Women Dominate "Spotlight" Awards on SNS 100 (SNS week of 3/3/2024)

 Another late blog, so we will get to the point....

MARCH IS WOMEN'S History Month, and taking a look at the  SNS 100 for this week, all four major awards--Number One, Top 20 Impact, Mover and Top Debut--are all held by women.   They are, homegrown and very talented Charlotte Sessions, emerging singer-songwriter Juliet Callahan, seasoned pop queen Beyonce, and new pop star SZA.

Female artists capture all four award categories this week.   Clockwise from Left" Charlotte Sessions (#1), SZA (Top Debut), Juliet Callahan (Top 20 Impact), and Beyonce (Mover of the Week)

GREAT CHARLOTTE:  The year is not even a quarter over, but we have our first repeat artist at #1.  Charlotte Sessions, who scored back in January with "Should I Be The Man?" comes back with her latest, the multi-genre "I've Fallen For a Dragon", which captures the top spot this week.    Ms. Sessions replaces Teddy Swims, who topped the blog chart the prior two weeks with his national top five "Lose Control", which drops to #2 this week.   The Black Keys advance to #3 with "Beautiful People (Stay High)".  That song, which is #1 on Triple-A and #2 Alternative this week, though well behind the top two on SNS, is gunning for its 9th blog #1, which would extend the duo's span of blog-toppers to the entire range of the blog, since "Tighten Up" was the first blog #1 back in August 2010.      A big jump from 10-4 is the album track from Black Pumas, "Sauvignon".  But it's mixed news for that duo as the official second single from Chronicles of a Diamond, "Ice Cream (Payphone)", holds at #41.    Rounding out the top five is Rivermist's "Everything's Changed", which leads the beach music entries this week.   

There are two new songs in the top ten this week, Varsity's "Runaway" (11-6) and Orbis Max and Tim Izzard's "Here and Now" (12-7).    It's Orbis' fourth top 10 and Izzard's sixth, but it's the first for the collaboration, after coming close but just missing the Top Ten with "Back Of the Shelf" and "Elvis Has Left the Building".

MEANWHILE, Juliet Callahan grabs her first top 20 since her #1 "Burning", as "She Was Me" nabs the Impact award (21-18), while the other new top 20 entry is from Beyonce, with her multi-format "Texas Hold 'Em", jumping 47-20 and earning Mover of the Week honors.    On the Billboard Hot 100, the song spends a second week at #1.   The entry is on 18 different airplay charts, which ties a record.   I had mentioned that it debuted on Country Airplay last week; this week it debuts on Triple-A.  Other prime moves include last week's Top Debut, Starbuck's "Spring Break Shake" (46-27), Jalen Ngonda's "If You Don't Want My Love" (59-45), Deb Browning's "Chain Breaker" (62-48), and Mumford & Sons featuring Pharrell Williams' "Good People" (84-53).

DEBUTS: Finally, SZA's "Saturn" is the Top Debut at #55.  I am really starting to take to this multi-genre artist, who, incidentally, hails from Maplewood NJ.    While she's been making hits since her 2017 debut, it's only recently that I've embraced her, with "Kill Bill", and "Snooze" becoming major blog hits.   "Saturn" is from her forthcoming album Lana, which in essence is a reissue of her second album SOS, with new tracks that were in demand from fans on social media.    "Saturn" continues the dreamy soulfulness of "Snooze".  The song combines elements of hip-hop and dream pop.  What separates her from the rest of her contemporaries, is that she sings with real emotion.  The production takes me in orbit.     The song also debuted high on the Billboard Hot 100 at #6.     I am really enjoying her artistry, and her success is well deserved.    "Snooze" got to #2 both here and on Billboard, this one should take her to the top of my chart.

Also debuting is the first single in six years by The Decemberists, "Burial Ground".   The band, which has six blog top tens, two of which hit the top, retains its R.E.M-ish overtones, but here, they mix it with 1960's sensibilities melding the folk rock of that era with The Beach Boys-style texture and harmonies.  The combination results in a winner.  It's in the top 15 on the Triple-A chart.  There's an interesting horn solo in the middle of the jam, but it just adds to the excitement of the song.

Portugal. The Man is back with "Grim Generation".  While I was a bit disappointed with their last couple of singles "Dummy" and "The Summer of Luv", the new one is a reminder of how good this band was and is.    While the group had its day in the sun on the Hot 100  a few years back with "Feel It Still", a blog #1, Billboard Top 5, along with the blog toppers "Live In the Moment"  and "What We Worry", this one is definitely in that ballpark.    Up-tempo in vibe, the band looks like they are having a blast doing this.    With The Black Keys, The Decemberists and Cage the Elephant doing well these days, it's a nice alternative throwback to the early 2010's.  

