Claire

• Joseph Harvey +2 — Not expecting this to go this hard
• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1
• fionmul +1 — no me gusta the intro/instrumentation but the kid's vocals went off (reminds me of the A Million Dreams kid in The Greatest Showman) and this won me over by the end bigtime
• Sam Ary +1
• Peter Seeley 0 — Weird but enjoyable. Feels very Brad coded for some reason
• Edward James 0 — They got those 12 year olds singing for their lives

• Peter Seeley +2 — Deranged. This is what we're here for
• Edward James +1 — This is garbage. Incredible choice. How did you even find this?
• SamRobertsND +1 — I love this! It’s like baby weird Al
• fionmul +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Annoying but unworthy of wrath. It is slightly clever
• Regina Scime 0 — Why did this feel like AI:(

• ared56 +1 —
• SamRobertsND +1
• fionmul +1 — Love
• shea nowicki +1
• Peter Seeley 0 — The skaters were the gamers of their day, but never developed class consciousness. As such they faced discrimination without a coherent political movement to combat it. In this essay I will examine how the works of Lavigne display this class tensions while failing to address the inherent contradictions in the system that led to such heartless discrimination.
• Edward James 0 — Absolute classic, and would never have actually thought of it as a story, but mostly since I've been hearing it endlessly since I was a child.
• Claire 0 — I wanted to go with this one because it has multiple levels of storytelling—the fictional character who’s supposedly singing the song is herself writing a song to tell a story, down to the opening line acknowledging the cliche framing
• Sam Ary -1

• fionmul +1 — I almost did this haha
• Joseph Harvey +1
• judd.baker +1 — I have never liked this song but I think it’s my favorite pick on this list. There is something so weirdly specific to this time period about this song. I’ve heard it a million times. Instantly transports me to riding in the backseat of dad’s Buick in 2013 while my sister controls the music choice
• Edward James +1 — You just had to be there. This is the sound of college to me.
• Sam Ary +1
• Claire 0 — Idk about you but this song activates me like a sleeper agent
• shea nowicki -1

• fionmul +1 — Almost as good as Patrick Mulholland‘s cover. I liked this idea.
• shea nowicki +1
• Joseph Harvey -1 — I don’t believe this guy is even a little sad. Some of these lyrics suggest a soul unfamiliar with the depths Throwback to when I played chess with my friend in college every night and he would play young the giant every time. I didn’t tell him for weeks that I can’t stand young the giant
• judd.baker -1 — Great millennialcore submission and I really liked this, but it’s almost too hopeful, it’s desperate but packed with a little too much fighting spirit. It really doesn’t deserve the downvote but kind of nothing here does, hammer had to fall somewhere.

• SamRobertsND +1
• Regina Scime +1
• Claire 0 — I distinctly remember watching Carrie Underwood sing this on American Idol in 2005…young Claire had no idea what the song was actually about and assumed it was just a patriotic anthem
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I don’t feel it
• Edward James 0 — I couldn’t really follow this one while I was driving TBH

• fionmul +1 — Junior year of college Fiona probably listened to this twice a day
• judd.baker +1 — Admirably Fionacore and sounds great. This has a different version of the “falling in love” sound but I think it still gets the feeling right
• Regina Scime +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Edward James 0 — Banger. Seems to be about navigating feelings, not surrendering, which seems like a key distinction. Just misses my vote.
• Claire 0 — I realize now that this is thematically very similar to I won’t say (I’m in love) which was an excellent pick last time
• ared56 -1

• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Regina Scime +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Annoying interpretation
• Peter Seeley 0 — Gay
• fionmul -1 — Just annoys me
• judd.baker -1 — Respectfully, nah

• Joseph Harvey +3 — Hm I wonder what decade this was recorded in
• Regina Scime +1
• fionmul +1 — Yeah always but maybe too obvious? But I gotta
• Peter Seeley 0 — Somewhere, Jimmy McGrath is twitching
• Edward James 0 — Too cliche for me tbh

• Joseph Harvey +2 — Absolute masterpiece. This is song is gorgeous and unique from start to finish, and the country vibes would nicely complement a Hangar porch sit. Sammy submission I’m guessing
• judd.baker +1 — Sammycore submission in the best way. Would 100% down a Fat Tire and watch the dying embers of a July sun to the strains of “I hear you singing in the wire…”
• Sam Ary +1
• Regina Scime +1
• fionmul 0 — Wichita mentioned! I liked this a lot but it got beat-out for me by some others that landed for me as better for the category. It’s a pretty subjective category though, thanks for this song. I added it to a playlist of mine :)

• SamRobertsND +1
• fionmul +1
• Edward James +1 — Perfect choice going with the Live Lounge version.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Phenomenal submission because it’s a song we all know that I would never have thought of for this. Nice
• Regina Scime +1
• judd.baker 0 — Awesome song and fabulous vocals. But this playlist had a lot of good entries and I’m using slightly unfair grading criteria. Amy Winehouse feels like a more obvious read of the theme than others
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Don't really get how this is black people music.
• ared56 -1
• shea nowicki -1

• Peter Seeley +2
• SamRobertsND +1
• ared56 +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Regina Scime +1
• fionmul 0 — it’s a repeat but it’s a banger, we know
• Edward James 0 — I just don’t think a cover captures the full essence of what the category is about (x2)
• judd.baker 0 — In some ways the quintessential submission, but beat by other more unexpected ones.

