Somehow in the last ten years, the term “oldies” has come to include songs that came out when many of us were in elementary school. Guns and Roses, R.E.M., Michael Jackson- all of them get airplay on the oldies station. But it used to be that oldies referred to the songs from a time when people drove around in boat-sized cars with tail fins and chrome and went to drive-ins, where they were served by waitresses wearing poodle skirts and roller skates. In that spirit, today’s round presents several homages to the fifties and sixties, some by modern day artists and some by singers who were covering these songs when they were still relatively fresh.
Today's songs are all 100% Fonz-approved
Votes are due by Wednesday October 5 at 11:00pm EST. Grooveshark link is here.
Our first matchup features two classic songs about places of refuge: The Staples Singers rendition of fellow Stax recording artist Otis Redding’s Dock of the Bay and The Nylons’ acappella version of The Drifters’ Up On The Roof.
Next, we have Amy Winehouse singing the provocative and at one time controversial Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (originally performed by the Shirelles and penned by a very young Carole King and her husband in 1960) and Ingrid Michaelson covering Elvis’s I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.
Our third matchup pits two competing theories about the key to human happiness. Making the case for the materialists, The Flying Lizards channel Mr. Roboto’s sister in their version of Barrett Strong’s Money (that’s what I want). Making the opposing case for love (specifically good love) are the Grateful Dead with their encore staple Good Lovin’ (originally by the Rascals).
In our final match-up, Slightly Stoopid puts Peter, Paul and Mary’s Leaving on a Jet Plane to a ska beat while Joey Ramone looks back on Wonderful World in a track released posthumously and recorded just before his death from cancer in 2001.
No collection is complete without a Joey Ramone rookie card.
Link: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/Round+128+Oldies/61130700
Pastables:
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone
Living the Dream 
Really pumped about this set- now we’re talking.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers 8
Up On the Roof- the Nylons 5
Staples Singers are huge sleepers in this tournament. Looking for Otis covers to go 2-0 this first round. And can’t wait for the solo “The Weight.” Sorry Nylons, wasn’t feeling the a capella.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse 8.5
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson 9.1
This is brutal. Once I saw Ingrid Michaelson by myself at Toad’s in New Haven. Not ashamed.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards 6.2
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 6.8
Good match. Edge to Garcia for avoiding the use of radar sound effects.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid 2.5
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 6.9
I feel slightly stupider. I wish I could go back to 10 minutes ago when I was only aware of the song “Mellow Mood,” which is kinda wonderful. Joey makes WW fast and fun for sure, but I’m not sure if I want it like that. Looking forward to Iz.
Actually you know what, bump Flying Lizards up to a 6.5. Every tenth of a point counts.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers 6.5
Up On the Roof- the Nylons 3.5
Usually I love A Cappella versions, but wasn’t feeling this one. DOTB hit the spot though.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse 6
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson 8
I heart Ingrid Michaelson
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards 2
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 5.5
Ah sing-talking…how i haven’t missed you
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid 4
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 8.5
I’m a sucker for punk/rock covers of anything. How is mxpx not in this tournament again?
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers- 6.5
Up On the Roof- the Nylons- 4
And let me be clear. I love the goddamn Nylons. Had the tape. Don’t know how. Don’t care.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse- 6.5
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson- 6.75
These both fall into the embellishment category for me. Ingrid, I love you but that was a speak/sing cover. Amy, too much warble.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards- 8
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead- 6
Love love love the Flying Lizards cover.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid- 1
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone- 7
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers 8
vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons 2
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse 6
vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson 4
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards 7
vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 5 I like the Dead plenty, but Bob Weir just kind of annoys me in this version.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid 2
vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 8 Great swan song for the Godfather of Punk.
Staples Singers > the Nylons
a blowout win
Amy Winehouse < Ingrid Michaelson
closer, but edge goes to Ingrid
Flying Lizards = The Grateful Dead
This was going to the Flying Lizards the whole way, but the Dead just kept improving and in the end, I couldn't pick a winner.