When you think of Korean music, you usually think of K-Pop and groups like BTS, but there's an alt-rock component to that country's music.   Give a listen to "4 AM" by Say Sue Me (not to be confused with Say She She), and you'll see what I mean.    Listed as "surf rock" and "indie rock", it described this song to a tee.     Definitely in my wheelhouse, it proves there's more to far-east music than the likes of BTS.   Many say rock hasn't brought anything new to the table; this one may make people have second thoughts of that.

When I first heard Knox's "Not the 1975", I thought this was an attack on the band The 1975.  On the contrary, that band is an unlikely favorite as sung by Knox (a solo male artist, and not to be confused with The Knocks)---it's about him wanting to impress a girl, by writing a song for her and having the DJ play it; but she replies that while it might be a good composition, it pales to the music of The 1975.   The song name drops a two of that band's songs like "Chocolate" and "Oh Caroline".   While The 1975 hasn't really made an impact with me---their blog best so far has been the #30 "You and Me Together Song", Knox sings in the style of that indie pop band.   It's catchy enough to make some noise here.

Two covers enter this week.  Gary Lowder & Smokin' Hot, who are coming off a top 10 of Billy Stewart's "Sitting in the Park", that was recorded a few years ago, debut with the beach music band's current release, "It's Over", which hit in 1976 for Boz Scaggs.  Except for the band's horns, it's faithful to the original.   Meanwhile, Paramore tackles the Talking Heads gem, "Burning Down the House", which is from a tribute album celebrating the Heads legendary film Stop Making Sense.  It's a snazzy version of the song, which, while being true to the original, occasionally veers off with a snazzy take.    

Kings of Leon enter with "Mustang", which starts slow but then comes alive after a while but might take a few listens to get into it.   David F. Porfirio enters with yet another eclectic instrumental piece, "Ninja Assassins", the first portion has that sense of adventure like you were in the far east, before settling into his usual unique style, somewhat reminiscent of his #1 blog hit "That Night On Bergenline Avenue" and his other compositions.     His mix of tones is remarkable.    It's a shame that progressive FM radio no longer exists, he would have gotten a lot of airplay back in the day.   I wish more people would discover this talent. 

Finally, we have the unlikely pairing of The Rolling Stones with Lady Gaga, with "Sweet Sounds of Heaven".   It's a slow ballad of sort, similar to the legendary band's classic "You Can Always Get What You Want".   It was the official follow-up to the band's "Angry" from their current Hackney Diamonds set.  You can hear Lady Gaga in the background at times before joining in with Mick Jagger on this rather bluesy outing.     

As I mentioned above, this blog is very late, and I just found out that Eric Carmen, lead singer of 70's power pop band the Raspberries, passed away at age 74.  More on that on my next blog.

