Regina Scime

• Peter Seeley +2 — I don't really like opera, and I loved this
• SamRobertsND +1
• fionmul +1 — ofc
• Sam Ary +1
• Edward James 0 — I can't pretend I enjoy this. Incredibly talented of course but I'm not drawn to it.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Hard to argue with but feels a little basic. This round is an opportunity to introduce others to the weird and wonderful unknown

• Edward James +1 — I would punish this for being a lazy pic since Joseph’s hatred of Sammy Rae is already known, but then the message of “whatever I feel, whatever I want to do” is also the most anti-Joseph thing I could ever imagine. So I will reward it.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Finally, a worthy opponent. Questionable submission because my hatred of Sammy Rae is already known, but I can’t resist all the same. What drives me crazy is that she obviously has an amazing voice but chooses to use it in the most obnoxious way possible with the most grating lyrics
• Sam Ary +1
• shea nowicki +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Lazy we know he hates this
• fionmul 0 — Ok past artist seems not allowed (in any case it’s not that bad to me)
• Claire -1 — An artist that Joseph explicitly said would win this round just is too easy of a submission, sorry

• Claire +1 — One reason this is an interesting pick is that it gets a bit “meta” with the story bit—the song is not only telling a story in the sense of talking about a sequence of events but also self consciously framing itself as a story
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Extremely creative and enjoyable listen
• shea nowicki +1
• Peter Seeley 0 — Kill it with fire
• Edward James 0 — I liked this a lot but it's not narrative!

• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1
• fionmul +1 — Yep
• Peter Seeley +1
• Edward James +1 — Hard to describe the stranglehold this song had on millennial girls with mental health problems (~30%) in 2009
• Sam Ary +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Bland, tiresome melody bludgeoned to death. Obnoxious vocal delivery. Limpwristed instrumentation. And somehow everyone but me loves it

• ared56 +1
• Claire +1 — I know I keep saying I’m not looking for romantic songs but I’m making an exception for this one bc it’s such a plaintive cry
• judd.baker +1 — Powerful
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Wasn’t sold until the end. There is some real angst in the vocal delivery. Still hoping for more from this round than “stay with me”
• fionmul 0 — My style used to be that I would have all this time and energy to listen to the words and listen to the song and go read the words of the song. But these days I have to just make a judgment off of the vibe and for whatever reason this wasn’t it for me. Like the sound of the song doesn’t sound like the theme. Neither did I really like the song itself very much. But I would be very impressed if I heard someone sing this live.

• SamRobertsND +1
• Claire +1 — I didn’t want to submit this one bc it almost felt too obvious…but since “female country revenge killing” was clearly the vibe this round, this one gets my vote both because the story is so well crafter and also because this song always makes me think of Bruce, who maintains it’s one of the best songs ever
• Peter Seeley +1 — Enjoyable
• judd.baker +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Seems cool enough, but the story is very confusing. Maybe it’s just me. Also some awkward phrasing
• Edward James 0 — I also couldn’t really follow this one
• shea nowicki -1

• Peter Seeley +3 — Really only unique one on this list. Also enjoyable
• Sam Ary +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Cute
• judd.baker +1 — I liked this
• Claire +1 — This is sweet
• Edward James 0 — Good tune but seemed to me to be more about the performance than about the feeling.

• fionmul +1
• Claire +1 — I see the vision. Part of me feels like it’s so short and simple that it’s not actually that impressive. But what lyrics there are are pretty on target
• shea nowicki +1
• Peter Seeley 0 — yo brah, this lolo
• Joseph Harvey -1

Regina Scime: makes you want to go faster than a speeding bullet

• SamRobertsND +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Most of this is chilled out and slow… but this playlist is quite painful so I guess it gets a vote
• fionmul +1 — This might play in a movie while a race car is in flowstate on a straightaway, and it happened to come on when I was driving a windy paved section of a country drive so it worked
• Peter Seeley 0 — Somnolent
• Claire 0 — If you’re gonna submit Hans Zimmer for this round it should’ve been something from the Spirit soundtrack (I’m being dead serious)
• ared56 -1
• Edward James -1 — You know what I'm gonna say it. Hans Zimmer doesn't do it for me. Never really has. I think he's overhyped. ""It insists upon itself." - Peter Griffin" - Sammy Roberts
• Sam Ary -1
• judd.baker -1

• fionmul +1
• SamRobertsND +1
• Claire +1 — This isn’t to necessarily say that Alex submitted this, but this is a song Alex would queue during this porch sit
• judd.baker +1 — This feels very Hangarite.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — A little generic and not quite hitting the mark

• SamRobertsND +1
• fionmul +1
• Edward James +1 — I like it. I think it fits musically, vocally, and stylistically. I think this is one of the more unique picks so I'm peeling a vote away from others for it.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — I didn’t know white people were allowed to do this
• judd.baker +1 — This was the point when I began to get an uncanny feeling about the fact that this whole playlist is white artists who want to sound black. So for that I feel it deserves an upvote
• Brad Stalcup +1 — That gutteral singing is a key black lady singing technique. I know this because I watched Hercules.

• Edward James +2 — What’s crazy is that you could pick at least two songs off every album he’s released since 1997 that could qualify for this category. From this one, this is a good choice, although I like “I’ve made up my mind to give myself to you” and “Key West (philosopher pirate)” just as much. Giving 2 upvotes just because most others didn’t do it for me and I know people won’t appreciate this properly
• shea nowicki +1
• fionmul 0 — Not enough of a “banger” for me
• Claire 0 — Crazy that he continues to make music this late in the game. This song was just alright though

• fionmul +2 — actually dangerously evil in a way; Elsa's crashout was valid
• Peter Seeley +1 — The vapidity of this song is truly evil.
• shea nowicki +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Not sure on the read here
• Claire 0 — Secretly evil =/= accidentally evil
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I actually think "Let it go" is the more of the "accidentally evil" song from Frozen
• Sam Ary -1

• Edward James +1 — I was hoping for one song that really captures the inexplicable hold the whale can have on the heart of man. There's a reason so many songs and concepts revolve around this idea, and I love using weird music notation to explore it.
• SamRobertsND 0 — Liked it until I didn’t
• judd.baker 0 — Impressive dredging this out of the <50 monthly listener Spotify mines, but it is nigh unlistenable and should probably remain there
• fionmul 0 — Ehhhhh
• Peter Seeley 0 — I like what this is going for. Here's the problem: "On the Whiteness of the Whale", specifically the footnote on the albatross, is some of the finest prose ever. Needless to say, the lyrics to this song pale by comparison.
• Claire 0 — I thought this was really cool at first but tbh it kind of lost me as the song went on. Maybe I just don’t have a good attention span
• Brad Stalcup 0 — A little too on the nose?

