ROUND TWO of the holiday season sees Brenda Lee still holding on to the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and keeping Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" in the runner-up spot for the second week in a row. Brenda turned 79 years young the day that the announcement came out of the week's chart, essentially extending her record for the oldest artist to have a #1 song.
While it seems that Mariah has met her match, and I love the Brenda Lee song (and have for decades), a good part of the reason is that Ms. Lee has had a big publicity push towards the song, which prior to this year, has peaked at #2 for the previous four Christmas seasons. Brenda has shot a new video for the song, which to date had both a lyric video with Christmas scenes, and an animated version which came out a few years back.
The new video has the current Brenda lip-synching to the original song, which features her singing as well as cuts to a family Christmas celebration that also features country stars Trisha Yearwood and Tanya Tucker. Ms. Tucker has something in common with Ms. Lee, as both were stars in their early teens. Brenda also appeared on the NBC special Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry which was broadcast on December 7. Brenda had also done other extensive promotions for the song, ensuring that it would finally top the chart.
So, the question is, will "Rockin..." hold off Mariah for the remaining three chart weeks of the season? "All I Want..." is ahead of "Rockin.." on the current iTunes download chart, but that's only a small component of the chart. Streaming and airplay also account for chart positions.
Which leads us to another concern, which has been expressed in the industry in the wake of the latest holiday domination of vintage songs of the season: Are the annual influx of classic Christmas tunes holding off not only newer songs released this year, but also new non-holiday product released this time of year? A look at the current Hot 100, dated December 16, 2023, shows the usual holiday entries near the top: Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock" at the usual #3, Wham!'s "Last Christmas" again at #4, with Andy Williams and Burl Ives also in the top ten. Altogether, there are 27 holiday songs in the top 50 of the charts. Note that all "returning" songs can only make the chart if they land in the top 50. New songs can debut anywhere on the chart. And that's where the problem lies.
There are no new songs on the Hot 100: Positions 51 to 100 are empty of seasonal songs. This despite some newly released songs this year, most notably Cher's "DJ Play a Christmas Song" which is #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, as well as the Dance chart. Another big song, "Wrap Me Up" by Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor, #2 on the same chart is doing well but no Hot 100 chart action. And there are many others. While, yes there are "newer" Christmas songs on the list: Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath the Tree", Ariana Grande's "Santa Tell Me", and Michael Bublé's version of "It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas", all released in the 2010's, aside from Mariah's 1994 classic, all of the charted songs are from 1970 and earlier.
And there are some good new non-holiday releases as well but the holiday domination by the holiday songs ahead of it is preventing high charting positions.
But the other problem is that the non-holiday songs on the list are most likely been there most of the year and won't really move. They've lowered their ranking, but come January, most of them will pop back up. For example, still in the top 10 are Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer", SZA's "Snooze" and Doja Cat's "Paint the Town Red". Then there's Morgan Wallen's "Last Night" (#22), and Luke Combs' "Fast Car" (#37), and before the holiday blitz, Miley Cyrus' "Flowers", before being forced off. Now, these are all good songs; all of them made the blog top 20 as well, but enough is enough. These artists (and other ones) have also good songs that are chart-worthy. And last year, it was holiday songs that finally put an end to "Heat Waves" by Glass Animals, as it was forced off the chart after breaking the record for most weeks on the chart, 91. Had it not been for the holiday entries, there's no telling how long it would stay on the Hot 100.
The charts these days are rather haphazard anyway. That's because of streaming, which is now dominate over radio airplay, especially since, with alternative ways of listening to music, terrestrial radio is getting a small piece of the pie. But the question is, "should Christmas songs in general be ineligible for the Hot 100? " Actually, Billboard did just that between 1963 and 1972, as recurring holiday entries up to that point (including "Rockin'.." and "Jingle Bell Rock") made the charts every year, freeing up spaces for non-holiday song). The ban was lifted in 1973 when there was a relative scarcity of new yuletide entries; you can count on one hand Christmas songs that made the Hot 100 in the 1970's through 1990's.
But songs that aren't holiday items that have very long runs on charts seem to be the norm. That also applied to the local and national Carolina beach music listings as well. John Hook's chart has songs released 35 to 40 weeks ago still climbing slowly up the list; playlists of local Grand Strand radio and Internet stations also have long runs with songs. Recordings that peaked months ago on the SNS 100 are still climbing those charts, even after long ago peaking here. In all fairness, however, there aren't that many beach releases in any given week, compared to the mainstream genres.
