Music Cup: Round 3 - Songs by a US-born solo artist

First topic message reminder :

We're starting to get a flavour of the terrible taste in music the board has (evidenced by Hero streaking out with 18 points from 2 rounds). Nonetheless, we press on with round 3, which features songs by US-born solo artists.

There is a vast array of songs to choose from here, but you can only select two. And if you listen to Tino it can't be your own or you're a morally corrupt slop bucket of a person.

The scores from the last round, and the overall leaderboard are all posted within the thread for the 2nd round (in the music section, now it isn't global anymore) so go find it if you're curious.

Finally - round 4 will be songs by bands/artists associated with "Britpop". For the young ones among us (like cherries), that took place in the mid to late 1990s and was the greatest period of music bar none (debateable).

Still, effectively it means a song by someone on this list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Britpop_musicians

So get your votes to me as soon as possible, and the next round will go up on Monday or Tuesday.

Here are some reasons for you...

Billie Jean
Although not personally my favourite song of his (soft spot for Man in the Mirror), or even his biggest selling, there is no doubt that Michael Jackson could make iconic songs and videos. and although Thriller might have been a bigger phenomenon, there is no doubt that when that killer base line kicks in, everyone will recognise it as one of the greatest entertainers of all time (but maybe not babysitter).

Rodriguez - Jane S Piddy. Marginally the greatest song by easily the greatest artist no-one's heard of. Despite being American, until recently no-one knew of him outside of, bizarrely SA &, to a lesser extent, Aus but he makes Bob Dylan sound like a weak entrant on a local talent show.

Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line
It might not be his most popular song ever but it's my clear favourite. If you've seen the video of him singing it live at Montreux (a superb live version) it really hammers home how good a song it is.

Don McClean - Vincent - Depressing for some I expect but I love the words and tune.

Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley. One of the great records by The King of Rock and Roll.

Prince - Purple Rain 8 minutes and 41 seconds of pure bliss (the album version). Guitar solos, backing gospel singers, 5ft 1in purple cladded weirdos that change their name to a symbol, what more can you want in an epic track?


1) Johnny Cash- Hurt
One of the best covers ever, even admitted by the Nine Inch Nails to be better than their original. Full of regret and despair and brimming with such personal meaning that it touches the soul. Cash's deep voice, worn raw by age, perfectly matches the rawness of the lyrics and his sadness matches the sadness of the melody and the fervent cry for answers in the chorus. Made even more poignant by the singer's death soon afterward

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond ........................ classic song , that you just have to join in with

Thunder Road is simply one of the best songs ever written by my favourite ever singer. Unbelievable! From the 1st note of the piano you're taen on a ride through America.

Like a Rolling Stone is the opening track on Dylan's best album and one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Dylan is the ultimate Solo artist, and this is his ultimate song!

Madonna - Like a Virgin
One of the best american female solo artists of all time with a song that defined a generation

Forget You
I went for a popular song. Sue me.

Marvin Gaye - Heard It Through The Grapevine. Do not get songs with soul like this anymore. Power and poise, ridiculously cool and the singing is of such a beautiful range. And its a rare song that completely shows off how insanely good someones voice is without being a ballad. You can listen to this happy, sad, calm or mad. Best simple drum beat in a song too, but its all about the pure brilliance that Marvin Gaye's voice is.

Hero wrote:I like the Tom Petty song but certainly seems to have his fanclub on here today!

Not sure he needs a fan club. There are people that love listening to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (or Mudcrutch) and then there are the poor folks who are born or become deaf.

I've gone for Freefallin' and Born in the USA though I think my favourite TP song is Here Comes My Girl and favourite Boss one is No Surrender.

No space for Jimi Hendrix? , or Stevie Ray Vaughan?

Galted wrote:

sodhat wrote:

Il Gialloblu wrote:I went for Like A Rolling Stone (which was my back-up choice, so watch it beat my song now) and Born In The USA. I like the message in both songs. I listened to the Dylan one a lot while meandering my way overland to Hong Kong, and I like how some Americans only hear the chorus of the latter and think it's a celebration of their country.

NEITHER OF THOSE SONGS ARE MINE.

