Ranking all 72 songs on Crowded House's past studio albums

Thank you for the kind words Kittybear and for posting it here, something that I wouldn’t have had the minerals to do.

A few things to note:

- There are probably some errors in there from a spelling and spacing perspective but I will fix them up throughout today. I wrote the last part on an iPad connected to a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse which was unhelpful. I don’t recommend such things.

- let’s all acknowledge it is a ridiculous exercise to try and rank all 72 songs (why 72? Read the start of Part 1). The main reason for doing so was to get me through Lockdown 4.0 here in Melbourne. Completely understand if you don’t agree with where everything sits. That’s the fun thing about a rankings list.

- I need to give the songs from Dreamers Are Waiting time to marinate before including them so let’s all look forward to my updated list in 2030.

Ok, just got to where you rank #72 and had to pop back over to say I love the way you write, Stuart! I won't make it through the list(s) tonight, but rest assured, I will eventually. Thanks, Stu and Kitty!

@Steve Shealy posted:

Ok, just got to where you rank #72 and had to pop back over to say I love the way you write, Stuart! I won't make it through the list(s) tonight, but rest assured, I will eventually. Thanks, Stu and Kitty!

Thank you Steve - much appreciated.

I really enjoyed all three blog pieces, Stuart.  But now you have to add a fourth that ranks all the other CH songs, from the Recurring Dream extras and the tracks on Afterglow to the Deluxe numbers.  Too many good songs among them!  

True...tracks on Afterglow especially. An album I rank right up with the top CW albums. Can hardly wait where the Dreamers Are Waiting songs land, especially with Don’t Stop Now ranked so high. I would put that one around 20 at the most. Playing With Fire I feel would be right up in top 25 at least. Whatever You Want could be in top 40. Like someone said...it will take a bit for the new songs to grow and climb the list....

@Watney Sideburns posted:

I really enjoyed all three blog pieces, Stuart.  But now you have to add a fourth that ranks all the other CH songs, from the Recurring Dream extras and the tracks on Afterglow to the Deluxe numbers.  Too many good songs among them!  

First of all, thank you for the kind words.

Secondly, that is a great idea. I really wanted to include Afterglow and the Recurring Dream songs but then that would have left off songs like ‘Anthem’ etc. I would need to be disciplined as to what songs from the Deluxe Edition would be included (ie do some Intriguer demos make it?). Let me give it some thought.

@renzo posted:

True...tracks on Afterglow especially. An album I rank right up with the top CW albums. Can hardly wait where the Dreamers Are Waiting songs land, especially with Don’t Stop Now ranked so high. I would put that one around 20 at the most. Playing With Fire I feel would be right up in top 25 at least. Whatever You Want could be in top 40. Like someone said...it will take a bit for the new songs to grow and climb the list....

I have put a ‘way too early’ ranking of the songs from Dreamers together but they will need time to marinate. 🙂

Inspired by Stuart's effort but with no intention of trying to emulate him by writing any coherent explanations. I have decided to produce my own 72 song ranking.

Currently it is a work in progress that I am both loving and hating.  If you want to have a go these are a list of the 72 songs, I have put these in a spreadsheet and am currently attempting to sort and filter etc. I will post my results in a short time.

My only advice is to not overthink it. Actually the other important piece is (as mentioned in part one) to rank them within their own albums first and then start merging all six lists. Trust me. Best of luck!

Wow, as this is different I will have to give it ago. Thanks for the tip: ranking one album at a time. Will check back in future when complete and now I know it is you on SomeFinnSpecial Kitty will talk a bit more !

Thanks usaoz

The aim of @SomeFinnSpecial on twitter is to create a community of crowdies and frenz and try to amplify the appreciation of all things Finn and Finn music, and I think its not going too badly with about 1900 follower/followees.

When Neil left twitter I felt a bit lost, so I started the account to find people who liked Finn music and music in general and try to bring them together for fun chat about mainly music.

The account isn't really about me, its about everyone, which is why like Neil I am trying to follow everyone who follows the account and to be as inclusive as possible.

The thing I like the most is when people tell me they have made some good frenz through the account and in saying that they aren't necessarily talking about me. I like the idea of lots of people making connections and friendships through the account.

Anyway, going back to Stuart ranking idea, I know he said don't over think it but I know I will, I just can't help myself

This was a really enjoyable read, Stu. I loved your humor though out. Thanks!

I can't disagree with your top two rankings. I would do the same thing. However, I do take issue with your low ranking of "In My Command." To each their own, I guess. =)

Also, I can understanding not including songs from Afterglow and the deluxe editions. But the three new tracks on Recurring Dream are as much Crowded House as anything on the first four albums. In fact, as Recurring Dream is the best selling Crowded House album, I'd say more people have purchased and listened to those songs than many of the more obscure songs on the first four albums. Your list, your rules though.

