton" above because that's how Youtube has the song titled.

This thing's kind of a mess. I remember seeing a P-Funk documentary where one of the producers/arrangers/band members said they had to carry Clinton into the studio because he was so wasted. This guy claimed Clinton could only speak gibberish when recording, and that the people on the board had to piece things together with sound effects. It turned out to be one of George's biggest and most influential records.

I didn't know where to place this in my list, but figured bookending "Testify" with it was as good place as any.

Up next, a song I entered by mistake into the @Zegras11 spreadsheet. I let he & KP know that I had made a mistake, and will post the correct Youtube link when the reveal happens. In any case, it's all chorus and no verse - one of P-Funk's most influential records.

It was indeed released under “George Clinton.”

They closed with this the only time I saw them, at Lollapalooza 1994 in Philly.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

My theme will be “And Then There Was One”.

That is, bands with only one surviving original member. A bit ghoulish, but that’s music.

There are already a few members from the classic rock era in the “And Then There Were None” category.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

7.


Song: You and I
Artist: Wilco
Album: Wilco (The Album)
Year: 2009


You and I, we might be strangers
However close we get sometimes
It's like we never met

But you and I, I think we can take it
All the good with the bad
Make something that no one else has but

You and I, you and I


The first (and only) song on my list off the non-descript Wilco (The Album), which is best known for containing Wilco (The Song) by Wilco (The Band) – but outside of this track is a fairly average album.

I chose this song in the “Story of Our Lives” draft, and felt I gained some street cred, when wikkid responded that this was the “best new to me song” he’s heard in a long time – and he was generally not a big fan of the band.

We should have timed our lists better.

We were close to having a playlist with:

You
You and I
And You And I
Not for You

 

[KarmaPolice]

#7: JOURNEY - DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

See, I am not a complete ghoul - there are some mega hits in the top 10. In a weird way you can thank Glee for the Journey MAD31. I wouldn't play the show at the video store (at Family Video we weren't supposed to put on anything but the trailers and G movies), but I would play the Glee concert a bit to get a little music to listen to and this was on it. Never got sick of it - great songs are great songs. It's also one that my daughter had on her playlist and why I randomly listened to a bit of Escape one day. That little nugget and hearing Schon on some of those songs is what was festering in my head as I was thinking of artists to listen to next.

All that aside, it also showcases something that I really haven't talked about that much - lyrics that have the ability to hit home for just about anybody listening. Not quite Springsteen, but they operate in that small town, sweet romance, wholesome zone a lot. It shouldn't surprise anybody that some of these songs are so beloved and ubiquitous.

Next: We are closing out Infinity, so it's probably no secret what song we will be rockin' on Sunday.

 

[krista4]

7. Act Naturally single with Buck Owens (1989)

Previously ranked #8 - prior write-up below

One of Ringo’s best vocal performances as a Beatle was his cover on the Help! album of Buck Owens’s “Act Naturally,” which had been a #1 hit for Owens and his Buckaroos in 1963. When Ringo and Owens teamed up for a duet of the song in the late 80s, it was pretty damn magical. I feel like Ringo steps up his game here to…well, not match Owens in the vocal, but at least hang tough. It’s clear that they are both having a ####### blast in this recording, and as always the country style suits well Ringo’s vocal…errrr…limitations. Fantastic song, fantastic performance that surpassed the Beatles version by far. This version spent 11 weeks on the country charts and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Collaboration! Since it was neither written by Ringo nor sung entirely by him, I can’t move it higher even though I adore it.

Please also enjoy this cute video associated with this song.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

My theme is songs produced or engineered by Todd Rundgren.

Unusually for me, this will not be a ranked list. The songs will be grouped in clusters that advance the narrative in a certain way. I’ll explain more when the thread is created.

 

[Yo Mama]

Yes #7 - South Side of the Sky
Album - Fragile (1971)

This is one of the hardest rocking songs in the Yes catalog. The riffs by Howe and Squire are among my favorite of all of their work. The awesome piano interlude (which Wakeman didn’t get writing credits for due to a contract dispute) followed by some classic vocal harmonies added a nice change of pace to this monster track.

The first time I listened to Fragile, I had previously heard Classic Yes a bunch so I knew Heart of the Sunrise and obviously knew the big radio hits from this record, but South Side was new to me. I couldn’t believe I had missed out on this track and my face nearly melted off (could have also been the shrooms). Love this song.

On my playlist, the stormy ending feeds perfectly into the pastoral start to #8 Close to the Edge.

 

[zamboni]

My theme will be “And Then There Was One”.

That is, bands with only one surviving original member. A bit ghoulish, but that’s music.

