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We Belong Together

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This article has gone through a lot of edit warring, fan-cruft, various chart and music-single tables, and non-stop rivalry between style and format. Finally, I believe that the article has been met with a gift: references, citations, and the whole entire package! Therefore, I nominate it to become a featured article! —Eternal Equinox | talk 18:16, 12 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • I think that sources are needed for the Nielsen chart impressions (in Chart performance), the Launch's most watched video with 7.5 performances (Music Video) and for "Bronson also stated..." (Free Downloads Controversy).
  • A very minor detail (and you can yell at me if you want for being so minor!), but do you need to source song lyrics? I don't know if there's a Wiki policy or not, but I won't lose sleep over this issue.
  • Finally, just a Comment; is the song still in the Billboard 100 (I saw on Billboard.com it wasn't in the Top 50)? I personally don't think it should reach FA if it is, as it might be miscontrued as an advertisement if it reaches the front page (I know that's not your intention, but I can see the arguments already if it makes it while still in the Top 100). However, if it's not in the Billboard 100 and the objections above are addressed, I don't see any major problems. All in all, a decent overview of the single.
  • I wish you the best,--Ataricodfish 21:56, 12 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • The Bronson statement is sourced; the citiation is at the end of the paragraph. As the points are from same source, I thought it best to place the citation at the end of the entire statement. The "7.5 performances" are pending. I've just added another source. Also, the fact that the song is in the top fifty (or not) should not affect the article's promotion whatsoever. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 22:31, 12 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Orane, that's why I placed the current chart performance was placed as a "comment" and not an "objection". I'll withdraw my objection if the other issues are resolved even if it's still in the Top 100. I'm just saying that I won't personally support it unless it falls out of the Top 100, just my personal opinion, and other voters might feel differently. --Ataricodfish 22:44, 12 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Orane, I found the reference you meant for Bronson, but it came at the end of the paragraph before the quote I referenced, which is why I didn't notice it. I struck that and the Launch data, as well as my inquiry regarding lyrics since I see a link at the bottom of the page. Nielsen ratings will still need a link. Another Comment that came to mind; I noted most new FAC articles regarding musicians have an audio sample (see Wikipedia:Featured Music Project). I think a 30 second clip would be appropriate, if you could get one.--Ataricodfish 03:05, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Done. There are now about 22+ sources in the article (5 in the section that you pointed out)
  • Objection withdrawn, and I currently Abstain. As I mentioned previously, I don't think a Top 100 song should be promoted to FA only because its a current event and, if it makes it to the main page, it could be seen as commercial despite the intentions of the authors. Should I verify that the single is no longer a Billboard Hot 100 (which, admittingly, I haven't had a chance to verify), and if an audio sample of the song is added, I will change my vote to support. Thanks for addressing my concerns. I'm glad to see a song article which also features sales and awards and not just the "easy stuff" of what's in a video. More song articles should have this much information. --Ataricodfish 06:00, 15 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Support, though I should mention that I did do some work on this. 18:21, 15 February 2006 (UTC) Reluctant object, I'm afraid. I have just noticed that the references section includes two Wikipedia articles, but we should never use other Wikipedia articles as sources. Extraordinary Machine 23:04, 12 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
But now there's a problem concerning the material in the article previously supported by those two references now being uncited. Extraordinary Machine 17:23, 14 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Okay then, I now change my vote. Extraordinary Machine 18:21, 15 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Object: The writing is dreadful. First, it has excessive explication of self-evident lyrics. It isn't as though the love ballad is a particularly complex form, nor that this one offers any innovations on it, and yet the article explains these lyrics not once, but three times. Secondly, there is horrendous redundancy throughout, but one example alone would be how the song's music is described (starts with a piano in C major ... not exactly an unusual piano key, there, so not really something that would deserve much note, and then 4/4 in quarter notes... 4/4 with quarter notes? is 4/4 frequently performed in some other way?). Next, we get a critic's sampler where the criticism is cherry picked to say generally self-evident things that the article has already stated three times (it's her anthem! we like it! it's a good song!). If one puts in a note, one does not generally need to go through and repeat the note's text over and over again. Essentially, there are stretch marks all over this article, as the informational content of two paragraphs has been stretched to fill two screens. I'm sorry that Peer Review didn't pick the prose clean, but I'd have to refer it back to Peer Review and another (non-fan would be good) editor. Geogre 23:12, 12 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Comment.I'm not sure that I understand your objection. "First, it has excessive explication of self-evident lyrics. You are objecting because the writer(s) explain the lyrics of the song without providing innovations? Isnt that necessary in an article like this? Why should I provide innovation? The purpose of an encyclopedia is not to add to knowledge, it is to summarize existing knowledge.. Hence its nature as a general source. "the article explains these lyrics not once, but three times." What three times? Do you mean the introduction and the relevant section that deals with "lyrics and themes"? Isnt that where its supposed to be? Is something wrong here? You are objecting because the article states that the song starts in C major like may other songs? What if it was in G major like "A Hard Day's Night (song)" etc, would you have objected to it then? We need to make note of the obvious, unless you want me to find some secret in the song and explain it in the article. I really dont understand what you are saying here. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 23:28, 12 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
