Van The Man
Votes due Friday, June 24th by 8 PM EST: Alright kids, pay attention- to date we have had little in the way of songs not available on GrooveShark, but we have our first entrant by Van Morrison in this round. And Van HATES GrooveShark. Or GrooveShark hates Van. I dunno. Anyhow, Grooveshark link is here, except for Astral Weeks. This feels like a great round sure to be filled with opinions, don’t forget to provide yours! Vote by commenting on this post. Any questions or comments? E-mail us at LTDdotorg@gmail.com. Best of luck to all songs, especially yours.
#1 Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) vs. #16 Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton): Once upon a time a guy named Stephin Merritt wrote 69 love songs and put them on a three volume album appropriately titled “69 Love Songs.” 
This is #40. Once upon another time, Andy Samberg convinced Michael Bolton to sing a song on Saturday Night Live. I eagerly await commentary…especially Jacob’s.
#8 Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) vs. #9 Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen): Once upon a time, the British rock scene developed an aggregate acute fascination with reggae, spawning a niche crossover revolution of sorts (for additional reading, please see “Can’t Fail, Rudie” in the Clash section of the library.) Once upon another time, Freddie Mercury rocked the socks off of the city of Montreal. Janos has been singing the praises of this performance for weeks now- time for the People to weigh in.
#4 Creep (TLC) vs. #13 We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun): Once upon 1996, TLC destroyed the competition with their album CrazySexyCool– “Creep” was their first number one single. The trio faces off against Australians Empire Of The Sun.
#5 Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) vs. #12 Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The): Irish versus Scottish. Although “Sweet Thing” failed to get too far in the last tournament, the critically acclaimed Astral Weeks album makes another tourney appearance with its title track. It faces off against Celtic folk rock ballad “Fisherman’s Blues,” the title track from the 1989 Waterboys album that coincidentally also included a cover of “Sweet Thing.” This feels like a good match.
Living the Dream 
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) =2.5
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 6
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 5
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 7
Creep (TLC) = 6
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) =5
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 5.5
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 6
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 7
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 6
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 6
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 7
Creep (TLC) = 5
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) =7.5
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 6.5
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 8
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) =2.5
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 6
I don’t want Jack Sparrow going very far in this tournament, but Papa was a Rodeo is just plain boring. Not fun to listen to. And like Jack said a couple weeks ago, I don’t like the Lonely Island Song (because without the video and after one listen, it is really really stupid), but Michael Bolton’s PR guy is a genius. I really like Michael Bolton now and I have no idea why.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 2.5
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 10
10cc is up against one of my favorite bands of all time. There song reflects the fact that I was just excited to get to the Queen song (and that most Reggae is boring).
And find me a better frontman in music history than Freddie Mercury. I’ll entertain Thom Yorke, Mick Jagger and (maybe) John Lennon, although Lennon wasn’t really a frontman because he had Paul. Freddie Mercury from his singing, to his incredible songwriting and piano playing and his theatrics/live antics……there just isn’t anyone better. What. A. Genius. But we have already covered this in the last tournament.
Ok I just listened to this version of the Queen song closely. Seriously let it go to the end and listen to what Freddie is doing. Unreal. He continues to make me more impressed with him the more I listen. Just wow.
Creep (TLC) = 7.5
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) =2
Nice Slick Rick sample! Creep is not as good as No Scrubs, but TLC still kicks ass. One of the best pop groups of the past 15 years. I remember being really sad when Left Eye died. I do wish someone had nominated Waterfalls though because I think that song would have gone FAR in this tourney. Cool little thing about TLC…..Left Eye was actually the only member of the group to get a writing credit on Waterfalls. Man I had such a crush on her.
We are the people is not very good.
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 8
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 3
Not my favorite Van song (that would be Into the Mystic, followed by Caravan), but this album was recorded in one take (?!?@!?@!?@) and to me remains one of the most amazing achievements in recording history.
I really like Waking Ned Divine but dont remember this song. Listening to it reminded me why.
