Today we’re starting the second half of our tour of the 256 most-acclaimed songs.

Ballots due by midnight, Saturday, August 11.

BRACKET 33
47. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967)
82. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)
175. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969)
210. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994)

BRACKET 34
18. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)
111. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969)
146. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969)
239. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980)

BRACKET 35
50. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
79. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974)
178. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966)
207. The Band, “The Weight” (1968)

BRACKET 36
15. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982)
114. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)
143. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965)
242. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963)

…and, yes, I know there are two Stones songs in bracket 34. Hey, I just work here (this coincidence will happen again to other artists two more times in the first round).

BRACKET 33
1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) - Mr. Hendrix is and will always be the ultimate guitar god. Why? Because he writes such great songs. It has nothing to do with wanking around on a fretboard.
2. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) - Listen all y'all the Beastie Boys just justified their career.
3. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) - Pop reggae. Couldn't really care less to be honest.
4. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) - Borrrrrring.

BRACKET 34
1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) - No one writes scary R&B/blues-rock like the Stones. This is downright apocalyptic.
2. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) - It's a what-coulda-been song, like You Know You're Right or Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay. Strong bass-line.
3. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) - A Motorhead song in Bracketology? This must be my lucky day! Still, 3rd. What else would you expect with the above competition?
4. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) - Even the rock version is annoying. The country version is downright irritating.

BRACKET 35
1. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) - This is my city's anthem. No serious musician dares play a Toronto gig without paying homage. The fact that the character in question could be sixteen or sixty shows just how timeless this story is.
79. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) - I guess this is the Natty Dread version. Live is much better, like night and day better. It doesn't really matter when up against The Weight though.
178. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) - Crazy organ, crazier name.
2. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) - It's a good song, Motown's always so solid, but can't hold a candle to the powerhouses above.

BRACKET 36 (Holy cannoli there's some quality material this week!)
15. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) - Despite Richard's assessment this is the most vital and motivating hip hop track to date. I used to think Hip Hop had no emotion, then I heard this piece of urban paranoia. It practically validates the whole genre, and, yes, that includes Mims.
114. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) - The organist was only recently given a song-writing credit for this song. Before he was shut out by his bullying bandmates. Hopefully this sparks a legal revolution where all backing musicians will be given fair ownership of the music they created.
242. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) - I swear that in the San Quentin concert the Carter family were doing the horn parts vocally. It sounds so thin and cartoony, way different from the tense atmosphere one would expect when performing for murderers and rapists. Catchy tune, bit of a mariachi vibe.
143. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) - It's an alright tune but, especially for the Beatles, it sounds a little unnecessary.

BRACKET 33
1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) - A killer riff, perhaps the single-most misinterpreted lyric in the history of rock, combined with the glorious union of Strat, Marshall, and Octavia = a psychedelic classic.
2. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) – It’s fun, but not a song that I enjoy listening to.
3. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969)
4. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) - I can appreciate the innovation and their contribution to the genre, but that doesn't mean I have to like the group, or the songs.

BRACKET 34
1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) - Great intro, powerful vocals "rape, murder; it's just a shot away." The Stones at their best.
2. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) – #2 spot simply on the grounds that it’s fast, loud and angry.
3. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) – The worst Stones song. No wait, second worst. “Sympathy” gets that title.
4. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) - If there was ever a band whose acclaim was so universal and enduring as to completely overshadow the poor quality of their output, Joy Division would be it. These poster-boys of post-punk/new-wave been lauded for so long that people are virtually blind to their catalogue of depressive, indie-gloom garbage. This song is a perfect example; widely considered the band’s most accessible, yet it offers nothing but an annoyingly repetitive bass-line and a clichéd (and ironic!) sentiment. They have all the ingredients that I normally find appealing: the tortured-artist lead singer, the baritone vocals, the doom-and-gloom lyrics, the brooding instrumentation, the frustratingly meager discography! Add to the fact, their influence can be heard in four of my favorite bands – Radiohead, Interpol (and second-cousin Editors), Smashing Pumpkins, and U2, not to mention numerous others. And when all’s said and done, I appreciate the musicianship, commend the artistic ambition, and applaud their influence (even if I don’t completely understand their importance for countless fans and musicians). Nonetheless, none of their songs, not even this attempt at pop, appeal to me.

BRACKET 35
1. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) - Enjoyable. The song is sensitive, and the melody is subtle – Marley doesn’t try to knock you over the head with it. One of his better songs. (I’m going by the well-known 1975 live version for my comments here)
2. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) – My opinion of this song changes daily; some days I think it’s great, and other times I think it’s a stinker. I can’t decide today, so I’ll give it three points for being a product of my home country, Canada.
3. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966)
4. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) - I cannot comment objectively on this song as the Bowie/Jagger version on YouTube is still fresh in my memory. The 80’s still has a lot of explaining to do.

BRACKET 36
1. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) – If there was any Beatles song that I would label mediocre, it would be this one. It’s certainly not as impressive as other songs from the Lennon/McCartney catalogue, but it’s still Beatles and thusly deserving of a top spot here.
2. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) – Yawn.
3. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982)
4. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) – Overrated.


An extremely easy week - four clear #1 songs and 12 others that I could really care less about (hence the lack of comments for these).

The relative ease of this week is inversely proportional to the amount of pain and personal torment that Week 11 will bring. A regression to the mean, I suppose.

Bracket 33
1. BEASTIE BOYS, “SABOTAGE”: I’m slightly surprised to be putting this ahead of Hendrix and Perkins. I listen to every song before I vote on it, although usually that just confirms the order I already have in mind. But after hearing everything in this bracket, this is the clear winner for me—the Beasties at their peak. Brilliant, explosive, fun. (And, although I don’t take this into consideration, excellent video).
2. THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE, “PURPLE HAZE”
3. CARL PERKINS, “BLUE SUEDE SHOES”
Very close between these two, and, normally, I’d take rockabilly over psychedelic. But I went with a stranger criterion in this bracket: I was jogging recently when “Purple Haze” came up on the old iPod, and the primitive stereo effects at the end scared the crap out of me—I thought a car was about to hit me. So: respect, James…and sorry, Carl (along with Gene Vincent and Lloyd Price, one of my favorite second-tier 50s rockers).
4. JIMMY CLIFF, “MANY RIVERS TO CROSS”: Answering the question, what would happen if you removed the usual heavy backbeat from a reggae song? In this case, mediocre gospel.

