mpolak21 Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Edit: All final lists due by Friday, August 28th. As many of you may know American songwriter has been excruciatingly unveiling their list of the twenty best Tweedy songs over the past couple of weeks, you can read all about here: Top 20 Jeff Tweedy Songs Thread. The list has been frustratingly inconsistent, and I was thinking perhaps rather than ripping the American Songwriter guys with yet another post. I'd just try to do it better. So, over the next few weeks, I invite all of you to share lists of your top 20 Tweedy songs. In a few weeks, I'll compile the lists, and complete a master talley. Feel free to share, discuss, argue, etc. here. Guidelines: 1.) Everything Tweedy wrote is fair game. I have decided the Mermaid songs count, because they are awesome, and because I don't want to be on the wrong end of hate mail from Kidsmoke if she can't vote for Feed of Man. But yeah, Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Golden Smog, Loose Fur, Minus 5, unreleased Wilco stuff, if you can find it and prove he wrote it, you can vote for it. I am totally voting for Diamond Claw. 2.) It would be nice if your list is in order, but if you've agonized for three hours over whether Gun is better than New Madrid, just making a list of twenty songs will suffice, and points will be distributed evenly to all 20. 3.) If you want to throw a preliminary list up now and edit it, that's fine. Just let me know what lists are final and what lists aren't. 4.) I was thinking of having blurbs like the American Songwriter guy did it, but much better and written by VCers, to go with all of the songs. Let me know what you think of this idea/if you'd be interested in writing something about one of your favorite Tweedy songs. --Mike. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 This is more or less in order for me: 1. Chinese Apple2. Poor Places3. Ashes of American Flags4. Spiders5. Hell is Chrome6. IATTBYH7. Panthers8. More Like the Moon9. Summerteeth10. I'm Always in Love11. Kamera12. You Were Wrong13. Wreckroom14. Red Elevator15. Diamond Claw16. Feed of Man17. Let Me Come Home18. Magazine19. Acuff Rose20. Gun edit: Well, poop in my hand, I forgot Magazine! Sorry, "Wait Up." Yeeargh, and edited again to ditch "Long Time Ago" in favor of "More Like the Moon," the most awesome song in the universe. Seventh most awesome... Link to post Share on other sites
LouisvilleGreg Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Mike, You're a madman, and I totally dig it. I have always been obsessed with list-making. For many years as a kid I did my own Top 20 Billboard style charts. I kept them in a binder and included records on one side of a sheet of paper and singles on the other. I kept track of how long records had been in the charts, etc. Unfortunately I lost that binder long ago. I'll reanalyze my list from the other thread and try to rank them when time allows. Link to post Share on other sites
Dude Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 7. Panthers Out of curiosity - the solo acoustic live version or the studio version? Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Out of curiosity - the solo acoustic live version or the studio version? Dear lord! Solo acoustic. Studio version can suck nuts. Link to post Share on other sites
mpolak21 Posted July 31, 2009 Author Share Posted July 31, 2009 Dear lord! Solo acoustic. Studio version can suck nuts. Panthers just got a blurb. --Mike Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 1. Someday Soon2. If That's Alright3. Radio King4. Should've Been in Love5. Poor Places6. Misunderstood7. Wait Up8. Watch Me Fall9. When the Roses Bloom Again (Jeff didn't write this did he? It is too awesome not to include though!)10. Remember the Mountain Bed11. One By One12. Nothing13. Blasting Fonda14. Sunken Treasure15. Pieholdensuite16. You Were Wrong17. We've Been Had18. Ashes of an American Flag19. Too Far Apart20. Pot Kettle Black Just realized I don't have any songs past Yankee... Hmmm Link to post Share on other sites
Dude Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Dear lord! Solo acoustic. Studio version can suck nuts. This is the correct answer. It's even more precise and accurate than an atomic clock. You will be hearing from a team of scientists from Switzerland very soon. Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky speaks Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Last edit......I numbered them to prove that I can...... Edited to four groups of FIVE......Each set of five is no order of preference but they are tiered. Don't think I can rank much better than this. Hope this helps in assigning points. If I had to make a mix of Tweedy songs for someone who wasn't familiar with them these are the 20 I would include beyond a doubt. Top five(best) 1.Acuff Rose 2.Forget the Flowers 3.Red Eyed and Blue 4.I Got You 5.Impossible Germany Second tier of five(next best, etc.) 6.Misunderstood 7.IATTBYH 8.Hate It Here 9.Should've Been in Love10.Too Far Apart Third Tier11.You Are My Face12.Walken13.One Wing14.Handshake Drugs15.Casino Queen Fourth Tier16.Shot in the Arm* 17.You Never Know18.Poor Places19.The Thanks I Get20.Jesus Etc. * took out Hummingbird Link to post Share on other sites
heffer Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Poor PlacesMuzzle Of BeesRemember The Mountain BedPlease Be Patient With MeAshes Of American FlagsGunNot For the SeasonVia ChicagoSpidersBob Dylans 49th BeardBull Black NovaOn and On and OnOne WingPassenger SideNew MadridHell Is ChromePieholden SuiteSide With The SeedsSunken TreasureSummerteeth Link to post Share on other sites
