EVEN though the year still has a month to go, for musical purposes, it seems that the year ended on November 30. Billboard ranks its top songs of the year based on chart action from December of the previous year to November of the current one. And it's not really a surprise that Morgan Wallen's "Last Night" which hit #1 on the Hot 100 for 16 weeks---the longest by a solo act with no featured artist---grabbed Billboard's Song of the Year for 2023. He is the first country artist to earn the top spot on Billboard since 1959, when Johnny Horton's "Battle of New Orleans" took the title.
But it's not only Billboard that measures song activity from December to November. Apparently, many streamers such as Spotify also practice this. There have been many posts from recording artists about the activity on that platform, such as number of streams and followers. And that is also the case for listeners.
 |
| Say She She is my top artist of 2023, according to the Spotify streaming service. |
At the beginning of the year, I switched to a mostly streaming-based platform, switching to Spotify from iTunes, although I still downloaded songs that weren't available on the streamer. As a result, this past week, I got a "Your 2023 Wrapped" video. Unwrapping this, it revealed who my most listened to artists, songs, and genres were.
First, it mentioned that I had listened to 25 different genres, with the top five as follows:
1. Pop
2. Modern Rock
3. Indie Pop
4. Beach Music
5. Contemporary County
I'm a bit surprised that "Pop" wound up as my top listening genre this year, since my original mission of this blog chart was to provide a wide variety of styles and genres. But, while I still despise much of the pop genre these days, there were a few good ones on here, like "Flowers", "Snooze", 'Cruel Summer" and a few others. Modern Rock and Indie Pop are definitely my prime listening genres, as is beach music. Beach would have ranked higher, I think, if several songs were actually available on Spotify. Songs like The Tonez' "Caught Up" and the Carolina Queens' "Shoop Shoop Song", both #1 on my chart, weren't on the streaming platform, thus weren't included. Country was a bit of a surprise, but with songs by Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs and Carly Pearce a fixture in the top 20, it stands to reason that the genre be represented.
Now, here were my top songs of 2023 according to Spotify:
1. Orbis Max with Lisa Mychols, featuring Ed Ryan, "R U OK"
2. Say She She, "In My Head"
3. Deb Browning, "Think I Found Forever"
4. Colorjoy, "Golden Age"
5. Say She She, "Trouble"
All of these songs hit #1 on the SNS 100, except for "R U OK", which nonetheless scored the #1 "Song of the Summer" honors. Spotify also provided a playlist of my 100 most played songs.
Finally, my top artists of 2023:
1. Say She She
2. Colorjoy
3. Orbis Max
4. Miley Cyrus
5. Deb Browning
The top two are of no surprise to me, they are definitely the new artists of the year, although Colorjoy was originally one-half of ScreenAge which dominated the 2021 blog chart. Say She She and Colorjoy combined for five number one's and 11 top ten songs in 2023. The other three were no slouches, either. Orbis Max had three top ten songs, and as mentioned earlier, the Song of the Summer. While Miley Cyrus in the top five might be a surprise, she had a #1 blog (and Hot 100) hit with "Flowers" (the only song to top both charts this year), and a top ten with "Jaded". Deb Browning had a #1 song, "Think I Found Forever" that had four weeks at #1 and logged 35 weeks on the chart thus far and is enjoying somewhat of a resurgence for this song. Her duet with the Six Piece Suits, a #1 entry in 2022, "It Don't Get Better Than This" with a 40-week run, as was her solo "3 More Minutes", last year's #1 blog song, with 51 weeks, still rode the charts a good part of the year.
Keep in mind that all this is different from my Scenes 'n' Soundwaves Top 100 of the year, which I will reveal at the end of December, as always, thus there are a few more weeks to claim year-end chart dominance.
SNS 100: The Beatles log a third week at #1 on the Scenes 'n' Soundwaves 100 with "Now and Then". The final song by the Fab Four is long gone from the Hot 100 but is still talked about. It holds at #2 on the Triple-A airplay chart. It does lose some points here this week, and zeroing in on the top spot is Everybody Loves an Outlaw's "I See Red" at #2, and Charlotte Sessions' "Should I Be the Man" at #3. It's possible that either one could capture the top next week, or the Beatles could hold them off. Starbuck's "On the Sand", a former #1, is at #4, and The Rolling Stones' "Angry" is steady at #5. Speaking of the Stones, have you seen the commercial for their upcoming Hackney Diamonds tour, sponsored by....AARP? I know we're old, as obviously the band is, but it's just weird hearing the Stones and AARP in the same sentence! Thee Sacred Souls grab its third straight top ten with "Easier Said Than Done". In the second ten, the Impact award goes to U2's "Atomic City" which holds the top spot on the Triple-A airplay chart. Surprisingly, it's the Irish outfit's first blog top 20 song.
