Best Song of the 1980s Bracket [FINALS, SUBMIT BY 1/5]

Jcm48 · Post by **Jcm48** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:23 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 9 Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing"

5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car" vs. 13 Rick James, "Super Freak"

Not a huge fan of either song. Narrowly.

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 3 Duran Duran, "Hungry Like the Wolf"

7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen" vs. 2 Journey, "Don't Stop Believin'"

This is one of my favorite songs in the bracket. Yes please.

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind?" vs. 9 AC/DC, "Back in Black"

I can't stand AC/DC anything and I love Pixies. Not hard.

12 Van Halen, "Panama" vs. 4 Whitney Houston, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"

Just a better song.

6 Human League, "Don't You Want Me" vs. 3 Prince, "When Doves Cry"

Presumably Don't You Want Me stands no chance here. We'll see.

10 Tears for Fears, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

Ben Dillon · Post by **Ben Dillon** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:00 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 9 Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing"
5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car" vs. 13 Rick James, "Super Freak"
6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 3 Duran Duran, "Hungry Like the Wolf"
7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen" vs. 2 Journey, "Don't Stop Believin'"
16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind?" vs. 9 AC/DC, "Back in Black"
12 Van Halen, "Panama" vs. 4 Whitney Houston, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"
6 Human League, "Don't You Want Me" vs. 3 Prince, "When Doves Cry"
10 Tears for Fears, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

Stained Diviner · Post by **Stained Diviner** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:10 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 9 Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing"
I would prefer Romeo and Juliet, but this is good enough.

5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car" vs. 13 Rick James, "Super Freak"
Whichever song wins this matchup has my vote for the next two rounds.

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 3 Duran Duran, "Hungry Like the Wolf"
Duran Duran isn't that good.

7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen" vs. 2 Journey, "Don't Stop Believin'"
I'll keep voting for the White Sox until this song goes against something I like.

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind?" vs. 9 AC/DC, "Back in Black"
This was an easy choice because I like good songs and dislike bad songs.

12 Van Halen, "Panama" vs. 4 Whitney Houston, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"
This was close. Whitney Houston could sing.

6 Human League, "Don't You Want Me" vs. 3 Prince, "When Doves Cry"
When Doves Cry is great.

10 Tears for Fears, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"
I'll stop voting for Michael Jackson soon. I promise. Probably.

ValenciaQBowl · Post by **ValenciaQBowl** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:28 pm

Duran Duran isn't that good.

Well, you certainly have never been to a Chess King, sir.

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Tue Dec 15, 2020 5:25 am

This is the standard reminder that today is the last day to vote for this round.

AgathokakologicalPunk · Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:55 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 9 Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing" - Brothers in Arms could take any song in this bracket. Most songs off Brothers in Arms could take most songs in this bracket.
5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car" vs. 13 Rick James, "Super Freak" - Bass line carries.
6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 3 Duran Duran, "Hungry Like the Wolf" - Nena beat ZZ Top, might as well beat Duran Duran.
7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen" vs. 2 Journey, "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey had a good run, but that run should end now.

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind?" vs. 9 AC/DC, "Back in Black" - I think I will always cognize the Pixies as a Nirvana influence, nothing more.
12 Van Halen, "Panama" vs. 4 Whitney Houston, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" - Not too tough a matchup - WH is kinda generic pop.
6 Human League, "Don't You Want Me" vs. 3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" - Prince could play a phone in a blender and it would still sound better than the Human League.
10 Tears for Fears, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It" - Thinking about this matchpu makes me wish Weird Al had parodied TfF.

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 2:30 pm

80s BRACKET ROUND OF 32 (QUADRANTS VICE & MAGNUM)

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" 13, Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing" 10.5

5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car" 15, 13 Rick James, "Super Freak" 5.5

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" 13, 3 Duran Duran, "Hungry Like the Wolf" 9
doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo, doo doo doo, doo doo doo, doo doo

7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen" 16, 2 Journey, "Don't Stop Believin'" 6
DRM looking like a dark horse here

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind?" 12.5, 9 AC/DC, "Back in Black" 9.5

12 Van Halen, "Panama" 13, 4 Whitney Houston, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" 9
quizbowl's yen for Van Halen is not something I would have predicted

6 Human League, "Don't You Want Me" 1.5, 3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" 20.5

10 Tears for Fears, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" 6, 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It" 16
The real question is whether the final won't simply be our two Michael Jackson songs versus one another

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:08 pm

80s BRACKET ROUND OF 32: QUADRANTS HILL & STEELE
SUBMIT VOTES BY 11:59 PM PST 12/19

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"

Jcm48 · Post by **Jcm48** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 5:40 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"

With great reluctance. If only it were a different Bowie song.