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) 5
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) 5
I don’t really like Rodeo — it was a really boring song. I did, however, like the guy’s voice. It was like a less-raspy (and to my ears anyway, a more pleasant) version of Leonard Cohen. (And so I had to pause the grooveshark for a minute to listen to part of Hallelujah.) And Jack Sparrow is funny and Michael Bolton is great but… I’m getting sick of this song already.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) 7
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) 9.5
I was pleasantly surprised by 10cc. I typically don’t care for reggae, but I thought this song was fun and summery. It made me wish I were drinking a cocktail on a balcony in the sun somewhere.
But I LOVE Somebody to Love and I think this is the best version of it that I’ve ever heard. Thanks for nominating it, Janos!
Creep (TLC) 7
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) 7
Oh TLC, thanks for the trip back in time! I forgot how much I like that song. But I also really liked the Empire song, which gets the edge because I think I’ll probably download it, whereas with TLC, I’ll just listen to it on the radio when it comes on my “I ❤ the 90s" station.
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) 8.75
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) 8.5
Van can be ethereal sometimes. This isn't my favorite Van song, but it is pretty swell.
I liked this Fisherman song. It was a fun one!
and when I say the Empire of the Sun gets the edge, I meant to give it a 7.5. sorry.
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 8
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 3.8
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 2.5
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 8.7
Creep (TLC) = 6
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 6
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 8.1
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 8.2
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 10 So this is my fourth nomination, and I’ve steeled myself a little better this time in anticipation of the inevitable hater-ade that is sure to spew forth from the masses. I promise not to take it personally. Having learned my lesson with Passing Me By about the futility of an impassioned defense, I’m not going to make a plea to voters to keep this song alive. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it. I’ll keep listening to it and will continue to enjoy what I think is a pretty sweet melody delivered in a tender, sonorous drone. I will provide some context though. A lot of people think this is a gay love song because the male narrator’s first line is “I like your twisted point of view, Mike.” This is a reasonable assumption given that Stephen Merritt, the singer, is gay. However, according to Merritt, the song was addressed from a man to a woman named Mike and that he had the Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood characters from the movie The Wild Angels in mind when he wrote the lyrics. Anyway, there’s some background for you. It probably won’t sway anyone one way or another, but at least you learned something before dropping your 2 on this fine ballad.
Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 3 I saw the video, laughed once when Michael Bolton quoted Tony Montana about how this town is a pussy waiting to get fucked and then got on with my life. It’s a clever concept, but we already listened to this in the play-in round, which is enough for me. Also, is it just me or does Michael Bolton sound a lot like Ray Montaigne?
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 4
Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 7 Definitely better than the studio track. The little tease from Under Pressure at the end takes me back….
Creep (TLC) = 6 Love their harmonies- like a chorus of purring cats.
We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 8 Nice. Like what John Lennon might come up with if he’d written songs during the age of electronica.
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 7
Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 6
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields): 5
Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton): 4
*Sincere kudos to whoever nominated this. Very brave. It’s like listening to an identity crisis.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc): 7
Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen): 5.5
Creep (TLC): 7.5
We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun): 5.5
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison): 8
Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The): 7.5
#1 Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields): 9.5
#16 Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton): 5
Pow, right in the kisser! This song brings me right to a roadhouse in Fargo, Al Capone’s old hideout bar in Hurley, Wisconsin, or an industrial park dive bar north of Columbus where I sang a “Jackson” duet with a super cute bartender. Any of those places and so many more— I know this song, and I feel like I’ve seen both the first and third verse happen right before my eyes numerous times. MF is an acquired taste, but I love this. “Jack Sparrow,” so in all seriousness, the hook is pretty brilliant. They have somehow taken part of the instrumental from that first scene in Pirates when Jack Sparrow is coming into harbor standing in his sinking ship’s bird-nest and made it part of this sexy, sexy thing that combined with Michael Bolton’s voice, is kind of awesome. But this song is 3 minutes long and I only really want to listen to 0:20-2:00. I’d say give it a chance, because sure it’s a joke of a song, but so is “Boy Named Sue,” yes? But I just really like the song about puckers, beers, and rodeos.