There are already a few members from the classic rock era in the “And Then There Were None” category.

Yeah, I thought of that but one member sounded a bit different. I may change my theme entirely though if it gets too chalky when I start my research.

 

[-OZ-]

8s were a great follow up from the 9s! A-
I listened to the 7s once already, it looks like the top 10 will all be great!

Known likes
burn
Clumsy
What’s the frequency
You
Not for You

New likes
Faithless
I’ve got a liver (I think Annie will have many added in the next 7)
Stream engine
The on the shore
Kolkata - sounds really familiar, probably sampling

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#7 - Call Your Girlfriend - Robyn​

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

m.youtube.com

Producer - Klas Åhlund, Billboard, Jayce Lewis
Writer - Robyn, Klas Åhlund, Alexander Kronlund
Chart Positions - US Hot Single Sales #6, US Hot Dance Club Songs #1, UK #55
Album - Body Talk 3
Year - 2010
Collaborator History - Kronlund was introduced to Robyn on her 2002 album and is a Max Martin Protege
Billboard, real name, Mathieu Jomphe-Lepine, is another in the Max Martin stable. His credits revolve around Britney Spears, Kesha and the like.

Key Lyric -
Then you tell her that the only way her heart will mend
is when she learns to love again
And it won't make sense right now but you're still her friend
And then you let her down easy

Notes - This is a song where Robyn has a new boyfriend, who still has a girlfriend. Shes trying to get him to let her down gently. Funnily enough the video for this track, allegedly done in one take, features Robyn with interesting and fun interpretive dance moves, was done by her future partner and father of her child, Max Vitali. At the time Robyn was engaged to someone else.

The video garnered rave reviews. Tom Breihan of Pitchfork wrote that the video "is one long unbroken tracking shot of the Swedish pop queen dancing, singing, and looking like her heart is about to break. The only thing she has to keep her company is an elaborate lighting rig. It's a true command performance, a hall-of-fame effort from an artist at the absolute peak of her powers."

The song itself has had a string of covers done since.

Took me a long time to warm to this track, but its pop simplicity fooled me as i was looking for something a bit more complex like a lot of the tracks on the albums. I first heard this on the album, but just thought of it as an album track until i heard it on the radio as a single while living in the UK. They released this as a single? 3 younger girls in the office were singing along to it. Time for reevaluation lol.

Next up - An international #1 for her to resurrect her international career. This time from the Robyn LP

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Somewhere - Johnny Marr

 

[Yambag]

7's

Known: Journey, Crue, Annie Lennox, REM, Radiohead, Pearl Jam

Caught My Attention
Clash: White Riot
Johnny Marr: Somewhere
Lindsey Sterling: Snow Waltz
Triumph: Rock 'N' Roll Machine (what a solo!)
Airborne Toxic Event: Changing (safe to say they are my favorite new discovery from Round 4)
Lord Huron: Until the Night Turns

 

[-OZ-]

7 up! Solid A. Now anything less is going to be a huge disappointment.

Added to likes

Known
Don’t Stop believin. Can one of the best songs of all time be over played? Yes. But it’s still a great song.
Is anybody home?
Home sweet home
Walking on broken glass
Atomic Bow-Wow-Wow-Yippie-Yo-Yippie-Yeah
Radio Free Europe
Creep - probably like 90% of peoples #1

New to me
In the new year
This could be the year
Somewhere
Changing
Until the night turns
It’s alright
Given to fly

 

[titusbramble]

Known
Creep - probably like 90% of peoples #1

I mean I would guess that more than 10% either don't identify Radiohead as "that Creep band" or did and subsequently picked out a better track (likely off the next two albums before to the average indie rocker they jumped the shark), but yeah, it is probably number one for more people than it really should be, and I'm talking as someone who really liked Pablo Honey

 

[-OZ-]

it is probably number one for more people than it really should be, and I'm talking as someone who really liked Pablo Honey

That’s entirely possible, but there’s a reason it was played as much as it was.

Consideration if I do the MCU theme

 

[Tau837]

Still catching up, and finally listened to the #10 playlist. Other than my own song:

• Favorites already known to me:
  • Yes - I've Seen All Good People
  • Our Lady Peace - 4am -- my #1 OLP song
  • R.E.M. - It's the End of the World as We Know It
  • Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees
• Favorites new to me:
  • Walkmen - Woe is Me
  • Johnny Marr - Easy Money
  • The Pretty Reckless - Standing at the Wall
  • Lindsey Stirling - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
  • My Morning Jacket - Victory Dance

Another great playlist.