• judd.baker +1
• fionmul 0 — why cant a white canadian boy feel a little good sometimes?
• Peter Seeley 0 — For the last 5 years , I have voted Michael Buble on the Guardian.co.uk poll "Evilest Man Alive". Nobody listens. Thank you for submitting this. I feel affirmed.
• Regina Scime 0 — Why
• Joseph Harvey -1 — This one has me very confused
• Brad Stalcup -1 — Don't see how this is evil at all.

• judd.baker +1 — I actually really dig this and I am sort of shocked it exists, it’s perfect
• shea nowicki +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This is a truly awful, terrible song. However, it respects whales. Upvote
• SamRobertsND 0 — Almost as bad as Gojira and twice as annoying
• fionmul 0 — Ehh
• Edward James 0 — This is similar in theme to The Last Leviathan, but their Gen X smugness irks me
• Claire 0 — A rare Pearl Jam song in which Eddie vedder is not on lead vocals, meaning that the words are actually intelligible

• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1 — Music like this used to play on pop radio all the time back in the day. Now we just have this trap beat crap. Rodrigo is righting the ship though.
• fionmul +1 — Great one -- this was on my maybe playlist
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Banger
• Brad Stalcup +1 — This was the very first song I thought of.
• judd.baker +1 — Perfect shot, right down the middle
• Edward James 0 — Doesn't fit my interpretation, unless it's just making it about Judd somehow. And still doesn't fit as much, but then it's at least funny.
• Regina Scime 0 — Yes for the text, and I didn’t mind the style, it just wasn’t fully bundle-core to me

• SamRobertsND +1
• ared56 +1
• Regina Scime +1
• fionmul 0 — This is accidentally 1st letter to the Corinthians and I get that for Thérèse, Love is the schema… but I am looking for something more clever
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Not feeling the vibe
• judd.baker 0 — Cute but not quite my jam

• judd.baker +1
• Edward James +1 — I like it. I imagine Shea will like it. Can’t exactly explain why.
• fionmul 0 — This is vocally a Lizzy lookalike or maybe Phoebe Bridgers. This song is cool and I am interested to hear what Shea thinks
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Surprisingly heavy! Sick
• shea nowicki 0 — This felt like a really cool mix of Gracie Abrams/Lizzy McAlpine/Olivia Rodrigo... my melancholic side vibed!!! Additionally, I'm OBSESSED with Abby's vibe (I wasn't familiar with her until listening to this song, but can confirm have done a deep dive of her Instagram now hahaha)
• Peter Seeley -1 — I'm not ok either

• Peter Seeley +2 — The trumpets and drums are great
• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1
• judd.baker +1 — This was awesome and clever.
• fionmul 0 — I wasn’t feeling this for this round
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Not a space vibe to me
• Claire 0 — Real ones know that this song is sampled in Touch the Sky by Kanye West, which would also be a great pull for this category

• shea nowicki +1 — I love this song ❤️
• judd.baker +1 — I love this song and this band. This is a cool read
• Peter Seeley 0 — Fun.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Songs about death != songs to die to
• Edward James 0 — This is a beautiful reflective piece but for that reason I think it's not the one I'd want to die to. I don't want to be melancholic reflective. But joyful reflective. I guess this could be either, but doesn't get a vote.
• Sam Ary -1

• Spicey Riche +2
• Peter Seeley +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — alt-J is an easy upvote in this category.
• fionmul 0 — I once heard someone say that alt-J is what people who dont like 21 pilots hear when they listen to 21P haha Yeah this is hard to understand but I dont like it
• Edward James 0 — I almost submitted an alt-J song. They're a good pick, but I was able to get like half of this, so others beat it.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Weird. I don’t hate it
• Sam Ary 0 — Decipherable.
• shea nowicki -1

• fionmul +2 — I’m ticked that I didn’t think of this. This is a fave and an excellent fit. And I pressure Joseph to listen to it since 2/7 is his bday hehe
• Joseph Harvey +2 — Yes yes yes! This is spot on. “There’s no returning to the spoils once you’ve spoiled the thought of them.” This song can so easily be read as a song of conversion. There’s really not a single line that doesn’t fit.
• Edward James +1 — Another perfect choice, incredibly well done. Some of the lyrics here seem tailor-made, which is even more perfect when you realize how deeply Augustine spoke to the human condition in general.
• SamRobertsND +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Man this song is so freakin good. And a little cryptic, but I'll choose to interpret it in a way that jibes w/ Augustine.
• ared56 +1
• judd.baker +1 — I have loved this song and this album for a long time, very nostalgia inducing, and this is a cool new way for me to interpret the lyrics. Awesome fit for the category
• shea nowicki +1
• Spicey Riche +1
• Regina Scime +1
• Peter Seeley 0 — This would be great, except I doubt any of it was accidental.

• SamRobertsND +1 — City Pop gets the Sammy vote this time around.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — The Japanese really know how to do this kind of thing. The bongos are an interesting addition to this
• Edward James +1 — Now that's smooth!
• shea nowicki +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Diggin it. Strong suspicion this is Eddie.
• fionmul +1 — groovy
• Peter Staffelbach -1

• SamRobertsND +1 — Wow, this really nails it. Memento Mori.
• ared56 +1 — How dare you steal my selection for either “what did he say” or “songs to die to”
• fionmul +1 — This is one of the stronger submissions imo
• Edward James +1 — This is the only one of the ones I had heard where I had no idea it was a sad song. To be fair, that's mostly because you can't understand a single thing they're saying. But, I would never have guessed for many reasons. It wins the vote easily.
• Brad Stalcup +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — No song that is 90% obnoxious nonsense words could be that sad
• judd.baker 0 — Indeed I just assumed this song was about something happy and never paid any attention to the lyrics
• Spicey Riche 0 — Awesome happy song that I don’t find that sad.