The article explains what is going on in the lyrics, the story they tell, three times. Once would be more than enough, especially when it would take merely a single sentence to do the job, and not "it's this and then this and then this and then this." Indeed, a G major would be more unusual. There are natural keys for piano, natural keys for guitar, natural keys for woodwinds, etc. These keys are "home position" and require the least stretching to get all the notes in the scale. For a piano, C, B, and B flat are naturals. (Find a song in B, and you'll find one probably composed on piano -- e.g. Johnny B. Goode.) So note the usual features, the things that make it interesting, notable, worthy of discussion. There's not much point in saying, "Gosh, this piano song is in C!" Of course it's in C. If it were in D-minor, it would be weird. If it were in E, it would be weirder. The point is that unremarkable things are remarked upon, and then a few sentences later restated, and then things that cannot be otherwise (4/4 being 4 quarter notes per measure) being explained. Repetition and redundancy are valid objections in the writing. Geogre 01:43, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • In order to deal with the music section of the article (fulfilling its comprehensiveness), then the writer has to talk about the basic and fundamental characteristics of the song, including the time signature/beat, instruments and the key in which the song is set, whether or not people will find it weird or redundant. You are assuming that everyone knows the song is in C major and we do not need to mention it, but that is just your (very subjective) opinion. Secondly, the mention of 4/4 etc is just a statement. There is no lengthy explanation as you imply, just a summary of the fundamentals. If Im describing the music, I have to describe the music, whether or not my description will shock the reader; if there is nothing strange, am I to just omit it like it does not exist? Oran e (t) (c) (e) 01:57, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • What makes you assume that two fans edited the peer review Geogre? I am not a fan of Mariah Carey at all. The only reason I helped edit the article is because I thought the song was notable since it broke numerous airplay records. If I'm not mistaken, I also pointed out that the prose was awkward in a few places. It should be corrected, yes, not all of it could be considered "brilliant". The comments about the lyrics being "self-evident" is unclear. —Eternal Equinox | talk 00:30, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
What makes me think that is that the article has a fannish tone. A non-fan might well spot the repetition, if that non-fan is an active reader. A non-fan might also see the song in a wider context, if that editor is knowledgeable. The article has been submitted for FAC when it is not ready, when it still shows the flaws inherent in group editing. Geogre 01:43, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I do believe that the article is ready though, which is why I nominated it. —Eternal Equinox | talk 02:52, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I see the link now, thanks. --Ataricodfish 03:06, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Support Looks good to me. --Siva1979Talk to me 05:05, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Object - Writing is awkward. Now, I agree with the above, that every topic in the article should be there, all the discussions and so forth are a good idea and contribute to the article in a positive manner. What it lacks is flowing prose. Each paragraph seems to be a series of unconnected sentences on tangentally related, leading to a very stilted reading experience. This problem is pandemic throughout the article, so the example I'm about to display (and correct) is not sufficient to change my vote to support. It may take a lot of work to get this fixed.
Former lead section:
"We Belong Together" is a pop–R&B song co-written and co-produced by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released in 2005 as the second single from her ninth studio album The Emancipation of Mimi (see 2005 in music), and was both a critical and commercial success. The song is an R&B ballad and has been noted for its quiet storm ambience, laid back piano-driven rhythm and Carey's subdued vocals. Its protagonist declares herself "stupid" and "foolish" for ending a relationship on the wrong terms, and she wants her former lover to return as she feels that they "belong together". The song has now become Carey's signature song. After winning two Grammy Awards and breaking many chart and airplay records on the U.S. Billboard charts, it is also considered her comeback single following the commercial failure of the singles from Glitter (2001) and Charmbracelet (2002). "We Belong Together" was also a success outside of the U.S.; apart from peaking at number one in countries including Australia and France, it was named the "song of the year" at the 2005 World Music Awards ceremony.
My changes:
"We Belong Together" is the title of a pop–R&B song co-written and co-produced by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. Released in 2005 as the second single from her ninth studio album The Emancipation of Mimi (see 2005 in music), it was both a critical and commercial success, and has been noted for its "quiet storm ambience", laid back piano-driven rhythm and Carey's subdued vocals. The protagonist of the song declares herself "stupid" and "foolish" for ending a relationship on the wrong terms, and she wants her former lover to return as she feels that they "belong together".
