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The Ultimate Pop Song Tournament: Games 9 and 10 (Deep Feelings Division)

July 26th, 2011 · 28 Comments

Welcome to Games 9 and 10 of the Ultimate Pop Song Tournament!

These games are CLOSED. (GO HERE FOR OPEN GAMES)

To see the complete bracket, just go here. For info on how we chose the songs and everything else Tournament-related, go here.

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As we enter the Deep Feelings bracket, we find some wailing sisters battling a wailing Meat Loaf and eclipsed hearts battling the regularity of time.

Game 9 (Deep Feelings Division)

“Alone” (Heart) v. “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” (Meat Loaf)

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1. “Alone” (Heart)

Like so many songs written by the great Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg (“Like a Virgin,” “Eternal Flame,” “I’ll Stand By You,” “So Emotional”), “Alone” demonstrates the power of a simple lyric. There’s no great poetry in the lines “til’ now, I always got by on my own,” yet there’s a clear evocation of loneliness. You only need to hear this song once to realize how true it is, which means it can leap into your heart (pun intended.) Even better, the perfectly timed drum crashes, Ann Wilson’s lung-busting lead vocal, and Nancy Wilson’s crazy-high harmonies add drama to the emotion of the words. This song is bombastic, yes, but sometimes you can’t be quiet about the need for good loving. –Mark

16. “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” (Meat Loaf)

Lorraine Crosby. That’s the name of the woman who arrives six minutes into this song and turns it into an essential recording. Yes, Meat Loaf’s operatic singing and Jim Steinman’s unapologetically melodramatic songwriting are cheesily awesome, but when Mrs. Loud (as she’s credited in the liner notes) arrives to question Meat Loaf’s devotion, she adds a delicious, Human League-style counterpoint to all his tremulous claims. She doesn’t even believe him, y’all. She hears all his promises and thinks he’ll just screw around on her later, and THAT is what he says he “won’t do.” He won’t get freaky on the side. But thank god he WILL get freaky with Lorraine Crosby on this recording. Lighters up, everyone. It’s time to enjoy the drama. And don’t worry: We’ll hose you down with holy water if you get too hot. – Mark


 

 

 

poll by twiigs.com

Game 10

(Deep Feelings Division)

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” (Bonnie Tyler) v. “Time After Time” (Cyndi Lauper)

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8. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (Bonnie Tyler)

This tournament almost included all four of of Jim Steinman’s big hits (along with this song and “I’d Do Anything For Love,” he wrote “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” and “Making Love Out of Nothing At All”), but if we’d been forced to choose just ONE, this would’ve been the winner. If you’re gonna go over the top, you may as well leave the atmosphere, and you may as well hire a gravelly-voiced British rock goddess to sing so loudly that you’ll be able to hear her from space. – Mark

9. “Time After Time” (Cyndi Lauper)

“Time After Time” is awfully close to becoming a standard in the American Songbook: Everyone from R&B divas to Chinese schoolchildren have covered it, and why wouldn’t they? It’s haunting and lovely, and it evokes permanent thoughts of Lauper’s crazy-assed hair. –Mark

poll by twiigs.com

Tags: Closed Games · Music · Pop Songs Tournament

28 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Danny // Jul 26, 2011 at 9:48 am

    “Alone” is my favorite pop song of all time. I’m a little upset to see it as the #1 seed because I like to root for the underdog, but… go, “Alone,” go!

    “Time After Time” vs. “Total Eclipse” has to be one of the most brutal matchups of this tournament- and in round one, no less! I honestly don’t know.

  • 2 Mark Blankenship // Jul 26, 2011 at 9:51 am

    I ended up going with “Alone” (obvs, since I ranked it first seed), and after much internal struggle, I chose “Time After Time” for its simple beauty. But I will no doubt regret that choice later. Then feel good about it again.

  • 3 Toastie // Jul 26, 2011 at 9:55 am

    I’m lovin it! I only wish there was whole “Deep Feelings” tournament so there could be some Chicago and Peter Cetera (“Glory of Love”).

  • 4 Christy Baker // Jul 26, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Heart and Cyndi, hands down. Didn’t even blink an eye. Time After Time is so genius. And Alone is one of my favorite karaoke songs of ALL time.

  • 5 Dan Turner // Jul 26, 2011 at 10:01 am

    Anyone who argues against Heart and Cyndi Lauper is no friend of mine. Rally, Cyndi! Rally!!!

  • 6 Hebby // Jul 26, 2011 at 10:04 am

    Okay, some of these pairings are just mean. Bonnie Tyler singing a song that demands, irrespective of location, you eighties-arms and air-power-ballad, versus what’s one of the most perfect love songs ever, one that just *works* on multiple levels. And I have to pick between them?

    Harsh, Mark Blankenship. Harsh.

  • 7 par3182 // Jul 26, 2011 at 10:07 am

    i hope you realise how many sleepless nights you’ll be causing me between now and the deadline trying to choose between cyndi and bonnie – it’s the hardest choice since sophie’s

    at least the other game was easy – the wilson sisters all the way (although things would’ve been different if they were up against meat’s you took the words right out of my mouth)

  • 8 Mark Blankenship // Jul 26, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Hebby & Par — You’ve found me out. I am secretly an Avenging Angel, sent to punish the world with my brutal contests. TREMBLE! (ahem) (ahem) But seriously: It’s been really interesting to see which matchups are causing people the most grief. This one, by far, has been causing the most anxiety since the bracket was published.

  • 9 InfoMofo // Jul 26, 2011 at 10:14 am

    Oh man, like I said, this whole first round is going to be full of really tough matchups. Alone is solid, but the second matchup has me a little conflicted.

