Where in the world are the middle-aged dummies? Worldwide top 31 song countdown. (1 Viewer)

[Mummy4]

@higgins , what have we learned about leaving the safety of this thread? Be very careful - we don't want to lose you!

Ham thread?

 

[krista4]

@higgins , what have we learned about leaving the safety of this thread? Be very careful - we don't want to lose you!

Ham thread?

Yep.

 

[zamboni]

@higgins , what have we learned about leaving the safety of this thread? Be very careful - we don't want to lose you!

Ham thread?

Yep.

He makes a good point though. Magnum would be proud.

 

[simey]

The Dreaded Marco:

In Your Bright Ray - Grant McLennan
(new song)


Mister CIA:

2541 - Robert Forster (Australia)
(new artist)

Looky there. Grant McLennan and Robert Forster (of the Go-Betweens) are side by side today.

 

[rockaction]

Did you see Fat Mike is opening a Punk Rock Museum in Vegas?

@rockaction

Go Fat Mike! Make it happen!

In all seriousness, Fat Mike, for all of the guff he takes about certain stuff in the punk world, is truly a mensch in his own way. He probably knows more about the heart of punk in his soul than almost anyone. Good for him to be doing this. I can't think of a better curator now that I really have thought about it.

 

[simey]

@higgins , what have we learned about leaving the safety of this thread? Be very careful - we don't want to lose you!

Ham thread?

Yep.

He makes a good point though. Magnum would be proud.

I give him a .

 

[titusbramble]

Thoughts on my next few selections:

11 - Kind of minorly surprised that this hasn't got at least a minor pick earlier, maybe it was not quite as prevalent in the US at the time as I thought it was. Which is odd, as it was on one of the channels the first time I flew to the US on AA. Oh well.
10 - Probably the last track I picked up purely off of KEXP, although one artist remaining to be picked I probably heard frequently on there (although at that stage maybe they were too big, who knows). Plenty of decent records I could have picked from the album in question, which is clearly not one of the artist in question's favourites, but I went for my favourite, and who doesn't like a 15 minute track
9 - Moderately bog standard US/UK crossover band selection. Could have gone a number of ways with the band in question, especially of the band's second album which this came off - I just went with the one which I actually bought the single for so I clearly preferred it at the time
8 - Nearly the final foreign language record I'm taking. I thought this band might have gotten more love than they have right now, which is zero, I've gone for something more recent than the arguable peak of their powers which was some time earlier, they come out of my favourite German city if only because of the beer
7 - Already been selected more than once. Glorious track, fantastic album, but not my favourite as I will take another song later on
6 - Have taken a few tracks off of this rather wide genre, but this is clearly a peak. It redefined everything and still stands up today, it is so perfectly deep and chilled and the perfect ending to anything

 

[krista4]

11 - Kind of minorly surprised that this hasn't got at least a minor pick earlier, maybe it was not quite as prevalent in the US at the time as I thought it was. Which is odd, as it was on one of the channels the first time I flew to the US on AA. Oh well.

I was surprised this artist didn't get more love overall. They were definitely big here in the types of circles that many of us seem to be a part of, but seem to be somewhat forgotten by these middle-aged dummies.

 

[krista4]

The Dreaded Marco:

In Your Bright Ray - Grant McLennan
(new song)


Mister CIA:

2541 - Robert Forster (Australia)
(new artist)

Looky there. Grant McLennan and Robert Forster (of the Go-Betweens) are side by side today.

I realized this this morning and was not to have worked it into my previews last night.

 

[MAC_32]

Should I skip tomorrow since it's Easter and also will have a lot of Masters going on? I don't care either way, since I'm not an Easter celebrant.

Probably...but thats up to you. Weekends are usually pretty slow as is.

Spring weekend listening doesn't work in my world. That's the primary reason I fell behind and am not gonna ketchup. Just bummed I've been too distracted at work to engage during the windows I had during the american countdown.

MIss having you around! Hopefully you can catch up some later.

