There we go guys. This round you all really picked it up. There were a few stellar submissions and you all had at least one good song. To put it in terms of a 1997 banger that wasn't submitted, I Want It That Way, and this late in the game we expect that every round from y'all!
Now, let's find out who will be living the Semi-Charmed Life and who will be feeling 4 Seasons of Loneliness. You will be revealed in 3 groups. First the middle 2, then the top 2, then the bottom 2. During that we will also crown the winner of the week and will reveal who will have to SING FOR THEIR LIFE in our elimination round.
The 2 competitors who are safe are:
useamint
‘97- Bitch (Meredith Brooks)
M: Kinda my mood today tbh. These vibes are for sure late 90s pop rock, and the music video definitely adds to that. I think this is pretty good, but there’s nothing really special about it. The lyrics send a good message, and the instrumentals are fun, but it just doesn’t leave me feeling anything really. Her voice is unique which I liked, and the song is still good, so overall not a bad pick. 7.5/10
K: She has a really distinct voice but it kind of just goes perfectly with this era and this song especially. I really like the vibes of it, it’s chill but is also giving me bad bitch energy. The lyrics are really funny I definitely do like them but the song was a bit repetitive and the lyrics' energy didn’t really match the song's energy?? I really like the concept of the song but something was just a little off for me. It definitely wasn’t bad but not my cup of tea!! 7.5/10
‘99- Smooth (Santana ft. Rob Thomas)
M: This is such a good song. Definitely the genre I love from this era. Absolute vibes I get from this, it reminds me of summer and just having a good time ya know? The guitar absolutely slaps (duh it’s Santana) and the lead up to the chorus, and the chorus itself, is awesome. Imagine not jamming to this. It doesn’t have the deepest lyrics, but it definitely doesn’t need to. It’s just a feel good bop. Awesome pick. 9.5/10
K: LMAO this song makes me laugh. It feels like such a meme but this is what people listened to back then and you know what it’s kind of a banger! This feels like something that was mainstream back then but I’m not too familiar w it. It’s for sure funky and definitely a fun song I could imagine hearing while out or at a themed party. It had me bopping along the whole time I’m a slut for a good guitarist and this song had that. A good choice! 9/10
TOTAL: 8.375
Natepresnell
‘97- Livin’ La Vida Loca (Ricky Martin)
M: This is definitely a really fun song. Very in the moment vibes that make you forget about your problems. I imagine this was a massive party hit at the time and honestly would kinda still fit at parties. Another song that you can tell is for sure from the late 90s as well, although this one is more in the pop realm and I feel like this song was part of a wave of a new production style possibly. Ricky Martin is really good and his voice fits this song really well. I have heard this song a TON which hurts it a bit for me, but it’s still a nice tune that I enjoy hearing once in a while. Nice pick! 8.5/10
K: Screaming. I fucking love this song. The best thing about not being born during this time is that our parents are probably sick of this music because it was overplayed but we barely listen to things like this so they’re refreshing to hear. Why are the first two lyrics me. The lyrics, the music, everything about this song just emits upbeat vibes and screams fun. Definitely a huge hit back then and something I’d unironically blast now so great choice. I wanna go dancing to this now. 9.5/10
‘99- As Long As You Love Me (Backstreet Boys)
M: Aww, this was cute (although a touch obsessive). I’m a bit of a sucker for a love song as long as it’s done right, and I feel like this was for the most part. It had nice, soft production and instrumentals and the melodies were super smooth. I wish it had a little more substance to it as it was a big generic, but it still had nice feels to it. Also, the backstreet boys were kinda better than any boy band of the modern age, fight me. 8/10
K: Hm while I think the lyrics are cute I’m not sure how much I love boy band love songs. I’m not the biggest fan of boy bands (except Big Time Rush duh) in general so this wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea in general. Maybe if I had emotions for anyone this would be cute! But it’s kind of cheesy I also thought Justin Timberlake was in Backstreet Boys until like 2 minutes ago. They’re talented it’s just a really slow song in my opinion but not the worst choice. 7.5/10
TOTAL: 8.375
You both submitted one song we thought was amazing and one that was just meh, which lands you here. Congratulations on making it to the final 5! You're getting close now.
Onto the top 2. Funnily enough, we once again have the same top 2 as last week! Congratulations to J2999 and Admir, you two are like a Genie in a Bottle, we just had to pull that talent out! But the WINNER of MKSC Round 9 is...
