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

[AKKOLADE]

I’ll leave voting open until tomorrow at eight, since I didn’t specify a deadline earlier.

[kammajos000]

Dancing Queen vs. War Pigs
Runnin’ with the Devil vs. The Chain
September vs. Free Bird
American Pie vs. Stairway to Heaven
Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) vs. No Woman, No Cry
American Girl vs. Flash Light
Just What I Needed vs. Southern Man
Lust for Life vs. Let It Be

[rylltraka]

Dancing Queen vs. War Pigs
I got nothing against "Dancing Queen" - it's got a great chorus, but the verse is basically nothing, and the music never really rises above "okay". "War Pigs" is much more balanced a composition. I really enjoy how deliberate the buildup is for the first couple minutes, and how well the rhythm section plays off one another; you never forget that either the bass or drums are there, even when the guitar takes center stage. And the ending instrumental is simply brilliant.

Runnin’ with the Devil vs. The Chain
"Runnin' with the Devil" was on the mix CD me and my college mates threw together to play Gears of War to. I don't know what that's relevant to. It's got the VH charisma, good bits, but it's loose, almost shockingly sloppy (in a way which is not unique for VH, I guess). I wouldn't say it represents the best of its performers as well as "The Chain" does, especially in the way everything comes together at the end.

September vs. Free Bird
This is a tough choice, but, under duress, "Free Bird" seems somehow more *important*? It wears you down over those nine minutes.

American Pie vs. Stairway to Heaven
Both great, both iconic, both a bit of a slog, but I guess I'll make my vote based on which one I would pick if I were forced to only listen to one or the other for eternity.

Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) vs. No Woman, No Cry
This first song sounds like CCR before they figured out their sound. As for the second, the live version of "No Women, No Cry" is so much better than the studio version, but I'm not going to vote for a song based on the song it isn't. It's still probably the better song here.

American Girl vs. Flash Light
"American Girl" is a fine song, probably not Petty's best, and will get absolutely slaughtered in an upcoming round. "Flash Light" is an enjoyable piece of funk nonsense that, for whatever reason, really works for me.

Just What I Needed vs. Southern Man
First time I'm breaking my anti-chalk stance, but the vinyl copy of The Cars' debut album roughly four feet from my right hand as I set here makes the decision for me. (To be fair, there are also two Neil Young albums in the same stack, and for whatever reason, two copies of the Steve Miller Band's *Book of Dreams*) Characteristically, much of Young's guitar work goes nowhere here. And everybody knows this is nowhere.

Lust for Life vs. Let It Be
Much like with "No Woman No Cry", I'd be much better disposed towards a different version of this Iggy Pop song - the three-minute remaster off *Trainspotting* instead of the indistinct, oatmeal production of the original. Even then, would it be better than "Let it Be"? Even in its most perfect version? I don't know if I'll ever be edgy enough to take that big of a swing at The Beatles.

[meebles127]

Oh this is such a great set!!!

Dancing Queen vs. War Pigs
Runnin’ with the Devil vs. The Chain - Probably my favorite Fleetwood Mac song.
September vs. Free Bird
American Pie vs. Stairway to Heaven
Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) vs. No Woman, No Cry
American Girl vs. Flash Light
Just What I Needed vs. Southern Man
Lust for Life vs. Let It Be

[AgathokakologicalPunk]

Dancing Queen vs. War Pigs - Ehh.
Runnin’ with the Devil vs. The Chain - the Chain is boring, the guitar is subprime compared to VH, and Stevie Christy Lindsey and whatever other forgettable characters contributed wailing doesn’t constitute good music. Easy choice
September vs. Free Bird - Sorry EWF, guitar took you down.
American Pie vs. Stairway to Heaven - both long and occasionally dull, but StH has legendary guitar and AP has more Don McLean goofiness
Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) vs. No Woman, No Cry - both snoozers imo, even the Chain could have won this.
American Girl vs. Flash Light - Tom is the best of heartland rock.
Just What I Needed vs. Southern Man - Interesting VBS sententious. Wonder which will win.
Lust for Life vs. Let It Be - Iggy is fun.

