Middle-aged Dummies are back and bursting at the "themes" to get going! Full theme ahead! (8 Viewers)

[krista4]

I think everyone who still owes a list has checked in recently, other than @hagmania . You still in, GB?

 

[-OZ-]

The Clash, U2, Tom Petty and some others. Never understood why they were lumped in as New Wave. Thoughts?

I assumed at the time it was just radio stations wanted to play it while being “cool”.
But as a wise *** once said
shove it under old/new
Or call it rock, or pop, or Bach, or ****
*******! Where did we go wrong?
Now there's a category for every song

 

[falguy]

with your 31 pointer (i.e., your #1 choice) at the top of your list, and in descending order from there

To clarify... List should look like:

1- candida Canada-nickelback
2- maple syrup, etc- Nickelback
3- that guy who ice fishes in shorts- Nickelback
4- we don't have problems with insurance- Nickelback
5.... Etc

Where 1 is the top/favorite choice through last choice at 31.

I write all that because "31 pointer" confuses me. What are the points for if each song is only drafted once?

How did you see my list?

also
30 ... We Know Puck - Nickelback
31 ... All Aboot Tariffs - Nickelback

 

[El Floppo]

with your 31 pointer (i.e., your #1 choice) at the top of your list, and in descending order from there

To clarify... List should look like:

1- candida Canada-nickelback
2- maple syrup, etc- Nickelback
3- that guy who ice fishes in shorts- Nickelback
4- we don't have problems with insurance- Nickelback
5.... Etc

Where 1 is the top/favorite choice through last choice at 31.

I write all that because "31 pointer" confuses me. What are the points for if each song is only drafted once?

Yes, you got it right. The points reference is because most people have been in one or more of my Middle-aged Dummies countdowns, where points were tabulated.

No math involved in this one and no vetting of picks - this is a breeze!

I was definitely told no math, so all good (thanks).

I just looked at the master MaD thread and saw each round gets its own playlist... That's gotta be some wacky listening!

List forthcoming tonight or tomorrow.. narrowing down the last few cuts.

 

[Eephus]

The Clash were called punks by most everybody. The only time they ever were associated with new wave at the time was for "rock of the 80s" radio formatters.

Apparently 2025 Eephus knows a thing or two as well.

My 1983 hairdo gives me credibility on the subject of New Wave music of the early 80s.

 

[Chaos34]

The Clash were called punks by most everybody. The only time they ever were associated with new wave at the time was for "rock of the 80s" radio formatters.

Apparently 2025 Eephus knows a thing or two as well.

My 1983 hairdo gives me credibility on the subject of New Wave music of the early 80s.

Which one is you?

 

[jwb]

31 songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system - Last 5 Out


Here are my last 5 out. Well, more than 5. But that's ok - more is always better.

I can already see by some of the last 5's that my list will be chalky. Sorry about that, but like I've mentioned earlier, one of the joys of audiophile-ism is hearing songs you already know a little differently. So I'm not going to get all that obscure - there are thousands of electronic and industrial and Jazz and similar that all sound great. But I'm not listening to them on my work playlist either, so I'm keeping it pretty mainstream. I would guess most of you have heard of 28-all of my artists. Maybe some of the songs will be new, but there's not much "discovery" in my list.

If you have good speakers or headphones, listen as loud as is comfortable. And try to really listen. Get a sense of the entire band, and also try and isolate instruments / singers. Listen two or three times if you must, trying to pick out how the bass and drums are working together, or that little keyboard part you never really knew was there but is an essential part of the song.


Games People Play (they just can’t stop) - The Spinners - https://open.spotify.com/track/53R01ylELwpQO5TBZdqKsM

This one is all about the vocals - they are so clear and pure sounding, and the three singers all occupy a slightly different space, which if your setup can do that, is pretty cool to hear. Listen for the little percussion fills to the right of the main singer from time to time.


Hotel California (Live) – Eagles (Hell Freezes Over) - https://open.spotify.com/track/2GpBrAoCwt48fxjgjlzMd4

There are several live recordings on my list. This one isn't notable for any one thing, but the entire Hell Freezes Over album is a superbly recorded and mixed record. Love em or hate em, the Eagles were really talented.


Early Morning Rain – Peter Paul and Mary - https://open.spotify.com/track/6xYIbBD7VrcFYhUX3mnxBa

I first heard this version at a high-end audio shop - he played this on the JBL speakers he was trying to sell me. I can see why he chose it - the voices just eventually soar from everywhere and blend really nicely. I didn't buy those speakers as they were a little more than I was comfortable spending, and settled for a lesser model. I've since learned that the "slightly uncomfortable" level is where you want to be speaker-wise. It just always bugged me that I didn't have the speakers I really liked... and I did eventually get that pair of JBL's. Still like this song a lot. Leaving on a Jet Plane is also an excellent vocal performance by these three, and a better-known song too, but I can't ever forget how this one hit that day in the store.


Just a Song Before I Go – Crosby, Stills & Nash https://open.spotify.com/track/4dAN7KcWCWx5jV6dpwtfvN

This is my go-to song to demo my system for someone. It would be on my 31 easy but I already did CSN(Y) for a MAD countdown. The reason I like it so much is it really isolates the three guys and shows the magic their blended voices really made. The problem with a lot of CSN songs, especially if played on a single speaker or in a vehicle... the higher-pitched Nash dominates the mix. But not so much in this one. Here, David is on the left, Stephen on the right, with Graham in the middle. Listen to each guy if you can.

