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

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Just bookmarking our #232 song.

It only has one ranker. I had never heard of it. It is not on anarchys list of leftovers. Its not even on the comprehensive u2 songs website. It seems a genuine u2 song, not a spurious one. There is almost no reference online to it, but a youtube link of the song. I actually enjoy the song too. Our one ranker put it at #69 out of 210

####. Its a fake. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. 

First warning sign was that it wasnt on anarchy99s list. Second was not finding any reference to it. I was in a hurry to put this out and didnt check thoroughly enough. A quick scan of all the remaining U2 one vote songs at least have Bono or Bono/Edge involved. Will scan more thoroughly on them. Then look at the 2 vote ones, which should be fine. 3 or more will be. 

I dont blame the ranker on this one. The youtube link blatantly lies and doesnt allow comments, which i am sure would have been brutal. Their brief explanation sounds plausible “leaked new U2 song”. After NLOH. It sounds similar. As background music it passed as U2, but then i listened carefully in the last hour. Not Bono singing. 

I will go from #233 straight to #231

anyway here it is

Not U2 - Not #232 Light Speed

The band is called Golden State according to the licensing info. Bastards.

 

[krista4]

####. Its a fake. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. 

First warning sign was that it wasnt on anarchy99s list. Second was not finding any reference to it. I was in a hurry to put this out and didnt check thoroughly enough. A quick scan of all the remaining U2 one vote songs at least have Bono or Bono/Edge involved. Will scan more thoroughly on them. Then look at the 2 vote ones, which should be fine. 3 or more will be. 

I dont blame the ranker on this one. The youtube link blatantly lies and doesnt allow comments, which i am sure would have been brutal. Their brief explanation sounds plausible “leaked new U2 song”. After NLOH. It sounds similar. As background music it passed as U2, but then i listened carefully in the last hour. Not Bono singing. 

I will go from #233 straight to #231

anyway here it is

Not U2 - Not #232 Light Speed

The band is called Golden State according to the licensing info. Bastards.

I wouldn’t blame the ranker, either.  It has a believable U2 sound to it.

The video of this song by Golden State has fewer than 700 views, but slap “U2” on there and it has over 192,000!

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(158) > #279 - Jesus Christ

Comment - Bono doesnt have the chops to do this justice.Musically it works well. Just needs a better vocalist

Total Points - 5.49

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 2.75 (Approximately a 195th rank). 

Ranks 280th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 182

Lowest Rank - 223

Previous Rank - 158 > 279

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - This song had a strong backer last time elevating it to #158. They didnt rank it this time and it plummets....maybe the most of any song. Its a lot more fun listening this time around,  but not quite there. 

I probably should have ranked this but didn't. All I know is it's not in my top 80, which is the extent to which I ranked things. The arrangement and spirit are there, but the vocalizing isn't. 

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I like this!!  (No shock)  Sounds bit like a combo of Touch and Out of Control.   

I hadn't thought of it that way, but re-listening, I can totally hear it. 

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(178) > #278 - Boomerang II

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 218/218 - No. Really. Not every experimental thought needs to be recorded and released, especially if you’re considering it to be part two to another throwaway.

Comment - Better than Part 1 but thats not saying much. At last we have lyrics here and its more interesting for a short period of time before it gets boring. To listen to both boomerangs back to back is hard going. Funny how vulture.com have the Boomerangs last and second last. 

Total Points - 5.64

Rankers - 3

Average Points per rank -1.88 (Approximately a 231st rank). 

Ranks 297th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 218

Lowest Rank - 266

Previous Rank - 178 > 278

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - The first song with 3 rankers. We don’t see another one until 262 when that song gets 4 awful rankings. Last time round Boomerang I rated lower. This time Boomerang II for some reason has one less ranker then Boomerang I. If you rank one, you rank both i would have thought. Nobody likes it no matter what, just more rankers lifting it from the bottom 10.

It didn't make my top 80 but I think I like this much better than most everyone here, or elsewhere. The guitar line eventually got used in Love Comes Tumbling, so it earns bonus points for that. The bass work is great throughout and the dynamics are pretty interesting for something that was clearly a rough draft. It goes on for longer than necessary, but that's the only major flaw to my ears. I'd rather this was put on TUF than Elvis Presley and America. 

As I mentioned during the original countdown, unlike pretty much everyone else in this thread, I for the most part enjoy their atmospheric B-sides. I ranked at least one of them in my top 80. 