[Wynaut]

Dancing Queen vs. War Pigs
Runnin’ with the Devil vs. The Chain
September vs. Free Bird
American Pie vs. Stairway to Heaven
Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) vs. No Woman, No Cry
American Girl vs. Flash Light
Just What I Needed vs. Southern Man
Lust for Life vs. Let It Be

[AKKOLADE]

Today's the last day to vote!

[34 + P.J. Dozier]

Dancing Queen vs. War Pigs
Runnin’ with the Devil vs. The Chain
September vs. Free Bird
American Pie vs. Stairway to Heaven
Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) vs. No Woman, No Cry
American Girl vs. Flash Light
Just What I Needed vs. Southern Man
Lust for Life vs. Let It Be

[AKKOLADE]

Deadline is 8 eastern, since I didn't say that earlier.

[AKKOLADE]

Voting is closed!

[AKKOLADE]

War Pigs 13, Dancing Queen 10.5
The Chain 16, Runnin’ with the Devil 8.5
Free Bird 17, September 7
Stairway to Heaven 14.5, American Pie 9.5
No Woman, No Cry 13, Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) 11.5
American Girl 19, Flash Light 5.5
Just What I Needed 18.5, Southern Man 6
Let It Be 18, Lust for Life 6

[AKKOLADE]

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/76A2M ... 108wuqJNSw

Your matchups:

#185 The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
Album: The Gambler
Year: 1978
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #16, US Country #1, UK #22
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGYJrjwiPC4

#63 Maggie May – Rod Stewart
Album: Every Picture Tells a Story
Year: 1971
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #1, UK #1
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOl7dh7a-6g

#110 Turn the Page – Bob Seger
Album: Live Bullet
Year: 1976
Charts: did not chart as studio album; not released as single for live version
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evnZfSEtr5k

#34 Long Train Runnin' – The Doobie Brothers
Album: The Captain and Me
Year: 1973
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVsLEI-hCXw

#15 Let's Stay Together – Al Green
Album: Let’s Stay Together
Year: 1971
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #1, UK #7
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKOcfZtKvYQ

#50 It's Too Late – Carole King
Album: Tapestry
Year: 1971
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #1, UK #6
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkKxmnrRVHo

#18 Proud Mary – Ike & Tina Turner
Album: Workin’ Together
Year: 1971
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lfT9TWAaMY

#47 I've Seen All Good People – Yes
Album: The Yes Album
Year: 1971
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #40
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FFxqdhqb9c

#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

#73 Surrender – Cheap Trick
Album: Heaven Tonight
Year: 1978
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #62
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sAm5UCJ9vA

#26 Life on Mars? – David Bowie
Album: Hunky Dory
Year: 1971
Charts: UK #3
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0JmvGKP4H4

#98 Ramblin' Man – The Allman Brothers Band
Album: Brothers and Sisters
Year: 1973
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa4DCp6cl2U

#10 Tangled up in Blue – Bob Dylan
Album: Blood on the Tracks
Year: 1975
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #31
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKcNyMBw818

#77 Mississippi Queen – Mountain
Album: Climbing!
Year: 1970
Charts: did not chart
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhM1XZsh6o

#23 Layla – Derek & The Dominos
Album: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Year: 1971
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #10, UK #7
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TngViNw2pOo

#95 Brass in Pocket – Pretenders
Album: Pretenders
Year: 1979
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #14, UK #1
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI0WnoDK4Nw

Your ballot:

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Born to Run vs. Surrender
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

Your deadline is Friday at 8 p.m.

[mrtyrmystry]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’

Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
maybe you should vote for both of these

Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
don't vote like i do

Born to Run vs. Surrender

Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
the only surprising vote i ever cast

Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

[MiltonPlayer47]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May

Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’

Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late

Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People

Born to Run vs. Surrender

Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man

Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen

Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

[A Dim-Witted Saboteur]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Born to Run vs. Surrender
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket
Don't want to go chalk and this is a more defensible opinion than breaking it anywhere else

[dwd500]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Born to Run vs. Surrender
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

[kammajos000]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Born to Run vs. Surrender
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

[Steeve Ho You Fat]

Ah right we're back to the part of the bracket with one whole deserving song left.

