UPDATE: RESULTS POSTED BELOW
We are on to a 2nd set of matchups. Thanks to Brian and Lindsay for putting this together.
Folks have until midnight on Monday to vote in the comment section. Unlike past tournaments, we are posting the results of the previous vote in the original post – so for Division A results, look at the original Division A post.
Here’s the Spotify link.
And without further ado:
Round 1 Division B
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
Results posted! These are going to be some very interesting Round of 32 matchups!
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) – 165.6 vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal) – 110.55
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) – 165.1 vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood) – 116
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) – 150 vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen) – 147.3
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) – 144.4 vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne) – 120.4
Stories from the vault…
“Careless Whisper” by Brian O: I’m having trouble explaining why this song seems right. For some reason it made me think of the night when our entire fraternity went over to the house next door to defend Olivos’ honor. The night ended in a mysteriously broken television. Every time I think of Will, I think of that night.
“Superstition” by committee: Tournament champion at Hands On summer ’06 tournament, which Guillermo personally supervised after dinner each night
“Finer Things” by Dan Sherman: G-Mo stopped a conversation we were having over the phone once and held his phone up to the Astrostar’s speaker while this song played in its entirety. I’m including it because its an example of how passionate he was about music, that he wanted everyone around him to feel the message and meaning like he did.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by committee: This song won the “Best Album Lead-Off” Tournament that Guillermo ran in 2013.
“With A Little Help From My Friends” by Sue Cole: No particular reason other than it makes me think of Biloxi
“Atlantic City” by Rafter: Trying to decide on one song here is nearly impossible, but I can’t hear this without thinning of Biloxi, and can’t think of Biloxi without gmo.
“Thriller” by Josh Potter: Guillermo and I both took pride in the fact that Michael Jackson’s Thriller was the number one album the year we were born. It’s become a little harder to love MJ unconditionally, but my nomination is in the spirit half-baked decisions that were fun at the time and look pretty bad in retrospect–like when G-Mo and I dressed up for Halloween “reverse-trick-or-treating” in Biloxi, him as a Native American casino owner (headdress and all) and me as Jesus H. Christ (using the church’s cardboard nativity decorations).
“Running On Empty” by Maegan O: Mentioned during Biloxi remembrance memorial
Living the Dream 
Scoring by Janos and Allison:
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
J 8 : 6.5
A 8 : 6
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
J 7.5 : 6
A 9 : 5
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
J 9 : 7.5
A 9: 8.5
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
J 8.5 : 7
A 9.5 : 7.5
9.5- “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder)
6- “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
Superstition is just one of those songs you can’t help but wanna fuckin BOOGIE down to. I kinda wish this was the original Careless Whisper but this was a solid and fun cover. I’m hearing it for the first time, I’m a big EODM fan, but they have MUCH better originals.
8.5- “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana)
5- “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
Nirvana is easily one of my fave bands and I often listen to and enjoy every album in its entirety. This song, although played out, is a rocker and some of the best production. Finer Things is cheesy AF but enjoyable for novelty reasons and it would be a lower score if I didn’t appreciate that awful synth.
10- “With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker)
5- “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
As somebody who grew up looking like Fred Savage and had a crush on Winnie Cooper, this song is one of my all time favorites. Just a great song with a message that everybody can relate to. That being said, I still don’t like The Boss but this is one of his better songs.
9- “Thriller” (Michael Jackson)
5- “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
I want to give Thriller a 10 because it’s one of the most popular songs ever, and it’s silly, and frickin horror based, but I’m gonna give it a 9 because it’s one of the most popular songs ever, and it’s silly, and it’s frickin horror based. Running On Empty is a decent rock n roll hit. Good for hearing in the garage, when you’re a stepdad working on your beat up firebird, but I just don’t feel anything special from it.