It's one thing for radio stations to take the lead on a new song (and stations themselves can hold on to a record for a long time, if only because the familiarity of the music will cause listeners to keep tuning in), but with so many other means of finding out new music, be it social media apps like Tik Tok and YouTube, and avenues like Instagram, Facebook and streaming apps like Spotify, radio is pretty much an afterthought. But it still doesn't account for longevity of music, but holiday and non-holiday. Back in the day, there was the burnout factor, but that doesn't seem to apply these days.
SNS 100: Before I get to my current chart, I am one that is for rather quicker turnaround of songs. While the Morgan Wallens, Harry Styles and others who amass #1 songs in excess of 15 to 20 weeks at the top, the SNS record is only 8 weeks. And that record is pretty much safe as we have a new #1 song here, "I See Red" by Everybody Loves An Outlaw, knocking The Beatles' "Now and Then" after a four-week run. It was a mild surprise as the Fab Four had an impressive gain last week. However, the song drops from #1 to #4 on Triple-A, and down to #2 here.
The very bluesy "I See Red" was released a few years ago but whih had an awesome reading by Nini Iris during the blind auditions of competition show The Voice, which brought interest in the original recording. But ironically, Ms. Iris got eliminated this week in the semi-finals. To be honest, the subsequent songs she was assigned didn't really highlight her strong suit genre-wise. "Now and Then" drops to #2, but Charlotte Sessions' "Should I Be the Man" is still a strong #3 and gaining points. With one week to go, the Roselle Park native still has a shot at the top.
Thee Sacred Souls (7-4) and Christina Cooper Black (6-5) round out the top five, but the big mover into the Top 10 is Anna Lavigne's "Edge of the World" (19-8), which becomes her eighth straight top ten blog song. Winnetka Bowling League returns to the top 10 with "Breakfast For Dinner". Two new songs enter the top 20, headed by Deb Browning's version of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (24-17) to get Impact honors. It's the first holiday song to enter the top 20 this year on my blog chart, and it's also the third song from Ms. Browning's Here Comes Christmas set to make that part of the chart. "Here Comes Amazon" hit #1 for three weeks last December (and moving into the top 40 this year as well); "All Over the World" hit #16 last season as well. Einsteins Dad's "Rolling Indie" also enters the 20.
Several holiday entries continue to advance on the SNS 100, including Fitz and the Tantrums' 'Give Love This Year" (34-27), Starbuck's "Winter Wonderland" (51-35) and Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor's "Wrap Me Up" (58-33, Mover of the Week).
DEBUTS: Five additions to the chart this week, four making the main chart, with one more holiday song. But leading the new entries is beach music outfit Rivermist's "Everything Changed" at #64, following up the contingent's top 20 "Right Place Right Time". The band, which copped the "Rising Star" award at the recent CBMA comes up with a winner here: This is a little gutsier than the prior song, and more melodic as well. It's about a couple who were once together back in the day but one of them moved away, before coming back to find that the area has very much physically changed.... except for the way that singer feels about that person. Nice nostalgia can be applied to many people who have been reunited after years and years. It's up-tempo but at the same time very emotional. Has some rock and country overtones which should enhance its performance as well. This should definitely top "Right Place..." and put it in the top 10.
Also entering is the latest from the venerable Duran Duran, with "Black Moonlight". The band still makes the AC chart and this one is still catchy, true to its 80's roots but retaining its funkiness. The song is up-tempo and cooks and doesn't let up. The band has made the SNS 100 before, but none getting above #35. This one should definitely do the trick.
The lone holiday entry is Walker Hayes' frantic "Fancy Like Christmas", sort of a hip-hop, country and pop confection. Hayes seems to key in on all aspects of the holidays referencing everything from Mariah Carey, Home Alone, fruitcake, Amazon, Jesus and peppermint latte.
Stephen Sanchez had a big blog hit earlier this year with the retro "Until I Found You". He comes back with "Caught In a Blue" which is sort of a cross between Roy Orbison and Chris Isaak. Finally, on the Tremors list, we have "Ready or Not" by The Palms, pop-rockish mid-tempo, syncopated mid-tempo effort here.