#8 Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) 7
#9 Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) 8
Queen has never lost a first round match-up. I expect that to continue here.
#4 Creep (TLC) 7.3
#13 We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) 7.1
#5 Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) 9.2
#12 Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) 10
Here’s the crazy thing…I nominated Astral Weeks. I love Astral Weeks, and I love “would you kiss my eyelids.” But since I first heard Fisherman’s Blues a month ago I can’t stop listening to it, it’s amazing. I wish I was a fisherman, tumbling on the seas, far away from dry land and its bitter memories? And there’s a fiddle? And a mandolin? These guys were way ahead of their time, this could easily be any of the Mumford-style stuff we are voting up, except this was recorded in 1988, not last year. So here’s to the music tournament and all your nominations, which are just killing it for me and giving me tons of new tunes. Thank you and keep it coming.
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 8
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 7
I’m sorry Jacob, Jack Sparrow still made me chuckle 4 or 5 times the second time around. But yes, the Magnetic Fields are better.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 6
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 9.5
Creep (TLC) = 4
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 7.8 This reminded me of MGMT.
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 8.7
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 9.3
Doesn’t Fisherman’s Blues sound like it could be a Dylan track on Desire, except with better vocals? Excellent choice, whoever nominated this. Love this Van tune too though. Tough decision.
#1 Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields): 7 – very cool, never heard it before.
#16 Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton): 6 – fun, upbeat, cute… changed my negative Bolton opinion, BUT… there are WAY better Lonely Island songs (musically and in terms of laughs).
#8 Dreadlock Holiday (10cc): 8.5 – have been a longtime fan of this song since I heard it in Snatch.
#9 Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen): 5 – God damn it. I fucking HAAAAAAAAAATTTEE recorded/live music. Live music is only better when you experience it first-hand (atmosphere, experience etc). Qualitatively, studio music is better. Playing back a live performance takes out the only advantage and it becomes a mediocre-sounding imitation of the Platonic ideal of “the song.” Kinda… the musical version of YOU HAD TO BE THERE… because… ya kinda DID have to be there.
#4 Creep (TLC) : 8 – solid. Definitely the song I woulda played while havin’ sexy time in highschool if I ever had sexytime in highschool.
#13 We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) – 7
#5 Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) : 5. I live Van… not this, though. Not this.
#12 Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) : 5.5
That’s a pretty definitive statement (re: live music). Would you argue that Van Morrison’s studio version of “Caravan” is better than the Last Waltz version? Is a live performance inadequate even when you see it on video? That seems questionable.
Live versions often involve more energy, tweaks on the way the song was originally written (born out of performing it 200 times and seeing what works and what doesn’t).
While I enjoy revisiting the aesthetics of Plato (whatup 12th grade English), I’m curious
a) what you’d give a studio version of Somebody to Love
b) what you think of Stop Making Sense
On top of that and with all respect, weren’t you the one that wanted the Letterman version of the Heavy in this?
#1 Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) – 3.2 – i’m not liking his voice for this song. maybe in another mood.
vs. #16 Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) – 3.5 –
#8 Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) – 4.5 –
vs. #9 Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) – 4 –
#4 Creep (TLC) – 5 –
vs. #13 We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) – 8 –
#5 Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) – 7.2 –
vs. #12 Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) – 7 –
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 8. i like the combination of droll humor and genuine emotion. plus, how does he sing so low?
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 3. this is funny in the right context, but i’m not gonna listen to it otherwise.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 6. cool song. never heard it.
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 5. queen’s a great live band and has some real classics but they’re a bit cheesy for me to rank much higher.
Creep (TLC) = 8.5 – this is seriously one of the best songs of the nineties. TLC weren’t no joke, yo.