I had/have a friend who hated that song for that very reason. Without listening to it properly he thought it was some sort of rant about how superior the USA is. I told him it probably couldn't be more wrong and I think he still hates it.

Prefab Sprout's Cars & Girls is supposed to be a p1ss-take of Springsteen's shallowness in song-writing. Pretty embarrassing that he possesses more depth and social awareness than they do. Silly criticising another singer in your song but at least get it right if you do.

This prefab grout sounds like a right tool in my eyes!

*prefab sprout

2 great songs there Hibbz!

ChequeredJersey wrote:Thanks Azzy, constructive there

Tom Petty is leading the voting, what more is there to say

Wish I picked "Castles made of sand" by Hendrix!

Think I've pick a gooden for the britpop round!

the two songs i picked for the brit pop round i thought might of already gone

Prefab Grout is actually a better name for a band.

I've not gone too obvious with the Britpop round. I really don't think I'll be voting for anybody that has either. So

I have absolutely no idea on Britpop, I had no interest in it at the time and certainly have no intention of re-visiting it now, so I will sit this round out.

(I'll actually score twice as many points as usual this way.)

Union Cane wrote:I have absolutely no idea on Britpop, I had no interest in it at the time and certainly have no intention of re-visiting it now, so I will sit this round out.

(I'll actually score twice as many points as usual this way.)

I think that you should give him Pink Pink Sunshine by fuzzbox as a punishment.

Ring of Fire would have gotten more votes than the two Cash songs picked (not better song, but more votes).

And as someone said earlier, no Hendrix? Wow. Crosstown Traffic is great blaring out of the car on a hot summer's day driving around London

Has to be Marvin Gaye!
Standout track in this round by a country mile.

Billie Jean gets an obligatory secondary vote.

I was very close to hendrix myself..

mystiroakey wrote:I was very close to hendrix myself..

You could have asked him to take it easy on the drink...

And the drugs.

Best gig I ever went to was a Jimi Hendrix tribute band. Well, that's if you exclude going to see Erasure in a gay club.

Adam D wrote:

Union Cane wrote:I have absolutely no idea on Britpop, I had no interest in it at the time and certainly have no intention of re-visiting it now, so I will sit this round out.

(I'll actually score twice as many points as usual this way.)

I think that you should give him Pink Pink Sunshine by fuzzbox as a punishment.

I loved that song.

Union Cane wrote:I have absolutely no idea on Britpop, I had no interest in it at the time and certainly have no intention of re-visiting it now, so I will sit this round out.

(I'll actually score twice as many points as usual this way.)

Just select a generic Oasis/Blur/Pulp song, you must have come across one!

MtotheC's Wrasslin Biatch wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:I was very close to hendrix myself..

You could have asked him to take it easy on the drink...

If i was around him in his hey day I have a feeling he would have outlasted me!!

Thriller night and forget you. My 2 picks.

VDT wrote:Wish I picked "Castles made of sand" by Hendrix!

Think I've pick a gooden for the britpop round!

Was my 3rd choice!

Hurt and Rolling Stone for me.

I wanted to post a video to further explain why I chose the song I did for this round but didn't want to do it straight away and ruin the anonymity aspect of the game. I don't expect many more people are to vote now though and I won't be around in when the results of this round are published, so I think now is the best time to do it.

For me, American Pie was 'just' a famous, catchy old song that I didn't really think too much about. That was until I saw a video that attempted to interpret the meaning behind the words. I say "attempted", as Don McLean himself has never explained them. For that reason, the video itself might contain glaring inaccuracies. It might all be massively wide of the mark. I don't think that matters at all though.

As a video to both make you think and appreciate the song more, it does a very good job. It did for me anyway, and that's why I'm posting it here now. Not for votes, Tino, but to hopefully give some of you fine folk a greater appreciation of the song too.

Hope you enjoy.

I hadn't seen that before , thanks for posting it

Don McClean - American Pie
Can be sung in groups or in your car at any time. Better even after the occasional pint.

Springsteen - Thunder Road
'pullin out of here and win'
Great song.
My American Rugby club here in Jersey will sometimes play music as we come out and at halftime. Usually Springsteen and frequently Thunder Road. Sometimes the younger lads try to voice their opinions and change to something newer. I simply explain the error of their ways. If that doesn't work, I threaten them.