• Edward James +3 — (•_•) <) )╯Kankakee / \ (•_•) ╯( (> Mentioned / \ (•_•) <) )╯Y’all / \ To me this song epitomizes what I think of when I think of the bindle lifestyle. Tried to submit it myself. Hail to the victor.
• Peter Seeley +2 — This is the background music for a film in which Eddie, Judd and the ghost of Bobby Kennedy take a road trip to find the soul of America.
• ared56 +1
• fionmul +1 — This smacks of Eddie? Maybe. I like this take, matches the bindle/steinbeck aesthetic well in its music and lyrics.
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Superb take on this playlist. Train bros unite.
• shea nowicki +1
• judd.baker +1 — This is a good fusion of the two senses of bindlecore.
• SamRobertsND 0 — Hobocore =/= Bindlecore. Amazing song though, the peak crossover of Sammy/Eddie themes
• Claire 0 — Kankakee mentioned?!? But I’m not sure I see how this fits the theme
• Joseph Harvey -1 — Not really bad or anything just didn’t seem strong for the category

• Peter Seeley +3 — The Reconstructed Chicks come in clutch. Anyway, wonderfully sung and seems like it matches the category. Only one which really stood out (except for Joseph's)
• fionmul +1 — This is a great submission and Fiona bait (I notoriously buy people the theresian book of the same title but it’s because it changed my life!) This should win; mad I didn’t think of it since it has been in my rotation for years!
• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This is absolutely gorgeous musically. Close enough thematically though not very specific
• shea nowicki +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Kinda a gimme for anyone who's read that beautiful book on Therese's spirituality by Fr. D'Elbee. Lyrics are on point too with that dark night endurance.
• judd.baker +1 — Perfect. See comments above on Wouldn’t It Be Nice.
• Claire 0 — Title is spot on, lyrics seem a little less specifically on target but maybe I’m just missing something (but also those of you who haven’t read the book I Believe in Love should do so asap)

Regina Scime: “I want to dance with the saints and angels”🥹

• fionmul +1 — Can defs see her liking this and praying with it, especially the twist (it's not a race. you're free!). And I find it pleasant melodically. This is a more surface level/stereotypical Shea category but an intentional pick within that.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This kind of music is not for me. But I have a feeling Shea would like.
• Peter Seeley +1 — I don't like the style but the singers voice is actually quite good.
• SamRobertsND 0 — Sorry, Fiona, not gonna cut it. Ironic: you have longed for this round more than most, yet you post dreck in main. Do better.
• shea nowicki 0 — OH wow, so beautiful! There's no fear in love! Need to pray more with these lyrics immediately!!! So grateful you submitted this!
• Edward James 0 — FOCUS….album? 🤨

• ared56 +1
• fionmul +1 — I liked the vibe and it was new for me. The oldies here remind me of the guardians of the galaxy mixtapes.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — A great example of why Queen is the greatest rock n roll band of all time. Beautiful, poignant, musically excellent. Best song about relativity
• Peter Seeley +1 — Enjoyable
• Claire +1 — Incredible pull for this category
• judd.baker 0 — I really enjoyed this. Really like the Brian May vocals. Just not quite as resonant to me as some other submissions.

• Spicey Riche +3
• Peter Seeley +2 — Fantastic.
• shea nowicki +2 — A perfect submission. Wow. 100/10.
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Man, this is also a really beautiful song.
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul +1
• Edward James +1 — I wanted to dislike this scene when it started in 1917 because it felt so out of place and sudden, but then it was so beautiful that I think they wanted it to pull you entirely out of the movie and reflect on the absurdity of it all before you're just plunged back into the chaos and nonsense.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Trying way too hard
• Claire 0 — Feels more “memento mori” than “songs to die to” for me
• judd.baker -1 — I did not enjoy this version at all. And being from the 1917 soundtrack, I can only assume someone has in fact already died to this song

Regina Scime: Try looking up what language this is…

• fionmul +3 — I was back and forth but by definition the lyrics are indecipherable and also love the song and this film so I shall reward And defend it from the haters
• SamRobertsND +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Sam Ary +1 — Undecipherable because it’s not a real language.
• Edward James 0 — Guys we were very very clear that it had to be English
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I mean it's cool, and kinda gimmicky which I usually go for. But I think it misses the point of the round.
• Claire 0 — I imagine this will get a lot of downvotes for not being English so I’m not gonna pile on. It’s a cool song tho
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Not in English, instant DQ
• ared56 -1
• Peter Seeley -1 — A brilliant song, with clear vocals and meaning. The fact that the language is constructed does not make it "unintelligible". Alas, like Commodus , I must give the thumbs down to this noble work.

Regina Scime: The line “that don’t sound like my music to me” is especially Augustinian, since he struggled with the concept of music and its use

• Peter Seeley +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Spicey Riche +1
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul 0 — Double PS! This was cool
• Edward James 0 — Don’t really see the match here with this one.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Eh, This isn't really *accidentally* St. Augustine. It's pretty intentionally theological.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Little vague to fit the theme. It’s impressive that Paul Simon doesn’t sound totally past his sell by date in 2011
• Claire 0 — The hook is giving Augustine but the rest of the song not so much? It feels like there are a few lines that are spoken from the pov of God? Idk. Didn’t quite land for me and was eclipsed by the other Paul Simon submission

• Brad Stalcup +1 — This song definitely should have been in ratatouille or something.
• fionmul +1 — delightful
• Peter Staffelbach +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — This ain't it, chief
• Joseph Harvey 0 — French is such a cute language
• Edward James 0 — Sorry, found this very boring
• Claire 0 — This was cute and fun but imo the correct pick for “song by Camille from an animated movie” would be Le Festin from Ratatouille

• judd.baker +1 — I almost skipped voting for this because it seems like perhaps the most obvious submission for the category (it was the first one I thought of but it was already swiped). But upon relisten I can’t resist voting, it really is perfect for this. Such an incredible bop and it’s funny because it doesn’t even try to disguise how agonized the lyrics are, it wears the discordance on its sleeve
• Spicey Riche +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Peter Seeley 0 — See comment on the above sound
• SamRobertsND 0 — The romance songs don't impress me
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This is following the tropes of a certain kind of pop song closely enough that it doesn’t feel truly or authentically sad. I don’t feel like I’m hearing about a real human experience.
• Edward James 0 — I love to hate and hate to love this song. It fits though, I can't argue with that.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I thought about submitting this one.
• fionmul -1 — Not really sad in the way I was looking for here. I think the music goes with the meaning.