 

[Tau837]

Eddie Vedder

Tau837

Given to Fly - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com

"Given to Fly" is one of Pearl Jam's most iconic songs, featured on their fifth studio album, "Yield" (1998). The song reached #1 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Worldwide, the single charted well, reaching #5 in Finland, #6 in Norway and Spain, and the top 20 in Australia, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Written by guitarist Mike McCready (music) and Eddie (lyrics), the song stands out for its uplifting message, dynamic structure, and anthemic feel. It’s often interpreted as a story of personal liberation and resilience, making it a fan favorite and one of the band's most enduring tracks.

"Given to Fly" is often described as a "fable" about freedom, self-discovery, and transcendence. Its lyrics evoke imagery of flight as a metaphor for liberation and overcoming adversity. The song tells the story of someone breaking free from struggles and embracing a higher sense of purpose. The idea of "flying" symbolizes personal growth and resilience. The protagonist of the song doesn’t just find freedom but shares it with others, spreading kindness and hope. The song acknowledges the challenges and pain one faces but emphasizes the triumph of rising above them.

Eddie said this about the song:

[I imagined the song as] a 20-page cardboard (children's) book with a line on each page and a picture to go with it. It's a fable, that's all. The music almost gives you this feeling of flight, and I really love singing the part at the end, which is all about rising above anybody's comments about what you do and still giving your love away. You know? Not becoming bitter and reclusive, not condemning the whole world because of the actions of a few.

Mike said this about the song:

"'Given To Fly' came out of a period of time when I was finally getting my life together after going through some dark stuff prior to that. Musically, it represents kind of an awakening for me, and it represents a period of renewal, a period of just kind of learning how to relive my life. I was more clear headed, and I was coming up with these ideas that were kind of celebratory. 'Given to Fly' musically was kind of that statement. That's why there's all the peaks and valleys in it. It starts off slow and then kind of builds."

"Given to Fly" is driven by Mike's soaring guitar riff, which has drawn comparisons to Led Zeppelin's "Going to California." The song features a dynamic progression, beginning softly and gradually building to a powerful, cathartic climax. Mike's riff is the backbone of the song, creating a flowing, wave-like sensation that mirrors the themes of flight and freedom. Jeff Ament (bass) and Jack Irons (drums) provide a steady and propulsive foundation, supporting the song's gradual build and emotional intensity. Eddie's delivery is both tender and powerful, capturing the song’s hopeful and triumphant spirit. His voice rises with the music, delivering an anthemic, almost spiritual performance.

The song is a staple of Pearl Jam’s live shows, where it is often greeted with ecstatic reactions from fans. The song’s anthemic nature and dynamic build make it a highlight of the band’s concerts. They have played it 519 times in concert. Here are a couple great live versions:

• Hyde Park, London (2010)
• Let's Play Two concert, Wrigley Field, Chicago (2017)
• Hall of Fame (2017) - dedicated to Michael J. Fox

In summary, "Given to Fly" is a triumphant and uplifting song that captures Pearl Jam’s ability to blend poetic storytelling with powerful music. Its themes of freedom, compassion, and overcoming adversity resonate deeply with listeners, solidifying its place as one of the band’s greatest songs.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

7. Rock & Roll Machine
Album: Rock & Roll Machine (Canadian version, 1977, and International version, 1978)
Writer: Gil Moore
Lead vocals: Gil Moore
Chart History: None
Video?: No
Lyrical category: Rocking out

"Rock & Roll Machine" is not the most famous Triumph song, but it may be the most important one (the documentary about the band is named after it, after all). The song, especially Rik Emmett's unaccompanied guitar solo in the middle, defines Triumph's prowess as a live band and had a great deal to do with building up their reputation, and their fanbase, in their early years. Between 1977 and 1979, the band's following in Canada and the U.S. grew dramatically despite little radio play until the release of the Just a Game album. The reason it grew was because they were one of the most exciting live acts of their day, and "Rock & Roll Machine" had a lot to do with that.

The song, which closes both the Canadian and US/International versions of the album of the same name, starts as a hard-charging hard rocker not that different from what a lot of guitar-based bands were doing at the time. The staccato bursts between the verses and choruses are quite Zeppelinesque. After the second verse and chorus, the riff changes to something more even-keeled and Emmett begins a fast-fingered "regular" solo that culminates in bursts of noise that sound like the guitar collided with a vacuum cleaner. That sound revs higher and higher until ...

