Carly Raete Jepsen: 15 Years Of Pop Perfection - Eliminations Resume!!! #55!!!

Music Is Life & Death

Music Is Life & Death

He/Him
#105 - Me & The Boys In The Band: 6.417
Me & The Boys In The Band.jpg
Highest: 2x10s (@unnameable @Music Is Life & Death) 1x8.75 (@RUNAWAY) 1x8.7 (@pop3blow2)
Lowest: 2x3s (@Sprockrooster @SyPOPhantic) 1x3.8 (@cdd216) 4x4s (@VitaminBee @If You Go @DinahLee @fatyoshi)
My Score: 10
Favorite Lyric: And I got a little me last night (I'll elaborate on why in the write-up below)
Trajectory
5 Voters: #90 (7.1)
10 Voters: #95 (6.45)
15 Voters: #95 (6.4)
20 Voters: #99 (6.525)
25 Voters: #106 (6.3)
30 Voters: #106 (6.448)
35 Voters: #104 (6.47)
39 Voters: #105 (6.417)
Total Points: 250.25
​
Me & The Boys In The Band was written by Carly, Tavish Crowe and Jack Antonoff, and produced by the latter. It was uploaded to YouTube on August 19th 2020. It is still currently unavailable on streaming.

This is such a fun, funky, groovy little bop and I absolutely love it. The fact that she was able to make a song that both works as a love letter to performing in the midst of Covid and a send-off to her relationship is amazing and I'm obsessed with it. I don't think I knew or I had forgotten this is a Jack production becasue it doesn't sound like his other work to me. The funky groove, the rhythm of everything, the guitars, the drums, all the little instrument and production elements I can't fully name or place...it's brilliant. It's so fun dto dance to and sing-along with and the lyrics hit so damn hard. God I love them. I think my favorite use of lyrics are the "I'll be a whole new girl tomorrow" and "Got a little me last night" because when you go through a relationship that changed you so deeply and it ends, you can struggle to find who you were again. But doing what you love and being surrounded by your friends and doing stuff you love with them can be a great reminder of that person and a wonderful to get back to them. It reminds me of Taylor's "I'll never be the same" in State Of Grace versus "I'd like to be my old self again but I'm still trying to find it" in All Too Well on Red. It's what I've been going through and dealing with the past couple years so it hits really hard right now. And that's not even mentioning the bridge! The interpolation of Talk To Me's (one of my favorite early Carly songs) melody immediately made me fall in love with this song when it came out and I really love the lyric change of "So just take me away, I've been yours from the start...I'll be your summer heart" to "So just take me to the stage, it's been home from the start....I got that that summer heart." It's a wonderful moment in the song. Lastly, I love the outro with the line "And Real Love's just a song I guess" because the layers of it all...just brilliant writing all around. I'm genuinely so upset y'all let this fall so hard here when it's a brilliant momnet from the past few years of her music, but not as upset as I am at Carly for not putting this on streaming. Does she hate us or something? Dddd I don't understand. Anyway, point is, I really really love this song and you guys kinda suck right now. Except for everyone who gave it an 8+, you're all cool.

@daninternational (7.5) spreads lies: Cute if forgettable. It's extremely memorable, what are you talking about? @pop3blow2 (8.7) seems to agree somehow: Fun in the moment, if not a tad forgettable by Carly standards. But it isn't. Sooo get your memories checked I guess? @LoveMachine (6) has a sweet tooth: Obviously it sounds a little rough, but the sentiment is so sweet, I just can't not like it. Yeah. She really should have made this a full release. @lilylu (7) agrees: A cute little oddity. It could use a re-mastering, then it could be put on streaming! *sigh* If only. Maybe one day. Finally, @unnameable (10) is grateful: this song is a ray of sunshine, and I thank this rate for making me listen to it more. You're welcome ddd. And thank you for being on my side with this.



​
 
Remyky22

Remyky22

Any/All
Me and the Boys in the Band was probably the working title for the Beach House.

And y'all doing way too much to Good Time - honestly seems like you're not getting enough of it! It's always been a cute and breezy bop, never more, never less. Thankfully, I can WHOA OUH OUH OUH OH-O-OOOOH my life into oblivion and be joyful and carefree in my dinosaur dreams of caterpillar cotton candy or whatever the fuck Ms. City is on. His enunciation is so camp, he's like an eager English student reading a pop song in front of the class, you gotta admire the passion! And Carly just makes everything better because well she does.
 
memoryland

memoryland

Oh wow, didn’t expect Good Time to leave so fast. It is basic af, and production sound very dated, totally encapsulating that dance-pop singalong hands-in-the-air sound of 2012/2013 (the rest of “Kiss” aged much better sonically). However! A bop is a bop, and it never fails to bring a stupid smile on my face. Also, it is sorta her only other major hit besides Call Me Maybe, so thank you for saving her from one hit wonder status.
 
soratami

soratami

Seeing the words "11 runner-up" in the Good Time elimination...

flat,800x800,075,f.u2.jpg
 
LoveMachine

LoveMachine

Music Is Life & Death said:
@LoveMachine (4) points out the obvious: This is very "of its time", no? And? That criticism never makes sense to me ddd. Most music is "of it's time". Especially pop music.​
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I probably should've elaborated on that, because you're right, saying something is dated is not really a valid criticism in itself. But I remember even back when it was released I was thinking this song is so full of tired musical tropes of the time, I felt it was kinda cynical in its approach.

