U2 - Community rankings - FIN - #4 Sunday Bloody Sunday, #3 - One, #2 - Bad, #1 - Where the Streets Have No Name -Spotify links, thanks to Krista4 (2 Viewers)

[Anarchy99]

#301 - Glastonbury

They turned this into American Soul. Which sounds even more cynical and commerical now. I did rank this above American Soul, but others ranked American Soul while no one else ranked Glastonbury. Its basically the same song, just different words. Like a lot of songs down this end of the rankings @Anarchy99are you sure parts were reworked into Volcano. All i hear is American Soul. 

Anarchy99 comment

A new song that the band developed during soundchecks in 2010. It was played at 7 shows on the U2 360 tour, making its debut on August 6 in Turin, and last being played on August 21, 2010 in Helsinki (the version in the video). Some elements of Glastonbury were reworked into the song Volcano on 2014’s Songs of Innocence. Not officially released.

Total Points - 1.65

Average Points per rank - 1.65

Highest and only rank - 245

Previous Rank - Unranked

No special version requested

U2Songs lists that portions / elements of the song were reworked into Volcano. 

LINK

 

[bigbottom]

I ranked it 68. I do indeed like the primitive feral vibe. It’s very much of the post-punk movement they came from, and not as distinctive as the best stuff from this era, but I’ve always enjoyed it.

I ranked it at 69. That was near the end of the 71 songs I submitted, but I only submitted songs I like, so by definition I like the tune. Like you, I like the vibe, and I really like the melody on the verses. I don’t think the arrangement fully comes together (the percussion bugs me some), but there are elements that work for me. 

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Crap I’m the one who ranked Refugee at 40. 
Definitely a function of the album it’s on and nostalgia kicking in. I’m a big fan of War, but not to the exclusion of newer songs.

The song takes me back to a notion when emigrating to America was aspirational, the band was coming from that Irish POV, and I was a 13 year old Irish American kid with a new album that spoke to me.

 

[krista4]

#301 - Glastonbury

Meh, not terrible.

#300 - Morning Child

I think this might be the worst one so far.  I feel proud that I made it through 38 seconds of it.

#299 - Nothing Feels Like this

Doesn't even seem like enough of a song to rank it.

#147 - Refugee

This one went on and off my list a few times but ultimately didn't make the cut.  

 

[krista4]

I ranked it at 69. That was near the end of the 71 songs I submitted, but I only submitted songs I like, so by definition I like the tune. Like you, I like the vibe, and I really like the melody on the verses. I don’t think the arrangement fully comes together (the percussion bugs me some), but there are elements that work for me. 

This is similar to how I feel about it.  I do like it and could have kept it near the bottom of my list.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Is it too late to move my #12 song closer to top-5?   Hypothetically.  @krista4hopefully you can appreciate this question.

 

[krista4]

Is it too late to move my #12 song closer to top-5?   Hypothetically.  @krista4hopefully you can appreciate this question.

Don't do it!  I regret one of my last-minute changes.  

 

[krista4]

4 people had at least 200. Several others over 150. 

Where are all these folks?  Seems like there are some huge fans here from whom we're not hearing!

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Is it too late to move my #12 song closer to top-5?   Hypothetically.  @krista4hopefully you can appreciate this question.

Doing so will not change its ranking. You would have to move it to #1 to move up one ranking position. Most unusual in the rankings. Normally an extra 14 points (12 to 5) would have a song leapfrog several others. Not with your #12

Where are all these folks?  Seems like there are some huge fans here from whom we're not hearing!

A couple have chimed in, as have I lol. Last time we essentially only had 2 of the 4 rankers regularly contribute. I think the other 2 were willing, but a few minor criticisms of an outlier shut them down. 

With 40 rankers this time, I would expect most to chime in at some stage, but with only 16 lists exceeding 50 songs it might not be for awhile. Theres 7 lists right on 50 with huge variety.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

The next 3 songs at the #### end of the countdown include another Achtung Baby working tape “song”, a cover that doesn’t suit and our first appearance from the Passengers.

In the mid section the next 5 songs are all from this century. The first one only had 5 votes, but it was very popular among One voter in particular and will attract our highest individual ranking so far. The other 4 all had 7 votes exactly

 

[foxco]

Where are all these folks?  Seems like there are some huge fans here from whom we're not hearing!