... we have liftoff. At 2:28, Mike Levine and Gil Moore drop out and Emmett begins his unaccompanied solo, which is extremely dextrous and makes great use of vibrato. This is the same kind of innovation we got from Eddie van Halen ... except this song was released a year before Van Halen's debut album. There are also elements you heard from Jimmy Page during live versions of "Dazed and Confused," especially in the sequence that begins around the 4-minute mark. Just before the 5-minute mark, the bass and drums return for interplay reminiscent of what Zep would do on live versions of "Whole Lotta Love." That builds up into more revved-up noises before the band jumps into the third verse, before providing a grand coda in the final 30 seconds.

Live, the unaccompanied part went on for much longer than two and a half minutes, and the band often never returned to the song proper. The venue usually went completely dark except for a spotlight on Emmett, and he would throw into his sonic pyrotechnics teases of classical works (often Grieg's "Hall of the Mountain King") and his own classical guitar pieces (on the Allied Forces tour, he segued into "Petite Etude" from that album but played it on electric). It was a spectacle so memorable that Spinal Tap parodied it at a 1992 show at Royal Albert Hall (released 2 years later on the video The Return of Spinal Tap), with Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) doing an unaccompanied solo so long that his bandmates went to get massages and eat at restaurants while it was happening (Guest wore a Triumph motorcycles shirt just to drive home the point.)

The lyrics are a case of form follows function. It's basically "our guitar player is going to blow your face off," and then he does.

Even on their later tours, with the beloved songs from Just a Game, Allied Forces and Thunder Seven in their arsenal, "Rock & Roll Machine" remained the centerpiece of their live set, often being stretched to the 10-minute mark. I would not be surprised if the main criterion to replace Rik Emmett was "can you play the solo in 'Rock & Roll Machine'"? (One of the links below shows that for Phil X, the answer was "yes".)

Not surprisingly, "Rock & Roll Machine" has the most documented live performances of any Triumph song, which makes sense because it is the oldest song which never left the setlist once it was introduced. Even at the 2008 reunion shows, there was the 55-year-old Emmett doing his thing.

On the Extended Versions: Triumph compilation, the unaccompanied solo is labeled as "Guitarinator," but this designation does not appear on any other release.

Some late '70s versions were preceded by an anti-disco rant from Gil Moore, which has not aged well.

Live version from Canada Jam in 1978 (the "Hall of the Mountain King" vamping is already there): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2sCxq4rACI
Live version from Toronto in 1978: https://youtu.be/r2piagRsA50?t=1242
Live version from Chicago in 1979, broadcast on the FM show Studio Jam: https://youtu.be/q5kzeyQJNUU?t=1625
Live version from Cleveland in 1981, aired on the King Biscuit Flower Hour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Elo5o06x8I
Live version from Baltimore in 1982 which aired on MTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKbA_9jM3Bk
Live version from Ottawa in 1982: https://youtu.be/O2TLUhfbrm4?t=1744
Live at the US Festival in 1983 (includes dialogue from the DVD): https://open.spotify.com/track/4Y5RyvwSU947Cu8akCGWUc?si=8ff0db94f7e341f2
Live version from Stages: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TmAvUkCAkZFjgey40ilOg?si=3088b06719d34739
Live version from LA in 1985: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbtQgZViNxc
Live version from Montreal in 1985: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcsduIiNM0k
Live version from Detroit in 1986, aired on FM radio without the solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oskPQfpzVCk
Live version from Halifax in 1987, included on the A Night of Triumph DVD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOuEUludSbc
Live version from Milwaukee in 1993 (solo by Phil X, during which he segues into Hendrix' "Foxey Lady"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Erckykzc8E
Live at Sweden Rock Festival in 2008: https://open.spotify.com/track/5Af0dZBwvspa1jBj2a2Hwz?si=12c913d0167d4537

At #6, the first of the indisputable first-tier Rik Emmett songs, and my highest-ranking track from Never Surrender.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Known
Creep - probably like 90% of peoples #1

I mean I would guess that more than 10% either don't identify Radiohead as "that Creep band" or did and subsequently picked out a better track (likely off the next two albums before to the average indie rocker they jumped the shark), but yeah, it is probably number one for more people than it really should be, and I'm talking as someone who really liked Pablo Honey

Thought of doing the entire list in the covers draft based on Creep. Went with Abba covers instead
There are so many interpretations, but the original is still the best. And it wouldnt be my #1 Radiohead song. At least 3 better

 

[KarmaPolice]

Another outstanding playlist! 30 great songs and Creep. (TOTALLY kidding, @titusbramble )

I had the pleasure of listening to this as I shoveled for another 3 hours at work today. Way too old and out of shape for that, I hate snow, but the time flew by thanks to great music. I'm just saying that even if I don't mention your song below, I still thought it was great. I've listened to the #7s 2 1/2 times now. Random thoughts attempting to get to some artists I haven't yet:

