Board 8 > Mega Mana Ranks The Songs

(+) Yeah! (+)

#6. That Funny Feeling
Artist: Bo Burnham
Nominator: CoolCly (2/5)
Time: 5:07
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObOqq1knVxs
Initial Rankings: Batch 7 - 3/15 (B+) & Rubric 3
FLUX: Even

Incongruity! Dysfunction! Stress! Irony! Juxtaposition! Disassociation!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEsNDDwhSJ4

I don't know Bo Burnham any. I tried watching "Inside" once in 2021, and fell asleep about fifteen minutes in. This is just... *searches for words, eyes looking up at the walls and ceiling and around, aware of the tongue playing about with my gums, thinking about the lyrics and despair and inevitably and*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEsNDDwhSJ4

@CoolCly

P.S. I really need "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life" back right after this in the playlist.

#5. Chicago
Artist: Sufjan Stevens
Nominator: MaxGalactica (1/5)
Time: 6:04
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edpLqHYp4XY
Initial Rankings: Batch 6 - 2/15 (A-) & Rubric 4
FLUX: Down 2 Spots

"The beginning piano tinkle also always makes me think of a song still to come." - The world of spirit write-up

I don't really know what to say about this. It's just so beautiful to listen to. That's probably the biggest problem with talking about my top five. I just love them. I have no justifications or reasons, they just exist up on this higher plane of enjoyment. I love the instruments that pop in and out, I love the soothingness of the voice, I love the choral singers, I've made a lot of mistakes in my mind, in my mind. It's just a sweeping pretty song. Starting afresh somewhere, freedom to start a new journey. Being there with the support of a friend so you don't have to face it alone. Just a lovely song.

*NEW* 10th Place. MaxGalactica
#118. Radiohead, "Idioteque"
#91. Camille Saint-Sans, "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A Minor, Op. 28"
#39. Bjrk, "Bachelorette (Family Tree Version)"
#10. Foo Fighters, "Everlong"
#5. Sufjan Stevens, "Chicago"
Average Score: 52.6
Total Score: 263

Alright, let's try this one more time and see if anything's changed.

...This is really happening. Happening...

Nope, I don't get Radiohead.

I had a lot of fun listening to your nominations, and... I should probably start being serious after "Idioteque" ends. The singer just started singing in only my right ear and I hate it.

Ah, okay. "Intro & Rondo." I had a lot of fun listening to your nominations. "Chicago," "Everlong," and "Bachelorette" are wonderful. I don't grasp onto your entries emotionally like I've done with so many others, but I appreciate them a lot. "Intro & Rondo" is beautiful, and much better playing behind typing these words than empty on its own and compared to other pieces. Thank you for both a good time, and for letting me explore and experience a part of the '90s that I ignored and will likely continue to ignore. Don't wanna be some pretender.

@MaxGalactica

#4. dreamy night
Artist: LilyPichu
Nominator: CoolCly (1/5)
Time: 4:05
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXuNJ267Vss
Initial Rankings: Batch 7 - 1/15 (A) & Rubric 1
FLUX: Up 1 Spot

It's so late in the night, my mind is drif-ting away
Then I dream about times I wished for a new happier day
If a hand could reach out right now, and save my life somehow
I'll face the sun again
As soon as this dreary night ends

I don't know why, but I feel like I need to be swept up into some choreographed dance while this is playing. Arm movements, sweeping camera shots... a less energetic "Herald of Darkness" finale. It's peaceful, pulsing, pretty. I've put this on a few times to fall asleep to, and it's been pleasant. It's wanting. An escape. It helps pull myself out of a depression or shame spiral. It's Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle" of helpful encouragement. There's some dysmorphic thoughts that pairs to this, too, that I'll just leave noted and nothing more. Lovely and wonderful and graceful and mmm I forget about those tinkling piano keys and the bit where her voice is all fuzzy before bouncing into the forefront and I love that simple but effective maneuver.

The only thing I'm sad about is that it's not top three.

