Category Archives: song of the day

by

Song of the Day #3,281: ‘Lucinda’ – Randy Newman vs. The Rolling Stones

Here’s a nice meaty Round Two Montauk Madness matchup, pitting one of the greatest singer-songwriters against one of the greatest rock bands.

Randy Newman got here by defeating Adele with 90% of the vote in Round One, while The Stones took out Toad the Wet Sprocket in a unanimous vote. Pretty easy pickings for both of them.

Now it gets interesting. Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #3,280: ‘Higher Ground’ – Stevie Wonder vs. Michael Jackson

Fate has arranged the Montauk Madness bracket in a way that led to today’s spetacular Motown Showdown, pitting Stevie Wonder against Michael Jackson.

Wonder defeated Talking Heads in Round One, pulling in a sizable 71% of the vote. Michael Jackson fared even better, defeating Belle & Sebastian with 86%. Poor Belle & Sebastian… a top five band for me, but destined to ride the pine in the broader contest. Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #3,279: ‘Moving On and Getting Over’ – John Mayer vs. Elvis Costello

The next Montauk Madness Round Two battle is a bit of a laugher, particularly for readers of this blog. I’ll be surprised if John Mayer manages more than a single vote (my wife’s) against Elvis Costello.

Costello got here by taking out Carly Rae Jepsen, who did manage to pick up 33% of the vote. Mayer narrowly defeated Beck, 55% to 45%. Had Beck triumphed, the Beck/Costello matchup would have been interesting. Both have proved adept in multiple genres and are masters of the unexpected. Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #3,278: ‘The Hard Way’ – Mary Chapin Carpenter

I’ve lamented the lack of women in Round Two of Montauk Madness (in Round One, as well, for that matter). That’s my fault, of course, as I could have deliberately offered up a more balanced lineup.

Could I have found room for Mary Chapin Carpenter or k.d. lang, for example, two women who have released an album or two I love but many more I’ve never heard? How about Brandy Clark, Ashley Monroe or Kacey Musgraves, who have only a couple of albums each under their belts, but very strong ones? Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #3,277: ‘Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together’ – Morrissey

Morrissey is a glutton for punishment. I don’t mean that his lyrics are full of him wallowing in misery, though that’s certainly true, too. I mean that he keeps popping up on Random iTunes Weekends despite the fact that I am the only fan of his who reads this blog.

Today’s track is the ninth Random Weekend appearance by Morrissey, and that doesn’t count anything by The Smiths. Continue reading →