In the New Year was my favorite new to me Walkmen song so far. Great start to the playlist.
ditto for This Could Be the Year I've been liking Ryan a lot more than I had initially thought I would.
The Plan had a great build up. I feel I should know them as the album titles are very familiar, but it all sounds new and great to me.
Rock 'N' Roll Machine No surprise because I am in that 70s zone now, but this might be my favorite new to me. Every track I hear I feel like Daniel Plainview - "why don't I own this??" Not sure how you are going to top this song and solo, but I trust that it will happen. I did chuckle a little, because what came to mind was THIS.
Walking on Broken Glass - I think since our talk, we are now up to one song that I recognized!! Been enjoying them all, but nothing has sounded familar until now.
I Believe in You and Me - I've really liked the last couple soundtrack tunes from Whitney. I love artists like this on the playlists. Being so focused on drums and guitar solo, I miss too many amazing vocalists like this.
Call Your Girlfriend was one of my favorites when I listened to the album. Put a big smile on my face when I heard it start up.
I almost thought Tim Maia was P-Funk with Do Leme Ao Pontal yet another stand out track.
I haven't made a playlist or anything, but I think Radio Free Europe would be in my top 5. Love that song.
whoa - It's Alright was a great blend of the slower side Candlebox and his voice then it rocked my balls. My favorite of the new tracks for me.
Trucker Speed was a fantastic album closer and one of my favorites on the album.
I would have given you a 0% chance before this started that I would like a song that was Ringo + country, but Krista proves me wrong with Act Naturally.
"Chipmunks singing" or not, Zabrosa was one of my favorites from the Big Room closers.

Agree with some of the above comments - grade A playlist and will be hard to top. Can't wait for the remaining 6!

 

[KarmaPolice]

And yes, I was kidding about Creep. Not my favorite, but it's been too long since I have listened to Radiohead and that needs to change. I've been loving revisiting one of my favorite all-time bands with your playlist. (not sure it's accurate to call them my favorite anymore...) I forget how awesome the song is and how much it rocked.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

7. Rock & Roll Machine
Album: Rock & Roll Machine (Canadian version, 1977, and International version, 1978)
Writer: Gil Moore
Lead vocals: Gil Moore
Chart History: None
Video?: No
Lyrical category: Rocking out

"Rock & Roll Machine" is not the most famous Triumph song, but it may be the most important one (the documentary about the band is named after it, after all). The song, especially Rik Emmett's unaccompanied guitar solo in the middle, defines Triumph's prowess as a live band and had a great deal to do with building up their reputation, and their fanbase, in their early years. Between 1977 and 1979, the band's following in Canada and the U.S. grew dramatically despite little radio play until the release of the Just a Game album. The reason it grew was because they were one of the most exciting live acts of their day, and "Rock & Roll Machine" had a lot to do with that.

The song, which closes both the Canadian and US/International versions of the album of the same name, starts as a hard-charging hard rocker not that different from what a lot of guitar-based bands were doing at the time. The staccato bursts between the verses and choruses are quite Zeppelinesque. After the second verse and chorus, the riff changes to something more even-keeled and Emmett begins a fast-fingered "regular" solo that culminates in bursts of noise that sound like the guitar collided with a vacuum cleaner. That sound revs higher and higher until ...

... we have liftoff. At 2:28, Mike Levine and Gil Moore drop out and Emmett begins his unaccompanied solo, which is extremely dextrous and makes great use of vibrato. This is the same kind of innovation we got from Eddie van Halen ... except this song was released a year before Van Halen's debut album. There are also elements you heard from Jimmy Page during live versions of "Dazed and Confused," especially in the sequence that begins around the 4-minute mark. Just before the 5-minute mark, the bass and drums return for interplay reminiscent of what Zep would do on live versions of "Whole Lotta Love." That builds up into more revved-up noises before the band jumps into the third verse, before providing a grand coda in the final 30 seconds.

Live, the unaccompanied part went on for much longer than two and a half minutes, and the band often never returned to the song proper. The venue usually went completely dark except for a spotlight on Emmett, and he would throw into his sonic pyrotechnics teases of classical works (often Grieg's "Hall of the Mountain King") and his own classical guitar pieces (on the Allied Forces tour, he segued into "Petite Etude" from that album but played it on electric). It was a spectacle so memorable that Spinal Tap parodied it at a 1992 show at Royal Albert Hall (released 2 years later on the video The Return of Spinal Tap), with Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) doing an unaccompanied solo so long that his bandmates went to get massages and eat at restaurants while it was happening (Guest wore a Triumph motorcycles shirt just to drive home the point.)

