Sometimes I Don't Know What to Poll: ILM Artist Poll #107 - Todd Rundgren - RESULTS

Probably not "Drunken Blue Rooster".

PISS AARON #1

#9 - 280 points - 15 votes
Todd Rundgren - "Can We Still Be Friends?" - from Hermit of Mink Hollow, 1978
#29 on US Billboard


I love the live version of this on the A Cappella tour with the chorus, but I can't find it on YouTube anywhere.

how did I forget to vote for Piss Aaron?

"Forget All About It" and Nazz Nazz were my #1s. I felt like they needed some love.

Also that Cheap Trick album has "I Can't Take It" which is my favorite of theirs.

“love of the common” man was my number 1, pure perfection

uh misplaced quotation mark

#8 - 280 points - 13 votes
Todd Rundgren - "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" - from Something/Anything?, 1972

#7 - 300 points - 15 votes - 1 first place vote
Todd Rundgren - "Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel" - from A Wizard, a True Star, 1973

This song is all about the line in which the car runs over his dog.

^^ absolutely and when he says about not wanting to admit to his friends about feeling confused...so devastating

I want to say something like this is the weirdest poll ever, maybe that's not the way to phrase it.

Like much more diverse results throughout, than the few other polls I've participated in.

such a great song

so dramatic when he goes from the optimistic “keep on keepin on” part back into the darkness of the chorus

my favorite part of “difference” is the swoopy synth arpeggio right before the last chorus

Sometimes I Don’t Know What to Feel was the one I forgot about, which is funny since it’s the poll title. That dog line has always bothered me - Todd’s a bit too intrinsically goofy to pull it off for me.

Yeah but it’s him in a nutshell again: this beautiful soulful tune about heartbreak ... over his dog getting flattened by a car.

my favorite part of “difference” is the swoopy synth arpeggio right before the last chorus

#6  371 points - 16 votes - 1 first place vote
Todd Rundgren - "A Dream Goes On Forever" - from Todd, 1974
#69 on US Billboard

The best-known song from what I think is his masterpiece – subtle little drum box and keyboard work, great background vocals and overall a nice refraction of his Nyro/King songwriting style.

Not on my ballot.

I really can’t think of another songwriter who absolutely expresses himself so eloquently and beautifully in a song...it’s that mixture of sadness and joy that always gets me in the pit of my stomach...I’ll shut up now

No! Please don't.

I think I voted for everything from 11 to 6.

Ok! So we're in the top 5 now. Here's a much belated summary of the countdown so far:

50. Tiny Demons 54
49. The Night the Carousel Burned Down 55
48. When the Shit Hits the Fan / Sunset Blvd. 59
47. You Cried Wolf 59
46. Hurting For You 63
45. Time Heals 63
44. Slut 69
43. Crybaby 70
42. Is It My Name? 73
41. All the Children Sing 77
40. Drive 82
39. Marlene 82
38. Determination 84
37. God Said 84
36. I Don't Want to Tie You Down 84
36. Wolfman Jack 84
34. Parallel Lines 88
33. Black Maria 92
32. Boat on the Charles 93
31. Hideaway 93
30. Cold Morning Light 94
29. Initiation 99
28. Zen Archer 99
27. Cliché 100
26. Don't You Ever Learn? 108
26. One More Day (No Word) 108
24. Be Nice to Me 113
24. Izzat Love? 113
22. Real Man 115
21. Wailing Wall 120
20. Heavy Metal Kids 125
19. Baby Let’s Swing/The Last Thing You Said/Don’t Tie My Hands 133
18. Forget All About It 149
17. The Verb "To Love" 156
16. Healing 166
15. Love Is the Answer 169
14. The Last Ride 174
13. Long Flowing Robe 175
12. Open My Eyes 264
11. Love of the Common Man 266
10. We Gotta Get You a Woman 266
9. Can We Still Be Friends? 280
8. It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference 292
7. Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel 300
6. A Dream Goes On Forever 371

#5  - 377 points - 15 votes - 2 first place votes
Todd Rundgren - "Couldn't I Just Tell You" - from Something/Anything?, 1972
#93 on US Billboard

I want to say something like this is the weirdest poll ever, maybe that's not the way to phrase it.

― It Is Dangerous to Meme Inside (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, March 26, 2021 7:33 PM (forty-seven minutes ago)

Like much more diverse results throughout, than the few other polls I've participated in.

