Our long-awaited championship round is underway, with contenders lurking around the corner. Listen to Game 2 match-ups here and vote by commenting before midnight on Friday. And read Guillermo’s Hurricane Camp stories on the site right now- late fall of 2005 includes many of my favorite stories from that era.
Results from Game 1
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin) def. Jungeland (Bruce Springsteen), 99-90 . Gmo swung for the fences this epic, and while voters were respectful, they went with Led Zeppelin. That left Dr. G with no choice but to turn to the Boss’s most decorated anthem, which once knocked “Don’t Stop Believin'” out of the LTD music tournament.
My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) def. Talk Too Much (Paul Simon), 96-77. Ilya is coming back hard in Game 2 with one of Simon’s top classics.
Baba O’Riley (Who) def. It’s A Long Way To The Top (AC DC), 126-93. While this one was never in question, Game 2 looks like a battle.
Bizarre Love Triangle (New Order) def. What Goes On (Velvet Underground), 110-72. Like Salem (Who), Jenn went with one of her big guns to kick off the series. Peter returns the favor for Game 2.
Championship
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
#1 Contender
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder)
Undercards
If You Want Blood (AC DC) vs. Going Mobile (Who)
Atmosphere (Joy Division) vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground)
Living the Dream 
Championship
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) 9.5
Born To Run (Bruce Springsteen) 9
WOW! This is my musical Sophie’s Choice. Wait, that’s terrible to write. I had a really hard time with choosing a song here. On one hand the frenetic sexual energy of music Zeppelin brings, and on the other hand the Boss makes me want to go and steal my buddy’s Trans Am and drive 120 mph. with my woman on my arm. Either way you can’t go wrong. Unless you have to vote for a song. Sorry Bruce.
Contender
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (Paul Simon) 6.5
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 8.5
As cool as Me and Julio is, Stevie wins with a kick ass bass line and killer horn section. Being a hack guitarist, any song that sings about the beauty of music has my heart.
Undercards
If You Want Blood (AC/DC) XX
Goin’ Mobile (The Who) XX
Atmosphere (Joy Division) 5
I’m Waiting for the Man (Velvet Underground) 5.5
I just don’t understand Joy Divison, or the Velvet Underground. Atmosphere has beautiful lyrics, but I can’t wrap my brain around the music, or the vocals. Sorry Team Joy Division. A story about scoring drugs normally has my attention, but it doesn’t here.
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) 6
vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 6
#1 Contender
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon)
vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder)
Undercards
What’s Next to the Moon (AC DC) 7 I assume the link was wrong. I just did a search for What’s next to the moon and ranked that instead, although the linked song, If you want blood, is pretty good too. I never really appreciated Bon Scott before, but his voice is great.
vs. Going Mobile (Who) 6
Atmosphere (Joy Division) 7
vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 7
Jacob, that was my mistake- Joe changed his pick to If You Want Blood. I changed the Grooveshark playlist but not the post, so if you could score Blood, that would be great. I’ve updated the post, so subsequent voters shouldn’t face any confusion.
I admit I liked What’s next to the moon a little better, but that seven is waiting if it gets renominated. If you want blood gets a respectable six.
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin): 9
Born To Run (Bruce Springsteen): 7
I don’t think I need to say anything here. Led Zeppelin is just fantastic, I know this is one of Bruce’s better songs I just can’t put it above Dazed and Confused.
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (Paul Simon): 7.5
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder): 9.5
I love this Paul Simon song, shame it’s against one of Stevie’s greatest songs.
If You Want Blood (AC/DC): 7
Goin’ Mobile (The Who): 4
AC/DC will almost always be better than The Who.
Atmosphere (Joy Division): 3
I’m Waiting for the Man (Velvet Underground): 3
I think I’ll let the scores speak on this one. Neither song really stands out from one another.
Championship
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) = 5.5 to 10
#1 Contender
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) = 5 to 9.5
I DJ’d once in my entire life. In college I dropped the needle on ‘Sir Duke’ at a basement party for a bunch of tweaked out raver types who were dancing to drum n’ bass all night. I cleared the floor and got kicked off the decks after 10 minutes.
Did I tell this story on the board in a previous tourney?
Undercards
If You Want Blood (AC DC) vs. Going Mobile (Who) = 8 to 4.5
One must respect AC/DC’s dedication to form.
Atmosphere (Joy Division) vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) = 6.5 to 8
Totally digging the Joy Division/ New Order entry.
And it still loses?
Sorry, in this case, yes. More to come!
‘waiting for the man’ describes a singular experience that I don’t believe has ever been replicated in a pop song.