While I'm on CSN, Helplessly Hoping is another that really separates them well. In addition, it's the proper order (CSN left to right). But I like "just a song" better as a song.


Space Oddity – David Bowie https://open.spotify.com/track/72Z17vmmeQKAg8bptWvpVG

Lots of Bowie is good for this kind of listening. This is one everyone knows, but there's a ton of stuff going on in this song that you don't really hear that well on most speakers. My wife dislikes this song most of the time, but likes it on my setup because it's so much more than she originally thought.


Aja - Steely Dan https://open.spotify.com/track/2cgNpsfZcBzdgeNPEeCnue

Really can't do this without Aja. But it's so expected that I didn't want to put it in my list, so I'll pop it into my last 5 (few) out.

 

[krista4]

Just a Song Before I Go – Crosby, Stills & Nash https://open.spotify.com/track/4dAN7KcWCWx5jV6dpwtfvN

This is my go-to song to demo my system for someone. It would be on my 31 easy but I already did CSN(Y) for a MAD countdown. The reason I like it so much is it really isolates the three guys and shows the magic their blended voices really made. The problem with a lot of CSN songs, especially if played on a single speaker or in a vehicle... the higher-pitched Nash dominates the mix. But not so much in this one. Here, David is on the left, Stephen on the right, with Graham in the middle. Listen to each guy if you can.

While I'm on CSN, Helplessly Hoping is another that really separates them well. In addition, it's the proper order (CSN left to right). But I like "just a song" better as a song.

Ooooo, I don't love this song, but I bet it sounds outstanding on a good system.

 

[Eephus]

The Clash were called punks by most everybody. The only time they ever were associated with new wave at the time was for "rock of the 80s" radio formatters.

Apparently 2025 Eephus knows a thing or two as well.

My 1983 hairdo gives me credibility on the subject of New Wave music of the early 80s.

Which one is you?

You know how they say couples who've been together for a long time start to resemble one another. That hasn't happened yet with Mrs. Eephus and I.

 

[Eephus]

31 songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system - Last 5 Out


Here are my last 5 out. Well, more than 5. But that's ok - more is always better.

I can already see by some of the last 5's that my list will be chalky. Sorry about that, but like I've mentioned earlier, one of the joys of audiophile-ism is hearing songs you already know a little differently. So I'm not going to get all that obscure - there are thousands of electronic and industrial and Jazz and similar that all sound great. But I'm not listening to them on my work playlist either, so I'm keeping it pretty mainstream. I would guess most of you have heard of 28-all of my artists. Maybe some of the songs will be new, but there's not much "discovery" in my list.

If you have good speakers or headphones, listen as loud as is comfortable. And try to really listen. Get a sense of the entire band, and also try and isolate instruments / singers. Listen two or three times if you must, trying to pick out how the bass and drums are working together, or that little keyboard part you never really knew was there but is an essential part of the song.


Games People Play (they just can’t stop) - The Spinners - https://open.spotify.com/track/53R01ylELwpQO5TBZdqKsM

This one is all about the vocals - they are so clear and pure sounding, and the three singers all occupy a slightly different space, which if your setup can do that, is pretty cool to hear. Listen for the little percussion fills to the main singer's right from time to time.


Hotel California (Live) – Eagles (Hell Freezes Over) - https://open.spotify.com/track/2GpBrAoCwt48fxjgjlzMd4

There are several live recordings on my list. This one isn't notable for any one thing, but the entire Hell Freezes Over album is a superbly recorded and mixed record. Love em or hate em, the Eagles were really talented.


Early Morning Rain – Peter Paul and Mary - https://open.spotify.com/track/6xYIbBD7VrcFYhUX3mnxBa

I first heard this version at a high-end audio shop - he played this on the JBL speakers he was trying to sell me. I can see why he chose it - the voices just eventually soar from everywhere and blend really nicely. I didn't buy those speakers as they were a little more than I was comfortable spending, and settled for a lesser model. I've since learned that the "slightly uncomfortable" level is where you want to be speaker-wise. It just always bugged me that I didn't have the speakers I really liked... and I did eventually get that pair of JBL's. Still like this song a lot. Leaving on a Jet Plane is also an excellent vocal performance by these three, and a better-known song too, but I can't ever forget how this one hit that day in the store.


Just a Song Before I Go – Crosby, Stills & Nash https://open.spotify.com/track/4dAN7KcWCWx5jV6dpwtfvN

This is my go-to song to demo my system for someone. It would be on my 31 easy but I already did CSN(Y) for a MAD countdown. The reason I like it so much is it really isolates the three guys and shows the magic their blended voices really made. The problem with a lot of CSN songs, especially if played on a single speaker or in a vehicle... the higher-pitched Nash dominates the mix. But not so much in this one. Here, David is on the left, Stephen on the right, with Graham in the middle. Listen to each guy if you can.

While I'm on CSN, Helplessly Hoping is another that really separates them well. In addition, it's the proper order (CSN left to right). But I like "just a song" better as a song.