I ranked 75 so not in the 150-200. Basically, the moment I realized I was ranking songs I didn't like I stopped. I hope to contribute more once the songs I enjoy start being mentioned(!)

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

U2Songs lists that portions / elements of the song were reworked into Volcano. 

LINK

Looks like we are both right. On American Soul  it says

this song borrows from “Volcano” reusing the “But you are rock n’ roll / You and I are rock n’ roll / You are rock n’ roll / You and I are rock n’ roll” chorus as well as the guitar riff from that song.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#298 - Jitterbug Baby

From the achtung baby working tapes. You can hear “The Fly” in rudimentary form. Basic, but interesting. I have it at 219 so my solo ranking opinions are starting to improve, despite the opinion below lol

Anarchy99 comment

Back to the Achtung Baby Working Tapes. Said to be recorded in 1990. Also known as I Got My High Heel Love and Walking Shoes. If you like train wrecks, then this song is for you. I complete and total mess of a song. The music is all over the place, and Bono's mostly falsetto vocals are scary laughably ungood. Not officially released.

Total Points - 2.12

Average Points per rank - 2.12

Highest and only rank - 219

Previous Rank - Unranked

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#297 - Because the Night with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith

Another cover. Interesting but nothing of value except karaoke. Its more a Smith and Springsteen moment than one for U2. Bono really is nothing more than a backup singer. Im not even sure his mike is on lol. Hardly a U2 moment. 

Anarchy99 comment

From the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame concert at Madison Square Garden on 2009-10-30. Bruce with a solid guitar outro. There will be a couple of other songs from that night listed later on. Officially released on The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Concerts album from 2010.

Total Points - 2.38

Average Points per rank - 2.38

Highest and only rank - 206

Previous Rank - Unranked

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#296 - A Different Kind of Blue

I did not rate this song. Another ranker delved deep into the Passengers soundtrack, which I ignored except for 1 new addition. This one is just dull ambient music

Anarchy99 comment

From the Original Soundtracks 1 from 1995, a side project recorded with Brian Eno. Officially released.

Total Points - 2.38

Average Points per rank - 2.38

Highest and only rank - 206

Previous Rank - Unranked

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#146 - Lights of Home

Vulture.com ranking and comment - Not Ranked

Comment - Tries to be better than it is. This probably fits on No Line on the Horizon lol.

Total Points - 92.55

Rankers - 5

Average Points per rank - 18.12 (Approximately a 64th rank). 

Ranks 125th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 12

Lowest Rank - 184

Previous Rank - 159 > 146

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Only 1 top 100 ranking, but its a big one. All the way up at #12. A few others just over the 100 mark and the one at 184. This track defies most of the modern tracks and actually moves up from last time. One #12 ranking will do that. My opinion is pretty much unchanged from first time round, ranking and all. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next up

Bad Songs - We see a rare unreleased song from the Rattle and Hum Era, as well as our first two that were on the chart last time. Both were in the 200s last time. They also have 2 rankings each which means their appearance this early means they truly suck. 

Middle ranked Songs - Another newer song, which attracts one 25th...and last ranking, as well as 6 other rankings

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

If anyone has comments or feedback or suggested improvements for the presentation of these rankings, let me know. 

 

[Acrobat7]

Where are all these folks?  Seems like there are some huge fans here from whom we're not hearing!

Here!

I ranked the „original“ 228 but am in a different timezone and a bit short on time atm. But i am lurking!

 

[In The Zone]

Where are all these folks?  Seems like there are some huge fans here from whom we're not hearing!

Yeah, I'm pretty much lurking at this point as well. I have nothing for the songs listed so far. I only ranked 60 something songs so it may be a minute. 

 

[Alex P Keaton]

#146 - Lights of Home

Vulture.com ranking and comment - Not Ranked

Comment - Tries to be better than it is. This probably fits on No Line on the Horizon lol.

Total Points - 92.55

Rankers - 5

Average Points per rank - 18.12 (Approximately a 64th rank). 

Ranks 125th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 12

Lowest Rank - 184

Previous Rank - 159 > 146

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Only 1 top 100 ranking, but its a big one. All the way up at #12. A few others just over the 100 mark and the one at 184. This track defies most of the modern tracks and actually moves up from last time. One #12 ranking will do that. My opinion is pretty much unchanged from first time round, ranking and all. 