This song has now become Carey's signature song, and after winning two Grammy Awards and breaking many chart and airplay records on the U.S. Billboard charts, and is also considered her comeback single following the commercial failure of the singles from Glitter (2001) and Charmbracelet (2002). "We Belong Together" was also a success outside of the U.S.; apart from peaking at number one in countries including Australia and France, it was named the "song of the year" at the 2005 World Music Awards ceremony.
Basically, by beginning each sentence with the article "It" or "The song", it appears to declare each sentence the topic sentence of what should be its own new paragraph. By rewording and rephrasing, it adds coherance to each paragraph, for better ease of reading, and making for more "brilliant prose".
The information I see here is fine for a FA, but the writting could use some work. Hope this helps to bring the article up to standard. Fieari 18:38, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
One of the things that had set my teeth on edge was the lead, which begins with the "co-written by Mariah Carey." No one person can co-write anything. It was co-written by her and someone. The other authors are invisible until paragraph 5. It's that kind of thing that set the tone when I was reading it and made my hackles rise. Geogre 23:14, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
The problem with saying "co-written by Mariah Carey and ..." is the fact that there are so many bloody co-writters for that song! Look at the list in the infobox! I'd rather not mention who it was written by at all than include all those names in the lead. Mariah Carey did sing it, however, so I think it's noteworthy enough to mention that she was involved in the process of writing and producing it. Perhaps the sentence could be re-written to include this information without using the words "co-written" or "co-produced"? Fieari 23:31, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
The problem could be solved with "written by Mariah Carey and several of her album's producers" or "written by Mariah Carey in collaboration with others." In either of those cases, you'd indicate that hers was one hand among many and yet not have the incomplete phrase of "co-written by" and then a single name. The idea is that you at least mention that she was only one and yet that you're not obligated to mention them all; this avoids the sneakiness of listing only her (and thereby seemingly making her most important) and the messiness of listing all composers. Geogre 02:59, 14 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
How's this? Fieari 05:44, 14 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Nice work, but is saying "the title of" really necessary? Extraordinary Machine 18:21, 15 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Comment Appreciate the effort put into the piece, but the temptation to misconstrue the article as a piece of indirect marketing in very strong indeed. We may well be validating more than just a piece of pop ephemera by holding such themes up as good practice. HasBeen 11:20, 16 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The users who edited We Belong Together are not attempting to market the single in any way whatsoever. If the article is promoted to a featured article, it does not necessarily have to appear on the main page. The candidacy it is currently going through is a process whereby the best articles on Wikipedia are noted and recognized for their content. I hope you choose to give the article a read-through and place a vote. If you support, then your effort will be appreciated. If you object, then your criticisms will hopefully be met. Thank you! —Eternal Equinox | talk 21:17, 16 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • CommentI agree with EE. No one is trying to promote the single. Let me finalise everything: the song has fallen off the Hot 100 chart (its now number two on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Recurrent chart, according to http://www.mariahdaily.com/newsdesk.shtml). With that said, I'd also like to point out that it's over and done, and no amount of promotion (especially by Wikipedia) can propel the single back to number one. Call me defensive (thought that's not my intention) but I'd just like to point out that songs like "Cool" was featured within a month or two of its release, and no one brought up the discussion of "wikipedia promoting singles". I say, if the article's well written and meets all the FA criteria, then it deserves to be featured. Period. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 21:58, 16 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
See, this is where we disagree then, as I fully agree with HasBeen on this issue. The point isn't that you personally are promoting a Mariah Carey single currently on the market -- it's that if we allow currently promoted singles on the front page of Wikipedia (which all FA's can become), then we are creating an opening for others, such as marketers, to slip through onto the main page. As well, if a song is a current single, it's no different than a "current event", for the same reason that, say, Dick Cheney hunting incident would likely be disqualified if it were nominated today.
You have made reference to "songs like "Cool" was featured within a month or two of its release". As the ol' business maxim goes, past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Roy Orbison also made the front page recently, too, but we don't advocate using that as a model for a current music article. Old FA's used to not need references, either, but you won't get far today without them. The criteria for becoming a FA should get tougher as time goes by, and it has gotten tougher in the last few months alone. Personally, I don't think Cool should have made the front page so quickly after the song release, but I wasn't an active part of the Wiki community at the time and didn't put my vote one way or another.