*NEW* 12th Place. CoolCly
#116. Carly Rae Jepsen, "Both Sides Now"
#113. Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward, "Dragonsong"
#76. lights, "Cactus in the Valley (Feat. Owl City)"
#6. Bo Burnham, "That Funny Feeling"
#4. LilyPichu, "dreamy night"
Average Score: 63
Total Score: 315

Dreamlike. From behind the clouds of Carly Rae to LilyPichu's dreamy night and all the lights throughout the valley, there is a soaring skyborne quality to a lot of the songs. Easy to get swept away by, whether it be in Final Fantasy nostalgia or existential dread. "dreamy night" capstones it all with a beautiful message of hope and introspection. So much love, so many thanks. I will listen to that one often for as long as we have left (only four more left to go... there it is again, that funny feeling).

@CoolCly

Glad that Sufjan did so well! He might be my favorite musician, period. His folk stuff, his electronic stuff, I love it all.

Chicago's his most well-known song for a reason.

#3. Acacia
Artist: Bump of Chicken
Nominator: Raka_Putra (1/5)
Time: 4:22
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dnT-kKIO6Y
Initial Rankings: Batch 1 - 1/15 (A) & Rubric 2
FLUX: Up 1 Spots

"Oooh. This is a bop. I've had mixed feelings so far, but this hits that itch the topic was created for." - First listen note

I'm glad giving this an 'A' at the outset wasn't a reaction to the first batch of nominations I had. The next highest song of those first fifteen is #51 (also by Raka). Acacia wasn't a fluke or overreaction; it's so, so good. Holding itself ahead of "dreamy night," "Ghostwriter," "Chiacgo," "That Funny Feeling," and "traitor" for the bronze medal is a huge credit to its positivity, vibrancy, the updraft and uplift of spirit. I have no idea what's being said and I don't want to end up diminishing it if I look up the translation. It's just a sunny cool late spring morning heading to the beach, everything is bright and there are goals and memories to be made. An absolute joy.

More on "Acacia," actually. I mention in the following it being the 'love violet in a sea of yellows and oranges, and that's so true. The first two batches combined average 75.73 points, which would put it in 18th place. "the world is yours" & "Knocked Down, Made Small" were both top ten bound from early on only to fall away against any sort of competition. "Acacia" stood strong. "Acacia" held strong. A testament to how good "Acacia" is that it stood tall over everything early on, and didn't wither or bend or bow.

*NEW* 17th Place. Raka_Putra
#108. Bob Crosby and the Bob Cats, "Dear Hearts And Gentle People"
#105. the_miracle_aligner, "Pumped Up Kicks 1066 AD Cover in Old English"
#86. Rent (Movie Cast), "Another Day"
#51. 1992 Australian Cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, "The Last Supper"
#3. Bump of Chicken, "Acacia"
Average Score: 70.6
Total Score: 353

Probably the most strange and over-the-place of nominations. "Dear Hearts And Gentle People" is the solidest and goldest of oldies, and got me playing Fallout 3 again for the majority of February. "Pumped Up Kicks 1066 AD" is... what. How. What. "Another Day" and "The Last Supper" went from zeroes to heroes and were both core to implementing Weighted Rankings, and the Blockbuster & Flux Tiers. "Acacia" is the lone 'violet' in a sea of oranges and yellows. Thank you for an eclectic selection; you always bring choices I would never dream of, and these topics are always made better because of your contributions. Thank you so much. I wish Nio and natwaf were around to rank alongside you.

@Raka_Putra

Did flubbin really get the top 2 spots lol. I can't even be mad, that's impressive

It's so stupid how unreasonably happy this makes me. I swear I've been nominating songs in topics like this for a decade at this point and this is the first time I've gotten the number one spot lol

I think this is also the best I've done overall in any song rankings too, 9th might be my highest placement also? Somewhere close to there at least.