(by the way, I don't mind Owl City, I really like Fireflies)
 
Music Is Life & Death

Music Is Life & Death

He/Him
LoveMachine said:
I probably should've elaborated on that, because you're right, saying something is dated is not really a valid criticism in itself. But I remember even back when it was released I was thinking this song is so full of tired musical tropes of the time, I felt it was kinda cynical in its approach.

(by the way, I don't mind Owl City, I really like Fireflies)
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Ahhhhh okay. Thank you for elaborating and I understand what you mean but the song just works for me I guess.

#104 and #103 will be leaving today! #104 is a song that I'm kinda sad to see go, especially consider the album it's from, and #103 has lasted much longer than I expected it to!
 
Music Is Life & Death

Music Is Life & Death

He/Him
RUNAWAY said:
Okay so Sour Candy and Tug of War are sticking around for a while? Yas!!
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Wellllll....not exactly.











#104 - Sour Candy: 6.428
Sour Candy.jpg
Highest: 1x10 (@RUNAWAY) 1x9.25 (@Music Is Life & Death) 1x8.9 (@pop3blow2)
Lowest: 1x2 (@daninternational) 1x2.9 (@cdd216) 1x3 (@LoveMachine)
My Score: 9.25
Favorite Lyric: And I've been very cautious trying numbness instead of pain. (Unhealthy, but understandable.)
Trajectory
5 Voters: #98 (6.7)
10 Voters: #108 (5.6)
15 Voters: #107 (5.767)
20 Voters: #109 (5.995)
25 Voters: #107 (6.256)
30 Voters: #105 (6.477)
35 Voters: #103 (6.473)
39 Voters: #104 (6.428)
Total Points: 250.7
​
And then there was one. Sour Candy was written by Carly and Josh Ramsay and produced by the latter. It was included as track 10, the closing track on the standard edition, of Carly's debut album Tug Of War. It was later released as the fourth and final single from the album on October 30, 2009. It failed to chart on the Canadian Hot 100 but did chart on the Canada Hot AC at #36.

Poor Tug Of War ddd. Y'all really didn't have any time for it as a whole huh? I will confirm it'll be a long while before we see the title track though so that's good. I am a little surprised Sour Candy is the second highest placing song from the album though. I didn't realize it was that popular. It is a very good song though. The shuffling beats as the base with the acoustic guitar make for an interesting listen and the way it builds on those elements throughout, especially in the bridge, is really great. And vocally, I think she sounds great. She brings the intensity required by the production and her emotions really pour through. Josh's voice is a bit more...of an acquired taste. He's definitely utilizing a very "emo boy" vocal style which is fine, but can be very grating, especially when it's not used in the right context. I think they sounds good together on the chorus and parts where it's both of them, but his solo verse takes a bit of getting used to. The melodies are great too. Very memorable, interesting, and catchy, especially the chorus. Overall, this is a great song that showcases more of Carly's talent, especially when it comes to writing, and I'm glad it almost made the top 100. I'd probably give a 9.5 now and kinda wish it had made it in there. Oh and the music videos is pretty funny in my opinion.

Only a couple of you had something to say about this one, @daninternational (2) disagrees with me: Her voice doesn't lend itself well to this kind of song in my opinion Really? Her voice works for me here and it's not that different from the rest of the songs on the album. Just enough to stand out. And @pop3blow2 (8.9) recognizes how this shows what would come from Carly: Strains of later Carly genius poking through. Agreed, it's great hearing this and knowing how she would develop over time.


​
 
Music Is Life & Death

Music Is Life & Death

He/Him
#103 - Move Me: 6.513
Move Me.png
Highest: 2x10s (@CorgiCorgiCorgi @RUNAWAY) 3x8.5s (@BubblegumBoy @Maria @pop3blow2) 3x8s (@eddy2375 @DinahLee @Music Is Life & Death)
Lowest: 1x1.5 (@muddleddreams) 1x2 (@Heartthrob) 1x3 (@Sean_ius)
My Score: 8
Favorite Lyric: Today's the day I know I'll never live this night again. (Just a great lyric. Simple as that.)
Trajectory
5 Voters: #85 (7.25)
10 Voters: #105 (5.925)
15 Voters: #106 (5.817)
20 Voters: #106 (6.148)
25 Voters: #102 (6.438)
30 Voters: #103 (6.565)
35 Voters: #105 (6.463)
39 Voters: #103 (6.513)
Total Points: 254
​
Move Me was written by Carly and and French artist Lewis OfMan and produced by the latter. It was released as one-off single by the two of them on July 15, 2022 (which, fun fact, is 15 days before my brithday) and it failed to chart anywhere. The cover art was illustrated by Lewis OfMan's dad.

