WILL SHE EVER WIN?: This past week was marked by the news that Rihanna was picked to do the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl. There had been some speculation as to who would be performing, as some reports indicated that honor might go to Taylor Swift. But, in fact, it is the Barbados-born songstress who has gotten the nod. Rihanna has had a multitude of hit singles, dating back to 2005 with her #2 song, "Pon De Replay". That was followed by her #1 song "S.O.S.", which is the first I had heard of her. That song was set to a sample of "Tainted Love", the 1982 smash hit by Soft Cell.
 |
| Rihanna has been tabbed to perform the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl. |
Other number one hits included "Umbrella", "Take a Bow", "Disturbia", "Rude Boy", "S&M", and "Diamonds"; she's had twelve chart toppers in all, plus many other top tens. She's also done rather well on my blog, scoring a #1 with the bluesy "Love on the Brain", which topped my list in early 2017 and stayed there for five weeks. She also made my top 20 twice in duets with Eminem (who performed at last year's halftime show), "Love the Way You Lie" and "The Monster". And while she hasn't released anything as of late (her Anti album came out in 2016), for a while she was the best-selling artist, who held sway in the late 2000's and early 2010's.
And, while I didn't enjoy everything she released, I still think she was a worthy pick for halftime show, at least in the confines of recent popular music artists. But apparently, I am alone in that regard.
One friend posted that she would skip this year's halftime show as she wouldn't even watch her for free. Friends then echoed that sentiment. One replied, "Sounds like crap. I will (just) eat and watch the commercials". Another replied, "Too bad there isn't a vomit icon you can respond to on FB".
Look, everyone has different tastes in music. I'm not a fan of some artists that everyone seems to love. So, I can't blame them for posting this. But, in a way, it's a poor reflection on my blog, which was originally designed to introduce friends to some compelling music, being it well-crafted pop music or more complex rock or other genres.
I get it that my friends, who I grew up with in the 1960's, seventies, and eighties stopped listening to what's out there long ago. And while I totally agree with them---those decades are the best when it comes to popular music, be it rock, soul, R&B, whatever---when somebody posts that "today's music sucks", I sometimes feel like it's a personal attack, that my mission to publish a weekly playlist for the past twelve-plus years that is something for everyone, falls short. It's becoming a tired cliche that saying, "there's great music out there...you just have to dig deep to find it".
The trouble is, when there are awesome songs from decades past, why bother? Even current smashes like "As It Was", which hit the 15-week mark at #1 on Billboard--more on that later--- haven't been referred to by friends. Yet, relatively recent songs like "Uptown Funk", "Happy" and "Blurred Lines" were posted or mentioned frequently in friends' posts during the middle of last decade. So, when a performer gets dissed, like Rihanna apparently has, you could probably interchange a Taylor Swift, Pink, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus or Lady Gaga, and you'd get the same response, regardless of the level of talent they may or may not have.
The irony is that after the past few years of dismal songs topping the Hot 100, that some good music in the pop field is finally coming back, albeit slowly. Aside from the Harry Styles song, recent stuff by Lizzo, OneRepublic, Steve Lacy and even an eighties song (Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill") are in the top ten. Two country artists, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen are also in the top ten this week. Popular music, is, right now, listenable again.
But I've failed in communicating that via my blog. And while my friends have scoffed at reading this every week, others who are musicians themselves, have taken note and have championed this blog, in particular some local indie artists (and some across the pond) and especially those in the Carolina beach music scene. That is what has kept me going, in spite of spending hours and hours compiling my weekly SNS 100, then writing a narrative each week. Because of this, I have considered making changes to my music blog after the end of this year, in some form, including even retiring it. Whether it's just compiling my chart on this or another platform, discussing strictly oldies music, or stopping outright, remains to be seen. I will make that decision in the next month or so.
Good luck to Rihanna with this year's halftime show. At least give her a chance. I felt the same way that others did about The Weeknd when he performed two years ago and realized that he's good.