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(111) - > #141 - If You Wear That Velvet Dress

Vulture.com ranking and comment -98/218 - One of the more successful numbers on Pop, it’s full of simple but interesting textures; but like most of the songs on the album, it occupies a middle ground that’s vague and tentative. “It wanted to be a lounge classic,” Bono said. He finally got his wish when he recorded it with Jools Holland in 2007. Yes, Holland is a skilled bandleader, but the vocals are Bono in full torch-singer mode.

Comment - This is a snoozefest. Of more interest to me is the similarity in rankings to Elvis Presley and America. The same two of us have it ranked real low, while the same two have it high. This time the top ranking switches to the other ranker. Vulture is much more in line with their thinking this time.

Total Points - 102.81

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 14.68 (Approximately a 72nd rank). 

Ranks 147th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 25

Lowest Rank - 207

Previous Rank - 111 > 141

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has one top 25 ranking and 4 others in the back half of the top 100. It drops noticeably in rankings as its 2 biggest backers last time either didnt include it or dropped it noticeably. 

This is not the abomination that is Elvis Presley and America, but it's almost as boring. The decision to include it in live sets when they were touring for Pop was baffling. 

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

I was at 121 with Cedarwood Road and 93 with Velvet Dress.

Velvet Dress is a dark room, single malt scotch tune. I enjoy the transition into the "Sunlight fills my room" verse.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(139) - > #140 - A Man and a Woman

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 160/218 - “That’s really the wild card on the album,” the Edge said in 2006. He’s not wrong, and it’s not a bad song — it is actually a fascinating, unexpected melody, but it’s kind of an abrupt pause on this particular record.

Comment - Harmless enough. Not in the worst 3 somgs on album. Good album filler

Total Points - 105.3

Rankers - 9

Average Points per rank - 11.70 (Approximately a 83rd rank). 

Ranks 171st on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 30

Lowest Rank - 225

Previous Rank - 139 > 140

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has one top 30 ranking and a few others in the back half of the top 100. It almost lands on exactly the same ranking as last time with much less enthusiasm

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(141) > #277 - Paint it Black

Comment - A more faithful cover than some of the massacre jobs, but is it adding anything or doing an interesting take? No. The disparity in rankings is interesting. The 221 in particular. I’m somewhere in the middle as it really doesn’t do anything wrong, but it’s not why we tune in to U2. 

Total Points - 5.72

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 2.86 (Approximately a 193rd rank). 

Ranks 279th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 181

Lowest Rank - 214

Previous Rank - (141) > 277

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Has a precipitous drop in rankings after its biggest backer last time didn’t rank it this time. As far as covers go, its not bad, but why?

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #276 - Corpse

Not bad mood music. In the right frame of mind this is quite good. 

Anarchy99 comment

Back to Passengers from 1995 and Original Soundtracks 1. Somewhat a trance-y song with a pretty strange title. Officially released.

Total Points - 5.75

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 135

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 276

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #275 - Elvis Ate America

A weird number. Has its moments, but best in short doses.. 

Anarchy99 comment

One of the few tracks from the Original Soundtracks 1 album from 1995 with lyrics in it. And they aren't very flattering when it comes to the King of Rock and Roll. Officially released.

Total Points - 6.00

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 130

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 275

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Glad that batch is over.

Next up....

From the lower reaches we have a real new song, an Achtung Baby working tape and a cover that may have been best left in the vanity cupboard never to be released.

In the middle we see a Songs song that I ranked high. Only had 2 votes in the top 100, but both were in the top 35. 

 

[Gr00vus]

I dare you to start over.   

Controversial ranker, show yourself! 

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

           

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.

This is me. When JMLB asked me to submit a list, I initially could only get to 19 songs I really liked. I'm not the biggest U2 fan in the world, and I'm definitely not a fan of several of their most popular songs - so my list will certainly be an outlier. JMLB responded back with a plea to get my list up to at least 25 for the sake of making things less difficult for him when doing the maths, so I complied. By the 25th song, there really wasn't much separating any of what was left for me, none of it is stuff I'd ever really want to hear again - not awful, just not interesting to me. So I went with California, as it's an o.k. song, and that's where I'm from.