Admir
‘97- Everlong (Foo Fighters)
M: I’ve never heard this before, but I liked it! I don’t think it was quite as good as the other Foo Fighters song submitted this round, but it still had the classic vibes that I like. It grew on me as it went on, so I’m sure if I listened again it would grow on me even more. I really liked the lyrics as well, very existential and thought provoking! One thing I will say is that at times it felt sorta messy and like things didn’t really fit where they were, but it didn’t take too much away from the song and I still enjoyed it. Nice pick! 8.5/10
K: Aw this song was really emo and reading what it's about makes it slightly more depressing. I’m not too familiar with older bands but I know the Foo Fighters have more of a rock vibe going on which is the music I really like from this time. Bands with good instrumentals have it going for them. Some of the lyrics are definitely a bit too sad for my liking which would turn me away but I really like the build up to the chorus and the chorus. It kind of sent me into an existential spiral but a good choice! 8/10
‘99- No Scrubs (TLC)
M: LMAO kinda the opposite of your other pick. This is a guilty pleasure of mine, as this type of music is fine but not my favourite, but this specific song just does it for me, idk why. Have I sang this chorus at full volume on the way to university? That’s something I’ll never tell. Speaking of the chorus, it’s so ridiculously catchy and I think that’s what makes this so good. The production is fun and although the lyrics aren’t much, they are kinda #empowerment so good for them. Also Left Eye’s verse kinda does slap idk why it’s removed from the spotify version! Really liked this pick. 9.5/10
K: This song is such an iconic bop but I’ve overplayed this to DEATH in my own freetime which kind of kills it a little bit for me. It’s so sad because I think the only way I’ll love it again is to take a major break from it. There’s no denying that it’s a great song I love the energy too like fuck weird men!! Raise your standards ladies!! TLC was definitely one of *the* girl bands back then so that’s cool. I don’t love this song like I used to, which is sad but an amazing pick. 8.5/10
TOTAL: 8.625
You submitted 2 very solid choices, nothing spectacular but 2 songs we liked very much that made us MMMBop. Congrats on back to back wins! This means that coming in 2nd this round is...
J2999
‘97- Tubthumping (Chumbawamba)
M: Oh I kinda do get really pumped up hearing this. Like idc it has 2 verses that just repeat and has like basically no meaning but it’s just so hype?? It’s also pretty funny, like the random sax? And the girl softly singing in the middle of a rock song? Good stuff that somehow fits the song and makes it better. It’s by no means a piece of art BUT it’s a good tune to get the people going. Playing this at a party would be so goodly. Nice pick! 8.5/10
K: LMAO interesting!! This song has no structure but in a good way. It reminds me of a remix because it’s all over the place or something someone would DJ. This is definitely a party song and one of my personal fave things about it is the random Irish man speaking (unless it’s not Irish idk). It’s a fun song that’s really all there is to it. You don’t need much goin on up in the noggin to jam to it which I love. This was definitely a staple of its time and definitely a good pick. 8/10
‘99- Learn To Fly (Foo Fighters)
M: This was a funny music video. Aside from that, I thought this song was another lil bop! Again, this is the genre I am into from this era so it just hits. The chorus pops off and is super easy to sing to. I love how the instrumentals build into the song and make it more interesting, that’s something I miss from older music for sure.This one has some meaning to it as well with the looking for an inspiration theme and that adds to it. Great pick! 9/10
K: Foo Fighters is one of the bands from this time that I feel like I’d really enjoy listening too. I love rock music and they just fit the upbeat rock vibe so well. This is more on the “chill” side but I really like the chorus. The instrumentals in this kind of ate, I have an obsession with good guitar/drum instrumentals. The lead singer also has a nice voice it really fits with this genre and time period. I might have to listen to more of their music now, definitely a great choice!! 8.5/10
TOTAL: 8.5
Another 2nd place! Keep it up and you'll get that win!
