THIS WILL BE OUR YEAR #BOTB

WELCOME TO THE FIRST BOTB OF 2024!

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Featuring a battle between rock and indie pop bands.

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HISTORY

"This Will Be Our Year" is the ninth track from the acclaimed album “Odessey and Oracle" by English rock band The Zombies, released in 1968. It was also released as a single in the US. 

More than most other songs, “This Will Be Our Year” leans heavily on the strength of its refrain. It’s one thing to say, “This will be our year.” It’s the second part of the line that gives the first so much weight: “took a long time to come.” 

Is it any wonder that this song has become a favorite, not just for people getting set to celebrate a new year, but also for those getting set to embark upon a new life as a married couple?  

[Reference only. NOT eligible for voting!]

On to the contest!

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SILVER BELLS #BOTB RESULTS

WELCOME BACK TO BOTB! 
It’s time to announce the results of the December 15th showdown.

It's the battle of the crooners!
Dean Martin vs Michael Bublé,
Classic vs Contemporary,
American vs Canadian.  

Both of these superstars recorded excellent versions of Silver Bells,

but most of you preferred Dino, the King of Cool, as did I. 

Here’s how it went down:

SILVER BELLS #BOTB SPECIAL EDITION

WELCOME TO A SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITION OF #BOTB!

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Featuring a battle between crooners - classic vs contemporary. 

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HISTORY

"Silver Bells"  is a Christmas song composed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. The first recorded version was sung by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards on September 8, 1950, and released by Decca Records the following month. 

[Reference only. NOT eligible for voting!]

On to the contest!

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MY DECEMBER #BOTB RESULTS

WELCOME BACK TO BOTB! 
It’s time to announce the results of the December 1st showdown.

This battle featured a mournful Linkin Park song.
Probably not the best choice for the "festive" season! 🤔

Both covers were by unknown bands: The Lost, from Texas, and Deine Lakaien, from Germany.

Most people thought the German band was too depressing, intense, etc., and The Lost won by a landslide! 

I love dramatic music, so I chose Deine Lakaien. The vocals and melancholy vibe won me over completely. (Must be the German in me! 😉)

Here’s how it went down:

MY DECEMBER #BOTB

WELCOME TO ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF #BOTB!

'TIS THE SEASON! 
A personal message from me to you: 

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I chose competing covers of the same song this time, but it's not Christmas-specific.

NOVEMBER SONGS #BOTB RESULTS

WELCOME BACK TO BOTB! 
It’s time to announce the results of the November 1st showdown.

This battle featured different songs about November, by artists on two continents.

The Waterboys came on strong from the get-go and didn't let up! When I put this battle together, I thought for sure it would be close, because the Guns'N'Roses song was a huge hit.

Boy, was I wrong! And I had planned on voting for them, but guess what? The Waterboys offered a more unique and better song, so I'm siding with the majority. 

Here’s how it went down:

NOVEMBER SONGS #BOTB

WELCOME TO ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF #BOTB!

It's November already! Didn't we just have August??
The chilly winds and rain have set in here.
🥶

This battle features different songs about November.

On to the contest!

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OCTOBER SKIES #BOTB RESULTS

WELCOME BACK TO BOTB! 
It’s time to announce the results of the October 1st showdown.

This battle featured two different  instrumental versions by unknown artists of a Mumford & Sons tune. 

At first, it looked like a shutout in the making, with Guitar getting all the votes. Then, a few for Piano trickled in.

I thought both versions were excellent and had to listen a couple of times. In the end, as much as I love guitar music (and I do!), it was the piano that made me feel the emotion of the song. The guitar was a bit too languid, in my opinion.

Here’s how it went down:

OCTOBER SKIES #BOTB

WELCOME TO ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF #BOTB!

It's October!
Time for Mother Nature to put on a show.

This battle features unknown instrumental versions of a beautiful ballad.

SEPTEMBER GRASS #BOTB RESULTS (FINALLY!)

WELCOME BACK TO BOTB! 
It’s time way past time to announce the results of the Sept. 1st showdown.

This battle featured two unknown entertainers,
Scott Alan from Cleveland and Jeff Towle from Minnesota.

I was felled by a nasty stomach virus, which included a fever and vision problems, so I haven't been online much and didn't respond to your comments. I did read them (thanks for the compliment, Stephen 😀) and thank you for participating! 

Most of you preferred the light and breezy style of Scott Alan, but I'm going to join the minority and go with the more solemn Jeff Towle. 

Here’s how it went down: