Great Music - Tournament Finals: Final (Matchup 13 of 13)

[mae]

For this finals poll, please choose one track to win our Tournament and be named the best piece of music from 1945 to 2015.

IMPORTANT! Please do not simply vote on name recognition (or lack thereof) alone. Please do listen to each nomination and then make your choice. Even if you think you know a track well, it's still worth giving it a listen for a refresher.

The poll will run for seven days. Discussion is greatly encouraged!

The nominees are (please let me know if any video doesn't play for you):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eqJGVl0Pr0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFi2ZM_7FnM

[mae]

HOW WE GOT HERE


Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence (1964)

Nominated (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?19382-Great-Music-Nomination-amp-Discussion-Thread-4-(1960-1964)&p=963285&viewfull=1#post963285) by T-Dogz_AK47 on December 8, 2015.
Seconded (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?19382-Great-Music-Nomination-amp-Discussion-Thread-4-(1960-1964)&p=963287&viewfull=1#post963287) by Iwritecode on December 8, 2015.

In Round 1 (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?19558-Great-Music-Round-1-1960-1964-%28Group-6-of-16%29) it placed 1st in Group 6 (March 18-25, 2016):

Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence (1964) 82.35%
The Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There (1963) 76.47%
The Kingsmen - Louie Louie (1963) 76.47%
Barry Mann - Who Put the Bomp (In the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp) (1961) 52.94%
Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come (1964) 52.94%
Otis Redding - These Arms of Mine (1962) 35.29%
B. Bumble & The Stingers - Bumble Boogie (1961) 23.53%


In Round 2 (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?19883-Great-Music-Round-2-1960-1964-%28Group-15-of-16%29) it placed 1st in Group 15 (May 9-16, 2016):

Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence (1964) 80.00%
The Contours - Do You Love Me (1962) 66.67%
Dion - Runaround Sue (1961) 60.00%
Elvis Presley - (You're the) Devil in Disguise (1963) 40.00%
Shelly Fabares - Johnny Angel (1962) 13.33%


In Round 3 (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20142-Great-Music-Round-3-1960-1964-%28Group-10-of-12%29) it placed 1st in Group 10 (June 23-30, 2016):

Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence (1964) 81.25%
Ray Charles - Georgia on My Mind (1960) 43.75%
Etta James - At Last (1960) 31.25%
Jimmy Soul - If You Wanna Be Happy (1963) 31.25%


Entering the playoffs it was ranked 6th.

In Playoffs Round 2 (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20535-Great-Music-Playoffs-Round-2-1960-1964-%28Bracket-6-of-8%29) it beat out The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight (1961) with 68.18% of the vote (September 28 - October 5, 2016).

In the Quarterfinals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20671-Great-Music-Quarterfinals-1960-1964-%28Bracket-3-of-4%29) it beat out The Zombies - She's Not There (1964) with 73.91% of the vote (November 10-17, 2016).

In the Semifinals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20743-Great-Music-Semifinals-1960-1964-%28Bracket-2-of-2%29) it beat out The Drifters - Under the Boardwalk (1964) with 90.48% of the vote (December 6-13, 2016).

In the Finals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20778-Great-Music-Finals-1960-1964-%28Final-4-of-14%29) it beat out Ben E. King - Stand By Me (1961) with 54.55% of the vote (December 19-31, 2016).

Throughout the tournament it earned an average vote percentage of 75.82%, good for 1st out of 14.

In the Tournament Finals Quarterfinals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20834-Great-Music-Tournament-Finals-Quarterfinals-%28Matchup-7-of-13%29) it beat out Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven (1971) with 52.17% of the vote (January 16-23, 2017).

In the Tournament Finals Semifinals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20848-Great-Music-Tournament-Finals-Semifinals-%28Matchup-11-of-13%29) it beat out Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight (1981) with 68.18% of the vote (January 23-30, 2017).

[mae]

HOW WE GOT HERE


Eagles - Hotel California (1976)

Nominated (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?19399-Great-Music-Nomination-amp-Discussion-Thread-7-(1975-1979)&p=966063&viewfull=1#post966063) by T-Dogz_AK47 on December 19, 2015.
Seconded (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?19399-Great-Music-Nomination-amp-Discussion-Thread-7-(1975-1979)&p=966064&viewfull=1#post966064) by divemaster on December 19, 2015.

In Round 1 (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?19627-Great-Music-Round-1-1975-1979-%28Group-8-of-16%29) it placed 1st in Group 8 (March 28 - April 4, 2016):

Eagles - Hotel California (1976) 89.47%
Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way (1976) 84.21%
Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light (1976) 52.63%
Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville (1977) 47.37%
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John - Summer Nights (1978) 42.11%
George Thorogood and The Delaware Destroyers - One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer (1977) 36.84%
David Bowie - Sound and Vision (1977) 21.05%


In Round 2 (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?19941-Great-Music-Round-2-1975-1979-%28Group-3-of-16%29) it placed 1st in Group 3 (May 16-23, 2016):

Eagles - Hotel California (1976) 100.00%
Blondie - One Way Or Another (1978) 57.14%
David Bowie - Fame (1975) 57.14%
Kiss - Detroit Rock City (1976) 35.71%
Electric Light Orchestra - Don't Bring Me Down (1979) 28.57%


In Round 3 (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20181-Great-Music-Round-3-1975-1979-%28Group-1-of-12%29) it placed 1st in Group 1 (June 30 - July 7, 2016):

Eagles - Hotel California (1976) 76.47%
Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall (1979) 64.71%
The Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down to Georgia (1979) 47.06%
Blondie - One Way Or Another (1978) 5.88%


Entering the playoffs it was ranked 2nd.

In Playoffs Round 2 (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20566-Great-Music-Playoffs-Round-2-1975-1979-%28Bracket-7-of-8%29) it beat out Boston - More Than a Feeling (1976) with 80.95% of the vote (October 6-13, 2016).

In the Quarterfinals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20687-Great-Music-Quarterfinals-1975-1979-%28Bracket-4-of-4%29) it beat out Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall (1979) with 65.00% of the vote (November 14-21, 2016).

In the Semifinals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20750-Great-Music-Semifinals-1975-1979-%28Bracket-2-of-2%29) it beat out Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb (1979) with 57.89% of the vote (December 8-15, 2016).

In the Finals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20781-Great-Music-Finals-1975-1979-%28Final-7-of-14%29) it beat out Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (1975) with 52.00% of the vote (December 19-31, 2016).

Throughout the tournament it earned an average vote percentage of 74.54%, good for 3rd out of 14.

In the Tournament Finals Quarterfinals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20837-Great-Music-Tournament-Finals-Quarterfinals-%28Matchup-10-of-13%29) it beat out Seal - Kiss From a Rose (1995) with 100.00% of the vote (January 16-23, 2017).

In the Tournament Finals Semifinals (http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?20849-Great-Music-Tournament-Finals-Semifinals-%28Matchup-12-of-13%29) it beat out Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire (1957) with 86.36% of the vote (January 23-30, 2017).

[St. Troy]

The Sound Of Silence

[Sai Sheb]

TSOS... it's gonna be tight.... let me guess Jon, another porn title??

[Jean]

Hotel California

untied!!!

[mae]

I did not expect this to be the Final at the outset and even as our last portion of the tournament began. But it seems fitting. The '60s and the '70s were great periods in music, both in rock and pop, as well as other genres. For instance, electronic music was coming into its early phase. Only 12 years separate our two finalists.

Personally, "The Sound of Silence" is one of my favorite songs of all time, so I am very happy to see it here. "Hotel California" is obviously a worthy finalist here, and a great song. Whichever wins, I'll be happy. I think the tournament turned out fine and we've all heard some great tunes, both well known classics, like these two, as well as maybe some lesser known tracks and artists who are otherwise just as great as their better known colleagues.

[Jean]

with not a single LZ (or DP, or The Doors, or Dylan...) around, I'll be happy with either of winners

[Girlystevedave]

Simon and Garfunkel

[Sai Sheb]

Pablo thanks dude for introducing me to the song"I'm my own grandpa" I loved it... but still com on people I tie at 6 a piece...

[Heather19]

Come on Eagles!!!

[mae]

Pablo thanks dude for introducing me to the song"I'm my own grandpa" I loved it... but still com on people I tie at 6 a piece...

That was divemaster's doing, I believe!

[Sai Sheb]

Come on Eagles!!!

I think that's illegal...

