Please vote in the Song vs. Song poll (plus minor update)
As always, I will need your help in getting the votes up for SvS, where we are doing a doozy, "As It Was" by Harry Styles vs. Taylor Swift's "Anti-Hero." Is this a hint for the best list or worst list? Who knows? https://www.patreon.com/posts/new-poll-as-it-75544478
Anyway, yes, I am working on the worst list. These are always the hardest videos of the year (and they happen during the most stressful time of year!). If you want to know why, it's because I have to pick ten songs and for some of them I haven't really thought about them except "I really like this one" or "I don't really like this one." There's always a couple of them in there! But I think this one's coming along a little quicker than last year's, which was a bit of a tortured process. I've decided to be a little more expansive in what I consider a "hit" this year, which does make it a bit easier. Anyway, I'm working on it fast as I can! Be done soon, hopefully.
Comments (16)
First ever Patreon donation. Love your stuff Todd. Agreed on Big Energy too. That song actually makes me mad that it’s so terrible.
It's always a crapshoot whether I will agree with your worst and best lists (I actually really liked about half of these this year but I like it as a retrospective anyway) but just as a fan I can't help but feel a little bad for Harry's overexposure. He tried very hard to not be overexposed (a lot of fans were disappointed by his underpromotion of his work this year) but there's just something about him that drives people a little insane and seems to be out of his hands for now while he's still young, charismatic, and hot. Luckily overexposure comes and goes and I don't think he has plans to do more films any time soon. I would be shocked if his next album arrives before 2025, and hopefully people will have calmed down a bit by then. In terms of who is dancing to Music for a Sushi Restaurant, I can say from personal experience that it's very fun live.
Definitely take whatever approach or leeway you want for this (haha, as if you need people's permission for that). I know in the past you had standards for a certain degree of chart success in order to qualify for this and if there's any list where that sort of thing could be relaxed in favor of going with your guy, well I'd definitely think it would be this one. OR ANY OTHERS AS WELL, just to clarify.
Voted! I really like both songs, but I had to go with Anti-Hero, as I really enjoy all the layers to the song. Like, Taylor is both being very honest about her self-loathing and anxiety, while also being darkly comedic about it, but there's also a layer of sarcasm to it that's acknowledging all the long running jokes and ott criticisms aimed at her. Like hissing like a snake on the "everybody agreesssss" going into the final chorus, calling the whole #taylorswiftisoverparty to mind. As for "As It Was", there's a great mashup on Youtube of that song and "Take On Me." Highly recommend. Looking forward to your Best Of. I always enjoy that one and sometimes find new music from it too.
Please don't worry about rushing anything, Todd. We're just glad to watch whatever you make, whenever.
Both solid hits from this year, but I’m going with “Anti-Hero.” The song writing is stronger on “Anti-Hero.” Also the use of a synth riff on “As It Was” is too similar to Blinding Lights, Stay, and Take on Me for my taste (it doesn’t ruin the song but Anti-Hero feels more original as a result).
Keep up the hard work and I hope you’re able to get some relaxation during the season!
My question is less on what counts a hit and more on what counts as "this year." With tiktok being tiktok and rediscovering older tracks I'm curious what will count for the lists this time around.
There’s an argument to be made for As It Was being one of if not the best song Harry has ever made. I don’t think you can make that kind of argument for anything on Midnights.
" I've decided to be a little more expansive in what I consider a "hit" this year, which does make it a bit easier." Yeah that makes sense, the 2022 list of hits was way too 2021, can't blame you. I think Save Your Tears is at like 41 for 2022, when it peaked a year and a half ago.
I'm in favor of a flexible interpretation of hit because I use both your lists as listening guides for the year's music
Keep your sanity, dude! It’ll get here when it gets here, and your fans will be just as happy no matter how long it takes. Please work at your own pace if it’ll keep your stress down.
As It Was is like, a perfect song, so I voted for that, but I think Anti-Hero is great too. What makes them both so good is the emotional nuance in the line delivery, ie, Taylor's smoky deadpan and the elegance of "I want you to hold out the palm of your hand, why don't we leave it at that?" The quality of their emotional delivery really does gaslight me into wondering if Harry Styles and Taylor Swift SHOULD in fact continue to pursue acting. Also the 'sexy baby' line is hilarious and accurate. If feel the same way, Tay.
Would it be too much of a spoiler for you to tell us what your definition of a 'hit' is for this list?
Voting, also you’ve always been on my top ten content creators end of the year list. Happy holidays!
I have no beef with Taylor but "As It Was" is a perfect song.