• shea nowicki +1
• fionmul 0 — Only half counts
• Claire 0 — He’s the goat. But once again I’m not convinced that this song is specifically white coded. Like yes white people get down to this but that’s not the same thing? Again maybe I just do not understand what “white people music” is
• Peter Seeley 0 — Not "white people" music just because white people enjoy it.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Absolutely banger. Not white coded enough to be a winner, but so great
• Edward James -1 — White people do be loving to think about this kind of thing. Not an easy downvote but this seems the least fitting
• judd.baker -1 — This song is a masterpiece. I hadn’t re-listened to the lyrics in a while, MJ had an incredible ability to write catchy danceable pop songs that were at the same time incredibly deep and meaningful. There are some bars in this song and his voice is phenomenal. Downvoted cause this is not white people music, this is music for everyone
• Brad Stalcup -1 — Considering how all of my black students love michael jackson, i find it very hard to qualify his music as "white people music"

Regina Scime: There is a fair chance that this was actually played, but it seems like something Spicy Rich would get DOWN to at his own wedding

• fionmul +1
• SamRobertsND +1 — Easiest upvote ever. Very much in the spirit of my own submission.
• shea nowicki +1
• Claire +1 — Yes it was actually played, and I can’t say I remember Rich getting down to it but I can see it.
• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Seems way too obvious. Has this ever not been played at a wedding
• Edward James 0 — A classic and a good choice. Was not played, but also doesn't rise to the top.
• Spicey Riche 0 — Wrong. Terrible choice of a stupid song.
• Sam Ary -1

Regina Scime: I’ll leave you to create your own narrative for this movie…

• Claire +1 — This feels like the sort of song that will get picked for movie credits because of its vaguely uplifting energy and lyrics but which will never have commercial success beyond that. The band will probably still have some success on the county fair circuit. Maybe play a set at four winds field sponsored by ND idea week. A respectable read of the category
• judd.baker +1 — This song is steaming garbage but I am duty bound to admit that it’s a perfect submission. It practically conjures the end credits scene of an aggressively mid action/kids movie on its own, title cards bearing Ryan Reynolds’ and Jeff Bridges’ names careening by as it plays
• fionmul 0 — Sure but I just don’t like it
• Edward James 0 — End of a late entry fast and furious movie
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Sounds like it would play after a terrible marvel movie
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I don't think I really saw this as a strong movie ending, to be honest.
• Peter Seeley -1 — Non-descript.

• Joseph Harvey +1 — Cute ending to a phenomenal album
• shea nowicki +1
• fionmul 0 — This isn’t even the best Beatles submission so that’s what’s tough here
• Edward James 0 — Love this, just missed a vote. Paul at his most powerful, just forcing everyone to accept his grandma music.
• judd.baker 0 — Who did you bribe at Spotify HQ to make this the last song on the playlist
• ared56 -1
• Claire -1 — I just feel like it makes sense to downvote my least favorite of the three Beatles submissions. Sorry y’all

Regina Scime: 🇺🇸🫡🥺

• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND +1
• fionmul 0 — If you had written a scenario in the comments I may have considered (Military coming home videos are one thing that makes me cry without fail)
• Peter Seeley 0 — 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡😭
• Edward James -1 — I see the vision, but didn’t work for me. Strikes me as low effort.

• fionmul +1 — I think this is Regina so I’ll vote for it
• ared56 +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Great vocals. Great horn line.
• SamRobertsND 0 — Lazy slop
• Edward James 0 — I like the Motown connection, but I think the song connection has to come first. And I think there were a lot better choices in this genre imo.
• Claire 0 — Was a contender for me but ultimately edged out by other songs with that impressed me more
• Spicey Riche 0 — Judd

• fionmul +1 — Wait I’ve never heard this I love.
• judd.baker +1 — Nice. Would listen to while enjoying black coffee and a short stack
• shea nowicki +1
• Claire +1 — This is the vibe
• Edward James +1 — Similar to Alex’s song, this one gets a vote because it both encapsulates what is most beautiful about what the diner represents, and it also sounds like something that would be playing in one
• SamRobertsND 0 — Sad story, not good enough though
• Peter Seeley 0 — Ok.

Regina Scime: sorry not sorry, trying to play the game

• Sam Ary +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This is not a song I enjoy listening to, but that’s the whole point. It accomplishes its goal absolutely perfectly. I prefer more order with my dissonance, but there is a (limited) place for stuff like this.
• ared56 0 — Shelob
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Joseph would hate this song, but basically everybody else would too.
• fionmul -1 — “I respect this artistically and I can’t say the same for all of the songs on this list” - Claire I’m downvoting because I think Joseph might think it’s cool and most of these songs are mid to me. I’d listen to this again highkey.
• Edward James -1 — No
• Claire -1 — “This is what it would sound like for me to be drugged by the fear drug in Batman Begins” “Lowkey I’m having a better listening experience than I did with meatloaf” “(Joseph) likes screaming, remember?” (at the end) “I’m kind of sad that we’re going to listen to something else now” -Fiona Downvoting bc I feel like Joseph will respect this artistically in a way he wouldn’t with other songs -CM
• judd.baker -1 — This is awesome. Why would Joseph hate this

• Joseph Harvey +2 — I tried to submit this. I consider it a perfect submission.
• Peter Seeley +1 — Yes.
• shea nowicki +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Yep, especially when you pair this with we will rock you.
• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Eh
• fionmul 0 — More of a credits one tbh
• ared56 -1

