John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
The next 5 include 4 from 2000 onwards and a cover from earlier.
Edging toward 100 we have one of my favourites from the Songs LP
Edging toward 100 we have one of my favourites from the Songs LP
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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)
- Thread starter John Maddens Lunchbox
- Start date
simey
Footballguy
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I like it well enough, particularly Bono's vocal and the lyrics. If I'd kept going after 80 it probably would have shown up sooner rather than later.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
As far as Dancing Barefoot goes, I have not found any info on how or why they came to pick that song to cover. I also haven't seen anything about the recording of the song either. Bono has been a long-time fan of Patti Smith and has cited her as being a major influence. U2 have played a few of her songs (Dancing Barefoot, People Have The Power, and Because The Night). They had her perform on stage with them 7 times from 2005 - 2017. Besides her own songs, Smith has also joined the band to perform Instant Kharma, Bad, and Mothers Of The Disappeared.
Bono has mentioned several times that the band would listen to her with regularity in their formative early years of the band. Bono once described Smith as a "sister, lover, and a mother" and a different time called her "his drug of choice" (whatever either of those mean). Given that Dancing Barefoot came out in 1979 and U2 was just starting to record songs, that's the connection to Smith.
Why they chose to record Dancing Barefoot record however many years later is anyone's guess . . . but as discussed months ago in this thread, for some reason, U2 went cover crazy in that timeframe. I'm not even sure when the song was actually was recorded. It just showed up as a B side to When Love Comes To Town in 1988 without much fanfare. The song hit #14 on Billboard's Alternative Songs Chart in 1989. Maybe it was recorded earlier and then sat around and was released as a B Side? It then appeared on the Best of '80-'90 collection . . . in 1998.
Odder still is that Dancing Barefoot ended up on the movie soundtrack for the film Threesome in 1994, and almost a full year later, the song topped the singles chart in Finland in 1995. It's just one of those somewhat mysterious U2 recordings that hasn't ever really gotten a full back story.
Bono has mentioned several times that the band would listen to her with regularity in their formative early years of the band. Bono once described Smith as a "sister, lover, and a mother" and a different time called her "his drug of choice" (whatever either of those mean). Given that Dancing Barefoot came out in 1979 and U2 was just starting to record songs, that's the connection to Smith.
Why they chose to record Dancing Barefoot record however many years later is anyone's guess . . . but as discussed months ago in this thread, for some reason, U2 went cover crazy in that timeframe. I'm not even sure when the song was actually was recorded. It just showed up as a B side to When Love Comes To Town in 1988 without much fanfare. The song hit #14 on Billboard's Alternative Songs Chart in 1989. Maybe it was recorded earlier and then sat around and was released as a B Side? It then appeared on the Best of '80-'90 collection . . . in 1998.
Odder still is that Dancing Barefoot ended up on the movie soundtrack for the film Threesome in 1994, and almost a full year later, the song topped the singles chart in Finland in 1995. It's just one of those somewhat mysterious U2 recordings that hasn't ever really gotten a full back story.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Thanks for sharing that background!! I’m a big fan of this song, the original specifically but also really enjoy the cover. Didn’t remember it on the soundtrack of Threesome — sadly I’ve seen that movie twice.
bigbottom
Footballguy
Just now catching up. I had it ranked at 40, but feel like I may have done the same as you, giving it an album boost.
krista4
Footballguy
My #94, and like Boy/Girl I don't think this one deserved this big fall in the rankings! Sure, it's kind of a mess, but I can hear them feeling their way around this one into what could be a great song. Still think "Scarlet" should be called "Rejoice" and this should be called...."Also Rejoice" or "Rejoice Some More," I guess.
Made my initial cut but not my final list. I find the trance-y feel beautiful but the lyrics insipid.
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krista4
Footballguy
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
Grace Under Pressure
Footballguy
I'm at 109 and 113 on Stand Up Comedy and Shadows and Tall Trees, respectively. Ironically today I'd flip those, because I prefer Shadows and Tall Trees, but I used the ranking website and those are close enough for me anyway. C'est la vie.
I'm the high ranker on Grace. I'll take this song every day and twice on Sunday. It's beautiful.
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things
Grace finds beauty
In everything
Grace finds goodness in everything
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(190) > 169 - The Showman (Little More Better)
Total Points - 61.60 - Rankers 6 - Ave points per ranker 10.27
Highest - 46 - Lowest 197
Comment - I keep thinking I will grow sick of this and hate it. Not yet. Still fun.
Total Points - 61.60 - Rankers 6 - Ave points per ranker 10.27
Highest - 46 - Lowest 197
Comment - I keep thinking I will grow sick of this and hate it. Not yet. Still fun.
