Early Song Rankings

[Roland of Gilead]

Okay. This is all I say-

With absolute no uncertain terms, the following were instantly 7.5 or better in no specific order:

Love is All...
Lights of Home
Red Flag Day
Little Things...
Love is Bigger...

I'm undecided just how good these ones are :

Summer of Love
Landlady

Showman
13

I don't want to specifically rank all the singles, but they are clearly the bottom 4 of the album for me. Maybe somewhere between a 5 or a 6 for all of them. American Soul is my favorite of them.

 

[dan_smee]

It happens every album where the newness of the album tracks makes people think they are better songs than the ones released.

With this album, I think The Blackout is the only one that can lay some sort of claim to a top half position by rights. GOOYOW will either be top half or dead last - it is just so polarising.

Anyway - I’ve re-calibrated after a couple of listens his morning, and chosen to group them, because this so consistently strong that ranking is too hard:

Top shelf U2:
TLTTGYA
RFG
LIBTAIIW

Very very good U2:
LIAWHL
LOH
Showman
Landlady
The Blackout

Solid, worthy U2 songs:
SOL
GOOYOW
13
TBOYH
OL remix

Songs that wouldn’t make any other above average U2 album:
TBT
American Soul

 

[BoyOnTheHorizon]

My turn:

1 - Lights of Home
2 - The Little Things
3 - Red Flag Day / Showman( Tie)
5- You're The Best Thing
6 - Summer of Love
7 - The Blackout
8 - Landlady
9 - American Soul
10 - Get Out of Your Own Way
11 - Love is All We Have Left
12 - Love is Bigger than Anything
13 - 13*

*The only skipper in my book. Maybe it will grow, but the Song for Someone chorus ruined for me.

On first listen i thought it was a great B-side compilation album, but after maybe 4 listens i think it's a good album, it continues the freshness and confidence they regained on SOI. Better than No Line already, and probably better than Bomb.
SOI maybe its not a classic but it has a cohesiveness that's absent on ATYCLB, SOE goes on with that trend but with more remarkable tunes. Does it have a Beautiful Day or Stuck in a moment in it? I am not sure.
Well only time will tell if its as good as it sounds now.

 

[BoyOnTheHorizon]

And yes, i think American Soul is a great tune. Great rythm, great guitar and vocals. Volcano good, American Soul better.

 

[Gonna Run 2 U]

I guess we have to wait until the actual leak or release for Book Of Your Heart.

 

[superchuk5]

Ok let's give this a whirl:

1. Love Is Bigger Than Anything in Its Way
2. The Little Things that Give You Away
3. Red Flag Day
4. Landlady
5. Get Out of Your Own Way
6. The Blackout
7. 13
8. Summer of Love
9. Lights of Home
10. You're the Best Thing About Me
11. Love is All We Have Left
12. The Showman
13. American Soul

I can honestly see them performing all of these live. Shocked how consistent the album is.

 

[purpleblackeye]

I am surprised Love is Bigger...is showing up on the top of lists. It’s the most conventional song on the album - dare I say the most Coldplay like. It’s still a really good song but not tops for me. Even 13 is more emotional and interesting.

I can’t rank them just yet though.

***for some reason, the quality of the recording of Love is Bigger seems crappier than the rest so maybe my opinion will change.

The quality of the Sullivan leak is a little better than the Facebook but still not good. I had no will power and had to listen. Just can’t wait for CD quality and for the vinyl box set that I ordered.

 

[Scorpionac]

GREAT
Little Things That Give You Away
Love is Bigger Than Anything

GOOD
Blackout
Landlady
Love is All We Have Left
There is a Light
You're the Best Thing About Me

OKAY
Lights of Home
Red Flag Day
Summer of Love

NOT GOOD
American Soul
Get Out of Your Own Way
The Showman

 

[jameskinsella]

The fact that people's rankings are so varied is testament to album's quality.

 

[sucker.punch]

1. Little Things That Give You Away
2. Love is Bigger Than Anything In It's Way
3. The Showman
4. Love is All We Have Left
5. Summer of Love
6. Landlady
7. Lights of Home
8. Blackout
9. Red Flag Day
10. American Soul
11. 13 (There is a light)
12. You're the Best Thing About Me
13. Get Out of Your Own Way

 

[Mr. Happy]

1. Little Things - 8/10
2. Love Is All We Have Left - 7.5/10
3. The Showman - 7/10
4. There Is A Light- 7/10
5. Get Out Of Your Own Way - 7/10
6. Lights of Home - 6/10
7. Summer of Love - 6/10
8. Blackout - 6/10
9. Red Flag Day - 5.5/10
10. Love Is Bigger - 5/10
11. Landlady- 5/10
12. You're the Best Thing - 5/10
13. American Soul - 3/10

 

[GoodMachine9]

1. Little Things - 8/10
2. Love Is All We Have Left - 7.5/10
3. The Showman - 7/10
4. There Is A Light- 7/10
5. Get Out Of Your Own Way - 7/10
6. Lights of Home - 6/10
7. Summer of Love - 6/10
8. Blackout - 6/10
9. Red Flag Day - 5.5/10
10. Love Is Bigger - 5/10
11. Landlady- 5/10
12. You're the Best Thing - 5/10
13. American Soul - 3/10

Such a harsh critic. Failed musician?

