^From what I just learned, the original was the version that was originally released in very early 1999 and it was actually played on most Rhythmic/Urban stations and didn't chart on CHR, but the Thunderpuss remix was hugely popular in dance clubs, so popular in fact that it managed to cross over from the nightclubs of New York and Miami and onto CHR radio, reaching #22 that summer and having enough longevity to go recurrent. I didn't even know that the remix wasn't the original until just last year when I was looking for the music video and hearing something else. For me, this takes me back to 1999 more than "Baby One More Time" or "I Want It That Way" can, which is way its my #10. It was that huge. If you weren't exposed to it, you wouldn't get it. Anyway, here are my rankings:
10) Whitney Houston - "It's Not Right, But It's Okay (Thunderpuss Remix)" (The original actually isn't bad, though)
09) TLC - "Unpretty"
08) Ace of Base - "The Sign"
07) Robyn - "Show Me Love"
06) Nirvana - "All Apologies"
05) Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Scar Tissue"
04) Fiona Apple - "Never Is A Promise"
03) Nine Inch Nails - "Closer"
02) Paula Abdul - "Rush Rush" (At least it wasn't "Opposites Attract" - that masterpiece would have gotten negative points from me, although I think its from the 80s)
01) Garth Brooks - "Thunder Rolls" (Just another reason why I hate country)
So much wrong is being done to Whitney right now... Yes, the remix of "It's Not Right, It's Not Okay" is not as good (the song loses some of the menacing cool of Whitney's threats when it's overpowered by throbbing dance beats), so listen to the awesome original instead! Let me help enlighten you:
EDIT: Apparently, the "Thunderpuss Remix" was the main version of the single serviced to radio. Is that true? I distinctly remember Whitney performing the original at the Grammys when I was in fourth grade or something. Definitely a little unsure now how the song became such a big hit...
I adore the original song. It was one of my fave song when I grew up and it is one of my faves song from her catalogue. Like I said the song itself(original version) deserves a 5/6 on my list or even more but the song will should vote here is the remix. And it deserves a 1. 1+7=8/2=4.
On a serious note though, I've never been espoxed to the remix, in my country they only play the "awesome original" one as you said.
10) NIN - Closer
9) Nirvana - All Apologies
8) Garth Brooks - The Thunder Rolls (always had a soft spot for this song)
7) Fiona Apple - Never Is A Promise
6) Whitney Houston - It's Not Right, But It's OK
5) Red Hot Chili Peppers - Scar Tissue
4) TLC - Unpretty
3) Robyn - Show Me Love
2) Ace of Base - The Sign
1) Paula Abdul - Rush, Rush
Genuinely love songs 10-3, don't mind 2, 1 is the only one I dislike. Ai yi yi.
You guys have made this perhaps the most interesting week of voting yet - TLC are definitely moving on, but I'm lost as to who's joining them.
But I can't decide who's being done a more grave disservice - Whitney or Paula. Flashing Lights explained it perfectly; the Thunderpuss Remix was EVERYWHERE in New York in 1999. The original is equally as good.
And Rush Rush is exquisite. Paula's best ballad, and her best 90s song by a long, wide berth. I'll explain more later.
You guys have made this perhaps the most interesting week of voting yet - TLC are definitely moving on, but I'm lost as to who's joining them.
I'm actually curious about your methods. Do the top four artists from each week move on to the second round, or the top 32 artists overall? (And if it's the latter, how do you decide fairly?)
^From what I just learned, the original was the version that was originally released in very early 1999 and it was actually played on most Rhythmic/Urban stations and didn't chart on CHR, but the Thunderpuss remix was hugely popular in dance clubs, so popular in fact that it managed to cross over from the nightclubs of New York and Miami and onto CHR radio, reaching #22 that summer and having enough longevity to go recurrent. I didn't even know that the remix wasn't the original until just last year when I was looking for the music video and hearing something else. For me, this takes me back to 1999 more than "Baby One More Time" or "I Want It That Way" can, which is way its my #10. It was that huge. If you weren't exposed to it, you wouldn't get it. Anyway, here are my rankings:
I'm listening to the remix again now because of you. I like it better than I did the first time—I think the chorus actually comes alive more here. But overall, I still prefer the original version.