Bracket 34
1. ROLLING STONES, “GIMME SHELTER”: Martin Scorsese brainwashed me into voting for this song. Can I revise my earlier opinion that “Sympathy for the Devil” is their best?
2. JOY DIVISION, “LOVE WILL TEAR US APART”: I think we have the two most obscure songs in the AM Top 20 this week (this and “The Message”), and I’m curious to find out how this one will do, since it’s the earliest real example of a a genre—new wave—which is not generally held in high esteem here (except by me, Moonbeam, and one or two others).
3. MOTÖRHEAD, “ACE OF SPADES”: This song is absolute genius, but it’s not their fault they’re in this bracket. Beautifully ugly, the way metal should be.
4. ROLLING STONES, “HONKY TONK WOMEN”: The Stones have never been more fun, but this is a tough group.

Bracket 35
1. BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS, “NO WOMAN NO CRY”: Nobody who’s ever visited the Caribbean can do aught but put this at #1. For once, I think AM has an artist’s best song rated highest.
2. MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS, “DANCING IN THE STREET”: Strong #2 here; Anthony’s “credentials” thread reminded me that the baritone sax part is one of the few pieces of music I can actually play (kinda). Pure joy.
3. ? & THE MYSTERIANS, “96 TEARS”: Good frat rock, no more, no less.
4. THE BAND, “THE WEIGHT”: I’m fond of the Band, and they deserve a spot in the tournament—but I can’t think of a song of theirs that really makes me sit up and take notice that it’s a classic. Maybe if we do albums one day…

Bracket 36
1. GRANDMASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE, “THE MESSAGE”: Brilliant, groundbreaking, and the most authentic-feeling walk down mean streets in pop music. With Public Enemy gone from the tournament, if this song doesn’t take this bracket, I can’t imagine any rap making it to the round of 64.
2. JOHNNY CASH, “RING OF FIRE”: Unfortunately, this is the only proof we have in this tournament of the genius of the Carter Family (one of them, anyway).
3. THE BEATLES, “HELP!”: Cute li’l song, although I think most of its acclaim is because it’s seen as John’s first experiment in song memoir.
4. PROCOL HARUM, “A WHITER SHADE OF PALE”: OK, so you got an A in Medieval English literature. Now go away.

BRACKET 33
Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994)
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967)
Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969)
Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)

Amazing Beastie Boys song. That one will never grow old. Jimi Hendrix is at his best on this one. That Jimmy Cliff song isn't my favourite. I find it rather dull, as do I with Blue Suede Shoes. It's dated.

BRACKET 34
Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)
Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980)
The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969)
The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969)

Love Will Tear Us Apart is one of the greatest songs ever written, so it is definitely top of the group here. I also enjoy Motorhead, while these two Stones songs aren't my favourite. I love the Stones, though, only not so much these two.

BRACKET 35
? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966)
The Band, “The Weight” (1968)
Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974)

Excellent 96 Tears deserves first place here. I discovered it at the same time I discovered acclaimedmusic, and now I love both. The Band are great, especially this song, while there is almost a tie for bottom place. I'm not a big fan of either, but Martha gets third this time. Maybe next time, Bobby.

BRACKET 36
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982)
Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963)
Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)
The Beatles, “Help!” (1965)

Amazing Grandmaster Flash song. The best there is in early hiphop. Good Cash song as well, though a bit dated. Procol Harum is ok, but I'm quite tired of it, and that Beatles song just ain't so good.

BRACKET 33
1. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) - Wow, this is special. 4 songs I don't think belong in the top 250 all in 1 bracket. This one is the best of the worst though.
2. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) - Elvis does it better, much better.
3. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) - Don't really like any of Hendrix' work, Purple Haze is no exception although I don't turn it off when it comes along.
4. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) - This song I do.

BRACKET 34
1. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) - 2 great Stones songs, 1 from a very acclaimed album I think should be less acclaimed and 1 from a less acclaimed album I think should be more acclaimed. Ah well, can't have everything. I'll just stick to the order from AM, which is good.
2. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) - See #1.
3. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) - I recently rediscovered this song, and it's beautiful.. you can never tear us apart again! I was planning on giving this a #1 spot just for being my best rediscovery this year.. but hey, what can beat the Stones.
4. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) - Not my thing, albeit a top notch song for the genre.

BRACKET 35
1. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) - First time I heard this song I was sold, this is reggae. It's never been better and it never will be better. Go Marley.
2. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) - Tough choice between ? and the Band, both weird names for bands in my not so humble opinion. The Weight wins by a nose because it has more than 3 lines.
3. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) - The beat in this song is incredibly infectious, I just played it 3 times.
4. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) - Poor Martha, what are you gonna do when 3 killer songs come to get you? Finish 4th, yes you are! *goes on talking to himself*

BRACKET 36
1. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) - Cash takes the win.
2. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) - And Procol Harum just doesn't stand a chance. Little better than the furious five and their grandpops though.
3. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) - Here I was planning on showing that I don't hate rap or hiphop by placing Mr. Flash in #1, because I really like this song. But, of course, I was thwarted in my plans by 2 great songs that are simply better. Could have expected that to happen of course..
4. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) - Another mediocre Beatles song I, honestly, hadn't even heard of until I found AM. Did recognize it as soon as I played it though.. but still.

BRACKET 33
1. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994)-Pure energy song. Pumps me up.
2. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967)-Tremendous riff, great lyrics
3. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)-I can understand its appeal, but it's just kind of dull to me.
4. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969)-Completely not my type of song, too slow.

BRACKET 34
1. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)-Great writing and bass line.
2. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969)-Not a big Stones fan but this one's good.
3. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980)-Not a big metal fan, but it's still pretty good.
4. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969)-Annoying to me. The minute I see the title I just don't really want to listen to it.

BRACKET 35
1. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964)-Extremely catchy and fun. Can't get it out of my head.
2. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974)-Like Bob Marley, and don't care much for the next two.
3. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966)-Okay ongoing sound, but still don't like it all that much.
4. The Band, “The Weight” (1968)

BRACKET 36
1. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982)-One of my favorite songs. Absolute masterpice on life on the streets of New York. I really like rap as well so have no problems putting a rap song up here. I wish others embraced rap more.
2. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963)-Love the Mexican beat and Cash's voice. It's featured on a Nascar commercial right now and I like hearing that, even though I don't care for Nascar much.
3. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965)-Not my favorite Beatles song, but third because it's them.
4. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)-Not my type.

BRACKET 33

1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) Deserves to be ranked #1 for its influence, certainly, but it also deserves to be #1 because it’s weird and rocks like a bastard.
2. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) It’s a lovely song, for sure, though it’s not my favourite thing on the Harder They Come s/t (that would be Johnny Too Bad). Nevertheless, if I was ranking this purely on emotional response this would get ranked over Purple Haze on my list.
3. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) I’d prefer to see the Elvis version here, but Carl deserves his dues as well.
4. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) Funny men, but I get nothing from their music.