― It Is Dangerous to Meme Inside (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, March 26, 2021 7:36 PM (forty-three minutes ago)

I would say I mostly agree -- tho I think a big part of that is that he has a very, very large catalogue.

Scott Miller calls this the greatest powerpop song of all time in his book.

The odd rhythmic phrasing of "Couldn't I just tell you/The way I feel/I can't keep it bottled up inside" is fascinating to me -- it's like he completely internalized the quirkiest aspects of early Who/High Numbers and then processed it into his own thing.

#4 - 379 points - 15 votes
Todd Rundgren - "International Feel" - from A Wizard, a True Star, 1973

“Couldn’t I Just Tell You” was my Number One.

It was my #5. And ofc I voted for "Intl Feel" as well so I am 100% hivemind as far as this poll is concerned.

For a time "International Feel" was my first place vote. It's just the perfect opener to one of the greatest albums and a total statement of purpose for Todd's post Something/Anything? career.

Funny note about this one: according to Myers: "The first version was with all instruments played by Rundgren alone, whereas the second, 'La Feel Internacionale,' was a full-band remake with Moogy & The Rhythm Kings, including John Siomos on drums, Ralph Schuckett on keyboards, and John Siegler on bass."

They sound completely identical to me.

#3 - 387 points - 17 votes - 3 first place votes
Todd Rundgren - "Just One Victory" - from A Wizard, a True Star, 1973

LOCKJAW'S COMIN'! LOCKJAW'S COMIN'!

(this was a close one)

#2 - 389 points - 16 votes - 1 first place vote
Todd Rundgren - "I Saw the Light" - from Something/Anything?, 1972
#16 on US Billboard, #36 on UK Singles Chart

I have to be honest there are going to be a few songs I would of thought were bonafide tracks in his canon that aren’t going to be on here...but fair enough...vive la difference

Yep -- you are not wrong.

I will spare you all the "Ping Me" joke:

#1 - 490 points - 18 votes - 1 first place vote
Todd Rundgren - "Hello It's Me" - from Something/Anything?, 1972
#5 on US Billboard

1. Hello It's Me 490
2. I Saw the Light 389
3. Just One Victory 387
4. International Feel 379
5. Couldn't I Just Tell You 377
6. A Dream Goes On Forever 371
7. Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel 300
8. It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference 292
9. Can We Still Be Friends? 280
10. We Gotta Get You a Woman 266
11. Love of the Common Man 266
12. Open My Eyes 264
13. Long Flowing Robe 175
14. The Last Ride 174
15. Love Is the Answer 169
16. Healing 166
17. The Verb "To Love" 156
18. Forget All About It 149
19. Baby Let’s Swing/The Last Thing You Said/Don’t Tie My Hands 133
20. Heavy Metal Kids 125
21. Wailing Wall 120
22. Real Man 115
23. Izzat Love? 113
24. Be Nice to Me 113
25. One More Day (No Word) 108
26. Don't You Ever Learn? 108
27. Cliché 100
28. Zen Archer 99
29. Initiation 99
30. Cold Morning Light 94
31. Hideaway 93
32. Boat on the Charles 93
33. Black Maria 92
34. Parallel Lines 88
35. Wolfman Jack 84
36. I Don't Want to Tie You Down 84
37. God Said 84
38. Determination 84
39. Marlene 82
40. Drive 82
41. All the Children Sing 77
42. Is It My Name? 73
43. Crybaby 70
44. Slut 69
45. Time Heals 63
46. Hurting For You 63
47. You Cried Wolf 59
48. When the Shit Hits the Fan / Sunset Blvd. 59
49. The Night the Carousel Burned Down 55
50. Tiny Demons 54

Great top 5.

My six year old daughter loves the start of International Feel - it sounds like 30 seconds of flatulence, but in the best possible way.

Wow ‘Hello it’s Me’ was way out in front...did make my ballot but I’ve always preferred the Isleys version

The main stuff missing in the countdown from my ballot were a bunch of Hermit deep tracks - I had Lucky Guy, Onomatopoeia, and Fade Away on my ballot.