• fionmul 0 — The “no good deed goes unpunished” at 2:45 🔥🔥🔥 Not enough votes
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Obviously Erivo’s vocals are great, but this sounds like a song written by AI. There’s no flow to the melody despite some very bright moments
• Peter Seeley 0 — Yet again, great talent that seems wasted to me.
• SamRobertsND 0 — I loved this!!!
• Claire 0 — Oh my gosh this is cool. I haven’t had a chance to see the movie yet but it’s getting me even more pumped. It’s also a good read of the theme imo, didn’t have enough votes tho
• judd.baker 0 — The lyrics without the context from a movie I didn’t see make this much less resonant than other submissions
• ared56 -1
• Edward James -1 — no
• Corey -1 — I dislike this specific musical on principle. It's not even necessarily the song. I will not deny being arbitrary this time.
• Brad Stalcup -1
• Spicey Riche -1
• shea nowicki -1
• Sam Ary -1

Regina Scime: this song breaks my brain

• Peter Seeley +2 — This is why Leviticus exists
• Corey +2
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This is very fun
• fionmul +1 — A classic. I remember listening when I was like 5.
• SamRobertsND +1 — Thanks for following my advice
• Edward James +1 — This was incredible. Didn’t know Willie Nelson did this kind of thing. I think this was my favorite.
• Brad Stalcup +1
• shea nowicki +1
• judd.baker +1 — total Brad cultural victory
• Claire -1 — Sorry chat I’ve become the person who downvotes something for being too stereotypical of a pull

• Spicey Riche +2
• ared56 +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — I LOVE this song. However, there's nothing really standout about the saxophone part. All the instruments are playing in unison. Nonetheless, it has a cool enough unison sound to win a vote.
• shea nowicki +1
• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Typical
• fionmul 0 — Sure
• Peter Seeley 0 — Great.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Absolute masterpiece. Packed with memorable parts, awesome singing, and with a phenomenal mix. However, the sax is very much just one part of the arrangement here and doesn’t stand out as a lead instrument. I’m going to reward songs where the sax part carries the song.
• Edward James 0 — I feel like to win a vote from me, the saxophone needs to stand out more, whereas this is mostly a combination of horns. Still one of my all time fave songs.
• Claire 0 — Didn’t make my top 4 but I love this song dearly. Hearing it always takes me back to freshman year of college dances. Respect to whoever submitted
• judd.baker 0 — This was definitely the best of the more obvious submissions

Regina Scime: written after his 4 year old fell from a 53rd floor window…

• shea nowicki +1
• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Eddie hates Eric Clapton, but that's a moral failing.
• Peter Seeley 0 — Very sad, knowing the backstory. But it doesn't make me yearn.
• fionmul 0 — Thanks for making me sad asf I’m glad there’s hope in the song tho
• Claire 0 — This is so tragic, and I perhaps one could describe it as yearning, but it just seems like a different sort of emotion/experience than what I’m taking this category to be about
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I know this song is memeable, but only because it's so vulnerable. I'm not sure this is longing as much as it is mourning. Though the two are close, i think there's a significant difference.
• Edward James -1 — Just don't like it. Never been an Eric Clapton fan

Regina Scime: 50 years on Monday…

• Peter Seeley +2 — This is heads and shoulders above everything else on this play list.
• Edward James +1 — TUESDAY. 50 years on Tuesday. Hence the party/memorial. Getting a vote in spite of the fact we all know it. It's just the best.
• fionmul +1 — This gets a vote (and doubtless many more) and I know this is the perfect category for it but I wanted some more creativity. But I think most of these are weak submissions so I’ll give a vote for it actually being a story and for the meme lol
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Hard to top this one.
• Spicey Riche +1 — I feel like a war of attrition against Eddie and now I have to vote for this song.
• judd.baker +1 — This seemed almost too easy, and then I listened again and had to give in. Unironically brings me to tears. These men died in the line of duty. I’m sorry for making light of their deaths
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This feels a little too easy. Also, I’d never noticed but there is some really awkward phrasing at numerous points in this song. Sting would have done a much better job. Still, plenty of great iconic lines in this
• Claire -1 — Great song, incredibly significant historical event, it’s just not an original pull, sorry 🔔
• shea nowicki -1 — I LOVE this song, but it just felt like an easy choice with the timing of things!

• fionmul +2 — 😌😌👦🏽🐍🐅🌳🪷🇮🇳🦜 👹💪🏽 🐑🐑 👦🏽🫱🏼🪨 😵 👦🏽🙌🏽🎖️
• Corey +1 — You wouldn't know it, but I've been influenced by Gospel adjacent acapellas since highschool. Bravo for an unknowingly deep cut.
• Edward James +1 — I know that stylistically is not the same, but I was thinking during this about Corey’s love for the song Mack the Knife. Not only is this stylistically complex and beautiful, it also has the X factor of a little weirdness.
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Whoa. This one blew me away with the dense harmonies, and the jazzy a capella break a minute into the song. Loved it. This also could have fit in the next category. I think Corey would dig it.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I’m shocked and flabbergasted. I was going to comment “Jacob Collier at home” and then checked the year. I don’t understand how this was even possible in 1988. No pitch correction?? That was utterly unreal. Unfortunately, this doesn’t strike me as especially Corey, although he would certainly appreciate it.
• Spicey Riche 0 — This makes my blood boil with hatred for you pirouetting theatre nerds.
• judd.baker 0 — gosh this is amazing. I am feeling the upvote scarcity

Regina Scime: how my best friend and I kick off every car ride

• fionmul +1 — Wait I’m crying we have a video of me dancing to this as a baby I love this song
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Love me some doobie brothers. This is just a great song.
• Peter Seeley +1
• shea nowicki +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Close. Not quite a kickoff
• Edward James 0 — Another absolute road trip banger (Alex) but not one I would use for kickoff.
• SamRobertsND 0 — Pains me not to vote for this masterpiece but I'm out of votes. Hard 5th for sure.

