They may look like a rag-tag bunch, but they are winners tonight.

With the votes counted shortly after 8pm (EST), it didn’t take us long here at livingthedream.org to crown “Man on Fire” (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) the winner of the Second Annual Peoples’ Choice Tournament, as it beat “Just Like Heaven” (The Cure) in a nail-biter, 70-69.   “Man on Fire” follows in the proud tradition of past winners:

LTD Rock Tournament: Stand By Me (Ben E. King)

Peoples’ Choice Tournament: Somebody to Love (live in Montreal)(Queen)

Covers Tournament: With a Little Help From My Friends (Joe Cocker)

Last Band Standing: Led Zeppelin

“Man on Fire” posted strong averages throughout the tournament, and won plenty of accolades in the comment section.  Here was its path to the finals:

Round 1: def. Age of Consent (New Order), 125-112.

Round 2: def. Go Tell The Congregation (Black Crowes), 80-65.

Round 3: def. Tickle Me Pink (Johnny Flynn), 98-77.

Sweet 16: def. Long Monday (John Prine), 90-77.

Quarterfinals: def. Get Rhythm (Johnny Cash), 90-69.   That’s three Johns in a row.

Semifinals: def. Killer Queen (Queen), 87-80.

Finals: def. Just Like Heaven (The Cure), 70-69.

Once again, it’s been a fun ride.  I want to thank you all for nominating so many great songs and taking the time to vote and comment over the past few months.   Some familiar faces (or online signatures) have been with us since our first livingthdream.org tournament began in December, 2010.  Others are new to the party, but have quickly become regulars.  As with all music appreciation, the infusion of new voices and ideas keeps things interesting.

Though the Peoples’ Choice Tournament is a tradition that I would like to see carried on annually in some format similar to this one, PCT II is the last music tournament that I will be administering for at least a year.  I have an exciting new project for the LTD site that I look forward to sharing with you in the days ahead, and I also anticipate that 2013 will be an exceptionally busy year for me.  Tournaments only work when they are cared for daily, and Gmo and I, despite our best efforts, have been slipping a little in this regard.

This is not to say that there should be no more music tournaments.  Just the other day, Jacob suggested a 2:30 minute song tournament as a way to promote songs that generally don’t excel under our current format.   My answer to that idea and any other is that we will make livingthedream.org available to anyone who wants to lead a music tournament.  The logistics are straightforward, and the base of voters is ready to go.

So thanks again.  I look forward to rocking out and voting with you in the future