 

[GoodMachine9]

My biggest disappointment thus far was hearing that the random plunking noises during the leaked "Little Things" were Facebook noises and not part of the actual recording.

 

[GoodMachine9]

Song cycle 6-11 is the greatest middle to late album stretch in U2 album history.

 

[GoodMachine9]

SOE is the closest they've come to recapturing the fitness of the Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby and I'm breathless from the thrill of listening.

 

[Gonna Run 2 U]

SOE is the closest they've come to recapturing the fitness of the Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby and I'm breathless from the thrill of listening.

I’ll never forget hearing Landlady for the first time late last night when I got home. For whatever reason that hit me in the gut (granted I was drunk). I think it was because I was waiting for that U2 moment that grabs you and I was not expecting it from that song at all.

 

[popacrobat]

Yeah, I’m definitely in the Landlady crowd. The last part of the song is pretty remarkable to me.

 

[U2freakboy]

Man, this is so tough on this album because there are so many damn good ones, but here it goes:

1 - The Blackout
2 - Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way
3 - The Little Things That Give You Away
4 - Summer Of Love
5 - Red Flag Day
6 - Get Out Of Your Own Way
7 - Landlady
8 - The Showman (Little More Better)
9 - American Soul
10 - You're The Best Thing About Me
11 - Love Is All We Have Left
12 - 13 (There Is A Light)
13 - Lights Of Home

 

[Jarvio]

I initially thought Landlady was boring, but the vocal melody is making the song grow on me.

I'm gonna have another go at ordering the songs, without reading my first post, and see how it differs.

1 - Love Is Bigger
It's a beautiful standout track. The drums help and give it a unique feel. Just a song I really like.

2 - Little Things
I think the studio version is such an improvement. It makes it more epic.

3 - 13
I just wish it had its own chorus. Because the verses are beautiful, as is the message of the song.

4 - The Blackout
Another song that was improved by its studio version vastly.

5 - Best Thing
I like it, and the middle 8 is great. I don't get the hate.

6 - The Showman
This is different than anything U2 has ever done. It's catchy too.

7 - Lights Of Home
Don't like the verses much, but I enjoy the laid-back feel of the chorus.

8 - Landlady
The melody is what helps this one.

9 - Love Is All
Dropping and fast. It's nice, but it's kind of an interlude, kind of.

10 - Red Flag Day
I can see catchiness and appeal in this. Just not necessarily for me, but it works for what it is.

11 - GOOYOW
I don't know what it is with this song. Logically I should like it, due to it's great chorus and melody. But yet I feel underwhelmed whenever I hear it. Maybe it's the production? It feels too light, maybe it should be rockier. I don't think the Beautiful Day sound suits this song.

12 - Summer Of Love
Mostly indifferent tbh. But I do enjoy the middle 8.

13 - American Stinker
Already given my reasons for this one.

 

[Maroon Bells]

1. Best thing. - Best single from U2 in years. The Kygo version is especially good.

2. Get Out of Your Own Way - Really like the 70's Fleetwood Maccy chorus

3. The Blackout - "Go Easy on Me, Brother" almost makes up for Ned and Zach.

4. The Showman - This is U2's Shiny Happy People. Irresistible. But it will probably get old fast

5. American Soul - More Kendrick, less Bono. Love the bluesy verse "it's not a place...." Gorgeous. But bot a big fan of the Glastonbury section.

6. Love is Bigger than Anything - "Fucking epic," but sounds like it belongs at the end of a 90s Meg Ryan Romcom. Is that a bad thing? Not really.

7. Love is all we have left - Not really a traditional song. Maybe that's what I like about it. Reminds me of Destroyer, whom I love. This song could go to the top after a few more listenings.

8. Little Things that Give you Away - Should be great live, but it takes forever to pay off. Reminds me of All I want is you. And that's a good thing.

9. Lights of Home - "Hey now, do you know my name" part is infectious. Really solid song. Might rank higher later.

10. Summer of Love - "Man and a Woman" part II. I have problems with it (so repetitive) but it's a really good pop song.

11. Red Flag Day - OK. Sugar pop and that's OK, but Bono's ridiculously youthful tenor on this is almost grating. Reminds me of the Outfield. "Josie's on a vacation far away" It's remarkable that he can still sing like this, but maybe he shouldn't.

12. The Landlady - Not a fan. Don't like the idea of the song. Or the title. And the melody is repetitive and boring. I might like it more later.