Would love to hear from the #12 ranker on this. IMO their songs can hit people, or at least me, in a very random personal way.  More than most artists.  There is a “newer” song out there that I ranked decently high, can’t really explain it well, but will try when it comes up.  I enjoy hearing people’s personal connections to these songs.
 

 I didn’t rank this one — really didn’t rank THAT many — but it’s catchy.  I like it.  Had potential to be even better!!  

 

[krista4]

#298 - Jitterbug Baby

I'm closer to Anarchy's opinion than yours on this.  Starts off OK, but when those vocals kicked in I nearly threw my back out trying to turn this off.

#297 - Because the Night with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith

Meh.

#296 - A Different Kind of Blue

That type of music is decidedly not my style, so I don't feel like I can say much one way or another.  I had one song from the album on my list and came very close to adding a second.

#146 - Lights of Home

Didn't make my initial cut, but listening to it again just now I actually quite liked it.  Like APK, I'll be interested to hear from the #12 ranker.

 

[krista4]

If anyone has comments or feedback or suggested improvements for the presentation of these rankings, let me know. 

Love the format.

Would it be possible for you to put, in the first post, where each song ranked in your first countdown (or "unranked")?  Maybe just in parentheses?  If too much trouble, no problem; you've put enough time into this.  I just like seeing the comparisons all in one place.

 

[krista4]

Yeah, I'm pretty much lurking at this point as well. I have nothing for the songs listed so far. I only ranked 60 something songs so it may be a minute. 

I'm commenting on every song even though I ranked 115 and none of mine have been posted yet.    I've been unreasonably excited for the countdown, so I'm blaming that.

 

[simey]

#296 - A Different Kind of Blue

This sounds robotic and sci fi to me. I can see Aliens digging it. 

 

[simey]

#146 - Lights of Home

I like it. I like the guitar in it. I would like it better if the song ended at 3:12. For example, let the guitar fizz the song out at that marker. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Love the format.

Would it be possible for you to put, in the first post, where each song ranked in your first countdown (or "unranked")?  Maybe just in parentheses?  If too much trouble, no problem; you've put enough time into this.  I just like seeing the comparisons all in one place.

Like this?

(159) > #146 - Lights of Home

 

[krista4]

Like this?

(159) > #146 - Lights of Home

Love it!

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I'm commenting on every song even though I ranked 115 and none of mine have been posted yet.    I've been unreasonably excited for the countdown, so I'm blaming that.

Irrational exuberance is fine for music countdowns. Not so much for the economy. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #295 - Moving Out

I am fascinated by this one. Sounds like it was recorded in the War/October era, but it was in the post Joshua Tree recordings towards Rattle and Hum apparently. There are not many unreleased tracks from this era. I can hear a good song in the music, but it sounds like Bono doesn’t have the lyrics for it yet.  I think if they polished this up it could easily have found its way onto Rattle and Hum. As is, its not special, just interesting. Be curious what other people think on this. It cracks my top 200 cause its pleasant and i can see potential in it. 

Anarchy99 comment

At the Cow Palace, U2 performed two new songs at their soundcheck in San Francisco - 1987-04-25 while developing songs for RAH. That's where it came from, but the back story is lacking, and it never showed up anywhere else. Not officially released.

Total Points - 2.55

Average Points per rank - 2.55

Highest and only rank - 199

Previous Rank - Unranked

No special version requested

 

[krista4]

Love the format.

Would it be possible for you to put, in the first post, where each song ranked in your first countdown (or "unranked")?  Maybe just in parentheses?  If too much trouble, no problem; you've put enough time into this.  I just like seeing the comparisons all in one place.

Like this?

(159) > #146 - Lights of Home

Ohhhh, I see now my request wasn't clear.  I meant in the first post of the thread where you're keeping the overall list.  I was fine the way you had it in the posts.  Again, though, minor and not necessary addition if it's a PITA.

 

[krista4]

Irrational exuberance is fine for music countdowns. Not so much for the economy. 

Thank you, Mr. Greenspan!

 

[krista4]

(Unranked) > #295 - Moving Out

I am fascinated by this one. Sounds like it was recorded in the War/October era, but it was in the post Joshua Tree recordings towards Rattle and Hum apparently. There are not many unreleased tracks from this era. I can hear a good song in the music, but it sounds like Bono doesn’t have the lyrics for it yet.  I think if they polished this up it could easily have found its way onto Rattle and Hum. As is, its not special, just interesting. Be curious what other people think on this. It cracks my top 200 cause its pleasant and i can see potential in it. 

