Steveh Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 Since we have nothing to do except to wait for who knows how long to see EC on stage, I thought it would be fun to (as impossible as this sounds) rank Eric's songs, including his Raspberries songs that he wrote and sang. I also thought it would be interesting to divide them into two categories: ballads/soft rock and power pop. Some songs are hard to categorize but I did my best. Here goes nothing with my rankings:Ballads:1. Everytime I Make Love To You2. Boats Against The Current3. I Was Born To Love You4. Love is All That Matters5. Nowhere to Hide6. Runaway7. All By Myself8. Starting Over9. I Wanna Take Forever Tonight10.Never Gonna Fall in Love Again11.Almost Paradise12.I Can Remember13.Isn't it Romantic14.She Remembered15.Let's Pretend16.Someone That You Loved Before17.I Can Hardly Believe You're Mine18.Desperate Fools19.If You Change Your Mind20.Don't Want to Say Goodbye21.Foolin' Myself22.I'm Through With Love23.Sleep With Me24.I Reach For the Light25.Nobody Knows26.Heaven Can Wait27.All For Love28.I Saw the Light29.Everything30.The Way We Used to Be31.Change of Heart32.Walk Away Renee33.Living Without Your Love34.Waiting35.On Broadway36.I Think I Found MyselfPower Pop:1. Cruisin' Music2. I Wanna Be With You3. Go All The Way4. Overnight Sensation5. Top Down Summer6. I Could Really Love You7. She Did It8. My Girl9. Hey Deanie10.No Hard Feelings11.On The Beach12.All Through the Night13.Tonight14.You Took Me All The Way15.That's Rock and Roll16.The Inside Story17.Sunrise18.Ecstacy19.It Hurts Too Much20.American As Apple Pie21.I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips22.Spotlight23.Someday24.Drivin' Around25.I Don't Know What I Want26.Cartoon World27.Last Night28.Lost In the Shuffle29.Come Back to My Love30.End of the World31.You Need Some Loving32.Haven't We Come A Long Way Baby33.Baby I Need Your Lovin'34.Tonight You're Mine35.Marathon Man36.Maybe My Baby37.Great Expectations38.Take It or Leave It39.I'm a RockerWhat do you guys think? For me, this was like ranking all-time great quarterbacks - when you grow up emulating Joe Namath, thinking he's the greatest ever, then a few decades later Dan Marino comes along, you have to admit that sometimes the new guys are better than the old. EC isn't getting older - he's getting better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostControl Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 "It Hurts Too Much" as #19? No way! It's number one with me (or maybe two or three, depending on the day ). I still can't figure out why it wasn't a bigger hit than it was. Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 I always have so much trouble ranking Eric's songs because depending on any given day, time or mood, certain songs speak to me at the moment more than others. Two things NEVER change for me, though: My all- time favorite is "She Remembered" for the ballad category, and "I Wanna Be With You" for rock. That hasn't changed in thirty years! Why? Because "dreams are forever, and some things you never forget..." --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 1, 2002 Author Share Posted August 1, 2002 Darlene and Michelle, Trying to rank Eric's songs is like splitting hairs. I wouldn't argue at all with anyone whose favorite EC power pop song is in my top 20 or favorite ballad is in my top 25. In my book, he's made at least 45 GREAT songs, and my favorites do change frequently. Michelle, if I ranked It Hurts Too Much higher than #19, I wouldn't know which song to rank lower! The same goes for your favorites, Darlene. But I agree with both of you -- these are classics. Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leealy Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 I'm with you on that Darlene! "Dreams are forever, and some things you never forget..." It is such a powerful line. And the way the words flow in the song, the story is vividly ingrained in your mind. Not only that, but the music hits at your heartstrings. Definitely a genius of a song! Still, there are just too many balads that are gems...wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foolin' Myself Posted August 2, 2002 Share Posted August 2, 2002 Steveh,I agree with everyone about trying to rank EC's songs. Tough...Very tough.I give you alot of credit. It does look like you