Back in SJ and feeling good. Now I can write these without feeling bad that I should be doing homework instead. Of course I never really felt that bad about it. The choices are getting harder now that we're out of round 1 but I think everything's good so far.
Match 2.1
Victor: Peacebone – Animal Collective
Defeated: Wake Up – Arcade Fire
Why did this song deserve to be here?
I remember when Where the Wild Things are used this song in its trailer and I really don’t think they could have made a better choice. That trailer reminded me how much I like this song. It’s about getting older as you might expect from its use there. The words are sparse but each one has a point to it which is something rare these days. The climax of the song is very satisfying too. When he shouts “I guess we’ll just have adjust” I’m always like yeeeeeeeah. Fuzzy guitars fill the background and the background vocals provide a very full sound. There’s a momentum change towards the end of the song and man is it good
Why did it lose?
This is a good battle between two modern songs, both fairly indieish bands. I had a really hard time trying to pick one here. Usually, I tend to pick the song with the deeper meaning in ties. But Peacebone was just cooler all around and though there isn’t in meaning, there is a lot of flow.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zdNdjF-htY
Match 2.2
Victor: Brian Wilson – Barenaked Ladies
Defeated: Roam – The B52’s
Why did this song deserve to be here?
Yes, I’ve revoked The Weight’s win last round. I’m not terribly sure why but I just don’t feel it was the right choice now. I know Ian expressed grief over BNL’s loss, so this one’s for you buddy. Sorry to The Band, The Weight is also a really damn good song.
As for Roam, I’ve always championed the difficulty of producing perfected pop songs and Roam fits that bill. It’s infinitely catchy and the lyrics are easy to interpret but have so much assonance, alliteration, rhymes and all that good stuff. Every single line in this song has so many sounds devices, it’s really astounding. Twangy B52’s guitars provide the accompaniment to the voice and send the pop note home.
Why did it lose?
Catchy pop can only get you so far I guess. Brian Wilson has almost all those elements but just a little more that’s hard to place.
Link: Roam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWEfmCvu8R8
The Weight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY_5JOEmFK0
Match 2.3
Victor: A Day in the Life – The Beatles
Defeated: God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
Why did this song deserve to be here?
Speaking of Brian Wilson! We’ve got some classic Beach Boys here. There jangling tambourines in the background and a love song being song over them. The vocals are impressive as always with every member perfectly in key and with the precision of a capella. I like the bit of doubt he throws at the start of each verse
“If you should ever leave me,
Well life would still go on believe me”
But then he knocks it down immediately “The world would mean nothing to me”
This song tops many lists, #25 song ever on Rolling Stone, #1 song of the Sixties on pitchfork. I can’t say I share that much enthusiasm for it but I can see why others do.
Why did it lose?
It’s Beatles vs. Beach Boys already. Oh, the joys of alphabetical seeding. A sort of classic match but Beatles just evolved to something so much more than this song.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDfH_J4MAUQ
Match 2.4
Victor: Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Defeated: Just a Friend – Biz Markie
Why did this song deserve to be here?
Comedic rapper Biz Markie somehow turns into the most endearing story teller ever in this tale of deceit. The outcome of story is known right when he starts and you feel sorry for the Biz. He’s just a guy looking for an honest relationship. The song only has one real riff and it’s a piano bit that mimics the melody of the chorus but somehow those simple notes give the song just enough melancholy.
Why did it lose?
Well there’s really not much music in the song and stand by me is pretty great.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aofoBrFNdg
Match 2.5
Victor: Like a Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan
Defeated: I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Why did this song deserve to be here?
The Black Eyed Peas are one of the worst contempory groups popular today. Let’s Get Retarded, Imma Bee, and Boom Boom Pow are all black stains on pop music today. Bland music, uninspired lyrics, boring beats make up this collection of terrible songs. Somehow in all that though they produced I Gotta Feeling which is one of the best party songs I’ve heard. I think one big difference lies in the relatability. I Gotta Feeling is about cutting loose and forgetting that that feeling isn’t going to last forever. Whereas Boom Boom Pow is about how Will.I.Am is better than other people? Imma Bee is about how good his life is? Yeah, that’s great. The musics better too, stuff happens in this song. There’s riffs, there’s bridges, there’s choruses and synthes and creative voice technology. Most importantly, it’s got the beat.