Claire: NB: the biggest hit of the Darius Rucker country arc was Wagon Wheel, which is literally a white person song. But I felt like it was more in the spirit of the round to submit a Darius original

• SamRobertsND +1
• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — You would never even kind of guess this was a black guy. Mission success
• shea nowicki +1
• Peter Staffelbach +1 — Compelled by the Spirit
• Regina Scime +1 — I also considered Darius Rucker… kudos
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Doesn't really get whiter than country pop rock. A solid pick.
• fionmul 0 — I almost submitted him but felt almost too obvious.
• Edward James 0 — Banger but he knows what he’s doing. I feel like a Hootie and The Blowfish song would have been better too
• judd.baker 0 — It’s a very good submission. Playlist would not be complete without a Darius Rucker track. Just got beat out by some deeper cuts

• Regina Scime +1 — Yeah I can see it
• SamRobertsND +1 — Never won't be an upvote for most categories.
• Spicey Riche +1 — Shakira is amazing. Can’t go wrong with hauntingly weird yet beautiful voice.
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Didn't want to upvote this one, but i had no control over my body when i was listening. NO FIGHTING
• judd.baker +1 — This should be played at everyone’s wedding
• shea nowicki +1
• ared56 +1
• fionmul 0 — I like the medieval version better personally
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Seems basic and obvious. Not a terrible song though
• Edward James 0 — Banger, but too obvious

• fionmul +1
• SamRobertsND +1
• Edward James +1 — The perfect song to end an indie film. I can see it in my mind's eye clear as day. This was going to be my submission, and I choose to take the honorable road and reward the person who beat me to it.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This really hits. After the right film, could be extremely effective
• judd.baker +1 — No notes. John Hughes core 80s/90s coming of age type stuff
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Didn't care that much for the song other than the first few seconds which would be perfect at the end of a movie.
• shea nowicki +1

• Sam Ary +1
• judd.baker +1 — I had forgotten this song existed and was delighted to hear it on this playlist. The catchiness factor is high which is essential I think in a good sub-2 minute song.
• fionmul 0 — Fun
• Edward James 0 — One of my potential submissions. The White Stripes seem to get less attention now than they deserve.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I know this song from the Weird Al Polka cover of it. Which I think I prefer.
• SamRobertsND -1

• Regina Scime +3 — This one brought me the closest to tears…. Probably just where I’m at spiritually right now. St Augustine describes the ache just SO WELL
• fionmul 0 — I liked this idea a lot but the “called and shouted” part and the voice in general isn’t doing it for me But a good shout nonetheless. This prayer is always so beautiful and relatable.
• Edward James 0 — Don’t like this guy’s voice, sorry.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I loved Gungor in high school. A shame they become eastern synchrotists

• fionmul +1 — I like this a lot personally. Added it to a playlist mid-listen. Is this Claire?? But im wondering if that means it’s more my taste than hers? But I can’t help but selfishly vote for it.
• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1 — This song kicked balls, really amazing and I think Regina will like it too
• Edward James +1 — This is the song that stands out to me the most, and is most similar to Missing Piece, Regina’s top song from Music League wrapped (submitted by yours truly). I have a feeling this might be the other one she has heard already, but I’m willing to take that chance because of how good it is
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Several songs on here are going for this kind of thing, but this one pulls it off
• Brad Stalcup +1 — I WANTED TO SUBMIT THIS ONE EDDIE. Feel like I have to give it an upvote.
• Peter Seeley 0 — I loved the instrumentation. Not s huge fan of the vocals.
• Spicey Riche 0 — Peter
• Regina Scime 0 — this is making me realize that my perceived musical taste consists of great female vocal talent, so heck yes!

• fionmul +1 — Yes A great misheard lyric: “there’s a bathroom on the right”
• Peter Seeley +1 — Much enjoy.
• judd.baker +1 — CCR is the sort of thing I would hope for if diner-core is to be interpreted as 70s rock
• Spicey Riche +1
• Regina Scime +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Too hype for diner. Try again please!!
• Edward James 0 — Great song, and I get where you’re coming from, but didn’t stand out

• fionmul +1 — I listened to this before Claire submitted it and was affirmative of its badness. This one is the worst for Joseph by my estimation.
• Spicey Riche +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — 🥉 Would be merely a blah pop song without the grating liberal platitudes thrown in. Still a somewhat fun concept, though irritating in execution. AJR somehow have a sound at once instantly identifiable and utterly generic.
• Peter Seeley 0 — I laughed.
• Edward James 0 — This is the only song that made me feel visceral hatred. Complete millenniall slop. Great pick. Given the paucity of upvotes though, going to go with others. 4th place
• Claire 0 — “Yeah this is pretty bad to me and I’d think to Joseph too.” -Fiona
• Brad Stalcup 0 — This is a whiny song, which Joseph wouldn't like. But musically I think he'd be okay with it. It's kinda interesting.
• judd.baker 0 — I have no doubt Joseph would hate this, but so would any reasonable person, so it doesn’t feel particularly inspired

• SamRobertsND +3 — The best submission!
• ared56 +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Regina Scime +1
• Sam Ary +1
• judd.baker +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Only the line “backstreet’s back” has anything to do with the theme
• Peter Seeley 0 — No.
• fionmul -1

• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1 — Loved this
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Man this song is so depressing. Especially when you listen to the song and then read the title. Is there no children because of the failing marriage? Or is the fact that they're not having children the main cause?
• judd.baker +1 — calculated Judd bait. John Darnielle has a voice perfectly calibrated for despair
• fionmul 0 — This was really good too. Wish i had a vote for everyone this round.
• Peter Seeley 0 — Was the song supposed to be funny? I thought it was funny. "I hope the junkyard burns down" is an amazing line.
• Edward James 0 — A mountain goats song was a great idea, but I don’t think this is the one.
• Joseph Harvey -1 — Nails on chalkboard vocal phrasing

• Joseph Harvey +1 — The absurdity does make me chuckle
• Edward James +1 — When the stage production music video for this came out it spread like a shockwave through Fisher Hall. I’m pretty sure I made Brad watch it multiple times. In my opinion, actually one of the greatest feats of millennial culture. The only one that I’m already familiar with that I felt a real need to vote for.
• ared56 +1
• Regina Scime +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Corey +1
• fionmul 0 — Funnier to watch the video with it. In the end I had to move this vote elsewhere.
• SamRobertsND 0 — Been there, done that
• Peter Seeley 0 — This was great the first time I've heard it, but listening to it a second time is like microwaving leftovers from a restaurant.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Actual Latin Mass Trad Shia LaBeouf. Fun Fact: my friend invited Shia LaBeouf to his wedding.
• judd.baker 0 — upon relisten, this is so aggressively lol so millennial humor

• fionmul +2 — Reminds me of The Dance at the Gym from West Side Story
• Edward James +2 — The Japanese are true craftsman. They take everything that we have created (jazz, baseball, automobile manufacturing, financial markets, imperialism) and become the true masters of them. Only they could have crafted one of the most perfect jazz songs of all time as the intro to a space mystery anime that was originally created to sell toys.
• Brad Stalcup +2 — Yessss.
• SamRobertsND +1 — The Japanese love trumpets and other brass instruments
• Regina Scime +1
• Corey +1
• judd.baker +1 — This right here is it, solid gold. My winner for the round.
• Peter Seeley 0 — Now I want to be a cowboy 🤠
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Obviously very impressive. Could I hum back any part of this solo? Absolutely not. I’m just not a shred fan, I want a good memorable melody which this is not.
• Claire 0 — The cut of this song they use in the title sequence doesn’t include the sax solo—I already loved this song but the first time I heard the full version I was blown away. One of the best tv show theme songs of all time
• Spicey Riche 0 — I’m out of rips, but this stunk

• Corey +2
• SamRobertsND +1 — Easy money
• Sam Ary +1
• judd.baker +1 — I don’t doubt that others will comment the same thing, that “yearning” and “break up pain” are certainly not the same thing. All the same, there’s something so definitive and deeply cutting about this song. It’s beautiful, so earnest and unbelievably painful. After a full listen to this playlist, Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus are still lingering as a voice inside my yed.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Tom Staffelbach league. This is a great song. It’s amazing how long they make you wait for the chorus but the payoff is worth it!
• Edward James 0 — I feel like there needs to be an element of pathetic-ness to capture the true essence of the category.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Young love longing. Lover's remorse isn't quite longing IMO.
• Peter Seeley -1 — Pain, but not from longing.
• Spicey Riche -1

• Peter Seeley +1 — I was actually touched by the story .
• shea nowicki +1
• Edward James 0 — It's the GOAT - only doesn't get a vote because I want to prioritize songs that we don't all know.
• fionmul 0 — I like this song a lot and im not sure what all to vote for but this song is similar to Livin on a Prayer in that it’s not really a story to me it’s just like oh a couple of people have it hard and we wanna get outta here together and we are in love etc
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I’m very torn on this one. The narrative is very subtle and sad, it doesn’t hit you over the head with “this happened and then this happened” and leaves you to paint a picture of what is going on in these people’s lives. However, despite some strong melodies and sections, the way these solid pieces are put together dumps the momentum over and over again the way we get FOUR bars of that main guitar part between every verse and chorus. There’s also some awkward phrasing at some points and these fumbles hold the song back from receiving a vote.
• judd.baker 0 — upon listening again I was struck by how the verses don’t rhyme, they’re just sort of stream of consciousness. Kind of cool
• Sam Ary -1

• Joseph Harvey +1 — Ah, here we go. Musically and thematically perfect. Wouldn’t be surprised if the man himself submitted this
• Edward James +1 — I am obsessed with this song. The sound, the vibe, and the specific cheesy, 90s anime dialogue style is so perfectly at tuned. I can imagine this as a scene in one of the old anime movies. I have watched with Corey.
• Peter Seeley +1 — I think this is Corey or Judd's submission. Probably Corey's.
• Sam Ary +1
• judd.baker +1 — I have a sneaking feeling this is the man himself. I would be pretty surprised if Corey has never heard this song before. But it is an utterly perfect choice (and if it isn’t Corey, then hats off to the submitter). Lyrically, thematically, sonically, pure unadulterated Coreybait. Should be a front runner. Also a banger. I need to listen to this whole album
• shea nowicki +1
• Corey 0 — Locked in within 25 seconds. My neon is in overdrive. Incredible synths, very Daft Punk. This would fit in the Wraith soundtrack, with Charlie Sheen.
• Spicey Riche 0 — This is like Sonic the Hedgehog meets GTA.