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John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(168) > 168 - Summer of Love
Total Points - 62.25 - Rankers 5 - Ave points per ranker 12.45
Highest - 47 - Lowest 155
Comment - Look at that, it lands at the exact same spot. We will see that occur again. When?
Total Points - 62.25 - Rankers 5 - Ave points per ranker 12.45
Highest - 47 - Lowest 155
Comment - Look at that, it lands at the exact same spot. We will see that occur again. When?
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(151) > 167 - Fez (Being Born)
Total Points - 66.85 - Rankers 7 - Ave points per ranker 9.55
Highest - 56 - Lowest 170
Comment - Still has amazing potential. Just unrealized.
Total Points - 66.85 - Rankers 7 - Ave points per ranker 9.55
Highest - 56 - Lowest 170
Comment - Still has amazing potential. Just unrealized.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(181) > 166 - Crumbs from Your Table
Total Points - 66.95 - Rankers 7 - Ave points per ranker 9.56
Highest - 52 - Lowest 130
Comment - Surprisingly rises in rankings
Total Points - 66.95 - Rankers 7 - Ave points per ranker 9.56
Highest - 52 - Lowest 130
Comment - Surprisingly rises in rankings
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(203) > 165 - Can’t Help Falling in Love
Total Points - 69.25 - Rankers 5 - Ave points per ranker 13.85
Highest - 33 - Lowest 240
Comment - One ranker lifted this one significantly
Total Points - 69.25 - Rankers 5 - Ave points per ranker 13.85
Highest - 33 - Lowest 240
Comment - One ranker lifted this one significantly
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(173) - > #117 - Sleep Like a Baby Tonight
Special version requested - Alternative Perspective Mix by Tchad Blake
Vulture.com ranking and comment - An oblique, yet direct condemnation of the various abuses committed by the Church in Ireland over the years. “Secrets can make you sick,” Bono writes in the liner notes. The melody here is controlled but unsettling, with a guitar solo that sounds like an SOS.
Comment - I absolutely Love the experimental approach here. Never thought i would see the day where U2 do synth pop lite. Starts like a Kraftwerk song or OMD doing Kraftwerk. Absolutely love the start. Tails off, but love the feel. Thats musically. I also love an angry Bono lyrically and he does it restrained. I just adore the musicality here. I seem to be alone on an island with it, but I can listen to this all day.
Total Points - 171.65
Rankers - 7
Average Points per rank - 24.52 (Approximately a 51st rank).
Ranks 85th on average points per ranker
Highest Rank - 22
Lowest Rank - 161
Previous Rank - 173 > 117
Special version requested - Alternative Perspective Mix by Tchad Blake
Ranking Comments - I still love this one and moved it up to 22. Anyone thinking U2 play it safe and sound older should listen to this one. May not like it, but they are still trying something different. Three top 50 rankings which is nice, one other in the top 100. The aternative perspective mix is quite fun too.
Special version requested - Alternative Perspective Mix by Tchad Blake
Vulture.com ranking and comment - An oblique, yet direct condemnation of the various abuses committed by the Church in Ireland over the years. “Secrets can make you sick,” Bono writes in the liner notes. The melody here is controlled but unsettling, with a guitar solo that sounds like an SOS.
Comment - I absolutely Love the experimental approach here. Never thought i would see the day where U2 do synth pop lite. Starts like a Kraftwerk song or OMD doing Kraftwerk. Absolutely love the start. Tails off, but love the feel. Thats musically. I also love an angry Bono lyrically and he does it restrained. I just adore the musicality here. I seem to be alone on an island with it, but I can listen to this all day.
Total Points - 171.65
Rankers - 7
Average Points per rank - 24.52 (Approximately a 51st rank).
Ranks 85th on average points per ranker
Highest Rank - 22
Lowest Rank - 161
Previous Rank - 173 > 117
Special version requested - Alternative Perspective Mix by Tchad Blake
Ranking Comments - I still love this one and moved it up to 22. Anyone thinking U2 play it safe and sound older should listen to this one. May not like it, but they are still trying something different. Three top 50 rankings which is nice, one other in the top 100. The aternative perspective mix is quite fun too.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
Our next 5 sees our final 2 “new” tracks. As well as 3 other tracks which have considerable support.
As we approach 100 we get another guest vocalist. Only 6 more tracks before a clear separation in points for 111 onwards.
