The theme of this Division is something about travel and enjoying music from around the world. We have artists from the UK, South Africa, Mali, Cape Verde, Barbados and one who was imported from Detroit. 
Lots of geographic diversity here. We also have a song about cartography (Maps kind of is, right?) and a song called “Go.” I think this Division is here to remind us to take an exotic summer vacation! The songs are here. Votes are due by 8 pm EST on Thursday, July 7.
Fake Plastic Trees was Radiohead’s first single from their second album, The Bends, to be released in the US. While the band was recording the song, Thom Yorke performed 3 takes of the song and then wept. It is 376 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Maps is 386th on the same list. Maps is about the relationship between Karen O. and Liars frontman, Angus Andrew. Maps is an acronym of “My Angus Please Stay.” Will the People agree with the Rolling Stone rankings in this match-up?
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) vs. #15 Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
Aretha Franklin
Until You Come Back to Me was written by Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul and Stevie Wonder, who originally recorded the song in 1967. Aretha Franklin recorded the song and in 1973, her version was a top 10 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #3, and Billboard’s R&B chart, where it reached #1. Go was written by Eddie Vedder and Dave Abbruzzese, was released in 1993, and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam)
Family Affair is another song that hit Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time – landing in spot #138. Released in 1971, Family Affair was the first number-one hit to feature a programmed rhythm track. It was a #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard R&B Singles chart. Pata Pata was written in the Xhosa language by South African artist Dorothy Masuka and performed by fellow South African Miriam Makeba, who released the song in 1957 in South Africa. The song was released in 1967 in the US, where it peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
#3 Family Affair (Sly and the Family Stone) vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba)
Salif Keita was born in Mali, but was ostracized for his albinism, which is believed to be a sign of bad luck. He traveled around Mali and eventually fled to Cote d’Ivoire in the mid-70s to escape Mali’s political unrest. He performs Yamore with Cesaria Evora, a popular Cape Verdean singer. Cesaria is nicknamed the “Barefoot Diva” for performing without shoes.
Cesaria Evora
We also have Eminem and Rihanna performing together, in a song that won the Best Rap/Hip-Hop Track award of the 2010 Teen Choice Awards.
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna))
And the handy, dandy pasteable:
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) vs. #15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam)
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba)
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna))
Living the Dream 
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead): 10
#15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs): 5
Fake Plastic Trees is, to me, absolutely perfect. Its lyrics leave it open to interpretation as only Radiohead can do so well but at its core (to me), it’s a heart-crushing ode to unrequited love. It is my favourite song and the best song I’ve ever seen performed live, several times over. Glastonbury 2003 – the best live music experience that may never be topped. I should say that I’m not actually a massive die-hard Radiohead fan. This, however, is the best song I know. It gets me every single time.
****************If anyone knows a better part of any song – ever – than when Thom Yorke’s voice cracks at “…if I could be who you wanted…” at 3:43, then please throw it my way. It’s a total killer and it leaves me prone to random unexpected bouts of man-emotion. *******************
Brilliant, brilliant. Oh, and it was my pick so please be kind – this is the only one I’m prone to getting personal about 🙂
I like The Maps but I honestly think it’s only average. It’s nice but not memorable for me. Chorus is annoyingly repetitive.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin): 7
#10 Go (Pearl Jam): 5
Oh, Aretha, you’re so damn smooth: rock that flute! Not my favourite Pearl Jam.
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone): 4
#14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba): 2
Love the boink-boink in the background of Family Affairs but not into the song as a whole. Pata Pata is definitely not for me – repetitive; feel like I should be doing a Macarena-type coordinated jig to it.
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora): 5.5
#11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)): 6.5
I have a hard time with songs like Love The Way… because it’s being compared to classics. I like it but I’m not convinced it’s going to be considered a classic further down the line. Yamore is a good song – first time I’d heard it – but I wouldn’t hunt it out again I don’t think.
thank you for nominating Fake Plastic Trees. it is one of my favorites too, but didn’t quite make my 8.
you’re welcome! I just hope blanket Radiohead haters take the time to listen to it properly…I think if you give it a shot, it’s irresistibly fantastic
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) vs. #15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 10/8
I really enjoyed Mark B.’s FPT commentary. I agree with most everything he said. It is one of my most favorite songs too, and when I hear it I am reminded of a poignant night that involved a guitar and a Radiohead sing along with someone who broke my heart. Our version of this song made me cry and sometimes Thom York’s does too. I also really like Maps, though. I think it’s a fun song and I won’t be heartbroken if it moves on.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam) 10/4.5
This Aretha is my nomination. I love love love love it! I wish I had back-up singers all the time. I love Aretha’s. I also love the flute. The subject matter is pretty depressing, but I could listen to this song 100 times a day. I love the “tap on your, tap on your, tap on your window pane” part at 3:05 especially. This song makes me happy. And I like Pearl Jam well enough, but this isn’t even close to a favorite PJ song, especially after Aretha! Sorry Eddie & Co.
