AMF Favorite Songs of All-Time, 2024! Deadline: September 30th, 2024

sonofsamiam · Post by **sonofsamiam** » Fri Sep 06, 2024 7:21 pm

Listyguy · Post by **Listyguy** » Sat Sep 07, 2024 12:36 pm

This is the list I've been waiting for! I can't wait to read through it.

Jackson · Post by **Jackson** » Sat Sep 07, 2024 6:49 pm

It's extremely generous that this poll counts lists up to 1,000, but in my current stage of list insanity it doesn't seem like nearly enough. Reading through sonofsam's list, I kept thinking "oh nice, I'm voting for that one too" - only to realize a song was in the 1,600s on my list. I think I'll rank up to 2,000 with a few hundred additional unranked (OK, it's not 14,000, but it's not bad...).

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Sat Sep 07, 2024 7:39 pm

Jackson wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 6:49 pm It's extremely generous that this poll counts lists up to 1,000, but in my current stage of list insanity it doesn't seem like nearly enough. Reading through sonofsam's list, I kept thinking "oh nice, I'm voting for that one too" - only to realize a song was in the 1,600s on my list. I think I'll rank up to 2,000 with a few hundred additional unranked (OK, it's not 14,000, but it's not bad...).

I have officially reached the "painful cuts" stage of editing my list. I also have had to make my peace with the fact that I'm not going to include every great song I've ever heard.

Sweepstakes Ron · Post by **Sweepstakes Ron** » Sat Sep 07, 2024 9:13 pm

Jackson wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 6:49 pm It's extremely generous that this poll counts lists up to 1,000, but in my current stage of list insanity it doesn't seem like nearly enough. Reading through sonofsam's list, I kept thinking "oh nice, I'm voting for that one too" - only to realize a song was in the 1,600s on my list. I think I'll rank up to 2,000 with a few hundred additional unranked (OK, it's not 14,000, but it's not bad...).

I was the one who decided to up the count from 500 to 1,000 back in 2018, because I could tell that more users than not had already gone well past 500 (not me, though), but in the years since I've felt some worry that I set the bar too high for future poll runners, needing to keep up the increased workload just to avoid downgrading. Now the idea of going even further just sounds horrifying in terms of how much work it would take, yet I completely understand the desire to keep on pushing the limits. "List insanity" is right!!!

Elder · Post by **Elder** » Sat Sep 07, 2024 10:02 pm

Calm down kids, just publish your lists.

It will never be 100% complete.

I myself consider my list outdated from the moment I publish it, after all I haven't died yet and I still listen to music.

prosecutorgodot · Post by **prosecutorgodot** » Sun Sep 08, 2024 6:44 am

2 | Glen Campbell | Wichita Lineman

I just revisited this song off of this list and Elder's AMF compilation - I assume "revisit" because I'm pretty sure I made a point to work through the AM top 200 several years ago, but I don't remember anything about this song from that first time. Anyway, wow, this time talk about a life-changing song.

First, things I notice about my own music experience that has impacted this time listening:

(1) I don't think I used to appreciate simple, cryptic lyrics like I do now. Maybe it's appreciating life's mysteries have warmed me up to it.

(2) The lyrics, from my personal perspective, can be seen as metaphorical similar to Kero Kero Bonito's "Trampoline" or Ariana Grande's "thank u, next" - they can be taken to mean a variety of things, which just adds depth to the song for me. Enjoying those other songs first certainly helped me to appreciate the lyrics to "Wichita Lineman."

(3) I've come to greatly enjoy Joni Mitchell's classic contemporary-folk stylings, which this really reminds me of.

(4) I believe there was a song from my old list that appeared in Rob's "Biggest Fan" project at some point - "Telegraph Line" from Schoolhouse Rock. I still like that song a lot, but "Wichita Lineman" does everything that song was doing, but better.

(5) And obviously, I've noticed about my taste that I love the slow songs, so this perfectly fits that bill.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But yeah, a lot of great things off the bat - Glen's clear voice, warm guitar, wistful strings, of course the cryptic lyrics I mentioned earlier (who is this "you"?).

Then possibly my favorite achievement of the song - the truly amazing and timeless instrumental lick that appears several times (you can hear it in the intro, with the repeating note that makes it SOUND like electricity) that just evokes so much emotion and could mean so much. It sounds like it's ringing out to infinity...

The above points alone would be enough to propel it into my favorites list. But there's more - the final kicker, that makes this song way ahead of its time, is the choice to sample that MACHINE. You can hear the songwriter Jimmy Webb talk to Rick Beato (yes, that guy) in this video about the song.

I guess the only flaw, if I had to name one, is that the pedal steel (? have no idea about country instrumentation) solo is the exact same as the vocal melody.

But yeah, greatest country song of all time might be an understatement.

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Sun Sep 08, 2024 11:34 am

I mean, I always thought the greatest country song of all time was "Red Solo Cup," but you might be right.
(JK, "Wichita Lineman" is a masterpiece.)