The Mover of the Week goes to last week's Top Debut, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Deb Browning, which leads the holiday song pack. With four debuts on that genre this week, the number of holiday songs has now doubled to 8.
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| Scottish singer-songwriter Anna Lavigne debuts her third album, Guillemot Days, and the lead track, "Edge of the World" is Top Debut at #43. |
WELCOME BACK ANNA: The Top Debut this week belongs to "Edge of the World" by Anna Lavigne. The Irish-born, Scotland-based artist is back after an almost two-year absence, but it's a welcome return for her. The track is the first song of her just-released third album, Guillemot Days.
Ms. Lavigne led a mini-'British indie invasion' of sorts in 2021, along with Ian Roberts and Tim Izzard, as well as artists like Jade Bird, Bakar and others. All seven songs that hit the SNS 100 landed in the top 10, off her first two albums, included three number ones. Two of those, "Dance the Last Goodbye" and "This Time", were consecutive number one's on SNS; one of only four artists to replace themselves at #1, the others being The Revivalists, ScreenAge (two different times) and Deb Browning.
"Edge of the World" has a beautiful production, with a subtle guitar intro, when Anna's sweet, unique vocal takes over. She has one of the most awesome voices in music. Assisted by Martin Stephenson of Daintees fame, the song is perfect if you're living by the sea, which Anna does. Listening to her immediately transports the listener to the Scottish coast.
I have always wanted to visit Scotland, where many of my ancestors lived. My wife had suggested going there one Christmas, but in season or not, it's a destination I want to go. While I have never met her in person, she is a Facebook friend and has supported my blog. I have tuned in to a few of her Facebook live shows that she does with Stephenson. She is one of the nicest people you could know, and talent to match.
It's probably a nice coincidence that in her debut at #43, she's surrounded by two Deb Browning songs on this week's chart, because Deb, like Anna, despite their different genres, is very sincere and acknowledges and appreciates her fans. And while Anna's hiatus seemed to coincide with the Carolina beach music invasion led by Deb in 2022, Ms. Lavigne's music should co-exist nicely with what's out there now. The song is a winner. I hope to review the album soon as well.
NEWBIES: Four holiday songs enter the SNS 100 this week, headed by Starbuck's take on "Winter Wonderland". The holiday standard has been covered many times, but Bruce Blackman does a nice retro job on the song, capturing the essence of the way the song was originally supposed to be sung. The background vocals add zest to the production. You can picture yourself being out there in the snow.
Late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon teams up with Meghan Trainor with "Wrap Me Up". Yes, Jimmy has a halfway decent voice, especially for this song. It's done in the current, contemporary style, and Ms. Trainor's style fits in with it as well. The standard "Carol of the Bells" has a take by the husband-and-wife team of David Foster and Katharine McPhee. Like Starbuck's "Winter Wonderland", this version of "Carol..." is in the traditional sense, and the two are joined by various choir singers and full instrumentation. Finally, Sir Prize and the Twomorrow Knightz' "A Glittering Christmas", reviewed last week, enters the big chart from the Tremors section.
There are no new non-holiday songs to debut on the SNS 100 aside from "Edge of the World", but Morgan Wallen's follow-up to "Last Night", "Thinkin' Bout Me", and lovelytheband's "Nice to Know You" inch onto the main chart, while The Dandy Warhols' "Summer of Hate", and Lana Del Rey's somber version of John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" enter the Tremors list. along with Jersey band The Gaslight Anthem's "Spider Bites", and Kelly Clarkson's "Lighthouse".
SUMMING UP: Speaking of Kelly Clarkson, she did a good job of hosting this year's addition of the annual "Christmas at Rockefeller Center" tree lighting show. And it was good to see Darlene Love on the show performing her two holiday standards, "Marshmallow World" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". If you might remember, there was an issue a couple years ago that Ms. Love wasn't happy that she didn't get chosen to appear, as another artist performed "Christmas" instead. In my opinion, Darlene Love is the Queen of Christmas, not Mariah.
CORRECTION: Last week, I mentioned that Christina Cooper Black's "I Miss You Babe", moving up a notch to #7 this week, was the sixth "Carolina Queen" to have a top ten blog hit. I inadvertently left out Sharon Woodruff of The Main Event Band, who has had two top tens and a number one song. Sorry, Sharon!!!