• Joseph Harvey +1 — This is a little too chill for a kickoff, but the iconic intro helps a lot. I love this song so much though
• fionmul +1 — Yep. it’s basic in some ways but surely the people will exalt it and I won’t be mad
• Regina Scime +1
• Peter Seeley +1 — Very good getting you hyped but not going full bore just yet.
• Edward James 0 — I do not see this as a road trip kickoff song. This is a late night, 2 hours into the road trip after dark has set in, type of song. Better than I remember it being tho.
• Claire 0 — I genuinely think this song sounds like what the beginning of a beautiful driving adventure feels like
• judd.baker 0 — Great song. Kind of an emo start to a road trip tho
• SamRobertsND -1 — Every damn U2 song is the same, and even so, you go with this instead of the obvious pick, "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Mistake! Colin would never have done this!

• fionmul +1
• Edward James -1 — Just don’t like it, simple as
• Sam Ary -1
• Joseph Harvey -1 — Musical fingernails on chalkboard. The melodies don’t work and everything is irritating, this song feels like a itchy dress shirt or a bathing suit with sand in it

• ared56 +2
• fionmul +1 — Aww love the pitch perfect version too. Good pick.
• SamRobertsND +1 — A masterful pick from an incredible album.
• shea nowicki +1
• Edward James +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Claire 0 — This whole album is so good and the lineup of features is next level. Idk what it is about B.o.B’s particular brand of upbeat pop rap but it feels like the sort of thing that only would’ve landed with the impact it did at this particular point in musical history
• judd.baker 0 — I was surprisingly impressed by this. Honorable mention. It’s hitting a particular corner of the millennial slop genre that the rest of the playlist doesn’t cover
• Brad Stalcup -1 — A catchy song from the Millennial era, but not something that embodies "millennialcore" or "stomp clap stop"

• Sam Ary +2
• fionmul +1 — Voting mainly because I like the song more than most other submissions and it made me think about the lyrics for the first time haha.
• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Yes, petty vindictive spite! Rejoicing in the plight of enemies! Obsession not with the guy you’re with but the girl you’re waging psychological war against. This is everything I was hoping for
• Edward James +1 — It is comical how enormously this clear every single song in this playlist. I wouldn't say a single one even comes close to it. It's perfect in every way, musically and categorically. I would have given it 2 votes if there weren't other songs here I thought deserved recognition.
• Brad Stalcup +1 — yes
• judd.baker +1 — I’m a simple man. I’m always going to upvote Paramore
• shea nowicki +1
• Corey +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Good song

• SamRobertsND +1 — Lol this was fantastic. Mickey Mouse ass voice at Kitchenette
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Loving these funky beats + bass lines in a song about toast. I'll definitely hear you out here. Alex
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This is kind of normal. Very groovy though
• Edward James 0 — Absolutely incredible. This is probably my favorite song with the bunch, but to me, it’s not a “hear me out” song.

• SamRobertsND +1 — Good beat, he reminds me of Steve Goodman
• Brad Stalcup +1
• Edward James +1 — I feel like this is a direct hit. Good tune, good vocals, just solid
• shea nowicki +1 — I love this song. Thank you for this!
• fionmul 0 — My dad chimed in from the other room so that’s on brand Shea? Idk at this point
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Left zero impression
• judd.baker 0 — Loved this and a good submission but beat out by others.
• ared56 0 — This is such a fun song. 6 (Fiona?)

• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Yes
• shea nowicki +1
• Edward James 0 — To me, this is too mopey to be villain era. I know she’s talking about being evil, but there’s too much simping.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Love the melody in this one.

• fionmul +2 — No notes.
• ared56 +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — What a great driving song.
• Joseph Harvey +1
• Edward James +1 — 100% yes. This is exactly how this theme sits in my mind. Also, this song is the GOAT for literally having an entire verse that’s just the opening of “Idiot Wind” by Bob Dylan. That makes 2 songs in this playlist that prove the theory that every musician since 1965 is just trying to be Bob Dylan.
• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Good, but others beat it. Sorry.

• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — I am a huge Keane fan and this was one of my favorite songs growing up. I never thought about it as a ‘breaking of the fellowship' type song. I can see the connection though.
• Brad Stalcup +1 — This is almost a perfect song of longing and missing the past.
• shea nowicki +1 — Classic, very appreciated. Gets me into "melancholic reflective" headspace every time.
• Regina Scime +1
• judd.baker +1 — Beautiful.
• fionmul 0 — 😌
• Edward James 0 — Sadly, any hope this song had a placing was destroyed by the fact that I have only heard it in the context of a meme where a Star Wars battle droid is singing it while playing piano https://youtube.com/shorts/0qtWbZvUkq8?si=E6w7tQp2pLaVzZbH

• Joseph Harvey +1 — A little edgy but admittedly a perfect category pick. Pleasant listen. (Claire)
• Edward James +1 — Lesbianism?!? In my good Christian music league?! This is a straight banger. I came in with a bias against any sort of sad girl music, but this was absolutely phenomenal
• shea nowicki +1
• judd.baker +1 — This was as awesome as it was sus. Claire
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul 0 — 🩶🪱👗 ❤️‍🔥 Shea?
• ared56 0 — Joseph
• Brad Stalcup -1

• Edward James +2 — This is the only song on this list that I really and truly loved and felt that Judd would really and truly love through and through. Just a perfect 90s banger, everything you could want, yet somehow unknown.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This seems alternative enough to pass. Least favorite of my upvotes but gotta reward it
• fionmul +1 — I like
• shea nowicki +1 — Okay amazing!!!! I was dancing the entire time!
• Brad Stalcup +1
• judd.baker +1 — Now THIS is the kind of indie/alternative that I like. There were two songs on this playlist that I just fell in love with more instantly (or that I had already been in love with for a long time). But this is a fabulous shout. It starts out just a little too low and slow for my taste but the chorus is excellent. Bonus points for international band. Great shout. 🥉
• Regina Scime 0 — Super cute:))
• Claire 0 — Swedish Britpop just feels like a Judd vibe to me

