Bracketology 3: Round 2, Week 4

[Listyguy]

We close out round two with a song that won in the first week of round 1, which is was almost over four months ago at this point. We also have all three of the 80’s songs in round two this week, including two that somehow ended up in the same bracket.

So here's how the game works: You will be given four brackets with four songs each. Your job is to rank the songs in each bracket from 1-4. You #1 song will be given 4 points, #2 will be given 3, and so on. The winner of each bracket advances to the next round. In the event of tie, whichever song gets more first place votes will advance.

5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)

40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)

62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)

26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)

[whuntva]

Two songs in the Top 200! Let's Go!

Time to Pretend
In Between Days
Wilhelm Scream
Get off of My Cloud

MGMT had #133, and I don't see it dropping off anytime soon. The rest were lackluster compared to it.

Zombie
New Slang
Staring at the Sun
Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall

"New Slang" was #256, but mostly because I had not heard "Zombie". This is another one of those rare times where a song on the all-time list is superseeded by a different song.

Making Plans for Nigel
Black Dog
Sound and Vision
Thinking Bout You

#451 and a song I should have put on carry the group. Two so-so songs round it out.

In the Air Tonight
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Rolling in the Deep
Atlantic City

#115 song wins. The rest were fairly close, all being good. I like CSNY a tiny bit more, though.

[Listyguy]

In Between Days
Get Off Of My Cloud
The Wilhelm Scream
Time to Pretend
Weak bracket

A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
New Slang
Zombie
Staring at the Sun
"Hard Rain" is one of my favorite Dylan songs, hovers near my top 10, and is by all accounts an incredible song. The lyrics are arguably Dylan's best (a praise immeasurably high), the melodies are beautiful and sinister simultaneously, and the message behind it is chilling.

Sound and Vision
Thinkin Bout You
Black Dog
Making Plans For Nigel
Interesting bracket. I like all of the songs a decent amount, but outside of Bowie none are really favorites.

Atlantic City
In the Air Tonight
Suite Judy Blue Eyes
Rolling in the Deep
The top two are damn good; the CSNY and Adele songs aren't too shabby either.

[Henry]

220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)

185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
Weakest bracket for me is the second bracket.

222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)

71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)

[Romain]

220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)

136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)

99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)

26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)

[DaveC]

60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)

153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)

99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)

26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)

[sonofsamiam]

5. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
8. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
15. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)
16. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)

1. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
2. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
13. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
14. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)

4. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
6. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
10. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
12. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)

3. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
7. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
9. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
11. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)

[slick]

156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)

40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)

222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)

167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)

[Nick]

MGMT- Time to Pretend
James Blake- The Wilhelm Scream
The Cure- In Between Days
The Rolling Stones- Get Off of My Cloud

The Shins- New Slang
Fela Kuti- Zombie
TV on the Radio- Staring at the Sun
Bob Dylan- A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

Frank Ocean- Thinkin Bout You
Led Zeppelin- Black Dog
David Bowie- Sound and Vision
XTC- Making Plans for Nigel

Adele- Rolling In the Deep
CSNY- Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Phil Collins- In the Air Tonight
Bruce Springsteen- Atlantic City

[Nassim]

Picking the #1 is really easy in all the brackets, this week's top 4 is way ahead of the competition in my book.
Ranking the brackets wasn't that easy though, especially bracket 2 who could go another way any other day.

4. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
11. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)
13. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)

2. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
7. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
8. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
9. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)

1. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
12. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
14. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
16. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
I really don't get Sound and Vision, the riff annoys me to death, I'd barely tolerate this song as a 30 seconds theme for a TV show... the only good thing I can say about it is that it's short.

3. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
6. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
10. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
15. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)

[Stephan]

5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)

153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)

222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)

135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)

[Rob]

All these four brackets are the same: one outstanding song as #1, followed by a worthy follower. Than on #3 we always find a song I like perfectly fine, without being impressed by it. The #4 always does nothing for me (and, in the case of New Slang, annoys me). Saves me time describing the brackets, I guess.

6. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
8. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
10. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
15. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)

1. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
7. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
9. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
16. The Shins - New Slang (2001)

4. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
5. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
12. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
14. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)

2. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
3. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
11. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
13. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)

[jamieW]

The Cure - In Between Days (1985) 9
MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007) 8
James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011) 8
The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965) 7

Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976) 8
TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003) 8
The Shins - New Slang (2001) 8
Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963) 7+

Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971) 8
David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977) 8
XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979) 7+
Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012) 6

Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981) 10
Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010) 9
Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969) 7+
Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982) 6

[Henrik]

Hard week to rank, but the newer songs are the best of the bunch.

1. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)
5. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
11. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
14. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)

6. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
8. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
9. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
10. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)

2. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
13. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
15. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
16. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)

3. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
4. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
8. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
12. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)

[Brad]

220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)

40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)

222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)

135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)

Thanks!

[Honorio]

1. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
10. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
11. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)
14. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)

3. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
4. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
9. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
16. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)

2. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
5. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
7. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
12. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)

6. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
8. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
13. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
15. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)

Best bracket of the week in my opinion: #3

[Listyguy]

Get them votes in!

[Luke JR68]

1. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
6. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
12. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
13. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)

5. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
9. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
15. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
16. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)

2. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
3. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
7. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
10. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)

4. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
8. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
11. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
14. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)

These were some pretty meh brackets overall, the #3 was probably the best

[Harold]

1. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
2. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
3. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
4. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)

Here’s a rarity for me: a recent track beating out a lifelong classic-rock favorite. As much as I love #2, it’s a little played out for me by now; “Time to Pretend” was an exhilarating breath of fresh air when I first heard it, and it hasn’t lost that freshness yet.

1. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
2. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
3. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
4. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)

“Hard Rain” is one of the greatest songs ever written, and it’s the finest track in any bracket this week.

1. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
2. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
3. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
4. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)

“Black Dog” is my second-favorite track of the week, although its competition here is more formidable – this is the best top-to-bottom bracket.

1. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
2. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
3. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
4. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)

See comments for Bracket 1 above, although #’s 3 and 4 here are pretty great, too.

[Listyguy]

So far only 17 votes this week. I think the lowest we've ever gotten was 23. Hoping we can hit that in the next day and a half.

[Bruno]

5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)
220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)

40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)

222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)
99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)

26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)

[antonius]

220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)

185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)
40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)

99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)

135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)
26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)

[Listyguy]

One day left to vote!

[Listyguy]

8 (ish) hours left to vote! We haven't hit 20 yet, come on guys! (Note: I may not be able to close this poll on time, it may be a little later today).

[Sweepstakes Ron]

1. MGMT - Time to Pretend
6. The Cure - In Between Days
9. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud
12. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream

8. Fela Kuti - Zombie
14. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
15. The Shins - New Slang
16. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun

Man, was this a poor bracket for me. "Zombie" is a funk masterpiece, and probably the reason I even voted for this bracket, but it doesn't move nearly as much as I want it to. "Hard Rain" is by far my least favorite of the Dylan songs that appeared in this game. The other two did not move me at all in Round 1, and my opinion of them has not changed much since.

3. David Bowie - Sound and Vision
7. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel
10. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog
11. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You

2. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight
4. Adele - Rolling in the Deep
5. Crosby, Stills & Nash - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
13. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City

[Hymie]

220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (2007)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (2011)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (1985)

185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (1963)
153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
40. The Shins - New Slang (2001)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (2003)

222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (1979)
99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (2012)

71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (1982)
26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (2010)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981)

[Listyguy]

I’m already late, so no comments, just results. Only two comments: No 80s songs will make it to round 3, and only one artist (Led Zeppelin) got two songs through.

5. MGMT - Time to Pretend (62, 6)
156. The Cure - In Between Days (59, 7)
220. The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud (50, 6)
60. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream (39, 2)

153. Fela Kuti - Zombie (60, 7)
40. The Shins - New Slang (55, 6)
185. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (50, 6)
136. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun (45, 2)

222. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (61, 10)
99. David Bowie - Sound and Vision (57, 6)
126. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel (51, 2)
62. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You (41, 3)

26. Adele - Rolling in the Deep (58, 8)
167. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (54, 5)
71. Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (50, 3)
135. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City (48, 5)

[Maschine_Man]

Edit: Whoops! I was back and forth from home all last week. I'm all over the place

[Harold]

Maschine_Man, this round closed last week. We're in the semifinals already.