RRHOF Announces Inductees; Hozier Takes Billboard #1 (SNS week of 4/21/2024)

 WELL THIS PAST WEEK, we got the 2024 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  As usual, there are the usual debates, gripes about what constitutes "rock and roll", and....well who really cares.    I've pretty much lost all logic as to criteria as to who gets in and who doesn't.

Foreigner, whose first, self-titled album was released in 1977, are one of the 2024 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

I think what I will do here is take the list of nominees that I published in February and highlight who got in, and who was snubbed.  

First, there were the actual nominee list that came out in February, with the actual inductees in bold:  

• Mary J. Blige
• Mariah Carey
• Cher
• Dave Matthews Band
• Eric B. & Rakim
• Foreigner
• Peter Frampton
• Jane's Addiction
• Kool & the Gang
• Lenny Kravitz
• Oasis
• Sinéad O'Connor
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Sade
• A Tribe Called Quest

I will first start off saying that Foreigner, and Peter Frampton are definitely deserving; in actuality, they should have gotten in decades ago.  They are rock and roll and fully embody the spirit of the genre.    I will also say the same for Kool and the Gang; funk is in part a derivative of rock, and they were one of the pioneers.    You could make a case for The Dave Matthews Band, and Ozzy Osbourne, with the former leading the jam-band parade in the 1990's and Ozzy a groundbreaker in the metal field; he gets his second induction; he was already in as a member of Black Sabbath.   

As for A Tribe Called Quest, I am going to avoid the "are they rock" (clearly, they are not), but I had heard that this hip-hop group does things their own way, "which embodies the spirit of rock".   So, Okay, they get a pass.

Then there's Cher.    Whether she got in on her own merits or because she raised a tirade a few months back on the Kelly Clarkson Show about not even being nominated and would outrageously refuse if she did get in, she is officially in.   I haven't been able to read any articles about her actual reaction to her induction.    Then again, Cher is apparently notorious for saying things and not following through (like she did when she threatened to leave the country if a certain person got elected, etc).    But having said that, I read many of the Facebook comments about Cher not being rock and all the usual stuff.  As I explained when the nominations came out, Cher's music has transcended many genres; from the 1960's pop of Sonny & Cher to her 1970's pop and disco songs, plus her album with Gregg Allman, and her involvement with Black Rose.    Yes, there was "Believe", auto-tuned and all in the EDM genre, but what about her late 1980's comeback hits?    That was clearly rock, or at least pop-rock.     Just because she did other genres doesn't take away from her accomplishments in the rock field.

That leaves the one that leaves me scratching my head.  Mary J. Blige?   Really?   A friend responded to my prior blog, providing me with a song that shows her rock sensibility.   Okay, yes, but I don't think one song, an obscure one at that is enough to get her in.    If we are trying to be diverse here, I can think of a couple female artists of color that are more deserving, such as Tracy Chapman, or how about Joan Armatrading?  That's one name that never comes up, and she's been around forever, and has been nominated for Grammy Awards three times.

As for the "snubs", I totally agree with Mariah Carey and Oasis.    I don't really know Eric B and Rakim, but to me, Lenny Kravitz and Sinead O'Connor should have definitely gotten in.  Sade's omission is another head scratcher.    

And now, we come to the "Musical Excellence Award", where those were weren't nominated this year (but have been in the recent years) get in:  That includes Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield.    I have said this in years past, but why do these artists get in for musical excellence and not as an outright inductee?     Jimmy Buffett and MC5 should have been in as a regular member of the Hall.   Is this some sort of a "consolation prize"?    Why aren't they good enough for a regular award?   Would they still have a shot at being an inductee in the future?.     I love Dionne Warwick, but again, she isn't rock, she has some gems of songs over the years, but she belongs in some sort of "Adult Contemporary Hall of Fame".   

