Best Song of the 1970s Bracket - Born to Run wins!

mrtyrmystry · Post by **mrtyrmystry** » Fri Jun 26, 2020 10:58 pm

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

Wartortullian · Post by **Wartortullian** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 12:16 am

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

BenWeiner27 · Post by **BenWeiner27** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 1:18 am

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

jonpin · Post by **jonpin** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 11:10 am

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’ - THE HIGHWAY'S JAMMED WITH BROKEN HEROES ON A LAST CHANCE POWER DRIVE
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

kammajos000 · Post by **kammajos000** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 12:56 pm

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

dwd500 · Post by **dwd500** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 3:32 pm

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

Ethnic history of the Vilnius region · Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:52 pm

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

ryanrosenberg · Post by **ryanrosenberg** » Sun Jun 28, 2020 12:16 am

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

AgathokakologicalPunk · Sun Jun 28, 2020 9:51 am

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

ScoBo · Post by **ScoBo** » Sun Jun 28, 2020 10:02 pm

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Sun Jun 28, 2020 10:03 pm

Y’all have less than twenty four hours to vote.

Steeve Ho You Fat · Post by **Steeve Ho You Fat** » Sun Jun 28, 2020 10:55 pm

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio Ohio is one of the most immediate, gripping songs there is. Wish You Were Here is one of the best songs at dealing with a timeless, universal question.
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven The Beatles vs. Zeppelin. I'd take The Beatles' discography, but they're a '60s band, and Let It Be is a shadow of their best work. Zeppelin is the '70s.
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’ Y'all seriously knocked out Layla so you could send the sportswriters' favorite to the Final Four?
Superstition vs. What’s Going On What's Going On manages to tackle some of the most challenging subject matter in America yet still feel optimistic. It's Motown's crowning achievement because it leaves us hopeful - what's happening doesn't make sense, and it doesn't have to happen.

Wynaut · Post by **Wynaut** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 12:28 am

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’ - this is the bracket winner imo
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 2:23 pm

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
"Wish You Were Here" is one of those songs where, in the right mood, you can sink into it and wallow in it, and it becomes almost unbearably moving, from the first little sad guitar riff - which, for all its simplicity, is incredibly melancholy without ever becoming maudlin, as too many sad songs do. "Ohio" has had a wonderful run, but it's time for it to ride the cold steel rail.

Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Both of these are great songs that really don't seem like they should still be here - "Let it Be" is very much a transitional piece from 60s pop to 70s singer-songwriter earnestness (and moreover, an inferior remix), and "Stairway to Heaven" is more easily respected than loved - because of its meandering, warbling burnout hippie poetry lyrics and slow first half; that said, the culmination is some of the best guitar and rhythm work the rock genre had to offer. I've been trying to find an excuse to vote against either of them for a while now and couldn't cajole such a vote from my brain before, and I can't now. Abstain.

Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
I don't think "Born to Run" is the apex of Springsteen's shambly, earthy flood of gearhead, carnival poetry (which is probably earlier, something like Darkness on the Edge of Town), but it's certainly at the peak of his mass-market appeal (Born in the USA probably charted better but is certainly the remedial version). "Long Train Runnin'" is so, so fun, but also ephemeral, and yet I want to cast a protest vote for it as the underdog because I'm upset to see it go. But let cooler hearts prevail.

Superstition vs. What’s Going On
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I find the lyrics of "What's Going On" kind of insipid and vague and naive in terms of its overall message; but then again, it's not the 60s (or even the 70s) and we're in a different world. But what's inexcusable is that they waste half the song with scatting and pointless chit-chat. There's barely a song there! Anyway, "Superstition" is a work of genius.

ValenciaQBowl · Post by **ValenciaQBowl** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 3:33 pm

I find the lyrics of "What's Going On" kind of insipid and vague and naive in terms of its overall message; but then again, it's not the 60s (or even the 70s) and we're in a different world. But what's inexcusable is that they waste half the song with scatting and pointless chit-chat. There's barely a song there!

Dang, is there physical pain associated with being this wrong?

