I REALLY HATE TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE that is the current Billboard Hot 100, but this week, it remains stagnant, as Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" stays atop of the big chart for a 14th week. That puts it in a nine-way tie for the 5th longest reign at the top spot. It joins the likes of songs by Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Elton John, Los Del Rio ("Macarena"), Mariah Carey, The Black Eyed Peas, and Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars.
And to be honest, there's no end in sight.
First up, I am not knocking the song, it's a very good one as it hit #1 for a week on my blog chart and is still strong at #4. It's very catchy and appealing. I believe this is Shaboozey's chart debut, and the 14 weeks ties it with Los Del Rio and Mark Ronson for second biggest debut solo run at the top, next to the 19 weeks for "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X.
But, does this 14-week run (or any long running song) make it an exceptional song, or is it just at the top because there simply is no serious competition to challenge it? Again, looking at the top of this week's Hot 100, it's the same old, same old. Last week's only new song, a debut (naturally), "Timeless" by The Weeknd and Playboi Carti which debuted at #3 drops out of the top 10 to be replaced by....."Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone, which has already spent months in that region. The biggest riser outside the top 10 is Jelly Roll's "I Am Not Okay" which moves 18-17 for a new high. Will it reach top 10? Well, it didn't debut there, so fat chance.
The top 14 have been there for ages. It's not that these songs are bad--ten of them are or have been on my SNS 100--but isn't enough enough? When there are a thousand new songs out there, why are the same ones atop the chart week after week after week? Move on already!
And yes, I know as far as beach music charts are concerned, that is true there as well, with songs that are still touted have long peaked, and in some cases, fallen off my chart after a nice, healthy run. But the releases there are limited, thus I can understand them hanging around longer. But on the Hot 100, which encompasses all genres and formats, for the same ones to be there over and over, it's just....well, boring.
The blame lies with how the chart is compiled. Right now, it's pretty much streaming that rules the charts, radio airplay is no longer the driving force. And the kids that stream this music are pretty much "stick in the muds", unwilling to trying something new, and not checking out any songs from artists that are new and upcoming, unless there's hype from social media such as Tik Tok. If you look at the all-time longest #1 runs on the Hot 100, they seem to come either from the mid 1990's, when sales of 12" vinyl (usually hip-hop, adult contemporary or R&B-oriented songs) reigned (and key tracks--mostly rock and alternative in nature--weren't available for purchase, thus ineligible to chart) or the late 2010s to the present, when streaming dominated. The time in between was a lot more competitive when in 1998, Billboard included airplay-only songs, causing a more diverse array of genre representation throughout the first decade of the millennium.
Before the Soundscan era, up to the end of 1991, the biggest #1 runs on the chart were Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" from late 1977. which had a the-record 10 week run, and Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" matching it in 1981. I will leave it up to you about the merits of these two songs, but it (and several other long-running chart-toppers in that era) were due to radio stations shortening their playlists to grab more listeners from the competition as the core top 40 audience (and back then, the chart was just for pop stations) grew older. By 1981 when "Physical" reigned, much of the top 40 stations changed formats to either Adult Contemporary or to Talk. Only when the top 40 (CHR) reinvented itself around late 1982, driven by MTV, did #1 runs became shorter; during the rest of the 1980's up until the Soundscan era in late 1991. Thus, there was much competition and turnover for the top spot, and even a three- or four-week reign was above the average during that time period.
Unless an artist of the caliber of a Taylor Swift releases an album and drops all the songs at the top of the chart, it's quite possible that "A Bar Song" can break the record this year. If it continuously stays at the top, it could log its record 20th week on the November 30th chart, right before the barrage of holiday songs takes over. And I wouldn't be surprised if it came back there in January.
But I hope I'm proven wrong.
THE BEACHES ARE BACK: Turning to my chart, we have a new #1, that being "Takes One to Know One" by the Canadian female quartet The Beaches. It switches places with Gotts Street Park featuring Pip Millett's "Got To Be Good", after a four-week, non-consecutive run. Jitwam's "Opendoors" moves to #3, pushing "A Bar Song" to #4 which reigned here for a week. Moving 8-5 is "Back By Popular Demand" by Dustin Ahkuoi and Sharon Woodruff, which is #1 on six beach music charts this week. And beach music has four songs in the top 10, at a time just when it appeared that that genre was going to vanish from the top ten. Marsha Morgan moves 10-8, Steve Cheek 11-9 and Starbuck, with yet another top ten moving from 12 to 10. I must add that two other songs, the retro-soul of Michael Kiwanuka and Jalen Ngonda are pretty much in that style that, if they were released in the 1960's, would be played on beach music stations. Not too shabby.
 |
| Local, North Jersey singer-songwriter Dani Zanoni grabs the Impact of the Week award as her "I Know" from her EP 20 Something, moves to #19 this week. |
Two new songs in the top 20: Talented local artist Dani Zanoni's "I Know" garnering the Impact award (21-19), and Pip Millett entering with her solo endeavor, "Hard Life" (22-20). We have two Movers of the Week, with Teddy Swims' soulful "Bad Dreams" (38-31) and beach act Doyle Wood and Terri Gore's "Feels Like Love To Me" (43-35) sharing the honor.