Slightly Stoopid < Joey Ramone
Slightly Stoopid's cover made me want to skip over it. But it got a bit better, before settling into utter mediocrity. I didn't like Ramone's much better, but slight edge to him.
haha ok, so new voters are clear though- when you vote like this without numbers, this is how we score it:
x>y
x: 7
y: 5
x=y
x: 6
y: 6
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons 8/4
I really really loved Dock of the Bay. Up on the Roof made me feel like I was sitting on the floor in a lounge in the River dorms listening to an acappella show all over again. That’s not where I wanted to be today.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson 8.5/5
Amy Winehouse is so perfect in this song. Ingrid, I love ya. But when you say “Some things are meant to be” you have to MEAN IT!! For most of the song, minus a few really great flashes towards the end, it seems like what she really meant was “I can’t help getting a little crush on you because I like your glasses, skinny jeans and beard. But I’m not really feeling your vest.”
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 3.5/5
Is Zsa Zsa Gabor in the Flying Lizards? I kept anticipating a transition into the Green Acres theme song. I don’t love Good Lovin’ (the song, obv) or the Grateful Dead but this was better than I anticipated.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 0.1/6
Unless Slightly Stoopid is leaving on a jet plane to go to Jamaica, this cover is unacceptable. I listened to maybe half of the song and couldn’t do it anymore. Sorry. Really enjoyed Wonderful World, though!
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons 2/4
I was really hoping the Staples Singers were going to add something to Dock of the Bay so I would like it. Someone make me like an Otis Redding song!
I like acapella.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson 7/5
Both great songs and solid covers. It hurts me to do this because I LOVE Ingrid, but edge to Winehouse. I can feel it growing on me already.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 4/5
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 3.5/8.5
I was worried when I saw this match-up because Leaving on a Jet Plane is one of my all-time favorite songs, but just not feelin it. I can confidently vote for my own nomination.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers 7.5
Up On the Roof- the Nylons 5
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse 7
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson 5
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards 4
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 5
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid 3
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 7
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons 5.0 to 9.0
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson 9.8 to 5.0
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 4.0 to 7.0
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 5.5 to 8.0
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons 5.0 to 9.9 The Staples missed it on this one and the closing was all wrong.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson – 9.9 to 4.5 Winehouse was just great with this one. Keep playing and it will grow on you too. Just oozes feeling unlike Ingrid who could put the energizer bunny to sleep. No feeling whatsoever!
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 3.0 to 7.0. Money – you can’t want all but you’ll get nothing from me. Like the Dead even if this too was a little flat.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 4,5 to 7.5 Stoopid started out kind of cute but then went downhill. Joey was a big surprise. I liked it.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers = 6
Up On the Roof- the Nylons = 8 Yeah, I’m a sucker for a capella all male vocals. Deal with it.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse = 7
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson = 6
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards = 7 Deconstruction at it’s finest.
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead = 4.5 You know, I expected a little more from the Dead. This bordered on Jimmy Buffett cheesy.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid = 3 Me First el al covered it better, and that is saying something.
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone = 8 This is how you do punk covers. Everything just clicks.
I love ending on a good song. So much better than the last round.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers – 5
vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons – 3.25
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse – 5.5
vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson – 10
Ingrid is my nomination – I love this version of Can’t Help Falling in Love with You. When I am in a sappy mood (which seems to be frequently) I listen to this. For those of you who feel like she doesn’t really mean it… it’s the part at 2:14 “take my hand” that always gets me. When I saw that this was up against Amy Winehouse I worried I’d have to also score that high, but it didn’t do it for me. So – if this counts as a hammer it was unintentional.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards – 3
vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead – 4.5
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid – 2
vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone – 6.5
I feel like my scores are all across the board. I am trying to judge them based on how I am feeling in this moment, because I can’t figure out any other way to do this. Also, when I think of a good cover, it’s usually something I’ve seen live. There is something about going to see a band you love surprise you with a song from another band that you love (or a song that you are at least feeling nostalgic about). These covers are stripped from that context that makes them instantly amazing. It will be interesting to see which ones can hold their own in this tournament.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons 7/5
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson 5.5/6.5
Both of these songs started off great and then vocal acrobatics at the end tanked them. Keep it simple.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 8.8/3
Good Lovin’ sounds like resort music. Money is one of the best songs that’s been in this tournament yet. An actual unique interpretation of the original that’s weird, catchy, and iconic.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 4/9.5
Leaving on a Jet Plane is an achingly beautiful song with some personal import. This cover isn’t musically offense per se, but the fact that they did it to *this song* kind of is. This version of Wonderful World sounds so oddly beautiful and sincere. Love it. More than the original, actually.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs 6
Up On the Roof- the Nylons 7
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs 8.9
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson 6
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs 6.2
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead 5
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. 4
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone 10
Generally a high quality set here.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons: 9.4 : 4
Not even close. Staples Singers kill it.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson- 8.2: 6.1
Great job, Amy. Unfortunately for Ingrid, I prefer the Elvis and UB40s versions.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead- 3: 9.3
Is the Flying Lizards cover supposed to be a joke? I’ll give it a bonus point for that.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone- 7: 10
The only reason I didn’t nominate Wonderful World myself was that I already had one punk cover in the mix. It’s so tremendous.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons – 6/6.5
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson – 7/4
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead – 6/9
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone – 5/6
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers – 7.5 – This version smokes.