I believe this "Excellence" award was formerly the "Sidemen Award".  I don't see how the above would be "sideman" (or "-women"), but actually, Norman Whitfield is perfect for this.  If you don't know who he is, he was a producer for several Motown acts in the 1960's and 70's, most notably The Temptations.   He produced most of their hits and transformed them from a soul vocal group into what was known as "psychedelic soul", with songs like "Cloud Nine", "Ball of Confusion", "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"", and others.   "Smiling Faces Sometimes", a hit for Undisputed Truth was also a Whitfield production   He was also a proponent of some disco era songs as well, involving Undisputed Truth and others as well.     Much of the instrumentation of these songs was orchestrated via Whitfield.     

I've said this before, but this whole Hall of Fame thing is just fun to talk about, but it doesn't diminish the perception, talents and reputation of those who don't get in.    If you love and follow an artist, that's all that matters, then they're in YOUR Hall of Fame.

HOT 100:  Glad to see Hozier's "Too Sweet" make it to the top spot.  It's a very good song, and it's a surprise to see it stay in the top five.    With Bension Boone at #3, Teddy Swims at #4, and yes, even Beyonce's "Texas Hold 'Em" at #5, it's great to see a diversity in song styles this high up on the chart.    It's Hozier's first #1 on the Hot 100, besting the #2 peak of "Take Me To Church" over nine years ago.    Maybe this can spark a trend.   On the Scenes 'n' Soundwaves 100, the song grabs Impact honors, moving 33-16 and advancing on various airplay tallies as well.     

While all the songs I listed will most likely be wiped out because of the new, surprise Taylor Swift double album that came out this past week, that most likely will dominate the whole top 10 (or even top 20), hopefully in a few weeks, these can all come back to the top---along with perhaps some new, deserving music.    We shall see.

SNS 100:  Starbuck holds at #1 for a second week with "Spring Break Shake", but there are many contenders in positions 2 through 6.   Deb Browning's take on "Put Your Hand in the Hand" advances 4-2, while her duet with Marlisa Kay Small, "Sunshine and Summertime" leaps 15-5. Also strong is Sadie Leigh's "Finger Wave" (6-3), Jalen Ngonda's "If You Don't Want My Love" (8-4), and "I Thought You Knew" by The Six Piece Suits (7-6).    Rivermist's "Everything's Change" returns to the top 10 after a few weeks away from it (12-10).   

In the second ten, there are no new entries aside from Hozier, but movers include Anna Lavigne's "Butterfly" (18-12), SZA's "Saturn" (20-14), which incidentally is back on the Hot 100 top ten this week; and Jaime Wyatt's "Feel Good" (21-18).   

last week's Top Debut, Juliet Callahan's "Don't Phase Me" is this week's Mover (60-36), and The Mac Daddy's Band's "Flip Flops and Margaritas" rises 83-56.

DEBUTS:  Eight new songs, led by the latest by The Black Keys, "On the Game", following up the top 3 "Beautiful People (Stay High)".  It's a little change of pace for the duo; it's a slower tempo with more of a melodic take and sort of a power ballad status with even hints of a slow Electric Light Orchestra feel, or even latter-day Beatles flair to it.   Different enough for another shot at the top.

Although Kasey Musgraves had a great run on the Hot 100 top ten with her duet with Zach Bryan, and a solo chart entry with "Deeper Well", her new entry, "Cardinal" is an awesome singer-songwriter vibe, similar to that which propelled her to the blog top 5 with "Justified" in early 2022.     This song, moving up the Triple-A airplay chart should put her back there, and is definitely in my wheelhouse.   

The Driver Era topped the SNS 100 in 2019 with "Low", and they return with "Get Off My Phone", a slice of alternative pop/rock and changes tempo frequently and does it with emotion.    It took a few listens to get into it, but it should top last year's "Malibu".