I'm actually curious about your methods. Do the top four artists from each week move on to the second round, or the top 32 artists overall? (And if it's the latter, how do you decide fairly?)
'i can't reveal what I'm planning ... not until this round is closed.
10. Ace of Base- The Sign ; Amazing song. Even though the pseduo reggae feel is cheesy and some of the lyrics simple, it totally works and remains a classic pop song.
9. Nine Inch Nails- Closer; Crazy lyrics and has a great groove. It was made in 94' but it still feels fresh and current.
8. Whitney Houston- It's Not Right, But It's Okay; I prefer the Thunderpuss Remix, but Whitney delivers the good vocals in both. This is one of the few Whitney songs that I can listen to in any mood and she doesn't over sing it.
7.Robyn- Show Me Love; A very solid, and very typical 90's pop song. Robyn's vocals seems to give the song some edge not to mention the video is very cute.
6. Red Hot Chilli Peppers- Scar Tissue; Very laid back song, and the base help makes the song. As always Anthony's vocals give the song that extra X factor.
5. Nirvana- All Apologies; Another great grungey song. It certainly has that laid back vibe.
4. TLC- Unpretty; I distinctly remember this song since childhood, and its worn it's welcome for now. It's a great song but it gets so sobby after a while.
3. Fiona Apple- Never Is A Promise; God knows I love Fiona, but this song doesn't quite do it for me. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful, but it feels so sad to me for some reason.
2. Garth Brooks- The Thunder Rolls; This is okay, but I just can't get into country.
1. Paula Abdul- Rush, Rush; MESS MESS MESS. This song almost single handedly made me despise Paula. From the off key vocals, to the cliche lyrics, to the even more cliche beat, I don't think there is anything good about this song. The overly dramatic video was corny and didn't make sense at all, but I could appreciate Keanu's sexiness in his prime.
Songs 10-8 slay me, 7-5 are good, 4 &3 are okay, but 1&2, I don't like.
I'm really stumped this week. I have no clue how to rank these. Not one song I hate, a few I like a lot, and not one that I absolutely love.
That's how I feel! Too lazy to do write-ups, so some quick comments:
Rush Rush is being dragged through the mud, unfairly. Paula is the very definition of "not a singer;" here, her voice works. Her tendency to either be shy of or completely miss the note gives the song a vulnerabiltiy that really makes it beautiful. Again, nostalgia is playing too big of an effect - but we'll all deal.
The Sign - maybe the best ABBA approximation ever?
supa, spot on about Robyn's different vocal approach in the 90s. I think she was using a deeper part of her range then, and you can tell - close your eyes, and she doesn't sound too dissimilar from a teenage Brandy or Aaliyah. Obviously, that's the highest compliment I can give anyone.
Fiona Apple has always been too wordy for her own damn good, and that's what makes her so overall worthwhile - her flaws are present in everything she does. Usually, her hyper-verbosity is offset by beautiful or intriguing music; that's where Never is a Promise kind of falters. The chorus is really wonderful, but everything else is a meandering mess. And, oh so teenage.
Thunderpuss were awful remixers. Just the pits. 98% of their output is unlistenable. The other two percent, funnily enough, came about when they remixed songs by one of the greatest voices pop music has ever seen (Ol' Nippy) and one of the weakest voices anyone has ever heard (Jenny Lo's Alive). Everything else supa summed up.
For me, this takes me back to 1999 more than "Baby One More Time" or "I Want It That Way" can, which is way its my #10. It was that huge. If you weren't exposed to it, you wouldn't get it. Anyway, here are my rankings:
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