Up On the Roof- the Nylons – 6.3 – Nice vocal arrangement, but kind of drags.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse – 5 – Is that fake record crackling? +.3 for the falsetto around the 2 min. mark.
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson – 4.3 – Not crazy about this version.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards – 5.2 – The original lyrics kind of sound like a das racist song.
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead – 8 – Good ‘ole Grateful Dead.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid – 6
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone – 4 – Looking forward the the Iz version…
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers – 8 really nice
Up On the Roof- the Nylons – 6.5 enjoyed
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse – 8
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson – 2 almost painful at times.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards – .0.5 unbearable
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead – 5.0 refreshing after the previous song, but seemed to last forever.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid – 0.6-Bad rendition of an old favorite.
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone – 4.5, not a fan of Ramone.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers:8
Up On the Roof- the Nylons: 6
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse: 7.5
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson: 8.5
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards: 6
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead: 6
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid: 2
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone: 3
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons: 6/5
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson: 10/6 That’s right, Amy Winehouse, you get a 10, where ever you are…no, I couldn’t believe I did it, either but this was such a great rendition of a great song. I honestly got all Wonder Yearsy hearing this. Ingrid, you did a nice job.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead: 4.5/6
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone: 4/6
These are some impressively horrible cover songs! A veritable cheese platter.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers (7) vs Up On the Roof- the Nylons (3)
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse (4) vs Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson (1)
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards (3) vs Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead (5)
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid (1) vs. Wonderful World- Joey Ramone (4.5)
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers : 7.5
Up On the Roof- the Nylons: 3.5
Loving the Staples Singers. I tend to struggle with a capella and the Nylons didn’t change my mind.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse: 6
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson: 8.5
I love these songs, and the covers are both good – but Ingrid totally owns this match up.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards: 7.6
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead: 4.5
Totally giving an extra bump for Money due to a long-standing obsession with Empire Records – both the movie and the soundtrack. Totally couldn’t get into this Grateful Dead.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid: 3
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone: 7
I think if someone was that chipper about leaving me, I would be very upset. Shudder. Joey Ramone: yes please.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers – 6.5
Up On the Roof- the Nylons – 3
really liked dock until ~2:30, not a fan of the vocals after that. and i think i feel toward a capella what many have expressed toward instrumentals…
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse – 3.5
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson – 6
oof, did not enjoy amy. ingrid has a pleasant voice.
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards – 8
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead – 7
oh, tough one. i think people’s scores for money are strongly correlated to their level of obsession with empire records. i love empire records, and can’t help but love this song. the dead also made me pretty happy, but not a winner today.
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid – 4
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone – 7.5
ha, now i understand all the jet plane hating. it kinda grew on me though, not going to blast it. wonderful world was fun, i’ll take joey over louis.
Dock of the Bay- Staples Singers – 6.8
Up On the Roof- the Nylons – 4
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse – 4
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You- Ingrid Michaelson – 8.5 [It’s a daring song to sing, and I bought her rendition—it was delicate.]
Money (that’s what I want)- Flying Lizards – 9.5 [one of my favorite covers of all time. It grabs the character and satirizes her while still appealing to exactly the type of people who it’s mocking. Plus it earned quite a bit of money.]
Good Lovin’- The Grateful Dead – 6.8
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Slightly Stoopid – 4
Wonderful World- Joey Ramone – 9