 

[krista4]

This is me. When JMLB asked me to submit a list, I initially could only get to 19 songs I really liked. I'm not the biggest U2 fan in the world, and I'm definitely not a fan of several of their most popular songs - so my list will certainly be an outlier. JMLB responded back with a plea to get my list up to at least 25 for the sake of making things less difficult for him when doing the maths, so I complied. By the 25th song, there really wasn't much separating any of what was left for me, none of it is stuff I'd ever really want to hear again - not awful, just not interesting to me. So I went with California, as it's an o.k. song, and that's where I'm from.

I suspected it might be you, given some of the songs we knew you had left off your top 25.  I'm glad you checked in!  I'm interesting in your commentary going forward, when you have time for it.

 

[Gr00vus]

I suspected it might be you, given some of the songs we knew you had left off your top 25.  I'm glad you checked in!  I'm interesting in your commentary going forward, when you have time for it.

I'll try to post a bit, though I doubt I have a ton of valuable insights into U2. Time is a bit tight right now (which is why it took me this long to respond to my ranking of this song for example). Also in recent years I've tried to adhere to a FFA posting policy of mainly discussing stuff I like and staying away from negativity as much as I can when it comes to subjective appreciation of stuff. Thus I may limit my comments to like 24 songs here...

 

[krista4]

(139) - > #140 - A Man and a Woman

I thought this was my first song to make the countdown, but now I see I dropped it at the last minute.  I  the way this song begins, but I find the "I could never take a chance" bits of the chorus almost unlistenable.  It's not the song; it's me.  The lyrics are silly, and there's something about the syncopation of it and every syllable hitting nearly the same note in that almost staccato way that is jarring and unpleasant to my ears.  I also don't like the bridge.  All that said, I love other bits of the song so much that I could have left this on my list in the 105-110 range.

(141) > #277 - Paint it Black

Not bad, but pointless.

(Unranked) > #276 - Corpse

Not bad mood music. In the right frame of mind this is quite good. 

This was the second song from Passengers that made my initial list but not the final cut.  I felt like it was well done, but slow and simply not the kind of music I'm into enough to want to listen repeatedly.  This one did stand out on the album to me, but I just have little knowledge as to the style.

(Unranked) > #275 - Elvis Ate America

A weird number. Has its moments, but best in short doses.

Good summary.  And for me, "short doses" = ~11 seconds.

 

[krista4]

I doubt I have a ton of valuable insights into U2. 

I hope this isn't a requirement.   

 

[foxco]

(Unranked) > #276 - Corpse

Not bad mood music. In the right frame of mind this is quite good. 

I mean the frame of mind I'd need to enjoy this includes hallucinogens for certain. But maybe that's the point? 

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

(139) - > #140 - A Man and a Woman

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 160/218 - “That’s really the wild card on the album,” the Edge said in 2006. He’s not wrong, and it’s not a bad song — it is actually a fascinating, unexpected melody, but it’s kind of an abrupt pause on this particular record.

Comment - Harmless enough. Not in the worst 3 somgs on album. Good album filler

Total Points - 105.3

Rankers - 9

Average Points per rank - 11.70 (Approximately a 83rd rank).

I'm at 95 on A Man and a Woman. It's fairly upbeat, catchy enough to sign along with. Not a special song, but not bad.

Also, they should have titled it "Between A Man and A Woman" IMO. Surprised no one checked with me on that. 

 

[bigbottom]

I thought this was my first song to make the countdown, but now I see I dropped it at the last minute.  I  the way this song begins, but I find the "I could never take a chance" bits of the chorus almost unlistenable.  It's not the song; it's me.  The lyrics are silly, and there's something about the syncopation of it and every syllable hitting nearly the same note in that almost staccato way that is jarring and unpleasant to my ears.  I also don't like the bridge.  All that said, I love other bits of the song so much that I could have left this on my list in the 105-110 range.

#56 for me. Unlike you, I found the vocal melody from start to finish to be one of the most captivating of U2s modern era (yes, yes, I know the song is 18 years old).  Not exactly sure why, but it just hooks me. The instrumentation, however, is the jarring part for me, preventing the tune from climbing higher. As for the lyrics, I’ll admit that I never really pay attention to lyrics. As I listener, the majority of the time I view lyrics as merely the vehicle through which to deliver melody. For that reason, silly lyrics almost never register with me. (Of course, there are exceptions on the other end, when I’m truly moved by outstanding lyrics.)

 

[scorchy]

(Unranked) > #284 - Doctor Doctor

This isn’t one of my rankings. I just thought the quality of the recording was garbage and didn’t include. It is interesting, but it sounds like Bono is in the room next door.

