YES, CALL IT A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE of sorts, but the new number one on the Billboard Hot 100 is the first week that a holiday song hits the top in 2023. But it's not the usual Mariah Carey song, "All I Want For Christmas Is You". I had been hoping for a couple of years now that Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", peaking at #2 behind Mariah for the last four years, could overtake the so-called "Queen" of Christmas (sorry, but Darlene Love gets that title, not Ms. Carey), at least for one week.
Last week, Mariah went 17-4 with her song, while Brenda debuted at #8. However, there was indication that "Rockin'..." was gaining points (based on streaming, downloads, and radio play) on "All....", so there was a possibility that at some point, Brenda could overtake Mariah. But I figured that Mariah would get there first, so this was indeed a pleasant surprise.
 |
| Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", recorded at age 13, ironically becomes the oldest artist, at age 78 to have a #1 song, as the holiday standard tops the Billboard Hot 100 this week. |
The ascension of Ms. Lee, nicknamed "Little Miss Dynamite" (after her first chart single "Dynamite" in 1957), set a lot of records. Unlike "All I Want...", which was released in 1994 and took 25 years to reach the top of the Hot 100 in 2019, "Rockin'...", released in 1958 took more than twice as long to top the chart--65 years! And Brenda, who was only 13 when she recorded the song, is still alive and well at age 78, so she is still around to enjoy the pinnacle of success with that song.
While it seems that she is known only for that one song, that couldn't be further from the truth. She had some songs on the pre-Hot 100 chart back in 1956 and '57. "Rockin'..." when released in 1958 didn't chart, nor did it chart the next year. But 1960 was her breakout year, scoring two #1 songs and two other top tens on the Hot 100 chart that year: "Sweet Nothin's" (#4), "That's All You Gotta Do" (#6) and the chart toppers "I'm Sorry" and "I Want to Be Wanted". The success that year enabled "Rockin'.." to finally chart, and it did so, peaking at #14.
Brenda continued to chart throughout the 1960's, with a few more top 10's early on, but a constant presence into the 1970's. One of her 1960's charters was a cover of "The Crying Game", a song originally done by Dave Berry, but most notably a hit in 1992 for Boy George. Billboard named her top female artist of the sixties, but when the pop hits dried up, she became a force on the country charts in the seventies. with seven top tens there She continued with country charters even into the 1980's.
As for "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", since its 1960 breakthrough, it has been a constant presence during the holiday season. When I first listened to the radio religiously in the mid-1960's, "Rockin'..",along with Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock" (fittingly always coming in third the last few years on the Hot 100), were "new" Christmas staples, sort of a "rock alternative" to the traditional standard holiday songs and carols prevalent in that era. The song was written by none other than Johnny Marks, who also wrote two other holiday standards: "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas". An instrumental version of "Rockin'.." is heard on the classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer TV special during the reindeer games. And who could forget the scene in Home Alone, when the song is played while Kevin tries to make it look like a party is going on in the house in order to stave off the "Wet Bandits".
Brenda, whose real name is Brenda Mae Tarpley, has set several records, depending on the criteria you use. As mentioned above, at 65 years, it's the longest time between a release of a song, and its ascent to the pole position. But here's an interesting fact: Brenda is both the YOUNGEST or OLDEST, depending on what criteria used, to top the Billboard Hot 100. She recorded the song at age 13, which would beat "I Will Follow Him", the 1962 chart-topper by Little Peggy March, who was 14 when it was recorded in 1962. But, at age 78, which is her current age, she is also the oldest artist to have a #1 song, breaking Cher's 1999 chart-topper "Believe", when she was 53 years old. Technically, however, Peggy March still holds the record for youngest artist to have a #1 hit, as "Rockin'...", had it been a #1 hit in 1960, would put her at 15 years old.
Blog-wise, "Rockin'..." and Brenda could also score success. On my annual Christmas Top 100, the song placed at #2 on my 2022 edition. If it moves to the top spot, it would be the first time, a holiday song would be both at #1 on Billboard and the SNS Christmas 100. The song, of course, has been covered many times. Everyone from David Cassidy to Justin Bieber, Leann Rimes to Kasey Musgraves and Camila Cabello. On the SNS 100, there have been two covers: Meghan Trainor took the song to #44 last year with her 2021 version. And this year, Deb Browning is charting with the song from her 2022 album Here Comes Christmas. Her version moves 42-24 in its third week on the blog chart.
