And then there were four. Some odd coincidences in the total votes for the losing songs, but it’s a statistical anomaly, not some random mis-typing or any evidence of a conspiracy. While everyone will be disappointed that some of their own favourite songs haven’t made it this far, it probably should be said that we’ve got ourselves a good spread of semi-finalists. One song from the 80s, one from the 90s, and two from the, er, 2000s; one song each from probably the most popular albums amongst the voters (Cammell Laird and Achtung Bono); and a nice mixture of a good rant, a good thrash, a dig at the chattering classes and a clever piece of regional whimsy. Nobody could suggest that any of the four has had an easy ride this far either. All can be said to be the favourite songs on their respective albums, as all except one won their qualifying groups, and the fourth was only edged into second place in its group by the tiniest of margins, and promptly beat its conqueror in the knockout stage.
The draw for the Semi-Finals will take place later over the weekend.
| A Country Practice | 137 | v | 124 | Them’s The Vagaries |
| The Trumpton Riots | 179 | v | 124 | Joy Division Oven Gloves |
| When The Evening Sun Goes Down | 85 | v | 160 | The Light at the End of the Tunnel (is the Light of an Oncoming Train) |
| Evening Of Swing (Has Been Cancelled) | 85 | v | 187 | For What Is Chatteris… |
TWO FAT FEET
Three out of four. That last one has an air of Manchester United v Barcelona about it – an excellent side made to look distinctly mediocre by an exceptional one.
I can at least take some satisfaction that my final four prediction, made just a few hours before the first round draw was published, was only scuppered by two of them being drawn against Chatteris in the first two rounds. I wouldn’t have expected Trumpton to get anywhere near the semis when this all started, but having seen the level of affection with which it is held, this is as good a semi-final line up as one could possibly have expected to see.
If it runs to form, the draw will see Chatteris pitched against ACP in the semis. It’s almost as if it wants an easy ride in the final by bumping off all the other contenders on the way.
4 June 2011
mcsquared
Harumph! One out of four! Ah well, ACP all the way now
4 June 2011
BIG CON
I’m on the same wavelength as MCsquared.
Still this whole thing would be kind of pointless if we all liked the same song.
Anyway I’m going back to the Ultravox site where they’re running a similar competition. Come on Vienna – 30th year in a row.
4 June 2011
Hagerty F.
A Country Practice and The Trumpton Riots were my ones through. Could someone please explain the appeal of The Light At The End Of The Tunnel? Puzzled and disappointed…
4 June 2011
Bobby String
Well well, two holes in the ground! Sad to see JDOG go out but also in a way surprised it got this far. May have to sell my Piccalilli shinpads now and move to Chatteris, where I strongly suspect there will be an open-topped bus parade of some sort the day after the final (but hopefully no drive-by shoutings).
Ô¿Ô
4 June 2011
Lollipop Man Darren
Only one of my favourites (Chatteris) made it through, so got to say I am disappointed with the semi final line up. I will just have to hope that the Envy of the Fens sees off all the others.
Would like to see a Chatteris v Tunnel final; I know that I’m probably committing sacrilege here but I don’t rate either ACP or Trumpton much to be honest. Lyrically, they both contain great moments but ACP goes on for a bit too long and Trumpton lacks a bit of melody.
So many great songs that could be here are not, sadly, but that’s the Cup for you……
4 June 2011
littlegrafter
3 out of 4 for me so can’t complain. After straying away from it through the competetion, I’m backing ACP all the way, though feel this is now Chatteris’s to lose. And I have to say I really cant see why. Yes its got some great lines, but as a whole I dont see why its doing so well, and I sense next time its played live, half the audience will race to the loo as soon as it starts amid a mighty grumble.
Maybe now is the right time to suggest we finish this off with the equivalent of the Watney Cup, the winner vs the best loser from the group stage, I think Problem Chimp could see off most of this rabble!
And Hagerty F. try the line “But the beak in Leek is weak”, that does it for me!
4 June 2011
TWO FAT FEET
I wonder if the two finalists will comprise the encore at Shepherds Bush, to help those who have left their decision to the last possible moment. If one of them prompts a march to the exits we’ll have a clue as to who will win.
4 June 2011
aiwacat
There does seem to be a touch of the irresistible force about Chatteris. Personally, I find it the only contender to have actually suffered a drop in my estimation over the course of the tournament. Whilst it’s certainly a great song, I’m not convinced it’s as great as I thought a couple of months back.
4 June 2011
Neil G
I’m amazed that Trumpton has made it this far. Chatteris has got further than it deserves. ACP v Tunnel would make a reasonable final. I’ve lost a lot of interest since National Shite Day went out, to be honest.
4 June 2011
CHIEF EXEC
Hmmm. 2 out of 4 for me but I have a terrible confession to make in that dilly dallied over all but the 3rd Qtr Final and ended up missing the vote by the time I came back with the fruits of my deliberations. I remain unmoved that ACP will take the prize but TTV will have a strong case to make that it was worth more than 5th place at best.
So now I’m going back through in sequential order. Thank goodness no-one entered the semi final draw to this thread to maintain the suspense for another 30 seconds.
6 June 2011
Dave Cooper
3 out of 4. Can’t believe Evening Sun got so soundly thrashed.
6 June 2011
poolio
Love em all it’s a win:win, win:win for me… come on the biscuit (really wanted the Vagaries to cause an upset, but it was a bit Argyle v Everton don’t you think?)
6 June 2011
Jon
1 out of 4. Amazed that Evening Sun was so soundly beaten
7 June 2011
Charles Exford
Scary stuff. I know there will have been others like me who gave up voting in this ‘cos it felt like pissing in the wind after the previous two mystifying Chatteris results …. I lost interest so much that didn’t even realise that the qarter finals had ended (this really is like the Europa League isn’t it) ?
But that margin of victory is just obscene, 1983-general-election-like in its gobsmacking senselessness. Starting to feel like some Biscuiteers are missing out on whole levels of appreciation.
7 June 2011
Chris The Siteowner
…I know what you mean Charles, it is is getting a bit ridiculous, what with the songs that more people like getting more votes and all that. Tsk.
7 June 2011
Anon
“Popularity is not an indication of quality” – Vanna Bonta
7 June 2011
TWO FAT FEET
No, but it is an indication of, er … popularity. Which is, after all, what voting for your favourites is all about. Perhaps we’ll get a panel of chin-stroking musos to cock an impartial ear at HMHB’s entire recorded output and let them decide.
7 June 2011
Charles Exford
Obviously, Chris. That’s why I drew parallels with a massive landslide election victory. Can be a very alienating experience. L’enfer and all that (but not in the sense that your cartoonist took it, etc)
7 June 2011