I'M BACK and it seems like it's been a while since I last did a blog. Well, that's pretty true as my other compassion, geocaching took charge the past couple of weeks. You might have noticed that my last edition was a "double week", which I've done from time to time. I was away at Savannah with a few geocaching friends for a "mega event" for five days, and that was followed by three more heading up to West Virginia to meet up with my geocaching friends from New Jersey, a group that for several years, teamed up to find those hidden containers. That included renting ATVs and heading up the hills of West Virginia to find the oldest cache hidden in that state, from 2001. So it was a great time. I got back this past Wednesday and compiled the chart for this week. But more plans meeting with friends for dinner on Friday. Then on Saturday, I was a victim of this ongoing hot spell down here in South Carolina, as during another geocaching meet-up, I passed out, a victim of dehydration and spent half an hour in the ambulance getting checked out. I avoided the hospital and then felt good enough to attend our community's pool party that evening, which was a great time. I have to also give kudos to the deejay of the evening, Jerry Miller who did a fantastic job with the music.
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| Ella Langley continues her chart domination as "Choosin' Texas" logs a 13th week at #1 on the Hot 100, while "Be Her" moves to #1 on the SNS chart. |
So, I'm finally getting around to this week's blog and one look at the Hot 100 and I'm getting convinced that this is sort of an oldies chart. Well, not entirely. Ella Langley is still on top with "Choosin' Texas, that has claimed weeks 12 and 13 at #1. While she has a long way to go to catch the record (22 by "All I Want For Christmas Is You", which undoubtedly will add to that total come December), she also holds three of the top four spots, as "Be Her" is at #3 and her duet with Morgan Wallen, "I Can't Love You Anymore" is at #4. While in this day and age of album drop bombs (where all tracks from a just released album all debut on the Hot 100, with Drake's recent one the latest example) that isn't uncommon, they all debut the same week and most of them fall off in subsequent weeks. But Ella's album Dandelion has yielded these hits over a period of time: "Choosin' Texas" has been on the charts for 38 weeks, "Be Here" 21, and "I Can't Love You Anymore" for 11. She has two other songs further down on the chart. Taylor Swift holds onto the #2 slot with her former #1, "I Knew It, I Knew You", and Tame Impala featuring JENNIE hits a new peak of #5 with "Dracula".
But the big story on the Billboard chart is, for the first time, there are many reentries in the wake of the Fourth of July holiday (and America's 250th anniversary), and most are of American themes. For example, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" by Toby Keith comes in at #11, a new peak for the song. Written and inspired in the wake of 9/11, the song originally hit its peak in 2002 at #25. It also re-entered in 2025 and peaked at 31 before scoring its new high this week.
Also coming back on the chart is Miley Cyrus' 2009 "Party in the U.S.A" (#25), Zac Brown Band's 2008 "Chicken Fried" (#32), Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1974 top tenner "Sweet Home Alabama" (#31), John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" from 1971 (#41), and "American Kids" by Kenny Chesney (#46) from 2014. Even protest songs hit the chart: "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen (#36) and "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#44) re-entered; originally from 1984 and 1969 respectively.
Then there's one song that seems to gain popularity over the years that, at least to me, doesn't have anything to do with the Fourth: Journey's "Don't Stop Believing'" which over the decades has taken a life of its own. Originally peaking at #9 back in 1981, it's become that band's signature song, used in many movies and TV (in particular, the series finale of The Sopranos). Yet, the song re-enters here at #35.
I thought for sure that Chicago's "Saturday in the Park" (1972) would hit the chart again, since July 4 this year was on a Saturday (and won't be again until 2037). "In America" by The Charlie Daniels Band, from 1980 would have been a good addition as well.
But these entries in the wake of the July 4th holiday continue a trend that has seen more and more holiday themed songs come back on the chart. It started, of course, with the Christmas holiday in the late 2010's, with many of these holiday songs dominating the top 10....and lately, the top 40 in recent years; last year, 40 of the top 50 positions on the Hot 100 were holiday-themed songs. Note that in all cases, old songs have to be in the top fifty in order to re-enter the chart.