As for "All I Want For Christmas Is You", which is relegated to the #2 slot, it still, of course, has plenty of time to hit the top for a fifth straight year. And, for the record, I do like the song. Coming out in 1994, at the time, it was great to see a new holiday song do so well; for about 15 or 20 years, it seemed the only new noteworthy Christmas songs were either novelty songs like "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" or albums by Bob Rivers, or charity records such as Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas". So it was nice to see Mariah's song blend in with the perennials of several decades before.
But it's too much of a good thing. As I blogged two weeks ago, the song is vastly overplayed to the point that it becomes sickening. I am starting to cringe each time I hear it. Perhaps that public is at least just starting to feel the same way. Obviously, there are four more chart weeks in which the song has a shot at #1. But it was at least nice to see Brenda Lee get the top spot finally.
AND ANOTHER LONGEVITY FEAT: Brenda Lee isn't the only artist who has a big gap between #1 records. While not 63 years, The Beatles also have an accomplishment. While "Now and Then" dropped off the Hot 100 two weeks after debuting at #7, the song moves 2-1 on the Triple-A airplay chart. It's the first time the Fab Four led an airplay chart in 53 years. "Let It Be" hit #1 on what is now the Adult Contemporary chart, which both 'now and then' is based on radio airplay. Which leads us to the SNS 100.
SNS100: "Now and Then" holds its #1 position on the blog chart for a 4th week. After losing some points last week, it makes gains this time around. It's the fourth song to log at least four weeks at the top of the SNS chart this year. It ties Deb Browning's "Think I Found Forever" and is just one behind Fall Out Boy's "We Didn't Start the Fire" and Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson's "Got it Right (The First Time)" both of which logged five weeks in 2023.
Both Everyone Loves An Outlaw's "I See Red" and Charlotte Sessions' "Should I Be the Man?" also keep bulleting at #2 and #3, widening the distance from the rest of the pack. Beabadoobee's "The Way Things Go" is the only new entry in the Top Ten inching into the ten spot.
A few new songs enter the Top 20, headed by Impact winner Marlisa Kay Small's "No Matter Where You Go" (22-15), while Anna Lavigne's "Edge of the World", last week's Top Debut, moves 43-19 to take Mover honors. Mitski and Gary Alexander also enter the top 20.
DEBUTS: Black Pumas have the Top Debut this week with "Sauvignon", the follow-up to the top 3 "More Than A Love Song". This is another perfect example of psychedelic soul, mixed with funk and blues. The prior song got to #1 on Triple-A but this band should definitely get some mainstream love. There's a lot going on here, all of it good. Love Eric Burton's sometimes falsetto, sometimes tenor vocals. This should equal at the least, "More Than A Love Song".
The other debuts on the SnS 100 are holiday entries. Amy Shark covers the Coldplay song "Christmas Lights"; the original got to #24 blog in 2010. The Aussie singer had back-to-back blog top tens in 2018, and this one, while somewhat true to the original, is a nice, tender production and her voice is in fine shape. The last new add into the SnS 100 is Sarah Reeves' "Christmas Feels Different This Year". Ms. Reevers, hailing from Alabama is a contemporary Christian artist by trade, and this is a tender, personal statement that things aren't what they used to be. Perhaps, it's because of the loss of a loved one that the holiday isn't the same. The song is also getting Adult Contemporary airplay. Nicely done.
Another holiday song that charted last year re-enters the list at #85. Beach outfit Cat 5 Band is back with their rather unique take on "Little Drummer Boy". Last year, it peaked at #34, but leader and producer Tim Sidden is once again promoting the song, thus is deserving of another run. The drums in particular really come to life there as well as the vocals. Sidden mentioned that they really wanted to do something different with the traditional carol. I also have to mention that Sidden is a force in beach music. Aside from fronting Cat5, he also produced big blog hits for Deb Browning, Marlisa Kay Small, Christina Cooper Black, Michael McMeel, and the "Carolina Queens" contingent.
