La Copa de la Vida - 7. This would be fun in a crowd, but doesn't do much for me on my own in my bedroom.
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The 80s-90s Lost Classics Rate - Goodbye Wes! :'-(
- Thread starter berserkboi
- Start date
He/Him
That's right heathens - you are all getting me again this time!
I take it you like my songs so much you just wanted to get to the Berserky SILVER asap, as opposed to the opposite of this statement?
They shall remain a little longer!
#7
Tanita Tikaram - Twist In My Sobriety
Picked By: Berserkboi
Credentials: #1 Poland, #2 Austria, #2 Germany, Certified GOLD, 250000 Units SOLD, #6 France, Certified SILVER, 200000 Units SOLD, #6 Norway, #6 Switzerland
Average Score: 8.5818
Highest Score: 10 @berserkboi @soratami @saviodxl @jtm @Filippa @Penguin @dancingwithmyself @DominoDancing @TéléDex
Lowest Score: 5.2 @Untouchable Ace
Well there we have it! This was actually a contender for the win, looking to nudge a couple of other tracks off those podium finishes til the second half of voters became more infrequent with the high scores! I believe Twist In My Sobriety was the last song I recommended we include for the rate. I am not entirely sure how it recently came back into my life but I recall trying to send it to PJ Retro as soon as it did since it never peaked in the Top 20 in the US or UK (crime!) but was swiftly vetoed - so much for empowerment ddd!
Twist In My Sobriety is a song that hypnotises as soon as it starts. In fact, I fail to name another song that sounded similar at the time or one released since that does. The closest I could think of with the heaviness expressed by this instrumental tone was Leonard Cohen’s Everybody Knows - though there are still many thematic differences between it and Twist In My Sobriety.
Young Berserky was a pretty happy go lucky type kid so it is still surprising even to him that he loved the song at all, but I remember being stopped in my tracks when I first saw the Music Video to Twist In My Sobriety - the weight and sadness I felt is still hauntingly palpable today. Reading up on the song’s message was a little surprising, though not fully disconnected from the visuals of the video (I do wonder whether my beloved Utena franchise utilised parts of this as a source):
“The first line of the song, "All God's children need traveling shoes", is the title of a book by writer/poet Maya Angelou.
Speaking about the somewhat obscure and enigmatic lyrics, Tikaram has offered different views on their meaning, but said it's mostly about the particular relationship with the world one feels when entering adulthood. "The song is really about not understanding - when you're 18, you've got a very particular emotional relationship with the world, you feel very isolated, and everybody else is so distant and cold. And I think I was singing about not feeling anything or not being moved by things around. I think this is a strong feeling when you're just after adolescence."[1]
Malcolm Messiter plays the oboe on the song, which is featured prominently on the song's chorus, as well as being used on instrumental solos throughout the song. A rarity on pop songs, the use of the oboe was favourably remarked by several reviewers, citing that it made the song unique and distinct from other charts hits of the time.”
Despite only being a moderate hit in the UK/US - the rest of us definitely took to Twist In My Sobriety in a big way - as you can see from the credentials posted. I feel there are probably better members to point out wonderful music by Tanita Tikaram so I will open the floor to you all for some recommendations and only post what seem to be her more notable chart music!
@jtm (10) is fully on board with Team Berserky on this one! - Beautiful and one I always love to hear. Have we finally gotten to @Filippa's (10) favourite Berserky pick? - What a beautiful song! @DominoDancing (10) tells me he is an 80s Berserky as I try to discover if I am a 90s DominoDancer in Hazey's current rate!! - This really is a one-of-a-kind song. I literally cannot think of a single song that sounds similar and manages to transport the same mood. Perhaps I can find a bit of it in Terence Trent D'Arby's Delicate, but even that doesn't reach the same heights.
@WowWowWowWow (8) can visualise himself with this one, but was it a discovery? - Something about this song makes me feel like someone is following me throughout the night with a light mist in the air (not a proper rainstorm, just like the little spritzes that they have over the lettuce at the supermarket, you know?) and I'm kind of into it. @daninternational (7.5) is almost on board with us - The title is great, and it's atmospheric, but missing something. @Penguin (10) who we haven't heard from in a while is into it! – Another favourite find from this rate. Her voice is quite enchanting.
@MilesAngel (9) singles out one of the song's signature components, and I completely agree about the mood it creates! - I love the prominent oboe which gives this a very distinct and original feel. The enigmatic and ambiguous lyrics are intriguing. @berserkboi (10) clearly appreciated one of the first tastes he ever got of music with depth! - A glorious song with a conscience! We don’t get enough of this quality anymore!
