BSE? Round 1 Part 4

Sweet, we are through the first round and this also marks the halfway point! I'm excited to keep moving and start talking about second round songs, but I might also do an intermission of sorts here.

EDIT: Here's the updated bracket

http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=143649&tclass=Best%20Songs%20Ever%3F

Match 52

Victor: Disarm – Smashing Pumpkins

Defeated: The Way We get By - Spoon

Why did this song deserve to be here?

One time my calculus teacher asked us to bring in CDs to listen to while we do our homework. I had a mix CD in the car with The Way We Get By on it. I gave Mr. Foster the CD and he looked apprehensive as he had never really liked me. When this song came on he heard the first line “We get high in the backseat of cars” and quickly hit stop on the Player. I was terribly annoyed by that. I get that this school, but you can’t deal with the allusion of drugs in a song? Earlier one of his favorites had played Semi-Charmed Life, hmmmmm. My dislike of one of the most popular high school teachers in our school aside, this song is a good account of just skating through life. The title really says it all.

Why did it lose?

Disarm was a snap pick and there’s a lot of reasons for that, though I’m sad to see spoon go. I think I Turn My Camera On might have fared better, but probably still would have lost. Spoon’s best quality was always being a consistently solid band. Unfortunately that doesn’t make for blow-out singles too often.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-S4nM5m_Kg

Match 53

Victor: I Am the Resurrection – Stone Roses

Defeated: What I got - Sublime

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This is one of my favorite songs to play on the guitar. It’s also a good one to whip out if you’re trying to show off a bit since it’s easier than it looks (and, yes, all guitarists like to show off once in a while, that’s why we’re not playing the bass.) What I Got sticks out from a band that mostly sings about smoking weed and living in California. Don’t worry, he still talks about getting high at least a couple times in this song and he does mention Long Beach. But this song does have a bit more reach than your average Sublime song.

Why did it lose?

Resurrection has some awesome guitar parts, especially at the end, and cooler lyrics.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uc3ZrmhDN4

Match 54

Victor: Chicago – Sufjan Stevens

Defeated: Give a Little Bit - Supertramp

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This has to be one of the most covered songs ever. The lyrics don’t really have much depth but they’re still effective. The instrumentation is much cooler. The bright guitars help convey the message he’s singing and the change-up in parts at the end is pretty sweet. Also there’s a sax solo in the middle of the song which is pretty sweet.

Why did it lose?

There’s more to Chicago I think.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfhl8JWzBfU

Match 55

Victor: Greener – Tally Hall

Defeated: Once in a Lifetime – Talking Heads

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This song does all those cool things that you would expect a talking heads song to do. Everything sounds a little goofy, he does some funny things with his voice and the various instruments provide an odd atmosphere. I wouldn’t expect anything less of course. To this day I’m still unsure what all the talk about water is in this song. “There is water at the bottom of the ocean!” umm ok. The rest of song sounds like a midlife crisis. I think it’s interesting that all of the song is in the second person. Does this mean that Byrne has already been through this, or is he in denial?

Why did it lose?

There are an awful lot of reasons why I like Greener. It’s such a standout from Tally Hall’s catalogue.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1wg1DNHbNU

Match 56

Victor: Wolf Like Me – TV on the Radio

Defeated: Drops of Jupiter - Train

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This one would probably win the Best Guilty Pleasure Song Ever? Contest (though I’m sure it would have a tough match in the Finals with This is how You Remind Me.) Apparently the lyrics were inspired by the death of the lead singer’s mother. This seems odd to me because it’s obviously a love song. The instrumentation is classically cheesy but really I wouldn’t want anything from Train.

Why did it lose?

Usually it’s because the other song is too much but this time I think Train does themselves in. It’s just too much. Besides, I can only listen to them rhyme Milky Way with Milky Way in that last chorus so many times.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xf-Lesrkuc

Match 57

Victor: Cold Days from the Birdhouse – The Twilight Sad

Defeated: One – U2

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Let’s have a little talk about U2. Somehow in the pretentious music world U2 has gotten one of the worst reputations out there. I think most of this came about the same time that U2 released How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Now to be fair that was a really, really terrible album but almost all bands have low moments (Well except maybe spoon.) U2 has these moments more often than other bands but they can hit high too. The Joshua Tree is renown as a great album, and there’s other good stuff scattered around their discography too, such as One.

Why did it lose?

I like Cold Days better.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftjEcrrf7r0

Match 58

Victor: Pale Blue Eyes – The Velvet Underground

Defeated: Astral Weeks - Van Morrison

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Picking a song for “The Van Man” proved to be a little difficult. I imagine most people would snap pick brown-eyed girl but then I would feel like traitor to my father and Morrison himself. Van Morrison is my dad’s favorite artist by leaps and bounds but he doesn’t particularly like BEG very much. Van himself tends to hate it also, probably in part due to how famous it made him. So who am I to betray the Morrison expert and Van himself. That’s ok BEG probably isn’t as good as this song anyways. Of course Morrison is really a full album kind of guy. There aren’t really any singles here, so you know what that means for the next section.

Why did it lose?

This isn’t an album contest. Bam!

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ech6pZoBJ4

Match 59

Victor: The Start of Something – The Voxtrot

Defeated: The Drugs Don’t Work – The Verve

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s hard to let go of the bands you loved when you were young (Doesn’t look a thing like jesus…) Verve is definitely one of those bands for me, all that Brit-pop is. It’s hard to look back and realize all your favorite bands weren’t as good as you remember. Of course I still think that they’re very good albums, but they used to be the end all be all of musicality. Now I realize Oasis did only have 2 good albums, Pulp has a few skippable tracks on Different Class, and the Verve ripped off The Rolling Stones in Bittersweet Symphony.

Drugs Don’t Work isn’t hiding its meaning in metaphors or clever wordplay. It’s right in the title.

“Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse”

The guitar is slow and melodic. There’s some violins playing in the background as the verve is apt to do. It’s a pleasant listen.

Why did it lose?

This was hard. But it all comes down to lyrics here.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR8XH3R95xE

Match 60

Victor: The Rat – The Walkmen

Defeated: Tired of Sex - Weezer

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s the start of an album full of goodies. Weezer only ever came out with two great albums, one being Blue Album and the other Pinkerton. The rest of there discography has been a spiral to mediocrity. Tired of Sex begins Pinkerton and sets up the sentiment for the rest of the album. Our narrator is tired of meaningless relationships; in particular this song refers to meaningless sex.

Why did it lose?

The Rat has a lot of raw emotion in it. It’s pretty fantastic.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu2Dsnvk6M0

Match 61

Victor: Baba O’Riley – The Who

Defeated: Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes

Why did this song deserve to be here?

That riff is really one that sticks in heads. It’s quite a toe tapper. Of course now it’ll probably forever be associated with college football for me. Penn State’s monopoly on the song has been loosening though and I have to admit going “Oooooh, oh oh oh oh oooooh, oooooooooh” is pretty fun. This song is very white stripes with fuzzy guitars and poor drumming.

Why did it lose?

Baba O’Riley is such an epic song

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY

Match 62

Victor: I am Trying to Break your Heart - Wilco

Defeated: Fatalist Palmistry – Why?