A few new songs in the Tremors section. Bubbling under are two more holiday entries, by My Morning Jacket (covering The Band's "Christmas Must Be Tonight"), and 1980's teen queen Debbie Gibson with "I Wish Everday Was Christmas" from her 2022 holiday album Winterlicious. Finally, beach music group The Randy Clay Band follows up their top 40 cover of "Wildflower" with "It's Gonna Be Alright". Unfortunately, it's not the Maxine Brown hit from 1964 which is ripe for a beach cover, but apparently an original (or at least one I hadn't heard of before). Still, it's a good, soulful song that has a shot.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
December 3, 2023
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: 1967-1970 (2023 Edition) (4 weeks at #1) |
6 |
|
2 |
2 |
8 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
13 |
|
|
4 |
6 |
8 |
|
|
5 |
7 |
9 |
|
|
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
|
7 |
10 |
5 |
|
|
8 |
4 |
14 |
|
|
9 |
5 |
11 |
|
|
10 |
11 |
11 |
|
|
11 |
9 |
13 |
|
|
12 |
14 |
7 |
|
|
13 |
15 |
12 |
|
|
14 |
16 |
9 |
|
|
15 |
22 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Only) |
4 |
|
16 |
19 |
6 |
|
|
17 |
13 |
20 |
|
|
18 |
21 |
6 |
|
|
19 |
43 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: Guillemot Days |
2 |
|
20 |
26 |
4 |
|
|
21 |
23 |
8 |
|
|
22 |
28 |
6 |
|
|
23 |
12 |
11 |
|
|
24 |
42 |
3 |
|
|
25 |
29 |
5 |
|
|
26 |
24 |
15 |
|
|
27 |
20 |
11 |
|
|
28 |
31 |
7 |
|
|
29 |
35 |
4 |
|
|
30 |
18 |
14 |
|
|
31 |
17 |
13 |
|
|
32 |
25 |
15 |
|
|
33 |
32 |
8 |
|
|
34 |
49 |
3 |
|
|
35 |
27 |
28 |
|
|
36 |
38 |
7 |
|
|
37 |
34 |
6 |
|
|
38 |
41 |
5 |
|
|
39 |
40 |
8 |
|
|
40 |
39 |
18 |
|
|
41 |
46 |
6 |
|
|
42 |
30 |
15 |
|
|
43 |
33 |
22 |
|
|
44 |
36 |
14 |
|
|
45 |
44 |
37 |
|
|
46 |
62 |
3 |
|
|
47 |
70 |
4 |
|
|
48 |
74 |
15 |
|
|
49 |
57 |
5 |
|
|
50 |
66 |
4 |
|
|
51 |
75 |
2 |
|
|
52 |
37 |
16 |
|
|
53 |
68 |
3 |
|
|
54 |
54 |
7 |
|
|
55 |
64 |
5 |
|
|
56 |
67 |
5 |
|
|
57 |
65 |
5 |
|
|
58 |
92 |
2 |
|
|
59 |
45 |
19 |
|
|
60 |
51 |
9 |
|
|
61 |
81 |
3 |
|
|
62 |
63 |
8 |
|
|
63 |
47 |
17 |
|
|
64 |
52 |
11 |
|
|
65 |
53 |
15 |
|
|
66 |
85 |
Sir Prize and the Twomorrow
Knightz - A Glittering Christmas |
2 |
|
67 |
48 |
10 |
|
|
68 |
77 |
8 |
|
|
69 |
50 |
13 |
|
|
70 |
59 |
23 |
|
|
71 |
83 |
3 |
|
|
72 |
79 |
5 |
|
|
73 |
56 |
10 |
|
|
74 |
69 |
21 |
|
|
75 |
73 |
17 |
|
|
76 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: Chronicles of a Diamond |
1 |
|
77 |
55 |
9 |
|
|
78 |
58 |
12 |
|
|
79 |
71 |
35 |
|
|
80 |
61 |
18 |
|
|
81 |
96 |
2 |
|
|
82 |
78 |
31 |
|
|
83 |
72 |
21 |
|
|
84 |
60 |
16 |
|
|
85 |
REENTRY |
8 |
|
|
86 |
86 |
25 |
|
|
87 |
76 |
Marlisa Kay Small and Jerry
Thomas West - Love Really Hurts Without You● |
30 |
|
88 |
87 |
14 |
|
|
89 |
94 |
3 |
|
|
90 |
100 |
2 |
|
|
91 |
99 |
2 |
|
|
92 |
102 |
1 |
|
|
93 |
103 |
1 |
|
|
94 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
95 |
80 |
Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot ft.
Bridger Warlick - Picture of You |
18 |
|
96 |
REENTRY |
6 |
|
|
97 |
104 |
1 |
|
|
98 |
91 |
27 |
|
|
99 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
100 |
88 |
4 |
Tremors:
101. Kelly Clarkson, "Lighthouse"
102. Cher, "DJ Play a Christmas Song"
103. Debbie Gibson "I Wish Everyday Was Christmas"
104. Lana Del Rey, "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
105. Green Day, "The American Dream Is Killing Me"
106. My Morning Jacket, "Christmas Must Be Tonight"
107. Randy Clay Band, "It's Gonna Be Alright"
108. Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson, "Got It Right (The First Time)"
Tremors:
Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS
100.
|
|
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 ● 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.
|
|
Holiday
Songs
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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