The lyrics are a case of form follows function. It's basically "our guitar player is going to blow your face off," and then he does.

Even on their later tours, with the beloved songs from Just a Game, Allied Forces and Thunder Seven in their arsenal, "Rock & Roll Machine" remained the centerpiece of their live set, often being stretched to the 10-minute mark. I would not be surprised if the main criterion to replace Rik Emmett was "can you play the solo in 'Rock & Roll Machine'"? (One of the links below shows that for Phil X, the answer was "yes".)

Not surprisingly, "Rock & Roll Machine" has the most documented live performances of any Triumph song, which makes sense because it is the oldest song which never left the setlist once it was introduced. Even at the 2008 reunion shows, there was the 55-year-old Emmett doing his thing.

On the Extended Versions: Triumph compilation, the unaccompanied solo is labeled as "Guitarinator," but this designation does not appear on any other release.

Some late '70s versions were preceded by an anti-disco rant from Gil Moore, which has not aged well.

Live version from Canada Jam in 1978 (the "Hall of the Mountain King" vamping is already there): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2sCxq4rACI
Live version from Toronto in 1978: https://youtu.be/r2piagRsA50?t=1242
Live version from Chicago in 1979, broadcast on the FM show Studio Jam: https://youtu.be/q5kzeyQJNUU?t=1625
Live version from Cleveland in 1981, aired on the King Biscuit Flower Hour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Elo5o06x8I
Live version from Baltimore in 1982 which aired on MTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKbA_9jM3Bk
Live version from Ottawa in 1982: https://youtu.be/O2TLUhfbrm4?t=1744
Live at the US Festival in 1983 (includes dialogue from the DVD): https://open.spotify.com/track/4Y5RyvwSU947Cu8akCGWUc?si=8ff0db94f7e341f2
Live version from Stages: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TmAvUkCAkZFjgey40ilOg?si=3088b06719d34739
Live version from LA in 1985: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbtQgZViNxc
Live version from Montreal in 1985: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcsduIiNM0k
Live version from Detroit in 1986, aired on FM radio without the solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oskPQfpzVCk
Live version from Halifax in 1987, included on the A Night of Triumph DVD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOuEUludSbc
Live version from Milwaukee in 1993 (solo by Phil X, during which he segues into Hendrix' "Foxey Lady"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Erckykzc8E
Live at Sweden Rock Festival in 2008: https://open.spotify.com/track/5Af0dZBwvspa1jBj2a2Hwz?si=12c913d0167d4537

At #6, the first of the indisputable first-tier Rik Emmett songs, and my highest-ranking track from Never Surrender.

This is one I remembered and liked then and this time around.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I’ve got a liver (I think Annie will have many added in the next 7)

I'm so glad she has a liver. I doubt it's in Japan.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Known
Creep - probably like 90% of peoples #1

I mean I would guess that more than 10% either don't identify Radiohead as "that Creep band" or did and subsequently picked out a better track (likely off the next two albums before to the average indie rocker they jumped the shark), but yeah, it is probably number one for more people than it really should be, and I'm talking as someone who really liked Pablo Honey

Thought of doing the entire list in the covers draft based on Creep. Went with Abba covers instead
There are so many interpretations, but the original is still the best. And it wouldnt be my #1 Radiohead song. At least 3 better

me =

 

[MAC_32]

it's been too long since I have listened to Radiohead

I love this quote

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Thoughts on the #8s of artists I know well:

Yes -- "Close to the Edge" is an extremely innovative piece without being overbearing. The "Total Mass Retain" section has the lion's share of the suite's main melodies and themes, but the "I Get Up I Get Down" section is unlike anything else Yes ever did; it's extremely moody and haunting and should be checked out if you want to hear more than the "Total Mass Retain" part.

Tweedy/Wilco -- "Either Way", the opening track on Sky Blue Sky, signaled that Tweedy had resolved his personal difficulties and health issues that plagued him during the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and A Ghost Is Born eras. It signaled contentment -- some would call it "dad rock" -- and mirrored the peace he had found in his life and in the new lineup of his band, which remains to this day.

My Morning Jacket -- "Steam Engine" is more Serious Business and the second consecutive guitar epic on this list from It Still Moves. Guitars and vocals both wail with pure emotion. We now have heard two of the three iconic guitar blowouts from this record. The third one is their signature song and the #1 of many of their fans. Does it rank there for Landry as well?

P-Funk -- I am more familiar with Parliament's 1974 re-recording of "Testify," but the same strong structure is there, just with different trimmings. This is a great, driving soul tune with hints of the weirdness that was to come. Parliament and/or Funkadelic also re-recorded these songs The Parliaments did in the '60s: "That Was My Girl," "All Your Goodies Are Gone," "The Goose" and "Good Ole Music".

