The Super Bowl and Elton vs. Billy (vs. Morrissey)

Mr. Mean:

I’ve been thinking about this…doing that show is a pain in the butt. half the world loves you, half the world hates you. the only two I remember in recent memory that went across the spectrum, more or less, was u2 and Springsteen. even Madonna rec’d a lukewarm response.  So, the question, who would be the most well rounded, well respected, cross generational artist to play the show AND have visual appeal, if it is necessary? my suggestion was Elton John.  chime in boys. 

Mr. Onry:

I don’t know.  I think Tom Petty and Springsteen worked so well because they appealed to the average football fan as well as the people watching it because they happened to be at a party and the game was on somewhere in the house.  I wish someone had thought to invite The Black Crowes at the height of their popularity because they would have been perfect.

Mr. Lonesome:

Elton John would only work if he had Eminem up there to join him.

And I wouldn’t watch that.

Mr. Onry:

I wouldn’t watch that either.  In fact I’d rather cut my eyes out and feed them to the stray cat that lives in my backyard.  That also goes for anything involving Mariah Carey.

Mr. Lonesome:

We could make that a fat cat – he could have my eyes too. I think that, in line with the blue-collar observation earlier (which I can agree with the appeal), Billy Joel would probably make a lot of fans happy. Mr Mean in 3… 2… 1….

Mr. Mean:

Billy Joel is a hack. I’d rather listen to your band over and over again. Or Van Hagar for that matter.

Mr. Lonesome:

Why, thank you!!! My band is very honored. Well, what remains of it. Which is basically me and my nylon string acoustic. And it is good to know that you have a desire to hear Van Hagar! You’re coming around.

(editor's note: Mr. Lonesome is the only one who likes Van Hagar)

Mr. Onry:

You would honestly take Van Hagar over late 70’s/early 80’s Billy Joel?  I mean really think about what you are saying.  Really think it out.  I’m not saying Billy Joel is some kind of musical genius.  I only own one album and it’s because it reminds me of the 8-track collection my parents had.  But come on.  Van Hagar?  Good lord man., think of what you are saying!

Mr. Mean:

Tthat shows how much I hate him. I’ll take “poundcake” or “finish what ya started” over some drunk driving singer songwriter any day.

Mr. Lonesome:

Billy Joel > Elton John on all days ending in Y. Plus, Christie Brinkley is way hotter than David Furnish.

Mr. Onry:

I think they are equal parts decent + suck. 

Mr. Mean:

I’m pulling my hair out root by root as this absurd discussion carries on.

Mr. Lonesome:

The closest Elton John should get to performing at the Super Bowl is that damn Pepsi commercial he did.

Mr. Onry:

That was possibly the dumbest commercial I’ve ever seen.  (“No, Pepsi for everyone!”)  Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.  Plus Pepsi sucks. Whatever neither John or Joel has done anything worth listening to since like 1982.  Why are we even talking about these ding-dongs.

Mr. Lonesome:

Agree on the commercial. Disagree on Joel – c’mon, you know you love “We Didn’t Start the Fire” – and I also really dig a good handful of his 80s tunes: “Uptown Girl,” “Allentown,” “A Matter of Trust,” “An Innocent Man,” “Pressure.” There are a few others.

Mr. Onry:

Are you effing kidding me with “We Didn’t Start The Fire”?!?  That’s seriously one of the worst songs ever written and if he didn’t include all the historical facts from his life that got all the Baby Boomers so pumped up it would have ZERO redeeming value at all.  At all!  

Mr. Mean:

That song is as dreadful as Lonesome is asinine when it comes to appreciating crap.

Mr. Lonesome:

This coming from the guy on a Morrissey kick of late.

Mr. Mean:

The man’s lyrics are far more intelligent and interesting than “it was always burning since the world’s been turning”. Dumb. Cavemen wrote better songs by banging on rocks and going “ooooga ooooga” over and over again, like Louie Louie.

Mr. Lonesome:

I just got an image of you lying in bed reading Morrissey lyrics and crying about being fat, or something.

Mr. Mean:

I have a gained a few winter pounds. thanks moron. now I am going to go off myself to the soothing sounds of Your Arsenal.

Mr. Onry:

Say Hi to Sylvia Plath for me.

*O.k., so tell us in the comments - who's in the right and who deserves to be chastised!