I figured I'd fall behind, but last week was supposed to begin stabilization. Instead on Monday I got a 2 week notice and an unlikely to replace the position message. I'll keep hitting play each morning, but expect things to keep going sideways within the first hour. Although given the heavy makeup of today's list it may be well received by the time it hits my ears.

 

[krista4]

Should I skip tomorrow since it's Easter and also will have a lot of Masters going on? I don't care either way, since I'm not an Easter celebrant.

Probably...but thats up to you. Weekends are usually pretty slow as is.

Spring weekend listening doesn't work in my world. That's the primary reason I fell behind and am not gonna ketchup. Just bummed I've been too distracted at work to engage during the windows I had during the american countdown.

MIss having you around! Hopefully you can catch up some later.

I figured I'd fall behind, but last week was supposed to begin stabilization. Instead on Monday I got a 2 week notice and an unlikely to replace the position message. I'll keep hitting play each morning, but expect things to keep going sideways within the first hour. Although given the heavy makeup of today's list it may be well received by the time it hits my ears.

Oh no, you're losing the headcount? That's the worst. So sorry. Yeah, go for the bangers.

 

[simey]

A few known to me favorites from this round excluding songs that have already appeared.

Carefree Highway - One of my favorites by Gordon.
Killing the Blues - I love them together.
How Can You Mend a Broken - So good.
In Your Bright Day - It's cool to have this song and the one below it side by side. It shows the differences in their styles and voices.
2541 - See above
Lucky Ones -
Rockin' Chair -
Hang 'Em High - I haven't heard this in ages.
Reptilia -
Brighton Rock -
Sheena is a Punk Rocker -
Jet - I always think of the following quote (and the 70s) when I hear this song: “I remember Richard and Karen Carpenter ringing me up to tell me about ‘Jet’ – they were like the last people on Earth I thought who’d like ‘Jet’!” McCartney told Clash Magazine. “But they were like, ‘Oh, great record, man!’ So, you know, it was actually resonating with people

A few unknown new favorites.

Bandages
Senegal Fast Food
The Afterlight
Starseed
Preta Pretinha
Crazy
Sodade

 

[simey]

The Dreaded Marco:

In Your Bright Ray - Grant McLennan
(new song)


Mister CIA:

2541 - Robert Forster (Australia)
(new artist)

Looky there. Grant McLennan and Robert Forster (of the Go-Betweens) are side by side today.

I realized this this morning and was not to have worked it into my previews last night.

You've been a bit busy so I did it for you.

 

[MAC_32]

Should I skip tomorrow since it's Easter and also will have a lot of Masters going on? I don't care either way, since I'm not an Easter celebrant.

Probably...but thats up to you. Weekends are usually pretty slow as is.

Spring weekend listening doesn't work in my world. That's the primary reason I fell behind and am not gonna ketchup. Just bummed I've been too distracted at work to engage during the windows I had during the american countdown.

MIss having you around! Hopefully you can catch up some later.

I figured I'd fall behind, but last week was supposed to begin stabilization. Instead on Monday I got a 2 week notice and an unlikely to replace the position message. I'll keep hitting play each morning, but expect things to keep going sideways within the first hour. Although given the heavy makeup of today's list it may be well received by the time it hits my ears.

Oh no, you're losing the headcount? That's the worst. So sorry. Yeah, go for the bangers.

We are beginning implementation into a new ERP, which will result in reduced headcount but will require increased labor short term to get there. Thing is we are also dealing with cash flow problems. We are exploring 'creative solutions' utilizing my bosses other reports.

 

[Mt. Man]

Should I skip tomorrow since it's Easter and also will have a lot of Masters going on? I don't care either way, since I'm not an Easter celebrant.

I wouldn't mind.
At the same time, I don't have many plans for tomorrow beyond listening to music and cooking dinner. So don't base it too heavily on me.