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I love the lyrics to this song, there’s so much vivid imagery here to be interpreted. I think my favorite line is probably “out there thrashing like a pet bird caught in a jet stream, that's me.” This line has hopelessness, desperation and feeling trapped all in one sentence. The pace is constant throughout the song and it adds to the overall catchiness of the song. I wish they had played it when we saw them.

Why did it lose?

Words v. Words I’m giving it to Wilco here.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5BQfC78Q4g

Match 63

Victor: Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Defeated: I'll Believe in Anything – Wolf Parade

Why did this song deserve to be here?

The riff is sweet and the guitar in general is very addictive. The words are about wanting to live together with someone and all in all it comes down to a love song. The lyrics are pretty bombastic but they feel genuine so it’s all alright.

Why did it lose?

“You want some Maaaaps?! I got some Maps for you” - Mike

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZgwW-RzD30

Match 64

Victor: Changes – 2pac

Defeated: Ce Jeu - Yelle

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Hah, I can thank Ssssara for this one. We’re back in the realm of super catchy pop music again. I have no idea what they’re saying (This time from language barrier, not word slurring) Despite that I can’t imagine this being anything but a silly love song, so I’m going to go with that.

Why did it lose?

Oh I could go on and on about Changes

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxFa9HLdhIY

BSE? Round 1 Part 3

Phew, another batch of matches done. One more part and the first round should be complete. Also, I'm sorry about a lot of the formatting, I know a lot of this looks like WALL OF TEXT. Unfortunately Blogspot likes to remove a lot of white space and add some of it's own for whatever reason.

Match 38

Victor: I heard it Through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye

Defeated: Sweet Home Alabama – Lynard Skynard

Why did this song deserve to be here?

In case you’ve never really paid much attention to the lyrics of this song, it’s actually an answer song directed at Neil Young. Neil had released two songs about racism in the south called Alabama and Southern Man. (“A southern man don’t need him around anyhow.” Get it? Eh? Eh?) He also mentions how mostly people opposed the Birmingham governor, who was an outspoken segregationist though some people miss the sarcasm in the line “In Birmingham they love the governor.” Lyrics aside, the riff at the start is unmistakable and the solos peppered throughout the song are equally memorable.

Why did it lose?

Grapevine feels like it has more to say than “Stuff it Neil”

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8rnFKo4PAE

Match 39

Victor: Missed the Boat – Modest Mouse

Defeated: Real World – Matchbox 20

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Let me say first that this type of super catchy power pop is, at least in my opinion, pretty underrated. Taking out Semi-Charmed Life early on was not an easy thing to do and now as I look back I think I would have cut other things. (Ian brought up a pretty good point about how Jay-Z/Linkin Park was trash) I’m going to talk a little bit about both of those songs here then, Real World first.

Holy smokes, is this song catchy! No wonder it still gets occasional radio play. He’s really not saying anything but nobody really cares. This is one of the songs where the lyrics are engineered to sound good first and convey a message second. It works for the song as it’s really just trying to catch listeners from random radio listens. Of course the trick often with radio songs is they get dull very quickly since they’re often just a lot of repetition. But I’ve listened to this song a lot (My iTunes library says 93 times… it was on the “Summer Jamz” playlist) and I’m still not really sick of it. That kind of repeatability from pop doesn’t come by accident, someone worked hard on this one.

As for Semi-Charmed Life, it’s similar to Real World in that it’s in that same Genre of power pop. There is a major difference though, with Semi-Charmed you come for the catchiness but stay for the lyrics. It’s hard to tell really what he’s saying but the whole song is about being addicted to meth. “The Sky was gold it was rose, I was taking sips of it through my nose” That’s some good lyrical shit. Also, something I didn’t know (thanks wiki!) this song is actually a response to Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild side.

Why did it lose?

Missed the Boat is almost as catchy as real world but it also has some real lyrics. Even though it sounds good sometimes “I wonder what it’s like to be the rainmaker, I wonder what it’s like to know that I make the rain” just doesn’t cut it.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh5_Wdd80lE and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwJazZIWNgg

Match 40

Victor: No Children – The Mountain Goats

Defeated: 99 Red Balloons - Nena

Why did this song deserve to be here?

First of all let it be known that those who prefer the English version are damn fools. Even if you can’t understand what she’s saying there’s just so much more charm in the Deutsch. This song is a classic example of those 80’s one hit wonders we all know and love: She blinded me with Science, Jenny, Living in a Box, Rock me Amadeus etc. I think this the only one that made the list though. I love the cheesy synths and artificial drums, this song couldn’t be more eighties. The song is about balloons triggering nuclear warfare if you’ve never looked up the meaning. Being a protest probably gave it the edge over the other 80’s songs.

Why did it lose?

No Children I also wrote an essay about, or at least about Moral Orel. Though I don’t like it nearly as much as All my Friends.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc

Match 41

Victor: Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Defeated: Two-Headed Boy Part 2 – Neutral Milk Hotel

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Brendan – “Wanna know I know you’re way too indie”

Steven – “How’s that?”

Brendan – “You have Neutral Milk Hotel on vinyl”

Fair enough Brendan. This album is a known classic in certain circles and completely unheard of in others. I really have no clue what the hell this or really any other NMH song is about. The closest known thing is that it’s somewhat inspired by the diary of Anne Frank. How odd.

Why did it lose?

If this was an album contest NMH would be winning, but it’s not smells like teen spirit was sort of a representative of a generation

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gkAF5_UOj8

Match 42

Victor: Hey Ya! - Outkast

Defeated: The Past is a Grotesque Animal – Of Montreal

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This is a 12 minute song. How on earth can a 12 minute song possibly the album hit? 12 minute songs are reserved for experimental noise tracks and Jethro Tull. Somehow Of Montreal succeeded in making a catchy, interesting and meaningful song that lasted 12 minutes and kept all these traits throughout. The album is supposed to be a chronicle of the lead singers transformation into alter ego “Georgie Fruit” and the transformation takes place during this song. I don’t know about all that but there’s some damn good lines in this song. “Somehow you've red-rovered the gestapo circling my heart” How do you even come up with something like that?

Why did it lose?

Really tough, these are both round 2 caliber songs. It came down to gut feeling.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sMqRkUME_Y&feature=watch_response

Match 43

Victor: Gold Soundz - Pavement

Defeated: Band on the Run – Paul McCartney and the Wings

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I love how this song is divided into three segments. We start out with a chill out guitar riff then proceed to a darker, grungier riff and then finally we end up on the pop music we all know and love from Paul. The lyrics are simple and seem to about a sort of jail escape but the last “song” definitely turns it into a sort of fun thing. This song is actually several unfinished songs put together.

Why did it lose?

Gold Soundz, hmmm I’ll get to it.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBX2dySWGew

Match 44

Victor: Mistaken for Stangers – The National

Defeated: Wish you Were Here – Pink Floyd

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This is another classic rock song that no list is complete without. The instrumentation is really where this song shines. background It’s got that classic if-I-was-on-drugs-I’d-totally-be-trippng feel that Floyd is so good at. The wind sound effects at the end are the perfect way to bring the song to a close

Why did it lose?

