Todd In The Shadows

[Lil Miku]

Do you buy she is a shoot lesbian or is it a work for the fans

I've seen both sides of that argument, and both of them are believable. Only time will tell.
(Also, I said huge fan, but I do think she is annoying sometimes with the things she says. I love her music a lot though.)

 

[Random Internet Person]

Quick first impressions while on mobile:

-Really surprised “Not Like Us” is only at 6. I was going back and forth between doing an “I knew it” pop off or talking about an upset, and we got the upset. Just not the kind of upset I thought. I could go on about how this song is overrated, but right now I’ll just say “saying this should be the national anthem” is freaking insane and Todd’s glazing of this is getting pretty increasingly ridiculous and embarrassing.

-Not really surprised that Chappell Roan got #1, but the fact that “Pink Pony Club” a four year old song that only blew up this year thanks to Roan getting popular, is absurd. I only call this out because in his Best songs of 2022 video, he put Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” in his honorable mentions (with a Rita Ora cover in the H M s for the worst list), and mentioned that the song doesn’t count because it was an old 80s song. (And also because it’d be unfair because it would easily be number 1)

. I know Dose of Buckley has done something similar with his worst songs list but there’s a difference: Buckley doesn’t try to present himself as a guy whose opinion you should take seriously, let alone in regards to music. Todd meanwhile, is a guy that folks turn to and give money for his thoughts to the point where he gets guest spots on podcasts. I really have to think that “Pink Pony Club” was only put where it was to 1. Get the list to an even ten songs and 2. Allow Todd to get on his soapbox and talk about LGBTQ rep and allyship and all that fun stuff.

To end on a positive: my personal #1 best song this year: Linkin Park “The Emptiness Machine”. I love it. So freaking much.

 

[Lil Miku]

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Quick first impressions while on mobile:

-Really surprised “Not Like Us” is only at 6. I was going back and forth between doing an “I knew it” pop off or talking about an upset, and we got the upset. Just not the kind of upset I thought. I could go on about how this song is overrated, but right now I’ll just say “saying this should be the national anthem” is freaking insane and Todd’s glazing of this is getting pretty increasingly ridiculous and embarrassing.

-Not really surprised that Chappell Roan got #1, but the fact that “Pink Pony Club” a four year old song that only blew up this year thanks to Roan getting popular, is absurd. I only call this out because in his Best songs of 2022 video, he put Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” in his honorable mentions (with a Rita Ora cover in the H M s for the worst list), and mentioned that the song doesn’t count because it was an old 80s song. (And also because it’d be unfair because it would easily be number 1)

. I know Dose of Buckley has done something similar with his worst songs list but there’s a difference: Buckley doesn’t try to present himself as a guy whose opinion you should take seriously, let alone in regards to music. Todd meanwhile, is a guy that folks turn to and give money for his thoughts to the point where he gets guest spots on podcasts. I really have to think that “Pink Pony Club” was only put where it was to 1. Get the list to an even ten songs and 2. Allow Todd to get on his soapbox and talk about LGBTQ rep and allyship and all that fun stuff.

To end on a positive: my personal #1 best song this year: Linkin Park “The Emptiness Machine”. I love it. So freaking much.

When I saw "Pink Pony Club" at #1 I thought the same thing--shouldn't this not count? He even put "End of Beginning" by Djo (a song released in 2022) as the ending credits, so he's still conscious of the rule to some extent. Your theory is likely totally correct.
My #1 is "Die With A Smile." I am genuinely shocked that it didn't make the list proper. That's one of the best songs I've ever heard, period.

 

[Ninon42]

Not as QWEERALLY as I expected tbh, but just shows how low my expectations were this year. I'll take Chappell going 1-2 on the list even if Hot To Go wasn't it. That karaoke bar he showed is the one that his terrible co-writer Kevin Anderson hosts at, which is probably where they met. Dany Roth also co-wrote on this one and added nothing of value.

 

[Random Internet Person]

. I'll take Chappell going 1-2 on the list even if Hot To Go wasn't it.

Even if Todd had to cheat to make it happen.

 

[Sarcastic sockpuppet]

He needs to get better at soundmixing his is constantly overpowered by the music. his speech is low, the songs are too high.