[divemaster]

Pablo thanks dude for introducing me to the song"I'm my own grandpa" I loved it... but still com on people I tie at 6 a piece...

That was divemaster's doing, I believe!

Yeah, that was me. I figured it would advance at least one round, but alas...

[divemaster]

A very difficult vote. I'm a huge fan of both acts. Hotel California was a huge hit when I was a kid living in the boondocks of Southern California (Santa Ynez / Solvang area), and I've loved it ever since. In the top 5 songs of all time for me. And I'm such a big fan of Simon and Garfunkel that I bought the 3-disc box set years ago, and it gets regular play.

Both songs have depth to the lyrics. The lyrics for Hotel California are enigmatic and tell a story of (fate? hell? damnation?). A song that you have to mull over and contemplate is generally an effective song. Mindless pop this is not. Likewise, the lyrics to The Sound of Silence comment on the human condition and society and how one individual can just get...lost. "The people bowed and prayed; to the neon god they made..." Powerful, powerful stuff.

After mulling it over for a couple of days, I gave my vote for:

Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence (1964).

Surprised me, really. If you would have asked me earlier in the tournament, I probably would have automatically replied "Hotel California, of course" without really thinking about it. No, The Sound of Silence is not as complex or epic a tune as Hotel California. It's rather simplistic, musically. But somehow, the simplicity enhances the harmonies and the message of the song.

[mae]

Couldn't agree more.

[Jean]

...and they are tied again!..

which means, of course, that our choice of finalists was correct; they are worthy of each other

[mae]

Yes, but also only 14 votes so far. In the recent polls we had around 20-22 votes cast, so we still have a ways to go until in closes on Monday.

[Lurker]

I finally went with Sounds of Silence. Figured if I got stuck on a desert island with one of the two finalists it would be the one I could listen to over and over.

[Jean]

if I got stuck on a desert island without LZ, Dylan, Deep Purple, The Doors, The Rolling Stones or The Beatles...
... oh no

[mae]

But if you could only have one track to play over and over?

[divemaster]

But if you could only have one track to play over and over?

Well, that would be Camille Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 in C minor ("Organ symphony"), 4th movement. But that was completed in 1886 (and premiered in 1887), so didn't make the contest.

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P08rkJ5Ugf0

[Tommy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCHREyE5GzQ

[alinda]

Beethoven every day any time forever all the way! Oh yeah baby!:rock:


By the way I think it will be no emails from me @ least.

[alinda]

I'm going now, take care my friends. I Love You.:smile_002:

[mae]

Tied at ten now. Need more votes! :panic:

[divemaster]

I just noticed--is there any reason you linked the original (acoustic) version (released as The Sounds of Silence) rather than the 1965 remix? The remix version added the instrumentation that made the song a worldwide bestseller. If I'm voting on the acoustic version, I'm changing my vote.

[ladysai]

FWIW, I voted Sound of Silence.

[mae]

I just noticed--is there any reason you linked the original (acoustic) version (released as The Sounds of Silence) rather than the 1965 remix? The remix version added the instrumentation that made the song a worldwide bestseller. If I'm voting on the acoustic version, I'm changing my vote.

The original '64 version is what was nominated. The '65 remix is the same song with an overdub and reverb, performed without S&G's knowledge or consent: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_of_Silence So the song technically belongs to the first half of the sixties.

[T-Dogz_AK47]

I just noticed--is there any reason you linked the original (acoustic) version (released as The Sounds of Silence) rather than the 1965 remix? The remix version added the instrumentation that made the song a worldwide bestseller. If I'm voting on the acoustic version, I'm changing my vote.

The original '64 version is what was nominated. The '65 remix is the same song with an overdub and reverb, performed without S&G's knowledge or consent: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_of_Silence So the song technically belongs to the first half of the sixties.

I nominated the 1964 original, but not the acoustic version posted in this thread.

This was my original nomination, which shows a different video:


Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence (1964)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zLfCnGVeL4

[mae]

It's actually the same version, from the same 1964 album.

[Jean]

yes
I can't see the video in the first post of the thread, but if it the same as this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kae_LoslXSk

then it definitely is the one and only original version, and the same as in T-Dogz_AK47's post (which I, miraculousely, can see)

[mae]

I actually prefer the original slightly. But either way, it's a tremendous song.