did take alot of time researching EC's songs to make your list. If I were to make my list, it would take weeks to make it. I would have to tell you that "Foolin' Myself" is my favorite song by EC and everything else is in second place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetlin1 Posted August 2, 2002 Share Posted August 2, 2002 Steveh,Man is this hard or what? Using your lists my top 5 ballads in no particular order are: "Runaway", "Nowhere to Hide", "Desperate Fools", "I Reach For The Light", and "Boats Against the Current". A little heavy on the Boats album, but great is great. My power pop only disagrees on one song. When I first heard "I'm A Rocker" I knew that EC wasn't just a balladeer, that he could rock with the best of them. Also in my top 5 are, "I Wanna Be With You", "Play On", "Overnight Sensation" (AWESOME) and "It Hurts Too Much". Oh man, I just forgot "Sleep With Me"! How can you list genius?jetlin1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 2, 2002 Author Share Posted August 2, 2002 Hi Foolin' Myself and jetlin1! Yeah, I thought a lot about the rankings, and yeah it's just about impossible, but still interesting to find out - if you just HAD to choose - what your favorite songs are. One thing I learned when I really re-listened to the songs is that the songs I heard most (oldest songs) I grew to like more, possibly just because I heard them more. I learned that the more I listen to IWBTLY (the whole CD), the more I like it. So it is difficult to compare the newer songs with the older ones. I still think Cruisin' Music is the happiest song I ever heard! Thanks for the feedback. Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted August 3, 2002 Share Posted August 3, 2002 I agree that it is very difficult to "rank" the songs, but if I had to say, this is the ONE that really does it for me, I'd have to pick "The Way We Used To Be" from the Geffen album. I absolutely love that song. It is just a song that brings me to tears and has a lot of meaning for me. It's also the song that brought me full circle to Eric's music. I had always loved "GATW" and "I Wanna Be With You" and absolutely loved "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again" but I really hadn't realized that they were all the same person. (some DJ's never tell ya who it is!). Anyway, while watching "Days of our Lives" back in my dorm room with my best friend, "The Way We Used To Be" got some airtime for a couple of days as a theme song for Pete and Melissa. I loved it and had to have it. My bf said it was "Eric Carmen", I said, "Who's that?" , "The guy that sings 'All By Myself', you know, the lead singer from the Raspberries". Until that moment, I had no knowledge of all of this (duh). I just knew that all of those songs had really left a mark on me. It was a mission from that point on to try to get everything he'd ever recorded. Steveh, you've been reading my mind. When I was driving home from work tonight I was listening to "My Heart Stops" and I thought, that's just the happiest little song. It'll never be a huge hit, it isn't particularly a brilliant piece of music, but it is just a 'feel good' song. Likewise with "Cartoon World", "Sunrise", "Cruisin' Music", "Top Down Summer" and "I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips". (I'm not saying these can't be hits-I love everything that Eric does--I'm the one that would buy a CD of him clearing his throat!!!) The 'happy' Raspberry tunes that come to mind are "Hands On You", "With You In My Life" and "Drivin' Around". All songs that make you feel great, forget your troubles and smile --Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foolin' Myself Posted August 3, 2002 Share Posted August 3, 2002 Steveh,I will work on my listing of my favorite 25 or so ballads and 25 rockers so you won't be alone with your listing on this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 3, 2002 Author Share Posted August 3, 2002 Hi Julie! Thanks for your feedback. You listed some great happy songs - Eric makes us feel good. Don't feel bad about not knowing - initially - that EC sang the songs you heard on the radio. For some reason, he isn't quite as famous as we think he "should" be (I don't like the should word). My interest in EC diminished in the 90's for some reason - I think it's because I didn't know he had recorded anything. Then, through the internet, I discovered I was missing some of his work, and I got addicted (not too bad of an addiction!).Speaking of happy songs, here's my list:1.Cruisin' Music2.Top Down Summer3.Every Time I Make Love To You4.Sunrise5.My Girl6.Hey Deanie7.She Did It8.I Could Really Love You9.Love is All That Matters10.I Wanna Be With YouSteveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 3, 2002 Author Share Posted August 3, 2002 Hi Julie! I hope you have fun with your ranking - I did, and I think it's fun to compare lists. Hey - I wonder how Eric would rank his songs.Good luck. Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew C. Clark Posted August 3, 2002 Share Posted August 3, 2002 Well, here is my list of Eric & Raspberries favorite songs in no order: Raspberries: Go All The Way, I Can Remember Fresh: Goin' Nowhere Tonight, Let's Pretend, Nobody Knows & Drivin' Around Side 3: Tonight & Should I Wait Starting Over: Overnight Sensation (Hit Record), All Through The Night, Cruisin' Music & Starting Over Eric Carmen (Arista): Never Gonna Fall In Love Again & No Hard Feelings Boats Against The Current: She Did It & the title track Change Of Heart: title track Tonight You're Mine: It Hurts Too Much Eric Carmen (Geffen): She Remembered Best Of & Definitive Collection: Make Me Lose Control & I Was Born To Love You (Winter Dreams): title track & Top Down Summer. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 4, 2002 Author Share Posted August 4, 2002 More lists:EC songs that sound like the Beach Boys:1. Cruisin' Music2. Top Down Summer3. Drivin' AroundEC songs that sound like The Who:1. I Don't Know What I WantEC songs that sound like the lead vocal was Rod Stewart:1. All Through the NightAnyone for more lists? Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 4, 2002 Author Share Posted August 4, 2002 More rankings:Favorite Raspberries:1. Eric Carmen2. Eric Carmen3. Eric Carmen4. Eric CarmenTop 10 ways to tell if you are addicted to Eric Carmen/Raspberries:1. All of your statements are lines from EC songs2. All of your thoughts are lines from EC songs3. You go to a Beatles tribute concert and tell the person sitting next to you that the Raspberries were better than the Beatles4. You are late for work because you can't get out of the car because you can't turn the music off5. You are fired from your job because you are caught listening to EC instead of working6. Your spouse accuses you of loving EC more than you love him/her, and you admit it7. While attending a sports event, while the national anthem is playing, you start belting out "American As Apple Pie"8. You find yourself being happy only when listening to EC/Rasp.9. The only website you visit is EricCarmen.com10.You completely read this list!Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaAllByMyself Posted August 4, 2002 Share Posted August 4, 2002 Steveh ~ 10 more Ericism's for you:1) Going into a music store just to move Eric/Raspberries CDs to the front.2) Making sure you have a free day on August 11th, listening for mentions of his birthday on the radio.3) The first thing you say to your prospective spouse is “Have you heard of Eric Carmen?”4) To give yourself confidence or luck, you whisper to yourself, “Eric Carmen, Eric Carmen, Eric Carmen” over and over again. It makes you feel better.5) Having his name printed on everything you can think of.6) Buying an "Eric' and a "Carmen' magnet for your fridge.7) Having an initialised ring made with "EC'.8) Screaming out loud every time you hear his name mentioned.9) Plugging Eric's name at every opportunity.10) Spelling Eric Carmen in alphabetical spaghetti around your plate.Eric Carmen Rules ~ spread the word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 5, 2002 Author Share Posted August 5, 2002 HeyJuliaAllByMyself! Great List! I would also add to your list that you loan a copy of an EC CD or tape to your most trusted friends - that's the least you can do for a good friend who may not be familiar with EC! I will try some of your suggestions. Thanks.Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkpat Posted August 5, 2002 Share Posted August 5, 2002 Michelle's comment about "It Hurts Too Much" has inspired a new category:"Songs of Eric's That You Will Never Be Able To Explain To Me How They Didn't Go Platinum"1. Sunrise2. Boats Against The Current3. She Remembered4. Sleep With Me5. It Hurts Too Much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 5, 2002 Author Share Posted August 5, 2002 Hi blackhawkpat! Great list - I think I would put about 50 songs on your list. I think many of Eric's songs suffer from lack of airplay. Also, it seems to me that there are few radio stations playing power pop unless the songs were already hits. Same goes for ballads. As long as Eric keeps making great CD's and is making a comfortable living, we're happy and I hope he's happy. Though a concert would be nice...Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foolin' Myself Posted August 6, 2002 Share Posted August 6, 2002 This Was Tough...This is how I felt today. Ask me again tomorrow and my answers could change.Ballads:25. If You Change Your Mind24. Someone That You Loved Before23. Everything22. Change Of Heart21. All For Love20. Almost Paradise19. Desperate Fools18. I Was Born To Love You17. Heaven Can Wait16. I'm Through With Love15. Let's Pretend14. Love Is All That Matters13. I Wanna Take Forever Tonight12. Runaway11. The Way We Used To Be10. Sleep With Me09. Starting Over08. Nowhere To Hide07. All By Myself06. Boats Against The Current05. I Can Remember04. She Remembered03. Never Gonna Fall In Love Again02. Don't Wanna Say Goodbye01. FOOLIN' MYSELFPower Pop:25. Take It Or Leave It24. American As Apple Pie23. Someday22. Lost In The Shuffle21. The Inside Story20. Cartoon World19. That's Rock 'N' Roll18. All Through The Night17. Hey Deanie16. Come Back To My Love15. Last Night14. I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips13. Tonight You're Mine12. Haven't We Come A Long Way Baby11. Tonight10. Ecstacy09. She Did It08. Baby I Need Your Lovin'07. It Hurts Too Much06. Overnight Sensation05. End Of The World04. Marathon Man03. Sunrise02. Go All The Way01. I WANNA BE WITH YOU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 6, 2002 Author Share Posted August 6, 2002 Hi Foolin' Myself! Congratulations on the exhausting list! I know what you mean about changing your mind. The more I listen to an EC CD, the more I like it. Just one question: what didn't you like about some of the songs I ranked really high, like: Everytime I Make Love To You, Cruisin' Music, Top Down Summer, I Could Really Love You, and Hey Deanie? (Not that I'm criticizing you - just curious). How many times have you listened to the IWBTLY CD? The more I listen to it, the more I like it.Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foolin' Myself Posted August 6, 2002 Share Posted August 6, 2002 Steveh,I love IWBTLY and the whole CD. I guess I'm just more of an old school listener. I guess I kinda got burned out on "Hey Deanie" and the fact that Sean Cassidy did it as well. That's the same with "That's rock 'n' roll".I guess that I've been blown away with EC's debut, "Boats against the current", "Change of heart" and "Tonight you're mine" LP's, Cassettes and now CD's over the years that they are more presious to me.EC's Geffen self titled CD is an exception (I guess) since I have "She Remembered" at #3 and "The way we used to be" at #11. I hope this kinda answers your question.I like the other posts you have been putting on this thread as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryeyes Posted August 7, 2002 Share Posted August 7, 2002 I am really trying to get a list together.Will be back later...Gina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 9, 2002 Author Share Posted August 9, 2002 Hi everyone! Boy, did I goof! I was listening to "The Best of Eric Carmen" in the car yesterday when I realized I hadn't ranked "Hungry Eyes" and "Make Me Lose Control". Then I looked at my list and I decided I couldn't rank them above about #25. By the way, these two songs sound pretty similar! Did I miss any other songs? Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted August 10, 2002 Author Share Posted August 10, 2002 Rankings of Breaking-Up Songs:1.Boats Against the Current2.Don't Want To Sat Goodbye3.Never Gonna Fall In Love Again4.Foolin' Myself5.Someone That You Loved Before6.I'm Through With LoveTop Songs To Play At Your Wedding:1.Love Is All That Matters2.I Was Born To Love You3.Almost Paradise4.I Wanna Be With You5.My Girl6.I Wanna Take Forever Tonight7.I Can Hardly Believe You're Mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.