Track Rankings 2012 - The Circle

Originally Posted by Kuba80BJ

I couldn’t wait for this ranking to be honest. I know I am probably the only one to say this, but I don’t care, I will say it anyway. This album is my 3rd favourite album the band has ever done, only behind KTF and TD.

Originally Posted by Kuba80BJ

All in all, this kind of album is exactly what I need from this band at this point of my life. I don’t want the sound of the 80 or 90 anymore. Those days are behind us, and I want to hear the songs about things important to me, and actually important in general. It’s just that some people refuse to accept that. They’d rather listen to shallow songs on the radio about partying, sex, violence, easy money and easy life. I want a mature songwriting and TC delivers that 100%. This is exactly what a 50 year old guys should write about. They have enough experience on their shoulders to express it in such songs. Maybe if I was younger (although being at my 30’s I think I am young) I would not take this album so well. I don’t know. I think that mostly people over 30 years old appreciate this album and that says a lot too.

Originally Posted by Kuba80BJ

I couldn’t wait for this ranking to be honest. I know I am probably the only one to say this, but I don’t care, I will say it anyway. This album is my 3rd favourite album the band has ever done, only behind KTF and TD. Until it was released I would never say that any new album would break the almighty 4 records – SWW, NJ, KTF, TD – which were unbeatable for me back then. But never say never. Of course each one of us has its own music taste, and is looking for different things in BJ songs, and I know really well that for most of people over here this album is poor. For me – it’s a masterpiece. Both musically and lyrically, but I think the lyrics and the general message that it brings is its strongest feature.
From the moment is was released, this one is the album I’ve been listening to the most. I have it constantly in my car with me, just in case I need it. There are weeks when I listen to it every day going to work, sometimes it’s just only 2-3 times a month. Anyway, I’ve listened to it so much I have scratches on ST and Bullet, so I can’t listen to those anymore, so I will have to buy a new CD soon I think. Actually I joined this board after the release of this album as I wanted to share thoughts with people from all around the world about this great band and the new album (back then).
This ranking couldn’t have come in a better timing actually. This past week I was listening to this album everyday. I had an extremely busy and stressful week at work, with extreme responsibility on my head and I needed a helping hand. And always in such crucial moments I look for BJ. And apart from KTF, DC and TD, the songs from The Circle always help me out like nothing else. So it’s time for some thoughts about the songs.