I was really hoping this was a Thompson Twins cover.

 

[krista4]

#56 for me. Unlike you, I found the vocal melody from start to finish to be one of the most captivating of U2s modern era (yes, yes, I know the song is 18 years old).  Not exactly sure why, but it just hooks me. The instrumentation, however, is the jarring part for me, preventing the tune from climbing higher. As for the lyrics, I’ll admit that I never really pay attention to lyrics. As I listener, the majority of the time I view lyrics as merely the vehicle through which to deliver melody. For that reason, silly lyrics almost never register with me. (Of course, there are exceptions on the other end, when I’m truly moved by outstanding lyrics.)

I've said this many time around here, but not in a U2 thread (I think), so here I go again.    I don't pay attention to lyrics unless they're really good (see, e.g., almost every Leonard Cohen song and many John Lennon ones) or really bad.  This stood out to me as the latter, though they're not "Breakfast at Tiffany's" or "Drops of Jupiter" bad or anything like that.  Still think I should have had this in the bottom part of my list and was surprised to find I didn't.  I've had it stuck in my head again for the last 24 hours.

 

[bigbottom]

I've said this many time around here, but not in a U2 thread (I think), so here I go again.    I don't pay attention to lyrics unless they're really good (see, e.g., almost every Leonard Cohen song and many John Lennon ones) or really bad.  This stood out to me as the latter, though they're not "Breakfast at Tiffany's" or "Drops of Jupiter" bad or anything like that.  Still think I should have had this in the bottom part of my list and was surprised to find I didn't.  I've had it stuck in my head again for the last 24 hours.

That melody is an ear worm!

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This stood out to me as the latter, though they're not "Breakfast at Tiffany's" or "Drops of Jupiter" bad or anything like that.  

I'd like to chime in that Stevie Nicks' "Sometimes It's a #####, Sometimes It's a Breeze" doesn't get nearly enough mention in discussions about songs with horrid lyrics.

That is all. 

 

[krista4]

I'd like to chime in that Stevie Nicks' "Sometimes It's a #####, Sometimes It's a Breeze" doesn't get nearly enough mention in discussions about songs with horrid lyrics.

That is all. 

Sniff, sniff...is that a new draft I smell?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

I've said this many time around here, but not in a U2 thread (I think), so here I go again.    I don't pay attention to lyrics unless they're really good (see, e.g., almost every Leonard Cohen song and many John Lennon ones) or really bad.  This stood out to me as the latter, though they're not "Breakfast at Tiffany's" or "Drops of Jupiter" bad or anything like that.  Still think I should have had this in the bottom part of my list and was surprised to find I didn't.  I've had it stuck in my head again for the last 24 hours.

HFS, those are two of my least favorite songs ever lyrically.  Amazing.   I don’t broadly hate Breakfast at Tiffany’s……but actively despise Drops of Jupiter.   Tell me…..did Venus blow your mind?

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(146) - > #139 - This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now

Vulture.com ranking and comment - U2 does not need to write a song in tribute to Joe Strummer; they already did that, with “Out of Control” or “11 O’Clock Tick Tock,” or even “Street Mission.” “This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now” is well-intentioned but completely devoid of the impact and excitement of hearing the Clash for the first time. (No one can write a good song about the Clash, to be fair.)

Comment - Another new wave sounding track. Doesn’t sound like they did during the new wave, but heavily influenced by others. I’d love to see them take this and Sleep like a baby tonight over an album. Welcome to the party pal. They wont do it. Their fans will revolt....even more

Total Points - 106.4

Rankers - 6

Average Points per rank - 17.73 (Approximately a 65th rank). 

Ranks 130th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 31

Lowest Rank - 172

Previous Rank - 146 > 139

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has two top 35 rankings and a few just over the hundred mark. I’ve made it no secret that i really like this track. Not perfect, but it has a great new wave vibe. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(224) > #274 - I’ve Got You Under My Skin with Frank Sinatra

Comment - If it wasn’t for my ranking of 152, this would have ranked 228....easily. The other three really did not like this lol. It’s on the B Side to Stay (Faraway So Close). Goodness knows what Sinatra thought of it. While he sleepwalks through his part, Bono carries on like a clown. He tries to hold it together early on but then delivers cringeworthy excitable Bono parts. I’m rating this higher than others, but its not without significant flaws. It is entertaining at the very least and unlike others I have ranked low, I can listen to it repeatedly,

Total Points - 6.23

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 3.115 (Approximately a 188th rank). 