Space Oddity – David Bowie https://open.spotify.com/track/72Z17vmmeQKAg8bptWvpVG

Lots of Bowie is good for this kind of listening. This is one everyone knows, but there's a ton of stuff going on in this song that you don't really hear that well on most speakers. My wife dislikes this song most of the time, but likes it on my setup because it's so much more than she originally thought.


Aja - Steely Dan https://open.spotify.com/track/2cgNpsfZcBzdgeNPEeCnue

Really can't do this without Aja. But it's so expected that I didn't want to put it in my list, so I'll pop it into my last 5 (few) out.

Interesting that only one of the five six comes from the digital era.

 

[Chaos34]

31 songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system - Last 5 Out

Oh my. Fun fun. Didn't know this was a theme. I try to downplay my audiophilia here (cuz ya know how some folks make fun), but speakers and amps are an obsession. Headphones mess with my tinitus. There's fairly high end Quicksilver mono blocks under my monitor stand powering a couple transient perfect bookshelf speakers designed by a genius audio engineer I've known for 15 years. He shipped them in a flat pack and I had to build them, but they sound as good as $10k speakers according to him. I've never had 10k speakers. The b switch sends audio to a couple Yamaha HS8s for monitoring music I try to make. That's just in my little home office. I won't go on about the rest of the house, but your list will be heard properly.

 

[krista4]

I think everyone who still owes a list has checked in recently, other than @hagmania . You still in, GB?

Adding @Tau837 and @MrsKarmaPolice to this query.

 

[El Floppo]

List submitted.

I'll do one of these fancy 5 out things if I have time later. The last 5 were the hardest to prune.

 

[krista4]

Because there are no calculations or stats being done in this countdown, I'm not correcting song and band names as I had to do in prior countdowns. Therefore, whatever you sent me is what will be posted, mistakes and all.*

*Except the incorrect title of a Beatles song that someone (who shall remain nameless at this time) sent. I just couldn't.

 

[jwb]

31 songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system - Last 5 Out


Here are my last 5 out. Well, more than 5. But that's ok - more is always better.

I can already see by some of the last 5's that my list will be chalky. Sorry about that, but like I've mentioned earlier, one of the joys of audiophile-ism is hearing songs you already know a little differently. So I'm not going to get all that obscure - there are thousands of electronic and industrial and Jazz and similar that all sound great. But I'm not listening to them on my work playlist either, so I'm keeping it pretty mainstream. I would guess most of you have heard of 28-all of my artists. Maybe some of the songs will be new, but there's not much "discovery" in my list.

If you have good speakers or headphones, listen as loud as is comfortable. And try to really listen. Get a sense of the entire band, and also try and isolate instruments / singers. Listen two or three times if you must, trying to pick out how the bass and drums are working together, or that little keyboard part you never really knew was there but is an essential part of the song.


Games People Play (they just can’t stop) - The Spinners - https://open.spotify.com/track/53R01ylELwpQO5TBZdqKsM

This one is all about the vocals - they are so clear and pure sounding, and the three singers all occupy a slightly different space, which if your setup can do that, is pretty cool to hear. Listen for the little percussion fills to the main singer's right from time to time.


Hotel California (Live) – Eagles (Hell Freezes Over) - https://open.spotify.com/track/2GpBrAoCwt48fxjgjlzMd4

There are several live recordings on my list. This one isn't notable for any one thing, but the entire Hell Freezes Over album is a superbly recorded and mixed record. Love em or hate em, the Eagles were really talented.


Early Morning Rain – Peter Paul and Mary - https://open.spotify.com/track/6xYIbBD7VrcFYhUX3mnxBa

I first heard this version at a high-end audio shop - he played this on the JBL speakers he was trying to sell me. I can see why he chose it - the voices just eventually soar from everywhere and blend really nicely. I didn't buy those speakers as they were a little more than I was comfortable spending, and settled for a lesser model. I've since learned that the "slightly uncomfortable" level is where you want to be speaker-wise. It just always bugged me that I didn't have the speakers I really liked... and I did eventually get that pair of JBL's. Still like this song a lot. Leaving on a Jet Plane is also an excellent vocal performance by these three, and a better-known song too, but I can't ever forget how this one hit that day in the store.


Just a Song Before I Go – Crosby, Stills & Nash https://open.spotify.com/track/4dAN7KcWCWx5jV6dpwtfvN

This is my go-to song to demo my system for someone. It would be on my 31 easy but I already did CSN(Y) for a MAD countdown. The reason I like it so much is it really isolates the three guys and shows the magic their blended voices really made. The problem with a lot of CSN songs, especially if played on a single speaker or in a vehicle... the higher-pitched Nash dominates the mix. But not so much in this one. Here, David is on the left, Stephen on the right, with Graham in the middle. Listen to each guy if you can.

While I'm on CSN, Helplessly Hoping is another that really separates them well. In addition, it's the proper order (CSN left to right). But I like "just a song" better as a song.


Space Oddity – David Bowie https://open.spotify.com/track/72Z17vmmeQKAg8bptWvpVG

Lots of Bowie is good for this kind of listening. This is one everyone knows, but there's a ton of stuff going on in this song that you don't really hear that well on most speakers. My wife dislikes this song most of the time, but likes it on my setup because it's so much more than she originally thought.


