The Top Twenty Tweedy Songs As Picked By VC

[Guest Speed Racer]

20 down to 1 would make an awesome mix. Perfect end and perfect opening.

 

Thanks for compiling all of this, Mike. Reading through the lyrics was a great reminder of how awesome these songs are.

[Ghost of Electricity]

First off, thanks Mike for going through the trouble to put this up.

 

I can't say I agree with all of these-I think if the songwriting is what is being judges here there are some heinous ommissions (Hummingbird, Long Cut just off the top of my head).

 

If this was to be a list of top songs Tweedy was involved in I would agree with a lot more, as then you could consider things like production values, intensity of the performance, etc. (my understanding was that this was not the case)

 

Anyway, that's probably nit-picky and this list is better than that other one in any event.

[mpolak21]

Biggest surprise...no A Shot in the Arm.

 

Yeah, it was in the low 20's. I think people might be a little burned out on it because how much they play it live. Then again Jesus, etc. did well it gets about the same amount of plays.

 

First off, thanks Mike for going through the trouble to put this up.

 

I can't say I agree with all of these-I think if the songwriting is what is being judges here there are some heinous ommissions (Hummingbird, Long Cut just off the top of my head).

 

If this was to be a list of top songs Tweedy was involved in I would agree with a lot more, as then you could consider things like production values, intensity of the performance, etc. (my understanding was that this was not the case)

 

Anyway, that's probably nit-picky and this list is better than that other one in any event.

 

The wide range of votes may have watered down some of the choices. At one point all of the top five songs were from YHF, until Pot Kettle Black fell off a bit, I was seriously considering trying to throw some sort of curve in for more balance, but ultimately things came together pretty nicely, I think.

[mpolak21]

Can't really argue with that list. Some great songs. Nothing from 'Sky Blue Sky' though. Lots from 'Ghost' which would get my vote for best album. 'Ashes' is becoming one of my all-time favourite tunes, especially after seeing the version on the new DVD.

 

I'm pretty sure almost every Wilco album cut from YHF, AGIB and SBS got at least one vote. Nothing really emerged from SBS that was appearing on the top of a lot lists, but You Are My Face and Impossible Germany were close. WTA faired the worse out of all the albums, but I'd like to think that might have more to do with the fact that it's newer than to make a quality judgment on the material.

 

--Mike

[bleedorange]

Also, you have You Are My Face at 23 and 27. Is that just a typo on the 27?

[bleedorange]

I'm pretty sure almost every Wilco album cut from YHF, AGIB and SBS got at least one vote. Nothing really emerged from SBS that was appearing on the top of a lot lists, but You Are My Face and Impossible Germany were close. WTA faired the worse out of all the albums, but I'd like to think that might have more to do with the fact that it's newer than to make a quality judgment on the material.

 

--Mike

 

Somebody had Leave Me (Like You Found Me) on his or her list??? What Light???

[Guest Speed Racer]

Somebody had Leave Me (Like You Found Me) on his or her list???

 

I nearly crapped myself when Mike said every song on SBS got a vote...

 

I really haven't been interested in Shot in the Arm live, ever. So much so that it kind of ruins my opinion of the studio version. I love Jeff's solo rendition of the song, but the too-many-cooks problem of the current line-up really manifests on this song. And I HATE how they changed the piano run at the end of the song.

 

Jesus, etc. is the perfect example of how the new line-up works. To use the same metaphor: instead of six folks all chopping carrots, celery, chicken and dumping spices into the stew and stirring the pot, Jeff majesticly de-bones the chicken while Nels works the celery; Pat subtley sprinkles fresh sage and thyme to compliment John and Glenn's potatoes and carrots; Mike adds the frozen peas at just the right moment, so they defrost without becoming too soft. Or something.

[Sir Stewart]

Wilco fans sure know how to like Jeff Tweedy's songs.

Nice job Mike.

[W(TF)]

Very happy to see Poor Places chart so high. Ditto for Mountain Bed.

 

Can't really argue with the collective polling here...but personally I think New Madrid and Muzzle of Bees should really be nudged aside in favor of Reservations and Shot In The Arm. I could live the rest of my life not missing those two but I couldn't last three months on a desert island without the other two. And I believe (objectively) that they are both far more significant accomplishments in the Tweedy canon, IMO YMMV FTW. But hey life ain't perfect. Great job Mike.