Bee Gees -- "Lemons Never Forget" has a very strong Revolver influence, with Barry delivering a Lennonesque vocal (we previously heard one from Maurice).

Thoughts on the #7s of artists I know well:

Yes -- I picked "South Side of the Sky" in my 1971 countdown. What I said there:

27. South Side of the Sky -- Yes (from Fragile)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBAauFYod80

The "major" songs from Yes' incredible three-album run in '71 and '72 all got played to death on FM radio, except for this one, which is one of the best of all. The riffage at the beginning and end is monstrous but what truly makes it stand out in the Yes catalog comes in the middle. After Rick Wakeman's gorgeous piano interlude, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe and Chris Squire engage in an incredible passage of wordless harmonies that rivals anything CSN ever did.

Perhaps because of the difficulty of nailing those harmonies, this was the only "major" song from The Yes Album/Fragile/Close to the Edge that did not appear regularly in live sets in the '70s or show up on the Yessongs live album. In their latter years, they have attempted it from time to time.

Tweedy/Wilco -- "You and I" is pleasant and melodic tune that continued their "dad rock" mode. Feist was kind of a big deal at the time so I'm surprised this song wasn't pushed to the masses more than it was.

My Morning Jacket -- "Evelyn Is Not Real" may be the MMJ song most indebted to pre-Beatles rock and roll. With better production and smoother harmonies, this could be an Everly Brothers song. With more rockabilly trimmings, it could pass for a Buddy Holly song.

P-Funk -- I co-sign everything Uruk said, but will also note that the synth work on this track is out of this world. Yes, it's Bernie.

Bee Gees -- "Holiday" offers more Beatle-isms, but veers into more baroque territory than the Fab 4's "refined" efforts of the time.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

34. New York City Streets, Part 1
Album: Rock & Roll Machine (Canadian version, 1977)
Writer: Gil Moore
Lead vocals: Gil Moore
Chart History: None
Video?: No
Lyrical category: Vaguely political

Before starting my listening for this countdown, I had never heard any of the songs from Triumph's first two Canada-only albums that did not make the cut for the US/International debut album, which consisted of four songs from each of the two Canadian records. Of those, "New York City Streets, Part 1" was the biggest surprise. It sounds like nothing else in the Triumph catalog, not even its "Part 2" companion, and I am fascinated by it.

Instead of a Triumph song, "New York City Streets, Part 1" sounds like something my MAD 1 artist Chicago would have put out between 1975 and 1980, but without horns. It also may be the only Triumph track where professional backup singers play a prominent role -- typically they were employed to add on to the band's harmonies or to provide something wordless and atmospheric, but here they engage in a call-and-response with Gil Moore to thrilling effect. The track culminates in one of Rik Emmett's jazziest guitar solos, sounding not unlike some of Terry Kath's contributions to the final Chicago albums he appeared on before his death.

For the Canadian Rock & Roll Machine album, Moore wrote two separate and distinct songs about the dangers of the streets in New York City -- which was a much scarier place in the '70s than it is now -- but the lyrical theme is the only thing they share. "Part 2," sung by Emmett at his most Geddy Lee-like, is a more typical Triumph rocker of the time, and one of its riffs borrows from Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein".

Setlist records for Triumph's early years are extremely spotty, but we know both parts were performed live at times in the late '70s. Their last known appearance is in 1981 in Toronto.

https://open.spotify.com/track/4nInC1oSpICIT2wr3jS8tw?si=4a2aa0880fee4178

If you want to check out Part 2, which did not make my top 36, it's here: https://open.spotify.com/track/71z2nPVLDnpw6yvxEoaSxa?si=18b86a3d1d794272

Circling back to my Last 5 Out, yes, this song, which is essentially a jazz-pop tune, appears on the same album as "Rock & Roll Machine," one of the rockingest rockers that ever rocked.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

it's been too long since I have listened to Radiohead

I love this quote

In this case, the username did NOT check out.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

If I remember, as the themed countdown progresses and we start to prepare for MAD 5, I might make a poll to determine my artist for that one. The three artists I have in mind are in very different genres and it would be interesting to see which one is of most interest (in the poll I would identify the genre but not the artist).

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Rock 'N' Roll Machine No surprise because I am in that 70s zone now, but this might be my favorite new to me. Every track I hear I feel like Daniel Plainview - "why don't I own this??" Not sure how you are going to top this song and solo, but I trust that it will happen. I did chuckle a little, because what came to mind was THIS.