Ranks 276th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 176

Lowest Rank - 201

Previous Rank - (224) > 274

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Only has two rankers, with not much enthusiasm. I stand by my comments from last time. Its atrocious if you want it to be. I prefer the glass half full approach of .....interesting.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #273 - Heaven and Hell

I didn’t rank this one. I should have. Its not apparently the basis for any Achtung Baby track, as  it was recorded during those sessions. It’s a genuinely unique track for U2. Thankfully 2 others at least included it near the bottom of their lists. Its nothing special. Fairly boring. 

Anarchy99 comment

Originally one of the many bootlegged tracks from the 1991 AB recording sessions, the band officially released it as a bonus track for the 30th anniversary of AB. A slower number with a smooth Edge solo in the middle.

Total Points - 6.25

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 165

Lowest Rank - 190

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 273

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #272 - We are the People with Martin Garrix

I didn’t rank this one either. It was listed as Bono and the Edge, which I thought wasn’t U2 enough. Should have in hindsight. I’ve seen official titles with both versions so its a lineball thing. At least this soccer song has at least 2 U2 members performing. The dance production if Garrix was aimed at the eurotrash audience watching the soccer. This was by the same ranker as Put Em Under Pressure, but this one Im thankful they ranked. It deserves a place on the list. 

Anarchy99 comment

The official song from the UEFA EURO 2020 soccer tournament. Both the tournament and the single were held back to 2021. Officially released.

Total Points - 6.40

Rankers - 1

Highest and only rank - 122

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 272

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next Up, we have our highest ranked “new” song to the list. It lands at 138. It only has 4 rankers, but they all like it a lot. I am one of them. It would have ranked even higher if one guy who would have submitted a list wasn’t suspended for wallowing in the shallow gene pool of the politics forum. 

At the back end, we have three from anarchys list. 2 of them have 2 rankers, of which I am one. Nothing special. The other one is ranked by one only one of us and its not me. They rank it just past 100. Pretty soon we will be getting to songs only I have ranked that are in my top 100

 

[Acrobat7]

I thought this was my first song to make the countdown, but now I see I dropped it at the last minute.  I  the way this song begins, but I find the "I could never take a chance" bits of the chorus almost unlistenable.  It's not the song; it's me.  The lyrics are silly, and there's something about the syncopation of it and every syllable hitting nearly the same note in that almost staccato way that is jarring and unpleasant to my ears.  I also don't like the bridge.  All that said, I love other bits of the song so much that I could have left this on my list in the 105-110 range.

No, it is not you. It is the song. 
I think it is a really bad piece of music and ranked it 225/228. 

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(224) > #274 - I’ve Got You Under My Skin with Frank Sinatra

Comment - If it wasn’t for my ranking of 152, this would have ranked 228....easily. The other three really did not like this lol. It’s on the B Side to Stay (Faraway So Close). Goodness knows what Sinatra thought of it. While he sleepwalks through his part, Bono carries on like a clown. He tries to hold it together early on but then delivers cringeworthy excitable Bono parts. I’m rating this higher than others, but its not without significant flaws. It is entertaining at the very least and unlike others I have ranked low, I can listen to it repeatedly,

Total Points - 6.23

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 3.115 (Approximately a 188th rank). 

Ranks 276th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 176

Lowest Rank - 201

Previous Rank - (224) > 274

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Only has two rankers, with not much enthusiasm. I stand by my comments from last time. Its atrocious if you want it to be. I prefer the glass half full approach of .....interesting.

I would be shocked if Bono and Frank were in the same time zone, much less the same room, when this was recorded.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Next Up, we have our highest ranked “new” song to the list. It lands at 138. It only has 4 rankers, but they all like it a lot. I am one of them. It would have ranked even higher if one guy who would have submitted a list wasn’t suspended for wallowing in the shallow gene pool of the politics forum. 

At the back end, we have three from anarchys list. 2 of them have 2 rankers, of which I am one. Nothing special. The other one is ranked by one only one of us and its not me. They rank it just past 100. Pretty soon we will be getting to songs only I have ranked that are in my top 100

The sad thing is, you can’t narrow down to one person from the description of “music fan who wanted to submit a list but got banned after going to the PSF.”

 

[Anarchy99]

I would be shocked if Bono and Frank were in the same time zone, much less the same room, when this was recorded.