To a song I didn’t even have in the initial list no less. I’ve always felt Floyd was overrated in general, but maybe that’s because I’m not on drugs often enough. A lot of the lyrics seem like they’re supposed to sound deeper than they actually are.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B2B77-0LW0&feature=fvst

Match 45

Victor: Purple Rain - Prince

Defeated: Every Breath you Take – The Police

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Sting describes it himself as a simple song with interesting words “The tune itself is generic, an aggregate of hundreds of others, but the words are interesting.” It’s interesting how people differ on the meaning. It can be taken as sweet song about being in love but Sting’s original meaning was intended to be “unrequited love.” It’s pretty scary if you go that route and really seems obsessive.

Why did it lose?

Purple Rain just has more going on in it. Plus this song is just a little too creepy.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOGaugKpzs

Match 46

Victor: Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

Defeated: Common People - Pulp

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Now I love a good story, and Pulp sure tells it here. It’s about a girl who wants to give “slumming” a shot. Pulp puts her place by saying it’s not a game, this is life. There’s a terribly catchy keyboard providing the background, it was apparently conceived on a Casio keyboard.

Why did it lose?

Bohemian Rhapsody is sort of the odyssey of rock songs and it can’t really lose first round.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnoqjLI5Nfs

Match 47

Victor: Losing My Religion – R.E.M.

Defeated: Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I got some flack from Drew for picking this one over several other Radiohead songs. Maybe he’s right and Paranoid Android should be losing this round instead but I think we’re all a little tired of thinking about Paranoid Android. Wiki says Yorke regards this song “as a joke that turned out to not really be that funny.” That seems like an apt description as the lyrics are quite clever but the subject matter is rather chilling. Everything is fake, but what’s real upsetting about this song is it’s not set in some sort of distant 1984esque future, this is all happening right now. There are fake plants, fake bodies, and finally a fake persona for a fake love. There’s some classic wailing Radiohead guitars going on the background and Yorke is singing in his usual droney fashion. It’s all quite Radiohead

Why did it lose?

I don’t think there’s a single Radiohead song that could beat REM here and again it’s not an album contest.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKd06s1LNik

Match 48

Victor: Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) – Radney Foster

Defeated: Under The Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Here’s RHCP’s signature song doing its signature thing. The guitar parts are damn good and it’s all in all pretty much a modern day rock song. As with a lot of RHCP songs the bass is actually worth listening to in parts of the song. It does some interesting things right at the end when the song begins to fade out. This song is little atypical for RHCP too in that the words seem to matter. “The Bridge” in the title is actually a place where the lead singer used to go to buy heroin and the whole song is about loneliness and only having drugs.

Why did it lose?

Not sure, close one.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwlogyj7nFE

Match 49

Victor: Sympathy for the Devil – The Rolling Stones

Defeated: Ooh La La – Rod Stewart

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Rod Stewart sure made a relatable one here as pretty much every man in the world can attest to. The world of love and relationships sure seem like an easy game when you’re young, but nothing’s ever as easy as it seems. This song is about doubt from a younger generation but the wisdom of an older one. Rod hits some really good lines in this song too

“When you want her lips, you get her cheek
Makes you wonder where you are”

Damn Rod, you read my mind.

Why did it lose?

Sympathy’s quite a bit better musically and has a completely new sort of lyrical approach.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7qGejxErTA Sorry, live is all I got

Match 50

Victor: Random Rules – Silver Jews

Defeated: Closing Time - Semisonic

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Hey there power pop! It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s damn catchy. I always liked how this was love song but only the chorus gives it away with one simple repeated line.

Why did it lose?

There’s just more to Random Rules

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGytDsqkQY8

Match 51

Victor: Mrs. Robinson – Simon and Garfunkel

Defeated: All Star – Smash Mouth

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This song is so dumb, I can’t even begin to describe how stupid the lyrics are. Does any of this nonsense matter? Random clichés are thrown in whenever he needs something to rhyme “All that glitters is gold” “hit the ground running” “the sharpest tool in the shed” “Break the mold.” Wiki says it’s about the things people told him in order to motivate him to become a rock star, then what the hell does the middle verse have to do with that? Wiki also says “Lead singer Steven Harwell has said that his first instinct after recording the song was not to release it as a single but to sell it to advertisers" I don’t think anything else is the world has ever been more appropriate.

And yet, omitting it from the list seemed wrong.

Why did it lose?

LOL

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xxQs34UMx4

BSE? Round 1 Part 2

Alright, I'm through match 36 now and I ended on two real hard matches. We're over halfway through the first round now and more than a quarter done with the whole shebang. Long way to go yet!

Match 23:

Victor: Boys of Summer – Don Henley

Defeated: Walking- The Dodos

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s a very simple song but still very effective. I don’t think I could possibly say enough good things about the use of the banjo here. Of course I must say that I’m an absolute sucker for a good banjo part. Still though, I’ve never been a big fan of Bella Fleck strangely enough. The lyrics, again, are simple and effective. Just some words about change.

Why did it lose?

Boys of Summer is really good, this is just another case of one song outclassing the other.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvjItvYgBu0

Match 24:

Victor: Hotel California- The Eagles

Defeated: September- Earth, Wind and Fire

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I hate to see so many upbeat songs lose in the early rounds but I stand by all my choices so far. As Brian Clark used to say “All the truly great songs will bring you down.” I’m not sure if this is a law of land but I often think about it. I think the greatest song in the world is more likely to make you cry then to make you smile but surely there are some truly great pick-me-ups out there. I’d like to say this list represents them fairly well. Roam and the Crystal Cat did make it to the second round after all. September is another toe tapper, it makes you want to bust out the disco moves even though you weren’t alive in the 70’s. I love that there’s not even a hint of sadness. Who’s sad? Why would anyone ever be sad? It just doesn’t make sense in the context of this song.

Why did it lose?

Looks we got a Henley vs. Henley match-up next round. This might be the only time an artist will face themselves since Under Pressure is fairly far from Bohemian Rhapsody and Heroes. Layla was already eliminated so there’s no Clapton v. Clapton either. But yeah, Hotel California.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfLEc09tTjI

Match 25:

Victor: Stan- Eminem

Defeated: Rocket Man- Elton John

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Rocket Man is an absolute classic. Elton’s piano skills continue to shine in this emotional ballad. The lyrics are great and can be interpreted in so many different ways. There’ themes of regret, loneliness, being an outcast. Some say it’s a metaphor for drug use, other say it’s about Elton being in the closet, other still say it’s about being a spaceman. Wikipedia tends to agree with the spaceman theory since they cite it as being based off a Ray Bradbury short story, but I don’t think that makes other theories invalid. A lot of great stories leave the story a little ambiguous so the reader can fit themselves in the role and that’s what I believe Elton and his lyricist have done here.

Why did it lose?

Oh, another hard loss. They’re so many things Slim Shady did right in this song though. Some of it is just utter brilliance.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GAKOLOnfV4

Match 26:

Victor: Tears in Heaven- Eric Clapton

Defeated: Do you Realize?? – Flaming Lips

Why did this song deserve to be here?

A song that’s full of simple feeling and good vibes. The lyrics are pretty great. For a moment the song throws you for a loop when it ends a chorus with “Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die” but it’s not a sad thing. Life is precarious but that doesn’t mean we should live in fear.

Why did it lose?

Do You Realize?? has a lot of emotion in it but so does Tears in Heaven. This was a tough choice but I think correct.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zYOKFjpm9s

Match 27:

Victor: Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

Defeated: Blue Ridge Mountains – Fleet Foxes

Why did this song deserve to be here?