[Heather19]

Tight race

[divemaster]

I just noticed--is there any reason you linked the original (acoustic) version (released as The Sounds of Silence) rather than the 1965 remix? The remix version added the instrumentation that made the song a worldwide bestseller. If I'm voting on the acoustic version, I'm changing my vote.

The original '64 version is what was nominated. The '65 remix is the same song with an overdub and reverb, performed without S&G's knowledge or consent: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_of_Silence So the song technically belongs to the first half of the sixties.

Yeah, I'm aware of that. But it's a good thing that someone had the foresight to remix it, b/c the original version was such a flop that S&G broke up. It was only after the remix version was released and became a hit that the act took off and became what we know today as Simon & Garfunkel. Without the remix, who knows what would have happened.

Anyway, it was such a close call for me, that this really does tip me back to The Eagles. I won't ask you to change my actual poll vote, though, b/c it was my fault for not realizing it was not the version I was used to.

If it comes down to it, though, my "stated vote" for tiebreaker purposes will be Hotel California.

[Sai Sheb]

FWIW, I voted Sound of Silence.

This girl got taste..

[mae]

I hope the Final doesn't come to stated votes, that would be awkward. Let's get a few more votes in, y'all lovely peeps!

[T-Dogz_AK47]

I nominated both songs, so I'm going to chew them over a bit more before I cast my final vote. It's a tough choice. :thumbsup:

[Jean]

I hope the Final doesn't come to stated votes, that would be awkward
on the contrary, it would be awkward if one of the songs in the final bracket won be a big margin; it would mean something had gone desperately wrong on previous stages )))))

[divemaster]

I think he was referring to me casting a poll vote one way, but then stating a different vote for the tie-breaker. I agree, that would be a bit...off.

[Jean]

that's precisely what I secretly dreamed of doing every time we were choosing between two awesome songs

[Sai Sheb]

Com on Tdogs don't hold us in suspense... which way you voting?

[Jon]

I'm still deciding on this vote.






Come on Eagles!!!

I think that's illegal...

It's ok if you have a "porking" permit.

[mae]

Still tied, y'all :panic:

[Jon]

I cast my vote for The Eagles tune.

[Sai Sheb]

I cast my vote for The Eagles tune.

I'm sorry you feel that way !

[Iwritecode]

Just in case it gets tied again, I went with SoS.

[mae]

Wow, it's 12-11 now :excited:

[Jon]

If we go into overtime, a touchdown on the first possession wins it but if it's a field goal the other tune gets a chance to tie it right?

[mae]

Just about four hours to go :panic:

[Sai Sheb]

Com on... someone, somewhere ... one more vote please! Someone think of the children

[Jean]

move on people, move on, nothing to see here

...and the gates are slowly clooooooooooooosing..............................

(or maybe - one more vote for Hotel, someone? just to be on the safe side?)

[Sai Sheb]

move on people, move on, nothing to see here

...and the gates are slowly clooooooooooooosing..............................

(or maybe - one more vote for Hotel, someone? just to be on the safe side?)

I'm leaving my foot in the gate...

[Jean]

attention please!

someone left their foot in the gate!!

which is clooooooosing........ clooosing....... slowly but relentlessly...... irreversibly.......

COUNTDOWN!!...

...and the winner is...
...is...

[T-Dogz_AK47]

Time to slide that door back wide open....

My vote goes to The Sound of Silence.

[divemaster]

Always the drama queen, huh? 30 seconds to spare? Really?

[Tommy]

I voted Eagles if it's not too late for a stated vote.

[Jean]

Annnnnnd!... Sai Sheb's foot is free unharmed, which is the only good thing bears can see in the turn the events unexpectedly took

[mae]

Well shit, it did come to stated votes... It was very close all week long but now we have our winner. Stated votes stand at 8-5, including Tommy's and divemaster's. Therefore:

The winner of our Great Music Tournament and the best piece of music from 1945 to 2015 as deemed by this esteemed membership is Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence (1964)!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eqJGVl0Pr0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0o2pp_z9SU

We started with my crazy idea and 1,456 nominees on March 14, 2015, and 10 months and 24 days later here we are.

Thank you all! :heart:

[ladysai]

Thank you, pablo!

