Silly Game vs. Because You're Young

Song:  Silly Game
Album:  Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic
Year:  1999

Come on Prince.  U R not even trying any more.  U give us this boring song full of simplistic lovey-dovey drivel?  Why?  Where's the bravado?  Where's the innuendo?  OK, some of the chord progressions are vaguely interesting in a smooth-jazz type of way, but really there's not much here.  It sounds like a song that would play during a saccharine montage in some direct-to-DVD (since it's 1999) movie.  U need to up your game buddy.  I'm pulling for you!

Verdict:  1.5/5 stars

Would I sing it at karaoke?  Not a chance.

Song:  Because You're Young
Album:  Scary Monsters
Year:  1980

In direct opposition to Prince's offering of today's battle, Bowie delivers an almost impenetrable song about the inevitable clash of young dreams vs. the reality of aging.  The lyrics are dense and somewhat difficult to pull from the instrumental mix, at least at the beginning.  The vocal delivery is Bowie at his most diverse.  Words are elongated, stress is placed on unusual syllables, vibrato is everywhere.  The drum beat is hard and steady.  Bass provides syncopation.  Lead guitar circles the mix like a drunk teenager experiencing the bed spins.  And that synthesizer would be at home in a B-52s song.

It's not a song that grabbed me immediately.  If not for this silly project of mine I may not have given it a second (and third) chance.  But I'm finding that the more I listen to it the more  I'm liking it.  There's a density here that is absolutely needed in the absence of any easily accessible hooks or hummable tunes.  Well done!

Verdict:  4/5 stars

Would  I sing it at karaoke?  I would love to have the vocal chops to do so, but probably not gonna happen.

Winner:  Because You're Young

Running Score:  Bowie 19,  Prince 10