The Fleet Foxes album was really something special, it was one of those albums where pretty much every song on the album could have been a hit. But Blue Ridge Mountains still manages to stand out in album full of A quality songs. His voice is incredible, the vocal harmonies present in the album and in this song are astounding. On top of this they are obviously very talented musicians as well.

Why did it lose?

Well I can’t really figure out what the lyrics are really about besides some bonding between brothers. Though I must admit the imagery is fantastic. Landslide is too relatable though, and main metaphor is so strong.

Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m8CkxXhPtw

Match 28:

Victor: The Modern Leper- Frightened Rabbit

Defeated: Faith- George Michael

Why did this song deserve to be here?

With Wham! disbanded George Michael had to come out with a new single to prove he could make it in his solo act and he delivered Faith. It’s got a strong beat and is one of the catchiest songs ever. I remember a dude in a certain VH1 “I Love the Eighties!” special described it as “The song that made it cool for straight dudes to listen George Michael.” I suppose Wake Me Up Before You Go-go doesn’t really break that barrier.

Why did it lose?

Modern Leper is caked in metaphor and Faith is still fairly shallow despite it’s catchiness. Leper is even sort of catchy in a more morbid way

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu3VTngm1F0

Match 29:

Victor: Gin & Juice – The Gourds

Defeated: Crazy- Gnarls Barkley

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Well now, speaking of catchiness… I think most of use only had to hear this song once before we were hooked. I’m happy to see that Gnarls front man has had another success recently in Fuck You. I’m not sure if it gets radio play for obvious reasons but it still seems to be known by every person on the earth. Cee Lo Green’s voice is amazing as always and Danger Mouse did a great job with the instrumentation. This song feels like it was engineered to be the perfect pop song.

Why did it lose?

I’ve often argued against covers but I’m making an exception. G&J might be catchier.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2B6SjMh_w

Match 30:

Victor: The Message – Grandmaster Flash

Defeated: Good Riddance – Green Day

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Green Day has made a career of churning out mediocre pieces of power punk, but I guess even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. Ok maybe that’s a little mean, I thought Boulevard of Broken dreams was better than everyone gave it credit for. He’s pretty open about what the song means. It’s a breakup song that’s trying its best not to be caustic but really failing in that aspect. The guitar is pretty good and the fuck-up at the start is fairly charming. It’s just a relatable song.

Why did it lose?

The Message is one of those songs everybody can agree on. His “message” is very powerful.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQ8N1KacJc

Match 31:

Victor: Papa’s got a Brand New Bag – James Brown

Defeated: Sweet Child of Mine – Guns N Roses

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Guns N Roses have always stood out from the traditional rock bands for me. I’m not quite sure what the difference is but everything just feels a little more sincere. Axl actually seems to give a shit about what he’s saying most of the time. This is especially true in Sweet Child o’ Mine. It’s just a song about a girl but it still hits right. Of course it’s Slash that truly stands out in this song. The solos are pretty awesome, from the slow one at the start to face melter towards the end.

Why did it lose?

You know I wanted to give it GNR initially but their own disdain for the song takes away some of its magic for me. Wiki says it started out as a warm-up and Slash still calls it a string skipping exercise. Hmmm that’s fairly not magical.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7OgIMMRc4

Match 32:

Victor: 99 Problems- Jay-Z

Defeated: Young Hearts Spark Fire - Japandroids

Why did this song deserve to be here?

A good loud song and it should be played with the volume up. He’s not trying to say a lot here and it fits. I saw them live at pitchfork and the feeling I got is that they were trying to play as many notes and fit in as many cymbal crashes as they could. I think it all works well. The repetition of the chorus fits well with this style, he really wants to make sure you get what he’s saying.

“I don't wanna worry about dying
I just wanna worry about those sunshine girls”

Why did it lose?

99 Problems is about as classic as Hip-Hop can be (Well… except for The Message)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwoM5fLITfk

Match 33:

Victor: Under Pressure- Queen & David Bowie

Defeated: Numb/Encore –Jay-z & Linkin Park

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I’ve always been a sucker for mash-ups and this is probably the best one ever (aside from various girl talk albums) Not really one of the best songs ever but it still is worth talking about. Most mash-ups are mixes of two or more songs put together by a third party. Numb/Encore is a little different in that Jay-Z Contacted Linkin Park and wanted to do some work together. That’s why you got to see this album on shelves. By the way, do you know you can buy the last girl talk album from amazon? Why would anyone do that?

Why did it lose?

Under Pressure is a real song

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3METMAHEnvk

Match 34:

Victor: Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

Defeated: Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley

Why did this song deserve to be here?

The lyrics are really good obviously and Buckley really makes the song his own. In my opinion this is the best version of the song out there. Personally I find the original Leonard Cohen version to be kinda grating. Buckley’s got quite a voice and it’s really the emotion in his singing that makes this song as good as it is.

Why did it lose?

I think this might be somewhat of a controversial pick. I suppose my main problem with this song is that it took at least 3 covers of this song before someone got it right. As I said I find the Cohen version to be unpleasant musically, and they’re not Buckley’s words. That leaves me in an awkward spot, who really means this? Is Buckley genuine in his emotion? Hard to say, but I will always have this aversion to covers for this reason.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4

Match 35:

Victor: Imagine – John Lennon

Defeated: Flashing Lights – Kanye West

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Maybe this isn’t the right pick for his song but the egomaniac definitely deserves a place on the list. This song’s good, we know that, let’s talk about the new album instead. First things first, the Chris Rock segment at the end of the blame game is the most hilarious shit ever. “I’ve even seen this part of pussy town before, It’s like you got your pussy all reupholstered or something. Who reupholstered your pussy?” This is absolute gold. They put this hilarious skit at the end of such a down song. I guess it’s a good way to pick on his ex though. Runaway is sick. All of the Lights is good and catchy. The album really feels like a whole though, with a familiar flow throughout. The intro and ender both fit their roles very well and the whole album comes together as a very tight package.

Why did it lose?

Imagine

Imagine

Imagine

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ila-hAUXR5U

Match 36:

Victor: Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks

Defeated: Hounds of Love – Kate Bush

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s a damn masterpiece. The music gives a feeling of intensity and fear. The heavy drums give us the subtle impression of fast beating heart. Just when Kate exclaims “Here I Go” the strings come in with quick back and forth bowing and add on to that on edge feeling. But why is Kate so afraid? Right when the song begins a voice says “It’s in the trees. It’s coming!” The beast chasing Kate is falling in love. She compares love to a pack of unrelenting hunting dogs. She knows she should allow herself to be caught but she can’t help but run away.

Why did it lose?

This is a real heartbreaker for me and I had to leave it down to a gut decision. I hate to see some of my favorite songs leave so early but that’s the woes of random seeding.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ow0bA4H3BQ

Match 37:

Victor: All My Friends – LCD Soundsystem

Defeated: Heartbeats – The Knife

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Are you kidding me seeding? Are you serious? How did I not notice this match-up earlier? This match sucks so much. I remember at a party once this song came on and I told Caitlin something like “This song is at the pinnacle of the world of music” or something along those lines. At the time I had a couple cocktails coursing through my veins and I was definitely in the mood to make big sweeping statements. As I look back though I wonder how I could really deny those words.

There isn’t really a confirmed meaning out there, though many people describe it as falling in love during a one night stand. I think this is actually pretty close but the difference I believe is that these two know each other already and are most likely already in love. The song is about a longing to break a drunken promise. “We had a promise made. Four hands and then away.”