I absolutely love‘International Feel’ too and was in my top 3. Probably my favourite album openers too...but it does sound a lot like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltsF6x17LkY

"Hello It's Me" was my #4. Always found it haunting. "I Saw the Light" feels comparatively trite to me but it's catchy; my #30. "Just One Victory" was #3 on my ballot as well as on the poll: uplifting

Yeah, things ended up in a good place here. Thanks to everyone for participating in this, my first poll! I feel like I can ride a bicycle now.

Here's the complete list of results -- apologies as I didn't keep tabs of first place votes until I rolled things out.

Part 1: Tracks
1.         Hello It's Me    490
2.         I Saw the Light 389
3.         Just One Victory          387
4.         International Feel       379
5.         Couldn't I Just Tell You           377
6.         A Dream Goes On Forever      371
7.         Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel          300
8.         It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference         292
9.         Can We Still Be Friends?         280
10.       We Gotta Get You a Woman  266
11.       Love of the Common Man      266
12.       Open My Eyes 264
13.       Long Flowing Robe     175
14.       The Last Ride  174
15.       Love Is the Answer     169
16.       Healing            166
17.       The Verb "To Love"     156
18.       Forget All About It      149
19.       Baby Let’s Swing/The Last Thing You Said/Don’t Tie My Hands        133
20.       Heavy Metal Kids        125
21.       Wailing Wall    120
22.       Real Man         115
23.       Izzat Love?      113
24.       Be Nice to Me 113
25.       One More Day (No Word)      108
26.       Don't You Ever Learn? 108
27.       Cliché  100
28.       Zen Archer      99
29.       Initiation         99
30.       Cold Morning Light     94
31.       Hideaway        93
32.       Boat on the Charles    93
33.       Black Maria     92
34.       Parallel Lines   88
35.       Wolfman Jack 84
36.       I Don't Want to Tie You Down            84
37.       God Said          84
38.       Determination 84
39.       Marlene          82
40.       Drive   82
41.       All the Children Sing   77
42.       Is It My Name?            73
43.       Crybaby           70
44.       Slut      69
45.       Time Heals      63
46.       Hurting For You          63
47.       You Cried Wolf            59
48.       When the Shit Hits the Fan / Sunset Blvd.     59
49.       The Night the Carousel Burned Down            55
50.       Tiny Demons   54
51.       Does Anybody Love You?       49
52.       Compassion    49
53.       Hawking          48
54.       Flamingo         48
55.       Too Far Gone  47
56.       Dust in the Wind         46
57.       Something To Fall Back On     44
58.       Pretending to Care     44
59.       One World      41
60.       Breathless       41
61.       I'm in the Clique          39
62.       I Went To The Mirror  39
63.       A Treatise on Cosmic Fire       39
64.       Love In Action 38
65.       Lysistrata         37
66.       Bang the Drum All Day           37
67.       Afterlife           37
68.       Onomatopoeia            36
69.       Freak Parade   36
70.       Feel It  36
71.       Pulse   34
72.       Sons of 1984   33
73.       Lucky Guy        33
74.       In and Out the Chakras We Go [formerly Shaft Goes To Outer Space]         33
75.       Hope I'm Around        33
76.       Fair Warning   33
77.       Trapped          32
78.       Tic Tic Tic, It Wears Off           31
79.       Mated 31
80.       If That's the Way You Feel      31
81.       You Need Your Head  30
82.       The Wheel       30
83.       Put Your Arms Around Me     30
84.       The Want of a Nail      29
85.       The Ballad (Denny and Jean)  29
86.       Some Folks Is Even Whiter Than Me  29
87.       The Very Last Time     28
88.       Caravan           28
89.       Little Red Lights          27
90.       I Love My Life  26
91.       Black and White          26
92.       Change Myself 24
93.       Fade Away      23
94.       The Spark of Life         22
95.       Shinola 22
96.       Influenza         22
97.       The Waiting Game      21
98.       Johnee Jingo   21
99.       Can't Stop Running     21
100.     Quiet Place to Live (Lindstrøm, Todd Rundgren Remix)        20
101.     Let's Do This    20
102.     The Seven Rays           19
103.     Sweeter Memories     19
104.     If Not Now, When?     19
105.     I Think You Know        19
106.     Feet Don’t Fail Me Now          19
107.     The Death of Rock ’n’ Roll      18
108.     Not Wrong Long         18
109.     Miracle in the Bazaar  18
110.     Bag Lady          18
111.     Song of the Viking       17
112.     Parole  17
113.     No. 1 Lowest Common Denominator 17
114.     Utopia Theme 16
115.     Lost Horizon    16
116.     Just Another Onionhead         16
117.     Good Vibrations          16
118.     Chant  16
119.     The Range War           15
120.     Space War       15
121.     You Don't Have to Camp Around       14
122.     Welcome to My Revolution    14
123.     Tin Foil Hat (w/Donald Fagen)            14
124.     It Takes Two To Tango (This Is For The Girls) 14
125.     Style    13
126.     Kiddie Boy       13
127.     Fate     13
128.     Second Wind   12
129.     V.H.F.  11
130.     Freedom Fighters       11
131.     The Ikon          10
132.     Martyr 10
133.     Second Nature            9
134.     Everybody Else Is Wrong        9
135.     When I Pray    8
136.     Rock Love        8
137.     Chain Letter    8
138.     Bleeding          8
139.     There Are No Words   7
140.     Shine   7
141.     Monument      7
142.     Hammer in My Heart  7
143.     You Left Me Sore        6
144.     Useless Begging          6
145.     That’s Not Right          6
146.     Hoi Poloi         6
147.     Golden Goose 5
148.     Always Late     5
149.     Rock & Roll Pussy        4
150.     Not Tonight (New Cars)          4
151.     Feel Too Good 4
152.     Born to Synthesize      4
153.     All Smiles         4
154.     Worldwide Epiphany  3
155.     Never Never Land       3
156.     I’m Looking at You but I’m Talking to Myself 3
157.     Blue Orpheus  3
158.     Believe in Me  3
159.     Who’s That Man         2
160.     Mighty Love    2
161.     Drunken Blue Rooster 2
162.     Chance For Us (w/Daryl Hall) 2
163.     A Long Time, A Long Way To Go        2
164.     A Beautiful Song         2