Championship
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 8.5/9.5
#1 Contender
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 4/6
Undercards
If You Want Blood (AC DC) vs. Going Mobile (Who) 5/7
Atmosphere (Joy Division) vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 4/8
Championship
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) #
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) #
#1 Contender
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) 7.25
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 6
Undercards
If You Want Blood (AC DC) 8
Going Mobile (Who) 5
Sometimes I really, really love AC/DC. I have a good “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” story too. Keep ’em coming! As for The Who, I think mobile technology ruined the word “mobile” for me.
Atmosphere (Joy Division) 4.5
I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 7.5
Championship:
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) 9
vs.
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 7.5
#1 Contender
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) 6
vs.
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 6
Undercards
If You Want Blood (AC DC) 7.5
vs.
Going Mobile (Who) 6
Atmosphere (Joy Division) 3
vs.
I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 7
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) 6.5
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 9
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) 7.5
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 7
My law school comedy group did a spoof of Sir Duke a few years ago about law students hooking up and the guy not talking to the girl after. It’s pretty funny if you want to check it out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shQPhcvvhBI) and the chorus – “Talk to me when you’re sober/I’m still cute when you’re sober, baby” is now stuck in my head.
If You Want Blood (AC DC) 7
Going Mobile (Who) 6
Agree with Gmo about the word “mobile,” although I wonder if I would have noticed if I hadn’t read his comment before listening…
Atmosphere (Joy Division) 5
I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 6
Championship
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) 6
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 6.5
#1 Contender
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) 7
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 7.5
Undercards
What’s Next to the Moon (AC DC) 6
Going Mobile (Who) 6
Atmosphere (Joy Division) 2
I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 3
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) 5.5
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 9.5
I quite liked snacking on Dazed and Confused but could devour Born to Run in large portions every day.
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) 3.5
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 5.5
I think I was more or less born without the solo Paul Simon appreciation gene outside of Graceland start-to-finish; in context. Hard to explain but many of his songs out of the context of the full albums that they’re a part of just irritate me and I find them really hard to listen to and enjoy as one-offs. This is – I’m afraid – a classic example of that. I liked Sir Duke but it does get repetitive.
If You Want Blood (AC DC) 6
Going Mobile (Who) 5
Atmosphere (Joy Division) 7
I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 4
IWFTM was sampled to fantastic effect on 2ManyDJs’ ‘As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt. 2’ which, in my opinion, blows any of the Girl Talk albums out of the water. Not into it as a standalone track though. I hope people give Atmosphere a chance – it gets better with multiple listens and the lyrics are really great.
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
8.5 : 9.5
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder)
10 : 8
While songs like Dazed and Confused & Born to Run may be epic in their grandeur, Me and Julio is elegantly simple. Great tune, great lyrics, a whistling verse that he somehow pulls off without sounding cheesy- the way the Beatles could get away with “E-F-G-H-I-J, I love you!” It also hits the spot after a long day in court, and has been pretty maligned by other voters. I won’t be crushed if Sir Duke wins, though.
Dem Adam- I’m very sorry about your DJing experience. I once had a similar experience with Ring of Fire.
If You Want Blood (AC DC) vs. Going Mobile (Who)
6 : 5.5
Both of these songs were decent, but dragged on without anything new to say. I get it- if I want blood, you’ve got it, and you’re going mobile.
Atmosphere (Joy Division) vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground)
6.5 : 8.6
Some boss matchups.
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
8.6 : 8.9
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I liked Skism’s “Dazed and Confuzed” better than the LZ version, but no one ever said I had good taste in music. Both fantastic songs, not sure how I’m supposed to match ’em up.
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder)
7.4 : 7.5
Clearly, I need more Stevie Wonder on my Grooveshark.
If You Want Blood (AC DC) vs. Going Mobile (Who)
6.8 : 6.1
…And more ACDC.
Atmosphere (Joy Division) vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground)
##
Championship
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) 7.5
Born To Run (Bruce Springsteen) 9.2
This is probably the only time Bruce will win for me. Great song Led, but Bruce takes this one for me. I share the same sentiment Joe has, except Bruce wins for me.
Contender
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (Paul Simon) 5.4
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 9.9
Come on. This is a given. It’s like a blind man beating you in reading brail.
Undercards
If You Want Blood (AC/DC) 10
Goin’ Mobile (The Who) 7.8
Yeah… just watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7wFpMJr_hQ. One of the best scenes in a movie ever. EVER.
Atmosphere (Joy Division) 3
I’m Waiting for the Man (Velvet Underground) 4
Meh.