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| Bruce Blackman, the original lead singer of Starbuck, returns with "You're the Reason". |
A VENTI, GRANDE REPONSE: During the last couple of weeks, I had speculated about the new Starbuck single, "You're the Reason", whether it had anything to do with the vintage group of that name, which scored a big hit in 1976 with "Moonlight Feels Right". Last week, I found out that Bruce Blackman, the original lead singer, was responsible also for this song, from the new album, Starbuck 2022, but also wondered if there were any other original members in the band along for the ride.
This past week, I got an email from Blackman, who saw my mention of "You're the Reason" on my blog. Turns out that much of the original band had passed, and that both this song and the Starbuck 2022 album were done alone only by him, with a simple 8-Track in his home studio with bass, drums, piano and B3. Considering the fullness of this record, that is quite a job. The song this week moves 29-12 on the SNS 100.
In my blog last week, I had also wondered if the song would be embraced by the beach music community around Myrtle Beach. That was immediately answered when it debuted on Pat Gwinn's beach music chart for October at #29. It also advances to #35 on John Hook's Beach Music Top 40 as well.
Many thanks to Bruce Blackman for that clarification.
HOT 100 STILL STYLES-LIN': Harry Styles' "As It Was" stays atop the Hot 100 for a 15th week, breaking a logjam of many songs that had 14 weeks on top of that chart. Only three songs now have charted at #1 longer: Tied at 16 weeks are "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men (1996); and "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber (2017). The record is 19 weeks by "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus (2019). As those songs that are still ahead of "As It Was" were collaborations and/or groups, Styles sets a record for the longest run by a solo artist.
On the SNS 100, the song, which hit #1 for two weeks, remains at #4, in its 23rd week. It entered my top 10 for the first time on June 5, and except for one week when it fell to #11 (August 21), it has been in the top 10 almost continuously for 14 of the past 15 weeks. By comparison, "Old Town Road", had a four-week run at #1 on the SNS 100 and stayed on the list for 21 weeks---two less than Styles. "Despacito" peaked here at #21 and stayed on the list for 24 weeks.
Aside from Styles, another Hot 100 record is imminent: "Heat Waves" by Glass Animals, still in the top 20, holding at #17, has been on that chart for 88 weeks, which is two short of the record of 90, set last year by The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights". As a song of that duration needs to drop out of the top 25 to be removed from the chart, the odds are great that this record could be shattered.
SNS 100: Turning to my chart, beach music still dominates with five songs in the top 10. The Carolina Blue Dots garner a third week at the top with "Cruzin' Down the Boulevard". The song, also #14 on Mitch Harb's chart--one of three on that list the band has, including the follow-up, "New Shoes Let's Go Dancin'" at #1--have a comfortable lead on the #2 song, The Black Keys' "It Ain't Over", but anything could happen next week. "The Thing About You" by the Carolina Coast Band, holds at #3, as does Harry Styles at #4.
Much of the SNS top 20 is shaken up this week and many debut into the top 10---some from outside the top 20---take place. Yet another beach music band with "Carolina" in the name, The Carolina Dreamers, take Impact honors in a 27-5 move for "Hey Girl Hey Boy". Steve Lacy, holding onto the #2 position on the Hot 100 moves 22-6 here with "Bad Habit". Deb Browning's "3 More Minutes" drops slightly to #7 but has been in the top 10 for 19 straight weeks. Juliet Callahan moves 13-8 with "Burning", and Rev. Bubba D. Liverance goes 19-10 for its Carolina/Jersey Shore hybrid, "In My '64". The aforementioned Starbuck, song, along with Off Guard and Ellie Goulding also enter the top 20.
Steve Shouse, who fronts Einstein's Dad, takes Mover honors with his solo "Back to 69" (57-41), while two of the artists who performed at Roselle Park's Arts Festival last week, also make gains: Jennifer Cintron's "Run" (83-57) and Ryan Chatelain's "Static" (98-73).
GRAB THEN MAKE?: Fitz and the Tantrums, coming off the summer-themed Top 10 "Sway", lead the debuts with "Money Maker" at #78. While the title sounds a bit like the song that started it all for them, "MoneyGrabber", the songs have nothing in common. As that former song was in their neo-soul groove, "Money Maker" is along the lines of the recent catchy pop songs. A tech-laden, auto-tracked voice with the band's trademark "oooh oooh" thrown puts the band further away from their original sound. Still a good pop song, however, and Michael Fitzpatrick could probably sing the phone book and score a blog hit. Say what you will about their new sound, but when you have 12 blog #1's and 24 of 25 songs hit the top 20, they must be doing something right.
