And so it ends. I cannot thank you enough for making this tournament so great, with special thanks to Nick and Joe.

Please enjoy this victory lap by our tournament champion, Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.”

Welcome to the CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND of the Ultimate Pop Song Tournament.

This game is CLOSED. CYNDI LAUPER WON!

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

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I decided to close the Final Four games a bit early, since it was obvious who was going to win and I was eager to get the final match started. Though I never would have predicted them when we started this tournament, I am delighted by our final two challengers: They are both undeniable classics that have been routinely covered, perpetually played, and consistently beloved. Those are the qualities the Ultimate Pop Song should possess.

And so… the time has come to cast your final vote. Will you choose Journey or Cyndi? Cyndi or Journey?

“Time After Time” (Cyndi Lauper)

“Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey)

Welcome to the Final Four of the Ultimate Pop Song Tournament.

These games are CLOSED.

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

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We’ve come so far! There were four decades represented at the beginning of this tournament, but now there is only one. Every division was conquered classic 80s hit, and even though I would’ve chosen Beyonce over Michael Jackson, I can’t complain with the results. All of these songs are great.

But which are the two greatest? Will “Time After Time” finally meet its match against “Like a Prayer,” or will the Cyndi Steamroller continue its path of destruction? Can Michael Jackson make us stop believin’ in Journey, or will we prove that we’re all just small town girls (and boys)? Your votes will decide!

Remember: Vote in both polls. If one poll has significantly more votes than the other, then the songs in that poll could be disqualified.

[Read more →]

Welcome to the ELITE EIGHT of the Ultimate Pop Song Tournament, Rock Warrior & Groove Thang Divisions.

These games are CLOSED. (ALL OPEN GAMES)

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

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It’s time to decide who wins each division. Can you believe it? There used to be sixteen songs in each little corner, and now there are just two.Lord, how these children do grow.

In the Sweet Sixteen games, Nirvana scored an upset over Guns ‘N Roses, who were seeded first in their division. Can Cobain and Company overtake Journey, who were seeded second? And for that matter, can Michael Jackson topple first-seeded Beyonce? Vote and decide!

[Read more →]

Welcome to the ELITE EIGHT of the Ultimate Pop Song Tournament, Joy Bomb & Deep Feelings Divisions.

These games are CLOSED. (ALL OPEN GAMES)

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

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It’s time to decide who wins each division. Can you believe it? There used to be sixteen songs in each little corner, and now there are just two.Lord, how these children do grow.

So who’s it gonna be? Madonna or Kelly Clarkson? Cyndi Lauper or Sinead O’Connor? The choices might seem impossible, but somewhere in your heart, you’ll find the answer.

[Read more →]

Welcome to the SWEET SIXTEEN of the Ultimate Pop Song Tournament, Games 7 and 8.

These games are CLOSED. (ALL OPEN GAMES)

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

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Round 2 eliminated all the rap songs from the tournament, and we’ll surely have to explain that to St. Peter. However, there are 8 amazing jams remaining in the Groove Thang division: Michael Jackson is battling Prince, and in case that’s not epic enough, Beyonce is battling herself.

[Read more →]

Welcome to the SWEET SIXTEEN of the Ultimate Pop Song Tournament, Games 5 and 6.

These games are CLOSED. (ALL OPEN GAMES)

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

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This is where the boys come to play. Though women dominate Joy Bomb and Deep Feelings, Rock Warrior has become an all-male division… and an almost all-80s division at that. Will lone 90s holdout Nirvana be able to overcome Guns ‘N Roses? And will the perpetually relevant “Don’t Stop Believin’” overtake the 80s standard-bearer “Livin’ On a Prayer?” Your votes will decide!

[Read more →]

Welcome to the SWEET SIXTEEN of the Ultimate Pop Song Tournament, Games 3 and 4.

These games are CLOSED. (ALL OPEN GAMES)

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

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Personally, I don’t know how to choose among the following songs. It’s a devil’s deal all around. Who should roll forward, Tracy Chapman or Cyndi Lauper? Simple Minds or Sinead O’Connor? Let’s steel our hearts and vote.

[Read more →]

Welcome to the SWEET SIXTEEN of the Ultimate Pop Song Tournament, Games 1 and 2.

These games are CLOSED. (ALL OPEN GAMES)

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

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And now: The competition gets intense. Madonna has trounced her earlier competitors, but how will she fare against Eurythmics? Does Dolly stand a chance against “Since U Been Gone?” Only your votes can decide!

[Read more →]

Hey everyone! This is your official update, checking in on upsets, rule changes, and next week’s schedule for the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight Rounds. WOOO!

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Vote in the Remaining Round 2 Games!

The Rock Warrior and Groove Thang games from Round 2 are still open. VOTE NOW.

The Schedule for Next Week

Sweet Sixteen: Next week, all of the Sweet Sixteen games will be posted on Monday. They will close at midnight Wednesday.

Elite Eight: The Elite Eight games will be posted by 11:00 AM on Wednesday. They will close at midnight on Friday.

Final Four: The Final Four games will be posted on Friday. They’ll stay open all weekend.

The Bracket

Since half of the round two games are over, the bracket is now updated. Shit is getting realer by the second.

Round 2 Upsets

You guys? HEART LOST. “Alone” was first seed in Round One, yet in Round Two, it was trounced by “Time After Time.” Damn.

It’s also looking like “Edge of Seventeen” is going to come back from a major deficit to defeat “Livin’ on a Prayer,” but I will discuss that here…

Rule Changes/”Fan Club” Voting

Beginning Monday, any poll that has a significantly higher number of votes than the others will be deemed suspicious. I will research the traffic for that poll, and if it’s coming largely from fan sites for a particular artist, then that artist’s song will be disqualified.

The way to avoid this, obviously, is to vote in every match-up and not just in the one for your favorite artist. If a fan site gets you here, that’s great. You’re welcome here. We love music. You love music. Great. You just really need to participate in the entire tournament. Then everybody wins.