Aja - Steely Dan https://open.spotify.com/track/2cgNpsfZcBzdgeNPEeCnue

Really can't do this without Aja. But it's so expected that I didn't want to put it in my list, so I'll pop it into my last 5 (few) out.

Interesting that only one of the five six comes from the digital era.

By design. My personal taste is primarily 60's-90's, mostly tapping out after Grunge finished its run. And I purposely made the list reflect that. There is one post-2010 song/artist on my list. There's a ton I missed that could have made it but I just don't listen to it all that much.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I think everyone who still owes a list has checked in recently, other than @hagmania . You still in, GB?

Adding @Tau837 and @MrsKarmaPolice to this query.

She is still working on hers. She has been home sick a couple days, so i will give it 1 day before bugging her about it.

 

[jwb]

31 songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system - Last 5 Out

Oh my. Fun fun. Didn't know this was a theme. I try to downplay my audiophilia here (cuz ya know how some folks make fun), but speakers and amps are an obsession. Headphones mess with my tinitus. There's fairly high end Quicksilver mono blocks under my monitor stand powering a couple transient perfect bookshelf speakers designed by a genius audio engineer I've known for 15 years. He shipped them in a flat pack and I had to build them, but they sound as good as $10k speakers according to him. I've never had 10k speakers. The b switch sends audio to a couple Yamaha HS8s for monitoring music I try to make. That's just in my little home office. I won't go on about the rest of the house, but your list will be heard properly.

We're nuts, right? Office system (my main one)... downstairs system... freaken garage system...

 

[Zegras11]

*Except the incorrect title of a Beatles song that someone (who shall remain nameless at this time) sent. I just couldn't.

wasn't me!!!!

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Games People Play (they just can’t stop) - The Spinners - https://open.spotify.com/track/53R01ylELwpQO5TBZdqKsM

This one is all about the vocals - they are so clear and pure sounding, and the three singers all occupy a slightly different space, which if your setup can do that, is pretty cool to hear. Listen for the little percussion fills to the right of the main singer from time to time.

A personal favorite.

Aja - Steely Dan https://open.spotify.com/track/2cgNpsfZcBzdgeNPEeCnue

Really can't do this without Aja. But it's so expected that I didn't want to put it in my list, so I'll pop it into my last 5 (few) out.

Another personal favorite. Top three Steely Dan song for me.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I just looked at the master MaD thread and saw each round gets its own playlist... That's gotta be some wacky listening!

Is this your first one of these? If so, strap in- it's wild ride!

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

31 songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system - Last 5 Out


Here are my last 5 out. Well, more than 5. But that's ok - more is always better.

I can already see by some of the last 5's that my list will be chalky. Sorry about that, but like I've mentioned earlier, one of the joys of audiophile-ism is hearing songs you already know a little differently. So I'm not going to get all that obscure - there are thousands of electronic and industrial and Jazz and similar that all sound great. But I'm not listening to them on my work playlist either, so I'm keeping it pretty mainstream. I would guess most of you have heard of 28-all of my artists. Maybe some of the songs will be new, but there's not much "discovery" in my list.

If you have good speakers or headphones, listen as loud as is comfortable. And try to really listen. Get a sense of the entire band, and also try and isolate instruments / singers. Listen two or three times if you must, trying to pick out how the bass and drums are working together, or that little keyboard part you never really knew was there but is an essential part of the song.


Games People Play (they just can’t stop) - The Spinners - https://open.spotify.com/track/53R01ylELwpQO5TBZdqKsM

This one is all about the vocals - they are so clear and pure sounding, and the three singers all occupy a slightly different space, which if your setup can do that, is pretty cool to hear. Listen for the little percussion fills to the main singer's right from time to time.


Hotel California (Live) – Eagles (Hell Freezes Over) - https://open.spotify.com/track/2GpBrAoCwt48fxjgjlzMd4

There are several live recordings on my list. This one isn't notable for any one thing, but the entire Hell Freezes Over album is a superbly recorded and mixed record. Love em or hate em, the Eagles were really talented.


Early Morning Rain – Peter Paul and Mary - https://open.spotify.com/track/6xYIbBD7VrcFYhUX3mnxBa

I first heard this version at a high-end audio shop - he played this on the JBL speakers he was trying to sell me. I can see why he chose it - the voices just eventually soar from everywhere and blend really nicely. I didn't buy those speakers as they were a little more than I was comfortable spending, and settled for a lesser model. I've since learned that the "slightly uncomfortable" level is where you want to be speaker-wise. It just always bugged me that I didn't have the speakers I really liked... and I did eventually get that pair of JBL's. Still like this song a lot. Leaving on a Jet Plane is also an excellent vocal performance by these three, and a better-known song too, but I can't ever forget how this one hit that day in the store.


Just a Song Before I Go – Crosby, Stills & Nash https://open.spotify.com/track/4dAN7KcWCWx5jV6dpwtfvN

This is my go-to song to demo my system for someone. It would be on my 31 easy but I already did CSN(Y) for a MAD countdown. The reason I like it so much is it really isolates the three guys and shows the magic their blended voices really made. The problem with a lot of CSN songs, especially if played on a single speaker or in a vehicle... the higher-pitched Nash dominates the mix. But not so much in this one. Here, David is on the left, Stephen on the right, with Graham in the middle. Listen to each guy if you can.