DEBUTS: Among the new entries is the latest from Øff Guard, "North Star". No relation to the ScreenAge song of the same name from a few years back, this is the Long Island-based alt/emo quartet's follow up to the top 30 "The Minute". Matt Weiss' vocals are in fine form here, and while "The Minute" was a good song, there's much more going on with "North Star"; it's a more complete and cohesive effort. It rocks a bit more than the prior song. By the way, I want to congratulate Matt on his engagement. Best of luck to the two of you! The song debuts at #75.
Meanwhile,
the mention of Bon Jovi will elicit various reactions. You either
love them or hate them. But here, "Legendary" made
the top 20 and Jon and crew follow it up with "Living
Proof". This one seems to be a throwback to their golden age,
with elements of their eighties heyday. With a "wah-wah" effect similar to
"You Give Love A Bad Name" and styling similar to other classic
material, the song, like Linkin Park's latest, is pure guitar-driven rock.
Given that this is almost 40 years since their heyday, it's great to see.
Yes, there's no new ground broken here, but giving all the other music you're
hearing nowadays, its sounds fresh. The song is #30 on this week's
Hot AC chart, and debuts here on SNS at #77.
Turing to the indie scene, The Shang Hi Los follow their top 10 "Op-Operator" with "Morganatic Panic". Following the post-punk ethic of their prior song, this one rocks with authority within that framework. Perhaps not quite as catchy as "Op-Operator", but then again, it took a few listens to appreciate that one, and this holds true for the new one. Definitely nice guitar work and harmonizing vocals works. Glad to see bands like this holding up the rock tradition.
U.K. singer-songwriter Hannah Goodall hit the top 10 last year with "The Girl Who Once Loved You" and returns with "Narcissist". A bit slower than the prior song, it took a few listens to fully appreciate this nice ballad. Hannah sings with life and emotion on this. Very introspective.
Franz Ferdinand is probably most remembered for their 2004 hit, "Take Me Out"; the Scottish band returns with "Audacious" which is less rhythmic than that song, but more artistic and has possibilities. Veteran artist/actor Michael Des Barres has had a long career in both music and screen; his career goes back to the 1967 movie To Sir With Love; Pink Cadillac from 1989, and many others,, as well as his music involvement in bands such as Detective. But musical artist-wise, he's most notable as the lead singer of the live version of the 80's supergroup The Power Station, replacing Robert Palmer, who led the studio ensemble that also included members of Duran Duran, and Chic drummer Tony Thompson. He's cut solo songs as well, the latest being "Fox on the Run", a cover of the Sweet hit from 1975, which enters this week. Des Barres adds a new dimension to the classic song.
Next is Widely Grown, who performed at the Roselle Park Arts festival in late September, debuting with "While the Night Is Young". I've heard great things about this band and was able to catch a bit of their performance there. A lot going on here. Folk rock with a country flair, and it features a fiddle. The song really cooks, and the band is definitely having a lot of fun; you could sense that from their live performance. Highly recommended. Gwen Stefani debuts with "Somebody Else's". Up-tempo an somewhat reminiscent of The Bangles' "In Your Room". Sort of a cross with Ms. Stefani's classic era with No Doubt with her current style. It's much better than her recent duet with her husband Blake Shelton, "Purple Irises". Finally, The Fray, one of the last rock bands to have a top 10 Billboard hit ("Use Somebody"), returns with "Time Well Wasted". This one is more mellow, acoustic (think The Beatles' "Blackbird"), and emotional as well. Could click with several listens.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