(There is a chance her output post her debut album is Song Contest eligible if you are still here for that!)
I take it you like my songs so much you just wanted to get to the Berserky SILVER asap, as opposed to the opposite of this statement?
Ummmmmmm
They shall remain a little longer!
#7
Tanita Tikaram - Twist In My Sobriety
Picked By: Berserkboi
Credentials: #1 Poland, #2 Austria, #2 Germany, Certified GOLD, 250000 Units SOLD, #6 France, Certified SILVER, 200000 Units SOLD, #6 Norway, #6 Switzerland
Average Score: 8.5818
Highest Score: 10 @berserkboi @soratami @saviodxl @jtm @Filippa @Penguin @dancingwithmyself @DominoDancing @TéléDex
Lowest Score: 5.2 @Untouchable Ace
Well there we have it! This was actually a contender for the win, looking to nudge a couple of other tracks off those podium finishes til the second half of voters became more infrequent with the high scores! I believe Twist In My Sobriety was the last song I recommended we include for the rate. I am not entirely sure how it recently came back into my life but I recall trying to send it to PJ Retro as soon as it did since it never peaked in the Top 20 in the US or UK (crime!) but was swiftly vetoed - so much for empowerment ddd!
Twist In My Sobriety is a song that hypnotises as soon as it starts. In fact, I fail to name another song that sounded similar at the time or one released since that does. The closest I could think of with the heaviness expressed by this instrumental tone was Leonard Cohen’s Everybody Knows - though there are still many thematic differences between it and Twist In My Sobriety.
Young Berserky was a pretty happy go lucky type kid so it is still surprising even to him that he loved the song at all, but I remember being stopped in my tracks when I first saw the Music Video to Twist In My Sobriety - the weight and sadness I felt is still hauntingly palpable today. Reading up on the song’s message was a little surprising, though not fully disconnected from the visuals of the video (I do wonder whether my beloved Utena franchise utilised parts of this as a source):
“The first line of the song, "All God's children need traveling shoes", is the title of a book by writer/poet Maya Angelou.
Speaking about the somewhat obscure and enigmatic lyrics, Tikaram has offered different views on their meaning, but said it's mostly about the particular relationship with the world one feels when entering adulthood. "The song is really about not understanding - when you're 18, you've got a very particular emotional relationship with the world, you feel very isolated, and everybody else is so distant and cold. And I think I was singing about not feeling anything or not being moved by things around. I think this is a strong feeling when you're just after adolescence."[1]
Malcolm Messiter plays the oboe on the song, which is featured prominently on the song's chorus, as well as being used on instrumental solos throughout the song. A rarity on pop songs, the use of the oboe was favourably remarked by several reviewers, citing that it made the song unique and distinct from other charts hits of the time.”
Despite only being a moderate hit in the UK/US - the rest of us definitely took to Twist In My Sobriety in a big way - as you can see from the credentials posted. I feel there are probably better members to point out wonderful music by Tanita Tikaram so I will open the floor to you all for some recommendations and only post what seem to be her more notable chart music!
@jtm (10) is fully on board with Team Berserky on this one! - Beautiful and one I always love to hear. Have we finally gotten to @Filippa's (10) favourite Berserky pick? - What a beautiful song! @DominoDancing (10) tells me he is an 80s Berserky as I try to discover if I am a 90s DominoDancer in Hazey's current rate!! - This really is a one-of-a-kind song. I literally cannot think of a single song that sounds similar and manages to transport the same mood. Perhaps I can find a bit of it in Terence Trent D'Arby's Delicate, but even that doesn't reach the same heights.
@WowWowWowWow (8) can visualise himself with this one, but was it a discovery? - Something about this song makes me feel like someone is following me throughout the night with a light mist in the air (not a proper rainstorm, just like the little spritzes that they have over the lettuce at the supermarket, you know?) and I'm kind of into it. @daninternational (7.5) is almost on board with us - The title is great, and it's atmospheric, but missing something. @Penguin (10) who we haven't heard from in a while is into it! – Another favourite find from this rate. Her voice is quite enchanting.
@MilesAngel (9) singles out one of the song's signature components, and I completely agree about the mood it creates! - I love the prominent oboe which gives this a very distinct and original feel. The enigmatic and ambiguous lyrics are intriguing. @berserkboi (10) clearly appreciated one of the first tastes he ever got of music with depth! - A glorious song with a conscience! We don’t get enough of this quality anymore!