Electronic music isn’t often the background for emotional songs. Perhaps this is the reason the Jose Gonzalez version found its way into popular culture but The Knife never really got there. It’s a real shame because I don’t think the music could have been any better. The synths are the perfect effect for this song and provide both a darkness and melancholy all in one. There’s even a dance mix at the end of the album if you want to go there.

Why did it lose?

This is a question I really had to ask myself this time. As much I as I love Hearbeats, All My Friends deserves this win. I practically wrote an essay on All My Friends and the meaning in metaphors in it in one of my blogs and I still stand by those words. Still, Heartbeats should be taken note of.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ow0bA4H3BQ

BSE? Round 1 Part 1

And here are the first 21 Matches of my little tournament. This is about 9 Word .doc pages of stuff but it was a ton of fun to write about all my favorite songs. I really hope you guys enjoy and I want to hear about why I'm wrong about song X. You can expect more in a few days as long as I can make some time.

Match 1

Victor: Peacebone – Animal Collective

Defeated: 96 – And The Mysterians

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s a very simple song but it’s a classic. According to wiki, it coined the term “punk music.” Interesting, I never would have called this punk myself. A pulsing organ riff provides a certain catchiness to the song and vocal melody definitely helps drive this home. I’d have to say its true appeal lies in the lyrics. It’s a familiar message of a broken heart with a little bit of spite thrown in. He plans on dragging himself out of the hole then breaking her heart like she broke his. Of course it’s all an empty threat.

Why did it lose?

Well, Peacebone is just a bit more interesting. Perhaps I’m spoiled in this modern day of music and I’m sure it was rather groundbreaking in 1962 but today it doesn’t hold musically quite as well.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeolH-kzx4c

Match 2:

Victor: Wake Up – Arcade Fire

Defeated: Two – The Antlers

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics! I love good lyrics and good meaning to back it up. This song is about a hospice worker who is in love with one of the patients there. In fact the whole album is about that and is aptly titled “Hospice.” This is a relatively new album as a 2009 release and I wish I could have listened to it more but it’s still fairly unfamiliar in my mind. I love a good story and this one happens to have a catchy guitar riff playing behind it. The parts are simple, the guitar doesn’t really change besides getting louder and softer, but it really feels like that’s all it needs

Why did it lose?

Wake-up feels like a full package, with both lyrics and better instrumentation. It also has some powerful lines which really push it over the edge whereas Two feels a little too homogeneous. Also, the line “I guess we’ll just have to adjust!” gets me every time.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsXKa97J6pM

Match 3:

Victor: Roam – B52’s

Defeated: Silent Sigh – Badly Drawn Boy

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This is the representative of the “About a Boy” OST done entirely by Badly Drawn Boy. It’s a terribly good album and really outshines everything else BDB has every done except for parts of “Hour of the Bewilderbeast.” The piano sets the mood well for the song and for the scene it was used in.

Why did it lose?

Well, the lyrics aren’t great, though they are still pretty good. Particular lines don’t seem to fit quite well. Roam has a simple message and is catchier.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY-oQEy1KFU

Match 4:

Victor: The Weight – The Band

Defeated: Brian Wilson – Barenaked Ladies

Why did this song deserve to be here?:

It’s so catchy. I don’t think BNL ever topped this one. For them, the obvious choice is One Week but this song is just leaps and bounds ahead of that. There’s lots of musical variety in this one and it really glues it all together. The verse about floating makes the whole thing.

Why did it lose?

However, this song suffers in the same way that many BNL songs do. The lyrics don’t necessarily mean anything. The floating verse is great for the song but what on earth is he he trying to tell me. The Weight just has a lot more depth to it.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch84fmOa414

Match 5:

Victor: God Only Knows

Defeated: Intergalactic

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Ok I don’t even really like the Beastie Boys. I don’t understand why many people consider Paul’s Boutique to be that great. But something about this song hits the nail on the head. The robot voice that provides the background is catchy and quotable. The flow is good on this song and has a lot of variety.

Why did it lose?

Eh, the Beastie Boys. A lot of their songs sound very similar to me and this one still just sounds like the Beastie Boys.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qORYO0atB6g

Match 6:

Victor: A Day in the Life

Defeated: I’m a Cuckoo

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s another catchy one, but with a bit of a sadder message this time. “Breaking off is misery” great line! He’s so down in the dumps but the songs still so upbeat with trumpets and catchy little riffs. It’s hard not to sing along to this one. I have many memories of playing this one in the car on my way to guitar lessons.

Why did it lose?

Well… look at the competition here. Can the Beatles really lose in the first round? Nah, A Day in the Life is too damn good.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuKuw71YBbI

Match 6:

Victor: Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Defeated: Dry the Rain

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Here’s another one that played in the car before git-box lessons. It kinda chills you out at the start, they get a real good mellow going. The lyrics are pretty cool too, though it is often hard to hear what the hell he’s saying. I’d have to say I didn’t know most of these before I looked it up just know. The song starts to ramp up a bit, but not a lot. It just gets a bit more insistent. At the end Beta Band assures us over and over again that it’s going to be ok and you really start to believe him.

Why did it lose?

Though the slow ramp in the song is pretty cool and the use of different instruments really brings it together it is worth noting that the song does stay sort of the same throughout. Stand By Me has a better message too.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uMIbp9tRKo

Match 7:

Victor: Just a Friend – Biz Markie

Defeated: In a Big Country – Big Country

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s somehow both a very good song in general but also can be the drunken end of the party sing along. There’s really just a lot of charm here. The lyrics aren’t bad either, it’s kind of a snap-out-of-it anthem. The last verse introduces some good musical tension too. The passion in his voice really glues the song together.

Why did it lose?

Well if it’s a charm contest I have to give it to the Biz. In a Big Country is a better song but Just a Friend is a better experience.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vhebiuuLqU

Match 8:

Victor: I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas

Defeated: No Rain – Blind Melon

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s really such a nice little ditty. The video for this song is also one of the most remembered videos ever. I always thought it was funny that Blind Melon doesn’t really like this song. I guess they like to be thought of as a “Jam Band” and this song doesn’t really fit the bill. Oh well, you can’t always be what you want I guess.

Why did it lose?

I can’t believe there’s a BEP song in the second round of my contest. To be fair No Rain was kind of a softball. Oh well, I’ll go into more detail on it when it loses next round.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL6tB_0ZJtw

Match 9:

Victor: Like a Rolling Stone

Defeated: End of a Century

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This match is why I say BEP is losing for sure. Picking End of the Century for Blur’s song was a really tough choice. About half of the songs on Parklife would have made a fine choice. Then I can think of about 2 dozen others that I also like nearly as much. The central theme to this song is “End of a century... oh, it's nothing special” It’s the year 2000 but who cares? Life goes on. We live in our dirty little apartments watch, TV and approach middle age. “Good morning TV, You're looking so healthy” Wake up and turn the TV on and greet like an old friend. We follow trends, we all act the same. Even when we get close to someone the TV’s still playing in the background.

“He gives her a cuddle
They're glowing in a huddle
Good night TV
You're all made up”

Holy smokes this is a great song.

Why did it lose?

