Beastie Boys get their day in the sun this round- will they survive to get another?
Photo finish! Thanks to all the voters that plugged their opinions, and it’s so nice to see some old recognizable handles back on the site. Without further ado:
High score goes to AC/DC and “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Want To Rock And Roll)”- voters could just not get enough of those bagpipes and it showed in the scores. Van Halen’s “Running With The Devil” is eliminated, 123.85-116.8.
The rest of our match-ups were all close at a point but all winners come out with at least a 2 point lead. “Lust For Life” defeats “Holidays In The Sun,” 115.1-112.9. Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” defeats “Seven Nation Army,” 119.8-117.3. And last, Peter Gabriel blows an early lead as “Red Rain” falls to Paul Simon’s “Boy In The Bubble,” 115.7-112.1.
Next set of match-ups are fun. From the cradle of rock to the cradle of rap, who gets the nod? Matchups are due Monday, February 11th at 8:00 PM. Playlist is here, whoop whoop:
“Modern Love,” David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983) vs.
“Message In A Bottle,” The Police, Regatta de Blanc (1979)
“My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour (1969) vs.
“Ole Man Trouble,” Otis Redding, Blue Otis (1965)
“Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley (1956) vs.
“I’m Gonna Love You Too,” Buddy Holly, Buddy Holly (1958)
“Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys, Ill Communication (1994) vs.
“Straight Outta Compton,” NWA, NWA (1988)
Living the Dream 
I don’t know how I missed the start of this. I’m really disappointed in myself. That being said, kudos for such great matchups today.
“Modern Love,” David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983) vs.
“Message In A Bottle,” The Police, Regatta de Blanc (1979): 4/7
“My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour (1969) vs.
“Ole Man Trouble,” Otis Redding, Blue Otis (1965): 7/5.5
I liked this matchup.
“Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley (1956) vs.
“I’m Gonna Love You Too,” Buddy Holly, Buddy Holly (1958): 6/6
I really liked this matchup.
“Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys, Ill Communication (1994) vs.
“Straight Outta Compton,” NWA, NWA (1988): 6/7
Wow!!!
Me and C
“Modern Love,” David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983) vs. 9.3 / 9.3 (amazing!)
“Message In A Bottle,” The Police, Regatta de Blanc (1979) 7.9 / 7.9 (amazing!!)
“My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour (1969) vs. 7.5 / 6
“Ole Man Trouble,” Otis Redding, Blue Otis (1965) 7 / 7.8
“Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley (1956) vs. 7 / 8.4
“I’m Gonna Love You Too,” Buddy Holly, Buddy Holly (1958) 8.2 / 7.4
Elvis loses points for covering Carl Perkins if we’re voting for the best Track 1s of all time.
Meanwhile, you can see how Buddy Holly was the Beatles’ favorite artist.
“Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys, Ill Communication (1994) vs. 7.3 / 7.3
“Straight Outta Compton,” NWA, NWA (1988): 9.1 / 8.7
Straight Outta Compton is what this tournament is all about. This song shook the foundations of modern music, announcing that confrontational rap was about to go mainstream, with no apologies.
Sorry I missed day 1 – somehow I missed the announcement. My vote would have actually swayed 7 Nation Army to beat Amy Winehouse.
“Modern Love,” David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983) vs.
“Message In A Bottle,” The Police, Regatta de Blanc (1979): 5.5 – 7.5
“My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour (1969) vs.
“Ole Man Trouble,” Otis Redding, Blue Otis (1965): 7- 5
“Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley (1956) vs.
“I’m Gonna Love You Too,” Buddy Holly, Buddy Holly (1958): 6.5 – 5
“Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys, Ill Communication (1994) vs. 8
“Straight Outta Compton,” NWA, NWA (1988) 3.5
The sense of loss for Peter Gabriel not even making it past play in round was devastating. Drive on.
6- “Modern Love,” David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983) vs.
8- “Message In A Bottle,” The Police, Regatta de Blanc (1979)
Police starting off with a solid jam.
9- “My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour (1969) vs.
7- “Ole Man Trouble,” Otis Redding, Blue Otis (1965)
Love me some Stevie Wonder.
5- “Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley (1956) vs.
8- “I’m Gonna Love You Too,” Buddy Holly, Buddy Holly (1958)
Buddy MF’n Holly. Too soon. Too soon.
10- “Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys, Ill Communication (1994) vs.
9- “Straight Outta Compton,” NWA, NWA (1988)
How did this end up being a play in matchup? These are both bangers. I weep for whichever does not make it. Two of my favorite hip hop jams of all time.
It was incredibly tough figuring out which 16 songs got a first round bye. This is where I landed in the end:
1966 Wouldn’t It Be Nice Beach Boys Pet Sounds
1967 Purple Haze Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced
1969 Gimme Shelter Rolling Stones Let It Bleed
1969 Down On The Corner CCR Willy and the Poor Boys
1969 Come Together The Beatles Abbey Road
1971 Black Dog Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV
1971 Baba O’Riley The Who Who’s Next
1971 What’s Going On Marvin Gaye What’s Going On
1975 Thunder Road Bruce Springsteen Born To Run
1975 Tangled Up In Blue Bob Dylan Blood On The Tracks
1977 Second Hand News Fleetwood Mac Rumours
1983 Wanna Be Startin’ Something Michael Jackson Thriller
1983 Burning Down The House Talking Heads Speaking In Tongues
1987 Where The Streets Have No Name U2 The Joshua Tree
1989 Debaser The Pixies Doolittle
1991 Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana Never Mind
Yeah, fair enough. I keep forgetting this is one side of the bracket and not the whole thing. The only thing I envy about making all those choices is how many times you must have listened to so many amazing track one/side ones.