(There is a chance her output post her debut album is Song Contest eligible if you are still here for that!)
He/Him
Twist In My Sobriety - 9. I think that after the 'Dexy's Midnight Runners' style 'Good Traditions,' which got to number 10, and I still hear on the radio, the UK public weren't prepared for a totally different musical style.
Still, getting to number 22 isn't bad considering.
Still, getting to number 22 isn't bad considering.
Hijo de la Luna - 10. I liked this from the moment I first watched the video, not surprising as I have a fascination with the Moon, and I gave it 9. I also love fables and fairy tales, so when I read the meaning behind the song I had to raise my score to a 10. Hijo de la Luna is mesmerising and enchanting.
I have one 8, four 10's and my 11 left. I can't wait to see the Top 5 (watch my 11 just miss out).
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Liza wanted a piece of that.
This is quite good, but I miss the Oboe.
D
Deleted member 26234
Me neither. Another 11 contender for sure.
He/Him
I did not expect these Mecano and Tanita to be top 10, but hey... here we are.
Come to think of it, I didn't give either of them very high scores either, so...
My taste is nothing but impeccable. Y'all should be aware of that by now. /kthxbai
Come to think of it, I didn't give either of them very high scores either, so...
My taste is nothing but impeccable. Y'all should be aware of that by now. /kthxbai
He/Him
That’s right voters - we’ve reached the end of the line for the Berserky picks! You all decided Queen @Filippa deserved to take up all of the Top 5 (though I still have some representation with the Wildcard!) and the Berserky GOLD is up!
Can you guess what it is before scrolling further?
Sadly I am taking the final Berserky 11s with me!
And they are for…..
#6
Wes - Alane
Picked By: Berserkboi
Credentials: #1 Austria, #1 Belgium, #1 France (10 Weeks), Certified DIAMOND in France for 1400000 Units SOLD, 18th Best Selling Single Of All Time in France, 3 rd Best Selling Song of 1997 in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, #1 Netherlands, #2 Germany, #4 Switzerland
Average Score: 8.6090
Highest Score: 11 @soratami @daninternational 10 @berserkboi @Remorque @If You Go @WowWowWowWow @Filippa @Sprockrooster
Lowest Score: 5 @Ana Raquel
Very narrowly qualifying for the Lost Classics Rate - Alane falls just short of the Top 5, despite being the most consistent song at #1 during the voting period before our eventual winner got there! The reason Wes could have missed out on making it here is that his success with Alane almost crossed over into a Top 10 hit in the UK - with a #11 peak, though this gave an opportunity to participate in the Lost Classics Rate - so it all worked out well for him ;)
Alane felt like an undisputable cultural reset in Mauritius. I may have mentioned the many ways in which our society there had racial barrieirs within - but Alane was a song for which we all came together and pulled for all the success that was coming Wes’ way! AFRICA REPRESENT in the best possible way!!! So great seeing him share the stage with so many big stars of the time, and in some cases catching more accolades - a wonderful time to be alive!
Sung in Duala (a dialect cluster in Cameroon) - Alane is surprisingly not the only famous song in that language that has endured in global culture. Another track released in 1972 called “Soul Makossa” may not seem familiar right away to anyone but the chanted vocal refrain "ma-ma-ko, ma-ma-sa, ma-ko ma-ko-sa" being used in a Michael Jackson and a Rihanna song. I love finding things like that out about unexpected lingual success!
Alane was a genuine hit (as the credentials above prove) and probably one of the farthest reaching songs we have on the playlist, and I am glad you all decided to take it this far - though I must say I would have loved this winning but now I must on principle pull for the amazing Ti Sento as the only remaining Foreign Language entry of the rate!
Alane is always going to be Wes’ defining hit, but some may also recognise him for “In Youpendi” from The Lion King II Soundtrack, and maybe some of his work with Deep Forest if you are versed in more obscure factions of Pop a la Wowx4. Alane caused parent album Welenga to chart in the Top 10 in a few European countries, though sadly this was the only era of his career to have done so. His Wikipedia page tells me he has been working with electronic producer Paul Kwitek so hopefully we hear where this goes soon!
@jtm (9.9) has less Retro memories from this one! - I have a new fondness for this after this summer‘s excellent remix. @Ezz (8.5) blows my mind as this comment makes Alane sound like a discovery for them, maybe a UK #11 isn't all that memorable after all... Let me quickly try to get this in RETRO next! Also - hello again to Mia Frye! - Love the dance moves! This could become an earworm. @Epic Chocolat (9.7) is all for leaving perfection in its original form - It didn't need a remix, the original version suffice.
