In about a week, we’ll be ready to crown a champion. Then that champ will have to turn around and face a new #1 contender. All the while, undercards rise through the ranks. That is Last Band Standing. Listen to an eclectic set of match-ups here, and vote by commenting below before 10pm (EST) on Wednesday.
Last Band Standing Championship
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen)
#1 Contender Match
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder)
Undercards
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who)
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order)* vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground)
* A panel of former coaches determined that New Order and Joy Division were sufficiently linked as a band to allow either’s song for tournament purposes.
Living the Dream 
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) 9
Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 6.5
It’s been a rough day and I really didn’t have the patience for Jungleland. Rock and Roll hit the spot though.
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) 6
My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 6.5
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) 8
Baba O’Riley (Who) 9.5
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order) 8.5
What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 5.5
Championship Round
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) 5
Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 7
This is one of the songs by Zeppelin I really don’t like. I know it’s really popular, but it’s just not a good song to me.
Jungleland is always such a weird song to me. It has this great tension in the verse and chorus with the lyrics, and how Bruce sings, but goes into this interlude with a sax, organ, piano, and strings, which loses me, but then brings it all back around once Bruce starts singing again.
Contenders
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) 4
My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 8
Think Too Much doesn’t do much for me, compared to Stevie.
Stevie has me snapping my fingers, tilting my head back, and feeling a great spring day. I can overlook the over the top strings that are all over this song.
Undercards
It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock and Roll) AC/ DC XX
Baba O’Riley (The Who) XX
Bizarre Love Triangle (New Order) 8
What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 6
Wow off the jump one the biggest songs from New Order. Great song, great lyrics. I can completely overlook the crummy electric drums.
The Velvet Underground is a band I haven’t listened much to. This song is ok. It didn’t rock my world too much.
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 4.8/7
Weirdly, it was the Zeppelin song seemed to go on forever.
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 5/5.1
I’m just not sold on Paul without Art.
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who) 6.8/10
Opening with Baba O’Riley is a bold move. I’d think that’s more of a closer. The only reason I wouldn’t give it a 10 is because I’m tired of it, but who am I kidding? I’m not tired of it. I do enjoy AC/DC, though. This may be a surprisingly tough match up.
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order)* vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 10/8
Holy shit I’m excited for New Order to be in this tournament. They basically defined my taste in music (why I thought I should try to be punk in high school when goth was so clearly calling to me is beyond me). Too bad that they’re up against the Velvet Underground; I’d like to hear some stuff from deep in the their catalog. Therefore, I hope this match-up goes 7 rounds.
Last Band Standing Championship
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen): 6/5.5
#1 Contender Match
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder): 6/6.1
Undercards
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who): 8/9
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order)* vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground): 4/4
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) 7 I never thought much of this track, but I think I finally get it: it’s a chuck berry song.
vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 4
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) X vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) X I can’t vote on this matchup, but that Paul Simon track is great. Sounds kind of like MGMT. Props for nominating it.
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) 6 vs. Baba O’Riley (Who) 9
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order) 9 vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 3
Also, if the ACDC coach nominates Who Made Who I promise I’ll give it a 10. I’m baffled why this song gets no radio play hasn’t become the song played during introductions to every hockey game. Plus it was in Maximum Overdrive, the cult classic about cars and appliances rebelling against their human overlords: This video is hilarious and totally kick ass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jvqPvDUEW8
Maximum Overdrive, a mid-80’s film loosely based on Stephen King’s short story “Trucks” from his first anthology Night Shift, IS AWESOME. Emilio Estevez, a soda machine that shoots cans out that kill people, a scene where a boy for no reason at all destroys a drive-thru menu with a machine gun, and more await your viewing pleasure.
Also fairly certain AC/DC does the entire soundtrack. Great reference, Skipper.
That’s Emilio Estevez? Awesomeness just got awesomer. And the drive through scene is pretty great. I’ve wanted to do that to drive thrus that weren’t possessed.
I had completely forgotten all about that song thanks. It has made the list.
I’m hoping for The Jack. Practically an automatic 10. Thanks for picking them Joe.
Adrock, The Jack is there. If I can make it long enough you’ll listen to it.
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) 5
Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 8.5
Was really down with Jungleland this morning.
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) 7
My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 7.5
I’m really not a Paul Simon fan in general (having defeated my beloved Fleetwood Mac aside) but this song didn’t irritate me which is a good result. Definitely my favourite PS pick so far.
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) 5
Baba O’Riley (Who) 7.5
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order) 6
What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 3
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) 9
Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 6.5
Damn. Nice job saving that one for last Adrock. Jungleland started out strong, but eeek 9+ minutes really wore on me.
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) 4
My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 8
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) 6.75
Baba O’Riley (Who) 8.5
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order) 5
What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 3
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) v. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen)
7.2:8.9
Wow, my tastes have really changed since high school. I still love the Zep, but epic Bruce gets me every time.