BRACKET 34
1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) One of the meanest, nastiest and spookiest sounding rock songs. Of all their great songs, this may be the one where they fulfilled their mythology the most.
2. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) Further proof that the greatness of the Stones was not merely the collective delusion of dope-addled hippies. Great primal rock music.
3. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) My favourite metal song, I think, but it loses out against the twin pillars above it.
4. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) A pretty good rock song lessened by ugly vocals.

BRACKET 35
1. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) Pretty good proto-punk song, but it wouldn’t win in a stronger bracket in my world.
2. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) The intro to the famous live version almost always gives me a chill in the right way. His greatest song.
3. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) Lovely harmonies, wonderful playing, but Robbie Robertson’s self-mythologizing rubs me the wrong way.
4. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) I love motown, but not this kind of Motown. Give me the temps, the tops, marvin, anything but this.

BRACKET 36
1. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) To me, this song exemplifies the greatness of the Beatles more than any other: a pure melody, wonderful harmonies, a lyric that’s touching and meaningful without being the slightest bit wimpy. One of the greatest pure pop records ever.
2. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) Another perfect example of why the 60s were such a miraculous time for pop music. One of the best examples of art-rock done with subtlety and taste.
3. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) Just as exciting and essential in its way as the procul harum and beatles songs, but rap means a good deal less to me than 60s pop, so #3 it is.
4. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) Two Johnny Cash songs in the top 256, one George Jones, 0 Merle Haggard: that’s unjust in my eyes, though not unexpected or unprecedented. Certainly I take nothing away from JC, but there’s no way that this is a finer song than Here in Frisco or The Fugitive.

BRACKET 33
1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” - The electric guitar is rock's definining instrument, Hendrix is the instrument's defining musician, and this is one of his defining songs.
2. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” - Giving a shout-out to swinging '50s rock. a) because it's great, b) because it's underappreciated here.
3. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” - A beautiful reggae ballad that touches the soul (if you have one).
4. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” - This one kicks ass, too. Just shows you how tough this bracket is. The boys still don't really know how to play their instruments, but it's just great, sloppy rock 'n' roll with Ad-Rock yelling, "Sabotage!"

BRACKET 34
1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” - The ominous intro seals the deal a few seconds in, and the rest of the song lives up to it.
2. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” - I like angst done right, and this is new wave with some meaning and an edge.
3. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” - Not really at their best here. But their worst stuff when they were in their prime is still pretty good.
4. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” - Solid heavy metal track, but not much more. I'll take the card anytime.

BRACKET 35
1. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” - An even more beautiful reggae ballad than "Many Rivers." Simple, effective, brilliant.
2. The Band, “The Weight” - Really tough putting this amazing song No. 2. The Band's finest moment.
3. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” - Exuberant and fun Motown track, but it's overrated I think.
4. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” - OK organ rock from the '60s.

BRACKET 36
1. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” - "The Message" it is.
2. The Beatles, “Help!” - "When I was younger, so much younger than today ..." Man, they've grown up already.
3. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” - Cool country rock with some giddyup. Not quite up to the standards of the first two, though.
4. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” - Pretentious. My name for it, "A Duller Shade of Boring."

I hate to tell you this, damosuzuki, but actually it's Johnny Cash 3, George Jones 0.

Your point is well taken, though--I'd also like to see Merle Haggard, and for that matter, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson (hell, Dwight Yoakam, while I'm wishing). Oh well, at least we've got Hank Sr. and Patsy Cline.

3 songs seems right for Cash, I think--the heart of the music on AM is rock and roll, and JC does fit in that tradition...as I said in my "Folsom Prison" comment, after the 1950s rock and country started to travel on separate tracks.

BRACKET 33
1. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) - A perfect song - vocal, melody, lyrics, emotion, etc. Easy winner in this bracket.
2. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) - Jimi's great, but this one's getting old.
3. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) - I guess I like the cover a little better.
4. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) - Funny video. Not a song I regularly (or ever) need to hear.

BRACKET 34
1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) - One of my favorite Stones songs. Great guitar, arrangement, mood. Unique.
2. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) - Not my favorite style/era of music, but great song.
3. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) - Similar to Purple Haze. Good song starting to sound really old.
4. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) - Not my thing.

BRACKET 35
1. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) - I love the Band and this is one of their great songs - just not quite as great as the unranked "Across the Great Divide."
2. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) - Big fun. A local fave here in Michigan.
3. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) - Nice reggae tune, but not in the same class as Jimmy Cliff's masterpiece.
4. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) - Martha is now on the Detroit City Counsel. I'm not holding that against her (too much). Mostly I am just totally sick of this song, which is just a tired formula. Chuck Berry did it better.

BRACKET 36
1. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) - I might like this one more for the songwriting (June Carter) than the performance, but both are top notch. An American classic that will endure for years to come.
2. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) - One of the best Beatles songs, imho, even if on the poppy side.
3. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) - A groundbreaking tune that really blew me away the first time I heard it back in '82. Stil, I would rather hear "Help!" today, and it is even older.
4. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) - One of the great sixties songs.

BRACKET 33
1- Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross”
2- Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes”
3- The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze”
4- Beastie Boys, “Sabotage”

BRACKET 34
1- Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
2- The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women”
3- The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter”
4- Motörhead, “Ace of Spades”

BRACKET 35
1- The Band, “The Weight
2- ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears”
3- Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry”
4- Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street”

BRACKET 36
1- Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message”
2- Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale”
3- The Beatles, “Help!”
4- Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire”

Thanks for the correction, Schleuse. I obviously should have reviewed the list before posting. For some reason I was certain that a Jones track had been included in one of the prior brackets. I'll use the fact that I was posting on Friday night after a tough work week as an excuse!

I take absolutely nothing away from JC, of course. He deserves to be ranked among the greats, certainly. However, as I posted in another thread, one of my pet peeves is that so many rock/pop fans completely and unfairly dismiss the entire country genre but will give Cash a pass. I think Merle Haggard in particular is one of the great popular artists of the modern era. He's compiled a body that compares quite favourably with Dylan, but that rarely gets acknowledged outside of the country genre. I suppose that could be said of many artists in other genres, of course - country is just something that happens to be close to my heart.

Bracket 33:
1. Purple Haze-Easy Winner
2. Sabotage
3. Blue Suede Shoes
4. Many Rivers To Cross

Bracket 34:
1. Love Will Tear Us Apart-Another Easy Winner
2. Gimme Shelter
3. Ace Of Spades
4. Honky Tonk Woman

Bracket 35:
1. No Woman No Cry-Would have taken Gimme Shelter over Marley
2. 96 Tears
3. Dancing in the Street (Would have preferred "Dancing in the Sheets" from Shalamar!!!)
4. The Weight-Get this heaping pile of HS out of here)

Bracket 36:
1. The Message
2. Ring Of Fire
3. A Whiter Shade Of Pale
4. Help

BRACKET 33= The Yuck

1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967)- It was cool when I first heard it and then the more I heard it the less cool it became. Riffs wear out their welcome. Sad to see this song be #1

2. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969)- I like Schleuse's comment. Except it doesn't even have the energy of most gospel songs.

3. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994)- I guess this has a place at keggers.

4. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)- I never once thought this was good.


BRACKET 34- Almost as yucky.

1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969)- The only great song in this bracket. But it truly is amazing and I don't think the Stones ever came close to it with any other song.

2. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980)- When I hear this song I just picture that big wart and a mass email I received from a guy I went to high school with. The song doesn't do much for me.

3. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)- I like a lot of new wave, but I don't like Joy Division.

4. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969)- I think the thing about the Stones is that they appeal to a lot of different people with a wide variety of songs. I think it makes their albums stink because I have to skip past crap like this.

BRACKET 35- Much better...

1. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966)

2. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974)- One of the most important reggae songs ever or a catchy garage rock song that I happen to listen to all the time? I'm going with 96 Tears. That organ is amazing and it's a shame they weren't able to produce anything else good with that awesome sound.

3. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964)- I agree with whoever posted that you can't hear this song without hearing that horrible remake. But I love the opening. You don't hear brass sections anymore in music.

4. The Band, “The Weight” (1968)- This isn't a bad song, although I don't like The Band. The other three are just better but I probably would have ranked this #1 or 2 in the other two brackets preceding this.

BRACKET 36- The innovative songs that I don't really like.
1. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965)- I really think this is one of the Beatles best songs from their early years if you consider Help! early years. The lyrics and song structure are much stronger than anything other than maybe their ballads put out in 63-65.

2. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963)- I don't like this song too much but it's a pretty amazing song considering what country music sounded like at that time.

3. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982)- I'll stick with that theme on this one. I just don't like old school that much but I can appreciate the influence it had.

4. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)- Ugh. I want to one up Bluto Blutarsky and smash his organ. Is "If music be the food of love then laughter is it's queen" any better than "I gave my love a cherry that has no stone, I gave my love a chicken that has no bone"???

B33
1. Purple Haze (one of the rare moments Hendrix finally channelled his genius into something of his size)
2. Many Rivers To Cross (no exit, that kind of Gospel still giveth me gooseskins)
3. Sabotage (video bias for 13 years lasts out. watch out again, funny fake cop moustaches!!)
4. Blue Suede Shoes (Rockabilly flagship... alright)

B34
1. Gimme Shelter (jonmarck named the arguments. I sign them)
2. Ace Of Spades (can't help it but it's still that same old fierce, lusty and morbid monster crossing the borderline)
3. Love Will Tear Us Apart (that barefooted blueprint did more for the 2000's than it did for the 1980's. thus honestly spoken, in the 1990's I hated it)
4. Honky Tonk Women (still a mystery to me that if it was for a movie, I'd always expect Dean Martin next to some gin soaked cat)


B35
1. 96 Tears (gloomy, brawling and (thanks to p2p) original as well)
2. Dancing In The Streets (it isn't Nowhere To Run, but it captures Motown at one of his most catchy altitudes)
3. The Weight (imperturbably infested by that awesome broadband version of Aretha Franklin, so...)
4. No Woman No Cry (a last single star as the live version's even lamer)

B36
1. The Message (is the message. Big. Really. Really. Big.)
2. Ring Of Fire (all empathies up to heartbred maddened June)
3. A Whiter Shade Of Pale (cute. thankfully PH proved they were much better than that)
4. Help! (the later experience of John's primal baby steps toward lyrical biopic seriousness caught me on the wrong foot... Bananarama & Lanananeeneenoonoo had already spoilt it for me. once and for all)

first reaction (I'm discovering it now, I was out on the week end) : very open game, very funny, very disparate

Bracket 33
47. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) - is there anything more exciting than THAT intro?! Well, maybe the intro to Foxy Lady.
175. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) - simply lovely
210. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) - the soundtrack to my youth, and quite a good video to boot
82. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) - it just doesn't do it for me

BRACKET 34
18. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) - PERFECTION, this should be the number one song ever!
146. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) - I had no idea that Honkey Tonk Women was ranked higer, that's mystifying.
239. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) - the best Motorhead, this is constantly in my head.
111. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) - great, but overplayed.

BRACKET 35
50. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) - I'm still a sucker for Motown, and this is the best
178. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) - pure genius
207. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) - any other bracket, this might be number one, it really hurts to put it in at number three
79. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) - my god, this is the toughest bracket yet!

BRACKET 36
114. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) - King Curtis' version made me love this song, but the original takes the cake.
15. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) - the hook is infectious
143. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) - a Beatles standard, nothing to write home about.
242. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) - He's not really for me.

BRACKET 33:
1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967)
2. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994)
3. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969)
4. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)

"Purple Haze" is some definitively gorgeous guitar-goings on right about there. Definitive classic rock. Also props for all that sky kissing malarkey.

"Sabotage" is great also. I was almost tempted to give it the number one. Before going back and listening to Jimi again.

MRTC is pretty cool, but Presley topped Perkins with aplomb.

BRACKET 34:
1. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)
2. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980)
3. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969)
4. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969)

LWTUA is beautiful, gorgeous and heart-breaking. Everything about it is right.

"Ace Of Spades" is amazing: that riff, that power, that THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT, BABY, I DON'T WANT TO LIVE FOREVER!!

I love "Gimme Shelter", also - this has been maybe the tightest bracket for me. Excellent song - the best reason to own Let It Bleed. Whereas "Honky Tonk Women" is a perfectly fine tune, but one that I'm surprised to see considered such a Stones classic.

BRACKET 35:
1. The Band, “The Weight” (196
2. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974)
3. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
4. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966)

I think "The Weight" is pretty cool - tight melody, nice distinctive vocals.

"No Woman No Cry" is quite nice, too.

"Dancing In The Street" completely fails to get my pulse going. Flat and bland. "96 Tears" I hadn't heard before today, but similarly seemed remarkably bland.

BRACKET 36:
1. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965)
2. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)
3. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963)
4. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982)

"Help!" is an amazing song - great melody, great harmonies, a wonderfully upbeat despair. Fabulous times.

"A Whiter Shade Of Pale" is lovely, great piano, great vocals.

I really like "Ring Of Fire" (or at least, Johnny Cash's vocals) but a couple of production touches kind of let the side down.

And "The Message" is impossible not to like, but musically I don't think it's aged too well.

BRACKET 33
1. Purple Haze - Jimi rocks in this song.
2. Sabotage - this song is okay.
3. Blue Suede Shoes - fun, but a little bit out of date.
4. Many Rivers to Cross - this is not the style I like.