As we approach 100 we get another guest vocalist. Only 6 more tracks before a clear separation in points for 111 onwards.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
I like the music and vibe of this one. Not a big fan of the melody or the lyrics. Bono just doesn’t do it for me on this one. The rest of the band brings it, and he’s into it emotionally — but something is missing for me. Reminds me of another song from the early 90s (not U2) but can’t place the song.
Brony
Footballguy
Here's what I wrote about this seemingly a decade ago:
I put Playboy Mansion at 20 and it is one of my more controversial takes. But I stand by it. I thought this was a dud when it first came out. Definitely I was off put by the weird sounding intro and overall the start of the song doesn't excite me. Then the lyrics also jump out - Coke, OJ and Lotto Ticket aren't typical words you look for in a song and I'm still not crazy about the lyrics.
But, after listening 50 plus times, it really starts to click for me. It's a grower. I really enjoy the progression of the song and is a melodic standout for me. Maybe it would be better as a cover song without the weird intro sounds and different vocalist, but I do think this is a beautiful song. Also, keep in mind that I don't really pay attention to content of the lyrics.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
I didn't revise any of my rankings from October for this latest round, mostly out of laziness. No regrets on this one. It's not everyone's cup of tea and it has some funky noises that could be a put off. I love this one.
simey
Footballguy
I like this song musically and lyrically. I imagine it isn't a favorite by some of the church and priesthood. I think the distorted sound of Edge's guitar goes well with the tone of the song, and as you (Johnny Lunchbox) like the start with the synth sound, I also like the ending with the pulsating beat with Adam and Larry.
Grace Under Pressure
Footballguy
I'm at 72 on Fez and 97 on Crumbs from Your Table.
I'm a big fan of Fez. It feels like a driving song to me. Throw it on, let it go. I especially enjoy the very end as well.
Crumbs is ok. It's crisp. Like it well enough, not one of my favs from the album.
simey
Footballguy
JML's link didn't work for me (it could be a location thing), and so I skipped the song. Anyway, I found a working link after reading your comment above, and I agree that it feels like a driving song.
Brony
Footballguy
Big fan of this one. Usually not a fan of falsetto, but feel like it works here. This was from the brief era of the cassingle and I remember being pleased as punch to find this at the local music store.
krista4
Footballguy
I had this at #96 and should have had it a little more better. Just re-listened and still love it. IIRC in the first countdown someone said (unfavorably) that this sounded like it could be in Grease.
I like Grease, though. Maybe it's the gang vocals? I love that part. Bono's vocal on the verses is really sexy, and the bridge (repeated twice) is a beautiful melody. This song really draws me in, and it could reasonably be 30 or more points higher in my rankings.
krista4
Footballguy
I just relistened to this, and your thoughts are exactly the same as mine.
I also relistened to the others from today's list, and feel like Fez/Being Born is pretty good. This and the one above are my favorites from today that didn't make my cut.
Brony's write-up on Playboy Mansion was so persuasive that I put that one on again, too. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit and maybe should have had it somewhere on my list.
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Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Similar. I don’t usually understand why famous bands cover other artists’ music, but IMO the U2 version of Satellite is far superior to the Lou Reed version.
for calling out those three in the title change.
Grace Under Pressure
Footballguy
I’m a Playboy Mansion supporter. I have it at 98. My comment was basically I thought I’d be the high ranker on that tune. To have someone rank it at 20 and stand up for it was cool IMO. Good job Brony.
I threw on No Line on the Horizon tonight, as a couple of songs on that album came up recently. Fez is definitely good for me. Interestingly, there’s a song later in the album that I have ranked lower than Fez but the overall consensus I believe is higher. In retrospect I may have bumped it up a few spots myself. I’ll bring it up again when that song surfaces.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(192) > 164 - Some Days are Better Than Others
Total Points - 69.95 - Rankers 6 - Ave points per ranker 11.66
Highest - 54 - Lowest 157
Total Points - 69.95 - Rankers 6 - Ave points per ranker 11.66
Highest - 54 - Lowest 157
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(Unranked) > 163 - Womanfish
Total Points - 70.90 - Rankers 3 - Ave points per ranker 23.63
Highest - 38 - Lowest 173
Special Version Requested - Womanfish TV Gaga, its the only one available anyway lol
Anarchy99 Comment - An unreleased song recorded live on the TV Gaga Show in Dublin - 1986-01-30. Larry goes full throttle on the drums on this one. Extreme energy. One of my favorite unreleased songs. Never played again. Not officially released.
Comment - Quite a powerful track that doesnt really sound like anything else from U2. Sounds like a bridge from Joshua Tree to Rattle and Hum. I think theres something here they should have developed further.