Finally, you're right, I confirmed in today's issue of Billboard that "We Belong Together" isn't in the Top 100 anymore. It's still on some of the R&B charts, though, but I'm personally satisfied that it's not a current event. However, I remain an abstain until an audio sample is added, since that seems to be the standard for music FA articles now. --Ataricodfish 04:17, 17 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Audio samples can only be uploaded in the OGG format. Unfortunately, I am not experienced in this field. Does one know how to create such a file and release it publicly? —Eternal Equinox | talk 20:42, 17 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Object. Poor and inexact prose throughout. I will give a few examples of misstatements and stylistic infelicities from the beginning of the article: To refer to — to mention or quote —other hits is not to "draw influence" from them. It's not "interpolation of these songs", either; that would mean the unlikely maneouver of putting the whole of the other songs in. Please remove all quaint, outdated, or facetious diction like "Said Carey, 'People ...'" or referring to the man the Carey persona of the song is in love with as a former "beau" (particularly inappropriate as the narrative is otherwise taken with great seriousness and reverence in the article). Please fix poor syntax like "It is then when she decides". Fix typos. Note, this objection can unfortunately not be taken care of by merely correcting the points mentioned. They're only examples, the whole needs a serious stylistic overhaul/rewrite. Please compare also Geogre's still standing objection above; the nominator saying "I do believe that the article is ready, though" is not exactly a responsive reply to a specific and detailed critique. Bishonen | talk 03:24, 17 February 2006 (UTC).[reply]
P. S. Also, I've thought of something that contributes to an uncritical, over-intimate tone: you should avoid telling us, as if it were incontestable truth, what Carey "felt" or "wanted". An encyclopedia doesn't know or claim to know such things. We're not in her head: tell us instead what she said or affirmed. Bishonen | talk 10:18, 17 February 2006 (UTC).[reply]
Comment→I've done some extensive work on the language (not limited to the examples that you provided), and I've also tried to incorporate some of Geogre's suggestions. What do you think? Oran e (t) (c) (e) 18:36, 17 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Objection stands. I'm sorry, I do acknowledge the effort, but this isn't FA style. Looking at the way it reads now, the abbreviating of some very diffuse passages is certainly an improvement, as such. I'd like to see more of that, as the "stretch marks" that Geogre speaks of come close to tautology sometimes ("sings sadly, creating a sorrowful tone": the reader can surely figure what kind of tone is created by singing sadly). Stylistically, too much remains to be done altogether, and I suggest getting some fresh eyes and merciless scissors in from outside. That would make the article shorter, no doubt, but IMO there simply isn't enough material there for the present length anyway. My advice to narrate Carey's statements rather than her supposed thoughts hasn't been successfully carried out. E. g. the revised sentence "Carey had implied that she wanted her vocals to be the main force on "We Belong Together", and decided to alter her style of singing" is merely less clear than before ("implied"?) while still claiming access to Carey's thought processes ("decided"). And so it goes. Incidentally, I'm unhappy about so much of the narrative being uncritically — fannishly — based on self-congratulatory promotional material ("People have to learn the art of subtlety... We realized that once we did it, it was an inspiration in terms of how I was singing it."). Such material is naturally the bread and butter of mtv.com (quoted here in a "behind the scenes" story), but Wikipedia needs to take some critical distance to it. I can't withdraw my opposition, sorry. Bishonen | 美少年 11:40, 18 February 2006 (UTC).[reply]
  • Strong object. The credits section omits any mention of the musicians who performed on the track. Unless Carey played piano, bass, drums, and whatever other instruments are not mentioned in the article, this would certainly seem a glaring omission. Monicasdude 19:46, 17 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I understand your objection, and have been looking in several places for information on the album credits. However, I've been unsuccessful and don't know if there is any other way to correct your concern. Do you know of any paperbacks or websites? Also, I'm not quite sure if one piece of criticism qualifies as "strong object" instead of "object", but it isn't much of a deal. I'll continue searching. —Eternal Equinox | talk 20:40, 17 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Yes, I understand the objection. However, the "strong" is a bit of a stretch, as it does not give the objection more merit. I'm assuming good faith, but I can't help but wonder...Anyway, we can do one of two things here: we can complete the personnel, or we can just omit the section altogether. I chose the former, so I'll look. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 20:47, 17 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Comment. I am unhappy that so many copyrighted images are used - are they all necessary. Obviously Image:Webelongtogether.jpg is justified, but are the others essential to the page. Could someone who knows more than me on this subject comment. Perhaps some limited sections of the score could be added - just a few bars, or are they like the images all copyright. Perhaps this could be overcome by transcribing a few notes into a different key from the original - just to demonstrate the melody either vocal or piano. I notice one ref. note which seems tp promise the music in fact leads to an internet shopping site - this is unlikely to be a permanent link. To download the music here involves downloading programs and licence agreements before being able to view the score. Hardly an encyclopedia arrangement. Giano | talk 10:42, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • The images are supposed to enhance the flow of the writing. Two of the images are from the music video, presenting Carey in two of the three "phases" she goes through whilst singing the song; the third image presents Carey singing the song at the 2005 MTV Movie Awards, and enhances the text supporting the promotional state of the song; the fourth image