The sound quality is so poor that it's tough to get a good read.  I think it had potential, though.  Good guitar part.  I like the ominous tone to the song.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Ohhhh, I see now my request wasn't clear.  I meant in the first post of the thread where you're keeping the overall list.  I was fine the way you had it in the posts.  Again, though, minor and not necessary addition if it's a PITA.

Thanks, hows the OP now?

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(213) > #294 - Ave Maria

Who thought this was a good idea? I really dont mind them taking a risk. I’d prefer it to a boring track, but its a hard listen. Only ranked this high....figuratively, cause 2 of us ranked it.

Total Points - 3.32

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 1.66 (Approximately a 235th rank). 

Ranks 300th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 221

Lowest Rank - 286

Previous Rank - 213 > 294

No special version requested

 

[krista4]

Thanks, hows the OP now?

Love it - thanks!!

 

[krista4]

(213) > #294 - Ave Maria

Who thought this was a good idea? I really dont mind them taking a risk. I’d prefer it to a boring track, but its a hard listen. Only ranked this high....figuratively, cause 2 of us ranked it.

Oh, a ####-end ranked song with two rankers!  How exciting!  The song is still dreadful, though.   

 

[simey]

(213) > #294 - Ave Maria

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(228) > #293 - Happiness is a Warm Gun

Hiding an awful song with slick production tricks sometimes works. Here it doesnt. On the B Side to Last Night on Earth, which itself is eminently forgettable. i didn’t even recognise it as a Beatles cover, thats how bad it is. 

Last time it was our worst ranked song. It beats out 15 tracks this time, thanks to 2 votes. Somehow I found 18 songs worse than this. At least its a real song. A real bad song. 

Total Points - 3.61

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 1.805 (Approximately a 244th rank). 

Ranks 298th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 215

Lowest Rank - 269

Previous Rank - 228 > 293

No special version requested

 

[krista4]

(228) > #293 - Happiness is a Warm Gun

As I mentioned before, I have five Beatles-related covers that I think were pretty good, though they didn't make my list.  This most assuredly not one of them.

 

[simey]

(228) > #293 - Happiness is a Warm Gun

Yikes. I don't care for this cover at all. Even if it wasn't a cover, the song is all over the place.  

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) - > #292 - Lost on a Silent Planet

We have already seen this song at #303 as Life on a Distant Planet. I thought it was 2 different recordings, hence splitting it into 2 songs. Its the same song, just different titles which means i should have merged them together. Together they combine to rank 280th from a 307 strong countdown.

Anarchy99 comment

Going all the way back to 1978 for this one, a demo and studio recording. It was performed 11 times from 78-80. Not officially released.

Total Points - 3.75

Average Points per rank - 3.75

Highest and only rank - 175

Previous Rank - Unranked

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(95) - > #145 - California (There is no end to Love)

Special version requested - California - Acoustic Sessions

Vulture.com ranking and comment -121/218 - The melody is irresistible and Bono’s voice slides over the vocals. But lyrically, “California” is all over the place. Bono said in the liner notes that this is meant to be about the first time U2 went to L.A., but there is none of that in the song, even emotionally. There’s what feels like a story line about what it’s like to grow old in Los Angeles: “Everyone’s a star in our town / It’s just your light gets dimmer / If you have to stay.” But the choruses are in a completely different mode, echoing the overarching theme of the record: “There is no end to love,” which is balanced by “There is no end to grief.” The instrumentation is almost too bland; you can barely hear the guitar and bass. One suspects U2 realized the limitations of the track, because it was pretty much AWOL during the Innocence and Experience tour.

Comment - Has its moments, but ultimately fairly innocuous.

Total Points - 94.35

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 13.48 (Approximately a 76th rank). 

Ranks 157th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 25

Lowest Rank - 176

Previous Rank - 95 > 145

Special version requested - California - Acoustic Sessions

Ranking Comments - A top 25 ranking, the last song ranked for this controversial ranker lol (one of 2 or 3 that dont have most of the top 10 on their list). A couple just under a hundred and the others trickle through until 176, which is mine

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next up, our 3 from the bottom include 

a Passengers track.

A low ranking song from last time that i ranked second last this time. Yes only Get on Your Boots ranked lower. 