• Corey +2
• fionmul +1 — HELL YEAH 🔨🪚🪛🔩👷🏼‍♂️👷🏼‍♀️THATS THE POWER OF THE HOME DEPOT 🗣️🔊‼️💯™️📣🧡
• Regina Scime +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Laur +1
• Brad Stalcup +1
• judd.baker +1 — Can’t resist
• Joseph Harvey 0 — The industrial sounds are kind of a vibe. It’s got a surprising amount of ambience which I like. It’s not the Arctic Monkeys blues rock slop riff it could have been, and I appreciate that
• shea nowicki 0 — Hahahahaha dead.
• Claire 0 — I once hit play on this half jokingly, started cleaning the kitchen, and got so in the zone that I cleaned for a good 10 minutes straight with this song on loop

• Edward James +1 — This was a great pick, and I think its strongest connection is the theme of being endlessly pursued by God. Dorothy Day opens her autobiography with the line from Dostoevsky “All my life I have been haunted by God.” This feeling of grasping futilely and for God but not wanting to go all the way is a theme I think you see in "Parker's Back" and other O'Connor stories. Also, I only knew Julien Baker as "the small one from boygenius" so glad to know she can write a solo banger.
• judd.baker +1 — Saline communion in the back of an ambulance as an image for encountering Jesus after a horrific car accident? Bravo. Pure Flannery.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This just feels so musically lacking to me that I can’t give it a vote. The phrasing is really awkward and comes off as ‘music as lyric delivery mechanism.’ There are some intriguing lyrics here however, so I can see the angle
• shea nowicki 0 — I love Julien Baker and unsurprisingly I loved this. Especially lyrically moving to pray with/about. I do indeed think that Julien and Flannery would be friends. Unfortunately other things in the end won out.
• Regina Scime 0 — I'm not sure if this captures O'Connor completely, but I think it's close!
• fionmul -1 — I almost skipped this because I hate her voice. Sorry shea (I think? Or Judd?) the words also confused me

• Sam Ary +1 — Good song very nice
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I don’t remember anything about this song
• fionmul 0 — This reminds me of an ex but I also sorta really dig it. 🙃🫠 idk if I hear this as an Eddie song tho
• judd.baker 0 — I quite enjoyed this
• Edward James 0 — You are right to identify that I love the occasional alt girl indie pop. And I enjoy this song a good deal, even though it drifts a bit into sad girl territory. It won’t make it to the podium, but I enjoyed it a lot more on the second listen-through.

• fionmul +1 — Eddie? Sam? Loved this take ofc. I indeed thought the feature was a girl until recent history.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This is a very fun song. There is a voice in there that really sounds like a girl. I’m going to trust that that’s a dude
• judd.baker +1 — I didn’t believe at first until I got to the feature, and wow yeah, great shout. Also banger
• shea nowicki +1 — I love! this! song!
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Featured singer being the feminine voice seems a little sus to me.
• Edward James 0 — I appreciate this pick because it gives a chance to highlight one of my musical loves: short lived late 2000s/early 2010s pop-rock group "Fozy Shazam". Eric Nally (who sings the feminine sounding part in this) is an incredible artist and the Foxy Shazam self-titled album is a millennial masterpiece in every way. But not vote because I don't think it fits the category well.
• Claire 0 — Fun fact: I genuinely thought this hook was sung by a woman for years.
• Corey -1 — Macklemore is too much like that urban liberal who likes to talk rough but votes for Kamala. So I would say he made the cut not wisely, but too well.
• Regina Scime -1

• Edward James +2 — I hope this wins, despite the fact the win would have…should have…been mine. Congrats to the person who beat me to it (Claire?). To me this is the essence of a peak live performance. It is elevated by the setting itself (i.e. it has elements that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere), you can tell the performer is Feeling It™ in a unique way that brings them to the peak of their performing ability, and you get a blend of a unique take on the song without losing the core that makes is so good. Also, ending with a dual clarinet solo is inspired.
• fionmul +1 — This was good. If this is Claire this was an excellent pick and you’re a most worthy adversary.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This is it. Incredible audience participation at the beginning. This is a great song beautifully and passionately performed, just a blast. Aside from my own, this is the show I’d most want to be at.
• judd.baker +1 — This is excellent. Fantastic vocals, phenomenal horn section, and the crowd work is legendary. 10/10
• SamRobertsND 0 — I generally like Vulfpeck, and the last two minutes were pretty good, but the front two minutes really annoyed me. Usually a capital offense, but there is an even worse offender here.