presents Carey accepting an award for "Song of the Year", which is in honour in the music industry, and is positioned under "Awards". I condemn the removal of any images, but what suggestions do you wish to share? —Eternal Equinox | talk 13:45, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Thank you Eternal. I can see quite clearly for myself what the images are, I am merely questioning if they are necessary for illustrating your description of the song, bearing in mind they are copyright. I am also aware that "Song of the Year" is an award, and I am quite prepared to take your word that Carey received it, without having an out-of-focus copyright image of a perma-tanned female waving at me to prove it. I note you do not comment on my question regarding an extract of the score. Finally, I am unsure of the reason you ask what suggestions do I wish to share. I merely question, before opposing or supporting, some content of the article. Giano | talk 15:26, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I asked if you had any suggestions because... I don't even know how to respond, sorry. Regarding the images, if you had worked on the article, perhaps you would have added different ones, but this is the way we chose to illustrate the article. Do you want me to search for different ones that are more to your liking? By the way, the images are indeed copyrighted, which is why we have added the fair use rationale. —Eternal Equinox | talk 16:17, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I think you are rather missing my point. Yes, I would prefer images not in copyright. I question the necessity 5 copyright images illustrating the same woman. I question if this quantity is indeed fair use. I again note you do not comment on my questions regarding the score. Giano | talk 17:12, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I understand what you had attempted to ask me. I believe you were not clear enough before, so I apologize for wasting your time. I looked over Wikipedia:Fair use, and it does not say that images of the same person (whatever the number may be) violate the fair use policy. Therefore, I suppose it is fair use. Did I answer your question correctly or is there something else you would like to know? —Eternal Equinox | talk 18:52, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • "I understand what you had attempted to ask me. I believe you were not clear enough before" ???- Eternal please (pretty please) read my questions - read my comments. Yes there is a further question - for the third time! The score! , the score! , the score! How can we have a musical page we no hint of the score! The little black dots, (look like tadpoles) which hop about between 5 lines. Clear enough for you now? Giano | talk 21:04, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Another comment, on the elaborate discussion of the first sentence above, and the various good suggestions made by reviewers for re-formulating it. I just noticed that the sentence doesn't follow any of them, but has instead been revised into incoherence: ""We Belong Together" is a pop–R&B song partially written and produced by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey in collaboration with others." (If Carey together with "others" wrote only part of it, who wrote the rest...?") Only a detail, but symptomatic of much of the article. The laboriousness of this improvement-by-FAC procedure does suggest, as Geogre says above, that the article was nominated before being ready. Bishonen | 美少年 11:40, 18 February 2006 (UTC).[reply]
I am starting to become overwhelmed. Fieari rewrote the sentence, however, it was once again changed to an option that Geogre had suggested. I already understand that Geogre and yourself believe that this article was nominated earlier than it should have been, but reiterating your feelings isn't actionable. As long as you provide criticism that can be corrected, the editors who worked on the article will be happy to attempt to resolve it. Bishonen, are there any other suggestions or objections that you have? —Eternal Equinox | talk 13:45, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I only reiterated my feelings because I was asked to by Journalist; I think I've made my objections clear, and will be very happy to stop posting here. For the particular sentence, Geogre certainly did not suggest such illogic and tautology as having both "partially" and "in collaboration with others" in it. Read his suggestions more carefully, please. Bishonen | 美少年 15:41, 18 February 2006 (UTC).[reply]
If you were asked to reiterate your feelings, then I apologize. I had figured you would respond to Geogre's suggestion in such a manner, so I'm going to refrain from further posting on this topic. The first sentence reads The problem could be solved with "written by Mariah Carey and several of her album's producers" or "written by Mariah Carey in collaboration with others." I believe I read his comment one-hundred percent most accurately. Are there any other suggestions and/or comments? —Eternal Equinox | talk 16:11, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
If you put the illogicality at the door of Geogre, of all people, you force me to respond even though I had not intended to. Your belief is 100% erroneous. You seem to have failed to read the word "or" in your quote from Geogre. Do you still not see it? "Or"? I'm becoming very unsure whether you're genuinely failing to see my point, or there is some other explanation for the way you reply to me. Let's by all means agree to refrain from further posting on the subject. There is no dent in my objection to Featured status for this article. It's not for the nominator to decide what's actionable, you know. Bishonen | 美少年 17:51, 18 February 2006 (UTC).[reply]
Why yes: either or. The other one is just as acceptable. The last comment, "It's not for the nominator..." indeed makes me want to respond, but you are right. It is time to refrain from dragging out the discussion, mainly because I did some research and discovered that you and Geogre are good friends. I would defend what my friend had said too (it's common sense!), so this is my final post regarding the situation. —Eternal Equinox | talk 18:52, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ok, everyone. This FAC is getting a little too personal, so let's stop this. After reading the above argument, I fail to see the big deal. I've reworded the lead sentence (call it an experiment), and I think that it's now more accurate. If you dont like it, please come up with something better.

