This rate is wild. @berserkboi as a lowest scorer. For On The Verge Of Something Beautiful of all tracks too. My 11 made top 10. But I would almost ask... at what cost?!
This Delicate Rate We've Made: The Darren Hayes / Savage Garden Rate - WINNER announced
- Thread starter jtm
- Start date
The Top 10
SAVAGE GARDEN
To The Moon & Back
AFFIRMATION
Affirmation
SPIN
Strange Relationship
THE TENSION & THE SPARK
Darkness
I Like The Way
THIS DELICATE THING WE’VE MADE
Who Would Have Thought
Step Into The Light
SECRET CODES AND BATTLESHIPS
Black Out The Sun
Talk Talk Talk
Bloodstained Heart
SAVAGE GARDEN
To The Moon & Back
AFFIRMATION
Affirmation
SPIN
Strange Relationship
THE TENSION & THE SPARK
Darkness
I Like The Way
THIS DELICATE THING WE’VE MADE
Who Would Have Thought
Step Into The Light
SECRET CODES AND BATTLESHIPS
Black Out The Sun
Talk Talk Talk
Bloodstained Heart
10 Black Out The Sun
9 Bloodstained Heart
8 Strange Relationship
7 Affirmation
6 Talk Talk Talk
5 Darkness
4 To The Moon and Back
3 I Like The Way
2/1 Who Would Have Thought / Step Into The Light [both my 11 and runner-up; both winners I would cry for].
My lowest score is a 7,5. But in Darren's discography that is actually quite bad.
Secret Codes dominating is not the tea! GET IT OUT ENTIRELY!
9 Bloodstained Heart
8 Strange Relationship
7 Affirmation
6 Talk Talk Talk
5 Darkness
4 To The Moon and Back
3 I Like The Way
2/1 Who Would Have Thought / Step Into The Light [both my 11 and runner-up; both winners I would cry for].
My lowest score is a 7,5. But in Darren's discography that is actually quite bad.
Secret Codes dominating is not the tea! GET IT OUT ENTIRELY!
I think I have mostly 10s and about six candidates for my 11 left. And one 8 or so.
My actual 11 is long gone and so are some favorites but I think it‘s an amazing top 10 and most importantly it‘s - for me - the correct songs that are left from each album. 10 fantastic songs for any pop artist to be jealous of and a great representation of the discography.
My actual 11 is long gone and so are some favorites but I think it‘s an amazing top 10 and most importantly it‘s - for me - the correct songs that are left from each album. 10 fantastic songs for any pop artist to be jealous of and a great representation of the discography.
I used to listen to this so much. It was also one of my go-to songs at the gym. My favorite part is still the most Darren part of the song:
You can dance in the devil's shoes if you like walking in heels
And there's a decent living to be made in the selling out of ideals
You can lose your way in the big city
Get distracted and lost and feel pretty
(This is what Google says are the lyrics - I always thought it was ‚in feeling pretty‘)
Oh God. On The Verge has all the makings of a rate winner and I thought this was a genuine contender, what’s going on here?! It’s absolutely massive, the kind of perfect uplifting pop song the world desperately needs (especially when life looks as grim as it does in these dark times). Not even top 10? Colour me shocked.
All in all, a surprising top 10. The Secret Codes domination is really not what I had hoped for...
All in all, a surprising top 10. The Secret Codes domination is really not what I had hoped for...
she/her
I think the lowest score I have remaining is a 7, so I'm happy with this top 10! Shocked that On The Verge didn't make it, especially with that chorus.
10.
I Like The Way
Album track from ‘The Tension and the Spark’
Average: 8,86
Highest score: 6x10 (@Remorque, @phoenix123, @rawkey, @funkyg, @Sprockrooster, @jtm), 1x9,7 (@Untouchable Ace)
Lowest score: 1x6 (@berserkboi)
We start the top 10 with this awesome bop from The Tension and the Spark. Great that it made it this far. The record company really had no clue!
Darren: “I think this song was the last one finished for the album. Mostly because I adopted a policy of never recording my vocal until I was sure that lyrically I was certain of what I was saying and why. Robert and I worked a lot on the track, and the sounds.. but lyrically I wanted to make sure it was as heavy and textured in detail as it sounded. It's really a song about sexuality. It's about being aware of the physical aspect of attraction as opposed to the spiritual connection of love.. and yet still being a slave to desire. In terms of my views on spirituality and eastern philosophy I am fascinated by the concept of stages of evolution of the ego and the soul. I guess I firmly believe that lust and desire, although a huge part of the process of attraction, are embryonic or adolescent stages of love. I know that ultimately the ego craves the physical aspect but the soul wants more. And even though I like to think of myself as a pretty evolved person, I am still at war with these two opposing energies. Then on a deeper level, I guess there's a whole lot of religious and moral guilt I'm addressing and how it relates to my psyche. Probably the second most Freudian song on the album.”