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 7/6.5
Sly and the Family Stone is kind of fun but I’m not sure how many more times I’ll want to listen to it. Pata Pata makes me want to listen to the Paul Simon Graceland album.
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) 8.5/5
I liked Yamore more than I thought I would. It is kind of perfect tonight. Love the Way would get a higher score if Eminem were less involved in it. Although I dug his “imported from Detroit” superbowl commercial, I don’t dig him. He’s typically my least favorite and I don’t like Rihanna enough to make up the difference.
Fake Plastic Trees – 9
Maps – 7
Until You Come Back To Me – 3
Go – 8
Family Affair – 5
Pata Pata – 4
Yamore – 3
Love The Way You Lie – 5
Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead): 8
The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs): 7.5
Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin): 7
Go (Pearl Jam): 4.5
Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone): 3
Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba): 5.5
Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora): 6.5
Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)): 6
Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) vs. The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) = 7.5 to 8.5
As much as I have hated on Radiohead in this and the past tourney, this is a good song.
For some reason, I’ve seen the YYYs three times. Each time was in a very different setting, and each time they brought it – they get lots of respect for being a great live band and always having a good time on stage. And some reason for today Maps hit me harder.
Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) vs. Go (Pearl Jam) = 8 to 8
Think about badass Detroit is. Aretha wasn’t even on Motown there was so much goddamn talent coming out of there. Then the MC5 and the Stooges (well, Ann Arbor) were bringing the ruckus all at the same time. Hot damn!!
But sorry, I have a soft spot in my heart for the first two Pearl Jam records. Such a cool distorted fretless bass tone on this one.
Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) vs. Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) = 6 to 6.5
Oh man, I just realized this is the sample for the Weekend song the Black Eyed Peas song w/ Esthero. Which, along with ‘Joints and Jams’ is the only thing they put out that was good. Good lord they have no shame anymore.
Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) vs. Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) = 5 to 4
Great to hear some West African music!! Are they singing in Cape Verde-ian Portuguese?? – very confused.
There is a great Malian singer coming to Prospect Park this summer – definitely worth it!!:
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 7:30 P.M.
OUMOU SANGARÉ
http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/1361432
Will be a good show.
I’m a big fan of Eminem, a big fan of Rihanna, but not of this song. Also confused by the lyrical content and Rihanna’s past w/ douchebag extraordinaire Chris Brown.
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) vs. #15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) – 8:5
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam) – 6:5.5
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) – 4:5
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) – 3:9 (Rihanna’s voice is fucking amazing. Emotional subject matter, but Eminem, who I actually really like, gets a tad jarring here and there).
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) 8.4
#15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 7.5
Liked both. I like FPT acoustic better though.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 6
#10 Go (Pearl Jam) 5
Right, “Vs.” This is the song I always skipped. Upon further listen, I think I chose wisely.
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) 4.8
#14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 4.4
This song makes me feel like I’m stepping off a runway in Tanzania. In fact, as blasphemous as this may be, all you have to do is switch a P and a T for a W and a K and we’d get this different song for Africa, which is just lovely because those hips don’t lie:
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) 4.7
#11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna) 3
It’s pretty clear to me that Division O is going to consist of patiently waiting until the Round of 32 when Dire Straits and Radiohead go 15 rounds for a Sweet Sixteen spot. At least the seeding system worked in one group.
Well, I just discovered this contest. I hope it is not too late to participate.
5 is around average for me, by the way.
Fake Plastic Trees – 5
I hate to be the sole voice of dissent, but this Radiohead song really does not do much for me. It certainly is pleasant and listenable, but overall, the vocal melody is not very memorable, and the sparse instrumental backing is too generic to capture my interest. Ultimately, what salvages this song are Thom Yorke’s powerful falsetto vocals, and its atmosphere in general. It just needs more of a hook.
Maps – 4
Not a fan of this one, either. The composition as a whole sounds disjointed; the vocals, guitar, synth and drum parts could all work individually as part of a different song, but they just do not mesh together. The energetic drum line, for example, does not fit in with the soft, emotional vocals, and the mediocre guitar solo probably belongs in a different song.