The writers of the article have done some labourous work, trying to follow suggestions and criticisms (very discouraging, especially when someone is so insensitive as to refer to your hard work as "dreadful", no matter how true that is). User:Bishonen, we have asked if the prose was any better, but you have ignored these questions, and have now focussed your attention on the lead sentence (which I've now altered). So I ask again: has your objection about the prose, been addressed? Bear in mind that all the examples that you provided have been corrected (and then some), so if you still choose to object, you have to find other, actionable examples. If you feel that your objection has been addressed, please strike your vote above (you don't have to support). User:Geogre also has not returned to comment on whether or not his vote still stands. I'm sure that the repetition he cited were removed. I can say though, that the info about the C major, 4/4 ... will not be omitted from the article, as it is basic info that fulfills the comprehensiveness criteria. If no one returns, its impossible to guage where the article stands, (and the FAC director will probably overlook these votes). Oran e (t) (c) (e) 21:12, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • I've just returned here because your lack of an edit summary suggested you may be addressing my very recent comment higher up. When I see: "will not be omitted from the article". Will not? - Do you imagine you own this article? You can make statements in bold wherever you like, but I think you will find Wikipedia editors and the FAC director have minds of their own - For your own good, an attempt to redress comments would be more advantageous to you than the rather aggressive stance you seem to be adopting. Giano | talk 21:23, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Comment→I have not adopted any agressive tone, nor have have I said that I own the article. The FAC is a very frustrating process, especially when voters' opinions conflict, and the writer(s) try to please everyone. For my comment about Geogre's vote. As you have seen, he assumes that everyone has his level of knowledge on majors and home keys, etc, so he opposes on the grounds that the article explains self evident information. What you have to realise is that, there is no such thing as a perfect article, and what you want might not necessarily be best for the article. Voters have to stop being so subjective and uncompromising in the FA process. They have even objected on grounds that are nether policies nor criteria. It's also unfair to the editors when people attempt to become part of the FAC process by voting, but never stick around to work with the editor and tell him how far he has come in meeting the requirements. The point of FAC voting is not to simply say "yes" or "no". Voters are supposed to want the best for the article, and as such, should be there to work through their objections. Finally, "for my own good"? I have done my best on this article and I'm very proud of the writers, but my welbeing does not depend on it's promotion. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 22:00, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Im sorry but it was very vague. You stated one example, then state that two much remains, without pointing them out. Additionally, you dont want me to use a source/quote because Carey congratulates herself? Oran e (t) (c) (e) 23:16, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Oppose : This is all becoming rather intense, isn't it? I do think it is unreasonable of you to expect Geogre and Bishon to respond instantaneously to your demands. None of us live permanently on this site - no matter how it may sometime seem. You must remember you have nominated this page and thus invited comment - and comment you have received. If you think some of that comment unfair, then perhaps it would be best if the page went for peer review where it shortcomings could be fully dissected in a less forthright and more subjective fashion which you would find less personally hurtful. I'm sure we all want to see this page put in its appropriate place. I shall now change my vote to "Oppose" - refer to peer review - which I hope will help you. Giano | talk 22:31, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Comment→You seem to lack knowledge of the FA process: you cannot simply vote "oppose" without stating exactly why. In other words, you must provide specific examples from the article, plus tell which FA criteria it goes against. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 22:36, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Please read my comments above. All of them - which you have failed to answer, so I am opposing. You seem to want instantaneous response from others but appear unable to give satisfactory answers yourself. I have explained in my view the article is not comprehensive, and the fair-use rationale is debatable. I do not choose to support at this time. Giano | talk 22:44, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I have read your comments. I can't seem to pick up on your thoughts on the comprehensiveness of the article. Is it that bit about an inclusion of the score? This poses two problems. The score is copyrighted (and you claim that too much copyrighted images are in thae article). Secondly, why include score? Its not like many people can read sheet music. As an encyclopedia, we have to cater to as large an audience as possible. The average reader would just look at the lines and dots and say "huh?". Two, you believe that there are two many fair