This was a hard pick, especially since Blur remains one of my favorite bands of all time. But really there’s no single Blur song that could beat Like a Rolling Stone. Not only is it simply amazing, but it’s one of the first songs I ever paid attention to.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thuSTF8-dyI

Match 10:

Victor: No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley

Defeated: Toxic – Britney Spears

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Britney came along one day and became an overnight pop music sensation. She was our generations Madonna and this generation’s Miley Cyrus. Toxic brought her somewhere different then Oops!...I did it Again or …Baby One More Time ( what’s with Britney writers and ellipses?) The sex wasn’t just implied anymore, it was flaunted. Have you seen the music video for this song? I think Tex Avery describes it best here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXCn1ovFZOc

Why did it lose?

Ok, well it’s a whole new level of Britney… but I’d rather listen to No Woman No Cry for the rest of my life then the whole Britney catalogue.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOZuxwVk7TU

Match 11:

Victor: The Way it Is – Bruce Hornsby

Defeated: Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Brother Iz

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This song was released and it seemed like the whole world stopped and stared. This is a stunning rendition of an old classic. The decision to mix Somewhere Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World was breathtaking and transitions are seemless. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole died 4 years after the release of this song at the age of 38. Whenever I hear this song I think about that. But I always get the feeling he’s saying back to me “Don’t worry about that, it’s a wonderful world.”

Why did it lose?

You know, sometimes I feel bad spending a paragraph saying why I like a song then in a couple sentences say why another song is better.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I

Match 12:

Victor: For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield

Defeated: My City of Ruins – Bruce Springsteen

Why did this song deserve to be here?

When 9/11 happened a whole cropping songs appeared. Some were genuine emotion and other felt like cheap cash-ins, some were genuine but still fairly awful (“This ain’t no rag…”) My City of Ruins was written before 9/11 happened and was actually written about New Jersey. The boss was invited to perform on the America: A Tribute to Heroes national telethon and this was the song he played. The difference in the emotion is stunning. The song took on a whole new meaning. The studio version of this song is drek compared to the live one. I’m happy to say I found the live version for the link below. Picking this song over Thunder Road for Bruce Springsteen was a tough choice and definitely not the obvious one. I think the raw emotion here is too much to ignore though.

Why did it lose?

Really tough, these are similar and great songs. Buffalo barely edges Bruce out.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zld2cSIVUO4

Match 13:

Victor: Father and Son- Cat Stevens

Defeated: Carry the Zero- Built to Spill

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s all in the swell baby. The middle verse is soooooo good, this is one of my favorite songs to play and sing along to. The lyrics are very hard to interpret here. Built to Spill has maintained that there first priority with words is making sure they sound good with the music and they definitely succeed there. It still hits the spot quite well in some part though.

“They're waiting for your guard to fall
So they can see it all
And you're so occupied with what other persons are occupied with
And vice versa”

Why did it lose?

Father and Son is too good lyrical and musically. It’s got some swells of its own and I’d say they even trump Carry the Zero’s

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owNtZIn7L4A

Match 14:

Victor: Lost in the Supermarket – The Clash

Defeated: The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth- Clap your Hands Say Yeah!

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I’m not even completely sure what I like about this song. It’s not the lyrics, because I can’t understand what the hell he’s saying for the life of me. There’s definitely a lot going on in this song musically. I figured how to play this once and though everything is just simple riffs it was still very fun to strum along to. It’s incredibly catchy too, which is impressive for how he mumbles out each line.

Why did it lose?

Lost in the Supermarket is one of my favorite lyrical songs, I’ll get more into that later but it’d be hard to beat.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKdspWe-KdQ

Match 15:

Victor: Brimful of Asha - Cornershop

Defeated: Overkill – Colin Hay

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Who knew that at the core of the band that brought us Down Under there was a legitimate song writer. Of course I’d say this song way outshines the rest of his work, though fans of Beautiful World may disagree. I heard this first on Scrubs, it’s featured in the last episode of season 1. The lyrics are fairly simple, it’s about worrying too much. There could be more elaboration here I think. What is he so worried about?

Why did it lose?

Brimful of Asha is simply a fantastic pop song and Overkill just isn’t quite deep enough to beat it.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ45xrtNnzk

Match 16:

Victor: Just Like Heaven- The Cure

Defeated: Lights and Music- Cut Copy

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Dance music takes a certain special something to be great. It’s incredibly hard to pinpoint, and I can barely come up with a technical reason to why I like this song. Maybe it’s because I tap my foot every time I hear it.

Why did it lose?

Just Like Heaven does have certain depth to it that Cut Copy doesn’t match. Though I would say Lights and Music is better if we don’t take words into consideration.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R1X2TxW5Rk

Match 17:

Victor: Time after Time – Cyndi Lauper

Defeated: One More Time- Daft Punk

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Didn’t I just talk about dance music? I think every dance song ever wishes it was this song. There’s a big long slowdown in the middle of this song too but it doesn’t take anything away from the beat or dancability and just adds to the message that even though the nights over, we’re going to do it just one more time.

Why did it lose?

Ok, I really like Time after Time but this was still a really hard choice. I think it came down to the gut feeling on this one.

Match 18:

Victor: The Crystal Cat- Dan Deacon

Defeated: I Believe In a Thing Called Love- The Darkness

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I believe I already wrote a blog on The Darkness but I’ll recap the main points. We’re living in a world where I believe what we knew to be rock and roll is dead. Then how was it that The Darkness came out with a pure rock album like they did? I really don’t know how they did it. It’s definitely rock, but it still seems fresh. I think the falsetto helps but it’s also the catchy licks and 100% rock and roll attitude.

Why did it lose?

We’ve got two fun songs battling out in this one. Crystal Cat is just a bit more fun and definitely very different from most things you hear.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRYNYb30nxU

Match 19:

Victor: Heroes- David Bowie

Defeated: Babylon- David Gray

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This song really epitomizes the feeling of being lonely in crowds and of course it’s lonely for someone in particular. The guitar licks that repeat through the song pretty much tell you every thing you need to know about what David is trying to tell us here. I’d say as is with many David Gray songs that his voice really steals the show. I saw him live in Chicago with my parents and my brother and I must say he can really put on a show. He could sing for crowds like it never even occurred to him that it might be harder than alone in a studio.

Why did it lose?

Another case of the other song is too good I’m afraid. Well, that’s bound to happen in these early rounds. I suppose It’s better than knocking than knocking out a top tier player every match. I’m still mourning the early loss of The Boss.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmK-YWSJ8Eg

Match 20:

Victor: Loser- Beck

Defeated: Soul Meets Body- Death Cab for Cutie, Layla- Derek and the Dominoes

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Well I guess they didn’t. Looking at these songs I felt that they were really a couple of meatballs. Soul meets Body is probably the best DCFC song and Layla is sort of a rock classic but I like the acoustic Eric Clapton version so much better, but I already have an Eric Clapton song and it way outshines Layla. So somewhere in the shuffle Loser got cut and I feel it outshines both these songs. Sorry Menomena fans, maybe next time.

Why did it lose?

See above

Link: Acoustic Layla ( though not the version I know) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj8xjLQ9ofI

Match 21:

Victor: Come on Eileen- Dexy’s Midnight Runners

Defeated: Gyroscope – Dismemberment Plan

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I think picking Gyroscope over You Are Invited is probably not the choice most people would have made and for me it was still very close. You Are Invited has so much build and tension, whereas Gyroscope is very heart on the sleeve. But the lyrics in the chorus always get it for me.