Total Points - 70.90 - Rankers 3 - Ave points per ranker 23.63
Highest - 38 - Lowest 173
Special Version Requested - Womanfish TV Gaga, its the only one available anyway lol
Anarchy99 Comment - An unreleased song recorded live on the TV Gaga Show in Dublin - 1986-01-30. Larry goes full throttle on the drums on this one. Extreme energy. One of my favorite unreleased songs. Never played again. Not officially released.
Comment - Quite a powerful track that doesnt really sound like anything else from U2. Sounds like a bridge from Joshua Tree to Rattle and Hum. I think theres something here they should have developed further.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(162) > 162 - Slow Dancing
Special Version Requested - Zoo Tv Live Stripped Down Version
Total Points - 72.23 - Rankers 8 - Ave points per ranker 9.02
Highest - 45 - Lowest 236
Special Version Requested - Zoo Tv Live Stripped Down Version
If the ranker who requested this version thinks its the wrong one, please let me know the correct one.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(124) > 161 - Love and Peace or Else
Total Points - 73.35 - Rankers 7 - Ave points per ranker 10.33
Highest - 43 - Lowest 156
Total Points - 73.35 - Rankers 7 - Ave points per ranker 10.33
Highest - 43 - Lowest 156
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(191) - > #116 - The Wanderer starring Johnny Cash
Vulture.com ranking and comment - 49/218 - It’s like Johnny Cash showed up at the Star Wars cantina as himself. Adam’s bass sounds like the music in a bad video game. That might sound like a bad thing, but it works: This ancient bard showing up at the end of the world to tell the tales of his travels, in the deepest world-weary, gravelly voice.
Comment - My top 100 gets touched, even if its number 100. Two of the rankers really disliked it placing it bottom 20 and another ranker had it near mine. Vulture liked it even more. Nice to hear Johnny Cash, but the lyrics written by Bono are almost a parody of what he thinks Johnny Cash sounds like. Similar to the song written for Roy Orbison. The lyrics dont sound genuine.
Total Points - 172.03
Rankers - 9
Average Points per rank - 19.11 (Approximately a 62nd rank).
Ranks 123rd on average points per ranker
Highest Rank - 22
Lowest Rank - 201
Previous Rank - 191 > 116
Ranking Comments - I still love the vibe and feel of the song, but those lyrics crack me up. Bono should have just written with his voice not just try and place himself in Johnnys head. The “Citizens” line is particularly clunky. We have 3 top 50 rankings, including another 22. 3 others in the top 100.
Vulture.com ranking and comment - 49/218 - It’s like Johnny Cash showed up at the Star Wars cantina as himself. Adam’s bass sounds like the music in a bad video game. That might sound like a bad thing, but it works: This ancient bard showing up at the end of the world to tell the tales of his travels, in the deepest world-weary, gravelly voice.
Comment - My top 100 gets touched, even if its number 100. Two of the rankers really disliked it placing it bottom 20 and another ranker had it near mine. Vulture liked it even more. Nice to hear Johnny Cash, but the lyrics written by Bono are almost a parody of what he thinks Johnny Cash sounds like. Similar to the song written for Roy Orbison. The lyrics dont sound genuine.
Total Points - 172.03
Rankers - 9
Average Points per rank - 19.11 (Approximately a 62nd rank).
Ranks 123rd on average points per ranker
Highest Rank - 22
Lowest Rank - 201
Previous Rank - 191 > 116
Ranking Comments - I still love the vibe and feel of the song, but those lyrics crack me up. Bono should have just written with his voice not just try and place himself in Johnnys head. The “Citizens” line is particularly clunky. We have 3 top 50 rankings, including another 22. 3 others in the top 100.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
Unranked) > 160 - Blow Your House Down
Total Points - 74.94 - Rankers 6 - Ave points per ranker 12.20
Highest - 44 - Lowest 230
Anarchy 99 Comment - There were several versions and incarnations of this song on the AB Working Tapes from 1991. The song dates back to the Rattle and Hum sessions. A crisper, sharper version finally appeared on the Super Deluxe and Uber Deluxe versions of Achtung Baby in 2012. Officially released. HERE is an earlier, longer version when it was entitled She's Gonna Blow Your House Down (with some solid guitar flourishes).
Comment - Not my favorite from anarchy99s list as we say farewell to the comments from his thread. Kinda surprised it ranks second highest, with only Slug ahead of it. From now on the remaining 124 songs are ones we have all seen before. We have seen almost 60% of our countdown already, but familiarity is going to ramp up soon.
An example of this.....if we add the ranking points for Blow Your House Down, Take You Down and Lady With the Spinning Head....yet to be seen, we only get to top 75. All sort of bastardise each other, but Lady is clearly the best version.