Both of the Internet bands----Einsteins Dad and Orbis Max, enter the chart this week.    Einsteins Dad follows up the Top 20 "Rolling Indie" with "To the Moon".   Core members Steve Shouse, Mario Licata and Richard Bradley return, with Daniele Silvestri coming back to the fold on drums.    Taking over the vocals is Seth Storer.  His gravelly voice is distinctive and reminds me a bit of Crash Test Dummies or perhaps a bit of Eddie Vedder.    A bit different from past chart entries should put them back in the upper reaches of the chart.   Meanwhile, Orbis Max, already with two entries on the list, once again join forces with Tim Izzard with "You Know What You're Doing".    The two entities are coming off their top 10 "Here and Now".    The song continues Orbis' Jersey Shore sound, and it appears that both Izzard and Dw Dunphy are sharing vocals here.   Tim really adapts to the musical style here; any doubt that his talents are limited to neo-glam should definitely be put to rest once and for all here.

Also added are "New Lattitude" by Calypso Joe and the Coconuts, which has that beach music/tropical vibe mix going on (it's on some beach charts and was definitely influenced by Jimmy Buffett.   A perfect summer song.    I'm starting to follow some national indie charts and noticed that "Op Operater" by The Shang Hi Los topped that list a few weeks back.  The song has that retro punk/new wave thing going on that gets stronger with each listen.   Very melodic and gutsy as well.   Finally, we have "Everything We Lost in the Fire" by Blue October which should attract some spins with sort of a post-grunge sound.

