The opening Semi Final witnessed an easy victory registered for the Johnny Cash version of "Hurt". The track will now progress through to the Final of the tournament as a consequence of said victory. The defeated track on this occasion (and therefore eliminated) was 'Make It Easy On Yourself' by The Walker Brothers.

2nd Semi Final -

Neil Young - Philadelphia


Released - 1993
Written By - Neil Young
Songs Background - Young wrote this track 'Philadelphia' for the 1993 Jonathan Demme directed film of the same name. Demme originally asked Neil Young to write an opening track to the film. Six weeks later Young sent him over a tape, "We were crying the first time we heard it. I went : 'Oh.my god, Neil Young trusts this movie more than I do' said Demme in an interview regards the song.

The melancholic nature of Young's contribution led Demme to switch the song to the ending of the film, rather than the opening sequence.

V's

The Smiths - I Know It's Over


Released - 16th June 1986
Written By - Morrissey and Johnny Marr
Songs Background - The general feelings regard this song is that it's about a dying man reflecting on his wasted, lonely life. My take on it, is that whilst, that is almost correct, it's a bit more simplistic than that. The track was basically Morrissey at the end of his tether being lonely, not in a relationship and 'at odd's' seemingly with the rest of society (hence not being able to ever fulfil his desire of the former).

It's also a track where Morrissey actually (possibly due to his own insecurities and self-loathing) challenges himself. When he writes 'if you're so funny/clever/entertaining (3 of his perceived best qualities), then why are you on your own tonight?'

And towards the end of the track he states 'It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate, it takes guts to be gentle and kind', it now feels like he was ruefully bemoaning what character traits of his he didn't like and sadly reflecting on others he feared he will never have.. Ultimately this is a complex track about someone deeply self-analysing themselves. And being far from happy at their own conclusion.

Voting Closes Later Today (Saturday 24th August) at 11PM
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Tracks Eliminated - Round 1 -

1. The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work
2. Randy Newman - Dexter's Tune
3. Ralph McTell - Streets Of London
4. Gerry Rafferty - Mary Skeffington
5. Nina Simeone - Feelings
6. Neil Young - Birds
7. Don McLean - Vincent
8. Ray Charles and Betty Carter - Ev'ry Time We say Goodbye
9. Randy Crawford - Almaz
10. Red House Painters - Katy Song
11. Joni Mitchell - Both Sides, Now
11. Vera Lynn - We'll Meet Again
12. ABBA - The Winner Takes It All
13. Kate Bush - This Woman's Work
14. The Kinks - Some Mother's Son
15. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
16. Christy Moore - Black Is The Colour (Of My True Love's Hair)
17. Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
18. Stevie Wonder - Lately
19. Samuel Barber - Adagio For Strings
20. The Beautiful South - Old Red Eyes Is Back
21. Judee Sill - The Kiss
22. Buffy Sainte Marie - Until It's Time For You To Go
23. Billy Bragg - Tank Park Salute
24. Wilco - On And On And On
25. Pink Floyd - Coming Back to Life
26. George Jones - A Good Year For The Roses
27. The Corries - The Green Fields of France
28. Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come
29. Badfinger - Without You
30. Dennis Wilson - Time
31. Bread - Everything I Own
32. Frank Sinatra - As Time Goes By
33. Julee Cruise - Falling
34. Fleetwood Mac - Landslide
35. Underworld - Eventually But
36. Elliott Smith - I Didn't Understand
37. The Beatles - Yesterday
38. Michael Marra - Happed In Mist
39. The Beatles - Julia
40. The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses
41. The Beach Boys - Caroline, No
42. Harry Chapin - Cats In The Cradle
43. Spiritualized - Broken Heart
44. Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game
45. Jeff Buckley - Lover, You Should Have Came Over
46. Nirvana - Where Did You Sleep Last Night?
47. The Hollies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
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Tracks Through Round 1 -

1. The Walker Brothers - Make It Easy On Yourself
2. Elvis Presley - Always On My Mind
3. Eva Cassidy - Autumn Leaves
4. Roy Orbison - Crying
5. Johnny Cash - Hurt
6. Carole King - You've Got a Friend
7. Glenn Campbell - By The Time I Get To Phoenix
8. Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers To Cross
9. Neil Young - Philadelphia
10. The Smiths - Asleep
11. Radiohead - How To Disappear Completely
12. David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Forbidden Colours
13. Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water
14. Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun Dorma
15. Joni Mitchell - A Case Of You
16. The Smiths - I Know It's Over
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Round 2 Results -

1. Neil Young "Philadelphia" 5-0 David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto 'Forbidden Colours'

2. The Walker Brothers "Make It Easy On Yourself" 4-3 Simon & Garfunkel 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'

3. Radiohead "How To Disappear Completely" 4-3 Eva Cassidy 'Autumn Leaves'

4. Johnny Cash "Hurt" 4-3 The Smith 'Asleep'

5. Carole King 'You've Got A Friend' 3-5 Elvis Presley "Always On My Mind"

6. Glenn Campbell 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix' 2-5 Luciano Pavarotti "Nessun Dorma"

7. Roy Orbison 'Crying' 2-4 Jimmy Cliff "Many Rivers To Cross"

8. Joni Mitchell 'A Case Of You' 2-6 The Smiths "I Know It's Over"
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Quarter Final Results -

QF1. Jimmy Cliff 'Many Rivers To Cross' 4-5 Neil Young "Philadelphia"

QF2. Luciano Pavarotti 'Nessun Dorma' 4-5 The Walker Brothers "Make It Easy On Yourself"

QF3. Johnny Cash "Hurt" 7-2 Elvis Presley 'Always On My Mind'

QF4. Radiohead 'How To Disappear Completely' 3-5 The Smiths "I Know It's Over"
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Semi Final Results -

SF1. Johnny Cash "Hurt" 5-2 The Walker Brothers 'Make It Easy On Yourself'