Jackson · Post by **Jackson** » Sun Sep 08, 2024 1:22 pm

Elder wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 10:02 pm Calm down kids, just publish your lists.

It will never be 100% complete.

I myself consider my list outdated from the moment I publish it, after all I haven't died yet and I still listen to music.

Ha, that's a good point. I keep my list updated regularly, even if there isn't a poll going on around here, and I've often thought "this is all leading up to what?" No matter how much reshuffling I do, my list will never be completely to my satisfaction, and new songs are coming out every day. So at some point for these polls I just have to call it, and it provides a nice snapshot in time once every three years of where my taste stands.

panam · Post by **panam** » Sun Sep 08, 2024 3:06 pm

It is clear that we are at the final closing of the dynamic. There is a lot of anxiety. I am just waiting to see the results and the news regarding the last version.

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:12 pm

Sweepstakes Ron · Post by **Sweepstakes Ron** » Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:20 pm

StevieFan13 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:12 pm 801 | Sesame Street | Do De Rubber Duck (TV Show Version)

Well, this is officially the best list ever. Shut it down, folks.

~~If I ever have it in me to make a top 1000, there's a good chance I'll fit some Sesame songs in there.~~

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:52 pm

Sweepstakes Ron wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:20 pm
StevieFan13 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:12 pm 801 | Sesame Street | Do De Rubber Duck (TV Show Version)
Well, this is officially the best list ever. Shut it down, folks.

~~If I ever have it in me to make a top 1000, there's a good chance I'll fit some Sesame songs in there.~~

Hell yeah!!! I sure hope so, if that's the case! Love to see another man of taste!

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Wed Sep 11, 2024 11:10 pm

Also, since apparently after all that I still can't be satisfied, I made a little edit right at the end of the list (#998) - not that I don't love and respect Buddy Holly and the Crickets, but I imagine I wasn't the only one with "That'll Be the Day" on their list. I wanted to give a little boost to the lesser-known (at least around these parts) early K-pop masterpiece "I Know" by Seo Taiji and Boys. You can call it heresy, but it's a banger.

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Fri Sep 13, 2024 2:19 pm

Another tiny edit near the end - swapped out "Oh My God" for "Check the Rhime." Love them both, but I realized that's the Tribe track I prefer. Now I'm done!

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Fri Sep 13, 2024 4:37 pm

I slightly changed my list too.
Thanks.

Cadavaca · Post by **Cadavaca** » Fri Sep 13, 2024 4:59 pm

What'd you change, Romain?

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:31 pm

Cadavaca wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2024 4:59 pm What'd you change, Romain?

Ouch... I'm not sure.
Two new songs : La tendresse and Les gens qui doutent. A far better placement for Ces gens-là by Jacques Brel and some other minor changes... I think.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun Sep 15, 2024 3:50 pm

I have also made some slight edits to my list. My top 20 songs are slightly reordered, and I've added these three new songs:

426. The Isley Brothers- That Lady
433. Boards of Canada- Roygbiv
434. Brian Eno- St. Elmo’s Fire

Which in turn have removed these three old songs:

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti- Round and Round
The Doors- Riders on the Storm
INXS- Devil Inside

Cadavaca · Post by **Cadavaca** » Sun Sep 15, 2024 6:12 pm

Romain wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:31 pm Two new songs : La tendresse and Les gens qui doutent. A far better placement for Ces gens-là by Jacques Brel and some other minor changes... I think.

Okay, I think I got these. I'd already done some post-processing, so if the changes ended up being minor it would be easier to input them directly instead of importing/processing the whole list again. Thanks!

Nick wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 3:50 pm I have also made some slight edits to my list. My top 20 songs are slightly reordered, and I've added these three new songs:

Got it, thanks! You can add these three songs to the end of the list if you'd like, since you still have 500 more slots you can use...

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 12:45 am

Cadavaca wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 6:12 pm
Romain wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:31 pm Two new songs : La tendresse and Les gens qui doutent. A far better placement for Ces gens-là by Jacques Brel and some other minor changes... I think.
Okay, I think I got these. I'd already done some post-processing, so if the changes ended up being minor it would be easier to input them directly instead of importing/processing the whole list again. Thanks!

Nick wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 3:50 pm I have also made some slight edits to my list. My top 20 songs are slightly reordered, and I've added these three new songs:
Got it, thanks! You can add these three songs to the end of the list if you'd like, since you still have 500 more slots you can use...

In that case, feel free to count Round and Round, Devil Inside, and Riders on the Storm as 501, 502, and 503 respectively. Thanks!

garth · Post by **garth** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 6:17 am

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 8:32 am

Cadavaca wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 6:12 pm
Romain wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:31 pm Two new songs : La tendresse and Les gens qui doutent. A far better placement for Ces gens-là by Jacques Brel and some other minor changes... I think.
Okay, I think I got these. I'd already done some post-processing, so if the changes ended up being minor it would be easier to input them directly instead of importing/processing the whole list again. Thanks!

I'm sorry I can't be more specific about my changes.

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 11:52 am

Garth, that’s so cool about the last list making you a music fan! Can’t wait to look at your list! Hope you’re not the only first-timer.