BrokenPromiseland – the best song by the band of the last 17 years, for me. No doubts about it. The best one since TD album. I love absolutely everything in this song. I love the intro, I love the lyrics, I love the passion in vocals, and love guitar work and solo. I can’t believe they played it only once on TC tour. This is the biggest mistake they have ever done in my opinion. It would sound awesome. That one last try in Hawaii did not sound great, I admit, but it needed only some more works and better vocals from Jon (which showed up later during the tour) and it would have been a killer and should have been a staple. “No need to fear what hasn’t happened yet” and “Rise my fallen angel, shine, don’t let them break you” are the moments I love the most. It has automatically reached my personal TOP5 of all BJ songs, and I really mean that.
Happy Now – to be perfectly honest, this song is very close behind BPL. And actually, this is the one I play the most when I feel I need motivation and find myself in need for help. Like this week for example. It’s kind of like it says “Can I be happy now?” – in a way – “F***k off all you people and leave me alone” when I think there’s too much things put on my shoulders and also “Can I be happy now?” in a way – “I will prove to everyone and to myself I can do it, no matter what happens on the way”. This song led me to my dream in Dublin. Whole chorus gives me so much power to fight with all the shit life is throwing at me, that there’s no way I will lose. It’s actually lyrically very close to KTF for me. And I am so happy I got this in Dublin too. For sure will keep this moment in my heart forever.
Love’s the Only Rule – well, this song actually is the biggest grower for me. I remember that right after the release of the album Bullet was my third fav and this one was few places lower, but with time and the experience of being a father, I realized how unbelievably strong are the lyrics of this song. It has been fav song of my wife from TC from the start, but I needed some time to appreciate its message. And the moment when they closed the 2nd show in Dublin with this song, was the moment, that sealed its position on this album and how important it is for me now. This song works perfect live, absolutely perfect. And I love the speech Jon does at the beginning of it and I am 100% sure he really means it. I am really sad when people think he does everything only for the money, while for me this is the last things that’s on his mind at this level of his career. I am happy that songs like this are being written in the times of pop shit that we are being fed with in the media.
Those 3 songs above are without a doubt my Top3 and very close to each other. And those 3 songs alone determine, that for me this album is better than SWW and NJ.
All the songs behind it for me are almost equally great and each one has some defining moments. TIMS is also one of those songs I love to play when I am pushed against the wall. We need to experience downfalls and hard moments to understand and appreciate the good times. I need that “thorn” to be happy eventually. And I love that outro solo they did on the tour. Unfortunately I was not lucky enough to witness it myself personally.
I still love Bullet and it’s still one of my favourites on the album. I love its heavy sound and it bold lyrics, kind of like Hey God style “God or you listening or have you just given up?”.
LTL is the most underrated song of the album. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful. Perfect songwriting and great melody. And also perfect finish of the album. I also regret it hasn’t been played on the tour at all.
WWBTF is the only song I knew before the album release. But I never stopped loving it. The single showed up also in the moment when I faced a new challenge at work and needed to prove myself that I can make impossible “possible”. The title says it all. And citizens of my city knows it like no one else. It is here where “Solidarity” movement was set up, that eventually led to collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe in the 80’s. “We weren’t born to follow” the communism rules and even though the rest of the world seemed to don’t care, we had to fight for our rights by ourselves. And we won. But of course today for me it has some personal meaning, rather than political one.
WWWB is an amazing song. I agree that some things were better “before the world got small, before we knew it all”.
ST is also a great rock song and I enjoy it very much. I have no hard feelings for WFTWM too. Nice rock song, maybe just overplayed a little on the tour, which has taken a spot for some other songs from TC (BPL definitely).
The songs that I listen to the least are Live Before You Die and Fast Cars. But the reason for that might also be the fact, that both are put right before my fav tracks – BPL and HN, respectively. I always want to hear my favs asap so that’s why I also push “next” button when those to start to play.

All in all, this kind of album is exactly what I need from this band at this point of my life. I don’t want the sound of the 80 or 90 anymore. Those days are behind us, and I want to hear the songs about things important to me, and actually important in general. It’s just that some people refuse to accept that. They’d rather listen to shallow songs on the radio about partying, sex, violence, easy money and easy life. I want a mature songwriting and TC delivers that 100%. This is exactly what a 50 year old guys should write about. They have enough experience on their shoulders to express it in such songs. Maybe if I was younger (although being at my 30’s I think I am young) I would not take this album so well. I don’t know. I think that mostly people over 30 years old appreciate this album and that says a lot too.
I am personally really happy that the new album probably will be a continuation of TC. I am all for it and can’t wait for the new album and for the tour, hopefully with the first show ever in Poland. I will do everything I can to make that happen. “What would you say to me if I told you I had a dream….?”

12 - BrokenPromiseland
11 - Happy Now
10 - Love's The Only Rule
09 - Thorn In My Side
08 - Bullet
07 - Learn To Love
06 - We Weren't Born To Follow
05 - When We Were Beautiful
04 - Superman Tonight
03 - Work For The Working Man
02 - Fast Cars
01 - Live Before You Die

Originally Posted by TwinFan

12. Thorn in My Side
11. Love's the Only Rule
10. Bullet
9. Brokenpromiseland
8. We Weren't Born To Follow
7. Happy Now
6. Superman Tonight
5. When We Were Beautiful
4. Learn To Love
3. Fast Cars
2. Learn to Love

0. Work for the Working Man

Originally Posted by Spidey5150

12 Love's The Only Rule
11 Superman Tonight
10 Thorn In My Side
09 Happy Now
08 When We Were Beautiful
07 Broken Promise Land
06 Learn To Love
05 Born To Follow
04 Bullet
03 Work For The Working Man
02 Fast Cars
01 Learn To Love