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
November 26, 2023
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: 1967-1970 (2023 Edition) (3 weeks at #1) |
5 |
|
2 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
3 |
4 |
12 |
|
|
4 |
2 |
13 |
|
|
5 |
5 |
10 |
|
|
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
|
7 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
8 |
9 |
9 |
|
|
9 |
6 |
12 |
|
|
10 |
15 |
4 |
|
|
11 |
12 |
10 |
|
|
12 |
13 |
10 |
|
|
13 |
10 |
19 |
|
|
14 |
17 |
6 |
|
|
15 |
16 |
11 |
|
|
16 |
19 |
8 |
|
|
17 |
11 |
12 |
|
|
18 |
14 |
13 |
|
|
19 |
22 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Only) |
5 |
|
20 |
18 |
10 |
|
|
21 |
32 |
5 |
|
|
22 |
37 |
3 |
|
|
23 |
28 |
7 |
|
|
24 |
27 |
14 |
|
|
25 |
20 |
14 |
|
|
26 |
38 |
3 |
|
|
27 |
26 |
27 |
|
|
28 |
33 |
5 |
|
|
29 |
36 |
4 |
|
|
30 |
21 |
14 |
|
|
31 |
41 |
6 |
|
|
32 |
35 |
7 |
|
|
33 |
25 |
21 |
|
|
34 |
40 |
5 |
|
|
35 |
54 |
3 |
|
|
36 |
24 |
13 |
|
|
37 |
23 |
15 |
|
|
38 |
44 |
6 |
|
|
39 |
39 |
17 |
|
|
40 |
43 |
7 |
|
|
41 |
52 |
4 |
|
|
42 |
67 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" Album: Here Comes Christmas |
2 |
|
43 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: Guillemot Days |
1 |
|
44 |
46 |
36 |
|
|
45 |
29 |
18 |
|
|
46 |
55 |
5 |
|
|
47 |
30 |
16 |
|
|
48 |
31 |
9 |
|
|
49 |
71 |
2 |
|
|
50 |
34 |
12 |
|
|
51 |
53 |
8 |
|
|
52 |
57 |
10 |
|
|
53 |
51 |
14 |
|
|
54 |
58 |
6 |
|
|
55 |
42 |
8 |
|
|
56 |
48 |
9 |
|
|
57 |
68 |
4 |
|
|
58 |
45 |
11 |
|
|
59 |
47 |
22 |
|
|
60 |
49 |
15 |
|
|
61 |
50 |
17 |
|
|
62 |
88 |
2 |
|
|
63 |
66 |
7 |
|
|
64 |
73 |
4 |
|
|
65 |
72 |
4 |
|
|
66 |
85 |
3 |
|
|
67 |
77 |
4 |
|
|
68 |
86 |
2 |
|
|
69 |
63 |
20 |
|
|
70 |
79 |
3 |
|
|
71 |
60 |
34 |
|
|
72 |
56 |
20 |
|
|
73 |
64 |
16 |
|
|
74 |
91 |
14 |
|
|
75 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
76 |
62 |
Marlisa Kay Small and Jerry
Thomas West - Love Really Hurts Without You● |
29 |
|
77 |
76 |
7 |
|
|
78 |
83 |
30 |
|
|
79 |
84 |
4 |
|
|
80 |
59 |
Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot ft.
Bridger Warlick - Picture of You |
17 |
|
81 |
94 |
2 |
|
|
82 |
69 |
11 |
|
|
83 |
97 |
2 |
|
|
84 |
65 |
6 |
|
|
85 |
103 |
Sir Prize and the Twomorrow
Knightz - A Glittering Christmas |
1 |
|
86 |
82 |
24 |
|
|
87 |
61 |
13 |
|
|
88 |
90 |
3 |
|
|
89 |
75 |
20 |
|
|
90 |
74 |
11 |
|
|
91 |
87 |
26 |
|
|
92 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
93 |
70 |
18 |
|
|
94 |
100 |
2 |
|
|
95 |
78 |
11 |
|
|
96 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
97 |
80 |
11 |
|
|
98 |
93 |
11 |
|
|
99 |
101 |
1 |
|
|
100 |
104 |
1 |
Tremors:
101. Green Day, "The American Dream Is Killing Me"
102. The Dandy Warhols, "The Summer of Hate"
103. Bon Jovi, "Christmas Isn't Christmas"
104. The Gaslight Anthem, "Spider Bites"
105. Cher, "DJ Play a Christmas Song"
106. Kelly Clarkson, "Lighthouse"
107. Lana Del Rey, "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
108. Train, "I Know"
109. 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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