"Now I understand what you have to do. Put your political message across with a little honey".
-John Lennon
I couldn't help thinking of this comment when it was time to check out the new number one song on the Billboard Hot 100. Lennon was referring to his song "Imagine", despite controversial themes such as suggesting an anti-religious or anti-capitalistic society, the song was palatable enough to become his biggest hit during his lifetime.
I'm not referring to recent chart-topping or politically-charged or protest songs like "Try That In A Small Town", or "Rich Men North of Richmond", but to the recording that tops the Hot 100 this week, that being Doja Cat's "Paint the Town Red". And I'm also not suggesting that it's a song making a political statement. The rapper, born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, is making a statement, but it is a more personal one towards those who criticized her and her artistry and is defending her many fans on social media.
The song, which debuted at #15 four weeks ago, was thought to be a disappointing debut, amidst the slew of country songs that have dominated the chart lately, but had jumped to #5 last week and then to the top spot this week. It's her second number one, to go along with four previous top ten's. But it breaks a drought lasting over a year for rap music, as it's the first to take the pole position since Nicki Minaj's "Super Freaky Girl" in August 2022. The song ends a streak of four straight country songs to top the Billboard chart, including last week's #1 debut, "I Remember Everything" by Zach Bryan featuring Kasey Musgraves.
Those who know me are aware that rap (and hip-hop in general) is not my favorite genre. I used to like it until, say, the early to mid 90's, but in my opinion there hasn't been anything new in the last 30 years. I know I'm 66 years old and can't relate to what the kids are listening to these days, but everytime I'm driving and stop at a red light or a parking lot, I here some random rap song, with the same beat and words cluttered into the measures. I just don't get it.
I add "Paint the Town Road" onto the SNS 100 this week, at #94. Why?
Doja Cat's "Paint the Town Red", ascends to the #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking a 13-month dry spell for a rap song. The song samples Dionne Warwick's 1964 hit "Walk On By" throughout. The song also debuts at #94 on the SNS 100.
First of all, it's a palatable rap song. Doja has a sweet voice, and it's rapped perfectly to the beat. It's a moving vocal, something that's pretty rare in the hip-hop world these days. It's a distinctive voice as she gets her point across in addressing the social media issues. But that's not the main reason I'm taking to this recording.
The "honey" term that I referenced above is the sampling and looping of "Walk On By", Dionne Warwick's awesome top ten hit from 1964. It's repeated during the whole song, and it enhances Doja's rapping. The song has gone through my head a lot this week.
Sampling has traditionally been a controversial aspect of rap music since almost the beginning. Two big rap hits of 1990, for example, MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This", and Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby", blatantly contain samples of Rick James' "Super Freak", and Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure", respectively. But, to be honest, if an underlying track is an awesome one, it makes the rapping easier to deal with. Two of my all-time favorite rap songs are the Geto Boys' 1991 "Mind Playing Tricks On Me", which loops Isaac Hayes' "Hung Up On My Baby" (1974), and Kendrick Lamar's "i" (2015) which picks up the awesome Ernie Isley guitar work from The Isley Brothers' 1973 hit "That Lady".
With SZA's "Snooze" in my top five this week, and Kesha's former blog #1 "Only Love Can Save Us Now" hanging tough in the top 20, my attempt to explore artists that I had initially gave no consideration to, has had me pleasantly surprised.
Thanks to a little "honey".
STILL LOVING ART: Many festivals continue to abound, such as the weekend's Sea Hear Now festival on the Asbury Park beachfront with many name bands both on a national and blog level, with the likes of The Killers, Foo Fighters, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Sheryl Crow and Weezer, down to Mt. Joy, Stephen Sanchez and Tegan & Sara.
But, I am more focused on my hometown of Roselle Park's annual shindig, "Roselle Park Loves Art", returning on Saturday, September 30. I have attended the past two years, and many of those who performed, subsequently made the SNS 100. Once again, the festival will not only feature music, but also fine arts, street-dance performers, and art-related activities such as "chalk the street", graffiti wall painting, and spin painting.