#2. Pelican Canyon
Artist: Du Blonde & Samuel T. Herring
Nominator: mcflubbin (2/5)
Time: 3:46
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkbaF3nnM9g
Initial Rankings: Batch 3 - 1/15 (A) & Rubric 1
FLUX: Even

"w i l d f i r e" - First listen note

I'm fairly sure I'm a straight ace, but there's absolutely something in the way Herring growls out "wildfire" that does sparks something in my brain. It's a gorgeous song with two gorgeous voices coming together to play something beautiful. I don't know what it's about. The lyrics and tune feel like they could be down with "After the Storm" and "Cactus in the Valley" for all that I mentioned about simplicity and emptiness, but it doesn't. I know there... there are some feelings I've locked away regarding old age, a grandparent with dementia, a mother in her advanced years fighting cancer and retirement and the loss of her strength and vitality, and it's a shame to see the eyes of such golden souls grow dim... So I leant far less into those thoughts since January and just enjoy the music and voices and beautiful guitar and question my lacking sexuality at the hands of the wildfire.

@mcflubbin

.

#1. Miami
Artist: Caroline Rose
Nominator: mcflubbin (1/5)
Time: 4:37
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mqVCCy2np0
Initial Rankings: Batch 3 - 2/15 (A) & Rubric 2
FLUX: Even

"I try not to comment on videos, but absolutely beautiful video" - First listen note

<3

Every verse could probably use a comment. Every verse hits something, somewhere in me, and I can't express any of it. I wil lsay that the hardest, hardest line every single time is with, "Well you know your father and I are in the last stage of our lives," and I don't really want to say more on it. This is a tough song, and emotional, and I've smelt someone cutting onions more on this than all other songs combined (yes, including all the Rodrigo). It's the best song, it's the best video, it's a better reality punch to the face than "That Funny Feeling," it's just gorgeous and wonderful and sad and heartfelt and heartbreaking and tough. It's tough. It's a tough song. I love it so much.

*NEW* 5th Place: mcflubbin
#95. Brigitte Calls Me Baby, "Eddie My Love"
#94. Genesis Owusu, "Leaving the Light"
#28. Yard Act, "Dream Job"
#2. Du Blonde & Samuel T. Herring, "Pelican Canyon"
#1. Caroline Rose, "Miami"
Average Score: 44
Total Score: 220

*big hugs*

*just big hugs*

FINAL RANKINGS

FILL THE CROWN TIER
#1. Miami
#2. Pelican Canyon
#3. Acacia
#4. dreamy night
#5. Chicago
#6. That Funny Feeling
#7. Ghostwriter
#8. traitor
#9. Dark Come Soon
#10. Everlong
#11. The Noble Savage

HARD FEELINGS TIER
#12. drivers license
#13. Herald of Darkness
#14. I've Been Waiting
#15. Car Wash Hair (Full Pull)
#16. vampire
#17. good 4 u
#18. Rose-Colored Boy
#19. Just a Ride
#20. King of Swords (Reversed)
#21. Your Deep Rest
#22.
#23. Rewind
#24. Knocked Down, Made Small
#25. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
#26. Heaven and Hell
#27. The world of spirit
#28. Dream Job
#29. Dana Dan (Indian Folk Metal)
#30. the world is yours

CONCRETE TIER
#31. Be the GAL~Early Summer ver.
#32. Skylark Interabang?!
#33. Sleep Dealer
#34. Bubble
#35. The Guillotine
#36. A Lifetime of Adventure
#37. Astronomy
#38. Run
#39. Bachelorette (Family Tree Version)
#40. Canto Della Terra
#41. Seize the Night (Carpe Noctem)
#42. LOVE TRIP
#43. get him back!
#44. The Gathering Sky
#45. Cha Cha Cha (Cover)
#46. Past Lives
#47. Remind Me
#48. Light Up the Night
#49. Feather
#50. Tragedy + Time

LINGER TIER
#51. The Last Supper
#52. Head First in the River
#53. Smoke Too Soon
#54. What We Wanted
#55. Autumn Leaves Revisited
#56. The Fallen Ground
#57. Skies
#58. Tacky
#59. Sexual Healing
#60. Pink Dazzled 45