 

[rockaction]

rockaction:

Bandages - Hot Hot Heat (Canada)
(new artist)

This is one that I loved from 2002. A rollicking Canadian rock band in the best traditions of what might be called updated glam, "Bandages" features wonderful keyboard work, a good old-fashioned plaintive lyric, and ethereal backing vocals ("oooh ooooh ooooh") that I love. Hot Hot Heat would put out Make Up The Breakdown and the almost-as-cool Elevator, but fame sort of eluded this indie band even though they had the chops and pop hooks to break it big.

That's likely because breaking it big into public consciousness was passe or impossible for a pure rock band by 2006 or 2007, so they're in that indie scene niche from the aughts that quite a few of us remember, but they never made a dent in the public consciousness writ large. They're a Meet-Me-In-The-Bathroom band, but they weren't from New York, thus lacking the locational mythos and fervent scensterism that propelled many others, but never propelled them. In short, they were a smash for us, but el floppo if they had grander designs.

 

[Mummy4]

Jet - I always think of the following quote (and the 70s) when I hear this song: “I remember Richard and Karen Carpenter ringing me up to tell me about ‘Jet’ – they were like the last people on Earth I thought who’d like ‘Jet’!” McCartney told Clash Magazine. “But they were like, ‘Oh, great record, man!’ So, you know, it was actually resonating with people

you know ...the Wings were covered by some heavy hitters ...total respect.

choreographer

 

[Mummy4]

We are beginning implementation into a new ERP, which will result in reduced headcount but will require increased labor short term to get there. Thing is we are also dealing with cash flow problems. We are exploring 'creative solutions' utilizing my bosses other reports.

so who is the consulting firm driving the "improvements"?

I've dealt with a number of them ...the playbook is the same.

 

[Mt. Man]

I’m guessing we won’t see much more Dream Theater. Then again, I was mildly surprised seeing one selection early (even if it was as a stand-in for another band), so what do I know? There ended up being some good conversation about the song, so that’s a win in my book.

#13s
Recognized by title alone: 16
Sounded familiar: 5
Knew from this countdown: 2
Didn't know: 20

Selected Favorites:
Middle of the Road (DrIanMalcolm)
Dance Me to the End of Love (shuke)
Your Woman (titusbramble)
Sweet City Woman (simsarge) Major flashback here!

Some songs I didn't know that I ended up liking:
An Irish Pub Song (otb_lifer) - Passing this one onto a friend that I know would also dig it.
Ain’t Got No Sense (rockaction)
Forbidden Colours (JML1)
Heart in Hand (KarmaPolice)

Dig the Vibe: Chuco’s Cumbia (worrierking)

 

[MAC_32]

We are beginning implementation into a new ERP, which will result in reduced headcount but will require increased labor short term to get there. Thing is we are also dealing with cash flow problems. We are exploring 'creative solutions' utilizing my bosses other reports.

so who is the consulting firm driving the "improvements"?

I've dealt with a number of them ...the playbook is the same.

I work at a private non-profit college that is currently 'operating' within a disconnected dos system, so I'm not too concerned about the inevitable faults of our new software provider. As I told sr leadership when they started down this path in fall this needed to be done 5-7 years ago.

 

[Mt. Man]

Going to have a bit of a palate cleanse, and then start diving into the 12s/20 pointers.
Obviously I haven't listened, but it looks like a strong showing today. Plus I'm sure a number of new things for me to discover.

 

[Mummy4]

We are beginning implementation into a new ERP, which will result in reduced headcount but will require increased labor short term to get there. Thing is we are also dealing with cash flow problems. We are exploring 'creative solutions' utilizing my bosses other reports.

so who is the consulting firm driving the "improvements"?

I've dealt with a number of them ...the playbook is the same.

I work at a private non-profit college that is currently 'operating' within a disconnected dos system, so I'm not too concerned about the inevitable faults of our new software provider. As I told sr leadership when they started down this path in fall this needed to be done 5-7 years ago.

so it's SAP?

if so ...welcome to Nazi Germany and necessary change orders that will cost a fortune and then haunt whoever has to live with the ****in thing in years to come with every "upgrade"

sorry man.