It was a fun tournament!

[T-Dogz_AK47]

Awesome tournament! Thanks Pablo!!! :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

[Lurker]

:thumbsup:

[mae]

I did not think this is how it would turn out, but I am happy with the result.

[divemaster]

Good job. Lots of fun.


I did not think this is how it would turn out, but I am happy with the result.

Absolutely.

[RainInSpain]

Thank you, pablo, for putting so much work into this tournament - it definitely was fun!

Expectations as to what tune would win...I must say I had none at all; not just going in but up until the very late stages. There is so much good music out there that the process itself was amazingly educational.

[T-Dogz_AK47]

Right, let's do another tournament!!! :excited: :excited:

Best Action Movie, or maybe Best Drama?

[Sai Sheb]

Great result, great tournament thanks Pablo it's been great!

[Girlystevedave]

Thanks for all the work you put into the whole thing, Pablo. It was fun. :clap:

[mae]

Glad everyone enjoyed it! We had a core group of 20 or so people voting, so thanks to each and every one of you for sticking with this for almost a year!

[Ben Staad]

That was a lot of fun. It also exposed me to some new music which was also pretty cool. Thanks, Pablo!

[fernandito]

This was a lot of fun. Great job Pablo, and everyone involved!

[fernandito]

Also somewhat ironically, I changed my avatar yesterday and that song is used in this movie.

Coincidence!?

[mae]

That's a great avatar, feev! Love Watchmen.

[Jean]

pablo, this was both epic, awesome and fun beyond words!!! thank you thank you thank you!!

[Heather19]

Great job Pablo. It was lots of fun. Bummed it came down to a tie, but at least both songs were worthy.

[mae]

I hope folks heard a bunch of good music they never heard before. I know I did.

[Randall Flagg]

Stated votes suck. That's voter fraud.
It was a tie.
I move that it stays a tie.
If all 24 voters also posted, it would be a tie!


TIETIETIETIETIE................................... .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ...............
http://dflduluthexposed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/vote-twice.jpg

[ladysai]

Youre joking, right boss?

[Randall Flagg]

Youre joking, right boss?

No.
I moved that it be declared a tie, but I can't require it to be so.

[sentinel]

Youre joking, right boss?

No.
I moved that it be declared a tie, but I can't require it to be so.

I vote for a tie too. I voted originally and knew nothing of a "stated vote" that was like some kind of after thought.
Actually, I thought it was slimy that someone tied it up at the last second, kind of like the way I feel when I get sniped on ebay.

[mae]

Or we can have a 25th person state what their vote would have been. Would that work? I know at least one person that voted fairly regularly in this tournament, who did not vote on the Final: Anubis2347.

[ladysai]

It would be great if Anubis could cast the deciding vote!

[Anubis2347]

I vote Hotel California by the Eagles

[Tommy]

:clap:

[T-Dogz_AK47]

LOLZ at changing the rules to suit after the end, just because some people didn't like the result! :lol: :rolleyes:

Stated votes were a known entity throughout the entire tournament, there was enough discussion about it in the various threads. Don't cry after the final vote has ended if you didn't bother to post one.

This was not the first poll to end in a tie and require stated votes. To change this rule now would throw earlier rounds where this occurred into chaos and effectively puts the entire tournament into doubt....

[Lookwhoitis]

I vote that tournaments suck! :D

[T-Dogz_AK47]

I vote that tournaments suck! :D

Tantrums and random rule changes certainly suck!

[Merlin1958]

I vote that tournaments suck! :D

Tantrums and random rule changes certainly suck!


I want my MTV!!!!!! lol lol

[ladysai]

Looks like The Eagles have it.

[Sai Sheb]

I feel heart broken... SOS won... I thought this was a democracy??? :frown::pullhair::(

[Ben Staad]

Ha. Now we will never know who the true winner is.

[divemaster]

It's like when you watch a movie with a great ending, but the DVD has an "alternate ending" which sucks! But it was filmed and the director considered it, so which ending is the true ending? You'll never again be able to say for sure! Every time you watch it, in the back of your mind there's always that other ending that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The whole movie is now ruined forever!

[Jon]

“This is the way the tournament ends
Not with a bang but The Sound of Silence.”


― T.S. Eliot (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18540.T_S_Eliot)