Most die-hard Triumph fans would at the very least rank it as the best Gil Moore-sung Triumph song. I have one ahead of it, but sentimental reasons may play a role there.

There are four Rik Emmett-sung songs which define the sound that most people associate with Triumph. They are of incredibly high quality and all were taken by at least one person in the Worldwide Countdown. I have a fifth that I rank right with them and I think many fans would agree with me on that. Recall what I said about Track 2s.

So that's a brief, vague explanation of what beat it out.

 

[Raging weasel]

Still way behind
The 11's
Known and liked songs
Shoot High,Aim Low
Separate Ways
Bringing It On Home
Girls, Girls, Girls
Flash Light
Man On the Moon
Indifference
New York Mining Disaster
Oh My My

New to me likes
The Weather
Will the Future Blame US
All At Once
Dark Road
I Will be Back One Day
Keep On Waiting
Betty Oshawa

 

[KarmaPolice]

If I remember, as the themed countdown progresses and we start to prepare for MAD 5, I might make a poll to determine my artist for that one. The three artists I have in mind are in very different genres and it would be interesting to see which one is of most interest (in the poll I would identify the genre but not the artist).

I like this idea.

I am also waffling too much and need a little more focus. I already have doubts on interest level and not wanting to a slot in the 31 people want to skip. I would love input from any and all for Opeth. Do I go for the full experience with some growls and my experience with them (if I remember right I have 7 of 31 with some growls), or do I provide a growl-free experience for the MAD31? My current idea and playlist is a ramp up from 1-21 covering it all followed by my attempt to narrow down a true top 10 of their songs. The other one I've been working on is a growl free list mimicking their flow in concerts - fast/slow/fast.

 

[Raging weasel]

If I remember, as the themed countdown progresses and we start to prepare for MAD 5, I might make a poll to determine my artist for that one. The three artists I have in mind are in very different genres and it would be interesting to see which one is of most interest (in the poll I would identify the genre but not the artist).

I like this idea.

I am also waffling too much and need a little more focus. I already have doubts on interest level and not wanting to a slot in the 31 people want to skip. I would love input from any and all for Opeth. Do I go for the full experience with some growls and my experience with them (if I remember right I have 7 of 31 with some growls), or do I provide a growl-free experience for the MAD31? My current idea and playlist is a ramp up from 1-21 covering it all followed by my attempt to narrow down a true top 10 of their songs. The other one I've been working on is a growl free list mimicking their flow in concerts - fast/slow/fast.

My Opeth knowledge and likes is basically Still Life to Ghost Reveries(my personal fav)

 

[KarmaPolice]

If I remember, as the themed countdown progresses and we start to prepare for MAD 5, I might make a poll to determine my artist for that one. The three artists I have in mind are in very different genres and it would be interesting to see which one is of most interest (in the poll I would identify the genre but not the artist).

I like this idea.

I am also waffling too much and need a little more focus. I already have doubts on interest level and not wanting to a slot in the 31 people want to skip. I would love input from any and all for Opeth. Do I go for the full experience with some growls and my experience with them (if I remember right I have 7 of 31 with some growls), or do I provide a growl-free experience for the MAD31? My current idea and playlist is a ramp up from 1-21 covering it all followed by my attempt to narrow down a true top 10 of their songs. The other one I've been working on is a growl free list mimicking their flow in concerts - fast/slow/fast.

My Opeth knowledge and likes is basically Still Life to Ghost Reveries(my personal fav)

Huh. You haven't listened to Watershed or the newer, proggy stuff?

 

[Raging weasel]

If I remember, as the themed countdown progresses and we start to prepare for MAD 5, I might make a poll to determine my artist for that one. The three artists I have in mind are in very different genres and it would be interesting to see which one is of most interest (in the poll I would identify the genre but not the artist).

I like this idea.

I am also waffling too much and need a little more focus. I already have doubts on interest level and not wanting to a slot in the 31 people want to skip. I would love input from any and all for Opeth. Do I go for the full experience with some growls and my experience with them (if I remember right I have 7 of 31 with some growls), or do I provide a growl-free experience for the MAD31? My current idea and playlist is a ramp up from 1-21 covering it all followed by my attempt to narrow down a true top 10 of their songs. The other one I've been working on is a growl free list mimicking their flow in concerts - fast/slow/fast.

My Opeth knowledge and likes is basically Still Life to Ghost Reveries(my personal fav)

Huh. You haven't listened to Watershed or the newer, proggy stuff?

Not really,prefer the metally over proggy stuff

 

[Dr. Octopus]

that continued their "dad rock" mode

I think only one more song may fit that category.