[mpolak21]

Somebody had Leave Me (Like You Found Me) on his or her list??? What Light???

 

Yeah, both of those songs were on one list. But nothing that I would have been embarrassed to say made the final cut came even close.

 

Fixed the Face typo, my mistake there that song was Impossible Germany, I forgot what song was what on album for a minute.

 

--Mike

[bleedorange]

Very happy to see Poor Places chart so high. Ditto for Mountain Bed.

 

Can't really argue with the collective polling here...but personally I think New Madrid and Muzzle of Bees should really be nudged aside in favor of Reservations and Shot In The Arm. I could live the rest of my life not missing those two but I couldn't last three months on a desert island without the other two. And I believe (objectively) that they are both far more significant accomplishments in the Tweedy canon, IMO YMMV FTW. But hey life ain't perfect. Great job Mike.

 

Yeah, Muzzle of Bees seems too high. Top 5 Tweedy song of all-time?

 

If I didn't say it before, thanks for putting this together Mike.

[Guest Jules]

Now that's a list!

 

Just for comparison sake, this was my tally from May. Of course, I said Wilco only, no side projects, demos or Mermaid. Take it for what it's worth...

 

OK, did this last night and added todays votes so far. This is thru post #140 in the other thread. 348 total votes so far. I ignored the non-wilco album entries (demos, mermaid, side projects, live, etc).

 

I don't know if this means anything, but it was fun. Here ya go!

 

1 Poor Places (26)

2 Pot Kettle Black (17)

3 Jesus, etc. (16)

4 She's a Jar (15)

5 Via Chicago (15)

6 At Least That's What You Said (15)

7 I am Trying to Break Your Heart (14)

8 Misunderstood (13)

9 Muzzle of Bees (13)

10 You Are My Face (13)

11 Handshake Drugs (12)

12 I'm Always in Love (11)

13 Ashes of American Flags (11)

14 Theologians (11)

15 Sunken Treasure (10)

16 How to Fight Loneliness (7)

17 Kamera (7)

18 Spiders (Kidsmoke) (7)

19 Company in my Back (6)

20-24 5 songs tied with 5 votes (BoxFul, Shot, Hell, Hummingbrd, BBN)

- 44 other songs with at least 1 vote

 

 

Other stats:

 

- Votes broken down by album (obviously doesn't take into account # tracks per album)

AM-16

BT-49

ST-68

YHF-98

AGIB-78

SBS-26

W(TA)-13

 

- 35 songs received 0 votes

[Mr. Kinsley]

Ooo! I want to change my vote now! Can I post it here or send you a PM?

 

[Ducks to avoid heavy objects thrown at head.]

 

Kidding!!

 

 

Thanks for putting this together. I can't help but wonder what Jeff himself would think about this.

[GtrPlyr]

Damn, I forgot to submit a list.

 

Thanks for compiling that Mike. A lot of those would have made my list for sure.

[MunkyKayse]

Eight of my twenty made the cut. And I'm kinda surprised Poor Places took top honors, even though I included it on my own un-ranked list.

[Sparky speaks]

Hell is Chrome and no Impossible Germany? If I was going to make a worst of Tweedy that would be right up there. The song that brings down the house every concert is not in the top 20? But hey, what are you gonna do? Thanks for the effort Mike.

[ponch1028]

Man, I don't normally toot my own horn, but I got the top 3 correct and 4 out of the top 5. Overall, I think I got 12 out of the 20 on my list.

 

 

In Topic: Let's Do This Right

Posted 31 Jul 2009

 

1. Poor Places

2. Ashes of American Flags

3. Remember The Mountain Bed

4. Muzzle Of Bees

5. How To Fight Loneliness

6. A Shot In The Arm

7. Hell Is Chrome

8. Radio King

9. Theologians

10. Jesus, etc.

11. She's A Jar

12. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart

13. Sunken Treasure

14. New Madrid

15. Please Tell My Brother

16. Impossible Germany

17. On and On and On

18. Long Time Ago

19. Gun

20. Hoodoo Voodoo

[W(TF)]

I really haven't been interested in Shot in the Arm live, ever. So much so that it kind of ruins my opinion of the studio version. I love Jeff's solo rendition of the song, but the too-many-cooks problem of the current line-up really manifests on this song. And I HATE how they changed the piano run at the end of the song.