“If she spins fast enough than maybe the broken pieces of her heart will stay together
But any gyroscope can't spin forever”

I don’t know how they thought that line up but it’s one of the best lyrics I know. Let’s not forget that the last verse with altered lyrics is simply astounding.

The music kicks ass too, what the hell is that time signature???

Why did it lose?

I wanted to end on a close one and I did. Most I can look at the songs and tell what I like better. Here, I think Eileen was the slight favorite from the start but I still had to listen both the whole way through. Did you know Come on Eileen is my most played song of all time? Not necessarily because it’s the best song, but it probably is the song I want to hear in the most situations.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo5iPll7TII

The best songs ever?

EDIT:
Check out the bracket: http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=143649&tclass=Best%20Songs%20Ever%3F
Also I've decided how I want to write about it. I'm going to write about the loser of each so that each song gets it's due. I'll start either tomorrow or the next day.

EDIT 2:
Further edits on the list after suggestions from Drew.
Semi-Charmed Life-Third Eye Blind has been cut for Greener-Tally Hall, I thought it was on there but it must have slipped through the cracks somewhere.

EDIT 3:
One swap after suggestions from Mike
California- Phantom Planet is cut for Mistaken for Strangers-The National
California probably shouldn't have made it this far anyways. I started writing the first few "battles" so I'd expect some up by late tonight or tomorrow.

The Flaming Lips song has changed from "Fight Test" to "Do You Realize???" This is a better represenative and isn't a Cat Stevens Rip-off.


If you've ever read my xanga from my early high school days you might know I like to make music lists. So today I've compiled 128 songs from my music library that I think are all candidates for the best song in there (or at least good enough to be in the top 128) I've battled my favorite albums and my favorite artists before but never have I done favorite songs. Compiling this list took about 3 hours that I don't really have to spend. I went through and picked 1 song from every relevant artist. The Beatles, Bowie, Clash etc all deserved more spots but I know I'm sick of seeing lists dominated by Beatles and Beach Boys songs.

I'm not sure yet how I plan on narrowing it down yet. I will probably do it tournament style with random seeding but the question is how much writing I'd like to do on each song/battle. Honestly I could write a page about most of these songs and in some cases several essays but that would make this take forever. I suppose I'll sleep on it.

Anyways here's the list for now, feel free to complain about the lack of Sugar Ray.


✓ 96 Tears And The Mysterians
✓ Peacebone Animal Collective
✓ Two The Antlers
✓ Wake Up Arcade Fire
✓ Roam The B-52's
✓ Silent Sigh Badly Drawn Boy
✓ The Weight The Band
✓ Brian Wilson Barenaked Ladies
✓ God Only Knows The Beach Boys
✓ Intergalactic Beastie Boys
✓ A Day In The Life The Beatles
✓ I'm A Cuckoo Belle & Sebastian
✓ Stand By Me Ben E. King
✓ Dry The Rain The Beta Band
✓ In A Big Country Big Country
✓ Just a Friend Biz Markie
✓ I Gotta Feeling Black Eyed Peas
✓ No Rain Blind Melon
✓ End Of A Century Blur
✓ Like A Rolling Stone Bob Dylan
✓ No Woman No Cry Bob Marley
✓ Toxic Britney Spears
✓ Somewhere Over The Rainbow Brother Iz
✓ The Way It Is Bruce Hornsby
✓ My City of Ruins Bruce Springsteen
✓ For What It's Worth Buffalo Springfield
✓ Carry The Zero Built To Spill
✓ Father and Son Cat Stevens
✓ The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
✓ Lost in the Supermarket The Clash
✓ Overkill Colin Hay
✓ Brimful of Asha Cornershop
✓ Just Like Heaven The Cure
✓ Lights And Music Cut Copy
✓ Time After Time Cyndi Lauper
✓ One More Time Daft Punk
✓ The Crystal Cat Dan Deacon
✓ I Believe In A Thing Called Love The Darkness
✓ Heroes David Bowie
✓ Under Pressure David Bowie & Queen
✓ Babylon David Gray
✓ Soul Meets Body Death Cab for Cutie
✓ Layla Derek & The Dominos
✓ Come On Eileen Dexy's Midnight Runners
✓ Gyroscope Dismemberment Plan
✓ Walking The Dodos
✓ The Boys of Summer Don Henley
✓ Hotel California Eagles
✓ September Earth, Wind & Fire
✓ Rocket Man Elton John
✓ Stan Eminem
✓ Tears In Heaven Eric Clapton
✓ Do You Realize?? The Flaming Lips
✓ Blue Ridge Mountains Fleet Foxes
✓ Landslide Fleetwood Mac
✓ The Modern Leper Frightened Rabbit
✓ Faith George Michael
✓ Crazy Gnarls Barkley
✓ Gin & Juice The Gourds
✓ The Message Grandmaster Flash
✓ Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) Green Day
✓ Sweet Child O Mine Guns N Roses
✓ Papa's Got a Brand New Bag James Brown
✓ Young Hearts Spark Fire Japandroids
✓ 99 Problems Jay-Z
✓ Numb/Encore Jay-Z And Linkin Park
✓ Hallelujah Jeff Buckley
✓ Take Me Home, Country Roads John Denver
✓ Imagine John Lennon
✓ Flashing Lights (Ft. Dwele) Kanye West
✓ Hounds Of Love Kate Bush
✓ Waterloo Sunset The Kinks
✓ Heartbeats The Knife
✓ All My Friends LCD Soundsystem
✓ Sweet Home Alabama Lynard Skynard
✓ I Heard It Through The Grapevine Marvin Gaye
✓ Real World Matchbox Twenty
✓ Missed The Boat Modest Mouse
✓ No Children The Mountain Goats
✓ 99 Luftballoons Nena
✓ Two-Headed Boy Part 2 Neutral Milk Hotel
✓ Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana
✓ The Past Is A Grotesque Animal Of Montreal
✓ Hey Ya! Outkast
✓ Band On The Run Paul McCartney & Wings
✓ Gold Soundz Pavement
✓ Mistaken for Strangers The National
✓ Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd
✓ Every Breath You Take The Police
✓ Purple Rain Prince
✓ Common People Pulp
✓ Bohemian Rhapsody Queen
✓ Losing My Religion R.E.M.
✓ Fake Plastic Trees Radiohead
✓ Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) Radney Foster
✓ Under The Bridge Red Hot Chili Peppers
✓ Ooh La La Rod Stewart
✓ Sympathy For The Devil The Rolling Stones
✓ Closing Time Semisonic
✓ Random Rules Silver Jews
✓ Mrs. Robinson Simon & Garfunkel
✓ All Star Smash Mouth
✓ Disarm Smashing Pumpkins
✓ The Way We Get By Spoon
✓ I Am the Resurrection The Stone Roses
✓ What I Got Sublime
✓ Chicago Sufjan Stevens
✓ Give a Little Bit Supertramp
✓ Once In A Lifetime Talking Heads
✓ Greener Tally Hall
✓ Drops of Jupiter Train
✓ Wolf Like Me TV On The Radio
✓ Cold Days From The Birdhouse The Twilight Sad
✓ One U2
✓ Astral Weeks Van Morrison
✓ Pale Blue Eyes The Velvet Underground
✓ The Drugs Don't Work The Verve
✓ The Start of Something Voxtrot
✓ The Rat The Walkmen
✓ Tired of Sex Weezer
✓ Seven Nation Army The White Stripes
✓ Baba O'Riley The Who
✓ Fatalist Palmistry Why?
✓ I Am Trying To Break Your Heart Wilco
✓ I'll Believe In Anything Wolf Parade
✓ Maps Yeah Yeah Yeahs
✓ Ce Jeu Yelle
✓ Changes 2Pac

Mr. Chi-City

Title: Steven goes to Chicago or how I learned to stop worrying and love the interview

Chapter One: in which Steven takes a plane to Chicago

My flight was at 3:40 and I ended up waiting at the airport for 2 hours. Me and Brian would always complain when my dad when this on our family vacations. I told my dad I was 2 hours early in an email and he replied "You can laugh at your parents and make fun of the way they do things, but in my experience it is hard to avoid doing things the way they taught you." hmmm, too true.