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 8. sweet song. too bad it’s up against CREEP, YEAH, JUST CREEPIN ON THE DOWN LOW.
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 6. i got mad ‘spekt for van morrison and the repetitive insistence of this song pays off at the end i think.
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 6 this is good. at first i was like, “okay, another americana song with fiddles. i get it. but that was good.
#1 Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) vs. #16 Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton): 3/6…no, wait 7
Lonely Island would’ve gotten a 7, if I got to SEE Bolton in Jack Sparrow make-up. They just do a great job summarizing some of my favorite (non-thinking) movies (based on my favorite ride…ever). So I went back, and I watched the video, and gave it a 7, anyway. That song makes me laugh nearly every time. The video always makes me laugh.
#8 Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) vs. #9 Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen): 5/9
10cc sounds like they have David Bowie singing reggae…or that just me? If this Janos character has been singing the praises of Queen live in Montreal, that’s a fella I can get behind…Farrokh, errr Freddie starts off just having fun with the song. The man was an entertainer, plain and simple. This is a great rendition of one of my favorite songs…ever. Of course, I’m partial to this version, for some reason http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYAR8RigqDA&feature=related (George Michael and Queen were pretty huge in the early 90s, if you can remember that far back), while my 3 year old (Aunt dj roomba, maybe you’ve heard her sing it?) loves to sing to this version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTt4pyfXXUE . But, Queen is one of the few music acts that all their songs are always on my iPod.
#4 Creep (TLC) vs. #13 We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun): 6/5
Oh the nostalgia; Creep reminds me of burning down Andre Rison’s Atlanta mansion… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1NnROqIePQ . But I forgot how good that intro to Creep was.
#5 Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) vs. #12 Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The): 6/6
These were two solid songs. I wouldn’t change the station on either of them, and I’m contemplating downloading each (I think I actually have Astral Weeks, if I can dig out the CD).
FYI, here’s how I’ve based my rankings, if people think I’m crazy…
10 = gets regular play on my iPod (top 25 OR on a dedicated playlist, not a smartlist), or is tied to specific memories
9 = I have that song, I love that song, I should listen to that song more, I really enjoy running to it, driving to it, or it causes me to wax nostalgically about some broad set of events, or a different time in my life, but nothing specific
8=I have that song, I like that song, I should listen to that song more, that song plays when I run/drive, so its beat is kind of catchy, or I really like that act, it may also trigger memories
7=I like that song so much that if I don’t own it, I must download it…now OR that song reminds me of a specific place or time, but doesn’t make me happy or sad
6=I don’t own that song, but I like it enough that I think I will download it…we’ll see, I juts should listen again
5=I don’t hate it, and wouldn’t change the station
4=I don’t hate it, would change the station, but if nothing better was on, would come back to it
3=Don’t like it, would change the station to NPR if I had to
2=Hate it
1=I will go out of my way to never hear that song again, I hate it so much. In fact, in my opinion, all versions of it should be burned.
Papa Was Rodeo – 6.5
The Lonely Island – 0.5
Dreadlock Holiday – 4
Somebody to Love – 6.5
Creep – 6
We are the People – 5
Astral Weeks – 7.5
We are the People – 6
Sorry for the Typo, the last song should be Fisherman’s Blues – 6 not We are the People.
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 6 to 7
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 2 to 9.5
As a white person who listens to reggae, there are only a few exceptions where I can stomach white people playing reggae.
I think watching the video on youtube of the Queen performance helps it make more sense.
Creep (TLC) vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 8.5 to 5
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 5 to 3
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 3
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 6.5
I will start off by saying in my heart, I really really don’t want Jack Sparrow to advance. Accompanied by the music video, it is absolutely hilarious. It does indeed have a big sexy hook, but it shouldn’t hold up by itself. For now I’m still oddly entertained. I predict if it doesn’t go down now, it goes down next round. With that said, I like PWAR a lot musically, but I really really don’t like the vocals for most of the song. It made me think of someone doing a really bad Johnny Cash rendition at karaoke. I did give it a 1 point boost when the second vocalist comes in towards the end.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 4.5
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 9
Dreadlock started to grow on me a bit towards the end, but it’s no match for Queen. Somebody to Love is already a favorite of mine, and this live version is money.