Why did it lose?
This just isn’t a match
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA
Match 2.6
Victor: No Woman, No Cry – Bob Marley
Defeated: The Way it is – Bruce Hornsby
Why did this song deserve to be here?
This song always gave a good perspective on the topics of racial and economic segregation as it was in the 1980’s. Most of the lyrics are observation of the state of things. One line in the song turns this from observation to hope “But don't you believe them.” Don’t believe the naysayers who claim that the way it is is the way it is.
You can definitely tell this is a song from the 80’s. If the piano doesn’t give it away then the synth drums will. But it all fits well, the piano in particular is very well composed and of course provides the background to one of my favorite hip-hop songs.
Why did it lose?
This one seemed hard on the surface but No Woman, No Cry actually runs away with it quite easily.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1NAGhiVqdg
Match 2.7
Victor: For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
Defeated: Father and Son – Cat Stevens
Why did this song deserve to be here?
This is king of all call and answer songs. Cat Steven perfectly portrays a conversation of a father and son and the miscommunications between them. The son wants to break away for his own life and the father wants him to settle down.
Yusef’s singing here shines very bright. The difference of tone and pitch between the father and son is beautifully executed. There’s the calm, collected father and energetic, emotive son. The background singing adds a nice harmony and Stevens’ guitar work is terrific as always.
Why did it lose?
FWIW is going to be very hard to beat. It’s such a message
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q29YR5-t3gg
Match 2.8
Victor: Lost in the Supermarket – The Clash
Defeated: Brimful of Asha - Cornershop
Why did this song deserve to be here?
Certain Songs remind me vividly of England. This song was explosively popular during my short stint across the pond and I remember hearing it on the bus on the way to school after Oasis played for the 3rd time that day. I happen to think this may be one of the hardest songs to dislike ever. I can imagine people not liking Dylan songs or Beatles hits but this song is song universal.
The lyrics are just about the coolest thing ever. Its tribute to Indian film, in particular a background singer/dancer. Songs are heavily featured in Indian film, the main actors lipsync but the background dancers sing the songs and this particular dancer apparently has done the most. It’s a pretty sweet song topic.
The music is awesome too, there’s a simple 3 chord progression that continues through the song but the strumming pattern makes it recognizable and unique. So much happens in the background too, there’s backwards noises, other guitar and even an orchestra at the end.
Why did it lose?
Lost in the Supermarket is positively brilliant, but so is Brimful. Supermarket’s emotional qualities push it over.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDe6regyJnU
Match 2.9
Victor: Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper
Defeated: Just Like Heaven – The Cure
Why did this song deserve to be here?
It’s just a beautiful song about the loss of someone. This one is such a heartbreaker since it begins with such joy. The listener has no idea there was a loss until the third verse. The implications here is that the person drowned but drowning can represent any sort of separation from outside circumstances be it distance, work, death etc. Anyone who has lost significant other can easily find meaning in the lyrics here.
The instrumentation is fantastic as well. The bass is very essential in this song and it’s line is the glue for the song. There’s also several guitar solos and one very emotive piano solo towards the end.
Why did it lose?
This was such a close one, I had to watch both music videos and read the wikis to even get an idea. They’re somewhat similar songs and I’m giving it to Cyndi this time but these both are deserving of a 3rd round position.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS_ux2H473I
Match 2.10
Victor: Heroes – David Bowie
Defeated: The Crystal Cat – Dan Deacon
Why did this song deserve to be here?
This song is hard to describe in words but if it can be down those words better be bombastic. There’s so much energy, it’s exuding from every pore of this song. You can’t help but sing along to the nonsense Dan’s chanting. The vocal effects are in true Deacon style, they’re wacky but fitting since everything else is just as cranked up.
Why did it lose?
Heroes does everything right.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFlBJ1xZK10 (This one’s pretty sweet)
Match 2.11
Victor: Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Defeated: Loser - Beck
Why did this song deserve to be here?
It came in late only to lose in the next round, oh well. I love the instruments in this, I have no idea what that springy sound in the background is but I love it. Beck’s ramblings reflect the whole feeling of the song quite well. I think we all feel like a loser who doesn’t care that they’re a loser sometimes. This song captures that essence perfectly.
Why did it lose?
Come on Eileen… so catchy and good
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgSPaXgAdzE
Match 2.12
Victor: The Boys of Summer – Don Henley
Defeated: Hotel California – The Eagles
Why did this song deserve to be here?
