Welcome to the tournament, Johnny “Guitar” Watson.
This is a really fun set, as evidenced by the presence of one of the kings of funk in the match-ups. Combine that with some mainstays and we’ve got ourselves a good set of songs. But first, the results of Day 3.
On the left side of the bracket, we still anxiously await an upset- so far so good on our Top 16 songs. “Thunder Road” outlasts “My Cherie Amour,” 69.5-62.1. “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” shows “Folsom Prison Blues” the door, 69.6-66.6. The right side of the bracket wasn’t as straightforward. A pretty unimpressive come from behind win for Thievery Corporation’s “Radio Retaliation” which eliminates “Roadrunner” 44.8-43.4 but can’t break a 5.0 average in the process. And in the rap battle, Eazy E’s “Radio” eliminates LL Cool J’s “I Can’t Live Without My Radio.” 50.6-48.5.
Alright, moving forward. Votes are due by Wednesday, February 27th at 8:00 PM EST. So vote tonight or tomorrow night, West Coasters. Playlist is here, full rules and philosophy here, and the tournament bracket is here. . See you in the comments!
Best Track One, Side One
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Beach Boys, Pet Sounds) vs. “Sure Shot (Beastie Boys, Ill Communication)
“Down On The Corner” (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willy and the Poor Boys) vs. “Modern Love” (David Bowie, Let’s Dance)
Best Song About The Radio
“On The Radio” (Regina Spektor) vs. “Are You Out There” (Dar Williams)
“Radio, Radio” (Elvis Costello) vs. “Baby’s In Love With The Radio” (Johnny Watson)
Living the Dream 
Best Track One, Side One
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Beach Boys, Pet Sounds) 7
“Sure Shot (Beastie Boys, Ill Communication) 6
Not much of a contest this morning. Gosh I’ve come a long way since I gave “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” that 0 after that girl blew me off on that dinner date 2 years ago.
“Down On The Corner” (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willy and the Poor Boys) 6.8
“Modern Love” (David Bowie, Let’s Dance) 6.5
No upsets here. Although Modern Love just might be a little much for this early in the morning.
Best Song About The Radio
“On The Radio” (Regina Spektor) 5
“Are You Out There” (Dar Williams) 5.8
Unexpected upset.
“Radio, Radio” (Elvis Costello) 6
“Baby’s In Love With The Radio” (Johnny Watson) 8
yesssssss.
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Beach Boys, Pet Sounds) 9
“Sure Shot (Beastie Boys, Ill Communication) 7
Aw, shucks, well ain’t Wouldn’t It Be Nice all sunshine and happy thoughts? I forgot.
“Down On The Corner” (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willy and the Poor Boys) 4
“Modern Love” (David Bowie, Let’s Dance) 9.5
I don’t feel Down On The Corner. I feel the big DB.
Best Song About The Radio
“On The Radio” (Regina Spektor) 9
“Are You Out There” (Dar Williams) 5
Regina Spektor’s ‘Begin To Hope’ album is one of my favourites. I think this song sums up everything that she’s so great at; I love it. Hadn’t knowingly heard AYOT before. Quite liked it at first but eventually found some of the lyrics quite annoying.
“Radio, Radio” (Elvis Costello) 6
“Baby’s In Love With The Radio” (Johnny Watson) 6.5
Whoah. BILWTR is….a lot. I feel all funky and stuff.
Best Track One, Side One
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Beach Boys, Pet Sounds) vs. “Sure Shot (Beastie Boys, Ill Communication): 8/7
Oh the Beach Boys…Just love how they harmonize.
Beastie Boys sure brought some nostalgia.
“Down On The Corner” (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willy and the Poor Boys) vs. “Modern Love” (David Bowie, Let’s Dance): 10!/6.75
There hasn’t been a time where I’ve ever heard Down on the Corner where my mood wasn’t improved…even on the best day. Modern love, I enjoyed you more than I expected to today.
Best Song About The Radio
“On The Radio” (Regina Spektor) vs. “Are You Out There” (Dar Williams): 7/6.5
References to November Rain and Jimmy Olsen…great match up.