While I'm on CSN, Helplessly Hoping is another that really separates them well. In addition, it's the proper order (CSN left to right). But I like "just a song" better as a song.


Space Oddity – David Bowie https://open.spotify.com/track/72Z17vmmeQKAg8bptWvpVG

Lots of Bowie is good for this kind of listening. This is one everyone knows, but there's a ton of stuff going on in this song that you don't really hear that well on most speakers. My wife dislikes this song most of the time, but likes it on my setup because it's so much more than she originally thought.


Aja - Steely Dan https://open.spotify.com/track/2cgNpsfZcBzdgeNPEeCnue

Really can't do this without Aja. But it's so expected that I didn't want to put it in my list, so I'll pop it into my last 5 (few) out.

Interesting that only one of the five six comes from the digital era.

By design. My personal taste is primarily 60's-90's, mostly tapping out after Grunge finished its run. And I purposely made the list reflect that. There is one post-2010 song/artist on my list. There's a ton I missed that could have made it but I just don't listen to it all that much.

Perhaps we need a reverse list for you. Songs that are well-recorded that you might love.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

31 songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system - Last 5 Out

Oh my. Fun fun. Didn't know this was a theme. I try to downplay my audiophilia here (cuz ya know how some folks make fun), but speakers and amps are an obsession. Headphones mess with my tinitus. There's fairly high end Quicksilver mono blocks under my monitor stand powering a couple transient perfect bookshelf speakers designed by a genius audio engineer I've known for 15 years. He shipped them in a flat pack and I had to build them, but they sound as good as $10k speakers according to him. I've never had 10k speakers. The b switch sends audio to a couple Yamaha HS8s for monitoring music I try to make. That's just in my little home office. I won't go on about the rest of the house, but your list will be heard properly.

We're nuts, right? Office system (my main one)... downstairs system... freaken garage system...

Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.

You are not alone. One of our speaker sets had wood cones in it. Lovely sound.

 

[falguy]

Because there are no calculations or stats being done in this countdown, I'm not correcting song and band names as I had to do in prior countdowns. Therefore, whatever you sent me is what will be posted, mistakes and all.*

*Except the incorrect title of a Beatles song that someone (who shall remain nameless at this time) sent. I just couldn't.

Who spelled Let It Be wrong?

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Because there are no calculations or stats being done in this countdown, I'm not correcting song and band names as I had to do in prior countdowns. Therefore, whatever you sent me is what will be posted, mistakes and all.*

*Except the incorrect title of a Beatles song that someone (who shall remain nameless at this time) sent. I just couldn't.

Who spelled Let It Be wrong?

Prince?

 

[-OZ-]

Because there are no calculations or stats being done in this countdown, I'm not correcting song and band names as I had to do in prior countdowns. Therefore, whatever you sent me is what will be posted, mistakes and all.*

*Except the incorrect title of a Beatles song that someone (who shall remain nameless at this time) sent. I just couldn't.

Who spelled Let It Be wrong?

Ob-la-di ob-la-doh?

 

[titusbramble]

My list has been submitted and is comprised of 31 songs that include the name of a Texas town or city in the song title, with exceptions made to allow for a county, a road, and a state park - all places that can be identied on any common map.

Not doublechecked, but it looks like 22 unique cities/towns are included in the playlist with one city making the list four times (I'll bet you can guess which one). Dallas has three entries and Amarillo weighs in at 2. I sorted the chalkiest picks to the top of the list (top 6 to be exact), in case anyone wants have fun predicting the reveals.

At first I was a litte worried I might be dipping into a pool of not so good songs to build my playlist, but I'm pretty pleased with the overall song selection quality. I'll try to post some last five outs later this evening, though I'm less excited about most of these leftovers.

Look forward to discovering which songs I left that off that were worthy of inclusion.

Do hope you include what would be in my REM top five

Oh man, this was a big whiff. Took me a minute to figure it out, because I was stuck on Rockville - not a Texas town I know, but my brother used to live in Rockdale and I remembered singing "Don't go back to Rockdale." Anyway, I missed this one.

I think we may be thinking of different tracks, mine is off Out of Time

 

[Mister CIA]

My list has been submitted and is comprised of 31 songs that include the name of a Texas town or city in the song title, with exceptions made to allow for a county, a road, and a state park - all places that can be identied on any common map.

Not doublechecked, but it looks like 22 unique cities/towns are included in the playlist with one city making the list four times (I'll bet you can guess which one). Dallas has three entries and Amarillo weighs in at 2. I sorted the chalkiest picks to the top of the list (top 6 to be exact), in case anyone wants have fun predicting the reveals.

At first I was a litte worried I might be dipping into a pool of not so good songs to build my playlist, but I'm pretty pleased with the overall song selection quality. I'll try to post some last five outs later this evening, though I'm less excited about most of these leftovers.

Look forward to discovering which songs I left that off that were worthy of inclusion.

Do hope you include what would be in my REM top five

Oh man, this was a big whiff. Took me a minute to figure it out, because I was stuck on Rockville - not a Texas town I know, but my brother used to live in Rockdale and I remembered singing "Don't go back to Rockdale." Anyway, I missed this one.