Creep (TLC) = 2.5
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 5.5
Never really liked TLC to begin with. Empire was pretty good. Might check out some more on grooveshark later.
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 4
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 7
Not a big Van fan either. Overall this one was decent, but see my previous post on long songs when you don’t like ’em to begin with. Never heard FB before. Good stuff. Love the fiddle parts too.
#1 Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) – 6.5
#16 Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) – 3
I liked the Lonely Island skit but it’s upsetting to hear the song in this context. :’ (
#8 Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) – 4
Is there an instrumental version?
#9 Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) – 8
I like this song, I like Queen, and I like Montreal but my attention span is not what it used to be. I blame the internet.
#4 Creep (TLC) – 6.5
#13 We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) – 4
I found the lead singer’s voice objectionable. Everything else, however, was working for me.
#5 Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) – 8.5
#12 Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) – 7
This sure is a round of visceral reactions for me.
#1 Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) – 10
vs. #16 Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) – 1
I am not sure this vote is legal, it is certainly not particularly ethical, but this is genuinely how I feel about each of these songs. I came thisclose to giving Jack Sparrow a 0, but I have only done that once in the hundreds of votes I’ve cast in these tournaments, and that was for this song in the play-in round. So I’m being a little nicer this time. But seriously, this song has no musical merit whatsoever. And what’s worse is that it’s not funny. Fatal sin. I never want to hear it again.
My vote for PWAR comes partly from loving the song on its own merits (it is well-known that mirrorball/here at all), but also from its deep association with some of the most idealistic times in my life (i.e. when I was 18/19). That was an epoch that covered both the happiest and most miserable I’ve ever been, but man, you sure do feel during those years of your life, don’t you? I don’t know that I would have loved the Magnetic Fields like I do if I hadn’t discovered them at a time when I was basically a walking raw-nerve.
#8 Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) – 3.5
vs. #9 Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) – 7.5
I couldn’t really pay attention to Dreadlock Holiday because Jack Sparrow put me in such a bad mood. And it didn’t grab me. I echo everything Sam said about Freddy Mecury’s genius. But, somewhat shockingly, I find myself agreeing with Orce. Recordings of live performances generally leave me flat. I would give up my left eye to be able to see Freddy Mercury perform live, but this doesn’t do that much for me (this being relative. It’s Queen. It is still fucking amazing).
#4 Creep (TLC) – 8
vs. #13 We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) – 9
“CrazySexyCool” was one of the first CDs I ever owned when I was about 12, but I didn’t really like it that much. I heard a lot of great stuff at that age and just didn’t appreciate it. God, pre-teens have terrible taste in stuff. Anyway, I haven’t heard this Empire of the Sun song, and I am not sure why I like it so much, but I do. I want to drive fast at night listening to it.
#5 Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) – 5
vs. #12 Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) – 5.5
Holy shit, this Van song kind of reminds me this Marshall Tucker Band song I haven’t thought about in years. It’s a song that, somehow, actually makes me kind of nauseous but for some reason I still listened to a whole lot in my teens. I’m listening to it now and yep… same feelings.
Funny, I heard Can’t You See when we listened to Can’t Find My Way Home (Blind Faith)
https://livingthedream.org/2011/06/21/round-of-256-division-h-right-side/
Papa was a Rodeo – 6.0 vs Jack Sparrow – 4.0 Rodeo was better than Lunesta yet strangely compelling.
Dreadlock – 7.0 vs Somebody to Love – 8.0
Creep – 5.0 vs We are the People – 3.0
Fishermans Blues – 8.0 vs Astral Weeks – 7.0
Papa Was A Rodeo – 5.5 vs Jack Sparrow – 5.0 – Rodeo – didn’t know that Steven Wright could sing; was going to give this a 5.0 but gave it boost ’cause it made me laugh. Jack was a drag.