Modern Love – 8.2
Message in a Bottle – 7
Sort of surprised myself with this score, as my first instinct before hearing was leaning towards Police, but you can’t deny Bowie’s magnitude in everything.
My Cherie Amour – 9
Ole Man Trouble – 6.2
I love Otis, but this song doesn’t really do him any justice. Stevie, however, came really strong out of the gate.
Blue Suede Shoes – 8
I’m gonna love you too – 7.9
Hardest.matchup.ever.
Sure Shot – 8.9
Straight outta Compton – 5
There’s magic in those three Jewish boys from New York. Pure, golden magic.
“Modern Love,” David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983) 5.3.
“Message In A Bottle,” The Police, Regatta de Blanc (1979) 6.8
“My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour (1969) 6.5
“Ole Man Trouble,” Otis Redding, Blue Otis (1965) 5
“Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley (1956) 7.5
“I’m Gonna Love You Too,” Buddy Holly, Buddy Holly (1958) 6.5
“Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys, Ill Communication (1994) 7
“Straight Outta Compton,” NWA, NWA (1988) 9.5
“Modern Love,” David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983) 8
“Message In A Bottle,” The Police, Regatta de Blanc (1979) 4.5
I’m just gonna say it… I don’t like the Police that much. I had this at a 5 and then it just didn’t stop and I skipped the last 2 minutes.
“My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour (1969) 4.6
“Ole Man Trouble,” Otis Redding, Blue Otis (1965) 5.5
Stevie Wonder is hit or miss for me and this is a miss. Otis is great but this song doesn’t grab me.
“Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley (1956) 7
“I’m Gonna Love You Too,” Buddy Holly, Buddy Holly (1958) 8
Buddy Holly just cheers you right up, doesn’t he?
“Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys, Ill Communication (1994) 7
“Straight Outta Compton,” NWA, NWA (1988) 7.5
Modern Love – 9
Message in a Bottle – 5
Increasingly obsessed with Bowie. He somehow gets better (and even his new single is great) and this song is firmly in the ‘most approachable Bowie’ category. It makes me happy still, even after having heard it a million times. I just really don’t love the Stinger so much.
My Cherie Amour – 6
Ole Man Trouble – 6.5
I think I’m supposed to love Stevie Wonder but I don’t dig him as much as most. I’d never choose to listen to this track, I don’t think.
Blue Suede Shoes – 5.5
I’m Gonna Love You Too – 6
I’d take Buddy over Elvis any day of the week. Close one, though.
Sure Shot – 7.5
Straight Outta Compton – 5
Beasties all the way for me.
Modern Love – 8
Message in a Bottle – 6.8
I don’t mind the Police, but MIAB doesn’t really do it for me. On the other hand, “Modern Love” opening up Let’s Dance? Classic Bowie.
My Cherie Amour – 7
Ole Man Trouble – 6.6
Classic Otis. But the Stevie Wonder song makes me think of dusty summers and old school Pepsi machines. That wins this morning.
Blue Suede Shoes – 6.1
I’m Gonna Love You Too – 7.2
Buddy Holly, you are so good at pick me ups. Hadn’t remembered that Blue Suede Shoes was a Perkins cover. Regardless, this being a battle of two icons eponymous albums, giving the nod to the Texas titan.
Sure Shot – 7.3
Straight Outta Compton – 7.9
Sure Shot is a fine enough song, I’ve been listening to it pretty regularly this last week and it’s on my running mix now. Straight Outta Compton is absolutely epic. It wins points for relativism as well.
Bowie 7.7
Police 6.1
Stevie 5.9
Otis 7.5
Elvis 9.6
Buddy Holly 9.0
Beastie Boys 7
Nwa 8
“Modern Love,” David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983) vs. 5.5
“Message In A Bottle,” The Police, Regatta de Blanc (1979) 7.5
Not bad for Bowie; could actually understand him on this – but not good enough.
“My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour (1969) vs. 6.5
“Ole Man Trouble,” Otis Redding, Blue Otis (1965) 6.0
I was Wondered out from the last band standing contest but this is not Otis’ best. Hence………
“Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley (1956) vs. 8.0
“I’m Gonna Love You Too,” Buddy Holly, Buddy Holly (1958) 6.0
The King – at last some real rock ‘n roll. Usually love Holly but this is not premium material for him.
“Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys, Ill Communication (1994) vs. 4.0
“Straight Outta Compton,” NWA, NWA (1988) 2.0
Nothing to say!!
“Modern Love,” David Bowie, Let’s Dance (1983) vs. 5.5
“Message In A Bottle,” The Police, Regatta de Blanc (1979) 7.2
“My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder, My Cherie Amour (1969) vs 7.0.
“Ole Man Trouble,” Otis Redding, Blue Otis (1965) 6.0
“Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley (1956) vs. 8.5
“I’m Gonna Love You Too,” Buddy Holly, Buddy Holly (1958) 6.0
“Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys, Ill Communication (1994) vs. 5.0
“Straight Outta Compton,” NWA, NWA (1988) 2.0