BRACKET 34
1. Gimme Shelter - Mick against Jagger in one bracket, that means a strong bracket
2. Love Will Tear Us Apart - in between two stones, that's not a bad place to be.
3. Honky Tonk Women - both fantastic songs, I like shelter a bit more than honky.
4. Ace of Spades - yeah, it rocks, but it's a tough bracket.

BRACKET 35
1. No Woman No Cry - No music no brackets ;)
2. The Weight - heavy weight song.
3. 96 Tears - that organ is cool.
4. Dancing in the Street - nice song

BRACKET 36
1. A Whiter Shade of Pale - brilliant song, melody keeps staying in my head.
2. Help! - there are much better Beatles available.
3. Ring of Fire - this is good country. Catching song.
4. The Message - fun, but has to be last. Has aged more than the other songs in this bracket.

BRACKET 33
210. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) Yeah. I grew up with this song, I loved this video and I loved hearing this song.
82. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) This song led to the best Elvis cover there is. I do love Perkins delivery on it.
47. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) I just never really liked this song all that much. Don't dislike it, but I usually just skip it on the iPod
175. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) Not even on my iPod. It's a shame because Jimmy Cliff did a lot of good songs that I would happily vote over this one. How about The Harder They Come?


BRACKET 34
146. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) "For me, the 60s died on that day: December 31st, 1969." I like when the 60s bands realize that the world isn't sunshine, lollypops and rainbows everywhere and the Stones perfected that sentiment with this song. Remains relevant.
111. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) A little happer of a Stones song with a great melody.
18. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) I do really like this song, but as a whole I think Joy Division was really overrated and this song as well. Probably should be in the 200s or 300s IMO. New Order on the other hand = awesome.
239. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) I just listened to it for probably the first time. What a fun, stupid, dumb song but all the others are better. This really was a strong bracket.

BRACKET 35
207. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) A perfect songwriting narrative and a wonderful chorus.
50. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) Great 60s girl group song. This was Spector right?
79. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) I really used to like this song and then I stopped smoking pot. After that, Bob Marley just got kinda boring.
178. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) It gets annoying before it gets interesting. A neat 60s song that I usually skip.


BRACKET 36
15. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) HELL YEAH! Has a hip-hop song come along that's better than this? I'm really not sure.
242. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) Mariachi horns = cool. Thank God it was never licenced for that Perperation H commercial.
143. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) A trite Beatles song.
114. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) I hate this song. I mean, I really actually hate it. Look at me, I'm overly sentemental with cryptic lyrics that not even Michael Stipe on a bender could understand. I'm not sure why this has ever been played outside of a prom in the years 1967-1972.

"This was Spector right?"

Actually Motown

Bracket 33
1)Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze:This HAS to be #1 here - it's one of the best songs in bracketology so far. It must have been mind blowing at the time - certainly blew a lot of rock music at that time out of the water.
2)Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers To Cross:My favourite song from Jimmy Cliff - I think it's bloody superb
3)Beastie Boys - Sabotage:I liked the video more than the song
4)Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes:Prefer Elvis probably - not a song I particularly like by anyone though

Bracket 34
#1 and #2 are so close(Stones and JD) - both terrifying masterpieces of tracks - I can't decide so I'll go on no. of plays on my ipod
1)Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart(16)
2)Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter(9)
The other 2 are a class behind
3)Rolling Stones - Pretty mediocre by their standards - beyond belief it's at #111
4)Motorhead - Ace Of Spades:Does nothing for me

Bracket 35
1)Martha And The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street:Hasn't got enough recognition here - a superb piece of music but I also always think of that appalling Bowie/Jagger video and song
2)The Band - The Weight:Never thought of it as a classic but still I'm a fan of it
3)Bob Marley - No Woman,No Cry:Doesn't strike me as anything remarkable
4)? and The Mysterians - 96 Tears:Got sick of it after 2 listens I think - just quite dated and mediocre

Bracket 36
1)Procul Harum - Whiter Shade Of Pale:Well toss up between this and 'The Message' I just can't believe people don't rate this here - a true masterpiece - it's not at #114 for nothing
2)Grandmaster Flash - The Message:Groundbreaking song - an awesome moment in music history
3)Johnny Cash - Ring Of Fire:Never been a huge fan of Cash but probably his best IMO
4)The Beatles - Help:Doesn't hold up that well nowadays I don't think - thoroughly beaten by most of the other 15 songs here this week...

BRACKET 33
1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) (furious, but with proficiency)
2. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) (faux-furious (fun!), but without proficiency (thank god))
3. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) (good, but can't get worked up over it like the above two)
4. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) (first song in the tourney that I don't know. Maybe I'd like it. Who knows? But I'm at work now and can't listen to it.)


BRACKET 34
1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) (Merry Clayton, y'all. Everytime she sings "Murder!", I feel like she's gonna kill _me_. This is a possible final four contender, it's that great. The movie's great also.)
2. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) (This is some Stones' two-fer. I feel dirty just listening to this song.)
3. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) (Good tune. There's other mopey singers I like better.)
4. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) (I'm not a metal-head. Sue me.)

BRACKET 35 (Fantastic bracket)
1. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) (I kept moving the songs around in this bracket. They're all great. But this is pure pop bliss. With soul. And dancing. Early Motown at its finest.)
2. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) (I downgraded this because it is not as great as The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. That's not fair, but in a bracket this great, small differences separate the winners and losers. Minor quibbles, it's little overlong and ends anticlimacticly.)
3. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) (Why am I showing no love to Bob Marley? I don't know, I'm as confused as you are. When they keep repeating "Every ting is gonna be alright," you want it to go on forever. But the harmonies are not as delicious as The Band's.)
4. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) (This is a great, great single. That's enough to get you last place in this bracket.)

BRACKET 36
1. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) (The Beatles starting to darken and deepen. But still rooted in that melodic rock 'n roll that they ruled the charts with in the year prior. Whoever above said this sounds dated is insane.)
2. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) (Angry and catchy at the same time, with more than a hint of nihilistic snark... the model for most of the best rap songs for 25 years and counting.)
3. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) (I like Johnny Cash a lot. But when I'm being honest with myself, I admit that the mariachi horns sound a little silly.)
4. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) (Yeah, I respect a great organ riff. Who doesn't. But that's about all this song has going for it.)

BRACKET 33

Not the uppermost bracket, but interesting things in there

1.The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) ****: this 1967 version is not the best (I prefer live renditions, without those out of age psychedelic effects), but it’s still a killer. One of the most overplayed riff by guitarists-to be
2. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) ****: I didn’t know that one : innovative,
powerful and well structured
3. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) ***: All 50’s scholars complain about how underrated Perkins was compared to his Sun mates (Presley, Cash, Lewis, Orbison) : he may be the one who wrote that great song but his version doesn’t move me despite good guitar playing
4. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) ***: A beautiful song, quite overplayed though, and a little disappointment when I heard it : that’s all the difference between what a song is and what you think, or remember..