Jackson · Post by **Jackson** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 5:03 am

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 12:25 pm

Congrats on both those big life events!!

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 4:14 pm

Jackson wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2024 5:03 am There is a new #1 on my list for the first time in a decade or so. "Be My Baby" was my first dance at my wedding a few years ago, and this past year it was one of the first songs I ever played for my newborn daughter - the emotional resonance is just too great at this point, it feels right calling it my favorite song ever.

I really enjoyed making my list this year. Like I said, I am constantly tinkering and updating this list, but this is a great snapshot of the songs I care the most about. I'll post a longer list of 2,000+ songs in the other thread.

29 | Wire | Outdoor Miner | 1978

Congrats!

Oh... and thanks for Outdoor Miner.... Excellent song that I didn't know, the piano part makes it all magical. I love it! Thank you so much.

Flibie · Post by **Flibie** » Wed Sep 18, 2024 7:08 pm

Henry · Post by **Henry** » Wed Sep 18, 2024 9:42 pm

DaveC · Post by **DaveC** » Thu Sep 19, 2024 4:08 am

antonius · Post by **antonius** » Thu Sep 19, 2024 9:58 am

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Thu Sep 19, 2024 4:21 pm

Holy moly, I don't think I anticipated how much people love "White Rabbit" (just barely missed my list, but then again, about 200 songs "barely" missed my list...there's a lot of good music out there, fun fact). Two top spots!

fasbjd · Post by **fasbjd** » Thu Sep 19, 2024 6:49 pm

Humphrey12 · Post by **Humphrey12** » Thu Sep 19, 2024 8:23 pm

That was the mother of lists. Wild, unpredictable, all over the place. Kudos!

Will "White Rabbit" end up at #1?

Arsalan · Post by **Arsalan** » Fri Sep 20, 2024 4:42 pm

Safetycat · Post by **Safetycat** » Sat Sep 21, 2024 1:52 am

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Sat Sep 21, 2024 2:25 am

I already know I like this list for giving another vote to Danny Don’t You Know by Ninja Sex Party! I can’t believe someone else here knows that song!

Safetycat · Post by **Safetycat** » Sat Sep 21, 2024 11:23 am

StevieFan13 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2024 2:25 am I already know I like this list for giving another vote to Danny Don’t You Know by Ninja Sex Party! I can’t believe someone else here knows that song!

I used to love NSP. Last year I went back through their discography and it does not hold up for the most part, but that song still hits.

My list has embraced a lot more of my musical guilty pleasures.

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Sat Sep 21, 2024 12:39 pm

Safetycat wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2024 11:23 am
StevieFan13 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2024 2:25 am I already know I like this list for giving another vote to Danny Don’t You Know by Ninja Sex Party! I can’t believe someone else here knows that song!
I used to love NSP. Last year I went back through their discography and it does not hold up for the most part, but that song still hits.

My list has embraced a lot more of my musical guilty pleasures.

I think guilty pleasures are important. There’s a reason “Cha Cha Cha” and “Kiss Me” are high on my list in spite of not being critical darlings - I just love ‘em! I wish I had room for more, honestly. And tbh, you’re not wrong about NSP, but they have a few really awesome songs and I generally think their vibe is enjoyable.

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Sat Sep 21, 2024 12:42 pm

Ooh, speaking of - “Walk the Dinosaur” and “Poi E,” both desperately close to making my list.

Emerald · Post by **Emerald** » Sun Sep 22, 2024 3:15 am

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Sun Sep 22, 2024 9:02 am

Still annoyed I couldn’t find room for the Girl, So Confusing remix. Took that song to another level.

M24 · Post by **M24** » Mon Sep 23, 2024 3:32 pm

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Mon Sep 23, 2024 3:52 pm

Love the Aussie representation, M24! (And great #1 - yet another song I wish I had room for on my list.)

StevieFan13 · Post by **StevieFan13** » Mon Sep 23, 2024 3:54 pm

Also credit for being a fellow early appreciator of "Not Like Us." No room for OV-hoes on the Acclaimed Music Forum!
EDIT: I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE VOTING FOR "EDGE OF TOWN"!!!

Brad · Post by **Brad** » Mon Sep 23, 2024 7:56 pm

Live in Phoenix · Post by **Live in Phoenix** » Tue Sep 24, 2024 12:02 am

Cadavaca · Post by **Cadavaca** » Tue Sep 24, 2024 1:09 am

Got it, Live in Phoenix!

jamieW · Post by **jamieW** » Tue Sep 24, 2024 1:19 am

So many great lists! I don't remember ever seeing so many lists with so much diversity throughout. The results are going to be outstanding!

BTW, I will have my list submitted sometime on Sunday. I have all my 10s ranked (slightly over 900 songs); now, I just need to get the 9.9s ranked to fill out the 1000. I've definitely put more time and thought into this ranking than years past when I waited too long to get started.

Sweepstakes Ron · Post by **Sweepstakes Ron** » Wed Sep 25, 2024 2:29 am