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 3:53 pm

ValenciaQBowl wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2020 3:33 pm
I find the lyrics of "What's Going On" kind of insipid and vague and naive in terms of its overall message; but then again, it's not the 60s (or even the 70s) and we're in a different world. But what's inexcusable is that they waste half the song with scatting and pointless chit-chat. There's barely a song there!
Dang, is there physical pain associated with being this wrong?

Only a sort of confusion in knowing that other people value this song very highly and realizing that I don't understand why I feel very differently when listening to it, and then trying to rationalize why that gap exists.

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 4:29 pm

We've got a couple hours left to vote. Don't miss the deadline!

dwd500 · Post by **dwd500** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 4:39 pm

For me, a lot of the value in What's Going On goes to the album, and that song is the key to unlocking everything in there. It's no accident that the A-side closes with the similar-sounding Mercy Mercy Me, but it really hits when (the excellent) Inner City Blues brings the groove back at the end of the whole thing.

cdbarker · Post by **cdbarker** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 5:16 pm

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On (hot take: "Inner City Blues" is the better song from the album.)

meebles127 · Post by **meebles127** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 5:33 pm

Wish You Were Here vs. Ohio
Let It Be vs. Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run vs. Long Train Runnin’
Superstition vs. What’s Going On

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:19 pm

There's forty minutes left to vote, if you're so inclined. I'll post the next set tomorrow because I'm old and going to bed early.

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:49 pm

Voting is closed.

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:54 pm

Wish You Were Here 20, Ohio 4
Stairway to Heaven 21, Let It Be 2
Born to Run 21, Long Train Runnin’ 4
Superstition 14.5, What’s Going On 10

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:57 pm

It's time for the Final Four!

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4yUlM ... Bo2isIv8WA

Your matchups:

#5 Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
Album: Led Zeppelin IV
Year: 1971
Charts: not released as a single
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkF3oxziUI4

#25 Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
Album: Wish You Were Here
Year: 1975
Charts: non-single
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjpF8ukSrvk

#3 Superstition – Stevie Wonder
Album: Talking Book
Year: 1972
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #1, US R&B #1, UK #11
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egqv1mtos6A

#7 Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
Album: Born to Run
Year: 1975
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #23
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1glxaEB5G7I

Your ballot:

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

You have until Thursday, July 2 at 8 p.m. eastern to vote!

Steeve Ho You Fat · Post by **Steeve Ho You Fat** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 9:22 pm

dwd500 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2020 4:39 pm For me, a lot of the value in What's Going On goes to the album, and that song is the key to unlocking everything in there. It's no accident that the A-side closes with the similar-sounding Mercy Mercy Me, but it really hits when (the excellent) Inner City Blues brings the groove back at the end of the whole thing.

This is the right take. I've gone back and listened to the album a few times due to thinking about the title track here and world events. The album is a masterpiece that's rapidly working its way up my personal top 20, and Inner City Blues is the song on it that's stuck in my head the most. The title track sets the mood for the entire album, both sonically and lyrically and the rest of songs wouldn't work with that anchor point to refer back to.

Steeve Ho You Fat · Post by **Steeve Ho You Fat** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 9:23 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

Don't have much new to say, but if Bruce Springsteen wins this thing.........

kammajos000 · Post by **kammajos000** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 9:39 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

ryanrosenberg · Post by **ryanrosenberg** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 10:07 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

Look, if you didn't want Springsteen to win, you shouldn't have knocked out Tangled Up in Blue.

MiltonPlayer47 · Post by **MiltonPlayer47** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 10:37 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here

Superstition vs. Born to Run

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:52 pm

If you didn't want Springsteen to win, you also shouldn't have discarded "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Hotel California" for god-knows-what reasons.

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:10 am

Or you could just vote for Superstition.

kitakule · Post by **kitakule** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:29 am

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

34 + P.J. Dozier · Post by **34 + P.J. Dozier** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:33 am

kitakule wrote: ↑Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:29 am Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

Co-signed.

dwd500 · Post by **dwd500** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:26 am

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here

Superstition vs. Born to Run
- Stevie had three albums in a row that won Album of the Year. This song isn't on any of them, and yet it's the song most people still associate with him. That's how good that groove is.

