In a 10 songs album,which track number would most likely be the best track on the album?

stupid? maybe
am i bored - definitely yes

But number one is very obviously the answer. Statistically speaking. Number 10 is probably the runnerup, while 2 and 3 are also strong contenders.

Three

don't forget 6

one or three

I've always had a soft spot for track 7

1 is the track you like in the first month you listen to the album,
than you get sick of it, and you like 3 better, but after a year,you discover that track 9,that you always skipped,is actually the best on the album.

3

2

If the album is from before the mid 80s, track 6 is also likely to be very good.

because why

Because it's the first track on side 2, and likely to be a stomper to contrast to side 1's slow closer.

yep

On albums before 1985, it's track 1. After 1985, it's track 2.

Track 3 or Track 7.

Like, #1 is the big lead-in, the howya doin'. #2 is the follow-up, and #3 when it gets down to business.

Likewise, #6 opens the second-half and it's all right, but #7 usually peeks its head out and lets you know that this is what the album's been getting around to saying the whole time.

The very best albums have strong closers. I voted 10.

Good question! Logic would suggest either 1 or 10 (great start/great finish), but I've always had a soft spot for Track 3. Partly becuase of the "rule of three", but mostly because three is that magical tipping point when I suspect that this album is really going to be something special. It leads to disappointment a lot of the time (and I can think of a half-dozen albums where I love the first four soungs, then tune out), but that anticipation remains. And three great songs in a row is still an achievement - a full 50% better than a great single w/b-side, mathematicallly speaking.

Zeno otm. 9 is the hook-laden grower that winds down the album and will probably never be a single.

In fact allow me to Geir you all for just a minute:

1. The first and pre-album-release single, usually chart-happy and a bit obvious/shit
2. Second single
3. Written by a less-talented person, could afford to be not there at all
4. Boring/profound
5. Boring/profound
6. BANG, into the third single
7. Possible fourth single
8. No hooks, no melody, just a cruisy number that travels and wouldn't work off the album
9. The one that becomes grebt after 576654242585746 listens due to its lack of obviousness
10. Some kind of avant-garde bullshit that goes for exactly 10 minutes

1, 4 or 9.

the first track should NEVER be a single, it should be an "album opener" tbqfh

3. see e.g. pulp LPs from "his 'n hers" to "we love life", none of which are 10 tracks long but still.

Track two, guys!

OK, in retrospect:

I'M CALLING THIS THREAD OUT!

What ten track album has had the most polls on it, hmm?

15 Step
Bodysnatchers
Nude
Weird fishes/Arpeggi
All I need
Faust Arp
Reckoner
House of cards
Jigsaw falling into place
Videotape

Gotta be #2.

#1 is the lead-in, and #10 is often great, but if we're measuring greatness by single potential, they pale compared to #2.

80s or earlier

1. A really fast and furious opener. Usually a single, but not the first one
2. Another obvious contender for a single.
3. A somewhat slower number, maybe written by another member than the usual songwriter, or sung by another member than the usual singer
4. One of the albums more boring tracks
5. A ballad, but not the best ballad on the album

6. Side 2 starts with the album's lead single and likely biggest hit
7. Another possible single
8. Another song given not too high priority
9. As opposed to the fourth on side 1, this is supposed to build up to the climax and may well be a great song
10. Either a great and atmospheric ballad or a lengthy epic. If it is the former, it is very likely to be a single, if it is the latter, then its length is the reason why it was never a single.

90s or later:

1. The first single
2. The next single
3. The third single
4. The fourth single
5-8: Just about anything, not likely singles
9. One of the albums' etter tracks, but probably not a single
10. The album's supposed artistic highlight, which may also be a single if not a long "epic". Also a likely ballad.

Also, #1 is likely to be the favourite of the general public while #10 is likely to be the artist's own favourite, and also the favourite of the more devoted fans.

#2 easy

Song 6 - AKA Side 2 Song 1 as detailed in Geir's post above

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

#3 and esp. #8 are always reliable

#7, simply based on how I remember things from my youth.

So, so far we've had tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

What does this tell us?

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

I don't remember this poll but I think 6 should have won. I have thought about favorite track numbers with lots of different albums. It's a bad habit now. Anyways, I use Bee Thousand as my baseline.

1. Hardcore UFO's
2. Buzzards And Dreadful Crows
3. Tractor Rape Chain
4. The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory
5. Hot Freaks
6. Smothered In Hugs <favorite>
7. Yours To Keep
8. Echos Myron
9. Gold Star For Robot Boy
10.Awful Bliss

this album has a killer first 10 songs.. I might make a poll for the first 10 if it would be appreciated

obviously track 3 is great here

(1 and 2 should almost not be included in this poll and I wont explain why)

track 2 is frequently a kick up the ass after a meandering opening track.

but just as often the opening cut will be the most immediate song on the album.

tracks towards the end of an album are the weakest in a lot of cases and tend to serve as the embodiment of the 'running out of steam' phenomenon. in these instances, the final track will be a redeemer of sorts, designed to replenish lost energy levels and take things out with a bang.

i think of track three as being "first ballad of the album" so am really surprised that people appear to like it so much!