 

[Womble of Wimbledon]

I have watched these end of year lists since he started making them and I hear less and less difference between the supposed best and worst every year.

The only song in his top ten I wouldn't immediately skip is the Charli XCX one and - to my shame - her boobs are doing a lot of the heavy lifting there.

 

[Registration]

For the best hit songs, literally not a single one got to my ears here in my country.

These are literal randos for me, so much that it shocks me.

 

[Random Internet Person]

For the best hit songs, literally not a single one got to my ears here in my country.

These are literal randos for me, so much that it shocks me.

I guess your music charts and the Billboard Hot 100 have different ways to award “hits”.

 

[Commissar Fuklaw]

He really went hard on the male feminist sex pervert 'girls are better with girls, eh fellow lesbians?' shit in that video.

 

[Registration]

I guess your music charts and the Billboard Hot 100 have different ways to award “hits”.

It is mostly music made here, curiously we are kinda isolated culturally when comes to music.

I guess the most common would be your country music and our Sertanejo. Rap/trap would be similar too but even then I dont think it overlaps.

Saw this some time ago and I literally never even heard of this cunt.

Got curious and one of the biggest hits last year here was this song:

https://youtu.be/9Vt4XguN2-A?si=4np9mxR7bzb2Y0cQ

We have so many types of dudes and duos like this that most people don't know the differences bewteen them, but their music are quite popular.

 

[The Jackal]

I guess your music charts and the Billboard Hot 100 have different ways to award “hits”.

Well yes, of course. Each country's music charts only count songs that were hits in that particular country. How did you think it worked?

 

[Raging Capybara]

America doesn't export music anymore, it's a decadent empire that is about to die.

 

[Random Internet Person]

Well yes, of course. Each country's music charts only count songs that were hits in that particular country. How did you think it worked?

I know how it works. I just thought American hits had some kind of cheat code that helps them chart in foreign lands. Apparently they don’t. Or didn’t these past 12 months.

 

[Random Internet Person]

If Todd isn't a lolcow, then I'll at least say that 2024 was the year where Todd seemed to have lost much of what made him and his content interesting to me. Real sad to see.

Kendrick Lamar dickriding had me rolling my eyes, as Not Like Us started to sound increasingly boring to me as I kept hearing it, but the song was incredibly big for a reason.

I feel like every time I think about this song, I'm on the verge of discovering a new reason why it ain't as good as Todd makes it out to be. I imagine that it physically hurt Todd to place it at number 6 on this list considering how much he gushes about it.

And in regards to Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show, everyone is hoping that "Not Like Us" gets played, and if it doesn't, it'll probably be as big a disappointment as when Maroon 5 went from the Sweet Victory opening fanfare to Sicko Mode in no time flat. Maybe even a bigger disappointment to where they'll go after the NFL for some reason while I have a sense that this may the high point for Kendrick's career and he should enjoy this while it lasts.

He says that he was thinking about ending TitS and that he's only in it for the money. Could have just been a joke, but it sounded pretty convincing.

You know, this whole clouding things in jokes isn't new. I remember back in 2011 when Todd opened a review by saying he got a new place and mentioned how "roommate asked me to move out. I guess he saw my videos and got mad I was taking his stuff. And his jokes". There’s also the time he dedicated himself to nail his line delivery just to make a point about songwriting.

Between the vacations, the “stop on the word stop” video and updated list, and his recent BlueSky thing of reposting music videos of artists doing karaoke or showcasing “raw” music videos, I have to think Todd wants to talk about anything except stuff that could make for his channel uploads.

And if this is how Todd tries to avoid/deal with burnout, more power to him. But I think it’s come time to where he’s really gotta consider what he wants to get out of talking about music if that’s his path he wants to choose. It’s Like Doug Walker from 2012-circa 2014.

Beyonce/Miley Cyrus's song was apparently "too lesbian and female" for country music radio. I'm skeptical about this claim.

You know, considering this genre gave us June Carter, Shania Twain, and the fact that everyone seems to love Dolly Parton who comes from the country adjacent genre of bluegrass, I have to call bullshit on Todd's claim.

