THIS WEEK, Carolina beach music singer Deb Browning celebrated her 44th wedding anniversary with her life partner, husband Bob Browning. Coincidentally, also this week, Deb is celebrating a number one song with her professional singing partner, Marlisa Kay Small, as "Sunshine and Summertime" vaults 3-1 to become the latest Scenes 'n' Soundwaves chart topper.
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| Beach music singer Deb Browning and her husband Bob celebrated their 44rh wedding anniversary this week, while Deb and singing partner Marlisa Kay Small take the #1 position this week with their cover of Faith Hill's 'Sunshine and Summertime' |
The song, a cover of Faith Hill's Top 10 country hit from 2006, becomes Ms. Browning's sixth #1 on SNS. That makes her the female solo artist with the most blog toppers, breaking a tie with Adele. The total includes two duets with The Six Piece Suits, and now the one with Marlisa. For Marlisa, it is also her second chart topper, following her pairing with Jerry West, "Love Really Hurts Without You". Overall, it ties ScreenAge for the third most #1's on the almost-14-year SNS 100, trailing only Fitz and the Tantrums (12), and The Black Keys (8). Since Deb (and Marlisa) also participated in the Carolina Queens' charity recording of "The Shoop Shoop Song", that makes seven total #1's for Deb. Aside from The Tantrums and Keys, she trails Emily MacMahon's 9 (6 ScreenAge, 2 Colorjoy, one solo) and her bandmate Sam Novotny's 8. The song is also the first cover to reach the top since Fall Out Boy's version of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the First" late last year.
And there's still a possibility that Deb could log yet another #1, as her gospel-pop version of "Put Your Hand in the Hand" holds at #2 for the third week but is still very much in the discussion. And for the second time in a year-and-a-half, Deb has the top two songs on the Scenes 'n' Soundwaves 100, having previously scored the top two on December 4, 2022 with "Here Comes Amazon" (#1) and "It Don't Get Better Than This" (with the Six Piece Suits, #2).
The top four songs are very tight, with Jalen Ngonda's retro-soul "If You Don't Want My Love" advancing 4-3, while Starbuck's "Spring Break Shake" which had been #1 for the past three weeks, drops to #4, but still close to the top. Two songs that are or have been in Billboard's top ten are also here on SNS. Hozier's former Hot 100 #1 "Too Sweet" advances 10-8 here and rebounds 16-7 on the Hot 100; and SZA's "Saturn" moves 13-10 here and 29-12 on Billboard (it originally entered at #6). It's her second blog top 10, following the #2-peaking "Snooze" last year.
In the second ten, the song to watch is Juliet Callahan's "Don't Phase Me", grabbing Impact honors in a 21-11 move, which could rival her 2022 #1 "Burning". Eavesdrop, Royel Otis and Mumford & Sons featuring Pharrell Williams make advances in that section, while beach singer Sylvia Johns Ritchie and Korean outfit Say Sue Me enter the top 20.
TURNING TO THE HOT 100, after the big Taylor Swift sweep last week, "Fortnight", featuring Post Malone holds on to the top spot, and moves 73-47 here, but, except for the 9 and 10 spots ("I Can Do It With A Broken Heart", "Down Bad"), the others drop out of the top ten. "Million Dollar Baby" by Tommy Richman debuts at #2, and "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozy advances 27-3. However, the next four slots are also on the SNS 100: Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" moves 22-4 there and garners the Mover of the Week here, advancing 66-34 after grabbing the Top Debut last week; Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things", which would have led Billboard last week if not for Ms. Swift, moves back 15-5 on the Hot 100, and continuing its slow ascent on the SNS 100, moves 34-24 in its 12th week here. Teddy Swims' "Lose Control", a former #1 on both listings, moves back to #6 on Billboard, and currently #30 here, and finally Hozier's former Billboard #1 "Too Sweet", as mentioned earlier advances 10-8 on SNS.
A SMORGASBOARD of styles among the SNS debuts this week. Leading the pack is "Human" by Lenny Kravitz. Lenny has, of course had many successes in the 1990's and early 2000's, such as "Let Love Rule", "Fly Away" and his cover of "American Woman". In the blog era, he only made my chart once before: "Stand" went to #35 blog in 2011. Originally known as a "retro rocker", with a throwback in several classic genres, he sorts of repeats that here: This is definitely a 1980's vibe, reminiscent of early Depeche Mode. Once the song gets going, his soulfulness kicks in. A lot is going on here, but all of it is good. Lenny's pop sensibilities are in full force, and a rock guitar break clinches it. It definitely what he needs to climb the charts; it is scaling the Hot AC charts as of now. A Rock Hall nominee this year, this should add to his resume for future consideration. Should be a hit here. It grabs Top Debut at #64.