5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"

I know JD will probably lose here but I couldn't vote against this song.

7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"

I'd be interested to see if Maneater has any shot at winning this. Probably not??

5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"

as expected

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"

I don't like either song but...

10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"

...I like these two even less. Abstain.

MiltonPlayer47 · Post by **MiltonPlayer47** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:32 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"

5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"

7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"

5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"

10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"

ValenciaQBowl · Post by **ValenciaQBowl** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 8:17 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
--Hmm. Well, if either "Beat It" or "Billie Jean" win the overall title, I think that, though neither would be in my personal top ten 80s songs, that would be a fitting result, just like "Born to Run" winning the 70s.

5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
--Ugh, the battle of really overplayed, not-great songs by artists I deeply love. But in the end, Hogtown 4eva.

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
--This is the song I will personally vote out of this regional.

7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"
--Gotta give us what we want/Gotta give us what we need

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
--There's a fair debate to be had on whether we should vote based on historical importance, cultural legacy, etc., or on what song we'd rather listen to. I'm going with the latter on this one, at least.

5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
--Not close.

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
--The horse I'll be riding out of this bracket, though it will hurt me to vote against Talking Heads. Woozy piano!

10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"
--Absolutely one of the hardest choices so far. Will be fine with either winning.

ScoBo · Post by **ScoBo** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 8:42 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"

Ben Dillon · Post by **Ben Dillon** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 8:49 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"
1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"

Wartortullian · Post by **Wartortullian** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 9:32 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure" - Voting against "Under Pressure" twice in a row is painful, but this bracket is just too good.
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"

mrtyrmystry · Post by **mrtyrmystry** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 9:39 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"

5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
idc = (

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o' Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
roughly equal

5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
1.5 great songs

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
2 great songs

10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"
1.5-2 good songs

Arras Agility · Post by **Arras Agility** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 5:31 am

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"

A Dim-Witted Saboteur · Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:51 am

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"
The only thing that can make Start Me Up not boring is pretending he's saying "In Yugoslavia" instead of "You got to start me up"

BenWeiner27 · Post by **BenWeiner27** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 12:13 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure" - These are both really good songs making this one of the hardest choices of the bracket thus far.
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"

Stained Diviner · Post by **Stained Diviner** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:38 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
Michael Jackson is just way too creepy and now that he has some real competition I am going to vote against him.

5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
U2 is great.

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
Love Will Tear Us Apart is getting better with more listens, but it still is not as good as Under Pressure.

7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"
Where do we go?

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
I have neither love nor hate for either of these songs.

5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
Talking Heads>Violent Femmes

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
I have voted against Rock the Casbah a couple of times because of strong competition, but it is a good song.

10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"
Crazy Train is so good.

Sam · Post by **Sam** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 5:13 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"

5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"

7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"

5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"

10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"
I'm not a big live music fan but videos of the Rolling Stones are always impressive. Mick Jagger is (to me) not a very attractive person, and a lot of his moves are incredibly goofy, but he has such an air of confidence that I wind up taking him seriously and in the moment finding his performance really cool.

Steeve Ho You Fat · Post by **Steeve Ho You Fat** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 11:29 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love"
5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'"
6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure"
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power"

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater"
5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun"
6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up"

AgathokakologicalPunk · Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:29 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love" - Actually, I think Bowie, as the weaker competitor, is the better choice to advance to face Tom Petty.
5 U2 "With or Without You" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'" - The Tim Hawkins spoof is the only I like about "With or Without You" anymore. And even then, "She Loves Horses" is a funnier spoof.
6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure" - So iconic. Again, did Joy Division ever get ripped off by a goofy wannabe rapper?
7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" vs. 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power" - More Slash, less Axl makes for a good song.