I think we may be thinking of different tracks, mine is off Out of Time

We're on the same wavelength. I wasn't clear earlier.

It is a great song and I'll be sure to include it on the director's cut post-countdown

 

[falguy]

31 songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system - Last 5 Out


Here are my last 5 out. Well, more than 5. But that's ok - more is always better.

I can already see by some of the last 5's that my list will be chalky. Sorry about that, but like I've mentioned earlier, one of the joys of audiophile-ism is hearing songs you already know a little differently. So I'm not going to get all that obscure - there are thousands of electronic and industrial and Jazz and similar that all sound great. But I'm not listening to them on my work playlist either, so I'm keeping it pretty mainstream. I would guess most of you have heard of 28-all of my artists. Maybe some of the songs will be new, but there's not much "discovery" in my list.

If you have good speakers or headphones, listen as loud as is comfortable. And try to really listen. Get a sense of the entire band, and also try and isolate instruments / singers. Listen two or three times if you must, trying to pick out how the bass and drums are working together, or that little keyboard part you never really knew was there but is an essential part of the song.


Games People Play (they just can’t stop) - The Spinners - https://open.spotify.com/track/53R01ylELwpQO5TBZdqKsM

This one is all about the vocals - they are so clear and pure sounding, and the three singers all occupy a slightly different space, which if your setup can do that, is pretty cool to hear. Listen for the little percussion fills to the right of the main singer from time to time.


Hotel California (Live) – Eagles (Hell Freezes Over) - https://open.spotify.com/track/2GpBrAoCwt48fxjgjlzMd4

There are several live recordings on my list. This one isn't notable for any one thing, but the entire Hell Freezes Over album is a superbly recorded and mixed record. Love em or hate em, the Eagles were really talented.


Early Morning Rain – Peter Paul and Mary - https://open.spotify.com/track/6xYIbBD7VrcFYhUX3mnxBa

I first heard this version at a high-end audio shop - he played this on the JBL speakers he was trying to sell me. I can see why he chose it - the voices just eventually soar from everywhere and blend really nicely. I didn't buy those speakers as they were a little more than I was comfortable spending, and settled for a lesser model. I've since learned that the "slightly uncomfortable" level is where you want to be speaker-wise. It just always bugged me that I didn't have the speakers I really liked... and I did eventually get that pair of JBL's. Still like this song a lot. Leaving on a Jet Plane is also an excellent vocal performance by these three, and a better-known song too, but I can't ever forget how this one hit that day in the store.


Just a Song Before I Go – Crosby, Stills & Nash https://open.spotify.com/track/4dAN7KcWCWx5jV6dpwtfvN

This is my go-to song to demo my system for someone. It would be on my 31 easy but I already did CSN(Y) for a MAD countdown. The reason I like it so much is it really isolates the three guys and shows the magic their blended voices really made. The problem with a lot of CSN songs, especially if played on a single speaker or in a vehicle... the higher-pitched Nash dominates the mix. But not so much in this one. Here, David is on the left, Stephen on the right, with Graham in the middle. Listen to each guy if you can.

While I'm on CSN, Helplessly Hoping is another that really separates them well. In addition, it's the proper order (CSN left to right). But I like "just a song" better as a song.


Space Oddity – David Bowie https://open.spotify.com/track/72Z17vmmeQKAg8bptWvpVG

Lots of Bowie is good for this kind of listening. This is one everyone knows, but there's a ton of stuff going on in this song that you don't really hear that well on most speakers. My wife dislikes this song most of the time, but likes it on my setup because it's so much more than she originally thought.


Aja - Steely Dan https://open.spotify.com/track/2cgNpsfZcBzdgeNPEeCnue

Really can't do this without Aja. But it's so expected that I didn't want to put it in my list, so I'll pop it into my last 5 (few) out.

Great tunes. Always liked Games People Play and that one sounds fantastic with headphones on. All of 'em do. Definitely looking forward to your list.

 

[kupcho1]

Because there are no calculations or stats being done in this countdown, I'm not correcting song and band names as I had to do in prior countdowns. Therefore, whatever you sent me is what will be posted, mistakes and all.*

*Except the incorrect title of a Beatles song that someone (who shall remain nameless at this time) sent. I just couldn't.

I'm a billion percent confident it could not possibly have been me.

 

[krista4]

The Beatles song didn't have a misspelling; it had an entirely different word! The horror!!

 

[Mister CIA]

The Beatles song didn't have a misspelling; it had an entirely different word! The horror!!

Was it Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da? A lot of thorns in that one.

 

[Mister CIA]

Or Hey Dude?

Fictitious Beatles song titles abound.

 

[falguy]

Or Hey Dude?

Fictitious Beatles song titles abound.

- YouTube

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

youtu.be

 

[Yo Mama]

The Beatles song didn't have a misspelling; it had an entirely different word! The horror!!

Mr. Paperback Writer Man?

(Aside from the extra words, this was actually on my short list of last songs out)

 

[Mister CIA]

My money is on Here Comes the Judge, dododododo

 

[El Floppo]

The Beatles song didn't have a misspelling; it had an entirely different word! The horror!!

Was it Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da? A lot of thorns in that one.