 

[MAC_32]

We are beginning implementation into a new ERP, which will result in reduced headcount but will require increased labor short term to get there. Thing is we are also dealing with cash flow problems. We are exploring 'creative solutions' utilizing my bosses other reports.

so who is the consulting firm driving the "improvements"?

I've dealt with a number of them ...the playbook is the same.

I work at a private non-profit college that is currently 'operating' within a disconnected dos system, so I'm not too concerned about the inevitable faults of our new software provider. As I told sr leadership when they started down this path in fall this needed to be done 5-7 years ago.

so it's SAP?

if so ...welcome to Nazi Germany and change necessary change orders that will cost a fortune and then haunt whoever has to live with the ****in thing in years to come with every "upgrade"

sorry man.

Was - we are converting to the cloud. No more upgrade nightmares that fix one problem and create five new ones. Or at least when there are problems our support knows how to address them cause it isn't a dos system from the 80's.

 

[Mummy4]

We are beginning implementation into a new ERP, which will result in reduced headcount but will require increased labor short term to get there. Thing is we are also dealing with cash flow problems. We are exploring 'creative solutions' utilizing my bosses other reports.

so who is the consulting firm driving the "improvements"?

I've dealt with a number of them ...the playbook is the same.

I work at a private non-profit college that is currently 'operating' within a disconnected dos system, so I'm not too concerned about the inevitable faults of our new software provider. As I told sr leadership when they started down this path in fall this needed to be done 5-7 years ago.

so it's SAP?

if so ...welcome to Nazi Germany and change necessary change orders that will cost a fortune and then haunt whoever has to live with the ****in thing in years to come with every "upgrade"

sorry man.

Was - we are converting to the cloud. No more upgrade nightmares that fix one problem and create five new ones. Or at least when there are problems our support knows how to address them cause it isn't a dos system from the 80's.

sounds like a dream MAC ...wish you guys the best ...I'm not a software guy but I've worked with it, and around it for a long time

if it can truly work that way - that would be a true godsend

hope they're not selling your people a bill of goods ...you know the model ...

you got our "stuff" ...now you're ****ing hooked buddy

 

[AAABatteries]

SAP is the Billy Joel of software.

-UH

 

[MAC_32]

We are beginning implementation into a new ERP, which will result in reduced headcount but will require increased labor short term to get there. Thing is we are also dealing with cash flow problems. We are exploring 'creative solutions' utilizing my bosses other reports.

so who is the consulting firm driving the "improvements"?

I've dealt with a number of them ...the playbook is the same.

I work at a private non-profit college that is currently 'operating' within a disconnected dos system, so I'm not too concerned about the inevitable faults of our new software provider. As I told sr leadership when they started down this path in fall this needed to be done 5-7 years ago.

so it's SAP?

if so ...welcome to Nazi Germany and change necessary change orders that will cost a fortune and then haunt whoever has to live with the ****in thing in years to come with every "upgrade"

sorry man.

Was - we are converting to the cloud. No more upgrade nightmares that fix one problem and create five new ones. Or at least when there are problems our support knows how to address them cause it isn't a dos system from the 80's.

sounds like a dream MAC ...wish you guys the best ...I'm not a software guy but I've worked with it, and around it for a long time

if it can truly work that way - that would be a true godsend

hope they're not selling your people a bill of goods ...you know the model ...

you got our "stuff" ...now you're ****ing hooked buddy

Our budget managers currently make decisions based on info that is always at least 3-7 weeks old, we cannot validate bills before distributing to students, and outside of the 1st of the month I do not have the ability to say how much we have available in our bank account (I'm the controller).

It can't get worse.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

SAP is the Billy Joel of software.

-UH

The Sophtware Slump is ineligible https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sophtware_Slump

 

[rockaction]

SAP is the Billy Joel of software.

-UH

The Sophtware Slump is ineligible https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sophtware_Slump

A music reviewer for The Guardian, Dorian Lynskey, called it [Jed the Humanoid] "the saddest robot song ever written."