Until You Come Back to Me – 6
Hey, I like this one. While this is rather conventional for Motown, Aretha Franklin’s voice is a strong enough asset to redeem any song. Nice touches on the arrangement, too, especially with the flute solo and the backing vocals. Not really a hallmark within its genre, but it definitely works well enough.
Go – 3
Wow, the bass riff is really neat, and this song gets a 3 solely for the drum and bass intro. Too bad the rest of the song brings the score down with its messy wailing guitars and its amelodic vocals. None of this is truly offensive, but it all amounts to a loud forgettable wall of noise for me. I confess to not being a fan of grunge, but surely the genre has better representatives than this.
Family Affair – 8
I am surprised at the low ratings for this one. How can you resist the funky bassline? Not to mention that really cool drum pattern; are those drum machines, on a song recorded in 1971? Nice, minimalistic guitar solos and keyboard backing, too. The lead vocals are subtle yet effective, and the female “It’s a family affair” backing vocals make this memorable on the first listen. Kind of an abrupt conclusion, though.
Pata Pata – 8
Aw, the two best songs had to go up against each other? I have no idea what the hell she is singing, but I really like this one. A very unique integration of ethnic sounds, big band brass, and an upbeat pop melody. I find it hard to believe this actually made it up to 12 the Billboard charts. Wow, when was the last time a non-English track made it anywhere in the pop charts?
Yamore – 7
Another song in an African language like Pata Pata, this one trades in Pata Pata’s immediate hooks for atmosphere. It still achieves its goals spendidly, though. Of all the songs here, this one that really takes you to an exotic location, with exquisite guitar work, ethnic percussion, and an anthemic chorus. The melody is a little repetitive, but still a brilliant composition.
Love the Way You Lie – 2
I confess having a bias against rap, as well. On the plus side, Rihanna’s chorus has a memorable melody, but this great hook is ruined by the abuse of Autotune and its lack of variation throughout the song. As for Eminem’s lyrics… well, this article explains pretty much why I find his lyrics insincere and deplorable.
http://www.cracked.com/article_18731_why-eminem-needs-to-find-something-new-to-rap-about.html
Never too late to get involved! Thanks for voting, hope to see your numbers again soon!
Welcome, MetricTrout! We love new voters! I hope you bring a whole school of friends along with you.
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) – 8.5
vs. #15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) – 7.2
This is in some ways a tough match up. I really like both of these songs and any other day I would have scored them the same in the 7s. But Mark B’s comment persuaded me to listen to it a little closer and I did. Thanks for that.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) – 6
vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam) – 4
I know Aretha is amazing and all, but sometimes her songs bore me. I never really knew this before, but I think I don’t like Pearl Jam.
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) – 5
vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) – 8.5
Loved Pata Pata. It was just perfect in the moment.
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) – 6.5
vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) – 7.8
I liked Yamore but it reminded me of things I had heard before in kind of a generic way. I always want to hate Eminem, but I can’t do it. This is such a catchy song and even though I’ve heard it a million times, I would definitely stop and listen again if it cropped up on the radio.
Glad you gave Fake Plastic Trees a closer look – it needs a few listens to be understood i think. glad to know you’re into it
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) vs. #15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) – 7.5 to 6.0
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam) 9.5 to 2.0
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 7.5 to 7.0
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) 9.0 to 2.0
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) vs. #15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 7.0 to 4.0 Liked the Radiohead track. Bit draggy in places but it fit the mood. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs get No No Nos for the too too too many repetitive elements in their number.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam) 7.5 to 2.0 Good stuff from Aretha but not great. Real pleasant listen but didn’t hit any of the right buttons for me. Go should just go away. More noise!
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 6.0 to 7.0 Sly was good but it hasn’t aged well. Pata Pata was the more pleasant listen. And there was nothing artificial in the ingredients.
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) 8.3 to 2.5 Didn’t understand one word of Yamore but I didn’t have to. Real nice track and more organic music. Rihanna got a 5.0 for her few moments and you can do the rest of the math.
Special guest voters tonight: my mom and dad! Theit debaates about scoring are greatly amusing me. My dad is using my rubric where anything under a 5 is something they would skip it.
Votes: Me/Papa/Mom
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) 8/5/6
#15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 9/7/7
About a minute into this, my dad asks, “Do we have to listen to the whole thing?” My mom really likes Thom Yorke’s voice, but they found the song kind of boring. Fake Plastic Trees happened before Radiohead lost me, and I have much love for the Bends. My dad likes the composition of Maps better; for me, the emotion in that songs hits home more.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 4.5/3/3
#10 Go (Pearl Jam) 5/7/2
My parents think Aretha sounds over produced. My dad likkes Pearl Jam–he thinks Eddie Veddar kind of sounds like Jimmy Paage, and he really likes the bass. My mom on the other hand expressed surprise that someone submitted Go as one of their favorite songs.