BRACKET 34

An easy win, but behind it’s very tight. Not a top-quality bracket, but no throwaway : 4 good songs.

1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) **** : great intro. The Rolling Stones at their best, great blues-rock.
2. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) *** : yes, I know… Still great, but far behind
3. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) *** : Clumsy as it sounds, JD has something, a real sound that makes them unique : Curtis’ voice, not always in tune but recognizable, and most of all, Peter Hook’s bass lines. So influential (for the worse ?)
4. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) : When I was a kid, guys with Motörhead t-shirts or records were the real bad guys. Pure bad guy music, metal meeting punk with Lemy’s voice. Vicious.


BRACKET 35

The weakest

1. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) ****: Convincing.
2. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) *** : Who isn’t tired of that song ? but the other two are behind though.
3. The Band, “The Weight” (196 *** : sorry for the Canadians here, I love your country but not that song.
4. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) *** : I don’t get that one, as hip as it may be


BRACKET 36
Why is it that my favorite tracks of the week are always 1n the same bracket ?

1. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) *****: One of the best early Beatles song
2. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) ***** : magical organ and melody
3. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) **** : Johnny doing pop country, but for the best, and still breaking Nashville laws with these Mariachi trumpets
4. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) *** : Not unpleasant, but too much lousy synths forme, although the rapping is excellent

33
1)"Purple Haze" - Like everyone else here, I just can't deny that this is an instrumental song in the history of rock, and still kicks ass.
2)"Many Rivers to Cross" - Beautiful, inspirational melody. Tough choice.
3)"Sabotage" - I want to vote for newer songs, but can't when they don't deserve it.
4)"Blue Suede Shoes" - overrated.

34
1) "Love Will Tear Us Apart" - great melody, classic delivery, fitting production, a perfect lyrical articulation of its message.
2) "Gimme Shelter" - I want so desparately for this song to move on as well. That opening dual guitar line is so haunting with the backing vocals, and it builds perfectly. So hard to compare.
3) "Honky Tonk Women" - Just another Stones classic.
4) "Ace of Spades" - I couldn't care any less about this song.

35
1) "The Weight" - though I don't entirely understand the lyrics, I love the significant presence of religious allegories, combined with a chord progression that can only be categorized as spiritual. The piano and harmonies in the chorus bring a plainly beautiful song to a whole new level.
2)"No Woman No Cry" - this is really only because the year given is for the original version, which is far inferior to the live recording the subsequent year. It's a transcendent song, and I'll probably lose sleep over not voting it first.
3)"96 Tears" - Dirty and raw - its pros and its cons.
4)"Dancing in the Street" - I really like Motown, but there were better offerings. Still a classic.

36
1) "The Message" - while it doesn't totally do it for me sonically, I have to give it to Flash because of the lyrical genius and the weakness of the other songs. (Btw, this song ALSO has the lyric "skip the light fandango" - 1:44 mark...weird, huh?)
2)"Ring of Fire" - such a great horn line, and rich baritone on "burns, burns burns"
3) "Whiter Shade of Pale" - great organ line, but that's about it...is this about seasickness?
4) "Help" - Just another Beatles classic.

FormerlyEducated and a few other people have raised the difference between the studio and live versions of "No Woman No Cry" (FE noted that the listed date is for the studio version). It would be silly for me to make a rule about whether you're allowed to vote for your favorite version of any particular song; however, fwiw, I voted with the live version in mind.

I'm pretty sure Henrik's method of establishing dates for songs is just the date of the release of the first recorded version--there usually aren't separate rankings on AM for different takes on the same song, so I feel free to vote for whichever version (by the listed artist) I think is definitive (I'm gonna do it again with "Paranoid").

While I'm wasting time: no, I'm not totally sure what "Whiter Shade of Pale" is about, either, but the lyrics include allusions to Chaucer, Arthurian legend, classical mythology, Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and (I think) T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land." And the instrumental parts are a Bach pastiche. Oh, and the group's name is from Virgil. In Latin. Misspelled.

Yes, Procol Harum were the Sting of their era.

I agree with schleuse, think of your preferred version of each song when you're voting.

Songs at AM are presented by artist but not by performance. "No Woman No Cry" is a good example, where critics' votes of the studio version and the live version are put together into one AM entry. The songs are always shown under the year they were originally released. Since the version of a song is not always specified in critics lists, separarate AM entries is not even a possible option.

BRACKET 33
1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) No real competition from the others. Close to perfect.
2. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) Cool early rock.
3. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) I love the Beasties but this isn’t a favourite. When it comes to the Beasties rocking out I prefer “Gratitude” from Check Your Head.
4. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) Nice.

BRACKET 34
1. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) One of my favourite tracks of all time.
2. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) Might get in trouble for this, but I think the last minute kinda drags this down a bit. Great song none the less. The intro gets me excited every time.
3. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) Booze, gambling and warts. Great!
4. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) Not their best.

BRACKET 35
1. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) Good song. Take the weight off fanny?
2. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) Not my favourite Jamaican, don’t know why. Still, a fine song.
3. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) Don’t think I’ve heard the cover you guys are on about, and I will do a effort to not seek it out. Nice song.
4. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) I only heard this one for the first time now (I think), and it didn’t do it for me.

BRACKET 36
1. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) So rap wasn’t all about having fun after all? Amazing song. And to my ears still fresh.
2. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) One of the first songs I can remember listening to (on holiday in my fathers car in the mid eighties). Might be the sentimental value that makes this song get to me.
3. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) Fun.
4. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) Not a fan of the early Beatles, sorry.

Fair enough regarding the original versus cover specification. I really just needed something to serve as a tie-breaker between those two songs, but in the future I'll keep that in mind (though I don't anticipate many more instances like this one occurring).

BRACKET 33

1) Purple Haze – what a perfect psychedelic groove, and a totally whacked out non-melodious beginning that probably was unprecedented at the time
2) Sabatoge – Hip-hop, rap, pu nk rock, standard mainstream alternative rock, or soundtrack to awesome 70s retro crime drama credits? A genre-less masterpiece.
3) Blue Suede Shoes – Classic boogie woogie, laid the foundation for many rollicking favorites in later years
4) Many Rivers to Cross – don’t know this song


BRACKET 34

1) Gimme Shelter – I like Rolling Stones songs that have a subtle swagger, where it’s the instrumentation and organic sound that overshadow the big rock star personas. Gimme Shelter has Jagger share vocal duties pretty prominently with an anonymous female singer, providing a unique sound that’s appealing to people that aren’t hardcore stones fans.
2) Love Will Tear Us Apart – I still haven’t downloaded this song but probably should soon. So much potential for Joy Division to break out encapsulated here
3) Honky Tonk Women – Overplayed, obnoxious, with an unusual polish that doesn’t sound right for the Stones… one of the most overrated songs ever
4) Ace of Spades – Only lower because I haven’t heard it.

