Division L comes to a close tonight. Get your votes in by 8 pm on Tuesday. Grooveshark link is here. Let’s do this.
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) vs. North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem)
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) vs. Drain You (Nirvana)
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) vs. Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield)
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) vs. Jump (Van Halen)
Touch Me (The Doors) vs. The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel)
Criminal (Fiona Apple) vs. You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse)
Living the Dream 
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) 2
North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) 3.5
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) 6
Drain You (Nirvana) 8
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) 6
Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) 7
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) 8.5
Jump (Van Halen) 9
Touch Me (The Doors) 6
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) 9
Criminal (Fiona Apple) 6
You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) 4
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) 8
North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) 8.5
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) 6.5
Drain You (Nirvana) 7.5
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) 5.5
Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) 7
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) 6
Jump (Van Halen) 8
Touch Me (The Doors) 7.5
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) 8
Criminal (Fiona Apple) 9.5 This came out of nowhere.
You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) 8.5
00,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) 5
North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) 7.5
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) 7
Drain You (Nirvana) 6.5
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) 3.5 [huge elvis fan but this song has never done it for me]
Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) 9 [I don’t think I’ve ever failed to turn this up.]
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) 5.5 [so good but doesn’t go anywhere awesome at the end]
Jump (Van Halen) 5.0 [wasn’t feelin’ the synths either]
Touch Me (The Doors) 8.0
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) 8.0
Criminal (Fiona Apple) 5
You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) 4 (rap interlude and roger moore references…)
100,000 Fireflies 2
North American Scum 3.5
This wasn’t enjoyable.
The Wind Cries Mary 7
Drain You 6
Heartbreak Hotel 6
Son of a Preacherman 8.5
Man I love listening to Elvis sing. But Son of A Preacherman is where it’s at for sure.
Another One Bites The Dust 7
Jump 9
I don’t have words for how much I love Jump. I told Mark B about this a few days ago, but Jump and Don’t Stop Believing went to a triple overtime in an MT final right around Cumberland, MD when Janos and I were driving to DC from a Ruckus.org conference on how to chain yourself to doors in less than 10 seconds in Paoli, Indiana, circa July 2006. How can you not get super excited when this song comes on? Riddle me that. Also, Glee, you tried to ruin this for me but you failed.
Touch Me 6.5
The Boxer 7.5
Narratives tend to win.
Criminal 7.5
You Know I’m No Good 8.5
Two songs by chicks that are sort of messes, singing about how they’ve made messes of their lives and the men they care about. I love this matchup. Amy Winehouse’s voice is the dealbreaker for me.
100,000 Fireflies – 3
North American Scum – 5
The Wind Cries Mary – 6.5
Drain You – 7
Heartbreak Hotel – 6
Son of a Preacherman – 8.5
Another One Bites the Dust – 8
Jump – 7
Touch Me – 7
The Boxer – 8.5
Criminal – 6.5
You Know I’m No Good – 7.5
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk): 1
North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem): 4
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx): 7
Drain You (Nirvana): 4
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley): 5
Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield): 10
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen): 5
Jump (Van Halen): 6
Touch Me (The Doors): 8
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel): 7
Criminal (Fiona Apple): 9
You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse): 6.5
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) vs. North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) = 5:9 (Really love this song, got me into LCD Soundsystem. Great ring to it and the lyrics really ring true to any 20-something traveller).
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) vs. Drain You (Nirvana) = 9:6 (Now THIS is a fuckin Hendrix song. Love “Drain You” but Cobain has stronger ones – chorus irks me, just the way it sounds).