Then we have Halloween songs that have increasingly re-entered the chart. Led by Michael Jackson's "Thriller" which the last few years has seen the song increase chart position to the point that it hit top 10 last fall, other themed songs like "Ghostbusters", "Somebody's Watching Me" and "Monster Mash" have infiltrated the chart. And now it seems July 4th has inspired its own chart blitz.
Without a doubt, this is all attributed to streaming as many listeners curate playlists (or use canned ones) listening to these songs. But the Hot 100---which as I've mentioned several times before--- has seen the same songs reside on the chart for months and even years, along with as much as 10 to 15 tracks from an album drop by the same artists, and now old tracks coming back. We've seen a few Michael Jackson songs come back in the wake of his recent biopic, and Fleetwood Mac's classic "Landslide" made an appearance not too long ago.
But, in an era where there are hundreds of thousands of artists trying to be heard and emerging, they are being blocked out by the tried-and-true, the same-all-same-all. Granted, the Hot 100 is a popularity chart, but since the method of collecting chart data has changed from the days where top 40 radio stations had a systematic survey of just current songs which spurred sales of 45 rpm vinyl records in music stores, so have the types of songs that have reached the current charts.
To make a comparison, can you imagine a radio station in, say 1972, playing the most popular songs of the day, but those songs were from the 1930's? That just may be a telltale sign of what music has become: While many artists are out there waiting to be heard, the general public has focused on the 1960's, 70's and 80's. Now, of course, I'm not hanging out these days where the twenty-year-olds go, but it seems that any public place that plays music, it's from the seventies or eighties. We used to call that "living in the past", but now this music has become classic. After all, it's what my contemporaries and I grew up on. With the many podcasters such as Professor of Rock and Rick Beato analyzing the songs from decades past, this music is treated much like the Classical music of the 1800's for example.
Thus, it becomes tougher and tougher to maintain a current music chart focusing on new artists and songs. Billboard had tried to do that with its Billboard 200 album chart, but a look at that chart reflects albums from the last fifty years or so. There is a "current albums" chart out there as well; perhaps it should do the same for the Hot 100. All the recurrent rules have helped somewhat, but let's face it: the way the business model goes is vastly different from years past.
SNS 100: When I do my chart each week, I try and based it on the old models---only adding current songs and keeping them on there for a relatively short period of time in order to give other new songs (and artists) a chance to be heard. In the streaming era in particular, songs have been on my chart a much shorter time even though, in my opinion, the music I've been listening to this year has been much better as a whole.
Ella Langley moves to the top spot with "Be Here", becoming her second artist to have two #1s on SNS in 2026, following The Jay Vons. This song (and Ella in particular) has been played everywhere. On our ATV trip, for example, our guide Amber played this one during our trip up (and down) the mountain roads, and that is responsible for it hitting the top in its 19th week. "Choosin' Texas" also is affected, moving back up from #7 and 6 with a bullet in week number 25. She also played Megan Moroney's "Wish I Didn't" (35-28) and Stella Lefty's "Boston" (re-entry at #97).
Deb Browning and Townsend Link's "The Sea, Sand and You" drops to #2 after a week at the top, while Vaughan Penn's "Bands on the Beach"---number one on several beach music charts this week to go with the five weeks previously topping SNS---is at #3. Beach music has four of the top five this week as The Tams' "I Tried" is #4 and Jennifer James & Brad Cox's "Suspicious Minds" is at #5. Alexia Jayy, who won this season's The Voice competition inches into the top 10 with "Rent Free", the first such winner from that show to hit my top ten.
There is one new entry into the top 20 and that is "Sleeping in the Rain and Thunder" by Starbuck featuring Elsie B, who handles the vocals on this one (Bruce Blackman also has a version where he is the vocalist). Thus, it garners the Impact award (27-20). Last week's Top Debut is this week's Mover, Marsha Morgan's "Whenever There's Summer" (52-29).