One time we played 'Charlotte the Harlot' but I suppose that is a different kind of music?

doctor_grey,
You'll be glad to know that the "pitcher" in Glory Days" lives a few miles down the road, not sure that "he could throw that speedball past you" any more, but sounds a really good guy.

kwinigolfer,
You down in Red Bank area?

I hear the same thing - great guy.

Azzy Mahmood wrote:This voting makes me sick to my back teeth. Just when you think you're surrounded by good, sensible people, up comes the Music Cup to make you realise just how dumb the majority of people are

Its ok Azzy. Maybe Sodhat will put up a girl band round for you.

doctor,
The "pitcher" lives in Stowe, VT, or just outside there. I've heard him interviewed on the local radio a few times.

I didn't know that.
Stowe is a beautiful area - even more so if you like Ben and Jerry's ice cream!

Ok, looking to get the next round up but awaiting nominations from:

Gregers
Julius
Union
Azzy
Cherries

If any of you wish to participate in this round get your nominations in ASAP (because I want to go to lunch) and I'll get the round up.

Right, here are the results from round 3! Those with numbers next to them scored points. The rest were not so lucky.

Tino - Thriller - Michael Jackson 1
Adam D - Billie Jean - Michael Jackson 7
Nando - Hard Knock Life - Jay-Z
Cherriesfna - Born In The USA - Bruce Springsteen 1
Sodhat - Forget You - Cee-Lo Green
Enforcer - Free Fallin' - Tom Petty 7
TSJ - I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash
Hero - Purple Rain - Prince 3
Galted - Rodriguez - Jane S Piddy
Il Gialloblu - American Pie - Don McLean 9
VDT - So Sick - NeYo
Kenny - Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond 2
Chris W - Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye 10
The Boss - Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen 1
Chequered - Hurt - Johnny Cash 7
Mysti - Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan 7
Gregers - Like A Virgin - Madonna
Union Cane - Lucille - Kenny Rogers
crazygangwomble - Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley 9
Stella - Vincent - Don McLean

And here is the leaderboard. Getting tight at the top after a good round of songs:

Hero 21
Il Gialloblu 20
Kenny 18
Chris W 16
Adam D 14
Chequered 14
Mysti 13
crazygangwomble 10
Nando 10
Stella 9
TSJ 9
Enforcer 8
Sodhat 5
Tino 5
The Boss 4
Azzy 3
Gregers 3
Cherriesfna 2
Galted 0
Julius 0
Union Cane 0
VDT 0

sodhat - just PM'ed my round 4 entry.
Apparently I'm supposed to compromise my musical values and put in some populist song to get votes. Never!
I was away for round 3, but did somebody really suggest Purple Rain as Prince's greatest song? It's not even the best track on the LP! I voted for it anyway

I put it forward although I agree its not the best off the album though I thought itd be more the vote winner. Looking back I regret not picking Hendrix though.

Hero wrote:I put it forward although I agree its not the best off the album though I thought itd be more the vote winner. Looking back I regret not picking Hendrix though.

Hero, you shameless vote-grabber!

JuliusHMarx wrote:

Hero wrote:I put it forward although I agree its not the best off the album though I thought itd be more the vote winner. Looking back I regret not picking Hendrix though.

Hero, you shameless vote-grabber!

Yeah, shame on you Hero. Your 21 points are 21 smirches upon your name.

Galted wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:

Hero wrote:I put it forward although I agree its not the best off the album though I thought itd be more the vote winner. Looking back I regret not picking Hendrix though.

Hero, you shameless vote-grabber!

Yeah, shame on you Hero. Your 21 points are 21 smirches upon your name.

Yeah! Try choosing Calhoun Square and see how many votes your Prince song gets!

Sorry I can't hear both of you from my lofty position on top

Feel I'll drop out of contention a bit next round, I know little about Britpop and like less

Will there be a vote split with all the Oasis songs picked in the next one ?

My first choice was Jay Z - Hard Knock Life, such a great song! Second would have to be Michael Jackson - Billie Jean.