FLUX TIER
#61. Why You Wanna Break My Heart?
#62. You Make My Dreams Come True
#63. Shine
#64. Castaway
#65. Spanish Mary
#66. Forward to the Past
#67. Winter Wrap-Up
#68. Shakticat
#69. Hors D'uvre
#70. The Murder of Love
#71. Saw Lightning
#72. Cha Cha Cha (Original)
#73. Raisin' Me Up
#74. GHOST
#75. Crash Into Me
#76. Cactus in the Valley (Feat. Owl City)
#77. Speedway
#78. Cryptograph
#79. Pohjolan Lmmin Valo ~ Platinum Solstice
#80. A Tap Dancer's Dilemma
#81. Square Hammer
#82. The Remedy
#83. Wonderland
#84. Cool Cat
#85. Michiru Mori
#86. Another Day
#87. Ain't No Reason
#88. Fight Like A Girl
#89. We Are The one
#90. So What
#91. Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A Minor, Op. 28
#92. U.F.O. - U Feel Overjoyed!
#93. Through the Looking Glass

KNOCKOFF TIER
#94. Leaving the Light
#95. Eddie My Love
#96. Yume Utsutsu
#97. HAJIMORI NO HOSHI
#98. After the Storm
#99. Flathead
#100. Kiss A Little Longer
#101. From the Start
#102. Baby Don't You Do It
#103. tabula rasa
#104. Fight Against An Armed Boss (In-Game Version)
#105. Pumped Up Kicks 1066 AD Cover in Old English
#106. The two cradles / stage2
#107. Night Cruising
#108. Dear Hearts and Gentle People
#109. Trans-Island Skyway
#110. Experienced Girl
#111.
#112. Falling

I DISAGREE TIER
#113. Dragonsong
#114. Main Theme (Towering Inferno)
#115. One Year Of Love
#116. Both Sides Now
#117. 0314
#118. Idioteque
#119. This Is It
#120. Sexy Sexy
#121. Atlas Earth Ad Song
#122. Anywhere Is
#123. Arthuriana
#124. The Art of Sombre Ecstasy
#125. Cherry Chapstick

Youtube Playlist In Order From Best to Worst (Minus "Cool Cat," "Crash Into Me," "Winter Wrap-Up," and "Pohjolan Lammin Valo")
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5kFEfbeZqe9zYmXIbxaQ85arqj03KDRD

Note: "The Dead Flag Blues" has been very helpful separating what's been ranked from what hasn't. I put it between "Tragedy + Time" and "The Last Supper" to denote where it might've ended up and also separate the Top 50 from the rest.

NOMINATOR RANKS
1st [19.2] - Player_0
2nd [31.0] - Bane_Of_Despair
3rd [40.8] - NBIceman
4th [42.8] - Murphiroth
5th [44.0] - mcflubbin
6th [46.6] - Bitto
7th [48.8] - NFUN
8th [52.6] - MaxGalactica
9th [55.2] - DanKirby
10th [61.4] - Steiner
11th [63.0] - CoolCly
12th [63.0] - Blur
13th [63.4] - ZaziGuado
14th [65.4] - Redrocket
15th [67.0] - Fluttershy_Pony
16th [70.4] - rwlh
17th [70.6] - Raka_Putra
18th [76.0] - paulg235
19th [77.5] - Xtlm
20th [77.8] - FL81
21st [78.2] - DoctorJimmy133
22nd [80.0] - BlueCrystalTear
23rd [82.2] - Snake5555555555
24th [86.0] - tazzyboyishere
25th [98.2] - UF8
26th [101.7] - handsomeboy2012

Oh hell yea I'll take 2nd for nominator average, nice

Wow, thank you! I love the poetic way you put it, violet in a sea of yellows and oranges. I'm happy Acacia got this far, especially since there's a pretty big gap between it and my second highest song.

Yeah, I don't actually listen to a lot of non-showtune songs so I try to vary my nominations a bit with what other songs I like. So that's why my nominations usually look like that haha.

Thanks again for running this, I enjoy reading about your impressions and your unique, thorough way of ranking as well. Hope to see you next ranking!

*big hugs*

I'm glad you liked my songs!

Pelican Canyon was a big surprise for me when I stumbled across it on Spotify. I was already a fan of Samuel Herring from his work as the lead singer of Future Islands and from some other miscellaneous songs I've heard him featured on over the years, but I had never heard him sing a stripped back acoustic ballad before, and damn...it really blew me away. I think he might be my favorite male vocalist, actually (shoutouts Sufjan though, that's my boy). The way you described his voice, yeah, I agree lol.