None of the artists that participated on Sinatra's Duets album were present in the studio with him. His vocals were all recorded on his own at his regular studio. Each artist then recorded his or her vocals separately later at whatever studio was closest to them.

 

[krista4]

(146) - > #139 - This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now

(224) > #274 - I’ve Got You Under My Skin with Frank Sinatra

(Unranked) > #273 - Heaven and Hell

(Unranked) > #272 - We are the People with Martin Garrix

While they aren't awful, none of these made my initial cut, and I'm comfortable with that decision-making.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

While they aren't awful, none of these made my initial cut, and I'm comfortable with that decision-making.

That may be the first time someone referred to the U2/Frank version as not awful. Even i know its awful and i like it. Its got Frank ####### Sinatra on it

 

[Pip's Invitation]

That may be the first time someone referred to the U2/Frank version as not awful. Even i know its awful and i like it. Its got Frank ####### Sinatra on it

There’s awful, and there’s Get on Your Boots. She may be saying that it’s not Get on Your Boots. 

 

[krista4]

 Its got Frank ####### Sinatra on it

This is what made it not awful.   

 

[krista4]

I'm still committed to commenting on every damn song, but I'm surprised not to have any of my actual picks come up yet.  I figure some of my lower ranked ones will be here soon on the #### end of the countdown, but I didn't expect not to see any of mine in the middle yet.

JML, this is not meant as an invitation to tell me when mine are coming up.    

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I'm still committed to commenting on every damn song, but I'm surprised not to have any of my actual picks come up yet.  I figure some of my lower ranked ones will be here soon on the #### end of the countdown, but I didn't expect not to see any of mine in the middle yet.

JML, this is not meant as an invitation to tell me when mine are coming up.    

Today is your lucky day.

Our 4 songs today have only a combined 9 votes. I am 3 of those votes. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #271 - Speed of Life

I cant place what this sounds like. But it sounds like classic early u2. Just no lyrics. That last statement is a killer. This sounds like an excellent early anthem, just needed a good lyric with it. Music is great. This would have been one of the best on Boy or October if there were good lyrics involved

Anarchy99 comment

This is an early instrumental track that was developed initially in 1979 and performed live 13 times. Sounds just like early U2. Ultimately a refined version was considered for Boy, but it did not make the final cut. However, it was added to the album in 2008 for the deluxe edition. 

Total Points - 6.60

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 177

Lowest Rank - 192

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 271

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #270- Jack in the Box

I didn’t rank this one. When i got to this one I was trying to limit the amount of songs from Anarchys list and skipped over this one after a couple of listens. Why I listed songs like Trevor, Bang a Gong and Cartoon World,  but not listing this one is a mistake in hindsight. Thankfully one ranker did and all the way up at 108. From now on the solo ranked songs land by their individual rankers at 103, 93, 91, 74, 70, 54 and 39. 3 of them are mine. Where they land on the overall list remains to be seen. 

Anarchy99 comment

An oldie but a goodie from the pre Boy / Three era. Some say it was first developed in 1978, others in 1980. It's listed as having been performed live 5 times in that time frame. Sounds like a prototypical post punk U2 song. Not officially released

Total Points - 7.10

Rankers - 1

Highest and only rank - 108

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 270

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #269 - Be There

Just poor. I realise its an unfinished work. They probably didnt think there was anything further worth developing. Only lands this high because 2 of us voted for it. Its a rare unreleased track from this era. It starts with promise, but just ends up as a mess. 

Anarchy99 comment

A demo / studio outtake recorded in 1982 as part of the songs considered for the War album. To date, it has not been included as a bonus track, digital download, or added to a box set, or rare tracks collection. Decent track, sets a mood, and has the makings of a decent song if they worked a little more on it. Not officially released.

Total Points - 7.23

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 135

Lowest Rank - 262

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 269

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) - > #138 - Slug

Comment - The highest ranking new song to these rankings. Only 4 of us added this Passengers track. I just love the gorgeous synth and feel of the track. Bono’s understated vocals don’t kick in until just before the 2 minute mark. Its much more my genre of music and I wish U2 did an album like this. This track is Kraftwerkian in its feel and execution. Nuf ced. 

Total Points - 107.75

Rankers - 4

Average Points per rank - 26.94 (Approximately a 48th rank). 