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) vs. Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) = 7.5:8
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) vs. Jump (Van Halen) = 8:6
Touch Me (The Doors) vs. The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) = 9:6.5 (One of my favorite Doors songs… Boxer is strong, chorus is great, but gets a bit tiring)
Criminal (Fiona Apple) vs. You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) = 6:8 (Criminal: Like the song, hate the singer, Love the video. Great Winehouse song – excellent cover by the Arctic Monkeys, by the way. Imagine the heroin-fueled vocal energy if Iggy Pop had a kid with Winehouse? Dare to dream)
10^5 fireflies: 8
north american scum: 9
tough one. i (unexpectedly) really liked both of these. any song that starts with “i have a manodlin” immediately hits a soft spot. but i was feeling lcd’s groove more.
wind cries mary: 8
drain you: 5
jimi’s soothing voice made kurt a tougher listen.
heartbreak hotel: 6
son of a preacherman: 9
elvis doesn’t do much for me. dusty, on the other hand
another one bites the dust: 6.5
jump: 8
i used to have a casio keyboard that had a setting where you could play synth chords with single keys that sounded just like the ones in “jump”. that’s the sound synthesizers were made for.
touch me: 8
the boxer: 8.5
the boxer started at 9.5, but each “la la la”/crash/cheesy instrumental break brought it down in small increments to its eventual 8.5
criminal: 8
you know i’m no good: 3
true statement, ms w(h)inehouse.
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk): 2
North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem): 4
Nope.
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimbo): 8
Drain You (Nirvana): 5
Drain You wasn’t as draining as I expected, but still not as good as Jimi.
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley): 6
Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield): 9
Dusty Springfield is awesome. Both songs sound old, but Son of a Preacherman hasn’t lost a beat.
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen): 8.5
Jump (Van Halen): 8.5
Both fantastic in their own right. Can’t choose between them.
Touch Me (The Doors): 7.5
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel): 5
Neither blew me away.
Criminal (Fiona Apple): 8
You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse): 7.5
Solid entries. Fiona by a hair.
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) vs. North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) = 8 to 4
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by some of the tunes that have popped up on here. ‘100,000 Fireflies’ has been one of my favorites for a long time – I know it’s a cover, and Superchunk could be pretty hit or miss. But when they got it together it was great. For another great Superchunk, see ‘Night of the Chill Blue”
Why do we keep shrieking?
When we mean soft things
We should be whispering all the time
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) vs. Drain You (Nirvana) = 9 to 8
Sad, definitely one of the best Nirvana songs. Maybe the best? Never saw them live, but the part after the feedback noise jam must’ve been very very exciting live. Maybe ‘Serve the Servants’ is better? I know it’s an objective debate to have, but I this is a great song. But I trust Jimi will take the day.
Somewhere a Queen is weeping
Somewhere a King has no wife
Dammit Jimi you get to me every time.
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) vs. Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) = 6 to 6
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) vs. Jump (Van Halen) = 7.5 to 7
Ouch. 1984 was defnitely the best Van Halen album. Hmmm…but Another One Bites the Dust just shows off how diverse Queen could be. Love the studio trickery of the the sounds zooming in and out. Funky minimal bassline. Michael Anthony, nor Wolfgang, would be capable. Sorry Eddie.
Touch Me (The Doors) vs. The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) = 8 to 6
The Doors song is wild and exciting. I enjoy Simon & Garfunkel, but you were never afraid of them veering out of control.
Criminal (Fiona Apple) vs. You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) = 7.5 to 6
This Criminal video was really hot. The album after this first one by Fiona Apple was also great.
I thought I was just squeaking in, but then I realized it says votes are due by Tuesday. Good thing I’m not a reading teacher or anything. Anyway, I’m glad because I really love some of the songs in this round.
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) 4
North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) 5
When I love LCD Soundsystem, I really love them. But I don’t really love this.
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) 6
Drain You (Nirvana) 7
Ooh, hometown match-up. Although I gotta say, I always forget Jimi Hendrix is from Seattle. You never forget that with Kurt.
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) 5
Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) 10
Goddamn what a fantastic song. This gets one of my “Songs I am never, ever sick of listening to” high scores.
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) 9
Jump (Van Halen) 4
Freddy Mercury is the platonic ideal of a Rock God. Surely there is something holy about that man. His voice is the embodiment of expression and precision.
Touch Me (The Doors) 7.5
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) 9.5
Possibly my favorite S&G song. And I love me some S&G.
