The Battle of the Songs 2015-2016: Only young twice!
Sept 13, 2015 21:19:00 GMT 2
Post by ent on Sept 13, 2015 21:19:00 GMT 2
Dear friends,
as some of you might remember, in June 2013 we started a game, right here in this forum, that kept us busy for quite a while. It was aimed at deciding, once and forever, which could possibly be the best Europe song (nothing less!). Yes, a bunch of brave users of this forum and fans of the-best-band-in-the-world, took over this responsibility. If you were not here at that time and/or you haven’t the slightest idea of what I’m talking about maybe you’d want to take a look here.
However, dear friends, let me tell you that it wasn’t at all easy. Many painful decision have been taken, endless discussion have been made (96 pages!) but, on a fateful night of November 2013, with a strong rain knocking at the windows and distant thunders rolling over, we eventually came to an answer. After many impossible questions like “do you prefer Ready or not or Bag of bones?”, “are you going to leave behind Always the pretenders or Open your heart?”, after a thrilling final match, we crowned our champion: “NO STONE UNTURNED” won (for just three small votes) over Seven doors hotel.
Many fans exulted that night, for that song was really special to them and raised their glass of beer to celebrate
. But, sure as hell, many others weren’t happy with that and kept repeating to themselves: “How could such a new song win over a such a traditional, mighty and Europe-ish tune like 7doors? And, good grief!, where the heck is The final countdown?” 
As a matter of fact TFC had left the competition long before the final (at the sixteenth-finals!) 
Nevertheless the community had said the last word, no way to change it, the dice has rolled, the book is closed. Do you hear me? I said, nothing to do about that, game over, the end, stop, fine, hasta la vista, baby!
…unless…
well, maybe…
just maybe, there IS something we could do about it. What about starting it all over again? 
I mean, after all, there are a few reasons for it:
- Hey, that was TWO YEARS ago! I changed my mind!
- Hey, that coupling/draw/tie-break/decision was UNFAIR! Different groups = different result!
- Hey, there’s a new album out there, have you heard WAR OF KINGS? There are 12 brand new and f*** great songs to join the battle!
- Hey, there are a lot of new users that joined the forum since then, what about listening to THEIR opinion?
- Hey, there are a lot of Europe fans out there that still haven’t joined this distinguished forum, or still haven’t written on it. Yes, I’m talking to you, Mr. I-only-like-reading. I’m talking to you Miss too-shy-for-a-forum. And, most of all, to you Mrs. Isn’t-it-the-same-if-I-simply-like-it-on-facebook? What about to let US know YOUR opinion?
- Finally, it seems that it’s also on the press:
So, here’s what I have in mind. Today it’s September the 13th. In order to give some time to the people that don’t check the forum so often I will officially start the new battle on Friday October the 2nd. Make yourself ready.
The gameplay itself will not be changed but there will be a few differences from the first battle. Here’s what’s new:
- Now we have five albums pre-reunion and five post-reunion (and the bonus tracks). That makes 61 songs pre-1992 and 57 post-2004. It is time to make the two sides of the story face each other. The eight initial groups will be formed mixing in (almost) equal parts the songs from the two eras: 8 songs will come out of each group. Then it goes on like in the first battle.
- “Open your heart” this time is considered only once, when voting for it just consider the version you prefer. The same goes for “I’ll cry for you”. Among the bonus tracks I included “Where men won’t dare”, the instrumental outtake from TFC later included in the 20th anniversary DVD, and deleted "The final countdown 2000" (I think it won’t be missed).
- Aside the main battle I would like to take the chance to build up a sort of Hall of fame where the songs can also be nominated in categories like best lyrics, best guitar solo, best drums and so on. Still thinking about the details here, I would really love any opinion or suggestion about it.
- There could be another very interesting aspect but I’d rather leave the floor to our dear friend Eva Tomorrow about that.
- This time we asked previously the permission to our distinguished host Stein-Vidar, and his pm “Sure, go ahead”, sounds to me like a blessing and a good luck wish!
Now the bad news: assuming that Stein and Eva are with us, we are three. It is not nearly close to a decent number. It’s a game and it’s funny but it works only if many people join in. I don’t need you to sign with your own blood a contract in which you state that you will partecipate and that you’ll be here every three days , no matter what, to give your vote even in case of alien attack or Armageddon. But I’d really, really appreciate a favorable sound just below this post. Something that makes me understand that there’s an interest and that it’s worth for me to go on. Suggestions, opinions, discussions are warmly welcomed.
We start on October the 2nd. Are you in?
as some of you might remember, in June 2013 we started a game, right here in this forum, that kept us busy for quite a while. It was aimed at deciding, once and forever, which could possibly be the best Europe song (nothing less!). Yes, a bunch of brave users of this forum and fans of the-best-band-in-the-world, took over this responsibility. If you were not here at that time and/or you haven’t the slightest idea of what I’m talking about maybe you’d want to take a look here.