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" vs. 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater" - Soft Cell is good, but Hall and Oates are timeless.
5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" vs. 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun" - New wave for new sound vs new wave for weird moods
6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs. 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" - Please stop Cyndi Lauper. Her music is not good.
10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" vs. 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up" - The Stones are not an 80s band even if they have 80s songs, so I do this without qualms.

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:02 am

80s BRACKET ROUND OF 32: QUADRANTS HILL & STEELE
RESULTS

Some down-to-the-wire results here.

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" 12, 9 David Bowie, "Modern Love" 11.5
don't believe in moooooodern love

5 U2 "With or Without You" 9.5, 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'" 12.5
people seem almost as eager to vote against U2

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" 12, 3 Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure" 11.5

7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine" 14, 15 Public Enemy, "Fight the Power" 9.5

1 Soft Cell, "Tainted Love" 10, 9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater" 12
watch out here she comes

5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime" 17.5, 13 Violent Femmes, "Blister in the Sun" 5.5

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" 15, 3 Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" 9

10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train" 17, 15 The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up" 6.5
Quizbowl's apparent love for Ozzy is one of the least expected results so far. Fifteen-year-old me would have been pumped.

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:14 am

80s BRACKET ROUND OF 16: LEFT BRACKET
SUBMIT VOTES BY 11:59 PM PST 12/23

We're down to sixteen, so we'll do batches of four matchups this round.

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

kammajos000 · Post by **kammajos000** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 12:55 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

ryanrosenberg · Post by **ryanrosenberg** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:14 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

34 + P.J. Dozier · Post by **34 + P.J. Dozier** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:54 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

Steeve Ho You Fat · Post by **Steeve Ho You Fat** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 5:01 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

Tough decision here. Maybe I'm overrating it because I didn't know it before, but Fast Car just grabs me and makes me want to keep listening to it over and over. No wrong choice, really.

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

Either of these songs would deserve to advance, but there's no other Prince left, while Billie Jean is still safe for now.

Ben Dillon · Post by **Ben Dillon** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 5:45 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"
Don't understand how "Message", albeit an okay song, is a #1 seed.

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"
"Eileen" has the distinction of preventing Michael Jackson from replacing himself at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs.12 Van Halen, "Panama"
ABSTAIN... Neither of these songs deserves to have beaten its previous opponent :(

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"
No loser here.

ValenciaQBowl · Post by **ValenciaQBowl** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:58 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"
--It's like a party sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep myself so slender.

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"
--When they were in heavy rotation on MTV, I liked both of these songs. Now I never want to hear Nena say "Captain Kirk" again.

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"
--I wonder if David Lee Roth has ever heard a Pixies song. My guess is no.

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"
--Purple Rain top to bottom is better than any Michael Jackson album.

MiltonPlayer47 · Post by **MiltonPlayer47** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:53 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

A Dim-Witted Saboteur · Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:09 pm

Fast Car

99 Luftballons

Abstain

When Doves Cry

ScoBo · Post by **ScoBo** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:43 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"
6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"
16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"
3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

meebles127 · Post by **meebles127** » Tue Dec 22, 2020 4:31 am

Fast Car

I've always liked this song for some reason

99 Luftballons

Abstain

When Doves Cry

Sam · Post by **Sam** » Tue Dec 22, 2020 11:46 am

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"
Certainly the hardest of the four. Another case of "this song is probably 'better' (certainly more important historically)" versus "this song I like more." I went with the one I like more.

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"
This pairing feels appropriate, somehow.

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

AgathokakologicalPunk · Tue Dec 22, 2020 6:42 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car" - "Fast Car" was better than I expected; GMF&FF are pretty iconic though, so that puts "The Message", a good song in its own right, over the top.

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen" - If Dexy wins this bracket I will not be at all disappointed. "Come On Eileen" is so emblematic of the 80s without being terrible from overuse.

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama" - Van Halen is the apotheosis of 80s hard rock. The Pixies may have influenced Nirvana, but Van Halen influenced everyone.

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It" - Prince is far better than Michael Jackson. He also mentions his band, a classy touch from a major performer.