I'm having trouble keeping up with the band Alvvays. I had jumped off their "Pharmacist" song because their "Easy on Your Own" was getting some airplay, but now it looks like, yet another track "Belinda Says" is garnering notice. But for now, I'm sticking with "Easy...." It has a full, dream/indie pop, even a noise pop sound to it. With the addition of Abbey Blackwell on bass, Alvvays is primarily an all-female band with the exception of lead guitarist Alec O'Hanley. As I mentioned previously, drummer Sheridan Riley hit #1 back in 2010 with "What's In It For" by Avi Buffalo. The band's new album, Blue Rev, containing all three songs mentioned above, comes out on October 7.
Canadian duo The Blue Stones, which I always thought were our neighbors to the north's answer to The Black Keys, return with "What's It Take to Be Happy". The Stones (can I refer to them as that without insulting Jagger and Richards?) had several blog hits, most recently the #37 entry "Spirit" in March 2021. Blues-oriented garage/feedback rock is the order of the day here, probably a little more complex than the Keys, and should do well with many listens here.
The beach music add this week is Jim Quick and Coastline's "Sadie Mae", a nice retro-Sam Cooke styled song that could have come out sixty years ago. The band is present on many beach lists so look for this to do well.
WHO IS THE HARDEST WORKER IN 2022? Although there are many, you gotta give the nod to Tim Izzard. The international tech-band Orbis Max is back yet again with the ballad "Infatuated With Your Love". Elvis had just barely left the building when this band, featuring both Izzard and Martin Holt released this gem. A fully produced, ambiance-filled sound surrounds this song.
This gives Izzard six songs on the SNS 100 this week, which sets a record previously set by Adele and Deb Browning. Three songs by Orbis Max are now on the list. "Infatuated", at #86, joins the still-rising "Elvis Has Left the Building" (#32) and the still hanging-in-there "Back of the Shelf", a former top 20 song, now at #92. The AZIZ Project, his duet with Jibs has "Time to Forget You Again" (71-60) and the former top 10 "Thought I Was Falling In Love", now at #23. And let's not forget his solo "The Night I Played Ziggy's Guitar" at #15. Add to that his prior solo songs that charted this year, the #1 "Empty My Head", "Glam Rock Star (Tribute)", and "Life In A Day", and 2022 has been Tim's year.
Blake Shelton, starting yet another season as a coach on The Voice, comes back with a new song, "No Body". It's an up-temp moving, boogie-based song which has already topped his previous "Come Back as a Country Boy". Oh, and it debuts at #25 on Mitch Harb's beach music chart.
Then there's the latest by David F. Porfirio, "Random Stranger", following up the still-rising exotic "Hathor". This new one goes on for 8 minutes and Porfirio returns to his trademark change in tempo and style during the song. Except he does it several times. Some new sounds, some old, but if you haven't been following this talented guitarist, this song is a perfect introduction to what he's all about.
