So last week we explored the NCAA tournament through songs with “madness” in the title. This week, we look back at opening weekend of the tournament (and my busted brackets) through songs with “March” in the title. If you want to check out my brackets, I included a screen shot of them above.
10. Timbaland featuring OneRepublic “Marching On (Timbo Version)”
Norfolk, Virginia native, Timbaland had to pleased with his hometown team, Norfolk State’s opening round upset of Missouri. Even though I had Missouri winning a few games in the tournament, I quickly became a Spartan fan and like most things I am a fan of, NSU lost quickly the next round to Florida. It is okay because I have Marquette emerging out of this region anyway.
MP3: Timbaland “Marching On (Timbo Version)”
09. Good Charlotte “March On”
When doing research for this piece, I was surprised to read that Good Charlotte originates from Maryland; I always assumed they were from California. Being from Maryland, I assume they were repping hard for the only team from their state to make the tournament: Loyola (MD). Unfortunately, Loyola seemed to be the only 15 seed not to win on opening weekend with their loss to Ohio State.
MP3: Good Charlotte “March On”
08. Immortal Technique “Death March”
I can not imagine New York rapper, Immortal Technique is pleased with this march. The tournament truly was a “death march” for teams from New York. The empire state put four teams in the tournament and only one of them survived (Syracuse). Iona, Long Island, and St. Bonaventure all fell in the first round.
MP3: Immortal Technique “Death March”
07. Aloha “Moonless March”
Aloha is an odd project because their members are sprawled out amongst the eastern half of the country but they were started when two of their members lived in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State only put two teams into the tournament: Temple and Lehigh. Temple was the underachiever losing to 12 seed South Florida while Lehigh severely overachieved taking out two-seed Duke in the first round. Unfortunately with Lehigh losing in the round of 32 to Xavier means that Pennsylvania is no longer represented in the big dance.
MP3: Aloha “Moonless March”
06. Archers of Loaf “Underachievers March and Fight Song”
Is there less of an appropriate song title for a band from North Carolina than Archers of Loaf’s “Underachievers March and Fight Song”? North Carolina was the most well represented state in the tournament with five teams: Davidson, Duke, North Carolina, NC State, and UNC Asheville. While “underachievers” might describe Duke who lost to 15 seed Lehigh, UNC-Asheville bravely fought against Syracuse and ultimately were hosed by the ref. UNC and North Carolina St. still represent the state in the round of 16. Congrats to the Old North State.
MP3: Archers of Loaf “Underachievers March and Fight Song”
05. Hi-Tek featuring Busta Rhymes “March”
Cincinnati’s Hi-Tek had to be pretty satisfied with his team’s showing in the tournament. They took care of Texas and Florida State. I, of course, had Florida State in the finals so congratulation Cincy, you single-handedly busted my brackets. I hate you.
MP3: Hi-Tek featuring Busta Rhymes “March”
04. The Mountain Goats “Alpha Desperation March”
Although main member, John Darnielle lived many places in his life, The Mountain Goats are generally considered to be from California. It must have been a sad weekend for Darnielle considering California put four teams into the tournament and none of them lived to see the round of 32. California did not even live to see the round of 64, losing their opening game to South Florida. I feel Darnielle’s pain though, I had Long Beach State, Saint Mary’s, and San Diego State all winning their opening round games. I was sadly mistaken.
MP3: The Mountain Goats “Alpha Desperation March”
03. John Williams “The Imperial March”
Although John Williams was born and raised in New York, I most closely associate him with Boston having served as conductor of the Boston Pops since 1980. “The Imperial March” would have been a fairly appropriate selection for Harvard. Having made their first ever NCAA tournament, the Crimson were quickly ushered out of the tournament by Vanderbilt. Fortunately for me, I predicted that loss even though I would have liked to rep for my Ivy League friends.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/19024014″ iframe=”true” /]
02. Death Cab For Cutie “Marching Bands Of Manhattan”
Death Cab for Cutie frontman, Bin Gibbard‘s alma mater of Western Washington University did not make the tournament this year. As a matter of fact, the only team from Washington state to make the tournament was Gonzaga who was easily handled Ohio State in the round of 32. Sorry Ben Gibbard, it seems like you are singing sad songs for this March madness.
MP3: Death Cab For Cutie “Marching Bands Of Manhattan”
01. Nine Inch Nails “March of the Pigs”
I severely doubt Cleveland, OH native, Trent Reznor watches college basketball but if he did, he would have to be pretty pleased with Ohio’s teams showing in the tourney. Underdogs, Ohio launched a big first round upset over Michigan and launched into the sweet 16 taking out South Florida. Meanwhile their brethren, Ohio St. waltzed into the sweet 16 with wins over Loyola and Gonzaga. In my brackets, I have them losing to Florida State but judging from my record, that does not mean much.
MP3: Nine Inch Nails “March of the Pigs”
