I want to run. I want to hide.

Confidential to Dan: Even though it’s your birthday, you cannot vote twice. Ah well, at least you voted for the exact same 8 songs each time, so I didn’t have to try to parse which votes to count.

#9 Talking Heads, Once In A Lifetime - 11 votes
defeats
#1 David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust – 4 votes

Analysis:
"Once In A Lifetime - Now that choice hurt." - Dan, who cannot vote twice, despite it being his birthday.

#12 R.E.M., Driver 8 – 9 votes
defeats
#4 Patti Smith, Gloria – 6 votes

Analysis:
"Patti Smith (though I don't think that Peter Buck would vote for her so much as throw yogurt all over her and look grouchy)" - SRF, who knows I'm a sucker for a good Peter Buck Yogurtgate jab

#6 Matthew Sweet, Girlfriend – 10 votes
defeats
#3 Devo, Jocko Homo – 5 votes

Analysis:
Let’s critique Cranky Uncle Greg’s comments about this match!
"Matthew Sweet. Isn't it premature to declare Devo the best thing out of Ohio considering the massive Guided by Voices love going around?" – Canadian Dave

"Girlfriend (because Pere Ubu is actually the best thing out of Ohio, sorry Devo)" - Tlaltecuhtli

#2, Iggy Pop, Lust for Life – 11 votes
defeats
#10 Nick Lowe, Cruel to be Kind – 3 votes

Analysis:
"...aaaand this is where Mr. Lowe hits the wall. Mr. Pop!" - Cranky Uncle Greg

#9 David Bowie, Heroes – 8 votes
defeats
#1 Talking Heads, Psycho Killer – 7 votes

Analysis:
"David Bowie--The 1s and 9s in both of these matchups should be reversed!" - Mike [Ms. L: Well, now they kinda are.]

#13, Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea – 10 votes
defeats
#5 Breeders, Cannonball – 4 votes
(1 abstention)

Analysis:
"Neutral Milk Hotel! I'm not sure there's enough Pixies loyalty for the Pixies to overcome NMH, much less the Breeders." - Cokehead Matt

#19 My Bloody Valentine, Only Shallow – 12 votes
defeats
#11 Minor Threat, Straight Edge – 2 votes
(1 abstention)

Analysis:
"My Bloody Valentine vs Minor Threat - Wow. All I can say is, wow. Also, "Only Shallow."" - MMC

#2 Elvis Costello, Alison
defeats
#7 Gang of Four, I Love a Man in a Uniform – 6 votes

Analysis:
"Elvis Costello wins my vote with my favorite song in this round. Too bad he picked a terrible day for his Ravinia concert." - SRF

From the Southeast Regional, at Max's Kansas City, New York City, NY
#1, Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit (video)
vs.
#9, REM, The One I Love (video)
A classic 80s vs. 90s showdown.

#12 The Clash, White Man in Hammersmith Palais (video)
vs.
#4 Violent Femmes, Blister in the Sun (video)
Acoustic vs. electric.

#19 Franz Ferdinand, Take Me Out (video)
vs.
#6 Big Star, September Gurls (video)
Alex Kapranos is the only member of his band older than the song they face.

#10 U2, Where the Streets Have No Name (video)
vs.
#15 Sinead O'Connor, Nothing Compares 2 U (video)
U2, meet 2U.

From the West Regional, at First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
#1 REM, Radio Free Europe (video)
vs.
#8 Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams (video)
Kudzu or cows?

#5 Public Enemy, Bring the Noise (video)
vs.
#4 Blondie, Heart of Glass (video)
I know Debbie Harry rapped. Did PE ever cover Blondie?

#3 Pixies, Here Comes Your Man (video)
vs.
#6 Portishead, Sour Times (video)
I think both of these bands know the nervous walking, actually.

#7 Pavement, Summer Babe (video)
vs.
#15 Wilco, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (video)
Apart from which you prefer... which song's lyrics make the most sense?