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder)
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana)
“Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson)
I forgot scores
ound 1 Division B
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) 9.0 vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal) 3.5
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) 10.0 vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood) 6.1
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) 9.4 vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen) 9.6
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) 9.7 vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne) 8.8
Aiko’s votes
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
9 to 6.75
Superstition (and I guess Stevie Wonder in general) is the exception to my general dislike of funk. This song just has such a great groove. I don’t like the original of Careless Whisper much, but Eagles of Death metal is funny on a few levels and I enjoy this version for the most part. You can tell they’re having fun.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
10 to 4
Here I am listening to Teen Spirit at 11am in the morning in my living room in my decidedly middle class, approaching-middle-age life, keeping one eye on a toddler and the other eye on a kitten… and it still manages to sound fresh and urgent and raw and evoke all the angst of my teens and 20s but in the very best way. And the older I get the more I appreciate all the technical aspects of this song: the pacing, the balance between melody and distortion, the vocals. It’s just so well crafted and well executed, on top of being seminal. If that’s not a 10, I don’t know what is.
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
5 to 10.
I’d 50/50 change the channel when Cocker comes on, but Atlantic City is probably my favorite Springsteen song, tied with I’m on Fire. It’s perfect anytime, and I can listen to it any time.
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
7.5 to 3
—
Ian’s votes
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
9 to 4
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
8.5 to 6
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
8 to 10
Ian agrees about Atlantic City being the best Springsteen, though his favorite is Mr. Policeman.
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
7 to 1
Ian wouldn’t even let us finish Running on Empty; his mom played it to death in his childhood. Some songs, you just hit your saturation point with.
10 – “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder)
6.5 – “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
8 – “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana)
5- “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
7 – “With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker)
7.5 – “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
8 – “Thriller” (Michael Jackson)
8.5 – “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
8.2 “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) – Short and sweet; improves a day.
5.7 “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal) – innocuous moto-music; I’m medium on the original George Michaels version, but this 80’s Miami video is pretty perfect: https://youtu.be/izGwDsrQ1eQ?t=111
7.5 “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) – Classic. Will get higher points on a different day.
“Finer Things” (Steve Winwood) 7.0 – Roller-rink perfection. I actively disliked parts of this and enjoyed others. Overall, more enjoyable and ridiculous.
7.8 “With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) – Music critics loved hating on Joe Cocker, but he did solid covers. And like Jim Rock, I also have Wonder Years nostalgia.
9.3 “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen) – Undeniable.
5.0 “Thriller” (Michael Jackson) – Barely noticed it was playing and was annoyed by the cartoony parts today. Know it’s a great song- another one that really depends on the situation.
7.8 “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne) – I wrote off this track as 70s pop, and never listened to it until this summer when I put it on my driving around playlist after it came up when talking about G-Mo. Really liking it driving around this summer past back lane farmlands. Same effect today.
Superstition – 7.5
Careless Whisper – 2.5
George Michael is covering his ears in his grave.
Smells Like Teen – 3.5
Finer Things – 7.8
With a Little Help – 6.5
Atlantic City – 4.5
Cocker has better covers but he gets some love here because he reminds me of the Belushi skits on SNL when it used to be great. Don’t understand the adoration of Springsteen.
Thriller – 6.0
Running on Empty – 7.5
Never a big MJ fan. This one makes for a better video with the theatrics thrown in. Do like Jackson Browne but he too has better work. But we’re the same age so that has to count for something.
Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) 10 vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal) 7
That Eagles of Death Metal cover was great, but no competition against Superstition. The first 20 seconds of
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) 9 vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood) 6
This video for the Finer Things that I found on youtube contains an incredible collection of cheesy stock photos, so that gave it an extra point. But Smells Like Teen Spirit is kind of like news of the death of Princess Diana in that I’ll always remember where I was when I heard it.
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) 5 vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen) 6
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) 6 vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne) 9
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) – 8 – I’ve always wondered: is a 13 month old baby bad luck?
“Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal) – 6 – had never heard this, but did enjoy it upon first listen
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) – 6.5 – Ekes out a win, maybe only because of its cultural prominence
“Finer Things” (Steve Winwood) – 6 – I always had a soft(er) spot for Higher Love. Steve Winwood apparently had a soft spot for comparatives
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) – 9 – a tour de force of rock and roll
“Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen) – 8.5 – “and the DA can’t get no relief”, neither can The Boss up against this classic
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) – 5 – too much and too little
“Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne) – 6 – saccharine but in a good way
solid matchups! the underdogs (in my view) performed better than expected.
r = ryan’s scores
n = natalie’s scores
superstition: r = 5.5, n = 8
careless whisper: r = 5.5, n = 6.5
it’s possible i would have scored superstition higher if i was listening on better speakers. i enjoyed careless whisper more than expected.
smells like teen spirit: r = 7.5, n = 9
the finer things: r = 8, n = 7.5
this one also ended up surprisingly tighter than i would have thought. i’m not feeling very articulate at the moment, but aiko’s comments for “teen spirit” are pretty spot-on for me (minus the toddler-watching part), and i could see this song inching toward a 10 in rounds to come.
with a little help from my friends: r = 10, n = 9.5
atlantic city: r = 8, n = 7
damn, “little help” is near perfection, and it’s one i rarely listen to. i’ll never forget seeing these guys crush it at a bluegrass festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzPIZs0tAN4.
atlantic city is one of bruce’s more tolerable songs.
thriller: r = 4.5, n = 4
running on empty: r = 5.5, n = 5.5
both of these lost about 0.5 points/minute as i listened.
Loved that Hillbenders cover!
I know I’m a bit late on the entry – Sorry, it’s hard to find a time on weekend to sit down and listen when watching after the kids.
Superstition 8 – Carless Whisper 4
Smells Like Teen Spirit 9 – The Finer Things 5
With a Little Help from My Friend 7 – Atlantic City 5
Thriller 6 – RUnning on Empty 5
Also late on my entry!
10 – “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder)
5 – “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
8 – “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana)
6- “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
5 – “With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker)
7 – “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
8 – “Thriller” (Michael Jackson)
7 – “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
Cristina 8.3 – 5.7
Ahmed 8.1 – 5.9
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
Cristina 9.9 – 4.8
Ahmed 8 – 3.5
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
Cristina 7.9- 7.5
Ahmed 4.9 – 2.4
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
Cristina 9.8 – 5
Ahmed 9.3 – 2.7
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
Cristina 8.3 -5.7
Ahmed 8.1 – 5.9
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
Cristina 9.9 – 4.8
Ahmed 8 – 3.5
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
Cristina 7.9 – 7.5
Ahmed 4.9 – 2.4
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
Cristina 9.8 – 4.9
Ahmed 9.3 – 2.7
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
Superstition is such a great song. I don’t think I’ve ever heard this version of Careless Whisper before. It’s not bad!
9/7.5
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
I often think that I don’t like Nirvana but every time I hear this song, I reconsider that opinion.
8/6.5
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
8/8.1
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
6.5/7
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder): 6 hot take, I know. I just want it to be Boogie On Reggae Woman.
“Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal): 5.5
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana): 8.2
“Finer Things” (Steve Winwood): 5.3
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker): 5.5
“Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen): 8.4
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson): 6.1 tough one – theoretically a good song but one I never want to hear
“Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne): 4.6
Scoring by Danny and Sarah:
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
D 6.5 : 4.5
S 6.5 : 1
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
D 9.5 : 5.5
S 10 : 5
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
D 6.5 : 7.5
S 6 : 6.5
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
D 9 : 7
S 10 : 3
Scoring by me and my parents! Sorry we didn’t complete the first round in time.
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) vs. “Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal)
Brynna: 9/6.5
Patti: 8/4
Bob: 8/3
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) vs. “Finer Things” (Steve Winwood)
Brynna: 9/6
Patti: 8/6
Bob: 9/7
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker) vs. “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
Brynna: 8/7
Patti: 7/6
Bob: 7/5
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson) vs. “Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne)
Brynna: 8/7
Patti: 8/6
Bob: 8/7
Wasn’t able to get to this division in time to vote, but I will say that my selection absolutely deserves to lose to Superstition, an absolute powerhouse of a song by a legend.
Also late to this one, but voting anyway again to catch up to next division..
“Superstition” (Stevie Wonder): 5
“Careless Whisper” (Eagles of Death Metal): 7
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana): 7
“Finer Things” (Steve Winwood): 9
“With a Little Help From My Friends” (Joe Cocker): 8
“Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen): 8
“Thriller” (Michael Jackson): 5
“Running On Empty” (Jackson Browne): 9