Now, onto our bottom 2. For one of you, this is your 2nd round in a row here after dominating the game. You gotta pick it up! For the other, outside of your return, you have coasted by this season, and it's time for you to prove you belong here. The bottom 2 are:
iSandeh
‘97- The One I Gave My Heart To (Aaliyah)
M: I’m kinda yelling I listened to this after your other one so read the other one first then read this. This song is kinda exactly what the other one SHOULD have been. I wish this one had Whitney’s vocals but Aaliyah still wasn’t too bad. The lyrics were basic but still meaningful and I liked the soft vocals. The production was nothing special, but I did like the background singers in the last verse, I thought that added something to the song. Kind of a typical heartbreak song, which isn’t a bad thing! Also, you submitting 2 songs about cheating.. U ok? 8/10
K: Interesting. She’s super talented like she has amazing range and such natural talent you can tell she doesn’t have to try hard to sound good. The song itself in the beginning was just super slow for me. I’m really conflicted because I love her voice and the lyrics are actually really sad?? They hurt me?? But I kind of hate the instrumentals in this song I wish they were a bit different to let her emote better. This was definitely the *style* of music produced back then though so can’t really complain. I really like her voice I just don’t think this is my favorite song of hers. 7.5/10
‘99- It’s Not right But It’s Okay (Whitney Houston)
M: I’m a little mixed on this. This song tells a story which I like in songs, and I understand that it’s not necessarily a sad song and is more a fuck you I’m better without you type of vibe, but it still was kinda weird in that the tone of both the production and vocals didn’t really match the lyrics IMO. Like the lyrics make it sound like she should be upset and she’s just not. Not that ALL fuck you songs are bad, but I feel this specific song would’ve been better if it had sadder vibes and fit Whitney’s vocals better. That said, her vocals were great as per usual, and the song wasn’t bad but again it’s just not really for me. 7/10
K: I really hate how you referred to Whitney Houston but I digress. I also completely disagree with Matt in terms of this should be a sad song and not a giant fuck you. I think the lyrics are great I love the story it tells, like if you get cheated on you can absolutely preach fuck you I’m happier in solitude. Whitney is super talented but I really don’t know how much I liked this because of how the song is structured. I kind of feel like it was all over the place and that boggled my head. Not a bad pick but not my fave!! 7.5/10
TOTAL: 7.5
#mradamman12
‘97- My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)
M: This might be sorta controversial but I’ve never been a *huge* fan of Celine. This type of music is general weirdly doesn’t do it for me. Like vocally it’s obviously incredible, but everything else about it is just super generic. It feels like it’s trying too hard to be a sad song to me. I like my sad songs a little less in your face I guess. I will say the build up is pretty decent and, again, her voice is incredible. That last verse is also astounding, I’m not gonna sit here and say it wasn’t good. Just not really my cup of tea. 7.5/10
K: Watches the Titanic sink :’-). So this song is overplayed to fucking DEATH. That being said I kind of love it. I can’t think of this as a solo song at all like to me this is Titanic. She obviously has an incredible voice (sometimes I feel like she strains it a bit too much for dramatic effect), it reminds me of Broadway actors big time. I absolutely love the last verse how could you not get chills from it? My biggest beef with the song is that it’s kind of long for no reason and repetitive in the beginning before the climax. A great pick though. 8.5/10
‘99- Thank You (Dido)
M: LMAO THIS IS WHERE THE STAN SAMPLE IS FROM?? Omg.. I didn’t even know this I can’t. Well obviously that’s iconic and I’m glad I got to hear the actual song. Super cute lyrics tbh, like of course it’s cheesy but I love how it shows that even when you’re going through a tough time, having someone important being there for you and with you can make things okay again. Her voice is really nice and I never would’ve imagined that sample came from a song like this. I love the soft tones and the peace it brings, it made me feel calm. 9/10
K: ?? I thought she was just a feature on Eminem’s song I didn’t know this was an actual song. I was waiting for him to assault my ears at any minute. Something is really unique about her voice I feel like maybe homegirl needs to enunciate a little better. I thought this was a sad song because Stan is about like homicide idk but it was really upbeat? The lyrics are really cute but something about her voice kind of throws me off a bit. Definitely not a bad pick considering music just sounded like this during that decade but it’s not my cup of tea (haha get it tea’s in the song). 7.5/10
TOTAL: 8.125
iSandeh and #mradamman12, unfortunately this week your choices did not make us Believe. This means you have one last chance to SING FOR YOUR LIFE in our elimination round. Bring your best.
Now, for the elimination round, you can submit ANY song you want. We are not going to limit you because this is your last chance to stay in the game and we want your very best. Post your song as soon as you can and we will get the results back ASAP. If you don’t post by today at 10 EST, you will be eliminated.
For the rest of you, congratulations on making it to round 9! Stay tuned for our next theme which will be posted with the elimination results at some point tomorrow, depending on when the elimination finishes.
Comments
*We will skype Adam and let him submit there since he is banned for a few more days