But the focus here is on the music, and once again there will be two stages: The major stage at Mauri Park, sponsored by Breakwater health, and the smaller stage in front of the town's library.
Lightning Tears is a young ensemble from the Landz Music School, in Roselle Park. These kids have a great knack for music and have performed songs like Adele's "Rolling In the Deep" and other contemporary songs. They lead off that stage at 12:30.
Roselle Park's performers are often of a home-grown, grassroots, nature, and so Christina Sophia is next up at 2 PM. Currently attending Drew University in Madison, Ms. Sophia describes her music as "country influenced, singer-songwriter pop from someone you could tell had a Warped Tour phase in High School. Sounds interesting to me.
The duo of Isabelle Latore and Reanna Saldana return for a third year at the festival. Two years ago, they were known as The Quaranteens, but have since gone by their individual names. Both from the area, they provide takes on classic hits. While their songs are usually performed by one member at a time, there's hoping they can provide some harmony to go along with it this year. Very talented, they take the stage at 3 PM.
Roselle Park's Charlotte Sessions, moving up the SNS 100 with "Should I Be The Man?" will perform at the Roselle Park Arts Festival on September 30.
The performer I am most looking forward to seeing is Charlotte Sessions. She had been listed on the bill last year but never got to catch her playing, but she is definitely in this year. She grew up in Roselle Park, and has a single out, "Should I Be The Man?". I added the song last week and this week it jumps 98-71. The song is very catchy pop with heavy influences of jazz. It's different from what I've been listening to; this even has some Broadway influences. She was inspired by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Elton John, Steely Dan, Sara Bareilles and Norah Jones. Her music is available on Spotify. I am excited for her prospects. Shes set for a 4 PM performance.
Wrapping up the Library Stage performances is the return of The Saxsations, another local act consisting of three saxophonists: Ayden Negron on Tenor, Ryan Marino on Baritone, and Kyle Cancino on Alto, who had performed solo two years ago, but has teamed up with this fellow woodwinders since. They launch at 5 PM.
Turning to the Breakwater Stage at Mauri Park, leading off at noon are The Celebration Singers, a full choir with diverse ages, styles and cultures. Participation on this endeavor offers opportunities for growth and self-expression.
Things really get going at 1 PM with The Dust-Ups, a four-piece alt-country/Americana band wth a couple members familiar to Roselle Park festival goers. The band has been influenced by the likes of Old 97's, Whiskytown and Johnny Cash, and they mix punk-rock sensibilities with the country style. Two members of this band performed solo last year at Roselle Park's Library Stage: Alex Speck, a guitartist-drummer who has also performed with various bands over the years; and lead vocalist Ryan Chatelain, who hit the blog top 10 last year with "Static", both performed separately at the Library Stage last year. Chatelain and Speck got together with multi-instrumentalist Joe Palmisiano, and bassist Steve Swalsky, who originally hails from Quebec. The band, formed last year now is based on North Jersey. No recorded material is available as of yet, but this is a band to watch. They play at 1:05 PM.
1970's pop/rock fans should have an interesting time with the next band that launches at 2:10 PM, The Rich Ranno All-Stars. Although they haven't played the festival before, they have played elsewhere in town, in particular the Climax Brewing Co. Ranno himself is a veteran of three bands that charted in the 1970's, two of which had number one hits: He was a member of Looking Glass of "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" fame, and Stories ("Brother Louie". Both these songs hit #1, although in both cases, Ranno joined after those hits, although his Stories gigs were right after the song hit #1. However, he was a alsomember of the hard rock band Starz at the time of their lone top 40 hit "Cherry Baby", which hit #33 in 1977. Also in this band is Joe X. Dube from the classic lineup of Looking Glass (then known as Jeff Grob), who DID drum on "Brandy" as well as their minor hit the following year "Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne". Both Ranno and Dube still play as Starz, as well as this spin-off band. This band will be my go-to at the festival on this stage, and luckily won't conflict with Ms. Session's performance at the Library Stage at 4 PM.