Dreadlock – 6.5 vs Somebody To Love – 9.5 Dreadlock was pretty good; entertaining, even but just no match for Freddie. Janos’ comments about the live performance in Montreal seem to be spot on and I agree with him on live performances. I have no problem with live performance recordings in the pop/rock/whatever world – you can’t hear anyone sneeze. But that same sneeze can ruin a classical recording. That being said, I gave Somebody a 9.5 because it was live and I wasn’t there to revel in the moment. I would give my own studio recording a 10.0 AND………..if I had been in Montreal, I would have given it an 11.0.
Creep – 4.5 vs We Are the People – 3.5 Creepy! And the background sound effects were creepier and then annoying. People was just plain ycccch!
Fisherman’s Blues – 8.25 vs Astral Weeks – 7.5 A real tough call. I really liked Blues. Grabbed me and made my feet move. That’s always a good sign. Van, better luck next time.
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) 5
Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 9.5
I know Jack Sparrow isn’t a great song. But after an awful day, it made me so happy to hear, that it has to get a ridiculous score.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 6.1
Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 9.3
Queen live is ridiculous. Almost unfair.
Creep (TLC) = 5.8
We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 6
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 4.5
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 6
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) =7.2
this is the problem with music tournaments… you have awesome artists with a huge bodies of great (but obscure) work, and you send out one song of theirs and expect them to hold up without any leg to stand on. nowadays, shamefully, people buy their songs one at a time on itunes and lose all perspective of a “concept” album.
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 4
im sorry am i supposed to think this is awesome! because micheal bolton sings here? yes its kind of funny but is this a serious music tournament or a contest to see who has the most ironic tee-shirt?
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 7
kick ass!
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 7
Creep (TLC) = 6
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) =5
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 5.5
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 6
Yeah I like Van but this didn’t do it for me so much. especially since i had to buy it on itunes and it turned out to be a 7-minute song.
i nominated fisherman’s blues so of course its a ten (i only got two nominations by the way so of course i knew two tens). A friend introduced this to me while i was in denver and i took it with me to cape cod mass while i worked on a lobster rig at sea for 7 days at a time. i must of sang myself to sleep with this a dozen times. id go on about this song but i dont think anyone would read this and besides, id rather go to sleep. hope you go all the way waterboy’s!!!
shit! i meant a 10 for fishermans blues… and a 6.5 for van.
I’ve voted already, but here are, for only the first three matches (to my regret)
Sippy / Tim/ Jenasauras/ Cristina/ Kelsey
Papa Was A Rodeo = 6 4 4.5 – 5
vs. Jack Sparrow= 2 3 6 – 5.5
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 5 3 3 4 4
vs. Somebody To Love (Queen) = 9 9.5 5 8 8
Creep (TLC) = 8 9 8 9 9
(Empire Of The Sun) = 8 7 6 6.5 7
I also want to point out that Jen is a cartoonist, and most of her scores are my interpretations of facial expressions she drew on her score sheet.
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 8
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 1
The Magnetic Fields and, in particular, this song are indelibly linked to the person who gave me a copy of 69 songs.
– I just read Mike’s comment about this being, potentially, a gay love song. Is that really likely to drop people’s scores? I’d hope not. I think it is just a great song about alienation, differentness and, ultimately, about finding your match.
This song is much better with the video. Not sure what Michael Bolton is thinking with contributing to this song. Seems to me that he is being implicitly mocked for his participation at all and then actually mocked in the song. And while Lonely Island is great, they are not great songs. They are, in fact, really, really stupid songs and that’s what makes them great videos. This song does not deserve to advance.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 4
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 10
Dreadlock Holiday might have scored higher if I were laying on a beach in Thailand eating banana pancakes. But. I’m not. I’m sitting in an office on a rainy Friday morning and the prospects of a “dreadlock holiday” (e.g. getting high) are pretty minimal since work is for the federal government.