• ared56 +1
• Edward James +1 — Another perfect choice, because it perfectly places you in the frame of mind of thinking about your eminent death. Incredible song and very unique.
• fionmul +1 — This album is just so iconically good
• SamRobertsND +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Compelling and haunting

• fionmul +1 — I didn’t think of this and I could see how some may judge it as basic but this theme sort of implies nostalgic classics and I’ll never not bop to this. Might be my top pick of the non stomp clap possibilities for this round. (The movie About Time made me like this song even more!) it is the only one here that you could say “defined a generation” I would give it 2 votes if I didn’t like others as much as I do. Is this Sam?
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Garage Rock sound (check) Overly Sappy and Whiny Lyrics (check) Low Quality Synth (check) I think this is the perfect 2005 song. Therefore I grant it one upvote.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Hard to argue. A shame that this is their only good song (that I’ve heard)
• SamRobertsND 0 — Catholic Communists at Hillsdale would be upset with me but I've never loved it, mostly because I associate it with pseudo-intellectual hedonism
• Claire 0 — Was torn on this one. On the one hand, it’s a pretty predictable/mainstream pick. On the other hand, this song played at a wedding reception has the power to activate the sleeper agent inside every millennial and make them jump up and down with reckless abandon. In the end it was narrowly edged of my top 4, but thank you, to whoever submitted this, for the massive serotonin hit that I got from hearing the opening guitar riff. Never fails
• Sam Ary -1

• fionmul 0 — This song annoys me so much and it’s also not really toxic at all since it’s trying to be positive. Girlboss but not the other 2
• Edward James 0 — Sorry, this is not the category for empowerment. This is a girlboss song, but the category "gaslit, gatekept, girlbossed" implies some negativity/toxicity in some way. It could be a unique read i.e. it's responding to toxic femininity, I guess. But I can't square a positive song with the category and the way it was described.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Not sure this is "toxic femininity" so much as combating body image issues. Different things.
• ared56 -1
• SamRobertsND -1
• judd.baker -1 — Song is not bad but this isn’t toxic at all

Regina Scime: just let your brain phase out…

• Joseph Harvey +1 — As an ambient music appreciator this was great! Very cool textures
• Edward James +1 — Heck yeah
• Sam Ary +1
• Claire +1 — Okay wait I see (hear) the vision
• fionmul 0 — 😌 Sam? Regina? My brain feels like it’s smoothing out
• SamRobertsND 0 — No
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Regina
• shea nowicki -1

• SamRobertsND +1 — Funky beat, blaxploitation, Ohio: what more could Alex ask for.
• Corey +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Claire +1 — Cool song. I’d guess he rocks with it
• judd.baker +1 — Awesome
• ared56 +1 — Yes. For some reason, I have heard this beat but had never put two and two together. Well done. 1 (Corey?)
• fionmul 0 — Latina vibes 💃🏽 Corey?
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I did not enjoy but Alex would probably. Down with Ohio
• Edward James -1 — Risqué…..bopping…… not exactly Alex’s top words Good tune but idk about the fit

• ared56 +2
• SamRobertsND +1 — In loving memory. You're a self-appointed villain when you call yourself the prince of darkness. Also, what an amazing opening this has.
• Edward James +1 — A Prog rock song about a vaudeville style occultist magician. Easy upvote.
• shea nowicki +1
• fionmul 0 — I liked this too
• Joseph Harvey 0 — 😴
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I'm not sure this quite fits the vibe, as he's just wondering about Mr. Crowley and never particularly endorses or idolizes someone... even though that someone is about as evil as it gets.

• Edward James +1 — I have to assume this is Sammy’s return to music league, and he understands what no one else in this group does. And that’s that in 1995 if you were road tripping across America, you were listening to Garth Brooks.
• SamRobertsND 0 — Lovely song, I like the idea of thinking about life on a road trip.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — What kind of sappy relationship do you expect me to have with my dad? Some kind of emotional connection?
• fionmul 0 — This is cute and it’s the sort of country song my family listens to from this era
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Loved the subversion of expectations in this
• shea nowicki 0 — It's a me problem! I'm sorry!

• ared56 +1
• shea nowicki +1 — This was perfect. Cried throughout. Thank you for this.
• Claire +1 — Hard to really articulate why but this one just felt like the musical vibe fit perfectly with the lyrical/thematic content. Maybe this just betrays my own fondness for indie rock but idk. To me this song really captures that feeling you get when you know your days/hours with friends are numbered, so you start to feel sad and nostalgic even though the time isn’t actually up yet, and you have to fight to keep from wallowing in that angst so you can be fully present in the moment itself.
• judd.baker +1
• fionmul 0 — 🧡 has almost an Irish vibe to it instrumentally which we all know earns brownie points with me
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Not the best song mentioning old photographs here. I bet this was Judd
• Edward James -1 — I don’t know, this one just kind of struck me the wrong way. I think it might’ve been something in the vocal styling.
• Brad Stalcup -1

• ared56 +1 — Sam
• Claire +1 — Brad
• fionmul 0 — Seems rathehh baysic innit 💗 Regina?
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This is an example of a song that's a little too classic to garner votes. Also not really a guilty pleasure in any way. But great song obviously (Shea)
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I'm sorry, i just think this song is overrated.
• judd.baker 0 — Alex
• Corey -1 — Brad? It feels cruel to guess on a downvote.
• Edward James -1 — Too cliche, sorry y'all

• Corey +4 — I wasn't expecting to see Esperanza here, I'm going all in.
• Claire +1 — This is so beautiful and I feel like he will dig. Jazzy but also folk vibes which kind of reminds me of some of Natalia Lafourcade’s stuff
• Sam Ary +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Singing and playing upright bass is so cool. Unfortunately it’s not too memorable and feels a little lowkey for this round
• Edward James 0 — I think this is faux-Judd. And maybe I’m wrong. But Spanish is not the only key to his heart, and this needs more
• judd.baker 0 — I liked this song, but I didn’t love it. All my respect and love for Esperanza Spalding (I see you Regina ❤️) but this song is a little too sparse and pared down for me to LOVE. I love ostentatious instrumentation, a song as low key as this one is working a lot harder to keep my attention. Good submission tho 🇪🇸
• ared56 -1
• fionmul -1 — The way she is singing annoys me but that means Judd might inexplicably dig it.