Apparently Kim Petras 'fails' because his music isn't deep enough, rather than due to being a creepy troon.

Ah, I am reminded of his talk of poptimism vs rockism and how it seemed that Todd agreed with Kendrick Lamar that the only music that should be made is the stuff that’s super deep and has a message and takes listeners on a journey. It’s a view that’s elitist and stupid.

He goes on and on about how the Billie Eilish song at #5 is apparently a "transcendent" classic that my grandchildren are going to cherish. I've already forgotten it.

Eh, I enjoyed it. Though I’m not much of a fan of hers. If Todd said “This’ll be seen as one of her better tracks”, then I don’t think it’d be worthy of an eyes roll.

Anyone else notice that when Todd tries to hype up something he likes, he tends to go to hyperbole without provocation? And this is at number 5.

Every time he brings up sex he sounds either like a virgin or an old pervert. Someone should have a word with him about it.

I assume there’s no in between. Speaking of old pervert, I have to think it’s not in an entertaining way like Jiraiya.

Apparently Tyler the Creator saying "I don't give a fuck about pronouns" is totally not problematic you guys. He'd be screeching if Tom McDonald had said the same thing lol.

I think I may need some context, but to play devil’s advocate , I think the idea is that Tyler is going for some “it’s what’s on the inside that truly counts” message, while Tom is only going for an “own the libs” approach that amounts to trolling and bullying.

• Of course his number one is a degenerate anthem about an underage girl becoming a stripper, yougogirlslaykweenyass. Depressing and creepy LA-brained garbage.

And it’s a four year old song too. I know it’s a pretty petty thing to harp on, but honestly Todd started it when he made a deal out of pointing out good songs being DQ’d from the list for being old or Mentioning that he has criteria (whatever that is) for what should or shouldn’t be on the list, and how he tries to adhere to it.


This talk of “Pink Pony Club” could have easily made for a regular PSR video , and even then, there was an avenue to virtue signal with “Hot To Go” considering the song has its own dance and he can say how we have a replacement for “YMCA” after The Village People had their music played at Trump rallies. And then Todd can put “Not Like Us” higher on the list when he stops riding Kendrick Lamar’s dick.

Apparently he find country music "increasingly difficult to listen to". Quite a change after putting like five different country songs on one of his recent best lists.

Well, everything changed when Trump was elected. Again.

I assume he still hasn’t forgotten everything that happened with 2030 and Morgan Wallen . And hasn’t forgiven either.

He hates Drake for not being a woman respecter. Kendrick's track was an example of "good triumphing over evil" apparently.

Good triumphing over evil? It’s a diss track considered to be the highlight of what many perceive to be a one sided rap feud.

Honestly, if this thread gets moved to the lolcows board, or a new one is made in Prospering Grounds, I’ll have to believe a reason is because of Todd’s reaction and comments involving this song ALONE.

I get the claim, but I'm tired of this notion that people just thought country would somehow welcome Beyonce with open arms to country music. She's not doing anything like, say, Robert Plant or Neil Young or David Byrne. You can like those guys, you can hate those guys, but what you can't say is that when they went experimental, it was cynical. Beyonce going country was basically her wearing a new outfit. She didn't have to study anything. She just assumed if she showed up in the right hat and boots, that was her automatic ticket to being "in" country music.

That's why people didn't respond well to Beyonce doing "country", because she's a poseur.

I listened to “Texas Hold ‘Em” in the car with family around the time the album first dropped, and we all agreed that it was just trying to cash in on a trend. And considering that Beyoncé got a Grammy nomination for Album of The Year and did a halftime show when the NFL aired a game on Netflix on Christmas, I guess it worked.

Maybe Todd means to go full-pop historian in the future? He has said that he views himself more as a historian than a critic.

He said that he almost announced his retirement because he's lazy and unmotivated.

Honestly, if he had the kind of Patreon content output as Jenny Nicholson (one hour-or-more-long video per month guaranteed), I would consider paying a buck a month to get guaranteed OHWs or Trainwreckords. He won't though, because he's lazy and more dedicated to sucking tranny dick.