COMING UP: Next week will be the final weekly chart for 2023 as well as the year's recap on the blog. I will also be updating my Christmas 100 list, although, like last year, I may just do a video montage for it. Then of course will be my Top 100 of 2023.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
December 10, 2023
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
2 |
NUMBER ONE:  Albun: I See Red |
9 |
|
2 |
1 |
7 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
14 |
|
|
4 |
7 |
6 |
|
|
5 |
6 |
11 |
|
|
6 |
4 |
9 |
|
|
7 |
5 |
10 |
|
|
8 |
19 |
3 |
|
|
9 |
8 |
15 |
|
|
10 |
12 |
8 |
|
|
11 |
15 |
5 |
|
|
12 |
16 |
7 |
|
|
13 |
14 |
10 |
|
|
14 |
10 |
12 |
|
|
15 |
13 |
13 |
|
|
16 |
18 |
7 |
|
|
17 |
24 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" Album: Here Comes Christmas |
4 |
|
18 |
20 |
5 |
|
|
19 |
11 |
14 |
|
|
20 |
22 |
7 |
|
|
21 |
17 |
21 |
|
|
22 |
9 |
12 |
|
|
23 |
21 |
9 |
|
|
24 |
25 |
6 |
|
|
25 |
28 |
8 |
|
|
26 |
29 |
5 |
|
|
27 |
34 |
4 |
|
|
28 |
33 |
9 |
|
|
29 |
26 |
16 |
|
|
30 |
36 |
8 |
|
|
31 |
38 |
6 |
|
|
32 |
48 |
16 |
|
|
33 |
58 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  JIMMY FALLON and MEGHAN TRAINOR (Single Only) |
3 |
|
34 |
46 |
4 |
|
|
35 |
51 |
3 |
|
|
36 |
39 |
9 |
|
|
37 |
41 |
7 |
|
|
38 |
27 |
12 |
|
|
39 |
47 |
5 |
|
|
40 |
23 |
12 |
|
|
41 |
37 |
7 |
|
|
42 |
35 |
29 |
|
|
43 |
50 |
5 |
|
|
44 |
32 |
16 |
|
|
45 |
30 |
15 |
|
|
46 |
53 |
4 |
|
|
47 |
49 |
6 |
|
|
48 |
66 |
Sir Prize and the Twomorrow
Knightz - A Glittering Christmas |
3 |
|
49 |
61 |
4 |
|
|
50 |
40 |
19 |
|
|
51 |
55 |
6 |
|
|
52 |
56 |
6 |
|
|
53 |
31 |
14 |
|
|
54 |
44 |
15 |
|
|
55 |
45 |
38 |
|
|
56 |
57 |
6 |
|
|
57 |
43 |
23 |
|
|
58 |
76 |
2 |
|
|
59 |
42 |
16 |
|
|
60 |
62 |
9 |
|
|
61 |
85 |
9 |
|
|
62 |
71 |
4 |
|
|
63 |
65 |
16 |
|
|
64 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Only) |
1 |
|
65 |
81 |
3 |
|
|
66 |
54 |
8 |
|
|
67 |
72 |
6 |
|
|
68 |
52 |
17 |
|
|
69 |
99 |
2 |
|
|
70 |
68 |
9 |
|
|
71 |
60 |
10 |
|
|
72 |
59 |
20 |
|
|
73 |
94 |
2 |
|
|
74 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
75 |
64 |
12 |
|
|
76 |
77 |
10 |
|
|
77 |
--- |
0 |
|
|
78 |
79 |
36 |
|
|
79 |
63 |
18 |
|
|
80 |
75 |
18 |
|
|
81 |
93 |
2 |
|
|
82 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
83 |
70 |
24 |
|
|
84 |
82 |
32 |
|
|
85 |
92 |
2 |
|
|
86 |
78 |
13 |
|
|
87 |
89 |
4 |
|
|
88 |
91 |
3 |
|
|
89 |
97 |
2 |
|
|
90 |
103 |
1 |
|
|
91 |
67 |
11 |
|
|
92 |
74 |
22 |
|
|
93 |
90 |
3 |
|
|
94 |
96 |
7 |
|
|
95 |
83 |
22 |
|
|
96 |
102 |
1 |
|
|
97 |
86 |
26 |
|
|
98 |
101 |
1 |
|
|
99 |
69 |
14 |
|
|
100 |
88 |
15 |
Tremors:
101. My Morning Jacket, "Christmas Must Be Tonight"
102. The Palms, "Ready or Not"
103. Lana Del Rey, "Take Me Home Country Roads"
104. Randy Clay Band, "It's Gonna Be Alright"
105. Green Day, The American Dream Is Killing Me"
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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