The point of my topic is simple.
I was thinking just today about how some songs are extremely popular with most (or just some) people while other people just don't understand why. The people who don't get it, don't think the songs are bad, necessarily. Just overrated.

Example: I completely LOVE "Sensurround". I know other people who love it too. Yet, just a few days ago I saw, on another post, someone (I really don't remember who it was) asked what was so great about it.

Second Example: What is the DEAL with "She's an Angel"? It's a good song, but every time I'm at a show and they start to play it, everyone gasps and gets all excited. I don't get it!

Anyone else have the same problem?

Yes.

I happen to love both Sensurround and She's An Angel, but that's not really anything to do with it. ^_^

I think Istanbul is generally far over-rated. ;) Like you said, it's not that it's a bad song... there are very few *bad* TMBG songs, but it really is over-rated. There are others too but I can't remember them at this time in the morning. :rolleyes: Perhaps Birdhouse is a tiny bit... oh yeah, Dr. Worm is one I was thinking of. :mellow:

And yes, there are definitely TMBG songs that are under-rated, I just need to get my half a brane working and remember them. :rofl:

Underrated: Your Own Worst Enemy
Unrelated Thing
Out of Jail
Exquisite Dead Guy?
Certain People I Could Name
Maine
Which Describes How You're Feeling

Overrated: She's An Angel
Istanbul
Particle Man?

I think Thermostat is way underrated. It's one of my favorites, personally, but most people would never mention it in the same breath as the big ones. Same way with Pet Name, XTC Vs. Adam Ant, or Hopeless Bleak Despair. I mean, I don't expect them to be the most beloved songs, but it'd be nice to hear about them once in a while.

I agree that Istanbul is pretty overrated. I think that one's just famous for the nostalgia factor, anyway. I've never really liked Meet James Ensor. Or (She Was A) Hotel Detective. I reeeally don't see how people like Hotel Detective. It's easily one of the worst songs I've heard from Them. I don't really like Kiss Me, Son of God, either. It's an interesting idea for a song, but I just can't get into it. I just don't really like the stuff that's too weird. A little weird is good (re: Hey, Mr. DJ and countless others), but taking it over the edge can kill.

I think She's An Angel is one of their better songs, but I agree that it's not really scream-worthy at a concert.

To sum up:

Underrated:
Thermostat
Pet Name
XTC Vs. Adam Ant
Hopeless Bleak Despair

Overrated:
Istanbul
Meet James Ensor
(She Was A) Hotel Detective
Kiss Me, Son Of God

Fair to middlin':
She's An Angel

Overrated:
Istanbul
Particle Man


Underrated:
Dead
Save Your Life
Kids Are Different Now

Ooh, right, forgot Particle Man. Actually, I think that one deserves to be where it is. It is a pretty fair representation of Their songs, after all.

They played Absolutely Bill's Mood at the London gig, which I think is a very underrated song.

And... not a fan of Boss of Me, but then I get the impression that's a song that fans don't like but everyone else does. Could be wrong, but just an impression.

I thought Boss of Me was a pretty good song, but after a while I didn't really like listening to it. It's not really their thing.

I'm not sure but I think that Greek #3 Is a really underrated song...I mean, how cool is it that they translated a whole song into Greek :D Pretty damn, in my opinion.

Doctor Worm and Istanbul bore me to death yet they have them on every show

Birdhouse and Ana Ng are overplayed though they are very good so it excusable

Underrated:

A Self Called Nowhere
Dirt Bike
She's An Angel (yes, I think it's underrated. Sue me.)

Overrated:

Istanbul

Seconded on A Self Called Nowhere. I think it's a wonderful song. And Thermostat. John Henry is filled with great underrated songs.

Overrated.

She's an Angel
Istanbul
Drink!
Particle Man
No! (the album)

I have three versions of Particle Man. I don't like the first two but I got a recent download of a new version where they are trying to sound like the Beatles. It is such a melancholy song. It is really beautiful but I now associate it with someone, and because of that and my own circumstances, I can't even listen to that version now because it makes me so sad. It's the lyric "What's he like? It's not important" that gets me every time.

:(

Underrated (or, songs I would love to hear live but I doubt if I ever will)

Noone knows my plans
Extra Savoir-Faire
I'm all you can think about
I'm your boyfriend now

-Abby (not logged in)

Underrated:
Everything Right Is Wrong Again (I'm not sure why but I LOVE the way his voice sounds in this song... *shrug* ^^; )
A Self Called Nowhere (The drums in this song are awesome)
Now That I Have Everything
Rhythm Section Want Ad (This song always makes me happy)
Spiraling Shape


Overrated:
Doctor Worm (I used to like this one more, but it got stuck in my head for like a week once, and after that I didn't like it as much O_o)
Experimental Film (Just never cared for it much... Some parts of the lyrics are neat though)
Meet James Ensor

As far as underrated songs, I would have to include the majority of Long Tall Weekend (which I'm lucky to own an actual press-only CD of). "Operators Are Standing By", "Dark And Metric", and "Reprehensible" just to name a few. With overrated songs I'd say only "Istanbul" and "Particle Man". Growing up as a kid these were the two TMBG songs that anyone ever knew, thanks mostly to Tiny Toons. - T

Underrated:

Hearing Aid
They'll Need a Crane :wub:
Certain People I Could Name
Noone Knows My Plan
Now is Strange (one of their best!)
Museum of Idiots
I've Got a Match
Hovering Sombrero
Where Your Eyes Don't Go (My favorite)

Oh I could go on...

Overrated:
The Guitar (Maybe just overrated by Flans? :unsure: )
:machinegun: New York City (I will not write how much I :censored: this song.
Dr. Worm
Experimental Film (ok, but sounds like Bangs to me)
Metal Detector (ok, but it's the only song I've hear on the radio apart from Birdhouse and Istanbul... And that makes no sense)

I agree! I've Got a Match is underrated!

I've heard Sombrero, Crane, Museum of Idiots, Where Your Eyes Don't Go overplayed, but they remain great ^_^

I don't know aht people think of Certain People I Could Name, but I really like it and wouldn't mind hearing it more :)

I think Istanbul and Particle man are receiving an undo amount of "overrated"

I can only assume because of their Tiny Toon appearences.

Istanbul is a cover song so it has never been a "true" TMBG song to me.
(FYI you can hear a small clip of the original here by "the four lads"
http://www.thefourlads.com/history.htm )

But Particle man is a classic.

It may be overplayed or too well known... but never overated.

My two cents. :old:

Self called nowhere is underrated, I had that song on a loop when the album came out and finished a large piece of art with it running in the background. I love it.

Overrated:

-Your Racist Friend (a good song, but not a classic)
-Minimum Wage (I've never liked it, but it seems to be a favourite)
-Spider (what it's doing on MFQ I have no idea)

Underrated:

-Someone Keeps Moving My Chair
-Whistling In The Dark
-We Want A Rock
-Au Contraire ("Jodie Foster held two pair" is possibly my favourite They lyric to sing)