Total Points - 74.94 - Rankers 6 - Ave points per ranker 12.20
Highest - 44 - Lowest 230
Anarchy 99 Comment - There were several versions and incarnations of this song on the AB Working Tapes from 1991. The song dates back to the Rattle and Hum sessions. A crisper, sharper version finally appeared on the Super Deluxe and Uber Deluxe versions of Achtung Baby in 2012. Officially released. HERE is an earlier, longer version when it was entitled She's Gonna Blow Your House Down (with some solid guitar flourishes).
Comment - Not my favorite from anarchy99s list as we say farewell to the comments from his thread. Kinda surprised it ranks second highest, with only Slug ahead of it. From now on the remaining 124 songs are ones we have all seen before. We have seen almost 60% of our countdown already, but familiarity is going to ramp up soon.
An example of this.....if we add the ranking points for Blow Your House Down, Take You Down and Lady With the Spinning Head....yet to be seen, we only get to top 75. All sort of bastardise each other, but Lady is clearly the best version.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
Next up as we get close to 150 and commence the serious business, we see 3 songs that are or close to 40 yeas old. 2 also from this century.
As we get towards 100, we see one that surprises me with three top 50 rankings, including a 13.
As we get towards 100, we see one that surprises me with three top 50 rankings, including a 13.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I was at 72. I never paid much attention to the lyrics, but they nailed the vibe they were going for perfectly.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
I agree. The fact that i noticed the lyrics, in this case, is not good thing.
It’s just a fun tune. Very first time I heard it I thought I am eventually gonna hate this, but its yet to happen.I had this at #96 and should have had it a little more better. Just re-listened and still love it. IIRC in the first countdown someone said (unfavorably) that this sounded like it could be in Grease.
I just love the menacing tone, musically, lyrically and vocally. The chugging synth is just out of the usual U2 wheelhouse, its just a pleasant change.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
I like this song a lot. Can’t remember where I ranked it (in the 70s or 80s?) but it’s a bit eclectic, the chorus is light hearted and fun sounding, with a bit of an island/Caribbean undertone. It’s a flawed song, but it still catches my ear.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Solid song. Doesn’t really sound like R&H or AB to me at all. It sounds more like Vertigo than anything else. Probably should be in my expanded rankings in the 90s or 100s.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Meh. I love Johnny Cash, so this isn’t meant to malign him. Really don’t get why this is a U2 song. Bono isn’t singing lead, so meh. Is that the band playing backup? Ok, so it’s the band backing up a Cash performance. Didn’t make my rankings and I have zero regrets, even though the song is solid.
krista4
Footballguy
I'm surprised, too. It made my list at #111, so obviously I do like it, but I don't find it as interesting as several others from Anarchy's list. It's a nice song.
#99 on my list. This song plays so sweetly to my ears without being syrupy.
ETA: I just noticed the one linked as the official #162 is the version with Willie Nelson. This is NOT the one I meant to vote as #99, so I guess I should have pointed that out.
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krista4
Footballguy
Feel exactly the same about this one.
krista4
Footballguy
The #101-200 Spotify playlist linked above has been updated through today's posts and is eagerly awaiting the next 24 songs.
The #201-#308 playlist is here. As expected, this one is missing a lot of songs, but 65 of the 108 were available, so it's still worth a listen.
JML, feel free to put these links in the first post if you'd like.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
You are brilliant. Thank you
Let me know if link in OP works as I dont have spotify....for many reasons.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
Bono wrote it with Johnny Cash in mind and the band play the music. Closes out Zooropa, where it clearly doesnt fit.
It has positives...but its flaws drag it right down. I think it is in the right spot, after getting dudded last time round.
krista4
Footballguy
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(170) > 159 - With a Shout (Jerusalem)
Total Points - 74.94 - Rankers 8 - Ave points per ranker 9.37
Highest - 41- Lowest 224
Total Points - 74.94 - Rankers 8 - Ave points per ranker 9.37
Highest - 41- Lowest 224
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(131) > 158 - 13 (There is a Light)
Total Points - 75.25 - Rankers 5 - Ave points per ranker 15.05
Highest - 28- Lowest 170
Total Points - 75.25 - Rankers 5 - Ave points per ranker 15.05
Highest - 28- Lowest 170
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(204) > 157 - Red Light
Total Points - 77.66 - Rankers 8 - Ave points per ranker 9.76
Highest - 47 - Lowest 217
Total Points - 77.66 - Rankers 8 - Ave points per ranker 9.76
Highest - 47 - Lowest 217
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