• Joseph Harvey +1 — Unintentionally about Jesus. …or is it?
• judd.baker +1 — This was excellent. I think the essence of this category is to find a band for whom having just one hit was almost a quirk of fate, and behind that one hit is a collection of other songs wherein that band was simply doing what they did, and well. This song is just more fun New Wave-y goodness. Def enjoyed.
• Regina Scime +1 — I didn’t know who The Proclaimers were, but I could tell what their hit was as soon as they started singing haha. Loved this!!
• SamRobertsND 0 — They are like Philip Phillips, just do the same thing different ways. As an anonymous person once said, this is 501 Miles. Not bad just the same thing, not much to see here.
• Claire 0 — 500 miles in a different font. Not sure if that’s a pro or a con. But clearly they’re a one hit wonder for a reason ig
• fionmul -1 — So their hit is 100% annoying and this is medium/high annoying congrats

• judd.baker +1 — Excellent choice. I loved this and I feel that Sammy will too
• ared56 +1
• Edward James 0 — A deep cut city pop song was something I considered as well, but I think would be too cliché coming from me. I really liked this one in particular, and I think Sammy as well would appreciate the vocal performance. I think this one is also a winner, but just beaten out in a field of absolutely fantastic submission.
• fionmul 0 — The very beginning had me like “am I being rickrolled” I’d throw down at the club in Tokyo to this/do drunk Romaji karaoke of it
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Slightly more vintage J pop seems like the right vibe here vs. the more modern other submissioon
• Claire 0 — Important element of Sammycore: a funky beat. And for all his love of America we mustn’t neglect his deep appreciation for Japanese culture. Then again…are not the Japanese the cowboys of the east?
• SamRobertsND 0 — I really thought I was going to be the only Japanese submission this round, but Nature finds a way. I think this is Claire? Such acumen befits her, and indeed, I do like me some City Pop. Thanks to her, we got a family tree of Japanese pop in this playlist (both entries are downstream from the Kayōkyoku genre & Haruomi Hosono in particular, I think). As they did with baseball, the Japanese took readily to American jazz & funk, creating this cool sound that dominated their musicscape, especially in the early 80s. This is probably going to be one of the more unjust and hypocritical no votes, especially from others' perspective. I like this song and am impressed by how on the same wavelength you were as me, but in the big world of Jpop, I like the more Yellow Magic Orchestra evolutionary strand of my song much more (this is definitely Eddie’s strand tho), & other strong entries won out. Forgive the electoral slight here and know that you still nailed it in the main, senpai.

• fionmul +1 — I am torn because this feels like a meme but it is really good for this round. Mama Mulholland liked it.
• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1 — Wow, check out the legendary fridge pull *reveals promotional Spider-Man Green Goblin flavored Pepsi* They're not Three Doors Down, but Creed is my Kryptonite
• Sam Ary +1 — 1 time for Creed
• Edward James 0 — This is a great choice, and one that I figured someone would make lol. I know this might be hypocritical, but I’ve just heard Sammy play this so much over the last three months that I can’t vote for it.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Can’t take this seriously as a cry from the depths with that singing
• judd.baker 0 — This song just goes so hard. Beat out slightly by a few others in terms of lyrical content/matching of the theme, but credit must be given

• Edward James +1 — I like this song a lot and I think Claire will too. However to me (Eddie, not me as Claire) it just seems to be a knockoff of “Good 4 U” without enough stylistic difference
• SamRobertsND +1 — Fiona? I think this gets the girlpop Claire, so it gets a vote. I liked it as well.
• shea nowicki +1 — Wow this song is a BOP.
• judd.baker +1 — This is the stuff
• fionmul 0 — Hmmm idk but I think not
• Claire 0 — I predicted (correctly) that the submissions weren’t going to get at this facet of my music taste. I love some good girly pop, especially the kind that’s a little bit angsty and best played while driving with the windows down and aggressively dancing/finger pointing.
• Joseph Harvey -1 — This is a pretty mid and irritating pop song without much to recommend it. Use of profanity is tired and adds nothing

• SamRobertsND +1 — Peter: "I don't normally like that musical style but this was done really well, I liked it. It fits the theme well, told from the killer's perspective and yet there's real pathos there still. It almost feels like the killer believes his own excuses." I love the Killers' sound, how could a Hillsdale alumnus not. I agree with everything Peter said, and the fact that it was based on a real murder makes it all the more poignant.
• shea nowicki +1
• Edward James +1 — This is one of my favorite songs ever. That driving bass line is heavenly. The five song stretch from this song to “All These Things That I’ve Done” (and on their debut album nonetheless) is one of the greatest five song stretches in music history. Which makes it all the more astounding that I never knew it was about a murder mystery. Perfect submission, well done.
• fionmul 0 — memorable, but if this was claire i love you forever

Claire: a masterclass in reinventing for a new genre while honoring the original

• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1 — This one was screaming for a rock cover, and AAF nailed it. Played around with the details yet the song is still recognizable. It’s a classic banger in its own right, not much more to say.
• judd.baker +1 — This is such a fantastic cover, same notes as the T-Pain track; it’s doing something really unique, is very confident in how different it is from the original but as you said, still honors the original as well.
• Edward James +1 — It’s the GOAT. Simple as
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul 0 — Hell yeah. This is so good. Ultimately I think it is similarly good to the original so it got beat. But this was an excellent pick and I hope it gets other people’s votes.
• Joseph Harvey -1 — Alas, the genre conversion does not work. Grating. I’d so much rather hear the original.

• Joseph Harvey +1 — This really sounds like Fionacore to me. Lyrical specificity, nice vocals and perfect vibe match.
• Edward James +1 — Not sure what to say, just like it
• SamRobertsND +1 — Peter: “this is a Fiona vibe” Sammy: knew it was gold when the playlist line dropped
• shea nowicki +1 — Okay yes SLAY. A really good choice.
• judd.baker +1 — Perfect submission, no notes
• ared56 +1
• fionmul +1 — Fi the soft and sad girl: Well done. I see the Lizzy lookalike competition ensuing and this is very nice ✨💖✨ I am not sure I adore the lyrics or it’ll become a lifelong favorite but it has elements of great relatability and specificity. These I value as this player may know. Unironically, Lizzy could cover this and I would listen to that a lot. This unfortunately was one I liked less the more I listened. Also the title should be “strangers to lovers to enemies” instead. 5th.
• Claire 0 — there are many directions one could go with a Fionacore pick but I went with this one for its combo of powerhouse vocals, theater girlie vibes, and emotional, concrete, vivid lyricism (a hallmark of Miss Mulholland’s own songwriting)

• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1 — I hate this song with a burning passion but cannot vote against it. Consummate grilling vibe.
• Edward James +1 — Inspired choice. One of few that could bridge between every interpretation of “summer grilling”. Impeccable
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul 0 — Mulholland core fr but doesn’t remind me of grilling
• shea nowicki 0 — Stellar song, slightly beat by other options
• Joseph Harvey -1 — I do not like this song. The narrator of the song sounds like a loser. Also obnoxious “wah wah” sounds

• Edward James +1 — I LOVE this read of the category, fits the description but also has an independent flair. Also Steely Dan is the GOAT
• SamRobertsND 0 — My father would have me go against the wall for not voting for this, but I just ran out of votes! I absolutely love the interpretation of the category; reflects deep reading.
• fionmul 0 — Pleasant; in the end I had to give it to Tracy but it was close. Needed more votes. This sounds like something Judd would cover (in a good way)
• Regina Scime 0 — Is this a song just about an affair…?
• judd.baker 0 — Banger and a great submission for this category but it is hard for me to hear the proposed alternative interpretation of the lyrics without still hearing the very overt actual meaning of the lyrics

• SamRobertsND +1 — I don’t love the Cranberries except for when I send a 5 minute long Zombie voice memo to Joe Torma, but since I’ve been guided by the being vs falling distinction, I have to reward this song for absolutely nailing it.
• fionmul +1 — This invited me to really listen to the words for the first time and what I found is this is sorta perfect for this theme! Good job kid! Even the yell-singing at the end is like same girl same
• Edward James +1 — This is probably the definitive answer. There’s a special thing where a song not just describes the thing it’s trying to convey through lyrics, but really FEELS like it, in its very essence. This was my first love’s favorite song, and after we broke up I didn’t listen to it for 5 years, except one time when it came on the radio in a steak and shake in Rosemont, IL and triggered an existential crisis
• Sam Ary +1
• judd.baker 0 — Don’t have an upvote to spare, but fabulous inclusion.
• Claire 0 — I hope that listening to this brought back fond memories of Joe Torma yodeling at karaoke
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Tormacore

• Edward James +1 — This is such a good entry. At first glance you might not think it, but the final line really says it all. I am definitely rewarding “unintentional” and this is definitely the most unintentional of them all, I thinks
• SamRobertsND +1 — Understood the assignment, as Joseph says.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This song is definitely capturing something. Wish it were slightly more interesting but it’s close to being great
• judd.baker 0 — Love seeing Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker here but I didn’t get it until the chorus
• Claire 0 — Idk about you guys but ever since I first heard this song a few years ago it’s spoken to me of the particularity and intimacy of Jesus’s love for me. “I can’t hide from you like I hide from myself” got me crying in my Kia soul every time (Also “You already hurt my feelings three times” is such a Peter moment)
• fionmul 0 — Never heard this; I like. I bet Joseph didn't like it though

Claire: Are you really a sad white boy if you don’t listen to the national?

• fionmul +1 — the background guitar alone was enough for me
• judd.baker +1 — Perfectly understood the assignment, glad to see the National here
• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I don’t like his voice. I’m sorry he needs his girl but the song didn’t convince me to care
• Edward James 0 — Just don’t like The National, simple as
• SamRobertsND 0 — Nice

• Joseph Harvey +1 — Yes
• Edward James +1 — Hehehe bad word funny
• Regina Scime +1 — Just yes.
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul 0 — slaps frankly
• SamRobertsND 0 — Crass is not the same thing as hard but it’s also a funny song that more people should know about. I pass over it.

Claire: Curious to see what the man himself thinks of this song, but in my mind this is pure Josephcore

• Joseph Harvey +2 — Giant soaring chorus? Pop infused metalcore? Unrequited love?? Claire understood the assignment.
• SamRobertsND +1 — Yeah this sounds like the bullshit I have to listen to on the way home from Saint Joe Mish
• ared56 +1
• fionmul +1 — love this actually
• Sam Ary +1
• Edward James 0 — This guy has the bad version of millennial voice.

• SamRobertsND +1 — Euro pop prelude to a solid wraparound a tree in your leased Lexus going 110mph.
• ared56 +1
• fionmul 0 — "cybertruck"
• Edward James 0 — Would be perfect music for speeding around on a poorly animated cloud in an early 2000s music video. Not perfect for actual speeding
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I feel like I’m slowly losing my sanity
• Regina Scime 0 — Will always be down to dance to this

Claire: This song dances from irony, to honest confession, to feigned innocence, until it’s impossible to tell which is which. If that’s not a femme fatale I don’t know what is

• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul +1 — Britney is a bad girl summer icon forever and always. Stay Toxic, girls!
• Edward James +1 — Came in expecting to dismiss this, but it’s too on theme. The casual indifference is the key. Also, never caught the titanic reference in the spoken word part. Very 2000
• SamRobertsND +1 — Britney has probably caused many a fan suicide. Indeed fatal.
• judd.baker +1 — Can’t resist upvoting
• [DELETED] +1

• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND +1 — The Ur heartbeat of generations old and young
• Edward James +1 — I already listened to this song repeatedly, so might as well keep it going forever
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Hard to go wrong
• [DELETED] +1
• fionmul 0 — the 80s bias is coming thru this round