Finally, we have indie-rockers Broken Bells, with "Saturdays". This song with top-notch ambience harkens back to folk-rock of the 1960's with modern day instrumentation, even incorporating psychedelia a la the Moody Blues at times. With many listens, this should do well. The band has had two SNS top tens here, a third could be on the way with this one.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
September 25, 2022 (Week ending October 1)
|
This
Week |
Last
Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks
on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  (Single Only) (3 Weeks at #1) |
6 |
|
2 |
2 |
13 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
Carolina Coast Band ft Rhonda McDaniel - The Thing About You● |
14 |
|
4 |
4 |
24 |
|
|
5 |
24 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Only) |
3 |
|
6 |
22 |
4 |
|
|
7 |
5 |
20 |
|
|
8 |
13 |
6 |
|
|
9 |
8 |
9 |
|
|
10 |
19 |
Rev. Bubba D. Liverance and the Cornhole Prophets - In My '64 |
13 |
|
11 |
11 |
14 |
|
|
12 |
29 |
3 |
|
|
13 |
21 |
8 |
|
|
14 |
20 |
10 |
|
|
15 |
14 |
13 |
|
|
16 |
23 |
7 |
|
|
17 |
12 |
16 |
|
|
18 |
9 |
12 |
|
|
19 |
6 |
10 |
|
|
20 |
7 |
17 |
|
|
21 |
17 |
15 |
|
|
22 |
10 |
16 |
|
|
23 |
16 |
11 |
|
|
24 |
36 |
6 |
|
|
25 |
18 |
18 |
|
|
26 |
15 |
12 |
|
|
27 |
25 |
20 |
|
|
28 |
32 |
7 |
|
|
29 |
31 |
9 |
|
|
30 |
26 |
12 |
|
|
31 |
30 |
17 |
|
|
32 |
35 |
6 |
|
|
33 |
27 |
11 |
|
|
34 |
44 |
Doyle Wood and Sylvia Johns Ritchie - Not Tonight (I Have a
Heartche) |
4 |
|
35 |
40 |
8 |
|
|
36 |
33 |
16 |
|
|
37 |
50 |
4 |
|
|
38 |
28 |
15 |
|
|
39 |
45 |
6 |
|
|
40 |
48 |
7 |
|
|
41 |
57 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: Red Rover |
3 |
|
42 |
37 |
20 |
|
|
43 |
39 |
17 |
|
|
44 |
34 |
13 |
|
|
45 |
52 |
5 |
|
|
46 |
51 |
5 |
|
|
47 |
43 |
13 |
|
|
48 |
42 |
27 |
|
|
49 |
46 |
9 |
|
|
50 |
41 |
22 |
|
|
51 |
47 |
15 |
|
|
52 |
38 |
14 |
|
|
53 |
61 |
3 |
|
|
54 |
73 |
2 |
|
|
55 |
64 |
4 |
|
|
56 |
56 |
11 |
|
|
57 |
83 |
2 |
|
|
58 |
65 |
4 |
|
|
59 |
60 |
Doyle Wood and Sylvia Johns Ritchie - Days of Sandy Toes and
Salty Kisses |
5 |
|
60 |
71 |
3 |
|
|
61 |
54 |
Jerry Powell and The Carnival Band ft. Dave Sandy - Merry-Go-Round● |
19 |
|
62 |
85 |
2 |
|
|
63 |
49 |
7 |
|
|
64 |
53 |
8 |
|
|
65 |
74 |
6 |
|
|
66 |
58 |
14 |
|
|
67 |
77 |
3 |
|
|
68 |
55 |
14 |
|
|
69 |
69 |
5 |
|
|
70 |
72 |
5 |
|
|
71 |
76 |
19 |
|
|
72 |
82 |
2 |
|
|
73 |
98 |
2 |
|
|
74 |
81 |
3 |
|
|
75 |
86 |
2 |
|
|
76 |
79 |
4 |
|
|
77 |
59 |
9 |
|
|
78 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Only) |
1 |
|
79 |
67 |
24 |
|
|
80 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
81 |
63 |
23 |
|
|
82 |
70 |
6 |
|
|
83 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
84 |
68 |
13 |
|
|
85 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
86 |
---- |
Orbis Max with Tim Izzard and
Martin Holt - Infatuated With Your Love |
1 |
|
87 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
88 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
89 |
84 |
4 |
|
|
90 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
91 |
62 |
7 |
|
|
92 |
78 |
17 |
|
|
93 |
66 |
7 |
|
|
94 |
92 |
11 |
|
|
95 |
75 |
17 |
|
|
96 |
80 |
Winnetka Bowling League & The Knocks - I Like
to Hide in the Bathroom at Parties |
16 |
|
97 |
87 |
5 |
|
|
98 |
90 |
18 |
|
|
99 |
91 |
18 |
|
|
100 |
101 |
1 |
Tremors:
101. Imagine Dragons, "Bones"
|
|
Songs
with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week. ●
Songs with
25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲ Songs with 50 or more plays.
Tremors:
Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS
100.
Enjoy seeing your posts. Thank you for taking the time to put together the insights. (A reader in Georgia who recently discovered this).
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
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