“Radio, Radio” (Elvis Costello) vs. “Baby’s In Love With The Radio” (Johnny Watson): 6.5/2
I made it all the way through “Baby’s in Love…” without having to pause, and recompose myself. Which is why I didn’t give it a 1. Lyrics and music…not good. Rick James reference (automatic -.5)
Me / C / Shilpa
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Beach Boys, Pet Sounds) 9.2 / 6.5 / 8
“Sure Shot (Beastie Boys, Ill Communication) 7.1 / 6 / 6
“Down On The Corner” (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willy and the Poor Boys) 8 / 7.8 / 7
“Modern Love” (David Bowie, Let’s Dance) 9.5 / 9.2 / 9
“On The Radio” (Regina Spektor) 9.1 / 5 / 9
“Are You Out There” (Dar Williams) 7.3 / 7.7 / 6
“Radio, Radio” (Elvis Costello) 8.2 / 5 / 4
“Baby’s In Love With The Radio” (Johnny Watson) 6 /4 / 5
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Beach Boys) – 6.0
“Sure Shot (Beastie Boys) – 4.5
“Down On The Corner” (Creedence Clearwater Revival) – 6.0
“Modern Love” (David Bowie) – 7.0
“On The Radio” (Regina Spektor) – 5.0
“Are You Out There” (Dar Williams) – 6.0
“Radio, Radio” (Elvis Costello) – 7.5
“Baby’s In Love With The Radio” (Johnny Watson) – 7.0
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Beach Boys) – 7.0
“Sure Shot (Beastie Boys) – 5.0
“Down On The Corner” (Creedence Clearwater Revival) – 8.0
“Modern Love” (David Bowie) – 6.0
“On The Radio” (Regina Spektor) – 5.0
“Are You Out There” (Dar Williams) – 7.0
“Radio, Radio” (Elvis Costello) – 7.2
“Baby’s In Love With The Radio” (Johnny Watson) – 7.0
Best Track One, Side One
9- “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Beach Boys, Pet Sounds) vs.
9- “Sure Shot (Beastie Boys, Ill Communication)
I’ll let others decide. I love both of these too much.
6.5- “Down On The Corner” (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willy and the Poor Boys) vs.
8- “Modern Love” (David Bowie, Let’s Dance)
CCR is happy, but Modern Love is amazing.
Best Song About The Radio
8.5- “On The Radio” (Regina Spektor) vs.
4- “Are You Out There” (Dar Williams)
I’m with Mark B. Love On the Radio, Love Regina Spektor.
9- “Radio, Radio” (Elvis Costello) vs.
4- “Baby’s In Love With The Radio” (Johnny Watson)
Elvis has rocked the building.
Wouldn’t it be nice – 8.5
Sure Shot – 8.2
Though my heart really belongs to the Beastie Boys, Wouldn’t It Be Nice is an awesome track 1 to an even more amazing album.
Down on the corner – 8.7
Modern Love – 7.5
I agree with the previous statement that Down on the Corner is one of those few songs that can pick me up from any bad mood and make me wanna bop. Modern Love just doesn’t have that same affect.
On the Radio – 5
Are you out there – 2
I have a severe dislike for Regina Spektor, not because I don’t think her music is worthwhile, but because she clearly has a relationship with whoever designed the Pandora algorithm and it’s inevitable that any station will eventually lead to her, if you listen long enough. So bizarre. And the Dar Williams song was terrible, sorry.
Radio, Radio – 6.5
Baby’s in love with the radio – 6.2
Love Elvis + great funk numba’ = really close race. But ultimately feel that Radio, Radio is one of Elvis’ best.
Wouldn’t it be Nice 7
Sure Shot 8.5
The Beasties speak to me.
Down On the Corner 7.5
Modern Love 7
The Cool White Duke shouldn’t lose, but rednecks from California who are loremasters of the bayou win.
On the Radio 5
Are You Out There 3
Radio Radio 6.5
Baby’s in Love With the Radio 6.7