Ranks 75th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 15

Lowest Rank - 94

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 138

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - We have a #15 ranking. My ranking of #54 second highest. Two other rankings in the top 100 has this track land higher than any other track that missed the first set of rankings. On a points per ranker rating its at about 75. astonishing. I know theres a big backer of this song that fell afoul of the trolls in the political forum. Never mind, its an impressive effort for this to rank as the 3rd highest Passengers somg. 

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(Unranked) > #270- Jack in the Box

I didn’t rank this one. When i got to this one I was trying to limit the amount of songs from Anarchys list and skipped over this one after a couple of listens. Why I listed songs like Trevor, Bang a Gong and Cartoon World,  but not listing this one is a mistake in hindsight. Thankfully one ranker did and all the way up at 108. From now on the solo ranked songs land by their individual rankers at 103, 93, 91, 74, 70, 54 and 39. 3 of them are mine. Where they land on the overall list remains to be seen. 

Anarchy99 comment

An oldie but a goodie from the pre Boy / Three era. Some say it was first developed in 1978, others in 1980. It's listed as having been performed live 5 times in that time frame. Sounds like a prototypical post punk U2 song. Not officially released

Total Points - 7.10

Rankers - 1

Highest and only rank - 108

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 270

No special version requested

Not bad.   Can see why it didn’t get released.  A bit unstructured and Bono’s sort of all over the place.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(Unranked) > #269 - Be There

Just poor. I realise its an unfinished work. They probably didnt think there was anything further worth developing. Only lands this high because 2 of us voted for it. Its a rare unreleased track from this era. It starts with promise, but just ends up as a mess. 

Anarchy99 comment

A demo / studio outtake recorded in 1982 as part of the songs considered for the War album. To date, it has not been included as a bonus track, digital download, or added to a box set, or rare tracks collection. Decent track, sets a mood, and has the makings of a decent song if they worked a little more on it. Not officially released.

Total Points - 7.23

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 135

Lowest Rank - 262

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 269

No special version requested

I was listening to this thinking “imagine you are a music Exec and all you hear is this song.”   Maybe there is something “there” buried deep.  But it’s a tough listen (for me at least).

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(Unranked) - > #138 - Slug

Comment - The highest ranking new song to these rankings. Only 4 of us added this Passengers track. I just love the gorgeous synth and feel of the track. Bono’s understated vocals don’t kick in until just before the 2 minute mark. Its much more my genre of music and I wish U2 did an album like this. This track is Kraftwerkian in its feel and execution. Nuf ced. 

Total Points - 107.75

Rankers - 4

Average Points per rank - 26.94 (Approximately a 48th rank). 

Ranks 75th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 15

Lowest Rank - 94

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 138

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - We have a #15 ranking. My ranking of #54 second highest. Two other rankings in the top 100 has this track land higher than any other track that missed the first set of rankings. On a points per ranker rating its at about 75. astonishing. I know theres a big backer of this song that fell afoul of the trolls in the political forum. Never mind, its an impressive effort for this to rank as the 3rd highest Passengers somg. 

Really love the sound.  Can imagine being in some after hours bar listening to it.  Vocals are a bit boring to me, but that’s my only complaint.  Very chill.  Good stuff.

 

[Brony]

(Unranked) - > #138 - Slug

Comment - The highest ranking new song to these rankings. Only 4 of us added this Passengers track. I just love the gorgeous synth and feel of the track. Bono’s understated vocals don’t kick in until just before the 2 minute mark. Its much more my genre of music and I wish U2 did an album like this. This track is Kraftwerkian in its feel and execution. Nuf ced. 

Total Points - 107.75

Rankers - 4

Average Points per rank - 26.94 (Approximately a 48th rank). 

Ranks 75th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 15

Lowest Rank - 94

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 138

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - We have a #15 ranking. My ranking of #54 second highest. Two other rankings in the top 100 has this track land higher than any other track that missed the first set of rankings. On a points per ranker rating its at about 75. astonishing. I know theres a big backer of this song that fell afoul of the trolls in the political forum. Never mind, its an impressive effort for this to rank as the 3rd highest Passengers somg. 

I didn't realize we were adding in the other Passengers tracks.  Love this one.  There are a couple of clunkers on that album, but not Slug.   You can really hear the Brian Eno influence on this track.  Creates a great atmosphere. 

 

[foxco]

Think I enjoyed Slug more set to 2001, that was pretty cool. Not bad, probably would never put it on intentionally but interesting sound, decent mood music.