Regina Scime: My sister gets the credit for this one (her fav Clara) (this is Clara typing it)

• fionmul +1 — Hi Clara ily. Regina has discovered getting help with her submissions and it’s helping her in the polls.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This song has the most incredible energy and momentum. Wish I could sing it. Good choice Clara
• shea nowicki +1 — I loved this, Regina (and Clara)!!! Well done!
• ared56 +1
• Corey +1
• Sam Ary +1 — Hi Clara, good choice.
• Brad Stalcup +1

• Joseph Harvey +2 — I love this pick not just because Sting wrote this song. Although the original is much more interesting, the Americana flavor brings out the O’Connorness of the song more for sure. What I love most about this song is that there seems to be forgiveness or even friendship implied between the lone rider and the boy who killed him at the end. That’s what makes this more than a standard murder ballad, and I wonder if it’s playing to a broader trope - something similar happens in Dune, where there’s this mysterious kinship between Paul and Jamis, the Fremen who Paul kills in ritual combat. Jamis appears to him in moments of crisis and supplies guidance. Anyways, great song
• Corey +2
• Brad Stalcup +1 — The vision of the lone rider at the end of this story really gives it the mystical sheen it needs to be FO'C-esque
• fionmul +1 — This might be the perfect submission.
• Claire +1 — A mistake is made, suffering follows, but the character has hope of forgiveness and prays for mercy as he faces death. Pretty on point
• Edward James 0 — Actually a great pick because it fits the overall theme in many Flannery stories of singular moments impacting people in huge ways. But there were a few others songs that I think slightly edged this one out for me. Runner up.
• judd.baker 0 — This is a good shout but I think there’s almost too much falling action for it to be a Flannery story. The moment of epiphany/grace has to occur alongside the shock, normally we don’t see as much of the developing interior life as this song depicts.

Regina Scime: I know it’s a common song, but I figured I’d risk it cause she deserves it

• Brad Stalcup +1
• Laur +1
• Corey +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — That was absolutely lovely, but you may forget that vocal chops don’t earn you many points with Eddie.
• fionmul 0 — I feel like I can’t vote for this because of it being so common but the version is gorgeous. And I do think Eddie would like it.
• shea nowicki 0 — The whole time, I just wanted to tell Eva, "slay girl!" Love the song.
• Edward James 0 — You’re totally right that it was worth it to post this version even though this song is well known. I really enjoyed this, the vocal effect she brings to it makes it unique, even though it would be easy for it to just be another one of many versions. Despite what many think, I’m not actually a big singer-songwriter and folk fan in general. It’s only very specific types and artists, and this fit in the niche.

• Brad Stalcup +1
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul 0 — So good. Not enough votes which I realize is my fault.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Not even close. But man what a banger
• Edward James 0 — Sorry, but as high as Freddie Mercury can sing, there's not way I'm thinking he's a woman.
• ared56 -1

Regina Scime: absolute KINGS

• Edward James +1 — Similar to my earlier comment on Vulfpeck, this is a live track where you can feel the power and the uniqueness of the moment. It elevates it above and beyond what a studio recording can capture. It’s got that je ne sais quoi. Great selection.
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Really well done. Sells the song
• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — This was great. Runner up for me.
• fionmul 0 — 👩🏻‍🍳💋🤌🏼
• judd.baker 0 — Feels criminal not to upvote this song because this is just immaculate. There were a few songs on this playlist that I simply enjoyed more, but this is honorable mention fs.
• Claire 0 — Billy I love you. You get an upvote in my heart 🤍
• ared56 -1

• SamRobertsND +1 — Very clever idea! This is pretty.
• fionmul +1 — 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 have to respect the creativity (also is Mary a biblical one hit wonder for the Magnificat? Jk) the song length was reparation for your past sins and I accept your penance.
• ared56 +1
• Claire +1 — Pachelbel’s Spotify page. Enough said
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Left zero impression but it was ok red
• shea nowicki 0 — What is his more famous one? I'm ignorant and need to be educated

• shea nowicki +1
• judd.baker 0 — I really liked this song. I’m not 100% positive where it falls on the Sammy “like-to-love” spectrum and I’m curious to hear his thoughts. But for me personally I thought this was great
• Edward James 0 — This is so smooth and buttery. Sammy loves a genre song with a good groove. I feel like this one will just get beaten out by others, though, although I must note that I personally really really loved it and want to check out more by this band
• fionmul 0 — This seems to be a Corey and Sami type intersection which is fun. This reminds me of like slow driving in the city at night with the windows down.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Zero impression
• SamRobertsND 0 — When in doubt, go back to the well, Regina, and you drew up a bucket of groovy waters. I was talking with Claire about how I really love funk; idk how evident that is in most music I share or am known to like (I almost posted a song from Shinyribs, my current band obsession, which is country rock-funk fusion). This is a song I would listen to walking through Howard Park on a nice Sunday, or possibly while doing work at a coffee shop. I bet you could've gotten me with a niche classical piece as well. At this point in ML, i think it's safe to say we have pretty different tastes lol, but everyone has some overlap somewhere, and you eventually found it. A splendid submission.

Regina Scime: I don’t care if you think it’s too long, listen to the whole thing

• Edward James 0 — I really enjoyed this and it’s great for the theme but I just don’t feel like it’s what I wanted. I would rather give my votes elsewhere, but want to be clear it was a great addition.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I liked the bit where they said “my son”
• shea nowicki 0 — My MDiv classmate said "OMG THE ERIC WHITACRE, best song on there" when I showed her the playlist. I felt like whoever posted this should know
• Claire 0 — I did listen to the whole thing, a few times, and it’s really beautiful. What a lovely setting of this text. I do really think though that scale plays an essential role in an artwork’s ability to make an aesthetic impact, and I do feel like ultimately the length does detract from the impact in this particular case. Maybe this is just me trying to justify my poor attention span…but I do believe this to be true philosophically
• judd.baker 0 — I understand the idea behind submitting a massive sweeping choral piece, especially one that is literally about David, but I think you gotta know your audience and your context. I have to listen to these songs in the form of a Spotify playlist. When your song alone takes up almost 30% of the listening, that’s a massive debt of good will that the song has to make up for.
• fionmul -1 — It is too long and I refuse. I am so sorry but there has to be a line. It feels wrong to downvote in a sense due to the text but I feel quite strongly about this. This is like a family praying a 15 decade rosary as the add-on to their blessing before meals. Too much is too much.