use images. Thats ok. However, as E.E has explained, some are very important eg:Image:WBT2.jpg and Image:Weddingdress.jpg. I suspect that removing some will have addressed the last section of your "oppose". Oran e (t) (c) (e) 23:00, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I am objecting because Eternal has said "I condemn the removal of any images" which I have taken to understand no images will be removed. IMO one image of one individual is fair use - two or more of the same individual is abuse - Regarding your comments on the score: I can read music perfectly - to assume others cannot is patronising (this is a music page). A few bars (transcribed to a different key if necessary) from the copyrighted original merely to demonstrate the melody would be useful and make the article more comprehensive. I have placed the page on my watchlist so lease stop arguing with me here until you have acted on my comments. I note one copyright image has been removed and four remain. Giano | talk 23:27, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • User:Giano, you know that is not what I meant, and to take it personally is to incite the No personal attacks policy. Just because you can read music, that does not mean that the majority of people in the world can. This article is not for you, its for the general reader (This is a perfect example of the subjectivity I mentioned earlier). "[P]lease stop arguing with me here until you have acted on my comments?" You do not order me to do anything. The article is as comprehensive as is, and the lack of written music is definitely not a strong enough reason to oppose. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 03:50, 19 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I will no longer be participating in this or any of the possible further FACs for the We Belong Together article. I had nominated this article because I believed that it deserved featured status; if you read between the lines, overall it is not a bad article. However, when there is a situation such as this one where three friends have objections, it isn't always easy to complete the pending suggestions. In this case, it has spiralled out of control, and several policies had to have been broken during the arguments. Remaining polite and staying civil appear to be rather difficult tasks for all of us, which is truly pitiful. What a ridiculous situation. I wish you luck with the article, my friend Journalist. You're going to need it. —Eternal Equinox | talk 00:46, 19 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you very much. Its really a pitiful situation, and it has gotten out of hand. But, I have faced worse (Celine Dion). I'm not going to cast all the blame on others: I have had a huge part in it too, and I apologise. Bear in mind that the apology is not for saying the things I said: I mean them 100%. I'm convinced that the FAC system is broken, and this is a perfect example. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 03:41, 19 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You know what I really think would be fair? If the FAC director disregarded this entire FAC, then give it a clean start. I dont know if its actionable, but it would also be best if none of us on the present FAC voted or commented (leave it to other, uninterested parties). This has gotten far too corrupt and subjective, and nothing can be accomplished in such a situation. Thank you. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 03:57, 19 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, you're right. The way a couple of recent contentious FAC reviews have been handled esssentially tossed into obscurity chunks of the discussion. S0, why not clear the decks here? Well, NOT, because this is the process, no, DISCUSSION...? Proper "wiki behavior" refactors, not shunts into archives... --Tsavage 07:01, 19 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I should probably respond to Orane's and EE's latest posts, lest Raul thinks the objectors are in agreement about the "clean start" (even if it seems a bit remote that he would think that). I do understand that it's stressful to have one's work up on FAC and getting it criticized, but I'm still baffled by Orane's and the nominator EE's intolerance of contradiction. People are allowed to oppose, you know. To say stuff you disagree with, even. That's not "dirty", to require a "clean" start; it's kind of the point of FAC. Reviewers are also permitted to stick to their guns and explain that their objections remain in force after you tried to fix them (as I've done), no matter how outraged you are by such a stance. Oh, and reviewers are permitted to be busy with other things for days on end, as Geogre has been, to your indignation. Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be back before the article rolls off FAC, to take a look at what you've done to fix his objections, and either withdraw them or not. It's unpleasant to me to try to discuss the article and my objections to its style and syntax, with the resentful way you respond, and the peremptory way you insist that I must either keep on going into ever greater detail or go strike my objections. No; I'm not obliged to do either, and the law of diminishing returns set in long ago, with your mistrust of the simplest suggestion (see the "Lead sentence" debacle above, the one time I did try to go into detail and got pissed on for it). Lately you're even throwing around vague but reckless hints of collusion and corruption, and dark unexplained references to "a situation such as this one where three friends have objections".