Dua Lipa follows next with "Illusion" entering at #66. Like the current Sabrina Carpenter single, this is excellent, emotional dance-pop and her best in a while. The vibrating beat never gives up. It has already topped the recent "Training Season" and should challenge "Levitating" or her blog #1 "Love Again". Let's make pop music challenging again, and this definitely helps.
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| South Jersey singer-songwriter C. Lynne Smith enters the SNS 100 this week with "Follow It Down", her first release in 17 years. |
Next up is a singer-songwriter that I had the pleasure of connecting with on Facebook during the pandemic, thanks to some mutual friends' recommendations of her. I had discovered the talents of singer-songwriter with a country flair C. Lynne Smith back in 2020 thanks to her Facebook video performances during COVID. Wanting to showcase some of her music, but not having recorded an album since 2007, I thus featured the title track from that year's set, "Real", and it hit #3 here in 2020. She finally releases a live, acoustic track, "Follow It Down", and it enters at #68. Written in 2017 but not released, this is a classic social commentary song about the current situation in the country. She was going to drop it during election season in 2020 (she posted it then, but didn't release it), but with the upcoming election in 2024, now seems like the current time. "Hate has no home here" is repeated in the lyrics, and that pretty much sets the tone for this song. C. Lynne sings with a Melissa Etheridge vibe, but the sentiment is all her own. You have to admire Ms. Smith for putting in song what other musicians just post on their pages. Protest and social comment songs have had a history in this country, and it's great to see her continue that legacy. I have yet to meet C. Lynne in person; she performs regularly in South Jersey and most notably Cape May, and it's just a matter of time before I catch a show of hers.
C. Lynne will be playing this Saturday, May 11, at the Jersey Cape Seaglass Festival in Cold Spring Village in the Cape May area, from 2 to 4 PM.
Suki Waterhouse follows her Top 10 "OMG" with "My Fun". This one has sort of a Sheryl Crow vibe to it, and it sounds like she's having a good time on this one, with the beat swaying back and forth. A very catchy vibe her that should net her a second blog hit.
Next up is "Looking So Good", by beach music outfit The I-42 Band, following up last year's top 20 "Beach Fever On My Mind". This is an equally good slice of southern rock and of course shag-worthy. Already making inroads on beach music lists, this one should equal "Beach Fever". Boogie on!!!
Gary Clark Jr returns with "What About the Children". Another artist who knows what social commentary music is all about, this song features the legendary Stevie Wonder. The standout feature on this one is the awesome guitar sound that starts the song before the song gets right down to the subject, children of families in poverty.
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| Winnetka Bowling League is set to release its first full length album Sha La La, on May 31. The single, "American In Your 20's", debuts this week. |
Next is the latest from Winnetka Bowling League, "America in Your 20's". It's now been four years since Matthew Koma and company made the alternative charts with "Kombucha", but the band has made somewhat of a comeback the last few months. This one has a "Take on Me" vibe, with a melody that recalls both the Gin Blossoms' "Follow You Down" and Foster the People's "Coming of Age". Like the C. Lynne Smith and Gary Clark entries mentioned above, this is sort of a social commentary about those Gen Z's coming to grips with adult life in this country during these times. This is a well-done effort, and probably has the best chance of any recent singles to make the alternative (or at least Triple-A) charts. The band, believe it or not, has just now recorded its first full length album (after several EPs), Sha La La. The album will include their recent blog top 10 "Breakfast For Dinner", as well as the title track, which peaked at #39 and currently sits at #83 on the SNS 100. The album drops May 31.
The debuts conclude with Rachel Platten's "Girls". Ms. Platten has had two blog mid-charters, the most recent, "Fight Song" (a Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten entry) being in 2015. This is a gentle vocal-and-piano ballad, showing off her songwriting prowess. This could be a sleeper, well done, well written, well sung.