Next is the New Orleans-based Big Noise Brass Band, But its not all Dixieland jazz; the seven-piece contingent plays an air-tight Mambo and makes you feel like you're at Mardi Gras. They take to the stage at 3:15.
The main stage takes on an international flavor at 4:30PM with The Miho Nobuzane Quartet, featuring Ms. Nobuzane, who was born in Osaka Japan, and she majored in classical piano. She subsequently moved to New York where she became involved with the Brazilian music scene. She performed with many noted musicians, like Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Miho has three recorded albums out; all are available on Spotify. Definitely interesting to catch.
Headlining for the third year in a row is Afro Dominicano, at 5:30. I'm wondering if they are going to keep this Latin Fusion band at the festival until I actually see them (friends I was with both previous times wanted to leave, and/or meet me elsewhere), so maybe the third time's the charm. The band, originally from the Dominican Republic mixes many tropical and African-oriented genres such as Afro-beats, reggae, calypso, samba, along with punk rock and funk.
BUT WHERE'S COLORJOY? One band that won't be returning this year is Colorjoy. The duo, consisting of Emily MacMahon and Sam Novotny, originally performed at the 2019 festival with their prior band ScreenAge, and returned in 2021. As Colorjoy, they performed last year. I am not sure why they didn't return but the duo is still active. After a brief touring hiatus, they are back playing in Jersey City as part of that towns "PATH Performs" program. On September 7, they played at the PATH Journal Square station and will return there on Thursday September 28. The Jersey City scene is one of the biggest indie scenes in the state, so hopefully Colorjoy will gain a further following!
STATE OF THE SNS 100: The Tonez holds on for a second week on my chart with "Caught Up", in a fierce three-way batter with Iration's "Day Trippin'", and Lesa Hudson's "Count On Me". The Iration song is making dents on the alternative airplay charts, while Ms. Hudson's song is doing the same on the beach lists. Taylor Swift holds at #4 as well with "Cruel Summer"; the song is also at that position on the Hot 100, behind Doja Cat, Zach Bryan/Kasey Musgraves, and Luke Combs. SZA, also in the top 10 on Billboard, moves 8-5 here with "Snooze".
The bottom half of the top 10 is shook up, however. Fall Out Boy's cover of "We Didn't Start the Fire" (16-6) and The Record Company's "Talk To Me" (18-7) are big movers. Two of the year's biggest blog acts, Colorjoy and Say She She, also enter the top 10. This is Fall Out Boy's first blog top ten as a lead act; they were featured on Lil Peep and ILoveMakonnen's "I've Been Waiting" my #1 song for 2019. It's also the first for The Record Company in the top 10. On the flip side, "Astral Plane" is the fifth top ten for Say She She this year, and "Apathy" is the sixth for Colorjoy, from the duo's debut. I believe this ties a record for most top tens from an album, as Fitz and the Tantrums' More Than Just A Dream also yielded six. Counting the seven top tens from ScreenAge and Emily MacMahon's "Only Us" blog smash, she has 14 straight top ten blog hits. Impressive.
Three new entries invade the top 20 as well. The Impact award goes to Michael McMeel with Marlisa Kay Small's cover of "I'll Be Around" (24-16). It's McMeel's first blog hit, and as for Ms. Small, she's enjoying a great year now with a solo hit, two duets and her Carolina Queens participation.
Moving 21-17 is "Automatic Satin Circus", a bubble-gum/glam hybrid by "Sir Prize and the Twomorrow Knightz", a project by Gregory Dobbins of Dandy's Stardust Dive, and Tim Izzard. This marks the fourth different billing for Izzard: He has now made the top 20 solo, as a featured guest with Orbis Max, as part of The Aziz Project duo, and now with the Sir Prize project. Check out the podcast episode of Retro Rock Roundup featuring Izzard and Dobbins here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6D6g5xdvD2EwFEocayQULG?si=d18aae10ee814f8b
In addition, Izzard is among several guests on the latest Orbis Max single "Selling the Van", debuting at #99 this week.
Lainey Wilson has her second straight top 20 blog, as "Watermelon Moonshine" moves 23-19. Black Pumas grabs the Mover honors with "More Than A Love Song" (87-52).
WELCOME BACK: I was wondering whatever happened to The James Hunter Six. The contingent which led the original beach music charge on my blog in 2018 with "I Don't Wanna Be Without You", and hit in early 2021 with "I Can Change Your Mind", pretty much disappeared from the charts, when Deb Browning led the charge of more regional Grand Strand artists onto SNS. So I decided to check out the band on Spotify and saw that the sextet had a release last year, "Heartbreak". And there's a reason why it's not on the beach chart. Although it is within the band's signature retro-sound, it's more in line with what Nick Waterhouse is doing, rather than shag-oriented. Of course, that doesn't mean it's a bad record, exactly the opposite. Still, it's a soulful, sax-driven opus that takes you back to the early 1960's, similar to Waterhouse's material. Should make a good splash here.
Wilco returns with "Evicted". The alt-country band made a comeback of sorts in 2019 with the number one blog "Love Is Everywhere (Beware)". They've released material since, but this new one, from latest album Cousin is their song-most likely since then. A mid-tempo soul/folk/rock-infused with slight pop overtones should guarantee a length blog chart run, as well as on national playlists.
Also entering directly onto the SNS 100 are the aforementioned Doja Cat, and Orbis Max. The Max single features Tim Izzard, Dennis George, Dan Pavelich and Nigel Winfield along with the core members of the tech band. The song is in the alt-country/Americana vein, and the guests all contribute vocals; for Izzard it shows yet another side of his artistry; he's not just all retro-glam; he has done soul and now country and his voice fits right in!
Debuting in Tremors is the latest from Maneskin, the Italian rock band, with "Honey (Are U Comin')", another hi-tech rocker (the band won a VMA award this week, beating out the likes of Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers). This group should be much bigger and should help put rock back on the map. New Jersey indie poppers Pollyanna, coming off their blog hit "Good For You", a 2021 release, follow it up with "Judas", released earlier this year. Yes, this is a cover of the Lady Gaga song which hit #10 Hot 100 and #19 SNS in 2011. A much harder take on the song, even approaching metal at times. Interesting take. Frankie Cosmos follows up "Abigail" with "Fruit Stand", and Ariel Pink enters with "I Wanna Be A Girl". Pink reached the blog top five in 2021 with "Crybaby".
KEEPING THE SUMMER ALIVE: The 2023 SNS Songs of the Summer ranking has been completed; the results will be revealed next week (and a montage video on my timeline before then). Stay tuned!
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
September 10, 2023
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: Sunshine and You (Various Artists) |
17 |
|
2 |
2 |
12 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
14 |
|
|
4 |
4 |
11 |
|
|
5 |
8 |
9 |
|
|
6 |
16 |
4 |
|
|
7 |
18 |
8 |
|
|
8 |
11 |
7 |
|
|
9 |
14 |
7 |
|
|
10 |
6 |
12 |
|
|
11 |
17 |
7 |
|
|
12 |
5 |
11 |
|
|
13 |
7 |
12 |
|
|
14 |
10 |
13 |
|
|
15 |
9 |
16 |
|
|
16 |
24 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  MICHAEL MCMEEL with MARLISA KAY SMALL (Single Only) |
5 |
|
17 |
21 |
Sir Prize and the Twomorrow
Knightz - Automatic Satin Circus |
11 |
|
18 |
20 |
8 |
|
|
19 |
23 |
8 |
|
|
20 |
15 |
16 |
|
|
21 |
22 |
20 |
|
|
22 |
27 |
11 |
|
|
23 |
31 |
Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot ft.