Again, it was a surprisingly enjoyable read! You and I are the same age, so we share certain connections with the music and different points in our lives. Only I live in the US, so was not able to drive to Sydney to attend the Farewell to the World concert when I was 16. Lucky you!

Thank you for the kind words. Yes leaving off the three new tracks on Recurring Dream was the most difficult decision and, in retrospect was the wrong one. Considering those additions would given it a neat 75 songs in total I regret that decision.

I would have to think about it a bit more (and may look to include them) but my initial thoughts would be:

‘Not The Girl…’ (anywhere from position 6 to 15)

’Instinct’ (16 - 30)

’Everything Is Good For You’ (35+)

But then I start thinking about what that 5th album would have been like and my mind wanders to where I would rank ‘Help Is Coming and ‘Anthem’ and then here we are. 😉

I’m certainly a huge fan of the “lost 5th album” concept. I even put one together that looks like this:

1. Newcastle Jam
2. Anthem
3. Instinct
4. Everything is Good For You
5. You Can Touch
6. Taste of Something Divine
7. Not the Girl You Think You Are
8. My Time Is Now
9. Convent Girls
10. Help Is Coming
11. The Spirit of the Stairs

of course this is actually a lost 6th album for me because there’s also a lost 3rd album between Temple and Woodface. Also, it’s terrible that there were never a studio versions of “Be My Guest” or “Most Unwanted.” Ah well.

@Paināporo posted:

I’m certainly a huge fan of the “lost 5th album” concept. I even put one together that looks like this:

1. Newcastle Jam
2. Anthem
3. Instinct
4. Everything is Good For You
5. You Can Touch
6. Taste of Something Divine
7. Not the Girl You Think You Are
8. My Time Is Now
9. Convent Girls
10. Help Is Coming
11. The Spirit of the Stairs

of course this is actually a lost 6th album for me because there’s also a lost 3rd album between Temple and Woodface. Also, it’s terrible that there were never a studio versions of “Be My Guest” or “Most Unwanted.” Ah well.

I have a lost fifth I call "Go Pete". I've confined it to tracks from the period with Peter Jones on drums, so it is a bit short at nine songs. If I've missed anything, someone please let me know.

1. Walk Tall (live track where Neil shouts "Go Pete!, hence the title)

2.Anthem

3. Help is Coming

4. Instinct (demo)

5. I Don't Know You

6. Taste of Something Devine

7. Spirit of the Stairs (studio demo)

8. Everything is Good For You (demo)

9 Terrify the Ones That Love You

Also one I call York Street 95-96 which is the above less Walk Tall and adding the Loose Tongue which I don't think features Pete and uses the later versions of the ones Paul came back for.

Here is my 72, I could revise and revise but that would be over-thinking it.

I so enjoyed reading this! thank you to Stuart McPhee for your efforts. so very many gems in the commentary. my favorite ,though, comes under#10 - I Feel Possessed - "Let’s not forget, he essentially cribs lines from two of the most popular songs of the 1960s and makes them his own. People are strange God only knows."  brilliant

can't argue with your rankings, except that Even a Child clearly should be in the #72 slot

@sunset swimmer posted:

I so enjoyed reading this! thank you to Stuart McPhee for your efforts. so very many gems in the commentary. my favorite ,though, comes under#10 - I Feel Possessed - "Let’s not forget, he essentially cribs lines from two of the most popular songs of the 1960s and makes them his own. People are strange God only knows."  brilliant

can't argue with your rankings, except that Even a Child clearly should be in the #72 slot

Thank you for your kind words. Was happy with that reference!

Now that DAW has had a while to seep into my noodle, I am considering an addendum to discuss where each of these songs would be placed in the rankings. I realise this is far too soon to really consider, but given the whole idea to rank all the songs was ridiculous to begin with...

Do it Stuart, I think it would be great 😎

Yet to include the songs from DAW but have done a little audio version of my list, focusing on the Top 10.

https://open.spotify.com/episo...OJ3JpGQz2WaKAx6JyXOA

@Paināporo posted:

8. My Time Is Now
9. Convent Girls
10. Help Is Coming

These two right here are some of the most underrated songs the band produced, up their with Legs are Gone and Tail of a Comet

I don’t recall seeing Lost Island on any list. To me this is a very underrated song…full of mystery and deep melodies.

@renzo posted:

I don’t recall seeing Lost Island on any list. To me this is a very underrated song…full of mystery and deep melodies.

Hey Renzo,

Lost Island didn’t make my original list that started this thread because it was a B-Side (which I chose not to include). I agree though it is a great tune.