TURNING LOCALLY: Last week, I mentioned that Charlotte Sessions, from my hometown of Roselle Park, was to perform at a local songwriters' symposium "Writers Round NJ" at Garwood NJ's Crossroads venue. While I wasn't able to catch her performance, she posted on her Facebook page a performance of one of her songs. Check it out below:
Charlotte Sessions Performance
Meanwhile, Colorjoy, the duo comprised of Emily MacMahon and Sam Novotny has posted their summer gig schedule. The duo, formerly of ScreenAge but on their own the last couple of years, had released Golden Age a year ago which yielded a record seven top ten's on my blog chart, has been concentrating on New York City gigs, and while a bulk of the summer schedule is there, it does include New Jersey dates, mostly at Max's Gar and Grill in Long Branch, NJ. They are set to perform there May 10 (tonight as I write this), June 7, July 12, and August 4. Performances start at 6:30 PM for the May and June shows, 7 PM for the July gig, and 4 PM for the August appearance.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
May 5, 2024
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
3 |
NUMBER ONE:  DEB BROWNING and MARLISA KAY SMALL (Single Release) |
5 |
|
2 |
2 |
7 |
|
|
3 |
4 |
10 |
|
|
4 |
1 |
10 |
|
|
5 |
5 |
11 |
|
|
6 |
7 |
11 |
|
|
7 |
6 |
11 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
5 |
|
|
9 |
9 |
8 |
|
|
10 |
13 |
9 |
|
|
11 |
21 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
4 |
|
12 |
8 |
14 |
|
|
13 |
16 |
6 |
|
|
14 |
12 |
19 |
|
|
15 |
18 |
8 |
|
|
16 |
17 |
9 |
|
|
17 |
20 |
10 |
|
|
18 |
15 |
11 |
|
|
19 |
26 |
6 |
|
|
20 |
22 |
9 |
|
|
21 |
14 |
13 |
|
|
22 |
11 |
14 |
|
|
23 |
19 |
18 |
|
|
24 |
34 |
12 |
|
|
25 |
29 |
10 |
|
|
26 |
40 |
3 |
|
|
27 |
32 |
15 |
|
|
28 |
23 |
14 |
|
|
29 |
43 |
3 |
|
|
30 |
24 |
16 |
|
|
31 |
35 |
8 |
|
|
32 |
36 |
7 |
|
|
33 |
44 |
4 |
|
|
34 |
66 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  "Espresso" (Single Release) |
2 |
|
35 |
25 |
15 |
|
|
36 |
37 |
9 |
|
|
37 |
27 |
10 |
|
|
38 |
46 |
4 |
|
|
39 |
42 |
9 |
|
|
40 |
31 |
12 |
|
|
41 |
28 |
12 |
|
|
42 |
51 |
3 |
|
|
43 |
30 |
13 |
|
|
44 |
33 |
9 |
|
|
45 |
58 |
4 |
|
|
46 |
48 |
7 |
|
|
47 |
73 |
2 |
|
|
48 |
38 |
9 |
|
|
49 |
52 |
6 |
|
|
50 |
41 |
8 |
|
|
51 |
47 |
25 |
|
|
52 |
63 |
3 |
|
|
53 |
65 |
3 |
|
|
54 |
56 |
5 |
|
|
55 |
54 |
6 |
|
|
56 |
62 |
3 |
|
|
57 |
69 |
11 |
|
|
58 |
55 |
5 |
|
|
59 |
49 |
22 |
|
|
60 |
72 |
3 |
|
|
61 |
39 |
13 |
|
|
62 |
50 |
8 |
|
|
63 |
71 |
4 |
|
|
64 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:;  "Human" Album: Blue Electric Light |
1 |
|
65 |
45 |
15 |
|
|
66 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
67 |
75 |
2 |
|
|
68 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
69 |
64 |
4 |
|
|
70 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
71 |
61 |
8 |
|
|
72 |
67 |
23 |
|
|
73 |
68 |
22 |
|
|
74 |
84 |
2 |
|
|
75 |
81 |
3 |
|
|
76 |
92 |
2 |
|
|
77 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
78 |
83 |
2 |
|
|
79 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
80 |
90 |
2 |
|
|
81 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
82 |
57 |
Rev. Bubba D. Liverance and the
Cornhole Prophets - Something In the Water |
16 |
|
83 |
53 |
10 |
|
|
84 |
59 |
13 |
|
|
85 |
88 |
2 |
|
|
86 |
60 |
13 |
|
|
87 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
88 |
74 |
10 |
|
|
89 |
79 |
31 |
|
|
90 |
70 |
7 |
|
|
91 |
80 |
26 |
|
|
92 |
91 |
22 |
|
|
93 |
77 |
17 |
|
|
94 |
76 |
12 |
|
|
95 |
85 |
13 |
|
|
96 |
82 |
16 |
|
|
97 |
89 |
20 |
|
|
98 |
78 |
5 |
|
|
99 |
86 |
4 |
|
|
100 |
95 |
4 |
Murmurs:
Jade Bird - C'est La Vie
Rhonda McDaniel - Better
Orbis Max and Lindsay Murray - Fields
Rhonda McDaniel - Better
Lissie - Night Moves
Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers - Cigarette
Eavesdrop - Only One
Kaleo - Lonely Cowboy
Fontains DC - Starbuster
The Beaches - Edge of the Earth
Travis - Gaslight
Joywave - Sacred
Teddy Swims - The Door
Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.
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|
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