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| The Womack Sisters' dynamic new single, "If I Let You" debuts at #49 on the SNS 100 |
DEBUTS: The Womack Sisters have been one of the new groups that have entered my chart in 2026. The granddaughters of soul legend Sam Cooke have scored earlier this year with the #2 "I Just Don't Want You (To Say Goodbye)", are moving up with "You Went Away Too Long" (43-39 this week). "Chauffer" is on the Triple-A airplay chart (and my Murmurs listing) and now comes their new single "If I Let You", debuting at #49, and in my opinion after hearing it for the first time this week, am completely blown away. For me, at least with the first several listens, it's the best song of 2026. This one is completely born in the 1960's, not just retro-soul, but elements of mid-60's pop, and psychedelia as well. The organ throughout the song (as well as the tenor sax) completes this vibe, and it reminds me of the instrumental break of The Doors' "Light My Fire". I got Jerry Miller, who deejayed our community pool party to play this as well. I know it's a pipe dream, but I wish beach music outlets would play it; heck, I may request it on one of them and see what happens. Look for a big jump next week.
Next is the first song release in some 17 years from Karen Wallo, "Plum Loco Blues". I've mentioned Karen in recent weeks as she is also does artwork and made it to the quarterfinals of the The People's Artist competition. Karen hit top ten with "Rain Away My Sorry" in 2020, and it's great to see her cut a new song. As you might be able to tell from the title, this song is very blues-oriented and is accompanied by the Deve Sams Band. It's classic, acoustic blues here. Karen, originally from New Jersey moved down here to South Carolina back in 2023 and now fronts her band Rendezvous who plays many kinds of styles, so this one isn't far-fetched at all for her. It debuts at #65.
Next is the duo Ashen Ringlets, with "Waltzing Days in Maidenhead" coming in at #73. You want to talk about retro, this one feels like the early 1990's, and the song comes on like The Cure, Lush, and some of the shoegaze-oriented bands of the day all mixed together. Another mind-blowing song that should get to the top 20. It's song like this that got me into nineties alternative rock.
Iration returns with "Roots". The reggae-oriented band hit #1 a few years back with "Daytrippin'" along with several other top ten blog hits. The new one is right in line with their past songs; it is reggae done right to the tee, and an emotional one at that. This is an issue with songs this year; there are so many good ones that not all of them get to my top ten, but this one is a strong candidate. It starts out at #86.
The Amplifier Heads had a couple of mid-charting entries in 2024 and they return with "A Song Called Sha La La" at #95. Again, sort of a revisit t 90's alternative but does have traces of new material to it. The song is infectious for sure, and it persists. The band seems to have a good time doing this one.....pMad is back with "NineFortyFive". The solo project of Paul Dillon could follow in the shoes of fellow Irishman Barry Walsh with this one. This one rocks quite well, it's a no-holds barred journey, and should do quite well......
