Hail the covers! Maybe the Isley Brothers (of “Who’s that Lady” and “Contagious” fame) did the original “Twist and Shout”, but the Beatles took it up many notches and seem to have cranked out a little contender for our contest. Twist and Shout defeats The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, 120.2-106.8.

Close second for top scorer was America by Simon and Garfunkel defeating Video Killed The Radio Star, 120.1-100.75. I think even those of us with a soft spot for the Buggles still couldn’t deny the simple betterness of America…tough draw for the inaugural music video band.

Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” defeats Jackson Browne’s “Running On Empty,” 111.25-97.7. And Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers’ “One Headlight” takes down Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” 101.6-89.85. Seeing that a number of regular voters are between the ages of 26 and 30, this makes sense. Were we some years younger, maybe not.

Looking at the scores, it seems like an open road to an America-Twist and Shout meeting in the Round of 64, but don’t count anyone out yet. Out of the tournament: The Buggles, Lady Gaga, and Jackson Browne. The Band sheds a tear for their Southern anthem but moves confidently forward with their only song remaining: The Weight.