The last is another that isnt on anarchys list, nor mine. It was a number 1 single in Ireland for 13 weeks, so how did we all miss it? One ranker knew about it. That ranker did put it last on their list though. 

In the middle is another track from the 2010s that actually rises from the rankings last time. We have already talked about it in this rundown.

 

[krista4]

(Unranked) - > #292 - Lost on a Silent Planet

We have already seen this song at #303 as Life on a Distant Planet. I thought it was 2 different recordings, hence splitting it into 2 songs. Its the same song, just different titles which means i should have merged them together. Together they combine to rank 280th from a 307 strong countdown.

I dare you to start over.   

(95) - > #145 - California (There is no end to Love)

Ranking Comments - A top 25 ranking, the last song ranked for this controversial ranker lol (one of 2 or 3 that dont have most of the top 10 on their list). A couple just under a hundred and the others trickle through until 176, which is mine

Controversial ranker, show yourself! 

I did not have this one on my list.  It's just all right to me.

 

[simey]

Controversial ranker, show yourself! 

           

 

[Acrobat7]

(95) - > #145 - California (There is no end to Love)

Special version requested - California - Acoustic Sessions

Vulture.com ranking and comment -121/218 - The melody is irresistible and Bono’s voice slides over the vocals. But lyrically, “California” is all over the place. Bono said in the liner notes that this is meant to be about the first time U2 went to L.A., but there is none of that in the song, even emotionally. There’s what feels like a story line about what it’s like to grow old in Los Angeles: “Everyone’s a star in our town / It’s just your light gets dimmer / If you have to stay.” But the choruses are in a completely different mode, echoing the overarching theme of the record: “There is no end to love,” which is balanced by “There is no end to grief.” The instrumentation is almost too bland; you can barely hear the guitar and bass. One suspects U2 realized the limitations of the track, because it was pretty much AWOL during the Innocence and Experience tour.

Comment - Has its moments, but ultimately fairly innocuous.

Total Points - 94.35

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 13.48 (Approximately a 76th rank). 

Ranks 157th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 25

Lowest Rank - 176

Previous Rank - 95 > 145

Special version requested - California - Acoustic Sessions

Ranking Comments - A top 25 ranking, the last song ranked for this controversial ranker lol (one of 2 or 3 that dont have most of the top 10 on their list). A couple just under a hundred and the others trickle through until 176, which is mine

I have it at 176 as well. It truly is not a great song at all IMO. To have this as #25 is… „interesting“ regarding the huge discography that U2 offers.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(221) > #291 - Pop Muzik

Comment - Probably more apt as an intro to the band coming on stage for the Pop tour. Recording and sticking it on an offical release was unnecessary. As a piece of music its interesting compared to the original. Worse somgs here but is it really U2? 

I rated this second last cause its not really U2. Its only here cause its an official release under that banner. 

Total Points - 3.78

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 1.89 (Approximately a 231st rank). 

Ranks 295th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 199

Lowest Rank - 287

Previous Rank - 221>291

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) - > #290 - Put em Under Pressure

Simply put this doesn’t belong here. Larry Mullen produced it. He didn’t even do drums for it. Adam, Bono and Edge have nothing to do with it. It was included by one ranker as their last entry. I wasn’t even aware of it. It wasn’t on Anarchys list.....for good reason. I didnt have time to examine all the songs not on mine or anarchys list, too busy running the numbers. Mea Culpa. Its low, so it doesn’t really count, but with Lost on a Silent Planet and this one our proper official list is down to 306. I hope theres no more lol. The individual ranker was stressing about being able to get a lengthy list in time and ran out of it to get a really long list in. 172 was all they could do lol. All good, #### happens. 

As its here, it was the Ireland song for the 1990 world cup and was number one there for 13 weeks. 

Anarchy99 comment

Nil

Total Points - 3.90

Average Points per rank - 3.90

Highest and only rank - 172

Previous Rank - Unranked

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#289 - United Colours

I did not rate this song. Another ranker delved deep into the Passengers soundtrack, which I ignored except for 1 new addition. This one is just dull ambient music. I wrote that comment for a Different Kind of Blue. No reason to change it really. 

Anarchy99 comment

Some interesting effects from the Original Soundtracks 1 album in 1995.

Total Points - 4.05

Average Points per rank - 4.05

Highest and only rank - 169

Previous Rank - Unranked

No special version requested