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

April 21, 2024

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	1	NUMBER ONE: STARBUCK Spring Break Shake" (Single Release) (2 Weeks at #1)	8
2	4	Deb Browning - Put Your Hand in the Hand	5
3	6	Sadie Leigh - Finger Wave●	9
4	8	Jalen Ngonda - If You Don't Want My Love●	8
5	15	Deb Browning and Marlisa Kay Small -Sunshine and Summertime	3
6	7	The Six Piece Suits - I Thought You Knew●	9
7	2	Charlotte Sessions - I've Fallen For A Dragon▲²	12
8	9	Beyonce - Texas Hold Em	9
9	3	Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill	12
10	12	Rivermist - Everything's Changed●	16
11	10	Black Pumas - Sauvignon●	17
12	18	Anna Lavigne - Butterfly	6
13	16	Vacations - Next Exit▲	11
14	20	SZA - Saturn	7
15	5	Teddy Swims - Lose Control	14
16	33	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: HOZIER "Too Sweet" Album: Unheard (EP)	3
17	14	Rick Strickland - Joined At the Heart	13
18	21	Jaime Wyatt - Feel Good	9
19	11	Juliet Callahan - She Was Me	11
20	13	Karen Clayton and Mike Taylor - I'm Your Puppet	12
21	23	The Decemberists - Burial Ground	7
22	24	Royel Otis - Murder on the Dance Floor	6
23	17	Suki Waterhouse - OMG	10
24	28	Mumford and Sons ft Pharrell Williams - Good People	8
25	19	Nadia Shutkufski - Top Down	10
26	27	Say Sue Me - 4 AM	7
27	36	Eavesdrop - Honest●	4
28	26	Orbis Max - Something About You	8
29	29	The Castaways - Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me	8
30	25	Billy Joel - Turn the Lights Back On	11
31	22	The Black Keys - Beautiful People (Stay High)●	13
32	32	Portugal. The Man - Grim Generation	7
33	35	Sheryl Crow - Alarm Clock	13
34	43	Sylvia Johns Ritchie - Good Love Don't Come Easy	4
35	37	Knox - Not the 1975	7
36	60	MOVER OF THE WEEK: JULIET CALLAHAN "Don't Phase Me" (Single Release)	2
37	40	Benson Boone - Beautiful Things	10
38	41	Rivermist -Don't Walk Away	6
39	39	Winnetka Bowling League  - Sha-La-La	8
40	42	Paramore - Burning Down the House	7
41	31	Varsity - Runaway	20
42	48	Orbis Max - Not This Time	5
43	30	Rev. Bubba D. Liverance and the Cornhole Prophets - Something In the Water	14
44	52	X Ambassadors - No Strings	6
45	34	Molly Lewis and Thee Sacred Souls - Crushed Velvet	11
46	38	Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - Sitting In the Park	23
47	53	Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - It's Over	7
48	46	Love Fame Tragedy - Don't You Want To	11
49	56	Girls Who Care - You'll Never Know That	6
50	59	Debbie Gibson - Love Don't Care	5
51	58	Lucius - Stranger Danger	6
52	45	Richard Swift - Would You●	20
53	49	Deb Browning - Chain Breaker	8
54	51	Thee Sacred Souls - Easier Said Than Done▲	21
55	54	Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton - Purple Irises	5
56	83	The Mac Daddy's Band - Flip Flops and Margariotas	2
57	75	Bon Jovi - Legendary	2
58	67	Lainey Wilson - Country's Cool Again	4
59	68	Randy Clay Band - Party Street	4
60	44	Cayucas - Punch Bowl	10
61	69	The Rolling Stones - Mess It Up	3
62	70	Local Natives - April	3
63	---	TOP DEBUT:  THE BLACK KEYS "On the Game" Album: Ohio Players	1
64	47	Carolina Blue Dots - Coolin' Out	14
65	50	Colorjoy - Cigarettes and Vanilla●	15
66	55	Everybody Loves An Outlaw - I See Red▲	24
67	81	Jade Bird - Burn The Hard Drive	2
68	72	Catfish and the Bottlemen - Showtime	3
69	74	Green Day - Dilemma	9
70	62	David F. Porfirio - Ninja Assasins	7
71	86	Zac Brown Band - Tie Up	2
72	65	Charlotte Sessions - Should I Be The Man●	29
73	---	Kasey Musgraves - Cardinal	1
74	57	Anna Lavigne - Edge of the World	18
75	---	The Driver Era - Get Off My Phone	1
76	---	Einsteins Dad - To The Moon	1
77	66	Foo Fighters - The Glass	11
78	61	Gary Alexander - There's Always Beach Music	20
79	90	Guster - Keep Going	2
80	---	Orbis Max and Tim Izzard - You Know What You're Doing	1
81	---	Shang Hi Los - Op-Operator	1
82	---	Calypso Joe and the Coconuts - New Lattitude	1
83	64	Cannons - Crush	8
84	89	Bleachers - Tiny Moves	5
85	71	Stephen Sanchez - High	9
86	92	Mt. Joy - Highway Queen	2
87	63	Starbuck - Coldest Night of the Year	14
88	80	HotWax - Phone Machine	5
89	---	Blue October - Everything We Lost In the Fire	1
90	82	Say She She - Never Say Never	11
91	91	Marlisa Kay Small - No Matter Where You Go	20
92	78	Real Estate - Water Underground●	13
93	73	Kasey Musgraves -Deeper Well	4
94	97	The Tams - Our Love Will Grow	5
95	98	St. Vincent - Broken Man	2
96	84	Orbis Max with Tim Izzard - Here And Now	14
97	76	Sleater-Kinney - Hell	11
98	79	Dua Lipa - Training Season	6
99	77	M83 - Mirror	11
100	87	The Palms - Ready or Not	15

Murmurs:

 

Glass Animals - Creatures in Heaven

Arianna Grande - We Can't Be Friends

Phillip Phillips - Love Like That

Dua Lipa - Illusion

Eavesdrop - Only One

Lenny Kravitz - Human

Suki Waterhouse - My Fun

Rachel Platten - Girls

Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.

 

 

Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week ▲Song garnered most plays on Spotify, for the  month, with a superscript following the symbol if most played for multiple months; or if a song was among the top 5 most plays for two months. ● Song among top 5 most plays on Spotify.  Awards given during the last blog of each month.  To qualify, the song must be currently or have peaked in the top 40.

 

Songs on the SNS 100 are included on the following public Spotify playlists

 

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves Top 40:  Contains songs in positions 1-40 on the SNS 100

Scenes Up and Coming:  Songs below #40 that are moving up the chart.

Scenes Recurrents: Songs which have dropped below the top 40 but are still on the SNS 100