Category Archives: song of the day

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Song of the Day #3,316: ‘Step Inside This House’ – Lyle Lovett vs. The Beatles

Here we are, at the last matchup in Round Three of Montauk Madness. Things are moving fast now; we’ll be down to the final eight artists next week.

This battle might seem like a laugher in the broader world, but around these parts I expect it will be a nail-biter. Lyle Lovett vs. The Beatles. Lovett got here by dispatching Elliott Smith with 89% of the vote in Round One before winning a tighter match against Bruce Springsteen (63/38). The Beatles unanimously defeated Shakira then toppled Ben Folds with 80%. This matchup will be the first real test of the Fab Four. Continue reading →

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Song of the Day #3,315: ‘Baltimore’ – Randy Newman vs. Fiona Apple

Round Three of Montauk Madness should be the most difficult yet, and this matchup certainly fits the bill. Two piano-playing singer-songwriters from different generations, both comfortably outside the mainstream. Randy Newman vs. Fiona Apple.

Newman defeated Adele with 90% of the vote in Round One, then The Rolling Stones with 89% in Round Two. Apple took down Dar Williams 80/20 in the first round before winning a tougher contest (60/40) against Brad Paisley.
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Song of the Day #3,314: ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ – Michael Jackson vs. Elvis Costello

Kicking off the final week of Round Threee of Montauk Madness is a showdown between two very different musical legends, Michael Jackson and Elvis Costello.

Jackson made his way here by defeating Belle & Sebastian with 86% of the vote and then easily winning the Motown Showdown with Stevie Wonder, 77-23. Costello bested Carly Rae Jepsen with 67% in Round One and John Mayer with 83% in Round Two. This will be his toughest competition yet. Continue reading →

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Song of the Day #3,313: ‘The Teacher’ – Paul Simon

Paul Simon’s tenth solo studio album, You’re the One, was released in 2000 to general acclaim, especially coming off the disastrous Broadway run of The Capeman three years earlier.

I haven’t listened to this album much since the early 2000s, but perusing its track list now I’m reminded how good it is. ‘The Teacher’ is a song I’d forgotten about entirely, but it’s quite exotic and lovely. Continue reading →

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Song of the Day #3,312: ‘Jesus & Mary’ – Guster

Every time I hear a Guster song, I like it. I own their five most recent studio albums (two earlier releases are out of print) and each of them is chock full of thoughtful, melodic pop.

Even the best acts release a bad song once in awhile, but these guys are remarkably consistent. They remind me of Ron Sexsmith in that way. You can always count on him (and them) to deliver, even if no particular song stands out head and shoulders above the rest. Solid, dependable. Like a well-made car.
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