The comments:
@londonrain: ‘As always, Darren does these minor-key electronic bops so well.’ (8)
@berserkboi: ‘A bit weak on first listen’ (6)
@CorgiCorgiCorgi: ‘They said the name of the album!’ (7)
@Sprockrooster: ‘This darkroombop! I should not stan, but hell yeah I am doing anyway.’ (10)
@Eric: ‘Moody and mature- you can definitely see the evolution of Darren's music’ (8.5)
@jtm: ‘The sexiest song he ever wrote and what a bop this is (still!). On an album that may have been difficult with regards to commercial viability of its songs as singles, I feel like this really should have been the lead single and I believe things would look much different today. Another candidate for my 11.’ (10)
Listen here:
I Like The Way
Album track from ‘The Tension and the Spark’
Average: 8,86
Highest score: 6x10 (@Remorque, @phoenix123, @rawkey, @funkyg, @Sprockrooster, @jtm), 1x9,7 (@Untouchable Ace)
Lowest score: 1x6 (@berserkboi)
We start the top 10 with this awesome bop from The Tension and the Spark. Great that it made it this far. The record company really had no clue!
Darren: “I think this song was the last one finished for the album. Mostly because I adopted a policy of never recording my vocal until I was sure that lyrically I was certain of what I was saying and why. Robert and I worked a lot on the track, and the sounds.. but lyrically I wanted to make sure it was as heavy and textured in detail as it sounded. It's really a song about sexuality. It's about being aware of the physical aspect of attraction as opposed to the spiritual connection of love.. and yet still being a slave to desire. In terms of my views on spirituality and eastern philosophy I am fascinated by the concept of stages of evolution of the ego and the soul. I guess I firmly believe that lust and desire, although a huge part of the process of attraction, are embryonic or adolescent stages of love. I know that ultimately the ego craves the physical aspect but the soul wants more. And even though I like to think of myself as a pretty evolved person, I am still at war with these two opposing energies. Then on a deeper level, I guess there's a whole lot of religious and moral guilt I'm addressing and how it relates to my psyche. Probably the second most Freudian song on the album.”
The comments:
@londonrain: ‘As always, Darren does these minor-key electronic bops so well.’ (8)
@berserkboi: ‘A bit weak on first listen’ (6)
@CorgiCorgiCorgi: ‘They said the name of the album!’ (7)
@Sprockrooster: ‘This darkroombop! I should not stan, but hell yeah I am doing anyway.’ (10)
@Eric: ‘Moody and mature- you can definitely see the evolution of Darren's music’ (8.5)
@jtm: ‘The sexiest song he ever wrote and what a bop this is (still!). On an album that may have been difficult with regards to commercial viability of its songs as singles, I feel like this really should have been the lead single and I believe things would look much different today. Another candidate for my 11.’ (10)
Listen here:
Well damn. I only have one 10 and 11 left now... Keep them safe y'all.
If you don‘t have it, definitely get Too Close For Comfort. It‘s so much more than a tour documentary and a really great and honest film.
Great recommendation - I just bought it! Even watching the trailer is giving me chills so can't wait for the full DVD.
He/Him
I never expected to see myself in the lowest scorer section in a top 10 like this before! What started in @soratami ’s Rate continues I guess... All the remaining songs should have high scores from me now. The trouble with doing this with just one listen (as I specified before) is that some songs didn’t get a chance to grow on me, so again - sorry!
I am very surprised On The Verge Of Something Wonderful didn't make top 10- what an absolute joy of a song. It's such a blast of optimism. And not in a cheesy way as so many optimistic songs are; I have always found the verses deeply poetic- "a tentative looking son", "A road trip, a car wreck, a paperback novel", "A lover who ain't been hurt", "the Hollywood black list", "An AC that does not work"... each of these are entire stories and songs in their own right and I've definitely imagined backstories and narratives around each of them. I think it's wonderful (oh yes I did) song writing.
Am also very surprised (I'm clearly not the only one) at Secret Codes' success here- I would have been so sure that the album with the most songs in the top 10 would have been Savage Garden, Affirmation, Tension or Delicate before I would have guessed Secret Codes. Not to mention the three Secret Codes songs left beating Verge and I Like The Way... But as I've mentioned elsewhere, I actually find it really nice to think people love this album when I don't, it's almost comforting to know his last album (to date) has it's fans. I mean, I feel a little sad that my favs aren't necessarily doing as well as I would have liked, but in other ways it's a real positive.
Affirmation would have been my 11 (can I say that?!)… I hope it wins!! If not that then I'm rooting for Darkness.
