So as happens with these things, RJD2’s success led me to Wikipedia for further research. “Ghostwriter” has been featured in commercials for Blackberry and Wells Fargo, the theme song to TNT’s “Inside The NBA,” and the soundtrack to the movie Wimbledon (a movie which I then Wikipedia’d, terrible decision.) As impressive a resume this is, “Ghostwriter”‘s greatest achievement may be its role in the first upset of a 1 seed by a 16 seed in Living The Dream history. LCD Soundsystem’s “Dance Yourself Clean” goes down 223.1-202.55. In defeat, DYC makes the Wall of 10’s as soon as I create a page for that. A last aside: the fact that a lyric-less hip hop beat defeated a song that Janos personally considered to have the best shot to win this whole thing almost ensures an LCD Soundsystem post in the coming days in the vein of his Lou Reed tribute from last tourney.
In the other match-ups, underdog The Animals send Camp Lo Back To The Bronx with a score of 212.3-178. The highest scoring match was the middle of the pack Golden Asteroid-Harlem Shakes tour, and 9 seed “Strictly Game” grabs this one in the end, 250.65-237.4. And last but not least, L.A. hip hop with horns ekes it out against Mississippi blues songs about Mona Lisa’s androgyny, 215-212.9. Yup, of 37 total votes, this one is decided by 2.1 points and completes the Sweep Of The Underdogs. Great googly moogly I love this game.
Out of the tournament: The Golden Asteroid Tour, Little Milton, and Camp Lo. God I would love to see all of them on a jury together. LCDS goes to 0-1 with one song still alive.
Living the Dream 
Well, Doctor G, only a minor league rant forthcoming here.
First, I had to that Lou Reed tribute because the making of Transformer is one of the best “behind the music” album stories ever. I can’t think of a better one of the top of my head here.
Second, I never thought “Dance Yourself Clean” had a shot at winning this thing. I gave it the #1 seed out of my nominations because it won my personal play-in tournament. I was quite realistic about its prospects given voters’ ignominious rejection of “Losing My Edge”, and to a lesser extent, “North American Scum”, last tournament. There was some hope that as a #1 seed it would face an easy first round opponent, and indeed, it went up against an instrumental track than can be considered good background music at best.
To all those out there who disparaged its length, I’m sorry you were in such a hurry to get through such a fine tune. Unlike “Hey Jude”, “Layla” or “When the Levee Breaks”, all songs I like, this doesn’t plod on monotonously. The song has a ton of breakdowns, new lyrics in minute 8 and a multi-layered hook. It might have been better as a 6-minute song, but the length isn’t a problem.
Look, I’ve come to terms about LCD. They will always have a special place in the music pantheon, and their farewell concert was one of the great music experiences I’ve ever had. But it’s hard to get too down on your song getting routed by 20 in the first round. That’s a message from the voters. And I’m fine with that.
Now let’s be fair Game. Layla is not monotonous… everyone just despises the piano interlude which goes on waaaaaay too long. Just like each phase of this song goes on a little too long.