So, this is cute. A nice little bop. It's got a good grove, the production is fun - I especially like the guitars and handclaps because of course I do, it's me - and Carly sounds great. I'm not a big fan of Lewis OfMan's voice and that's partly what holds the song back for me. Or mostly what does, because it has all the other elements of a great Carly bop. I'd probably eat this up if it was her solo. I am surprised it got this far, as I remember the reception to it on here being pretty lukewarm/cold, especially coming off the back of Western Wind earlier that year. This isn't the first and it won't be the last surprise in the rate though, so I guess we should all just brace ourselves for more.

@daninternational (4) isn't really here for this: She's fine, but minus marks for his voice and the guitar solo. I love the guitar solo. @unnameable (7) mentions a live experience: The crowd really weren’t there for Lewis when I saw him support Carly live in February, but this is an OK song. Jealous. I'd love to see her live. Him...not smuch. I can't blame that crowd ddd. And @CorgiCorgiCorgi (10) is very into it: What a weird song. Big fan! It is weird, and it mostly works for me. I'm glad you like it!

​
 
Sean_ius

Sean_ius

He/him/sé/é
Music Is Life & Death said:
#103 - Move Me: 6.513
View attachment 42610
Highest: 2x10s (@CorgiCorgiCorgi @RUNAWAY) 3x8.5s (@BubblegumBoy @Maria @pop3blow2) 3x8s (@eddy2375 @DinahLee @Music Is Life & Death)
Lowest: 1x1.5 (@muddleddreams) 1x2 (@Heartthrob) 1x3 (@Sean_ius)
My Score: 8
Favorite Lyric: Today's the day I know I'll never live this night again. (Just a great lyric. Simple as that.)
Trajectory
5 Voters: #85 (7.25)
10 Voters: #105 (5.925)
15 Voters: #106 (5.817)
20 Voters: #106 (6.148)
25 Voters: #102 (6.438)
30 Voters: #103 (6.565)
35 Voters: #105 (6.463)
39 Voters: #103 (6.513)
Total Points: 254
​
Move Me was written by Carly and and French artist Lewis OfMan and produced by the latter. It was released as one-off single by the two of them on July 15, 2022 (which, fun fact, is 15 days before my brithday) and it failed to chart anywhere. The cover art was illustrated by Lewis OfMan's dad.

So, this is cute. A nice little bop. It's got a good grove, the production is fun - I especially like the guitars and handclaps because of course I do, it's me - and Carly sounds great. I'm not a big fan of Lewis OfMan's voice and that's partly what holds the song back for me. Or mostly what does, because it has all the other elements of a great Carly bop. I'd probably eat this up if it was her solo. I am surprised it got this far, as I remember the reception to it on here being pretty lukewarm/cold, especially coming off the back of Western Wind earlier that year. This isn't the first and it won't be the last surprise in the rate though, so I guess we should all just brace ourselves for more.

@daninternational (4) isn't really here for this: She's fine, but minus marks for his voice and the guitar solo. I love the guitar solo. @unnameable (7) mentions a live experience: The crowd really weren’t there for Lewis when I saw him support Carly live in February, but this is an OK song. Jealous. I'd love to see her live. Him...not smuch. I can't blame that crowd ddd. And @CorgiCorgiCorgi (10) is very into it: What a weird song. Big fan! It is weird, and it mostly works for me. I'm glad you like it!

​
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Completely forgot this existed. Probably should’ve gone sooner!
 
memoryland

memoryland

"Move Me" is good, and one of the discoveries of the rate for me (I honestly didn't even know it existed). I just love her voice over the piano-driven house beat. The guitars are just bringing more of that delicious french touch to it. It does sound a bit underwritten maybe, but for me personally it's pretty much on the same level as many of The Loneliest Time & Kiss songs. Loving the watercolours artworks as well

Also, I vastly prefer Lewis OfMan voice to Josh Ramsay
 
MilesAngel

MilesAngel

Sour Candy :redacted:

I think it's great that Carly shows appreciation for her backing musicians in Me & The Boys In The Band. They obviously got her through some difficult times. It's such a kooky bop.

Move Me is 1930's Cabaret mixed with 1970's funk, and I dig it. I adore the artwork; Lewis' dad has talent.
 
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