@WowWowWowWow (10) gives us a memory I now treasure! - When I was younger I had a videotape of the 1996 World Music Awards. Unfortunately on US TV they did not give the full performances of all acts, but there was a medley of three artists who won awards that night. Along with Wes we had "Where Is Your Love" by DJ Bobo and "Desátame" by Monica Naranjo. Wes was the one that stuck with me the most. Classic music video too. The whole package just makes me smile. Now this is the part where I admit that I never looked up what "Alane" actually means and if this is a "Papaoutai" situation where the song is actually about something really depressing I'm never going to forgive this rate for it. Oh and in this house we do not acknowledge the Robin Schulz version.
@DominoDancing (8) manages to make a compliment sound shady - a talent!! - Super catchy. Production is a bit generic.
@daninternational (11) makes an excellent Berserky 11 choice! - This is possibly the only song on the list I knew from my childhood in UK. In fact thanks to the recently released remix by Robin Schulz I've been listening to it a lot. It's a super infectious, happy song and well worth an 11 for the expert way it makes African music accessible to Western ears. Love it. @Filippa (10) fully supports the last Berserky song - I simply love it.
@berserkboi (10) is in his own team, obviously! - This song is pure joy, I am so glad it received the deserved success! @MilesAngel (8) is down to a Top 5 they've only given 10s and 11s too so this should make them very happy! - This is so joyous it never fails to put a smile on my face, but also has moments of beauty. @Sprockrooster (10) will continue to be a disappointed Berserky - Part of my holy trinity this rate and deeply saddened this is not my 11. GODDAMN! This will never be in a rate again and I only have to blame myself for not taking the opportunity now. But then again there are so many other worthy 11-contenders too. So much talent. This song is childhood in bopform. How can I possibly not get my life? In fact I am getting loose every damn time.
Can you guess what it is before scrolling further?
Sadly I am taking the final Berserky 11s with me!
And they are for…..
#6
Wes - Alane
Picked By: Berserkboi
Credentials: #1 Austria, #1 Belgium, #1 France (10 Weeks), Certified DIAMOND in France for 1400000 Units SOLD, 18th Best Selling Single Of All Time in France, 3 rd Best Selling Song of 1997 in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, #1 Netherlands, #2 Germany, #4 Switzerland
Average Score: 8.6090
Highest Score: 11 @soratami @daninternational 10 @berserkboi @Remorque @If You Go @WowWowWowWow @Filippa @Sprockrooster
Lowest Score: 5 @Ana Raquel
Very narrowly qualifying for the Lost Classics Rate - Alane falls just short of the Top 5, despite being the most consistent song at #1 during the voting period before our eventual winner got there! The reason Wes could have missed out on making it here is that his success with Alane almost crossed over into a Top 10 hit in the UK - with a #11 peak, though this gave an opportunity to participate in the Lost Classics Rate - so it all worked out well for him ;)
Alane felt like an undisputable cultural reset in Mauritius. I may have mentioned the many ways in which our society there had racial barrieirs within - but Alane was a song for which we all came together and pulled for all the success that was coming Wes’ way! AFRICA REPRESENT in the best possible way!!! So great seeing him share the stage with so many big stars of the time, and in some cases catching more accolades - a wonderful time to be alive!
Sung in Duala (a dialect cluster in Cameroon) - Alane is surprisingly not the only famous song in that language that has endured in global culture. Another track released in 1972 called “Soul Makossa” may not seem familiar right away to anyone but the chanted vocal refrain "ma-ma-ko, ma-ma-sa, ma-ko ma-ko-sa" being used in a Michael Jackson and a Rihanna song. I love finding things like that out about unexpected lingual success!
Alane was a genuine hit (as the credentials above prove) and probably one of the farthest reaching songs we have on the playlist, and I am glad you all decided to take it this far - though I must say I would have loved this winning but now I must on principle pull for the amazing Ti Sento as the only remaining Foreign Language entry of the rate!
Alane is always going to be Wes’ defining hit, but some may also recognise him for “In Youpendi” from The Lion King II Soundtrack, and maybe some of his work with Deep Forest if you are versed in more obscure factions of Pop a la Wowx4. Alane caused parent album Welenga to chart in the Top 10 in a few European countries, though sadly this was the only era of his career to have done so. His Wikipedia page tells me he has been working with electronic producer Paul Kwitek so hopefully we hear where this goes soon!