ValenciaQBowl · Post by **ValenciaQBowl** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 10:41 am

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here

Superstition vs. Born to Run

In terms of selecting four artists as the potentially greatest of the '70s, this is a pretty good group. It certainly leaves out punk and disco, so there are historical issues, but in terms of what you'd actually hear on the radio in that decade, this is spot on.

Although "Born to Run" is Bruce at his most stadium-bombastic, it's still a great song by a songwriter with a lot of smarts and integrity and progressive integrity. I like "Superstition" (who doesn't?), but I'm not sure it's got traction as the best song of that entire decade.

Back in the early 80s, when I was in middle school, every Memorial Day weekend the main rock station in Orlando (long-defunct WDIZ) would do a countdown of the "400 Greatest Rock Songs." In a world with 4-5 TV stations and no internet, my buddies and I would play sports outside with a couple portable radios to keep up with the countdown. Every year "Stairway to Heaven" was #1. Zeppelin's music, though I still like a lot of it, hasn't aged as well as Bruce's.

BenWeiner27 · Post by **BenWeiner27** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:53 am

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

Stained Diviner · Post by **Stained Diviner** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:55 am

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

If you didn't want Springsteen to win, you should have voted for Friend of the Devil.

These songs are all great. Good job kids! Wish You Were Here is the worst of the four, and listening to it repeatedly is time well spent.

You're not doing anything today, so go outside and blast Stairway to Heaven.

Wynaut · Post by **Wynaut** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:32 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here

Superstition vs. Born to Run

Wartortullian · Post by **Wartortullian** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:57 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

Quinctilius Varus · Post by **Quinctilius Varus** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 4:00 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

A Dim-Witted Saboteur · Tue Jun 30, 2020 5:21 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run
Massive W for 55 year old dudes and alienated gay teens everywhere

ScoBo · Post by **ScoBo** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:18 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

Arras Agility · Post by **Arras Agility** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:42 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

mrtyrmystry · Post by **mrtyrmystry** » Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:54 pm

throwback to friend of the devil losing first round to santa esmeralda's don't let me be misunderstood

this is not a vote because I really don't care what wins at this point, but it's been nice. except Springsteen should win, and i suspected he would.

EDIT

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here

soulful, so doleful

shefna21 · Post by **shefna21** » Wed Jul 01, 2020 7:00 am

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

jonpin · Post by **jonpin** » Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:15 pm

ValenciaQBowl wrote: ↑Tue Jun 30, 2020 10:41 am In terms of selecting four artists as the potentially greatest of the '70s, this is a pretty good group. It certainly leaves out punk and disco, so there are historical issues, but in terms of what you'd actually hear on the radio in that decade, this is spot on.

I mean, it also leaves out any women, which was also true of the whole final eight.

Stairway
Born to Run

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:59 pm

I think the last three female lead songs were all in the Sweet Sixteen - Fleetwood Mac, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Ike & Tina Turner.

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:22 pm

Tomorrow's the deadline to vote!

Krasznahorkai did nothing wrong · Wed Jul 01, 2020 10:04 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
Superstition vs. Born to Run

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:30 pm

Stairway to Heaven vs. Wish You Were Here
At this point, you're going to have to be a pretty much perfect song in order to stand a chance at advancing, and I could take or leave the mincing first half of "Stairway to Heaven", although the second half is exceptional. Perhaps this is influenced overmuch by all my stoner friends who found that sort of thing genius when I thought it was much more prosaic, but hey (as lyrics, they aren't *bad*, but they're blase compared to "Wish You Were Here"). Speaking of which, there's not a note out of place in that piece, although I never expected to have to make this decision. But it's the kind of song where I have a hard time saying that something else, certainly its opposition, is clearly better than it.

Superstition vs. Born to Run
These are both great songs, but if you wanted to nitpick them, the thing I would say about "Superstition" is that it winds up sounding kinda "same-y" by the end, as the main riff never stops playing. I would make the opposite point about "Born to Run": while it has more moving parts, the general background instrumentation is pretty bland for most of the song, and kinda tinny/jangly. I got into a Springsteen kick about a year or two ago, and while I had always known "Born to Run", it's not the peak of his songwriting despite being quite good. And after listening to it now about six times for this bracket, I think I might prefer "Thunder Road" - and if you're not clearly the best song on your own album, should you move forward here?