BRACKET 35

1. “Dancing in the Street” – Is this officially Wall of Sound or Motown? Either way, this song is an unstoppable force. I don’t know under what context mass amounts of people could be taking part in impromptu dancing in the streets, especially in decentralized American urban areas, but whatever Martha is singing about is sounds like perfect fun.
2. “96 Tears” - I just bought the 4CD Nuggets box set, and this is a highlight. I love the ragtag garage band feel.
3. “The Weight” – OK, relaxed tune.
4. “No Woman No Cry” – Sorry that it’s last, but never got into Bob Marley, for who knows what reasons.



BRACKET 36


1. “The Message” – Incredible pioneering song. Only a couple years after Rapper’s Delight, the rap genre was getting serious and providing an essential urban perspective, while still keeping a beat
2. “Ring of Fire” – The Johnny Cash against which all others are judged.
3. “A Whiter Shade of Pale” – Organ-drenched emotional power
4. “Help!” – One of the sillier Beatles songs

BRACKET 33

Purple haze - He made the best 'on the road' music ever, great!
Many rivers to cross - I sounds like he is meaning it when he sings it
Blue suede shoes - One of the best Rock and roll songs but still number 3 here
Sabotage - I'm not a big beastie boys fan

BRACKET 34

Gimme shelter - Best thing the stones ever did
Honky tonk women - Doesn't come close to the number one but still a great song
Love will tear us apart - This music does nothing to me. It's'not bad but I just don't like it that much
Ace of spades - Teringherrie (sorry for the Dutch language but I can't find a good description in English for this)

BRACKET 35

No woman no cry - Absolutely number 1 not only in this bracket but for this week also. Of course I'm talking about the live version
Dancing in the street - Great classic song
The weight - Nice song for a 'not singles band'
96 tears - I tried to get it but I could not, not bad anyway

BRACKET 36

A Whiter shade of pale - 1967 must have been a great year for music lovers
Help! - One of the best 'pre-revolver' songs by the beatles
Ring of fire - Good country music
The message - I just don't like it

BRACKET 33
1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) – Another easy #1, for another of those “before and after” songs. The man really did change the way the guitar was played. Drummer wasn’t too bad, either.
2. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) – Possibly the greatest intro ever, leading into a slice of rockabilly so pure even the King himself couldn’t top it.
3. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) – The centerpiece of a wonderful soundtrack album, and easily the best thing Cliff ever did.
4. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) – It’s impossible for me to separate this track from Spike Jonze’s brilliant video, quite possibly the best ever made. As a song, it’s far from my favorite of theirs.

BRACKET 34
1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) – As easy a #1 as is possible to imagine. One of my favorite recordings, period – a work of menacing genius, from that slow multi-Keith fade-in to the implacable beat to Nicky Hopkins’ perfectly minimalist piano to a weary, way-down-in-the-mix Jagger to those great alternating harp and guitar stabs to the amazing Merry Clayton. This is a terrific bracket, but picking #1 is no contest whatsoever.
2. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) – An exhilarating slab of metal with punk attitude; gets the job done and gets out fast before you have time to catch your breath.
3. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) – I don’t know. I have a weird relationship with this song (and this band, to be frank). I get why it’s great and why people love it, but it doesn’t do a lot for me personally, as opposed to some of the tracks from the albums.
4. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) – There was a time when this might have been my favorite Stones track, and I’m still knocked out by the arrangement and the way Keith’s guitar moves across the stereo as the song goes on, but it’s played out for me by now. Awesome cowbell, though.

BRACKET 35
1. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) – Justifies Robbie Robertson’s entire career all by itself. You wouldn’t think a track so stately and reserved could be so exciting, but it’s all in the passion all five bring to it as singers (Richard Manuel’s wordless vocal fills say as much as Helm and Danko’s verses) and musicians. And the lyrics are poetic and abstract without being pretentious. A masterpiece.
2. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) – Equally a masterpiece in its own crude, sounds-like-it-was-recorded-with-a-single-mike way. The reason the Farfisa organ was invented.
3. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) – Reggae is not my favorite genre, but the pain and passion in this song is universal, especially in the live version.
4. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) – Another song that’s been worn out through overuse. But it’s still great, and can represent the Motown sound as well as anything.

BRACKET 36
1. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) – I had no idea so many people disliked this record so much. It’s one of my favorites, even though I do recognize the lofty pretension of the lyrics (all right, and the Bach-inspired music too). I guess I’m just a sucker for a great organ riff. And Gary Brooker was an inspired singer.
2. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) – Can’t really understand the general blah-ness towards this one, either. For the group and Lennon in particular, this was a major leap forward lyrically and musically, and the vocal arrangement is one of their best.
3. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) – A classic, with one of the greatest lyrical metaphors for love ever conceived. But I’d rather listen to the two above.
4. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) – It kind of pains me to put this here, as I know how important it is. But, again, if I’m picking something to listen to, I’ll take any of the others first.

BRACKET 33
1. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956): yes, I know, even Carl admitted that Elvis cover was better, but the echo-tinged Sun Records-styled Perkins original is still amazing.
2. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967): psychedelia at its best, nice guitar riff, nice groove, nice vocal percussion effects (copied by The Zombies for “Time of the Season”) and nice “excuse me while I kiss the sky” druggy lyrics.
3. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969): no matter for me if it’s gospel, soul or reggae, the melody is magnificent.
4. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994): nice guitars, interesting clip, but the Beastie Boys are not my cup of tea.

BRACKET 34
1. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969): I’m absolutely astonished for the lack of recognition in the forum to such masterpiece. It was the very moment in which all the rhythm and blues and other black music influences of the Stones really crystallized in a very own Stones style that perfected on “Exile on Main Street”. The loose playing, the Keith Richards guitar intro, the cowbell, the singalong chorus, the funny lyrics, I like everything in this song. It’s overplayed but it’s because it’s good enough. And it’s not only funny, it’s dirty like rock should always be.
2. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969): oh, no, it isn’t fair. Another Stones 1969 song as good as the previous one but completely different. In fact I would surely put this one at #1 if it wasn’t for the comments in the forum against “Honky Tonk Women”.
3. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980): I agree with Anthony in many of his arguments about the overrated Joy Division, but this song has enough magic on it that I even had put it higher in other brackets.
4. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980): I’m not of course a metal kid (most of metal kids are so narrow-minded that use to think that no other music than metal is good, most of them don’t really like music and stop listening to it when they grow older). But I can’t deny the unstoppable power of this one.