Miami was a big surprise for me as well. I had enjoyed some of Caroline Rose's previous songs, but they were mostly fun and breezy pop songs. I was NOT expecting to be punched in the gut like I was. Such gravitas, what a beautiful song. She absolutely crushed it.

Thanks for running this, it was a pleasure! I'm legitimately super impressed by how seriously you took the rankings and the write-ups. I am personally terrible at describing music (which is why I could never do a ranking like this), but you did a great job! I look forward to listening to that playlist you put together.

And even with the number 1 and number 2 spot, I still got absolutely bodied by Olivia Rodrigo

Nice job finishing this! Ranking topics can be a slog to run/write, especially in the middle section, but it seems like you really had fun with it.

Batch Rankings & Differences from Initial Ranking:

Batch 3 - December 14th, 2023 - (50.3):
1. Miami (Up 1)
2. Pelican Canyon (Down 1)
9. Dark Come Soon (Up 7)
18. Rose-Colored Boy (Down 1)
21. Your Deep Rest (Up 6)
28. Dream Job (Down 2)
40. Canto Della Terra (Down 2)
45. Cha Cha Cha-Cover (Down 1)
52. Head First in the River (Up 3)
55. Autumn Leaves Revisited (Up 3)
70. The Murder of Love (Down 5)
94. Leaving the Light (Up 2)
95. Eddie My Love (Down 4)
104. Fight Against An Armed Boss (Down 6)
121. Atlas Earth (-)

Batch 8 - December 29th, 2023 - (52.6):
11. The Noble Savage (Up 1)
14. I've Been Waiting (Up 3)
23. Rewind (Up 1)
27. The world of spirit (Up 2)
32. Skylark Interabang?! (Up 3)
35. The Guillotine (Up 4)
44. The Gathering Sky (Down 6)
46. Past Lives (Up 5)
49. Feather (Down 6)
56. The Fallen Ground (Down 1)
64. Castaway (Up 3)
83. Wonderland (Down 1)
87. Ain't No Reason (Down 1)
106. The Two Cradles (Down 7)
112. Falling (-)

Batch 6 - December 20th, 2023 - (54.5):
5. Chicago (Up 1)
10. Everlong (Up 3)
19. Just a Ride (Up 4)
26. Heaven and Hell (Down 3)
34. Bubble (Up 9)
38. Run (-)
39. Bachelorette (Down 4)
42. LOVE TRIP (Up 2)
48. Light Up The Night (Down 1)
74. GHOST (Down 1)
77. Speedway (-)
85. Michiru Mori (-)
91. Intro & Rondo (Down 8)
111. (Down 1)
118. Idioteque (-)

Batch 7 - December 27th, 2023 - (57.1):
4. dreamy night (-)
6. That Funny Feeling (Up 1)
13. Herald of Darkness (Up 2)
22. (Up 6)
25. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life (Down 3)
29. Dana Dan (Up 2)
31. Be the GAL (Up 2)
59. Sexual Healing (Up 7)
62. You Make My Dreams Come True (Down 5)
67. Winter Wrap-Up (Down 3)
76. Cactus in the Valley (Down 5)
113. Dragonsong (Down 1)
114. The Towering Inferno (-)
116. Both Sides Now (-)
119. This Is It (Down 3)

Batch 4 - December 14th, 2023 - (58.7):
8. traitor (Up 2)
12. drivers license (Down 1)
16. vampire (Up 1)
17. good 4 u (Down 2)
20. King of Swords Reversed (Up 2)
37. Astronomy (Up 2)
43. get him back! (Down 1)
66. Forward to the Past (Up 5)
79. Cryptograph (Down 4)
80. A Tap Dancer's Dilemma (Up 2)
89. We Are The One (-)
96. Yume Utsutsu (Down 3)
97. HAJIMARI NO HOSHI (Up 1)
103. tabula rasa (Down 4)
117. 0314 (-)