Bridger Warlick - Picture of You |
7 |
|
24 |
13 |
11 |
|
|
25 |
12 |
22 |
|
|
26 |
19 |
10 |
|
|
27 |
41 |
3 |
|
|
28 |
29 |
13 |
|
|
29 |
25 |
Marlisa Kay Small and Jerry
Thomas West - Love Really Hurts Without You● |
19 |
|
30 |
30 |
10 |
|
|
31 |
40 |
4 |
|
|
32 |
26 |
16 |
|
|
33 |
28 |
24 |
|
|
34 |
37 |
26 |
|
|
35 |
53 |
4 |
|
|
36 |
32 |
11 |
|
|
37 |
42 |
4 |
|
|
38 |
43 |
6 |
|
|
39 |
39 |
13 |
|
|
40 |
50 |
4 |
|
|
41 |
35 |
15 |
|
|
42 |
45 |
15 |
|
|
43 |
38 |
11 |
|
|
44 |
48 |
9 |
|
|
45 |
59 |
3 |
|
|
46 |
36 |
13 |
|
|
47 |
33 |
17 |
|
|
48 |
34 |
11 |
|
|
49 |
54 |
5 |
|
|
50 |
55 |
5 |
|
|
51 |
63 |
4 |
|
|
52 |
87 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: Chronicles of a Diamond |
2 |
|
53 |
47 |
The Main Event Band ft. Sharon
Woodruff - Love Makes The World Go Round |
20 |
|
54 |
66 |
3 |
|
|
55 |
44 |
16 |
|
|
56 |
58 |
5 |
|
|
57 |
57 |
5 |
|
|
58 |
67 |
6 |
|
|
59 |
68 |
3 |
|
|
60 |
65 |
10 |
|
|
61 |
51 |
Rev. Bubba D. Liverance and the
Cornhole Prophets - Dreamsicle |
14 |
|
62 |
49 |
11 |
|
|
63 |
76 |
3 |
|
|
64 |
52 |
16 |
|
|
65 |
91 |
2 |
|
|
66 |
46 |
9 |
|
|
67 |
73 |
10 |
|
|
68 |
62 |
19 |
|
|
69 |
64 |
10 |
|
|
70 |
80 |
3 |
|
|
71 |
98 |
2 |
|
|
72 |
69 |
28 |
|
|
73 |
83 |
2 |
|
|
74 |
86 |
2 |
|
|
75 |
82 |
2 |
|
|
76 |
90 |
2 |
|
|
77 |
71 |
8 |
|
|
78 |
72 |
7 |
|
|
79 |
56 |
19 |
|
|
80 |
84 |
6 |
|
|
81 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: With Love |
1 |
|
82 |
61 |
17 |
|
|
83 |
81 |
4 |
|
|
84 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
85 |
75 |
7 |
|
|
86 |
85 |
3 |
|
|
87 |
97 |
2 |
|
|
88 |
103 |
1 |
|
|
89 |
89 |
Portugal. The Man ft Unknown
Mortal Orchestra - Summer of Luv |
3 |
|
90 |
93 |
6 |
|
|
91 |
104 |
1 |
|
|
92 |
60 |
15 |
|
|
93 |
101 |
1 |
|
|
94 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
95 |
70 |
9 |
|
|
96 |
92 |
The Carolina Queens - The Shoop
Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) |
24 |
|
97 |
102 |
1 |
|
|
98 |
105 |
1 |
|
|
99 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
100 |
74 |
21 |
Tremors:
101. Maneskin, "Honey (Are U Comin')"
102. The Sand Band, "I'll Come Running Back To You"
103. Pollyanna, "Judas"
104. Frankie Cosmos, "Fruit Stand"
105. Ariel Pink, "I Wanna Be A Girl"
Tremors:
Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS
100.
▲Song garnered most plays
on Spotify, for the month, with a
superscript following the symbol if most played for multiple months ● Song
among top 5 most plays on Spotify.
Awards given during the last blog of each month.
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
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