Am also very surprised (I'm clearly not the only one) at Secret Codes' success here- I would have been so sure that the album with the most songs in the top 10 would have been Savage Garden, Affirmation, Tension or Delicate before I would have guessed Secret Codes. Not to mention the three Secret Codes songs left beating Verge and I Like The Way... But as I've mentioned elsewhere, I actually find it really nice to think people love this album when I don't, it's almost comforting to know his last album (to date) has it's fans. I mean, I feel a little sad that my favs aren't necessarily doing as well as I would have liked, but in other ways it's a real positive.
Affirmation would have been my 11 (can I say that?!)… I hope it wins!! If not that then I'm rooting for Darkness.
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9.
Affirmation
Fourth single from ‘Affirmation’
Average: 9
Highest score: 8x10 (@Remorque, @phoenix123, @Robert, @londonrain, @Untouchable Ace, @berserkboi, @Eric, @jtm)
Lowest score: 1x4 (@funkyg)
We say goodbye to the first regular album today as Affirmation loses its final song. The title track made it all the way to number 9 with a score of exactly 9 as well. It clearly is a fan-favorite (I wasn’t sure of that before), scoring the most straight 10s in this rate! And on top of that – even including the 11s, this got the most top scores.
Speaking of 11s, this was the final song to leave without having an 11, so well done everyone. With the exception of So Beautiful and Dublin Sky everyone managed to place their favorites at the very top of the list.
But back to Affirmation: This was the fourth single released from the second Savage Garden album and went on to also become their fourth top 10 hit in the UK. The song was performed at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. My biggest surprise: This had a different video in Australia that I had never seen before (it’s not up to much though).
Here’s Darren and Daniel talking about the song:
The comments:
@londonrain: ‘Hearing a huge popstar sing “I believe you can’t control or choose your sexuality / I believe that trust is more important than monogamy” in 2000 was truly groundbreaking for teenage me, and I’m forever grateful for that.’ (10)
@berserkboi: ‘I believe this was a step in Darren coming out? Landmark greatness!’ (10)
@rawkey: ‘I believe this was the song that made me want to check this band out (although it was probably the Almighty mix)’ (9)
@Eric: ‘Life-changing / affirming (no pun intended).. I adore the live performance too (oh for Darren's time machine concept a few years later to be real!)’ (10)
@jtm: ‘This is what made me a fan. I heard it for the first time during a very boring summer when I was stuck at home and we could only get the audio feed of MTV UK. Sometime later we got video too and I started recording the UK chart show and despite not being initially a fan I also recorded this when it entered the charts. It didn’t take me long to realize that this was actually all about the lyrics. I loved the ‘I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair, I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires’ part first, but then the sexuality line clicked with insecure me as well and I was immediately on board with the band. Still love this.’ (10)
Australian music video:
International music video:
Affirmation
Fourth single from ‘Affirmation’
Average: 9
Highest score: 8x10 (@Remorque, @phoenix123, @Robert, @londonrain, @Untouchable Ace, @berserkboi, @Eric, @jtm)
Lowest score: 1x4 (@funkyg)
We say goodbye to the first regular album today as Affirmation loses its final song. The title track made it all the way to number 9 with a score of exactly 9 as well. It clearly is a fan-favorite (I wasn’t sure of that before), scoring the most straight 10s in this rate! And on top of that – even including the 11s, this got the most top scores.
Speaking of 11s, this was the final song to leave without having an 11, so well done everyone. With the exception of So Beautiful and Dublin Sky everyone managed to place their favorites at the very top of the list.
But back to Affirmation: This was the fourth single released from the second Savage Garden album and went on to also become their fourth top 10 hit in the UK. The song was performed at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. My biggest surprise: This had a different video in Australia that I had never seen before (it’s not up to much though).
Here’s Darren and Daniel talking about the song:
The comments:
@londonrain: ‘Hearing a huge popstar sing “I believe you can’t control or choose your sexuality / I believe that trust is more important than monogamy” in 2000 was truly groundbreaking for teenage me, and I’m forever grateful for that.’ (10)
@berserkboi: ‘I believe this was a step in Darren coming out? Landmark greatness!’ (10)
@rawkey: ‘I believe this was the song that made me want to check this band out (although it was probably the Almighty mix)’ (9)
@Eric: ‘Life-changing / affirming (no pun intended).. I adore the live performance too (oh for Darren's time machine concept a few years later to be real!)’ (10)
@jtm: ‘This is what made me a fan. I heard it for the first time during a very boring summer when I was stuck at home and we could only get the audio feed of MTV UK. Sometime later we got video too and I started recording the UK chart show and despite not being initially a fan I also recorded this when it entered the charts. It didn’t take me long to realize that this was actually all about the lyrics. I loved the ‘I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair, I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires’ part first, but then the sexuality line clicked with insecure me as well and I was immediately on board with the band. Still love this.’ (10)
Australian music video:
International music video:
Oh.