The Gambler vs. Maggie May Unsure how these got here, but I'll vote for the one with the nice little folky guitar picking at the start
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’ I shouldn't admit to having ties to Michigan while voting this way, but Turn the Page is just too...ponderous. Long Train Runnin' has some nice instrumentation and the hook harmony.
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late Sorry Al Green, it was a close one, but I think it's time for the end of your run. It's Too Late has that great piano riff, jazz influences, and a classic vocal performance.
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People OK
Born to Run vs. Surrender Can we skip to Layla now please?
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man I haven't been able to vibe to David Bowie since I lost a game at 2011 HSNCT by less than the margin of the dead TU I couldn't pick up on Space Oddity. Sure, I could have known it, or just gotten more of the other questions, but I still have a bone to pick with whoever decided tossing up individual David Bowie songs to high schoolers in the 2010s was a good idea.
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen Half of me thinks Dylan should win, half of me wants to vote for the song that will pose an easier matchup for Layla, the only song in this section that deserves to get past this round. Since considering strategic voting probably means I'm taking this too seriously, I'll vote for the more interesting song over the solid classic rock staple.
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket Surprise! It'd deserve a win off the riff in the first two seconds, and if that wasn't enough, it'd deserve a win for the slide part. At least there's one song left here that deserves to make the Final Four.

[ValenciaQBowl]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
--This is one of the only Rod Stewart songs I can stand.

Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
--Boy, this is about the most '70's classic rock radio matchup that could possibly exist.

Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
--Al Green!

Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
--The Yes Album is so, so good. It's a shame this song is probably going down this round.

Born to Run vs. Surrender
--I'll lodge a protest vote for Cheap Trick since Bruce is going to win this. "Whatever happened to all this season's losers of the year?"

Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
--I mean, why shouldn't high schoolers all know "Space Oddity"? What are they teaching you in AP English???

Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
--Love me some "Mississippi Queen," but how can one vote against the single most important English-language cultural figure of the last sixty years?

Layla vs. Brass in Pocket
--How can you vote against the slinky bass line laid down here by Pete Farndon (peacefully rest his soul)?

[Ethnic history of the Vilnius region]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Born to Run vs. Surrender
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

[Stained Diviner]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
I used to know a woman named Maggie who claimed she had a one night stand with Rod Stewart, and that inspired this song. Her story never made sense, but it's a good song.

Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
If I was voting for the act, I probably would go with Seger. I'm voting for the better song.

Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
This is a close call.

Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
This is also a close call.

Born to Run vs. Surrender
Surrender is a good song, but who cares? Born to Run is awesome.

Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
This one is obvious. Ramblin' Man is great, and Life on Mars is not at all. Anybody voting for Bowie is wrong, and I encourage Fred to move Ramblin' Man to the next round no matter what the vote is, because Ramblin' Man is just obviously better. Then again, if it does move on, I'll vote for Born to Run anyways.

Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Gotta Serve Somebody is an underrated Dylan 70s song.

Layla vs. Brass in Pocket
This is an easy one. I'll take Layla over Dylan in the next round if given the opportunity.

[ryanrosenberg]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Born to Run vs. Surrender
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

Not a rough matchup in the bunch, but the bottom half of this bracket will be a slugfest the next two rounds.

[ValenciaQBowl]

I'll take Layla over Dylan in the next round if given the opportunity.

Maybe voting is a privilege, and not a universal right, after all.

[ScoBo]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Born to Run vs. Surrender
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

[Wynaut]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Born to Run vs. Surrender
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

[BenWeiner27]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late
Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Born to Run vs. Surrender
Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man
Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

[AKKOLADE]

8 pm today is the deadline for voting!

[Wartortullian]

The Gambler vs. Maggie May
Maggie May < Hannah Hunt, but still good

Turn the Page vs. Long Train Runnin’
The former is definitely more distinctive, but the latter is more enjoyable to listen to.

Let’s Stay Together vs. It’s Too Late

Proud Mary vs. I’ve Seen All Good People
Very close match. Pity the Yes pick wasn't something from Fragile or Close to the Edge, but it slaps nonetheless.