#8

 

[krista4]

I'm caught up in logging everyone's picks into the master list. 24 lists so far.

As I've done that, I've been thinking about the contest. It's a bit harder to do on this one, where there aren't calculations and song/artist "winners" or "top 10," etc. I have ideas on how to put something together, but I wonder if it would be as much fun given it will be harder for people to suss out the answer (other than Pip, who will somehow anyway). The answers might be more random. What do you all think? Worth the time to do it?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Just a Song Before I Go – Crosby, Stills & Nash https://open.spotify.com/track/4dAN7KcWCWx5jV6dpwtfvN

This is my go-to song to demo my system for someone. It would be on my 31 easy but I already did CSN(Y) for a MAD countdown. The reason I like it so much is it really isolates the three guys and shows the magic their blended voices really made. The problem with a lot of CSN songs, especially if played on a single speaker or in a vehicle... the higher-pitched Nash dominates the mix. But not so much in this one. Here, David is on the left, Stephen on the right, with Graham in the middle. Listen to each guy if you can.

While I'm on CSN, Helplessly Hoping is another that really separates them well. In addition, it's the proper order (CSN left to right). But I like "just a song" better as a song.

Ooooo, I don't love this song, but I bet it sounds outstanding on a good system.

@jwb how does “Shadow Captain” from the same album sound on your system?

 

[Tau837]

I think everyone who still owes a list has checked in recently, other than @hagmania . You still in, GB?

Adding @Tau837 and @MrsKarmaPolice to this query.

I have my list, just have to take the time to send. Will do that within the next day or so.

 

[Yo Mama]

I'm caught up in logging everyone's picks into the master list. 24 lists so far.

As I've done that, I've been thinking about the contest. It's a bit harder to do on this one, where there aren't calculations and song/artist "winners" or "top 10," etc. I have ideas on how to put something together, but I wonder if it would be as much fun given it will be harder for people to suss out the answer (other than Pip, who will somehow anyway). The answers might be more random. What do you all think? Worth the time to do it?

Not sure how you did these in the previous iterations, but can you create more parameters on the guessing? Maybe provide a list of things for everyone to predict and the person with the most correct wins?

Questions like:
- Who has the most songs - Beatles vs Rolling Stones
- Over/under 3.5 songs by Steely Dan
- Over/under 5.5 times the most repeated song is used
- Tiebreaker - pick the total number of songs fronted by female vocalists (closest wins)

Just spitballing as I avoid starting a new project at work.

 

[krista4]

Questions like:
- Who has the most songs - Beatles vs Rolling Stones
- Over/under 3.5 songs by Steely Dan
- Over/under 5.5 times the most repeated song is used
- Tiebreaker - pick the total number of songs fronted by female vocalists (closest wins)

These are the sorts of questions I was thinking of, and similar to what we've done in past contests. I just wasn't sure if they might be too difficult to predict in this sort of countdown.

Links to prior contests (it was too hard to find the ones for the US countdown, though we had them):
UK countdown regular contest
UK countdown super-awesome-mega-contest!!!111
World countdown regular contest
World countdown super-awesome-mega-contest!!!111

ETA: this one would be like the super-awesome-mega-contests

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Because there are no calculations or stats being done in this countdown, I'm not correcting song and band names as I had to do in prior countdowns. Therefore, whatever you sent me is what will be posted, mistakes and all.*

*Except the incorrect title of a Beatles song that someone (who shall remain nameless at this time) sent. I just couldn't.

I'm a billion percent confident it could not possibly have been me.

I'm pretty sure there aren't any umlauts in Beatles' songs.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Questions like:
- Who has the most songs - Beatles vs Rolling Stones
- Over/under 3.5 songs by Steely Dan
- Over/under 5.5 times the most repeated song is used
- Tiebreaker - pick the total number of songs fronted by female vocalists (closest wins)

These are the sorts of questions I was thinking of, and similar to what we've done in past contests. I just wasn't sure if they might be too difficult to predict in this sort of countdown.

Links to prior contests (it was too hard to find the ones for the US countdown, though we had them):
UK countdown regular contest
UK countdown super-awesome-mega-contest!!!111
World countdown regular contest
World countdown super-awesome-mega-contest!!!111

ETA: this one would be like the super-awesome-mega-contests

How about number of countries represented?

 

[Don Quixote]

Because there are no calculations or stats being done in this countdown, I'm not correcting song and band names as I had to do in prior countdowns. Therefore, whatever you sent me is what will be posted, mistakes and all.*

*Except the incorrect title of a Beatles song that someone (who shall remain nameless at this time) sent. I just couldn't.

I'm a billion percent confident it could not possibly have been me.

I'm pretty sure there aren't any umlauts in Beatles' songs.

I don’t think any of them are from Africa either.

 

[Chaos34]

Five Out

These all have a bit of surf to them, but I outed them for being off-genre and maybe of interest for the brand recognition making a surf rock list.

Psychedelia crosses over with surf some if you're just a reverb junkie. This worked nice on the playlist, and listening to it made me wonder. Wth happened to Tame Impala? He had something good going for a minute there.