Stained Diviner · Post by **Stained Diviner** » Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:11 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

BenWeiner27 · Post by **BenWeiner27** » Wed Dec 23, 2020 1:11 am

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Wed Dec 23, 2020 1:03 pm

Reminder that this is the last day to submit votes for this round.

mrtyrmystry · Post by **mrtyrmystry** » Wed Dec 23, 2020 3:36 pm

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

jonpin · Post by **jonpin** » Wed Dec 23, 2020 6:32 pm

rylltraka wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:14 am 80s BRACKET ROUND OF 16: LEFT BRACKET
SUBMIT VOTES BY 11:59 PM PST 12/23

We're down to sixteen, so we'll do batches of four matchups this round.

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" vs. 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" vs. 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen"

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" vs. 12 Van Halen, "Panama"

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" vs. 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It"

We gotta make a decision. It's not a decision, take the faster car and rob a bank, rob a bank, rob eighty banks, and crush this thing. Fast Car
Come on Eileen
Where is My Mind?
When Doves Cry

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:44 pm

ROUND OF 16: LEFT BRACKET
RESULTS

1 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message" 9.5, 5 Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car" 15
neon king kong standin' on its back

6 Nena, "99 Luftballons" 12.5, 7 Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen" 14

16 Pixies, "Where is My Mind" 12, 12 Van Halen, "Panama" 8

3 Prince, "When Doves Cry" 23, 2 Michael Jackson, "Beat It" 5
this is such a bizarre blowout that I have difficulty taking it seriously

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:57 pm

ROUND OF 16: RIGHT BRACKET
POST VOTES BY 11:59 PM 12/26

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin"

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine"

9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater" vs. 5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime"

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs 10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train"

Stained Diviner · Post by **Stained Diviner** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:01 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin"
Michael Jackson was a horrible person.

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine"
Sweet Child o'Mine is awesome.

9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater" vs. 5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime"
Seems like an easy call to me.

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs 10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train"
One time our administration started a faculty meeting by flashing lots of uplifting messages on the screen and playing new age music. I started the next department meeting by flashing lots of meeting/task reminders and playing Crazy Train. It was the perfect song for the occasion.

mrtyrmystry · Post by **mrtyrmystry** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:12 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin"

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine"

9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater" vs. 5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime"

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs 10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train"

qb unequivocally loves Prince and feelings towards Michael Jackson are mixed.

rylltraka · Post by **rylltraka** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:12 pm

Stained Diviner wrote: ↑Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:01 pm Michael Jackson was a horrible person.

Evidence seems to suggest this, and I'm not sure to what degree it's influencing voting (although I'm sure it is), but an open question is to what extent it should matter when evaluating the music itself. You're not going to punish MJ by not voting for him - 1) he's dead, and 2) were he alive, I doubt he would be browsing this forum. Were Frank Black revealed to have been, I dunno, behind the 1994 WTC bombings, would everyone suddenly reverse their Pixies votes?

Stained Diviner · Post by **Stained Diviner** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 4:45 pm

rylltraka wrote: ↑Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:12 pm
Stained Diviner wrote: ↑Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:01 pm Michael Jackson was a horrible person.
Evidence seems to suggest this, and I'm not sure to what degree it's influencing voting (although I'm sure it is), but an open question is to what extent it should matter when evaluating the music itself. You're not going to punish MJ by not voting for him - 1) he's dead, and 2) were he alive, I doubt he would be browsing this forum. Were Frank Black revealed to have been, I dunno, behind the 1994 WTC bombings, would everyone suddenly reverse their Pixies votes?

That would just further justify my votes against the Pixies.

Ben Dillon · Post by **Ben Dillon** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 9:44 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin"

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine"

9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater" vs. 5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime"

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs 10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train"

I find I don't like three of the songs I ended up having to vote for, mostly because their opposition was worse :(

MiltonPlayer47 · Post by **MiltonPlayer47** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 9:50 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin"

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine"

9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater" vs. 5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime"

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs 10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train"

34 + P.J. Dozier · Post by **34 + P.J. Dozier** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 10:18 pm

1 Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean" vs. 13 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin"

6 Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" vs. 7 Guns n'Roses, "Sweet Child o'Mine"

9 Hall & Oates, "Maneater" vs. 5 Talking Heads, "Once in a Lifetime"

6 The Clash, "Rock the Casbah" vs 10 Ozzy Osbourne, "Crazy Train"