Born to Run vs. Surrender
"Surrender" deserved to stay in longer

Life on Mars? vs. Ramblin’ Man

Tangled Up in Blue vs. Mississippi Queen
no offense to dylan, but uh, dat riff

Layla vs. Brass in Pocket

[AKKOLADE]

Voting is closed.

[AKKOLADE]

Maggie May 13.5, The Gambler 4
Long Train Runnin’ 10.5, Turn the Page 7
It’s Too Late 12, Let’s Stay Together 5
Proud Mary 9.5, I’ve Seen All Good People 8
Born to Run 14.5, Surrender 3
Ramblin’ Man 10.5, Life on Mars? 7
Tangled Up in Blue 14, Mississippi Queen 3.5
Layla 14.5, Brass in Pocket 2.5

I'm taking the night off and will post the next ballot tomorrow.

[AKKOLADE]

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1dmWs ... 9dc34DKjnA

Your matchups:

#43 Black Magic Woman – Santana
Album: Abraxas
Year: 1970
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF1gbewg6Y4

#22 Me and Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
Album: Pearl
Year: 1971
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #1
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfjon-ZTqzU

#54 Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
Album: Out of the Blue
Year: 1978
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #35, UK #6
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7dTBoW5H9k

#11 Beast of Burden – The Rolling Stones
Album: Some Girls
Year: 1978
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlV-ZFyVH3c

#38 Zombie – Fela Kuti
Album: Zombie
Year: 1976
Charts: did not chart in US or UK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj5x6pbJMyU

#27 Ain't No Mountain High Enough – Diana Ross
Album: Diana Ross
Year: 1970
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #1, UK #6
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4szjSq3uxQI

#71 Highway to Hell – AC/DC
Album: Highway to Hell
Year: 1979
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #47, UK #56
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKggnBh2Mdw

#6 What's Going On – Marvin Gaye
Album: 1971
Year: What’s Going On
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhC_iLBrSUY

#90 Move On Up – Curtis Mayfield
Album: Curtis
Year: 1971
Charts: UK #12
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9RMr9KuVZo

#19 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John
Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Year: 1973
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #2, UK #6
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWX67i_KDXw

#81 Doctor, My Eyes – Jackson Browne
Album: Jackson Browne
Year: 1972
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #8
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKGTaplzmV4

#14 Midnight Train to Georgia – Gladys Knight & The Pips
Album: Imagination
Year: 1973
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #1, UK #10
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0F9lh8TiSM

#35 Jolene – Dolly Parton
Album: Jolene
Year: 1973
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #60, US Country #1
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixrje2rXLMA

#30 Moondance – Van Morrison
Album: Moondance
Year: 1970 (as single, 1977)
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #92
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kfYOGndVfU

#62 Reelin’ In The Years – Steely Dan
Album: Can’t Buy a Thrill
Year: 1973
Charts: Billboard Hot 100 #11
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaH25Sghoqc

#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

Your ballot:

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

Our deadline will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. eastern.

[Ethnic history of the Vilnius region]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[kammajos000]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[Wartortullian]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[MiltonPlayer47]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman

Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky

Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie

What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up

Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes

Moondance vs. Jolene

Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[mrtyrmystry]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman

Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
..

edit: ..

Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie

What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up

Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes

Moondance vs. Jolene

Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years
....

songs that might win: Superstition, Layla, The Chain, What's Going On? ? , Born to Run

[ValenciaQBowl]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
--Not a huge fan of either, but will go with Carlos's guitar work.

Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
--Laid-back, louche Mick is the best Mick (though I like "Waitin' on a Friend" even better).

Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
--Going with Fela if only for what this song cost him.

What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
--Oof: I've definitely listened to the latter a lot more times in my life, but gotta go with the more historically important song here.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
--Great lyrics by Bernie Taupin on this one.

Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
--Seriously, this JB song is excellent.

Moondance vs. Jolene
--Ugh, fine, I'll give in to the Dolly coalition since I don't particularly care about that Van Morrison song.

Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years
--Reading rock band bios and memoirs is a guilty pleasure of mine, and I highly recommend Donald Fagen's Eminent Hipsters, which will let you know how little he thinks of you if you like his music. But his band's music is still pretty good.