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 6.5 to 5.5
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 8.5 to 7.5
If You Want Blood (AC DC) vs. Going Mobile (Who) 4.5 to 7.0
Atmosphere (Joy Division) vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 5.0 to 4.0
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 7.0 to 4.5
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 7.0 to 7.5
If You Want Blood (AC DC) vs. Going Mobile (Who) 4.5 to 6.0
Atmosphere (Joy Division) vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 3.0 to 3.0
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 6.3 to 8.4
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 7.8 to 8
This surprised me. Usually I really like Me and Julio and few things would beat it, but it’s not summer time? And Stevie really hit the spot?
If You Want Blood (AC DC) vs. Going Mobile (Who) 4 to 6
Atmosphere (Joy Division) vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 9 to 8
Despite my love of New Order, I don’t know Joy Division very well. I’ve only head Atmosphere a few times, and I know it will not do well with most of this crowd, but this is a phenomenal song. Sparse and haunting. I don’t know that this is my favorite VU song but tonight it sounded good.
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) vs. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 7.0 to 9.5
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) vs. Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) XX-XX
If You Want Blood (AC DC) vs. Going Mobile (Who) 5.5 to 5.8
Atmosphere (Joy Division) vs. I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 6.0 to 6.5
Championship
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) *
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) *
I know Born to Run is really REALLY hard to beat. But I have to confess that Dazed and Confused is not only one of my 5 or 6 favorite Zeppelin songs, but I honestly thing the up and down ride of the song makes it more fun to listen to than the standard upper mid tempo chug of Born to Run. Dazed also has always felt to me like a forerunner of the Doom Rock and Stoner Rock – like an early, dominant form of what Black Sabbath distilled into multiple genres in the next few years after this song was released with the intense, slow drive followed by aggressive, fast paced wall of sound instrumental sections, etc. Forerunners and ahead of their time just about always… including in alcohol consumption. And probably cocaine consumption for Page.
#1 Contender
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) 6.5
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 8.5
Man, Stevie is an unstoppable train. Bruce/Zep are probably screwed in the upcoming title fight.
Undercards
What’s Next to the Moon (AC DC) 8.3
Going Mobile (Who) 7
Ahhh more rock is music to my ears. Loving this matchup.
Atmosphere (Joy Division) 3.5
I’m Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground) 5
Sorry, forgot to change the lead in for What’s Next to If You Want Blood. That is the right score though.
Funny you mention how Zeppelin was a prototype for some metal genres. I agree. Most people don’t. True Zeppelin was a blues band that dabbled in some Welsh folk, and Eastern music, but they were different than say the Yardbirds, or John Mayhall’s Bluesbreakers. Zeppelin had a different attitude that came from that perfect combination of those four guys at that time.
I will add that Sabbath was doing their thing at the exact same time up in Birmingham, so I don’t want to say that either band ripped off the other.
I can dork out on this subject all day.
Oh definitely Sabbath was contemporary, but the particular construction on Dazed isn’t really reflected in Sabbath (in my opinion anyway) until Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (my favorite album of theirs by the by), with the exception fo a couple tracks on Paranoid they were pretty steadily paced throughout their songs.
Definitely not ripping off at all – Zeppelin was always far more folky and experimental, and while they didn’t live in the proto-metal zone, when they went there, goddamn were they good at it. I think for those who don’t buy Zeppelin as the forerunner of lots of metal, take a look at every late 70’s, early 80s metal band in the US and UK – virtually across the board they’ll name Zeppelin as a major influence…except the people who name Venom. They’re just weird.
Also, love the Bluesbreakers shout out – I dropped in on them a while back when listening to some old Clapton stuff… they aren’t super consistent, but there are some gems – was thinking of throwing Double Crossin Time in the next voter’s choice, love that slow blues fill with the piano accompaniment
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Paranoid are amazing. Critics love Vol. 4. Sure it’s great, but not my favorite. Now Mob Rules is amazing as well, but I don’t hold it against people who say in a sense Dio’s Sabbath may as well be a different band.
Venom… yeah. Well they did start Black Metal. My buddies love that stuff, I have a difficult time listening to more than a track or two.
I love that Clapton era, and I dig where the Brits took the electric guitar.
Championship
Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin) 9,5
Proggy, trippy classic…and if you listen really closely, you can hear John Bonham’s kick drum squeaking. ITS MADDENING
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen) 7
Maybe his most famous tune, but I don’t think it’s his most well-written. A little radio-play-ish for my tastes, but still really good.
#1 Contender
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon) 9.5
This is one of my favorite Paul Simon songs. Childish, catch and I can’t help but smile when I hear it.
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) 8.5
Stevie’s the man, plain and simple. Not his best, but still awesome.