BRACKET 35
1. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964): “summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the streets”, an almost epic invitation to the joy of music and dance. And, yes, it’s Motown of course (I could say Motownest), but surely Spector would have produced it gladly.
2. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974): another overplayed song cause it deserves it, another reggae song that’s more a soul or gospel song. Anyway, a masterpiece.
3. The Band, “The Weight” (1968): beautiful one. I’ve read in allmusic that Robertson took inspiration from Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel about the “impossibility of sainthood”. Amen, Robbie.
4. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966): cool one, but number four here.

BRACKET 36
1. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967): when I play keyboard, it’s always the first song I play with a church organ sound (one of the most beautiful organ melodic lines ever, although borrowed from Bach’s “Air”). Next song I always play is Reed’s “Perfect Day”, by the way.
2. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965): nice and energetic Lennon tune from the time in which, under Dylan’s influence, he was beginning to open his heart and write more personal songs.
3. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982): groundbreaking, the sound of the streets.
4. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963): great mariachi-country, but not better than the previous three.

BRACKET 33
47. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967)
82. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)
175. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969)
210. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994)

I think this is the first time I've liked every song in the bracket. Really REALLY tough but since I want Cliff's song played at my wake, I'm going with that for #1 with Hendrix just behind at #2 vote. After that, I'll take Blue Suede with the Beasties last.

BRACKET 34
18. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)
111. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969)
146. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969)
239. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980)

I'm not a huge Stones fan honestly but "Honky Tonk Women" is one of their best efforts and an essential "more cowbell" song to me. #1. After that gimme Joy Division in 2nd spot, the Stones again and Motorhead in last (this is not really a verdict on the song..I haven't heard it..yet)

BRACKET 35
50. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
79. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974)
178. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966)
207. The Band, “The Weight” (1968)

The second bracket where I like 'em all. That rock solid Funk Brothers intro though can't be beat so Martha gets the #1 nod. "96" is easily one of the best one hit wonders ever so it's runner up followed by the Band with Marley rounding out the pack.

BRACKET 36
15. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982)
114. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)
143. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965)
242. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963)

Another bracket of stuff I like. The Beatles JUST edge out Johnny for #1 (if this had been a different Johnny tune he'd have taken it..) with Grandmaster Flash's classic at #3. Love the Procol Harum song but only when I'm in the right "frame of mind" so it takes last.

BRACKET 33
47. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967)
82. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)
210. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994)
175. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969)

I've never been much of a Jimmy Cliff fan, other than that, I agree with the AM rankings. "Purple Haze" is glorious.

BRACKET 34
239. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980)
111. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969)
146. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969)
18. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)

Joy Division, dreary music for dreary people. Awful song. "Ace Of Spades", on the other hand, is one of my all-time favourites. Can't separate the two Stones songs so I left them as they are.

BRACKET 35
50. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
178. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966)
79. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974)
207. The Band, “The Weight” (1968)

"No Woman No Cry" is possibly the best Bob Marley song, but I don't really like Bob Marley. If it weren't for the thoroughly joyous "Dancing In The Street" being in this bracket I would have put "96 Tears first, as it's one of the songs that got me into those obscure garage bands which are probably best explored on the famous Nuggets compilation.
The Band are one of those bands I never got into, all that folkrock stuff (from Bob Dylan down) does nothing for me.

BRACKET 36
114. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)
143. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965)
242. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963)
15. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982)

While I love and adore "...Wheels Of Steel", I'm not especially bothered about "The Message". Certainly it's not a patch on the other three songs here. As for them, I agree with their AM rankings.

BRACKET 33
1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Purple Haze” (1967) - This has long been one of my absolute favourites, but still amazes me every time I play it.
2. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994) - Another of my absolute faves. A little surprisingly, the Beasties went back to the harder rocking and made their best song ever.
3. Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross” (1969) - Suddenly we're sitting in the church and listening.
4. Carl Perkins, “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) - The top 100 position is one of AM's little mysteries...

BRACKET 34
1. Motörhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980) - The heaviest song of all time!
2. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (1969) - Great song that becomes absolutely amazing with that female chorus vocal.
3. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980) - What Harold wrote fits me exactly.
4. The Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women” (1969) - OVERRATED

BRACKET 35
1. Bob Marley and the Wailers, “No Woman No Cry” (1974) - One of the best soul ballads ever.
2. Martha and the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street” (1964) - I'm dancing...
3. The Band, “The Weight” (1968) - The Band's best moment, but far behind at #3.
4. ? and the Mysterians, “96 Tears” (1966) - Too simple, I don't get it.

BRACKET 36
1. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982) - Standout rap song.
2. Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967) - Back sitting in the church again. I love that organ. But 'The Message' has "the message".
3. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1963) - Cash is cool.
4. The Beatles, “Help!” (1965) - Silly, but not bad, only not as good as the others.

Bracket 33:

1. Jimi Hendrix- "Purple Haze": Wonderfully eccentric and powerful!

2. Jimmy Cliff- "Many Rivers to Cross": I'm not a reggae fan at all, but this is so heartfelt and beautiful that it can't be denied.

3. Beastie Boys- "Sabotage": Fun, but as much as I love the Beastie Boys, I feel this is overrated. Give me "Intergalactic" any day over this!

4. Carl Perkins- "Blue Suede Shoes": Legendary, but I just don't enjoy it.

Bracket 34:

1. Joy Division- "Love Will Tear Us Apart": Beautifully heartbreaking and poignant. I like a few songs from Unknown Pleasures more, but this is their standout statement. Plus, the music video was filmed on the day I was born!

2. Rolling Stones- "Gimme Shelter": I'm not a Stones fan in general, but I quite like this. Gutsy and moving.

3. Motorhead- "Ace of Spades": Great guitar work and fun, but can't compete with the top 2.

4. Rolling Stones- "Honky Tonk Women": This song annoys me quite a bit!

Bracket 35:

1. ? and the Mysterians- "96 Tears": I love how freaky Question Mark is, and this song is wonderfully flamboyant and bizarre.

2. Martha and the Vandellas- "Dancing in the Street": Great, great groove!

3. The Band- "The Weight": A little sappy, but it does pay off.

4. Bob Marley and the Wailers- "No Woman, No Cry": This song is WHY I don't like reggae. Too many drunken frat boys in flip flops.

Bracket 36:

1. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five- "The Message": Pure brilliance- the paranoid synth flourishes, the plodding bass line and the pointed lyrics capture the zeitgeist of the early 80s streets. This song should be the template for current hip hop.

2. Protocol Hum- "A Whiter Shade of Pale": I prefer Annie Lennox's version, but this is gorgeous.

3. Johnny Cash- "Ring of Fire": Hugely important, it pushes me past my comfort zone, which is a good thing. Still, I don't like it as much as the first two.

4. The Beatles- "Help": My Beatles hatred is pretty well documented here, and this song is one of the first that comes to mind when I think of why I hate them.