Batch 5 - December 18th, 2023 - (73.8):
7. Ghostwriter (-)
36. A Lifetime of Adventure (-)
47. Remind Me (Up 2)
50. Tragedy + Time (Down 1)
57. Skies (Up 7)
69. Hors D'uvre (-)
72. Cha Cha Cha-Original (Up 1)
79. Pohjolan Lmmin Valo (Down 4)
81. Square Hammer (Down 2)
84. Cool Cat (Up 4)
92. U.F.O. - U Feel Overjoyed! (-)
93. Through the Looking Glass (Down 2)
98. After the Storm (Down 4)
120. Sexy Sexy (Up 1)
122. Anywhere Is (Down 2)

Batch 1 - December 6th, 2023 - (75.4):
3. Acacia (-)
51. The Last Supper (Up 11)
53. Smoke Too Soon (Up 2)
54. What We Wanted (Down 1)
60. Pink Dazzled 45 (Up 1)
65. Spanish Mary (Down 4)
71. Saw Lightning (Down 3)
75. Crash Into Me (Down 1)
86. Another Day (Up 5)
88. Fight Like a Girl (Down 2)
101. From the Start (-)
102. Baby Don't You Do It (Down 2)
105. Pumped Up Kicks (Up 2)
108. Dear Hearts And Gentle People (Down 2)
109. Trans-Island Skyway (Down 6)

Batch 2 - December 11th, 2023 - (76.1):
15. Car Wash Hair (Up 6)
24. Knocked Down, Made Small (Down 1)
30. the world is yours (Down 1)
33. Sleep Dealer (-)
61. Why You Wanna Break My Heart (Down 2)
68. Shakticat (-)
73. Raisin' Me Up (Up 4)
82. The Remedy (-)
90. So What (-)
99. Flathead (Down 5)
100. Kiss A Little Longer (Up 2)
107. Night Cruising (Down 2)
110. Experienced Girl (Down 1)
124. The Art of Sombre Ecstasy (Up 1)
125. Cherry Chapstick (Down 1)

BlueCrystalTier (a.k.a. Lowlife Tier) - February 9th, 2024 - (80)
41. Seize the Night (Up 1)
58. Tacky (Up 1)
63. Shine (Down 2)
115. One Year of Love (-)
123. Arthuriana (-)

And bonus, a tier I wrote up that I never used:

=====LOWLIFE=====

"Oh, this tier's on its own
Fight its fight all alone"
Surprise tier! I completely missed a missing post, and so, @BlueCrystalTear you have your own tier. The name of this tier is less about why you are absent, but that I didn't know you were absent. The same day I learned of your nominations was also the same day I learned that there were Poppy songs I could not find on Spotify because I never thought to search for the artist's older handle 'that poppy'. Extremely cool coincidental fusion of illumination! Let's see how your songs fare!

This will be an interesting tier as there are no initial/weighted/blockbuster anythings to mark its progress. I may ultimately edit where they end up in the future, but I will be casting these songs pretty much on first impressions alone.

And I think my final post, a concise catalog for anyone who wants it:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/e/e52af90f.jpg

I'll be sure to rank more songs soon, and am looking forward to all other rankings happening soon! Thank you all again!

Fun ranking topic! Thanks for running it.

What a ride, thanks for the ranking! Interestingly the top 4 are all from the 2020s, which also holds true for my Olivia Rodrigo noms. I felt the same way as you when I got into her music last summer, that I'd gotten used to filtering her name out and wished someone had told me about her earlier! I'm glad I got to be that music-recommending friend for you - I didn't think too hard about targeting my picks, mostly wanted to highlight an artist in the modern pop landscape. Her two albums are a short and fun listen too, but I really feel she's at her best in her singles - deja vu is the one I wished I had room for! Still feels weird that she was born 2003.

Thank you for doing this. I can tell you put a lot of work and thought into it; it shows throughout the topic!

First day of work in three months with no ranking to do.

It's been a slog.

Oh, hey, apparently I never reacted to my last two drops.

I'm very happy to end up with the third-best average and, apparently, a set of noms that gave you some sort of existential crisis about the nature of ranking topics. Glad I got some good ones in there!

Casual bump

Wanna ask but I just stare
Can I run my hands through your car wash hair

bump

bummp

There it is again that funny feeling