  • 10 Dan Turner // Jul 26, 2011 at 10:29 am

    After seeing the phrase used so many times in these comments: may I suggest we change “Sophie’s choice” to “Ultimate Pop Song Tournament choice”? I mean that bitch just had to choose once and live with her decision. Try making three choices a day for a month, Sophie, and then let’s discuss conflicted pangs of regret!

  • 11 Jen // Jul 26, 2011 at 10:33 am

    Both of these were hard! I went for Meatloaf (cause I figured he needed the help and I honestly couldn’t decide) and Cyndi. I love all of these songs though!

  • 12 adam807 // Jul 26, 2011 at 10:46 am

    I may have to root for “Alone” to take the whole thing. I mean, for the drum solo alone.

    I wish “Total Eclipse” were in a different category. It’s more of a joy bomb for me than a deep feelings. Based on the category, I have to give it to “Time After Time,” which is a weeper of the first order. But it was a tough choice!

  • 13 Jesse // Jul 26, 2011 at 10:58 am

    My problem is the part where each artist only gets one song, right? So I’m voting Cyndi v. Bonnie as much as song v. song, and Cyndi wins that battle hands down, even though Total Eclipse might have won as a song. Ah well.

  • 14 jessica // Jul 26, 2011 at 11:21 am

    My friend’s mom used to think Meatloaf was singing “hold you down with only one arm”, which is one of my favorite misheard lyrics of all time because it’s just so nonsensical.

  • 15 Maggie // Jul 26, 2011 at 11:56 am

    Deep feelings indeed…

    “Alone” was an easy choice.

    Surprising even myself, I ultimately had to go with Bonnie Tyler in this case. I have loved that song for such a long time. Plus, I went to an all girls high school, and I am kind of sick of Cyndi Lauper. Even though I would in no way begrudge her the win.

  • 16 Emily // Jul 26, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Sang “Time After Time” with with my all-girl band in high school (The Philadelphia High School for Girls–represent!). Love.
    And I went with the Loaf on this one, although I realize he’ll never make it out of this round. Heart’s power ballads never really did it for me–I was much more affected by their heavier rock (can I get a “Barracuda” up in here? W00t!)

  • 17 ferretrick // Jul 26, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    I love “I’d Do Anything For Love” for all it’s unashamed big old slice of limburger stinkiness, but against a legitimately awesome song like “Alone?” No question.

    I think this would have made more sense to place “Alone” versus “Total Eclipse.” Let the big belters battle it out.

  • 18 Angie // Jul 26, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    Why do you hurt me for making me vote against “I’d Do Anything For Love” AND “Total Eclipse of the Heart”? Two songs that are SO GREAT, but not as great as “Time After Time” and Alone.

    PS-The Sarah McLachlan/Lauper version of “Time After Time” is lovely. Also, I decided I wanted Carrie Underwood to win American Idol while she was singing “Alone.”

  • 19 jessica // Jul 26, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    @Angie: I think everyone decided Carrie was the winner (or should be) during that “Alone” performance.

  • 20 Kitty // Jul 26, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    You guys? YOU GUYS. How can I possibly choose between Bonnie and Cyndi? Especially those two songs?! I share everyone’s pain here. I am leaving the fate of this match-up in your hands; I can’t vote against either one.

    OTOH – “Alone” for the win!

  • 21 Monty // Jul 26, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    Much as I would love a Steinman-vs-Steinman round two, I had to vote for Heart and Cyndi. Because “Time After Time” is the best song in the world.

  • 22 Michael // Jul 26, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    I can’t even contemplate how “Eclipse” is losing to “Time After Time.”

  • 23 verucaamish // Jul 26, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Because you can do a karaoke Time After Time to your best friend as she is leaving for a 2 year fellowship to Oxford.

  • 24 Sadie // Jul 26, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    “I Would Do Anything for Love”. I don’t know. It’s an irrational decision but well, deep feelings. I think maybe I voted for it because it’s so crazy.

    And then, I had to go with Cyndi. “Time after Time” is the ultimate deep feelings song for me. I love Cyndi. I love this song. Also, I’ve seen “Total Eclipse” danced to in a literal way too many times.

  • 25 Jessica (er...different Jessica from above) // Jul 27, 2011 at 12:24 am

    (Just call me ‘Uppercase’ Jessica. Jessica U. UJess. U-J. anyway…)

    I went with the Heart song and ‘Time After Time.’

  • 26 Hellcat13 // Jul 27, 2011 at 9:50 am

    Alone FTW.

    And I had to go with Eclipse, because for me, a truly great pop song is one that totally gets you busted by other drivers for wailing along with it while you’re alone in the car. I can’t say I’d be mortified to be caught singing Time After Time, but I’d be singing into the hand-mic for Eclipse.

  • 27 robot // Jul 28, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    hadn’t heard the Alone song before, the lyrics are kind of weak until the chorus, which is great rock ballad material

    meatloaf had the whole beauty and beast homage to the terminator lady and the guy from sons of anarchy, plus his beast makeup looks just like the new dude’s eyebrows in Conan Barbarian reboot

    bob, bob has bitch tits
    Meatloaf

    the next match was basically like UNC vs Duke in round one! but had to go with Cyndi Lauper
    both are cheese but Time after Time is at least honest cheese, not cheetos with cheezwz on top

    Time after Time

  • 28 Roommate Joe // Jul 29, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    I love how the vote of somebody who’s never heard of “Alone” counts the same as everybody else’s vote. Democracy!

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