It’s pretty sweet that the whole song is a metaphor for the trappings of fame. The guitars are sweet and the intro is well composed. I dunno, what can I say about this song that hasn’t already been said. It’s a rock classic.
Why did it lose?
Ah Henley v. Henley. Turns out Eagles+80’s=awesome though. I dunno, but I like Boys better for no particular reason.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ygI3BZxdCY
Match 2.13
Victor: Stan - Eminem
Defeated: Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
Why did this song deserve to be here?
This song probably has the saddest concept out of all the songs on the list (and I already have a tendency to prefer sad song.) In 1991 Clapton’s 4 year old son fell out the 53rd story window of his friend’s apartment and he did not recover. This song is all about the pain that Clapton felt about the incident. Wow, that’s such a heart wrencher. Blair Clark actually introduced me to this song and the incident behind it and it has always felt like one of the songs I grew up with.
The words really can tear you up too:
“Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven”
At such a young age of 4 Clapton is not even sure if his son would recognize him in the afterlife, wow.
Of course this is Clapton too, so we’re dealing with an absolutely brilliant guitar piece too. The picking is slow and deliberate. I don’t think he could have written it better.
Why did it lose?
I even feel bad not letting it advance, but Eminem did literally everything perfect in his song.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6t4Zs5Yq_k
Match 2.14
Victor: The Modern Leper – Frightened Rabbit
Defeated: Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
Why did this song deserve to be here?
I’d actually like to talk about the Dixie Chicks for a bit. My real exposure to this song is through them and after I’ve familiarize myself with both versions I’m not sure which I prefer. I am a Dixie Chicks fan but you might notice that they didn’t have a song on this list. This is because every song I considered from them turned out to be a cover. I put a lot of emphasis on lyrics as you might have noticed so actually writing a song is very important to me (and the Tears for Fears version is still the superior one.) As a result I didn’t include a Dixie Chicks song, but in a way they do have two representatives. One is this song and one is the Radney Foster song Godspeed.
Why did it lose?
Modern Leper is so good….
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPc5YCBz9LQ
Match 2.15
Victor: The Message – Grandmaster Flash
Defeated: Gin and Juice – The Gourds
Why did this song deserve to be here?
Now that I’ve told you why I don’t like covers as much let me explain why I like this one so much. One reason I hate Ben Folds (aside from his boring music) is because of his cover of Bitches Ain’t Shit. He stole the idea to cover a hip-hop song in a different style right out from under The Gourds. Poor Gourds, this cover is constantly mislabeled and credited to Phish. This cover is both hilarious and infinitely catchy. The solo in the middle sells it so well too. That’s what turns it from a joke into a legitimate awesome cover. The new style and formation of the lyrics is what gives it the ability to get over that just-a-cover hump for me.
Why did it lose?
But it still loses credit for being a cover. Also The Message is awesome.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4hGSR5njZE
Match 2.16
Victor: Papas got a brand new Bag – James Brown
Defeated: 99 Problems – Jay-Z
Why did this song deserve to be here?
The second verse about being harassed by a racist cop is one of the most memorable verses in Hip-Hop. The words are great, the flow is slick and the beat is present. It’s just a sweet song.
Best line,
“But ain't nothin sweet 'bout how I hold my gun
I got 99 problems being a bitch ain't one.”
Why did it lose?
For being the second round these are both kinda meatballs for me. I just like 99 less.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwoM5fLITfk
Boys of Summer is just one of those songs. It comes on the radio late at night, and you can crank it up and drive on and on into the night.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised at Stan over Tears in Heaven. Also, Like a Rolling Stone over I Gotta Feeling -- hilarious match-up, and I still can't believe I Gotta Feeling even made it to the 2nd round over No Rain (not that No Rain would have stood a chance against Like a Rolling Stone either, but still). Most absurdly uneven match-up in this entire competition so far IMO.
ReplyDeleteWhatever. Every time I hear I gotta Feelin I think exactly what you wrote- How the fuck did the Black Eyed Peas, Fergie and all, create something so awesome?
ReplyDeleteAlso I love the fact that BNL has immediately gone from dead to third round- as long as its not a trend. Surprise! Linkin Park/ Jay Z is the actual winner of the whole thing would be less than cool.