I disagree for the moment. The song that is about Marvin, The Paranoid Android that features a female robot singing "Marvin, I love you. Remember I am programmed to," with the double meaning stemming from the confusion between the aural "to" and "too" and all, is probably the saddest existential lament ever by a first-person narrated song from the perspective of a robot, though I'd have to hear that track off of The Sophtware Slump to be absolutely certain.

Right now, I'm finding it hard to believe anything beats the Marvin one, which used to be played every so often on Dr. Demento's syndicated show back when I was a kid.

 

[shuke]

Newly posted known favorites:
Eephus: Reptilia - The Strokes
KarmaPolice: My Michelle - Guns N' Roses
Zegras11: Jet - Wings

Favorite new to me:
The Dreaded Marco: In Your Bright Ray - Grant McLennan

 

[krista4]

Too many known favorites for today for me to type them all, so I'll just give two special shout-outs. First goes to "Crazy" by Icehouse, which was one I saw on a list and wondered why I hadn't thought of it. Might not have scraped onto mine, but should have been in consideration. Second, brilliant choice of "Con te partiro" by Andrea Bocelli. Truly superb and stunning performance.

New-to-me favorites!
- "2541" by Robert Forster
- "The Afterlight" by Robyn Hitchcock
- "Fantastic Man" by William Onyeabor, with apologies to whoever chose it the first time

Two superstar new-to-me top favorites of the day:
- "Preta Pretinha" by Novos Baianos
- "Killing the Blues" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

 

[krista4]

I neglected to post an update of this when "All Along the Watchtower" was taken, but tomorrow we'll get our third entry relating to this question from the SUPER-AWESOME-WORLD-MEGA-CONTEST!!!111

1. It’s Deja VoteVu All Over Again.

Which of the following top scorers in prior countdowns will NOT have a song covered in this countdown: (a) The Beatles, (b) David Bowie, (c) Bob Dylan (taken - All Along the Watchtower), (d) The Kinks, or (e) none of the above (all will be covered)?

 

[krista4]

We have a triple-up from an artist tomorrow, with each of the three songs being new to the countdown.

Thus concludes my summary for the evening.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

We have a triple-up from an artist tomorrow, with each of the three songs being new to the countdown.

Thus concludes my summary for the evening.

This is a ... different ... approach from yesterday's summary.

 

[Zegras11]

shuke:

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - The Band …...........Canadian-American
(duplicate – second AND third votes today)

Is this on that K-Tel album?

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

We have a triple-up from an artist tomorrow, with each of the three songs being new to the countdown.

Thus concludes my summary for the evening.

This is a ... different ... approach from yesterday's summary.

Indubitably.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

New-to-me favorites from #13:

Original Sufferhead -- Fela Kuti (OH). Even more spectacular than the other Fela entries (and not because it's longer).
Heart in Hand -- Opeth (KarmaPolice). My favorite of the Opeth tracks so far. The main riff and vocal really grabbed me, and then the whole thing took a left turn toward the end.
So What? -- Ministry (Scorchy). No idea what's going on with the vocal, but the beat is a grabber.
A Certain Slant of Light -- The Tea Party (Manster). My favorite of the Tea Party tracks so far. Sounds like the Doors without being a parody.
Rock Bottom -- UFO (Zamboni). Amazing performance by Schenker.
Play the Game -- Queen (Doc Oc). Apparently this was released as a single but I don't recognize it. Definitely a Beatles-via-ELO vibe going on here.
Bra -- Cymande (Ilov80s). Amazing groove. I have seen the movie 25th Hour, which this was allegedly used in, but I don't remember it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I knew 24 songs from the #12s, not counting my own but counting repeats.