Part 2: Albums
1.         A Wizard, a True Star  619
2.         Something/Anything? 548
3.         Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren   439
4.         Todd    401
5.         Hermit of Mink Hollow           381
6.         Faithful            289
7.         Runt    279
8.         Healing            252
9.         Initiation         158
10.       A Cappella       132
11.       The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect         122
12.       Todd Rundgren's Utopia         104
13.       Liars     97
14.       Adventures in Utopia  93
15.       Nearly Human 91
16.       Nazz    87
17.       Runddans        72
18.       Nazz Nazz        64
19.       Disco Jets        50
20.       Swing to the Right      45
21.       Oops! Wrong Planet   45
22.       Live At Hammersmith Odeon ‘75       33
23.       2nd Wind        28
24.       With A Twist   25
25.       POV     25
26.       Utopia 24
27.       Oblivion          24
28.       Another Live   23
29.       The Individualist         22

Part 3: Productions
1.         XTC - Skylarking          502
2.         New York Dolls - New York Dolls        281
3.         Psychedelic Furs - Forever Now         269
4.         Hall & Oates - War Babies      256
5.         Patti Smith Group - Wave       227
6.         Badfinger - Straight Up           225
7.         Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell     148
8.         Cheap Trick - Next Position Please     138
9.         Sparks/Halfnelson - Sparks/Halfnelson          119
10.       Steve Hillage - L          110
11.       The Band - Stage Fright          106
12.       Grand Funk Railroad - We're An American Band       104
13.       The Tubes - Remote Control   94
14.       The Pursuit of Happiness - Love Junk 59
15.       New York Dolls - Cause I Sez So          56
16.       Laura Nyro - Mother’s Spiritual          56
17.       Jill Sobule - Things Here Are Different            45
18.       Todd Rundgren - A Wizard/A True Star          40
19.       The Lords of the New Church - Killer Lords    33
20.       Bourgeois Tagg - Yoyo 33
21.       Utopia - Oblivion        30
22.       The Lords Of The New Church - Is Nothing Sacred?  28
23.       Badfinger - Ass            28
24.       Bad Religion - The New America        28
25.       Tom Robinson Band - TRB Two          26
26.       Utopia - Deface the Music      24
27.       The Pursuit of Happiness - One-Sided Story  22
28.       Shaun Cassidy - Wasp 22

Thanks for running this, and to everyone with their comments. My own ballot was ballad-heavy, it was good to listen to the runout in order with a mix of uptempo songs included.

Indeed, thank you, NTI! Do we post ballots here?

Yes!