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) v. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder)
6:8.4
This battle is a tough one. Sorry Ilz, but I have to go with Stevie on this one. The hint of cheese mixed with strings just works perfectly.
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) v. Baba O’Riley (Who)
5:9.1
The epic track triumphs again.
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order) v. What Goes On (Velvet Underground) ##
Truly sad to be going up against one of my favorite groups. Cannot participate here, but may the best band win!
Sorry ya’lls to be remiss in my patriotic duty over the past week, I was out of town. Back in it.
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) = 10 to 6.5
Sorry on this round Gmo, ‘Rock and Roll’ is, in my mind, a perfect song. Along with ‘Train in Vain’ and I’m sorry I missed that vote.
#1 Contender Match
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) = 5.5 to 9
Undercards
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who) = 7,5 to 9
I dig the ending of “It’s a long way”
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order)* vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground) = 7.5 to 6
Last Band Standing Championship
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen)
7: 9.3
In light of Meghan and Mark’s comments, maybe Jungleland is more of a morning song. It worked well with my coffee.
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder)
6 : 6.5
I love Paul, but not a huge fan of the Hearts and Bones album. Beautiful hook for Stevie, but not much meat on the bones.
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who)
8 : 9.5
Salem knows I’m slightly confused by this nomination for Game 1, but it clearly wins. AC DC is going to be a lot of fun, though.
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order)* vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground)
8.5: 8
I prefer the live version of What Goes On- that would get a 9 at least.
Last Band Standing Championship
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 8.5 – 5
#1 Contender Match
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 6.5 – 6
Undercards
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who) n/a
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order)* vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 6 – 6.5
Last Band Standing Championship
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) #
Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) #
OK, I’m breaking my rule on not commenting on my matches, but only because Jungleland is very likely not going to win this. I mean, it’s almost 10 minutes long (although I do think long songs have a better shot in this format than formats where they have to repeat.) However, I would not be a good Springsteen fan if I didn’t put this promising benchwarmer in the championship, at least while it’s still early. Clarence’s most famous sax solo, the opening violin (by one-time Israeli E Street Band member Suki Lahav, this and Springsteen’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “I Want You” are kinda the only two times you hear her,) the crescendo, the poetry. Much like Incident on 57th Street, this is an attempt to reconcile love and violence in a modernized North Jersey Romeo & Juliet. Unlike Incident on 57th Street, it has the benefit of two more years of maturity on the part of Bruce and the rest of the boys.
People always talk about best Side One, Track Ones, but if there were a Best Last Tracks on an album, I’d think this would get some chatter. I see this song as a masterpiece, I almost nominated it for People’s Choice. In the least, I’m happy that my LTD peers have the chance to experience this if they haven’t yet and that it brought some enjoyment.
#1 Contender Match
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) 7
My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 7
Undercards
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) 7.5
Baba O’Riley (Who) 9.2
What everyone else said about leading with Baba. I’m really excited AC/DC is in this tournament, I know Joe’s got some strategy up his sleeves on this even if he’s the underdog. I have a good “Thunderstruck” story if we see that.
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order) 8
What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 6.5
For all the hubbub about Salem leading with Baba, I’d argue that this Jenn did something similar leading off with the strongest Joy Division/New Order track, at least to the average ear (although I eagerly anticipate “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” another near miss from my People’s Choice nominees.) Either way, what a solid match-up, I hope this goes to 7 as well.
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 6.5 to 6.0
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 6.0 to 7.0
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who) 5.0 to 8.0
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order)* vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 6.5 to 5.0
Mis-typed: Led Zeppelin 6.5 to Springsteen 5.0
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 6.5 to 4.5
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 5.5 to 6.5
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who) 4.5 to 7.5
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order)* vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 6.0 to 4.5
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) vs. Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) 7.5 – 6.5
I am generally a sucker for the epic song, but Jungleland would have been stronger, for me, at a minute or two less.
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) vs. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) XX – XX
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who) 7.5 – 9.5
I guess that’s what the mean when they say “go in with your best shot”
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order)* vs. What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 8.5 – 6
Pretty middle of the road for Velvet Underground (meaning it’s still quite good) versus a definite hit from New Order. This promises to be a great matchup as the rounds wear on.
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) *
Jungleland (Bruce Springsteen) *
No effort to sway folks. Jungleland is a terrific song. I actually thought it would do even better, hence busting out one of my favorite Zeppelin songs. I love where this is going.
Think Too Much (Paul Simon) 3.5
My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 6.5
Just not my songs for these two studs.
It’s a Long Way to the Top (AC DC) vs. Baba O’Riley (Who) 8.3 – 10
This hurts. I mean it physically causes me pain. I love AC/DC, and am as staunch a supporter of theirs as possible. But the opening to Baba O’Riley is basically perfect. And it just doesn’t let up. This was a big time gun from the Who. I’m going to enjoy this matchup more than any we’ve yet seen in last band standing.
Bizarre Love Triangle (Joy Division/New Order) 6.3
What Goes On (Velvet Underground) 7
Really fun start here too. Things are looking UP!