Skeleton Tiger - Tame Impala
https://open.spotify.com/track/36Mingw25yMZTkA6hPWr8Q?si=8384d65962b84e5e

It’s a pleasure to give this a listen from time to time. On a surf rock list? Yeah, I believe Ennio has confessed he borrowed much of his spaghetti scores from surf guitars.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - Ennio Morricone
https://open.spotify.com/track/1JSIWsJfxOji0FrxFcxdCK?si=74430a758daf4bc7

This one’s a reach, but we’re just enjoying music and this is such an underrated song from an underrated band. Listen carefully to the guitar parts and it’s there. Maybe more western reverb than surf, but it’s there. I swear. It’s also out.

Head On - The Jesus and Mary Chain
https://open.spotify.com/track/0XK3azZuLvHjHG3aHDAfHB?si=4eaf65d59fb24252

It’s right there at the 3 minute mark, right? Much like Jesus and Mary above, this is big wall oh sound rock before it’s surf rock, but I’m just discovering these oddities on my list and I hear the influence if you don’t. Another underrated band with an underrated song.

Sugar Kane - Sonic Youth
https://open.spotify.com/track/6q03mlzKsM1m3TLpi6T6Cw?si=ea5e3d2e729a4b79

Really getting weird. Cambodian folk rock with a little hint of surf guitar again at the 3 minute mark. This made my playlist while I was still smoking weed. I don’t care what you think, it’s a hellova cool song. Surf rock? If I say so, I suppose.

Sni Bong - Dengue Fever
https://open.spotify.com/track/4YdNWmYfpDL5qpUwyOOnwO?si=afbf957264e343a2

The final list will be mostly traditional sounding surf rock to the point of redundancy.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Because there are no calculations or stats being done in this countdown, I'm not correcting song and band names as I had to do in prior countdowns. Therefore, whatever you sent me is what will be posted, mistakes and all.*

*Except the incorrect title of a Beatles song that someone (who shall remain nameless at this time) sent. I just couldn't.

I'm a billion percent confident it could not possibly have been me.

I'm pretty sure there aren't any umlauts in Beatles' songs.

Pretty sure shuke has The Beatles on his playlist, but honestly I didn't look.

 

[MAC_32]

The Beatles song didn't have a misspelling; it had an entirely different word! The horror!!

Sorry, I thought it was Golden Showers

 

[scorchy]

31 songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system - Last 5 Out

[snip]

Hotel California (Live) – Eagles (Hell Freezes Over) - https://open.spotify.com/track/2GpBrAoCwt48fxjgjlzMd4

There are several live recordings on my list. This one isn't notable for any one thing, but the entire Hell Freezes Over album is a superbly recorded and mixed record. Love em or hate em, the Eagles were really talented.


Aja - Steely Dan https://open.spotify.com/track/2cgNpsfZcBzdgeNPEeCnue

Really can't do this without Aja. But it's so expected that I didn't want to put it in my list, so I'll pop it into my last 5 (few) out.

Gonna contradict myself here but that's never stopped me before.

I try to keep my speaker testing playlist to stuff I actually listen to at home, because who cares how great some Mobile Fidelity pressing of Chicago VI sounds if I don't ever play Chicago. [I see you gritting your teeth there, Pip]. Still, Hotel California is a mainstay even though I only ever pull it at out mi casa to hear how great a system can sound - the opening strings especially can bring out the goosebumps, then the drums hit and we're off. Don't want to spotlight so I won't mention the other Eagles song that's on my playlist primarily for the vocals.

As for Steely Dan, I know as an audiophile I'm supposed to love them, but I just can't. The only classic band that gets me to change the station faster is the Doors. [ducks and runs].

 

[Eephus]

Just checked in on ditkaburgers. My fake deadline ploy worked like a champ so she's putting the finishing touches on her final 31 boy bands and girl groups.

Between her list and mine, there will be enough brickwalled 90s and 2000s Pop productions to give you audiophiles a headache. But they'll sound great when booming from the car stuck next to yours in traffic.

 

[titusbramble]

My list has been submitted and is comprised of 31 songs that include the name of a Texas town or city in the song title, with exceptions made to allow for a county, a road, and a state park - all places that can be identied on any common map.

Not doublechecked, but it looks like 22 unique cities/towns are included in the playlist with one city making the list four times (I'll bet you can guess which one). Dallas has three entries and Amarillo weighs in at 2. I sorted the chalkiest picks to the top of the list (top 6 to be exact), in case anyone wants have fun predicting the reveals.

At first I was a litte worried I might be dipping into a pool of not so good songs to build my playlist, but I'm pretty pleased with the overall song selection quality. I'll try to post some last five outs later this evening, though I'm less excited about most of these leftovers.

Look forward to discovering which songs I left that off that were worthy of inclusion.

Do hope you include what would be in my REM top five

Oh man, this was a big whiff. Took me a minute to figure it out, because I was stuck on Rockville - not a Texas town I know, but my brother used to live in Rockdale and I remembered singing "Don't go back to Rockdale." Anyway, I missed this one.

I think we may be thinking of different tracks, mine is off Out of Time

We're on the same wavelength. I wasn't clear earlier.

It is a great song and I'll be sure to include it on the director's cut post-countdown

It also just occurred to me that yours is the third list that may have overlap with mine. I'll have to go look at the themes and what I submitted and see if there's any more potentials