February 21, 2005
Sad Songs Say So Much - CONTEST WINNER
Sure, you remember this contest. It's the one where I asked you to send in your choice for the saddest song ever…with the winner getting a DVD copy of The Saddest Music In The World, starring Isabella Rossellini and Mark McKinney. Y'all thought I'd forgotten, didn't you?
Yes, the results are way late. I apologize. But, in my defense, between my schedule and my main judge's, things just get a little sidetracked.
To remind you, of all the entries, I chose the five saddest songs that I heard. From there, Chris White (online humour godfather, creator of TopFive.com, Daily Probe, Ruminations,) chose what he thought was the saddest of the five.
First, let me just say this: I'm not DISAPPOINTED with anyone, per se. But it's become obvious that the notion of a sad song is very subjective. There were several songs that I thought would be entered multiple times…yet they never appeared. For example, Don't Take The Girl by Tim McGraw…holy CRAP, this song is maudlin and depressing, even for a country tune. Yet, nobody suggested it. Odd. I can think of several other personal faves that were not mentioned as well. Like I said, it's subjective. However, if you want me to really rock your world with some sad songs, contact me via email and we'll set something up.
Also, there were a LOT of people submitting "independent" songs. These are tunes by people who aren't on major labels…and in many cases, only have demo discs to their name. This is GOOD.
One more thing…I listened to these songs during the holidays. So, picture this…a manic-depressive self-loathing underachiever, who has no family in the city, at home alone over Christmas and New Years…listening to HOURS of sad music. Oh, it was a holly jolly fucking holiday around Casa Naked.
So, without further ado, the finalists:
Bad
Timing - Blue Rodeo
Without You - Harry Nilsson
Smoke - Crash Vegas
Solitude - Evanescence
Still Life - Flickershow
There was also an honourable mention…but it was one that I couldn't rightly declare a finalist. I have a friend named j. englishman, who has written one of the saddest, most depressing songs I've ever heard, called Fade. Unfortunately, a good personal friend of mine - who shall remain nameless, submitted this song as their entry. However, I happen know for a fact that this person isn't actually a very big fan…they were just suggesting it because they knew I loved it. Basically, they were trying to get a free DVD out of me by exploiting what they knew was my personal bias. For shame.
Wrinkle #1 when Chris, bless his soul, picked the honourable mention song - which wasn't in competition - as the saddest. He's right - it IS the saddest of the bunch - but I still can't reward such obvious fakery. He was also in a bit of a funk that Radiohead's Creep wasn't one of the finalists. It was in the top ten…but it just didn't quite make it. Besides, after hosting karaoke for three years, I've heard that song so damn much that it's hard to take it seriously any more.
So, he chose again…and his official choice as the saddest song is…
SMOKE - CRASH VEGAS
Congratulations, Joby. Yes, Joby…the same guy who is constantly reminding me of things from high school that I've long since forgotten in my talkbacks. For all of you people screaming "FIX"...Chris picked the winner, not me. Besides, Joby has heard pretty much every song ever written in the history of mankind. I'm sure that he could put together a mix tape that would turn a member of Up With People into Hunter S. Thompson overnight. (What...too soon?)
For winning, Joby gets a gently-used copy of The Saddest Music In The World on DVD. Because, you know, I'm watching it first.
As for the rest of you, thank you for entering. I'm finally getting the hang of this whole contest thing now. There will be another one soon, and it won't be delayed by quite so much. This I vow.
Now go ahead...bitch about the fact that your song is sadder.