October 13, 2024
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
2 |
NUMBER ONE:  (Single Release) |
8 |
|
2 |
1 |
9 |
|
|
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
4 |
3 |
11 |
|
|
5 |
8 |
10 |
|
|
6 |
7 |
10 |
|
|
7 |
9 |
11 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
11 |
|
|
9 |
11 |
15 |
|
|
10 |
12 |
8 |
|
|
11 |
13 |
7 |
|
|
12 |
6 |
11 |
|
|
13 |
5 |
11 |
|
|
14 |
15 |
7 |
|
|
15 |
19 |
6 |
|
|
16 |
20 |
5 |
|
|
17 |
14 |
13 |
|
|
18 |
18 |
7 |
|
|
19 |
21 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  "I Know" Album: 20 Something (EP) |
6 |
|
20 |
22 |
6 |
|
|
21 |
16 |
16 |
|
|
22 |
26 |
6 |
|
|
23 |
24 |
7 |
|
|
24 |
25 |
8 |
|
|
25 |
30 |
7 |
|
|
26 |
17 |
12 |
|
|
27 |
27 |
12 |
|
|
28 |
23 |
10 |
|
|
29 |
28 |
9 |
|
|
30 |
29 |
9 |
|
|
31 |
38 |
CO-MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) |
3 |
|
32 |
32 |
7 |
|
|
33 |
33 |
Rev. Bubba D. Liverance and the
Cornhole Prophets - Down With That |
7 |
|
34 |
37 |
13 |
|
|
35 |
43 |
CO-MOVER OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
4 |
|
36 |
41 |
5 |
|
|
37 |
40 |
7 |
|
|
38 |
51 |
3 |
|
|
39 |
31 |
16 |
|
|
40 |
42 |
5 |
|
|
41 |
36 |
13 |
|
|
42 |
45 |
5 |
|
|
43 |
34 |
17 |
|
|
44 |
35 |
12 |
|
|
45 |
46 |
5 |
|
|
46 |
39 |
15 |
|
|
47 |
55 |
6 |
|
|
48 |
59 |
Sylvia Johns Ritchie -I Don't
Care Who Knows ( I Love My Baby) |
3 |
|
49 |
73 |
2 |
|
|
50 |
58 |
34 |
|
|
51 |
80 |
2 |
|
|
52 |
44 |
16 |
|
|
53 |
68 |
4 |
|
|
54 |
70 |
3 |
|
|
55 |
69 |
3 |
|
|
56 |
49 |
12 |
|
|
57 |
72 |
3 |
|
|
58 |
48 |
11 |
|
|
59 |
61 |
16 |
|
|
60 |
47 |
15 |
|
|
61 |
64 |
23 |
|
|
62 |
81 |
3 |
|
|
63 |
87 |
2 |
|
|
64 |
60 |
6 |
|
|
65 |
71 |
3 |
|
|
66 |
56 |
26 |
|
|
67 |
75 |
3 |
|
|
68 |
57 |
Deb Browning and Marlisa Kay
Small -Sunshine and Summertime● |
25 |
|
69 |
62 |
18 |
|
|
70 |
85 |
8 |
|
|
71 |
92 |
2 |
|
|
72 |
50 |
14 |
|
|
73 |
53 |
11 |
|
|
74 |
63 |
18 |
|
|
75 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Release) |
1 |
|
76 |
83 |
3 |
|
|
77 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
78 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
79 |
52 |
13 |
|
|
80 |
95 |
2 |
|
|
81 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
82 |
54 |
10 |
|
|
83 |
67 |
20 |
|
|
84 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
85 |
79 |
4 |
|
|
86 |
89 |
2 |
|
|
87 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
88 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
89 |
66 |
21 |
|
|
90 |
86 |
32 |
|
|
91 |
93 |
13 |
|
|
92 |
76 |
19 |
|
|
93 |
78 |
10 |
|
|
94 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
95 |
74 |
20 |
|
|
96 |
91 |
30 |
|
|
97 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
98 |
77 |
5 |
|
|
99 |
65 |
9 |
|
|
100 |
82 |
4 |
Murmurs:
Isabella Pombrio - Cherish Life
Arc De Soleil - Trying to Escape
The Rainy Day Outlaws - I Know
Mt. Joy - Highway Queen
The Last Dinner Party - Nothing Matters
Dollys - Cornerstones
The Beaches - Jocelyn
Mighty Saints of Soul - You Don't Know What Love Is
The Veils - The Ladder
Karen O and Danger Mouse - Super Breath
Cola - Pulling Quotes
U2 - Picture of You (X+W)
Kacey Musgraves - The Architect
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats - Heartless
David Gray - Plus and Minus
Blondshell - What's Fair
Frank Iero and the Patience - Veins! Veins! Veins!
Sabrina Carpenter - Taste
Murmurs: Songs which are in the
queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.
▲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. (Until September 2024)
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 From 41-100 that are moving up the
chart that have not reached the top 40
Scenes
Down and Going: Song formerly in the top 40 that are
descending but still on the SNS 100.
Scenes
Recurrents: Songs which had been in
the top 20 and/or songs on the chart 25 weeks or more, that have dropped off
the SNS 100.