Known-to-me favorites from #12, not counting my own or Band on the Run, Fight the Good Fight and Low Rider, which are known to be on my list:

Hey, Hey, My, My (Into the Black) -- Neil Young (DrIanMalcolm)
Jet -- Wings (Zegras11)
Go Your Own Way -- Fleetwood Mac (Binky)
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down -- The Band (Chaos34 and Shuke)
Sheena Is a Punk Rocker -- The Ramones (Westerberg). Shoutout also to the Husker Du cover.
Master of Puppets -- Metallica (OH). Eddie!
The Wind Cries Mary -- The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Simey)
Carefree Highway -- Gordon Lightfoot (Andy). This is a go-to when I want to feel blissed out.
Magic Carpet Ride -- Steppenwolf (Val Rannous)
Fade to Black -- Metallica (Mt. Man). As I said, probably my #1 and #2 Metallica were selected today. This was the first song of theirs I ever heard -- one of the FM stations in Philly played it when it came out.
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart -- Bee Gees (Krista4). This might be my favorite of their pre-disco material.
My Michelle -- Guns N' Roses (KarmaPolice)
Send Me an Angel -- Real Life (John Maddens Lunchbox)

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Play the Game -- Queen (Doc Oc). Apparently this was released as a single but I don't recognize it. Definitely a Beatles-via-ELO vibe going on here.

It's the first track on their album The Game.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Play the Game -- Queen (Doc Oc). Apparently this was released as a single but I don't recognize it. Definitely a Beatles-via-ELO vibe going on here.

It's the first track on their album The Game.

I knew that. Not an album I’ve listened to.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I didn't see if there was a decision on if we are getting the songs today, but I just had the random thought that mine has some religious and resurrection themes going on and it would be fitting if it was on Easter.

 

[simey]

I didn't see if there was a decision on if we are getting the songs today, but I just had the random thought that mine has some religious and resurrection themes going on and it would be fitting if it was on Easter.

According to the artist(s) that wrote my song today, it was influenced by gospel, and there is a sentence in the chorus that is taken from the Bible.

 

[Mt. Man]

The title of my #11 would be appropriate for a holiday. Just not particularly Easter.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I am looking forward to songs with eggs in the title.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Play the Game -- Queen (Doc Oc). Apparently this was released as a single but I don't recognize it. Definitely a Beatles-via-ELO vibe going on here.

It's the first track on their album The Game.

I knew that. Not an album I’ve listened to.

Except for the first song, now.

 

[zamboni]

I am looking forward to songs with eggs in the title.

Frasier theme tune - Kelsey Grammer

Tossed Salad and Scrambled eggs

youtu.be

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I didn't see if there was a decision on if we are getting the songs today, but I just had the random thought that mine has some religious and resurrection themes going on and it would be fitting if it was on Easter.

According to the artist(s) that wrote my song today, it was influenced by gospel, and there is a sentence in the chorus that is taken from the Bible.

My songs mentions jokers and thieves - make whatever connection to the Catholic Church that you will.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I am looking forward to songs with eggs in the title.

Anyone have any “Yesterday” demos?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

My pick was previously stolen from me. I wish I had ranked it lower.

 

[otb_lifer]

I didn't see if there was a decision on if we are getting the songs today, but I just had the random thought that mine has some religious and resurrection themes going on and it would be fitting if it was on Easter.

According to the artist(s) that wrote my song today, it was influenced by gospel, and there is a sentence in the chorus that is taken from the Bible.

My songs mentions jokers and thieves - make whatever connection to the Catholic Church that you will.

that's much more Jehovah Witness - hell, "Watchtower" is the name of their "bulletin leaflets"

 

[simey]

I didn't see if there was a decision on if we are getting the songs today, but I just had the random thought that mine has some religious and resurrection themes going on and it would be fitting if it was on Easter.

According to the artist(s) that wrote my song today, it was influenced by gospel, and there is a sentence in the chorus that is taken from the Bible.

My songs mentions jokers and thieves - make whatever connection to the Catholic Church that you will.

that's much more Jehovah Witness - hell, "Watchtower" is the name of their "bulletin leaflets"

A moderator deleted my post in the past when I said Jehovah's Witnesses worship the doorbell.