However, dear friends, let me tell you that it wasn’t at all easy. Many painful decision have been taken, endless discussion have been made (96 pages!) but, on a fateful night of November 2013, with a strong rain knocking at the windows and distant thunders rolling over, we eventually came to an answer. After many impossible questions like “do you prefer Ready or not or Bag of bones?”, “are you going to leave behind Always the pretenders or Open your heart?”, after a thrilling final match, we crowned our champion: “NO STONE UNTURNED” won (for just three small votes) over Seven doors hotel.
Many fans exulted that night, for that song was really special to them and raised their glass of beer to celebrate
. But, sure as hell, many others weren’t happy with that and kept repeating to themselves: “How could such a new song win over a such a traditional, mighty and Europe-ish tune like 7doors? And, good grief!, where the heck is The final countdown?” 
As a matter of fact TFC had left the competition long before the final (at the sixteenth-finals!) 
Nevertheless the community had said the last word, no way to change it, the dice has rolled, the book is closed. Do you hear me? I said, nothing to do about that, game over, the end, stop, fine, hasta la vista, baby!
…unless…
well, maybe…
just maybe, there IS something we could do about it. What about starting it all over again? 
I mean, after all, there are a few reasons for it:- Hey, that was TWO YEARS ago! I changed my mind!
- Hey, that coupling/draw/tie-break/decision was UNFAIR! Different groups = different result!
- Hey, there’s a new album out there, have you heard WAR OF KINGS? There are 12 brand new and f*** great songs to join the battle!
- Hey, there are a lot of new users that joined the forum since then, what about listening to THEIR opinion?
- Hey, there are a lot of Europe fans out there that still haven’t joined this distinguished forum, or still haven’t written on it. Yes, I’m talking to you, Mr. I-only-like-reading. I’m talking to you Miss too-shy-for-a-forum. And, most of all, to you Mrs. Isn’t-it-the-same-if-I-simply-like-it-on-facebook? What about to let US know YOUR opinion?
- Finally, it seems that it’s also on the press:
So, here’s what I have in mind. Today it’s September the 13th. In order to give some time to the people that don’t check the forum so often I will officially start the new battle on Friday October the 2nd. Make yourself ready.
The gameplay itself will not be changed but there will be a few differences from the first battle. Here’s what’s new:
- Now we have five albums pre-reunion and five post-reunion (and the bonus tracks). That makes 61 songs pre-1992 and 57 post-2004. It is time to make the two sides of the story face each other. The eight initial groups will be formed mixing in (almost) equal parts the songs from the two eras: 8 songs will come out of each group. Then it goes on like in the first battle.
- “Open your heart” this time is considered only once, when voting for it just consider the version you prefer. The same goes for “I’ll cry for you”. Among the bonus tracks I included “Where men won’t dare”, the instrumental outtake from TFC later included in the 20th anniversary DVD, and deleted "The final countdown 2000" (I think it won’t be missed).
- Aside the main battle I would like to take the chance to build up a sort of Hall of fame where the songs can also be nominated in categories like best lyrics, best guitar solo, best drums and so on. Still thinking about the details here, I would really love any opinion or suggestion about it.
- There could be another very interesting aspect but I’d rather leave the floor to our dear friend Eva Tomorrow about that.
- This time we asked previously the permission to our distinguished host Stein-Vidar, and his pm “Sure, go ahead”, sounds to me like a blessing and a good luck wish!
Now the bad news: assuming that Stein and Eva are with us, we are three. It is not nearly close to a decent number. It’s a game and it’s funny but it works only if many people join in. I don’t need you to sign with your own blood a contract in which you state that you will partecipate and that you’ll be here every three days , no matter what, to give your vote even in case of alien attack or Armageddon. But I’d really, really appreciate a favorable sound just below this post. Something that makes me understand that there’s an interest and that it’s worth for me to go on. Suggestions, opinions, discussions are warmly welcomed.
We start on October the 2nd. Are you in?
it was really fun, full of exciting moments, opinions and preference for songs about users and others ... and also great responsibility, remember that we are talking about the greatest rock band OF THE WORLD, but hey ! we are ready ! Obviously since the publication of the wonderful WAR OF KINGS our old battle became obsolete, we have more material and what amazing material! So we must again seek new winners ...
I'm very happy to see you here...I agree, Nothin' to ya is a great song. It's probably the song that is grown the most on me lately. It wasn't among my favourites at a first listening but now I think that it's one of the strongest tunes from WOK. And considering that your Open your heart went all the way to the third position in the last battle, you could have bet on the right horse also this time. Will it go far in our battle? I don't know, but it's gonna be very interesting to see how far the new songs will go... I'm very curious.
You made my day! 