A Weekly Playlist To: Battle of the Ages (Love Songs Edition!)

If you're a Weekly Playlist To lover, you have probably noticed that I have a thing for old music. Like, really old music. Like, 1920s-1950s. Not music from the 80s, which, even though 37 years ago feels like forever ago (I definitely wasn't born yet), I don't consider old. 

I'm an old music snob. 

So this week I decided it might be fun to try something new. Despite my self-diagnosed  snobbery, I also love the more current tunes. Typically I don't believe that ranking things ever works - I'm a fan of the "my favorite things exist in tiers, not ranks" philosophy - but hey, why not try?

The following playlist is comprised of one old song paired with a comparable-ish new song, all under the umbrella of ~love~. I'll tell you which one I think is better for each pair, and I would love to know which ones you prefer, too!

Maybe I could even get one comment? Just one? Yeah, yeah, you're right. That's way too crazy.

Without further ado, let the love song battle of the ages BEGIN.

(Oh, right-- and the whole playlist can be listened to here!)
​
I WALK THE LINE - Johnny Cash
VS
JOHNNY & JUNE - Heidi Newfield

This one isn't even fair. There was no way I was picking anything over Johnny Cash. Although Newfield's song is a cute little modern interpretation of the ​greatest love story of all time (Johnny Cash and June Carter-- just look it up) the real deal will always surpass the store brand.

BUTTON UP YOUR OVERCOAT - Ruth Etting
VS
CRAZY IN LOVE - Beyoncé

This one was a bit tougher than the previous. Beyoncé, despite being rather contemporary, is totally classic. If I had inserted a more recent Beyoncé song, like one off of Lemonade, this battle of the ages would've totally gone to her. But as it is, "Button Up Your Overcoat" is just too freaking cute. I mean, "Wear your flannel underwear / When you climb a tree"? I don't understand it but I love it. 

​AS TIME GOES BY - Dooley Wilson
VS
RIGHT THRU ME - Nicki Minaj

I made this too hard on myself. Now I have to pick between one of my all-time favorite songs, which is also my parent's wedding song and the song from goddamn Casablanca, and Nicki Minaj. I feel so guilty right now. I love Nicki. But "As Time Goes By" is truly timeless and romantic and beautiful and I just, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

A SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE - Ella Fitzgerald
VS
EARNED IT - The Weeknd

I did this to myself. God, I love both of these songs. This is why I go by the tier method! It's too impossible to choose!  First of all, this was a weird coupling on my part. What is similar about this songs? On one hand, Ella Fitzgerald. On the other hand, "Earned It" is so hot. You know you agree with me. Girl Unaffiliated is a no-judgment blog. I might have to use my one pass on this one (I'm writing this so I can change the rules ok). 

CHEEK TO CHEEK - Fred Astaire
VS
R U MINE? - Arctic Monkeys

Remember before, when I said that I'm an old song snob but I also like current music? Well, I'm questioning everything now because, so far, I have only picked the old song counterpart and I'm about to do it again. So, yeah, this one was easy. "Cheek to Cheek" all the way. Although "R U Mine" is preferred in certain contexts, I think overwhelmingly I would choose the former first.

BUONA SERA - Louis Prima
VS
RADAR DETECTOR - Darwin Deez

How did I not see this coming? Again, I'm choosing the first song. "Buona Sera" just gets me hyped. "Radar Detector" is super cute, though. I also recommend that one.

IT HAD TO BE YOU - Billie Holiday
VS
SOMEONE LIKE YOU - Adele

I wonder how many weddings use Adele songs for the ceremony/first dance without really realizing that they're more like break-up songs. With that said, this one seems obvious since "It Had to Be You" is so much more romantic. At the very least, it's not totally heart-wrenching. 

YOU'VE REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME - Smokey Robinson
VS
LOVE ON THE BRAIN - Rihanna

I actually quite like "Love On The Brain" so this song fisticuffs is tough. Oh, man, I would really like to pick a newer song at least once throughout this whole thing, but I can lie to neither myself nor my readers! It's Smokey Robinson all the way.

​I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU - The Flamingos
VS
FADE INTO YOU - Mazzy Star

Hmm. Hmm. I think I might actually be a little unpredictable here and go for "Fade Into You." It's definitely a little bit of an unusual love song, but, for me personally, quite a bit more realistic: "I think it's strange you never knew" is the title of the memoir I could write about my romantic mishaps. 

Well, here we are. I picked all of the old songs, barring the one I needed to use my pass for and the very last battle. So actually not all but whatever, I'm rounding up.  I'm just such a little old-souled hopeless romantic. Here I am. This is me. Am I proud? No. Am I ashamed? Also no. What can you do?

Don't forget to take a listen to the entire playlist here and let me know which song you would pick!

Much love,
GU