Orane, your conclusion is that the really "fair" thing would be to have a "clean start" with a new set of reviewers. And also, you apologize, but quite emptily: "not for saying the things I said: I mean them 100%". Not, then, for your belligerence and suspiciousness of advice, or your dark hints at reviewers' bad faith and personal motives. OK. But for what, then? Bishonen | 美少年 17:24, 19 February 2006 (UTC).[reply]
No, actually, it was me who wrote "a situation such as this one where three friends have objections". Read the text more properly, please. : ) —Eternal Equinox | talk 18:44, 19 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, you are allowed to oppose. But when one takes it another level, delving into downright nitpicking, it is a rather unfair and frustrating. You raised objections about prose. They were, for the most part addressed. Yet, you have said that your objections still stands because 1) I used Carey's thoughts. 2) I used a quote in which she congratulates herself, and 3)the porse is still not clean (though you have failed to tell me where. Your objection about prose are supposed to be specific: The entire article? What section? What sentences? What points do you believe to be belaboured?) I'm sure that anyone can oppose, but when they oppose on the grounds of personal stlye and preference, instead of the guidelines, policies and criteria of the FA and Wikipedia at large, then ofcourse I'm going to become perplexed. In addressing my opinions of Giano's objection. He believes that the article is not comprehensive because it does not have the music sheet included (though he vehemently opposes the inclusion of anymore copyrighted files), and if you look too, you'll notice that a large part of his objection has to do with his perception of me being authoritative. However, I told him that the music and notation will probably confuse the average reader. Moreover, there is no such thing as a perfect article: an article can always be improved on prose and comprehensiveness, but that does not mean that in its current state, "We Belong Together" isn't comprehensive enough to be promoted.
Finally, you said that I said "...situation such as this one where three friends have objections". Read my above comments; I have said nothing of the sort. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 18:06, 19 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Read mine, the both of you. It's addressed to you both: see how it starts "I should probably respond to Orane's and EE's latest posts"? I quote Orane and I quote EE. Is that a problem? Orane, yoou set forth your ever more irreconcilable demands on me very clearly above: if I criticize the article's prose in general terms, I'm failing to be "specific"; if I go into details, I'm "nitpicking". Bishonen | 美少年 18:57, 19 February 2006 (UTC).[reply]
  • Don't confuse youself. Look at this logic: You said the prose wasnt up to par. However, when I say "support you claim with specific", you set forth some minor, subjective examples like "self congratulatory quote", which, in my humble opinion, fails miserably at supporting your claim of poor writing. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 19:03, 19 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Objection remains: I've now re-read the article from start to last. First, you should be aware that I am not in the habit of debating and interlining comments with people on an FAC, as I think such things are shabby at best. It is not a debate. Second, after I object to something I like to give the authors a chance to do some work to see if the objection can be lifted, which is my goal as well as theirs. Third, an objection is not a checklist. I can and will mention some examples that decided for me that the objection was still valid, but it is not a case of "correct this and this, and then there are no objections." Such a thing may happen with a procedural or formatting objection, but not with a writing objection. That all said, let me congratulate the authors on improving the article's early sections enormously in the intervening time. The first sentence is still begging for attention ("partly co-written" is not logical; remove the "partially" or "partly"). However, after a number of people have commented on the prose in the early parts, we're now left with decaying prose quality as the article goes on. In the sections on the video, we have some strained sentence structures with passives that simply don't make sense, cumbersome wording, and incomplete comparisons. The article has improved, and so I have to say that the second part of my first entry is also valid: I really think this article would benefit most by having dispassionate hands working on it. If Peer Review isn't generating sufficient input, then perhaps the authors would consider asking someone who has no particular interest in the subject to give the writing a hard look. The writing here is not among the best Wikipedia has to offer, so it is not FA quality. Geogre 20:37, 21 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    Oh, and for the rest of this...folderol...it is truly immature. "Research" reveals that Bishonen and I are friends -- such as reading either of our user pages, where we say, in the first screen, that we are real life friends. 'It was changed the way I said' -- please: either read what I wrote or what it says, for the change was an improvement but left a logical inconsistency. 'I haven't been back to answer for myself' -- well, that's sort of a good thing, as I was trying to avoid bickering, small minded, foot stomping, "says you" argument and let you guys take my criticisms in the spirit they were intended and find some disinterested parties to do some editing. Finally, though, Bishonen raised exceptionally acute objections about how poorly sourced the article is, and the authors didn't even make an effort at addressing that. Frankly, leaving my objection as merely stetim is as much as anyone should hope for. Geogre 20:45, 21 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I suppose my comments can stand the test of time, especially now. Anyway, in regard to the opening sentence concerning "partly" or "partially", it has been changed to "primarily" (and has been like this for several days now). The prose is not brilliant, but it does not fail in any way. As this appears to be your only objection (other than the information you requested that be removed which I must admit seemed rather peculiar), and if I feel in the mood to correct the prose sometime soon, you may be obliged to change your vote, which is, evidently, a good thing! However, if the article rolls off FAC, I'll be taking some time before renominating it since I am not really in the mood to rewrite the entire 10-some kilobytes. Anyway, thanks for your comments and suggestions. —Eternal Equinox | talk 21:30, 21 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You are calling an article that is supported by USA Today, Universal Music Group, Fox News, Billboard, New York Times and RIAA among others as "poorly sourced"? I'm not even gonna comment on that any further. Oran e (t) (c) (e) 13:58, 22 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'd have to agree with you in that category. —Eternal Equinox | talk 21:46, 22 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
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