[dwd500]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
- Janis' voice vs. Carlos' guitar. Since we're not including Gypsy Queen, we don't actually have the best of the guitar. Janis wins by default.

Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
- The Concerto for a Rainy Day is a poster-child for the excesses of prog-rock. Beast of Burden isn't Angie, but it's still the better song here.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
- Considering Fela's history here, it's going to take a much more important song than this one to knock him out.

What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
- Gonna just sidetrack this to mention Bennie and the Jets - the only song where it's acceptable to clap on beats 1 and 3.

Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
- I love this arrangement so much, that the Pips aren't relegated to echoing the lead here, as so many other similar groups. They actually carry most of the narrative, letting Gladys handle the emotional weight. It's a model that really should have been used more often.

Moondance vs. Jolene

Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years
- Man this matchup hurts me, and I'd take Steely Dan over just about any other group in this bracket. But Stevie isn't just any other group.

[Wynaut]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[Charm Bison]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is probably one of my favorite Elton John songs, which is a high bar, but Move On Up is just nine amazing minutes start to finish.
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[Stained Diviner]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
I like them both a lot. I'm going with Black Magic Woman because Me and Bobby McGee is too laid back for my mood right now. Also, I messed up earlier when I said that "Put Your Lights On" is the best Santana song. It's actually "You Just Don't Care".

Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Mr. Blue Sky isn't that good.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
Easy choice

What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Both of these songs are appropriate this week, and I feel bad because I am voting for the less appropriate one. It's OK if I'm in the minority on this one, but I'm voting for the song I would rather listen to.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Another easy choice

Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
These are both good songs.

Moondance vs. Jolene
I'm a big fan of both of these songs. Also, Crazy Love, which follows Moondance on the Moondance album, is great.

Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years
The easiest choice of them all

[AKKOLADE]

You have around 24 hours vote.

[Steeve Ho You Fat]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie I like Zombie, but it's so long. I still wish I was voting for Marvin though.....
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell Of course. And it's just as relevant, and just as beautiful, today as the day it was written.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up I feel like I've said everything I have to say about Move On Up over the last three rounds. I doubt it will make it past Elton John, but what a run, and what a great song with an ability to bring a smile to your face at any time.
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene It's still Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years It still has that bassline.

[ScoBo]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[A Dim-Witted Saboteur]

Your ballot:

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[AKKOLADE]

Only a few hours to vote.

[rylltraka]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
I was going to put "Black Magic Woman" in a landslide, but the ending of this version is so abrupt. There's great Santana stuff at the start, but the okayish nature of the vocals doesn't fully win me other. But "Me and Bobby McGee" does not sound 70s at all; it's definitely on a cusp and I feel that matters in making this choice.

Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Walkover. "Mr. Blue Sky" is nice but schizo.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
This Diana Ross arrangement, while impressive vocally, is barely a song. "Zombie" is exhausting to listen to, but certainly is a song.

What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
"Highway to Hell" kicks you in the mouth from the opening note, and what more could you ask for in a hard-rock song. The sneering, winking allusions in the double-edged lyrics are great. It ends when it should. "What's Going On" has some great moments, but also a ton of wasted space.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Listening to these again, I really, really like the energy of "Move On Up".

Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
"Midnight Train to Georgia" is also barely a song, but sounds way more important than the feel-good lightness of "Doctor My Eyes".

Moondance vs. Jolene
I will continue my one-man "Moondance is overrated and overdone" protest, especially when it's up against the one country song in this bracket that is compelling both in music and content; the opening lick of "Jolene" is a great piece of understated jangly Chip Young guitar and took me most of a day to nail.

Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years
Walkover; it's been fun, Dan.

[BenWeiner27]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[34 + P.J. Dozier]

Me and Bobby McGee vs. Black Magic Woman
Beast of Burden vs. Mr. Blue Sky
Ain't No Mountain High Enough vs. Zombie
What's Going On vs. Highway to Hell
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vs. Move On Up
Midnight Train to Georgia vs. Doctor, My Eyes
Moondance vs. Jolene
Superstition vs. Reelin' in the Years

[AKKOLADE]

Voting has closed.