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) 5/5/7
#14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 5.5/6/5
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) 7/4/5
#11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna))
Before 8//5/6
Uh you guys my mom has been taking dance classes forever and for this last song, she busted out her hip hop moves. I have been waiting to see that for years. For that, II give them the win…and so do my parents, apparenttly.
High praise from my dad for this bracket: he says none of these songs actively annoyed him.
first, I can not emphasize enough how nice/different/better it is to listen to these songs on my sound system after doing the last few rounds from iPod travel speakers and headphones. It’s like the difference between franzia and actual wine, or kraft singles and actual cheese. … hm. Sounds delicious actually….
Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) 9
The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 9 [loses impact after FPT. tough match-up.]
Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 5
Go (Pearl Jam) 6 [First, this song did not age particularly well. Second, it took me years to realize that the lyrics were not “dunk the wombat.”
Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) 5 [Has better.]
Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 7 [Pata Pata]
Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) 6 [was higher but lost a point because it was by far the most repetitive song here- much, much more so than Maps. Looking at you, Senor Progenitor 😉 ]
Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) 7.3 [Em raps well here, and Rihanna’s voice is gorgeous. But the underlying progression and music is uninventive.]
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) vs. #15 Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs): 4/5.5
Weak matchup…do people REALLY like Radiohead, or is it a conspiracy? The Maps is not Heads Will Roll.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam): 4/6
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba): 3/3
Sad that one must move on.
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)): 4.5/7
Marshall’s lyrics and rhythm are great in this song, and Rihanna offers the perfect juxtaposition to Eminem’s aggressive tempo. Even someone who doesn’t like rap has to admit, the man might be the most talented lyricist in rap & hip hop.
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) – 8.5 – Wasn’t expecting quite so much love for Radiohead here, but I’m glad to see this song getting its due. My Radiohead days (first concert ever!) are largely behind me, but this song is deserving for its pure emotion.
vs. #15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) – 7 – Quite a matchup. Looks like this will be a close one.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) – 6 –
vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam) – 3 –
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) – 5.5 –
vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) – 6.7 –
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) – 7.7 –
vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) – 8 – Giving it +1 point because this song reminds me of last summer. +0.5 points for starring Charlie from LOST in the music video. Minus -0.5 points for the stupid line about window pane/pain.
Music video: http://youtu.be/uelHwf8o7_U
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) – 8.5
#15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) – 6
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) – 4.5
#10 Go (Pearl Jam) – 7
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) – 4
#14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) – 7
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) – 6.5 (i want to love it, but it’s so damn long)
#11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) – 5.5 (i want to hate it, but it’s catchy)
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) [6.25]
#15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) [7.5]
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) [6]
#10 Go (Pearl Jam) [5]
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) [5.5]
#14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) [6.5]
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) [5.75]
#11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) [8]
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) 6
#15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 7.5
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 7
#10 Go (Pearl Jam) 6.5
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) 5.5
#14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 7.5
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) 6
#11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) 5.5
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) 8.5
#15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 7
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 5
#10 Go (Pearl Jam) 4
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) 3.5
#14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 4
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) 3
#11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) 8
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) 7
#15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 8
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 5.5
#10 Go (Pearl Jam) 4.5
Aretha’s voice beats not my favorite pearl jam.
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) 4
#14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 4
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) 2 Sooooooo long and feels generic.
#11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)) 9
Eminem is distinctive and a lyrical genius in my book.
#2 Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead) vs. #15 The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
9.5:7.5
I’d be ok with Fake Plastic Trees winning the whole damn tournament.
Maps is a fine song too.
#7 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) vs. #10 Go (Pearl Jam)
7.3:5.5
#3 Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone) vs. #14 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba)
4:4.5
#6 Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora) vs. #11 Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna))
6: 4
As far as cheesy pop/rap collaborations go, this one is downright mediocre. Not one of Eminem’s 30 best raps, and Rihanna is a talentless (though attractive) hack.
Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead): 8.5
The Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs): 8
I love both of these songs. What a great listen.
Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin): 6
Go (Pearl Jam): 4
I like the softer side of Eddie Vedder.
Family Affairs (Sly and the Family Stone): 4
Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba): 7.5
I kind of love Pata Pata – I have it on my running playlist, and it just makes me happy and feel fast.
Yamore (Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora): 5.5
Love The Way You Lie (Eminem (feat. Rihanna)): 3