I made the mistake of not checking in for my flight online ahead of time. Because of this I ended up in the last group of people to get on the plane. As such I was stuck in a middle seat. I really dislike open seating for airplanes. What's the point? It's good at splitting up families. Also there was an announcement that unaccompanied children between the ages of 5 and 11 could board early. Wtf, would anyone let their 5 year old fly alone?

Chapter 2: in which Steven eats dinner with some guy.

I arrived at Midway and met up with the other Cognizant candidates and we took a paid for ride to our hotel. Most of the other candidates disappeared after check-in but one was in the room across hotel from me and we decided to grab dinner.

Now this guy wasn't weird in the conventional sense. He was just one of those people you just think is kinda off and can't put your finger on it. He makes fun of himself for being short several times and mentions how he often has to buy kids clothing. He brings up middle school and how he hates it and it's pointless. I don't know what happened to this guy in middle school but he sounds pretty upset about it.

Dinner was Italian food and since I kept the receipt it's all on Cognizant. Having not eaten all day it was pretty much the best food ever.

Chapter 3: in which Steven tries to sleep but ends up listening to Staind all night
10:00
I felt lucky to be tired at 10pm that night. Having spent all week staying up until 4:30 I was worried falling asleep was going to be an issue but I nodded off at about 10:30.

12:00
I wake up. There's a lot of shouting in the hallway and there's obviously some drunkeness going on. Sounds like there was some sort of party. Ok whatever, I've been drunk in a hotel before and I'm sure I've woken people up too, no big deal. I fall back asleep in about 30 minutes.

2:00
I wake up. There's music. What? Why is there music? So the party animals turned out to be in the room immediately adjacent to mine. Apparently this party had moved to the hotel room. though the wall I can hear Staind playing. The Chorus comes and the bros sing along. "NOW THAT WE'RE HEEEEERE, SO FAR AWAAAAAAAAY." This is just getting silly, but I'm a patient man and this party's gotta be winding down since it's already late. I ignore the shitty tunes and fall back asleep.

?:??
I wake up. What time is it? There's music still pumping through the walls. Ugh, enough is enough, I pick up the phone to dial the front desk. I have trouble finding the button, it seems like the phone changed since last night.
"Hello this is the front desk"
"Yeah I'm in room 709 and there's music playing."
"Ok, hold on"
I wait in my bed, still up because of the music. There's a knock at my door, I guess they want to check in on me before they go over there. I answer the door and they turn on the light.
"Hey thanks for calling, take this" I'm handed a battery operated device that shoots knock-out pills. "You might need that in case they try to come in here while I kick them out."
"Can't I just keep my door closed."
"No we need you"
He also gets the guy across the hall to do the same thing. Maybe he called in too?
There's an altercation in the hall but slowly the people file out the room. I guess security was successful. However one guy remains and waltzes into my room. I fire a pill at him but miss and he ignores it and smirks.
"Hey, sorry about the music" He says sarcastically. "Can I have some of your candy?" He gestures towards my big cardboard box of candy.
"uhhhh, sure" I don't want any of that candy and I'm not even sure where it came from anyways.
My musical friend leaves my room.

4:00
I wake up. Ugh those surreal dreams always get me. But the idea to call the front desk is pretty good as music is still coming through the walls. I call down and they send security up to deal with it. Through the wall I hear them being kicked out of the room. I feel a little bad about it since I just wanted them to shut up not get kicked out. Oh well, that's what he gets for eating my candy.

Chapter 4 in which Steven has an interview.
The interview's from 8am till 12pm. I arrive on the dot and eat the breakfast they've provided for us. We have a video conference with the Chief technology officer then head to different rooms to be interviewed. I guess I'm last in line and they only have so many people. So I spend 40 minutes on my droid before anyone comes in.

The first interview is the technology interview. I mess up a bit here, I didn't answer his questions about classes the exact way he wanted. I don't know if I would have come up with words like encapsulation. These are all easy concepts, but the words to describe them are a little more complicated for me. Oh well, I rebound a little bit later in the interview we at least get a report going on and it ends out ok.

The second interview is all premade questions about business type situations. For example "Name a time you disagreed with a policy and what did you do about it." I think I nailed these questions. I think I had something relevant to talk about at every question and at least fairly interesting. He seemed to like the answers well enough too.

Overall one really good interview and one ok interview. I'm hoping that's enough, the main recruiters also seem to like me. I should find out monday if I have a job.

Chapter 5 in which Steven returns to AA
We leave immediately after the interviews. The guy I ate with dinner was in the car to airport along with two others. He brings up how he hates middle school again, hmmm.

The airport has a store called "Nuts on Steve." I keep my distance.

Again the plane has open seating and I'm stuck in the middle seat. Damn you southwest. The actual plane ride is short though at 1 hour and I feel glad when I arrive back in Detroit.

After I make my way through the airport It feels good to be driving back to AA. "Raise Your Glass" is on the radio. It's no "I gotta feeling" but it'll do.

Viruses and jobs

My computer got a virus. This is scary enough normally, but when all of your coursework depends on you having a functioning computer it becomes positively frightening. I realized I forgot to disable Javascript after enabling it to watch a video on TheOnion.com. Worth it? Perhaps.

Vista started asking me if I was trying to access certain files. I told it to block this so I might have saved myself a larger headache. In a few moments I was bombarded with "virus scanners" Telling me I had Trojans that could only be removed with my credit card number. That's when I know I'm fucked. Then Firefox and iTunes mysteriously close and wouldn't reopen.

The removal process is arduous. I shut off my wireless card and look up virus info on the PS3. I wade through C:\Users\Steven\Appdata\local looking for and deleting suspicious files. I discover Internet Explorer still works and find a program that kills suspicious processes. It works like a charm and firefox and itunes return. AVG scan my whole computer and finds 6 Trojan files.

I still don't trust that it's clean so I may do a system restore to a few days ago. I'll see if anything persists tomorrow. I think "Antimalware Doctor" is gone but whatever installed it may still be lurking. Think I should restore?


In other news the job hunt is looking up. I've got 3 interviews for sure and I'm an alternate for another. The companies are AllianceBernstein, Rosetta and, the big one, Microsoft. Turns out the key to getting interviews is sending your resume to everything possible. I've sent out roughly 50 resumes if not more. 3.5/50, That's a batting average of 0.070. Hopefully that'll be enough to make the majors.