Janos was right. I never thought I’d give Queen only me 2nd 10 of the contest, but here it is.
Creep (TLC) = 6
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 5
I expected to drop a 4 or less on Creep, but it held up better than I expected.
No Grooveshark, no vote.
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 8
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 2
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 6.2
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 7.5
Creep (TLC) = 6.75
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 5
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 7
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 5.5
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 7
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 2
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 6.5
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 8
Creep (TLC) = 7.5
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 6.5
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 6
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 5.5
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 4
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 2
After the first listen of Papa was a Rodeo I gave it a 2. Due to other people’s enthusiasm I gave it another listen. I still don’t really like it, but I don’t hate it anymore either…hmm.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 5
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 7
Creep (TLC) = 8
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 5
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 9
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 3.5 [The reason why I gave it a “monkeypeeinginitsmouth” last time instead of a score was because it feels like Sandberg and Co. jumped the shark with this one, and I expect more. Michael Bolton has revealed on multiple occasions, including in the Onion movie, that he is willing to self-deprecate. Therefore, I don’t think it’s that interesting that he makes fun of himself, so the joke doesn’t resonate with me. I think those guys have done some hilarious things but mocking Bolton is as funny as making fun of accordions…. so there’s that.]
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 8
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 7 [I’m going counterflow here, but I’ve also been up for 40 hours…. so…. what am I … creep’s on.]
Creep (TLC) = 6.5
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 10 [OOH. This song sounds amazing on this stereo right now. The split channels make all the difference because you can hear the placement of the instruments– really nice production and recording. Thanks for whoever nominated this. Internet friends: upgrading the soundsystem makes WORLDS of difference, especially for modern recordings.]
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 6 [My record for astral weeks is scratched. Now you know that. But I also opened some wine. and it’s sunny out. ]
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 9.5
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 5
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 7
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 6.5
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 7.2
Creep (TLC) = 4
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 8.5
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 5
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 8
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 8.5
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 2
There is something brilliant PWAR – voice is somewhere at the intersection of Lou Reed and Crash Test Dummies (but don’t let that put you off). Loving it right now. Don’t know WTF is going on with Jack Sparrow and I don’t think I really want to.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 2.5
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 7
I find it hard to judge Dreadlock Holiday as anything approaching a ‘good’ song. I think of it as a novelty, not a good song. It’s better than Jack Sparrow though. Weird that a live song is in here: that changes everything, surely? I think it’s a bit weird unless you were actually there. I prefer the recorded original. Still good though, Freddie.
Creep (TLC) = 6.5
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 4.5
Creep – wow. Still pretty good I think. One of TLC always used to freak me out for some reason. They were so badass in those baggy pants. I’ve only knowingly heard one Empire song (walkingon a dream) and I like that more than this.
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 5.5
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 5
Fisherman’s Blues was nice but that’s all it was for me. Edge to Van but I don’t love either.
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 8
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 6
I have heard Papa Was A Rodeo on a local radio station, and each time I hear it, I like it more. And, of course, Lonely Island is always fun, but not really a contender.
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 5
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 9
Seriously, how is Freddy Mercury SO good? I love it.
Creep (TLC) = 7.5
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 4
Creep is the instant replay of the round. Immediately had to listen to it again.
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 9
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 7
In the movie Beautiful Girls, Uma Thurman’s character talks about how love is being together on a rainy Sunday morning, reading the paper and listening to Van Morrison. This definition has stuck in my head for years, and comes to mind every time I hear one of his songs – and automatically gives this one a high score. Totally was digging The Waterboys song too, though…
Papa Was A Rodeo (Magnetic Fields) = 6
vs. Jack Sparrow (Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton) = 3.8
Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) = 3
vs. Somebody To Love (Live In Montreal) (Queen) = 8
Creep (TLC) = 9
vs. We Are The People (Empire Of The Sun) = 7.5
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) = 8.5
vs. Fisherman’s Blues (Waterboys, The) = 7