• SamRobertsND +1 — Claire pretends to be an edgy Californian, as indicated by her general musical taste and gratuitous use of the word f**k. This pretense to rise above the Norbertine/TAC CaliCatholic stereotype is a source of pride. However, one cannot hide the swing dancer within. This wonderful song is an admonition to her, her Mufasa in the clouds reminding her who she is.
• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — If this is part of Claire’s musical landscape, it’s a part I’m unfamiliar with
• fionmul 0 — I like this but it doesn’t make me think of Claire but what do I know. Gives Cajun/Louisiana/Princess and the Frog in the best way and I liked the vocals and ensemble
• Edward James -1 — I get the idea but this just didn’t hit for me in theme or in a general sense
• shea nowicki -1 — I love the California vibe!!! I'm just not sure I associate the sound of this song w Claire. I think a West Coast sound is a lil mellower. These might be famous last words.
• judd.baker -1 — I could not confidently declare that Claire wouldn’t love this song. But it does seem the least resonant to me
• Claire -1 — At first this song was giving band playing in the New Orleans area of Disneyland (respectfully). Certainly pleasant but wasn’t all that exciting for me. I will say that the instrumental breaks hit more for me, esp the trumpet. There was no song that I truly disliked in this round but I had to downvote something and this one just didn’t really get me going

Regina Scime: Agnus Dei

• Joseph Harvey +1 — Sounds like it could be a pure pop Sleep Token cut off of This Place Will Become Your Tomb! I like the implication that this song is about murder
• fionmul +1 — i can’t wait to live to this asap
• Claire 0 — Badlands was such an iconic era. This is a banger. But I was getting more girlboss rather than killing vibes
• SamRobertsND -1 — Peter: "Is this song about killing someone? Enjoyable song, fun beat, but it's not clear enough for me. I would ding it for use of liturgical Latin without proper context." I really like this song musically. I'd definitely listen to it night driving, I'm a sucker for these electronic beats. But the lyrics aren't clear or trenchant enough for me.
• judd.baker -1 — I really enjoyed this, more than I thought I would, but the taking of life connection is more tenuous than a lot of others on this playlist
• shea nowicki -1 — Love this song... not sure I see an explicit murder theme. Gotta think about it more
• Edward James -1 — Not about killing???
• Sam Ary -1

Regina Scime: Originally by The Beatles… this orchestration engenders an existential cry to the universe better than the original

• Joseph Harvey +2 — Ok, what the heck!! This was insanely good and contributes a ton to the song!
• fionmul +1 — This was so cool woah. I was ready to hate it cuz Cody Fry but I LOVE it. Why am I like gonna cry?!
• Claire +1 — My first listen of this song was on the south shore line and it didn’t quite hit, felt a little melodramatic. Second listen was in terminal 3 of ORD and this time I really dug the way he works more texture and narrative into the original material with the choral and orchestral arrangements. I feel like the (successful imo) creative reworking merits a vote
• shea nowicki +1
• judd.baker 0 — I wanted to like this but just couldn’t really get into it. It’s not bad, it’s definitely different from the original in compelling ways and the production value is high, but it almost seems like it’s trying too hard
• SamRobertsND -1 — This is a good example of confusing the sum of parts for a whole. The original Eleanor Rigby is one of the Beatles’ masterpieces. It is economical in runtime and minimal in production, yet it is dripping with mystery, packing a huge punch with little and in little time. This overly-long and over-produced imitation replaces any mystery with boring bombast. A good cover is a metamorphosis of one creature into another of equal or greater beauty. Like the Star Wars sequels, this is a puppeteered corpse dressed in new clothes, relying on brash restatements of the original’s accoutrements while losing the soul to which those elements were subordinated and given purpose.
• Edward James -1 — I actually really liked the instrumental opening here, very beautiful and Star Wars esque. But then it takes a nosedive imo. One time I saw a Beatles Christmas musical at an evangelical mega church. The music, performance, technical chops were all amazing and it was very fun. Despite almost everyone in the performance being a better vocalist than the individual Beatles, I would still not consider them better or even comparable. I feel the same way hearing this song. It has all the beauty and none of the artistic merit. Really just taking this as a moment to expound on why I often find beautiful vocals to be of only middling importance in music. Overall, the song was fine.

Regina Scime: we love a good umlaut

• SamRobertsND +1 — Peter: “wait actually this is the Regina submission” A beautiful song and Fiona is a choral pro as well; I like the take on the category.
• Claire +1 — A unique read of the category bc this is outside of the typical “fionacore” but seems like something she’d def enjoy. I feel like it’s only fair to reward the creativity with a upvote
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul +1 — Fi the freshman Music Major: Brahms 🤌🏼 I love this text and this is v prit. True Fionacore™️ choral music is usually a capella however. The chord at 0:13 and 2:47 YUM. I think this is a lovely setting of this text, word and song fittingly interwoven. Which ofc you know matters 😉 This also brought to mind for me the “you are dark but comely” line from Song of Songs. Night is dark but comely. Overall I would say “I love this song” which is in fact the theme. I liked many of these but I loved few. 🥇First Prize! (probably second after my own blue ribbon-worthy submission. Perhaps an a capella setting would surpass even my own.)
• Edward James 0 — Fiona do be loving this stuff
• judd.baker 0 — Something choral had to be here for sure but this just doesn’t hit as hard as some others on this playlist

• fionmul +1 — hard to miss here 😉
• shea nowicki +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — A fun one but not right for this. Props for not posting the terrible Fallout Boy version at least.
• Edward James 0 — Too frantic. Grilling is a meditative, transcendent reality. That doesn’t mean it’s slow, but it’s also not hectic.
• Claire 0 — It’s giving “dad” but not “grilling” for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• judd.baker -1 — I just hate this song so much

• SamRobertsND +1 — What an amazing pick for this category; it would have slipped my mind. Captures both a negative and positive aspect. Gotta love it and reward it.
• Claire +1 — It’s just such an excellent song. And lends itself to being interpreted in a variety of ways, one of which is to fit this theme
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Connection to theme is a little tenuous, but it is pretty classic
• fionmul 0 — Feels on-theme and maybe creative?
• judd.baker 0 — The connection is there but it’s tenuous
• shea nowicki -1 — I'm v sad to downvote such a bop & want to be convinced more that this is "communist anthem"! Though I'm open to being corrected, first listen reads to me like an exploration of the suffering/real life challenges experienced by many and how love might serve as a response/motivator through those things
• ared56 -1
• Edward James -1 — I’m gonna make a bold (educated) guess here. This is a Joseph submission, chosen because he resents the category and wanted to subvert it with something not radical in the way Sammy intended it. And therefore, -1

Regina Scime: throwback to me weeping in O’Rourke’s on a Tuesday night

• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — A beautiful, heartbreaking song, perhaps the best written of any on here. Because, at least as I hear it, he’s begging for someone to come back who was once there. I’m looking for first moment or encounter here, so I have to pass on.
• fionmul 0 — I can't explain why but I have sorta never liked this song... Overall I think it is almost too deep and further-along than the "falling in love" stage (But Regina I love you much)
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Incredible and tear jerking song, but where’s the “falling” part?
• Edward James 0 — Didn’t leave much impression overall, but a good song.
• judd.baker -1 — This one is too much being in love with someone in particular and not enough of the experience of falling for that person
• Claire -1 — Again I love this song so much but it’s not obviously, clearly about the *falling*. There is no song I could’ve downvoted without it being genuinely painful, but it must be done and the lot has fallen on this one.