I’ve heard that idea of “do OHW full time and save modern music for year end lists”. But I remember @Ninon42 punching the numbers and found out that in terms of bringing in views/cash, the old stuff and the modern chart listings are pretty much even with no real edge for either side.

At the same time, a lot of people look to Todd for what he has to say, and he may be the biggest name on YouTube when it comes to talking about music. Hell, here’s the top liked comment on his best list:


I think that has to count for something. Right? And he had this post about the video I found:

I could see him branching out, maybe writing articles for Rolling Stone or somewhere like that. Maybe a book. If Lindsay Ellis could get a book deal I don't see why Todd couldn't, and it would probably sell a lot more copies than hers have done. Another podcast perhaps. He has a few options.

It makes you wonder why those chances have been relatively few and far between. All he really has is Nebula.

Do you buy she is a shoot lesbian or is it a work for the fans

I've seen both sides of that argument, and both of them are believable. Only time will tell.

Well…

The whole Rolling Stone Piece is worth a read if you ask me.

 

[ToddleDoddle]

Anyone find his way of shilling Nebula at the end of the video kind of in poor taste? It's basically "depressed? Well here are some video essays that will clear that right up for you!" He even takes a jab at Better Help which is accused to being an unreliable mental health tool. Just seems like an odd way to advertise the platform.

 

[Random Internet Person]

Anyone find his way of shilling Nebula at the end of the video kind of in poor taste? It's basically "depressed? Well here are some video essays that will clear that right up for you!" He even takes a jab at Better Help which is accused to being an unreliable mental health tool. Just seems like an odd way to advertise the platform.

Honestly, I’m more surprised that Nebula seems to be the ONLY thing he promotes.

Even the read for the plug has the same videos used as examples of what you’ll see as stuff on the platforms. I’m not sure if it’s an deal where he’s exclusive, but with his connections, Patreon numbers, and his Song Vs Song podcast, you’d think that a guy with his subscriber count talking about music can get himself a good number of sponsorships to choose from. Am I wrong?

The shilling is pretty sad.

 

[Boston Brand]

As reliable as the tides, Todd, a straight dude in his 30s, simps for lesbian pop stars and thirsting after Lindsay Ellis. Toss in hate for his parents, country music and red states...

I'd say he's a tool, but clearly he has an audience. Somehow.

You're forgetting the song. Never forget the song:

Spoiler: How this played out in Todd's head

View attachment 6906784

That is the most hilarious and pathetic thing I've heard about Todd yet.

Surely the Simp in the Shadows should he moved to LolCows for this alone?

Anyone find his way of shilling Nebula at the end of the video kind of in poor taste? It's basically "depressed? Well here are some video essays that will clear that right up for you!" He even takes a jab at Better Help which is accused to being an unreliable mental health tool. Just seems like an odd way to advertise the platform.

It's his only way to organically plug Lindsay without looking like even more of a simp. He always opens with her most recent video even when they're months old.

 

[Random Internet Person]

You're forgetting the song. Never forget the song:

Spoiler: How this played out in Todd's head

View attachment 6906784

Shall we place a bounty on this footage in hope that somebody finds it?

Surely the Simp in the Shadows should he moved to LolCows for this alone?

I’d say his glazing for Kendrick Lamar and cheating on his year end list to I assume virtue signal would be better reasons since you could argue with the Nebula stuff he’s just promoting his friend and fellow former CA producer. And may just be reciting some talking points he’s been told to hit.

And that cover he did may have just been him performing something special for his subscribers with Plausible deniability established.

Sorry, but the saga of Chris Chan and Megan Schroeder but the standards of “being a simp” pretty high for me, and I don’t think Todd really hits them.

 

[Ninon42]

As reliable as the tides, Todd, a straight dude in his 30s, simps for lesbian pop stars and thirsting after Lindsay Ellis. Toss in hate for his parents, country music and red states...

In his 40s now (born 3 June 1984), making it twice as cringe and mid-life crisis-y.

Shall we place a bounty on this footage in hope that somebody finds it?

The original video was privated and the Russian mirror vids all appear to be gone from YT, though something might still lurk on Vimeo or Dailymotion. He also had a video where he played Sex and Candy by Marcy Playground that was pretty good.