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

March 3, 2024

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	2	NUMBER ONE: CHARLOTTE SESSIONS "I've Fallen For A Dragon"▲ (Single Release)	6
2	1	Teddy Swims - Lose Control	8
3	7	The Black Keys - Beautiful People (Stay High)	7
4	10	Black Pumas - Sauvignon	11
5	5	Rivermist - Everything's Changed●	10
6	11	Varsity - Runaway	14
7	12	Orbis Max with Tim Izzard - Here And Now	8
8	3	Anna Lavigne - Edge of the World	12
9	4	Richard Swift - Would You●	14
10	6	Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - Sitting In the Park	17
11	13	Colorjoy - Cigarettes and Vanilla	9
12	14	Starbuck - Coldest Night of the Year	8
13	15	Rick Strickland - Joined At the Heart	7
14	16	Rev. Bubba D. Liverance and the Cornhole Prophets - Something In the Water	8
15	18	Karen Clayton and Mike Taylor - I'm Your Puppet	6
16	9	Thee Sacred Souls - Easier Said Than Done▲	15
17	19	Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill	6
18	21	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: JULIET CALLAHAN "She Was Me" (Single Release)	5
19	8	Gary Alexander - There's Always Beach Music	14
20	47	MOVER OF THE WEEK: BEYONCE "Texas Hold Em" Album: Act II	3
21	25	Say She She - Never Say Never	5
22	23	Real Estate - Water Underground●	7
23	26	Billy Joel - Turn the Lights Back On	5
24	29	Suki Waterhouse - OMG	4
25	17	Dua Lipa - Houdini	13
26	27	Duran Duran - Black Moonlight	9
27	46	Starbuck - Spring Break Shake	2
28	32	Nadia Shutkufski - Top Down	4
29	34	Cayucas - Punch Bowl	4
30	20	Marlisa Kay Small - No Matter Where You Go	14
31	31	Molly Lewis and Thee Sacred Souls - Crushed Velvet	5
32	28	Everybody Loves An Outlaw - I See Red▲	18
33	36	Vacations - Next Exit	5
34	22	Charlotte Sessions - Should I Be The Man●	23
35	45	Sleater-Kinney - Hell	5
36	24	The Vaccines - Heartbreak Kid	13
37	38	Sheryl Crow - Alarm Clock	7
38	40	Carolina Blue Dots - Coolin' Out	8
39	42	M83 - Mirror	5
40	54	The Six Piece Suits - Thought You Knew	3
41	41	Black Pumas - Ice Cream (Pay Phone)	5
42	53	Jaime Wyatt - Feel Good	3
43	30	Jaime Wyatt - World Worth Keeping	14
44	48	The Palms - Ready or Not	9
45	59	Jalen N'ganda - If You Don't Want My Love	2
46	62	Deb Browning - Chain Breaker	2
47	50	Foo Fighters - The Glass	5
48	58	Sadie Leigh - Finger Wave	3
49	35	Sia - Gimme Love	15
50	44	Carolina Blue Dots - Under The Moonlight▲	19
51	33	Blur - Barbaric	15
52	55	Laura Jane Grace - Hole In My Head	4
53	57	Benson Boone - Beautiful Things	4
54	83	Mumford and Sons ft Pharrell Williams - Good People	2
55	---	TOP DEBUT: SZA "Saturn" Album: Lana	1
56	37	Mitski - My Love Mine All Mine	16
57	39	Einsteins Dad - Rolling Indie	16
58	56	Lainey Wilson - Wildflowers and Wild Horses	4
59	49	Blonde Redhead - Snowman●	19
60	65	Orbis Max - Something About You	2
61	68	Winnetka Bowling League  - Sha-La-La	2
62	61	Love Fame Tragedy - Don't You Want To	5
63	43	U2 - Atomic City	16
64	67	Stephen Sanchez - High	3
65	72	Cannons - Crush	2
66	51	The Beatles - Now and Then●	16
67	74	The Castaways - Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me	2
68	60	The Struts - Pretty Vicious	5
69	52	Sir Prize and the Twomorrow Knightz - Arthurian Rhapsody	18
70	---	The Decemberists - Burial Ground	1
71	78	Brittany Howard - Prove It To You	2
72	---	Portugal. The Man - Grim Generation	1
73	73	Deb Browning - Think I Found Forever▲	47
74	80	Fall Out Boy - So Much (For) Stardust	2
75	---	Say Sue Me - 4 AM	1
76	66	SZA - Snooze	30
77	---	Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - It's Over	1
78	69	King Tappa - Trouble	8
79	---	Knox - Not the 1975	1
80	---	Paramore - Burning Down the House	1
81	63	David Kushner - Daylight	15
82	70	Christina Cooper Black - I Miss You Babe	20
83	---	Kings of Leon - Mustang	1
84	71	Two Door Cinema Club - Sure Enough	6
85	---	David F. Porfirio - Ninja Assasins	1
86	76	Tate McRae - Greedy	6
87	77	Gary Clark Jr - Maktub	3
88	86	Green Day - Dilemma	3
89	87	Pete Yorn - Someday Someday	2
90	64	Jenny Lewis - Cherry Baby	15
91	---	The Rolling Stones ft Lady Gaga - Sweet Sounds of Heaven	1
92	75	Tracy Chapman - Fast Car	5
93	81	Orbis Max - I Think It Was Over	18
94	89	Susan Trexler - Whole Lotta Me	3
95	79	The Record Company - Roll With It	13
96	82	Arianna Grande -Yes And?	6
97	84	Carly Pearce ft Chris Stapleton - We Don't Fight Anymore	6
98	85	Luke Combs - Fast Car	23
99	88	Middle Kids - Dramamine	7
100	90	Starbuck - On the Sand▲	24

Murmurs:

Lucius - Stranger Danger

Dua Lipa - Training Session

Royal Otis, "Murder on the Dancefloor"

X Ambassadors, "No Strings"

Vampire Weekend, "Capricorn"

Rivermist, "Don't Walk Away"

Hot Wax, "Phone Machine"

Bleachers, "Tiny Moves"

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, "Purple Irises"

Yune, "Cake"

Debbie Gibson, "Love Don't Care"

The Tams, "Our Love Will Grow"

Orbis Max, "Not This Time"

Anna Lavigne - Butterfly

Kasey Musgraves - Deeper Well

Lainey Wilson - Country's Cool Again

Cigarettes After Sex - Tejano Blue

Sylvia Johns Ritchie - Good Love Don't Come Easy

Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.

 

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; or if a song was among the top 5 most plays for two 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.

 

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