• SamRobertsND +1 — Someone profited from their reading of Paradiso Canto I.
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul +1 — Regina ily (even if this isn't you) I am a sucker for nautical metaphor ofc
• Edward James -1 — On theme, but I just can’t stand his voice.
• Claire -1 — 100% Jesus coded lyrics but musically it’s giving “secular Christmas song” in a way that detracts from the lyrics imo
• Joseph Harvey -1
• [DELETED] -1

• fionmul +1 — mmm I am a sucker for Lew sometimes
• Claire 0 — Could be sadder. At least he has someone to hold him for now…
• Edward James 0 — Sorry ladies, this is a boys round ^this was the comment I had here for 10 min before I realized this singer is actually a man. Went back and listened to the song again and realized there is no way I could have thought that, and therefore the song must have left so little of an impression that I forgot the gender of the singer. Also, terminal case of zoomer voice.
• SamRobertsND 0 — AI Generated
• judd.baker -1 — It’s sad indie pop and yet doesn’t have the true sad boy summer sound. It’s an ephemeral thing. But this is too poppy

Regina Scime: nothing goes harder… ‘MERICA🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

• ared56 +1
• Claire 0 — I promise I love America and I also love Jon batiste but title didn’t do it for me
• fionmul 0 — Regina my patriotic little angel ❤️🤍💙
• Edward James 0 — Great song….but that’s a no from me dog
• Joseph Harvey -1
• SamRobertsND -1 — You might’ve been spared but for the comment.
• [DELETED] -1

• fionmul +1 — a relief after the last one. pretty ✨
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Love that it’s a Sting song, but it’s not clear to me what this cover adds and it fails to earn the extra minute of runtime over the original.
• Edward James 0 — Joseph would find this pleasant and nothing more imo
• Claire -1 — This is cheating bc it’s not sting but it’s also sting
• SamRobertsND -1 — Cop out with a cover, you rat bastard. Nice cover, though.
• judd.baker -1 — I suppose this counts but it still feels like cheating

Regina Scime: “I got no plans on slowing down”

• Edward James 0 — Much love to Jeremy Renner, glad he made it through the snowplow thing. The music equivalent of the Marvel content he pumps out. Not a bad song, surprisingly good, but on principle can’t vote for a Jeremy Renner song. It also has 0 edge to it, which is essential imo.
• SamRobertsND 0 — I didn’t know Renner also sang, he has a nice voice!! Anyway, Harbor Freight commercial music
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Eh
• Claire 0 — I knew this man had an app but I had no idea he could sing too
• fionmul -1 — "a honda civic" "I know! a punchbuggy"
• judd.baker -1 — Too much stomp and clap, not enough pedal to the metal

• fionmul 0 — not badass enough; too kosher.
• SamRobertsND 0 — Hillary Clinton Rally-core, unfortunately played at Bengals games. Sung by women who protest too much methinks.
• judd.baker 0 — It’s missing the fatale imo
• Claire 0 — This song is girlboss but not sufficiently gaslight or gatekeep
• Edward James -1 — Absolutely not
• Joseph Harvey -1 — This song is a violation of the Geneva conventions

• judd.baker +2 — Good choice
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul +1 — 🤍 This would cure me
• SamRobertsND 0 — A bop but not for this sadly
• Edward James 0 — Like it, but just wouldn’t pick it for the theme

• fionmul +2 — Okay yeah. If someone nailed this we give them the crown and cancel the event in the future.
• Joseph Harvey +2 — Wow! I would be swaying in my seat to this for sure
• SamRobertsND +1
• Edward James +1 — Glad I checked again on the screen here because it transferred the wrong version to Apple Music and this one is better.
• shea nowicki +1

Regina Scime: “there’s many reasons we are what we’ve become… I’m going through changes now”

• ared56 +2
• shea nowicki +2 — I LOVE this song. A ✨VIBE✨
• SamRobertsND +1
• fionmul +1 — I....i
• Edward James +1
• judd.baker +1

Regina Scime: “not the place that I thought I’d be losing it all”

• SamRobertsND +1 — This is what you could be, Joseph
• fionmul 0 — this almost seems too deep for a breakup but maybe if someone left me at the altar sorta deal. but i appreciate the beautiful sound like light shining through the cloud of Lord whyyy
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Too nice sounding

Regina Scime: take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home

• [DELETED] +1
• fionmul +1 — regeeeeena you have a beautiful soul.
• SamRobertsND +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Regina
• Edward James 0 — Doesn’t do it for me in terms of theme

Regina Scime: ambient but epic orchestra, comforting words

• SamRobertsND +1
• fionmul +1 — <3 Makes me wanna ride a horse in a meadow at twilight
• Joseph Harvey 0 — INCREDIBLE intro and verse tragically let down by a very weak chorus

• shea nowicki +2
• fionmul +1 — hard to miss w/ dis. Well done
• [DELETED] +1
• SamRobertsND +1
• judd.baker +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Classic
• Edward James 0 — Eternal hot girl summer anthem, but not the vibe

Regina Scime: why not dance through the end times?

• fionmul +1 — It would be you, Regina
• Joseph Harvey +1 — This was great
• SamRobertsND +1
• judd.baker +1

• fionmul +2 — hard to miss with Bill
• [DELETED] +2
• ared56 +1
• shea nowicki +1 — yep, Billy Joel gets it! personal agency!!!
• judd.baker +1