Criminal (Fiona Apple) 8.5
You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) 7.5
I don’t expect to like these songs when I think about them, but when I hear them I’m just like, “Fuck yeah.” Fiona’s piano wins for me, though.
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk)4 vs. North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) 4
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) 7 vs. Drain You (Nirvana) 5
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) 6 vs. Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) 7
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) 4 vs. Jump (Van Halen) 7
Touch Me (The Doors) 5 vs. The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) 6
Criminal (Fiona Apple) 5 vs. You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) 4
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) 6 vs. North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) 6.5
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) 9 vs. Drain You (Nirvana)5
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) 9 vs. Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) 8.95
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) 8 vs. Jump (Van Halen) 8.5
Touch Me (The Doors) 8vs. The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) 6
Criminal (Fiona Apple) 7 vs. You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) 6
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) 3.5
North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) 5
Not one of my favorite matchups – but i could see really liking North American Scum if i were hammered… might need to test this theory
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) 4.5
Drain You (Nirvana) 7
I know, it’s heretical to give Jimi that low a score… he’s just not the same to me when he’s not wild and on the edge.
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) 6
Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) 9
Dusty dominated. Sorry King.
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) 9.5
Jump (Van Halen) 6.5
It’s a shame that Queen didn’t let John Deacon play a lead role more often(this song is virtually all him musically). Love Jump, but it tends to fade as it repeats for me.
Touch Me (The Doors) 7
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) 9
The chant at the end of the boxer is just perfect. Hard to match this one.
Criminal (Fiona Apple) 7
You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) 2.5
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) [4]
North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) [6]
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) [8]
Drain You (Nirvana) [6.5]
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) [6.5]
Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) [9]
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) [6.5]
Jump (Van Halen) [8]
Touch Me (The Doors) [8]
The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) [7.5]
Criminal (Fiona Apple) [7]
You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) [6]
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) 1 vs. North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) 3
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) 7 vs. Drain You (Nirvana) 6
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) 6 vs. Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) 9
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) 10 vs. Jump (Van Halen) 8
Touch Me (The Doors) 8.5 vs. The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) 9
Criminal (Fiona Apple) 4 vs. You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) 6
superchunk: 4.5 (listened to another superchunk song by accident; wouldn’t recommend that)
lcd: 6 (amusing lyrics)
jimi: 9 – hard to beat.
nirvana: 6.5. just not feeling it right now.
elvis: 8
dusty sprinfield: 8.5 — one of the best beginnings to a song ever
Queen: 7.5
Van halen: 8
Doors: 7.5
Boxer: 7 – reminds me of old times but sounds a little bit corny now
fiona: 8 – hit the spot.
amy: 8.5. she’s really just the best. why can’t she make some more music. i also appreciate that she’s tearing up in the picture you put up.
100,000 Fireflies (Superchunk) 5 for the sloppy indie sound
vs. North American Scum (LCD Soundsystem) 2 for a good band name
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendirx) 6 though it is not top-shelf hendrix
vs. Drain You (Nirvana) 1 Nirvana bores me
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley) 5 for any mid-period Elvis
vs. Son of a Preacherman (Dusty Springfield) 10 – one of the top 50 songs of all time (just behind the third movement of Beethoven’s Fifth
Piano Concerto)
Another One Bites The Dust (Queen) 5 for good car music
vs. Jump (Van Halen) 3 Van Halen’s Philly and almost gets it
Touch Me (The Doors) 0 the Doors whine
vs. The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel) 8 their best song (I will admit I took some comfort there). Great metaphor
Criminal (Fiona Apple) 4
vs. You Know I’m No Good (Amy Winehouse) 8 Any Amy is good
Hey Donald, thanks for voting! Just so you know going forward, voting is held open for 48 hours, which usually means the two most recent days posted on the website. Today that would be M2 (due at 9pm) and M3. If you scroll up you’ll see that the people agreed with you on Jimi, S&G, queen and Dusty, but also voted for Criminal and LCD.