mpolak21 Posted July 31, 2009 Author Share Posted July 31, 2009 9. When the Roses Bloom Again (Jeff didn't write this did he? It is too awesome not to include though!)Wilco has an "arranged by" credit on this song, I'm saying it's fair game. 12. Nothing Good choice, friend. Thanks for the lists folks. If you're list is not in order please specify like Nudie did that all songs should be counted equally. --Mike Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Runaway Jim Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 I thought quite a bit about this, and here's my final list (differs greatly from what I posted in the other thread). In Order. 1. Outtasite (Outta Mind)2. Pot Kettle Black3. Jesus, etc.4. I am Trying to Break Your Heart5. Misunderstood6. Sunken Treasure7. A Shot in the Arm8. Remember the Mountain Bed9. Gun10. Muzzle of Bees11. Ashes of American Flags12. At Least That's What You Said13. I'm The Man Who Loves You14. Airline to Heaven15. Not for the Season16. Poor Places17. Cars Can't Escape18. Via Chicago19. Summerteeth20. Please Tell My Brother Link to post Share on other sites
Dude Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 1. Poor Places2. Remember the Mountain Bed3. Via Chicago4. Spiders5. Ashes of American Flags6. Cars Can't Escape7. Not for the Season8. Misunderstood9. More Like the Moon10. Radio Cure11. Muzzle of Bees12. Radio King13. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart14. She's a Jar 15. Acuff Rose16. I'm Always in Love17. Wishful Thinking18. Venus Stopped the Train19. Country Disappeared20. My Words Link to post Share on other sites
Elixir Sue Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Something like this: 1. Poor Places2. Hell is Chrome3. Muzzle of Bees4. Remember the Mountain Bed5. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart6. Radio Cure7. Misunderstood8. She’s a Jar9. Gun10. Via Chicago11. Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard12. Sunken Treasure 13. More Like The Moon14. Jesus, etc.15. Hummingbird16. Summer Teeth17. I’m Always in Love18. Cars Can’t Escape19. Let Me Come Home20. Far, Far Away Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky speaks Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Mike.....I edited my previous list into groups of five starting with best five......Hope that helps in assigning points in your tally. Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 I'm definitely going to need some time. Sounds like a good weekend project and one for a road trip I have coming up. Link to post Share on other sites
ponch1028 Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 I've amended my previous post on page 2 or 3 from the original forum regarding Top 20 Jeff Tweedy Songs to add Mermaid Avenue songs. Overall, I am still very pleased with my list. 1. Poor Places2. Ashes of American Flags3. Remember The Mountain Bed4. Muzzle Of Bees5. How To Fight Loneliness6. A Shot In The Arm7. Hell Is Chrome8. Radio King9. Theologians10. Jesus, etc.11. She's A Jar12. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart13. Sunken Treasure14. New Madrid15. Please Tell My Brother16. Impossible Germany17. On and On and On18. Long Time Ago19. Gun20. Hoodoo Voodoo Link to post Share on other sites
MunkyKayse Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 My list in alphabetical order... Black EyeBull Black NovaChinese AppleFar, Far AwayHummingbirdI Got You (At the end of the century)Jesus, Etc.KameraMuzzle of BeesNew MadridPoor PlacesPot Kettle BlackReservationsShould’ve Been in LoveSpidersSunken TreasureTheologiansVia ChicagoWishful ThinkingWreckroom No SBS made the cut. Impossible Germany could be crammed in my list somewhere. It gets an honorable mention instead. Link to post Share on other sites
Head in a Guillotine Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 My initial list (Not in order) Black EyeNew MadridBox Full of LettersPlease Tell My BrotherRadio KingMisunderstoodSunken TreasureVia ChicagoSummerteethVenus Stopped the TrainIATTBYHAshesPoor PlacesALTWYSLate GreatsEither WayYou Are My FaceBull Black NovaYou and ISolitaire Link to post Share on other sites
wilconut Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 In order of release: Should've Been in LoveDash 7MisunderstoodMondaySunken TreasureDreamer in My DreamsI'm Always in LoveVia ChicagoFuture AgeI Am Trying To Break Your HeartJesus, EtcPoor PlacesHell is ChromeTheologiansImpossible GermanySky Blue SkyHate it HereOne WingCountry DisappearedI'll Fight Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Why are so many people afraid to rank the songs? It's not that difficult. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 I'm definitely going to need some time. Why are so many people afraid to rank the songs? It's not that difficult. I think people are just not willing to put that time in. Link to post Share on other sites
Ghost of Electricity Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 I've approached this in terms of songwriting. What I mean by this is does the song in question stand up as an entity seperate from the recording. If I had never heard of Wilco and heard a cover of these songs, I think they would stands up because there is a timelessness of universality about them. Had I approached it differently, say, in terms of the quality of specific recordings, or Jeff's personality or emotion coming through, my list would be vastly different and would unquestionably include "Misunderstood." The order is somewhat arbitrary: 1. Forget The Flowers2. The Long Cut3. Jesus, Etc.4. California Stars5. How To Fight Loneliness6. New Madrid7. Hummingbird8. Cars Can't Escape (not sure how much of this is Jeff and how much Jay)9. Acuff Rose10. Pick up the Change11. Please Tell My Brother12. Someone Else's Song13. Magazine Called Sunset14. One by One15. We've Been Had16. I'm Always In Love17. Kamera19. The Lonely 120. Far, Far Away21. Black Eye (in case Cars Can't Escape is ineligible) Link to post Share on other sites
MunkyKayse Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Why are so many people afraid to rank the songs? It's not that difficult. Cause too many songs would be duking it out for the #1 spot. And I don't want to hurt their feelings. Link to post Share on other sites
nodep5 Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 from a singer/songwriter perspective I have to admit (although it is my least favorite Wilco album) that AGIB contains some real nuggets. "Hell Is Chrome" is lyrically unbelievable if you think about it. That being said I personally think it would be tough to top "New Madrid". I think it is memorable, historically based, timeless, etc etc etc. Link to post Share on other sites
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