 

Uck. This dismays me Lauren. I fully hear you on the sonic overkill that's hurting some of the live material currently-- heard it clearly in Lewiston (Nels' side) where the sound on that side was brutally bad, amps overdriven, unwanted feedback ruining even some of the gentler songs, a sonic mess. I do think it was the venue more than the band (and where I was sitting), but the balance was way off at times. But....darling, please don't throw the baby out with the bathwater here. SITA is as great an angsty pop anthem as anything I can think of offhand, and a superb live vehicle for Wilco. Yeah it's a staple food but there is a lotta tasty gravy on them potatoes. This is a song where more is better. Especially with the dime stop coordination of this lineup ---- hmmm, I actually was thinking the other day (not that I obsess that much about this stuff...hehe), that what they should try to do to maximize the dramatic tension, is cut ALL the volume off all the instruments for the first four lines of the chorus (even Glenn, er, especially Glenn)-- Jeff can sing them off-mic, the audience loves to hear itself sing those anyway....and then, for the bridge into the ascending middle four and the bloodiers, bring the band and vocal in at FULL volume immediately on that fifth Maybe. Holy fuckin crap that would smoke!!! Maybe they've tried this but I can't recall ever hearing a version like that.

 

In any case Jeff screaming those bloodiers is a high water moment at all the shows I've seen. For me, and the ones with red stuff like myself. I know it's a testosterone heavy tune, but it's indespensible, I can't imagine a Wilco existing without that song.

 

Ok yeah, I drank a bit too much wine before dinner. No condescension intended.. Just want to make sure you have something resembling blood in those veins, m'love.

 

Jesus, etc. is the perfect example of how the new line-up works. To use the same metaphor: instead of six folks all chopping carrots, celery, chicken and dumping spices into the stew and stirring the pot, Jeff majesticly de-bones the chicken while Nels works the celery; Pat subtley sprinkles fresh sage and thyme to compliment John and Glenn's potatoes and carrots; Mike adds the frozen peas at just the right moment, so they defrost without becoming too soft. Or something.

 

OH YES. A wonderful, beautiful analogy. This is Lauren thinking at its' finest...........

(excuse me, I need to eat something now!)

[barbkm]

Let me echo all the thanks.

Wow, only two of my favs made the list. I guess I really don't know my Wilco, Oh well

[bleedorange]

Hell is Chrome and no Impossible Germany? If I was going to make a worst of Tweedy that would be right up there. The song that brings down the house every concert is not in the top 20? But hey, what are you gonna do? Thanks for the effort Mike.

 

Hell is Chrome is pure genius. Reread those lyrics.

[Jesusetc84]

Never cared for Hell is Chrome. Not huge on Muzzle of Bees either; great song, but #5!??! I don't even know if it's my number 5 on AGIB. Spiders and Wishful Thinking are two choices I prefer to those songs.

 

And of course, A Shot in The Arm is a classic.

[Guest Speed Racer]

In any case Jeff screaming those bloodiers is a high water moment at all the shows I've seen. For me, and the ones with red stuff like myself. I know it's a testosterone heavy tune, but it's indespensible, I can't imagine a Wilco existing without that song.

 

I entirely agree - I was too sweeping in my assessment, I should say. I do think that the latest incarnation of the tune is a bit much for me (when the wholesong is over the top, it's harder for me to appreciate the climactic moments), and I stand by my assessment that Jeff's solo versions are my favorite. But I enjoyed the early, Jay-filled live performances of that song the most. Wilco would definitely not be Wilco without Shot in the Arm.

[pillowy star]

"Via Chicago" on 11 ? I might have to quit this board

[Guest Runaway Jim]

I'm happy with this list but it's pretty criminal not to have A Shot in the Arm on there. Should be Top 10. While it's not my favorite Wilco or Tweedy song (I had it at 7) I believe it to be the quintessential Wilco song.

[Guest Jules]

I'm happy with this list but it's pretty criminal not to have A Shot in the Arm on there. Should be Top 10. While it's not my favorite Wilco or Tweedy song (I had it at 7) I believe it to be the quintessential Wilco song.

thanks for sharing.