13. 13 - Not sure I get this song. Love the Song for Someone melody, but I've heard it before. And it was better before. And do I hear Winter in this?

 

[rathergoblind]

Blackout is 90 s all the way.... not 70 s....

I'm gonna be middle ground here. I hear flavors both in certain parts. Probably 75% 90's and 25% 70's

 

[gvox]

Landlady is gonna outlast all these.

Followed by Love is Bigger and Little Things.

You’ll see



And 13 is great

Also

The Strings version of Lights Of Home > original

 

[JoRu]

1. 13 (There Is A Light) - 9,5/10
2. Summer of Love - 9/10
3. Lights of Home - 9/10
4. The Showman (Little More Better) - 9/10
5. The Blackout - 8.5/10
6. Love Is All We Have Left - 8.5/10
7. Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Path - 8/10
8. The Little Things That Give You Away - 8/10
9. You're The Best Thing About Me - 7.5/10
10. Red Flag Day - 7.5/10
11. Landlady - 7.5/10
12. Get Out Of Your Own Way - 6.5/10
13. American Soul - 6/10

Awesome album, not even American Soul that I ranked the lowest is that bad, honestly. Everything from Landlady and up I can definitely say "I like this".

 

[Mr. Happy]

1. Little Things - 8/10
2. Love Is All We Have Left - 7.5/10
3. The Showman - 7/10
4. There Is A Light- 7/10
5. Get Out Of Your Own Way - 7/10
6. Lights of Home - 6/10
7. Summer of Love - 6/10
8. Blackout - 6/10
9. Red Flag Day - 5.5/10
10. Love Is Bigger - 5/10
11. Landlady- 5/10
12. You're the Best Thing - 5/10
13. American Soul - 3/10

Such a harsh critic. Failed musician?

I mean, I might have ranked Red Flag Day and Summer of Love a little low, but otherwise I think that's fair (and at the end of the day, it's just my opinion anyway). Meanwhile:

SOE is the closest they've come to recapturing the fitness of the Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby and I'm breathless from the thrill of listening.

But I'm the ridiculous one?

Each to their own. Glad you enjoy it!

 

[dan_smee]

After a solid 7 or 8 runs through:

Great, great songs:

1. The Little Things That Give You Away
2. Red Flag Day
3. Landlady
4. Love is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way

Really good U2 songs (read: better than 99% of the 00s output):

5. The Showman (Little More Better)
6. Lights of Home
7. Love Is All We Have Left
8. Get Out of Your Own Way
9. The Blackout
10. 13 (There Is A Light)

Songs that are worthy of ALMOST any U2 release (read: not TUF, TJT, AB):

11. You're the Best Thing About Me
12. Summer of Love

Songs that are still better than most of the 00s material:

13. American Soul

 

[dan_smee]

Take me back to the morning The Blackout was posted on Facebook and tell naive me that I would rank it 9th after a few listens and I am a deliriously happy guy.

 

[kite987]

Great

Lights of home ( string version )
13
landlady
summer of love

Good

Love is all we have left
lights of home
ordinary love
best thing
get out of your own way
the blackout
the little things ( first part )
red flag day
showman

bad

book of your heart ( good ideas but very bad mix, a demo , at best )

awful

love is bigger than anything in its way ( bad maroon5/coldplay song )
american soul

 

[slimongi]

Sorry ....4 each man....a different taste.....I put... Book of the heart at the top of my list....not even in the Cd1 ...but a bonus song that is their best work in 20 years...that's it !

 

[RABIDLAMB]

Tough one from one listen.

Love is bigger
The Showman
Lights of Home
Love is all we have left
The Blackout
Red Flag Day
You're the Best Thing
Summer of Love
The Little Things
American Soul
Landlady
13
Get Out Of Your Own Way

Gonna quote myself here as my original rating came off a single listen to the poor audio version.
The big winners (growers) for me have been The Little Things & Landlady.

Love is Bigger
The Little Things
Landlady
Lights of Home (String Version)
Love is all we have left
Book of Your Heart
The Showman
The Blackout
Red Flag Day
Lights of Home (Album Version)
Summer of Love
13
You're the Best Thing
American Soul
Get Out Of Your Own Way

 

[chocky]

After a solid 7 or 8 runs through:

Great, great songs:

1. The Little Things That Give You Away
2. Red Flag Day
3. Landlady
4. Love is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way

Really good U2 songs (read: better than 99% of the 00s output):

5. The Showman (Little More Better)
6. Lights of Home
7. Love Is All We Have Left
8. Get Out of Your Own Way
9. The Blackout
10. 13 (There Is A Light)

Songs that are worthy of ALMOST any U2 release (read: not TUF, TJT, AB):

11. You're the Best Thing About Me
12. Summer of Love

Songs that are still better than most of the 00s material:

13. American Soul

This is almost perfectly how I see it after a similar number of listens.

I also have Book of Your Heart in the top category. I’m puzzled by its omission from the album proper.