@jtm (9.9) has less Retro memories from this one! - I have a new fondness for this after this summer‘s excellent remix. @Ezz (8.5) blows my mind as this comment makes Alane sound like a discovery for them, maybe a UK #11 isn't all that memorable after all... Let me quickly try to get this in RETRO next! Also - hello again to Mia Frye! - Love the dance moves! This could become an earworm. @Epic Chocolat (9.7) is all for leaving perfection in its original form - It didn't need a remix, the original version suffice.
@WowWowWowWow (10) gives us a memory I now treasure! - When I was younger I had a videotape of the 1996 World Music Awards. Unfortunately on US TV they did not give the full performances of all acts, but there was a medley of three artists who won awards that night. Along with Wes we had "Where Is Your Love" by DJ Bobo and "Desátame" by Monica Naranjo. Wes was the one that stuck with me the most. Classic music video too. The whole package just makes me smile. Now this is the part where I admit that I never looked up what "Alane" actually means and if this is a "Papaoutai" situation where the song is actually about something really depressing I'm never going to forgive this rate for it. Oh and in this house we do not acknowledge the Robin Schulz version.
@DominoDancing (8) manages to make a compliment sound shady - a talent!! - Super catchy. Production is a bit generic.
@daninternational (11) makes an excellent Berserky 11 choice! - This is possibly the only song on the list I knew from my childhood in UK. In fact thanks to the recently released remix by Robin Schulz I've been listening to it a lot. It's a super infectious, happy song and well worth an 11 for the expert way it makes African music accessible to Western ears. Love it. @Filippa (10) fully supports the last Berserky song - I simply love it.
@berserkboi (10) is in his own team, obviously! - This song is pure joy, I am so glad it received the deserved success! @MilesAngel (8) is down to a Top 5 they've only given 10s and 11s too so this should make them very happy! - This is so joyous it never fails to put a smile on my face, but also has moments of beauty. @Sprockrooster (10) will continue to be a disappointed Berserky - Part of my holy trinity this rate and deeply saddened this is not my 11. GODDAMN! This will never be in a rate again and I only have to blame myself for not taking the opportunity now. But then again there are so many other worthy 11-contenders too. So much talent. This song is childhood in bopform. How can I possibly not get my life? In fact I am getting loose every damn time.
I'm happy to have just 10's and my 11 in the Top 5, but I'm also happy that Alane got this far. It's another song I can't wait to listen to when the weather gets better.
he/him
I'm ok with my 11 leaving us in 6th place. Alane falls into that genre of 'summer music' that just captures the warm vibes and blue skies perfectly.
Queue it up along with Sunchyme and Mas que nada <3
Queue it up along with Sunchyme and Mas que nada <3
D
Deleted member 26234
Alane would have been a very deserved winner, too. It's really a song I don't get tired of listening to - even 'though it got recently quite some airplay again due to the Robin Schulz version.
D
Deleted member 26234
Top 5 Recap!
Frida - I Know There's Something Going On
Jermaine Jackson, Pia Zadora - When the Rain Begins To Fall
Matia Bazar - Ti sento
Mecano - Hijo de la Luna
Nick Kamen - I Promised Myself
Sandra - Maria Magdalena
Team Berserkboi 11s that have fallen - @Maki @Ezz @Penguin @Sprockrooster @dancingwithmyself,@berserkboi, @Untouchable Ace,@soratami, @daninternational
Team Filippa 11s that have fallen - @Ana Raquel @jtm @If You Go, @Phonetics Girl, @WowWowWowWow @TéléDex, @pop3blow2,
- @saviodxl, @Filippa, @DominoDancing, @Epic Chocolat, @MilesAngel, @Remorque have managed to bring their 11s into the top 5! But will our winning song even have got one 11?
- Filippa has lost 29 songs and Berserkboi has lost 30 songs, this race is over - I'm sorry my dear @berserkboi!
- But there's still one of our wildcards here!
- We have 1 Italian, 1 German, and 3 "international" acts left.
- Only our winning song will get an average of above 9.
Here's our top 5 again:
A little spoiler:
The song which leaves next is the last song that got a rating below 10 from me.
Frida is going to take this. Speaking it into existence etc. etc.
D
Deleted member 26234
I am amazed that Frida is in the top 5 given how neglectful the forum seems to be regarding the solo output of the ABBA members ...