BUBBLING UNDER: Aside from a couple of returns of songs that previously charted, we have "Girl Like You" by Brad Cox, one half of the duo with Jennifer James in the top ten currently, with his solo debut. He has produced for several in the beach music community, but this solo effort is pretty much more in the pop-rock-alternative contemporary lane, and that's not a bad thing at all. It has potential....and finally, the final release from Phoebe Ryan's new EP Love is a River, the title track (those tracks will be included in her full-length album Yours which drops in August). She's a bit introspective on this one, but it's still in her palatable style.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
July 12, 2026
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
3 |
NUMBER ONE:  "Be Her" Album: Dandelion |
19 |
|
2 |
1 |
10 |
|
|
3 |
2 |
14 |
|
|
4 |
4 |
13 |
|
|
5 |
6 |
8 |
|
|
6 |
7 |
25 |
|
|
7 |
5 |
14 |
|
|
8 |
8 |
11 |
|
|
9 |
10 |
7 |
|
|
10 |
11 |
10 |
|
|
11 |
12 |
9 |
|
|
12 |
15 |
7 |
|
|
13 |
17 |
8 |
|
|
14 |
16 |
15 |
|
|
15 |
18 |
10 |
|
|
16 |
9 |
12 |
|
|
17 |
19 |
8 |
|
|
18 |
20 |
8 |
|
|
19 |
14 |
21 |
|
|
20 |
27 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  "Sleeping in the Rain and Thunder" Album: Summer Snow (EP) |
8 |
|
21 |
26 |
6 |
|
|
22 |
28 |
7 |
|
|
23 |
22 |
11 |
|
|
24 |
21 |
11 |
|
|
25 |
13 |
14 |
|
|
26 |
23 |
11 |
|
|
27 |
29 |
7 |
|
|
28 |
35 |
6 |
|
|
29 |
52 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
2 |
|
30 |
31 |
9 |
|
|
31 |
25 |
12 |
|
|
32 |
24 |
12 |
|
|
33 |
38 |
7 |
|
|
34 |
41 |
5 |
|
|
35 |
33 |
12 |
|
|
36 |
32 |
10 |
|
|
37 |
36 |
6 |
|
|
38 |
40 |
9 |
|
|
39 |
43 |
5 |
|
|
40 |
37 |
10 |
|
|
41 |
42 |
8 |
|
|
42 |
30 |
15 |
|
|
43 |
46 |
7 |
|
|
44 |
47 |
4 |
|
|
45 |
45 |
9 |
|
|
46 |
51 |
4 |
|
|
47 |
49 |
6 |
|
|
48 |
50 |
5 |
|
|
49 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: The Womack Sisters |
1 |
|
50 |
34 |
17 |
|
|
51 |
39 |
15 |
|
|
52 |
63 |
3 |
|
|
53 |
53 |
6 |
|
|
54 |
44 |
17 |
|
|
55 |
62 |
4 |
|
|
56 |
68 |
3 |
|
|
57 |
61 |
5 |
|
|
58 |
66 |
3 |
|
|
59 |
57 |
6 |
|
|
60 |
56 |
7 |
|
|
61 |
65 |
4 |
|
|
62 |
64 |
4 |
|
|
63 |
72 |
3 |
|
|
64 |
60 |
17 |
|
|
65 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
66 |
59 |
42 |
|
|
67 |
69 |
6 |
|
|
68 |
48 |
15 |
|
|
69 |
71 |
3 |
|
|
70 |
89 |
2 |
|
|
71 |
85 |
2 |
|
|
72 |
83 |
3 |
|
|
73 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
74 |
54 |
19 |
|
|
75 |
74 |
4 |
|
|
76 |
76 |
4 |
|
|
77 |
80 |
4 |
|
|
78 |
67 |
13 |
|
|
79 |
84 |
10 |
|
|
80 |
90 |
2 |
|
|
81 |
55 |
6 |
|
|
82 |
73 |
6 |
|
|
83 |
88 |
3 |
|
|
84 |
95 |
2 |
|
|
85 |
102 |
1 |
|
|
86 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
87 |
91 |
3 |
|
|
88 |
58 |
7 |
|
|
89 |
97 |
2 |
|
|
90 |
82 |
22 |
|
|
91 |
81 |
20 |
|
|
92 |
70 |
16 |
|
|
93 |
94 |
3 |
|
|
94 |
103 |
1 |
|
|
95 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
96 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
97 |
--- |
4 |
|
|
98 |
75 |
8 |
|
|
99 |
101 |
1 |
|
|
100 |
86 |
5 |
Tremors:
101. Nini Iris - Gismen
102. Brad Coox - Girl Like You
103. Phoebe Ryan - Love Is a River
104. Andy and Oneida - Crusin' Down the Boulevard
105. Mitski - Fireproof
Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - Forevermore
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
●Songs garnering 25 plays on Spotify (“Scrobbles”) according to Last.Fm (effective October 2024) ▲ Songs garnering 50 plays.
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 41-100 and Newbies Songs in Positions 41-100 on the SNS 100 plus new additions
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.
(Rob Sheldon is a music fan who has followed music trends the past 60 years, and covers new and classic music, specializing in pop, rock, alternative, beach, soul and country genres). He can be contacted at rsheldonx4804@gmail.com
