WELL, HERE IT IS, the last of the Trilogy of February music related events that can sometimes make you cringe (or applaud, depending on how you view things).
Last week the latest nominations from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame came out, and while my initial notification about it drew some ire, I really haven't heard too much in the way of criticism or controversy in subsequent days. Then again, I've pretty much steered clear of watching any videos or reading any reactions to them as I wanted to analyze them for myself.
I haven't seen any reactions from my Facebook friends about it. Perhaps it's because the argument about "this isn't rock" has become too old and people don't really care anymore about the Hall. And I should be the same way except I do a blog every week and I have to talk about something. Analyzing the Hot 100 has become tedious week after week (by the way, it's dominated by last week's "talk", Kendrick Lamar, but we sort of knew that).
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| Billy Idol is among this year's nominees for the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame |
After last year's inductions which included artists not normally associated with "rock", like Mary J. Blige and Dionne Warwick, it's been pretty much assumed, especially with the new committee, that the inductions aren't limited to the rock genre, and it encompasses other genres like hip-hop, country, R&B and anything else that is contemporary in nature that many of us listened to growing up and in our adult lives. An artist doesn't have to be rock but instead have that "embodiment" that rock originally had in the 1950's and forward; an artist who not necessarily have scored on the charts, but those that embodies that "rock spirit". As a result, my analysis isn't about "are they rock?" but rather, "do they embody the spirit of the music".
Here are the 2025 nominees:
- Billy Idol
- Chubby Checker
- Bad Company
- Mana
- The Black Crowes
- Oasis
- Mariah Carey
- Outkast
- Soundgarden
- Phish
- Joy Division/New Order
- Joe Cocker
- The White Stripes
- Cyndi Lauper
Some have been nominated before in recent years, and some, unbelievably haven't. I'm sure all of them are on the nominations list because they believe they have significantly contributed to the modern rock canon. But, some more than others.
So, without further ado, here goes.
Billy Idol: I believe this is his first nomination, and my first instinct was "what took it so long"? Billy of course, was a rocker, first emerging in the punk/new-wave band Generation X, and of course, solo. He definitely embodied 1980's music, adding a new-wave aspect to his pop sensibility. He was, in a way unique and his music co-existed with the Michael Jacksons, Princes, Madonnas and Bruce Springsteens of the era, but whose music wasn't like theirs. He should get in, but perhaps because this is the first time he was nominated, it might have to wait. But he shouldn't have to.
Chubby Checker: If Billy Idol, popular in the 1980's took forever to get a nomination, then what about Chubby? This guy should have been nominated 35 years ago, and I remember him lamenting why he hadn't gotten in yet. While people have been dancing to music for all generations, he was the prime exponent of dance music in the years between the period of Elvis Presley, and The Beatles. Everyone was doing "The Twist" in the early 1960's, and that song had two separate chart runs, both winding up at the top of the charts. He had other songs about dancing as well, and he definitely embodied the "rock spirit". He should definitely get in, similar to Cher last year, and if he doesn't, there's something terribly wrong.
Bad Company: To be honest, I'm a bit mixed about this. Bad Company was a supergroup of sorts, with the members coming from bands like Free, Mott the Hoople and King Crimson, bands with prog and glam-rock backgrounds. Led by Paul Rodgers, Bad Company were one of the first exponents of "arena rock", leading the way for later bands like Boston, Foreigner, Styx and REO Speedwagon. They had much success during the mid and latter half of the 1970's but that wore off by the early 1980's when Rodgers left the group, and they temporarily split. However, a reformed version of the band had success in the late eighties and early nineties, with a different sound, sans Rodgers, echoing to an extent the success that Aerosmith experienced during that time. As for getting in this time, I am going to say "no" at least for now, and while I like many of their songs, I don't really think that they had "something extra" to bring to the table. It also should be noted that none of the three bands that the original members came from are in, and to be honest, I think King Crimson should get in first....if they're ever nominated.
Mana: To be honest, I have no idea who (or what) this is, but upon Googling it, they are a Latin American band. Not sure how long they've been popular, but since the requirement is releasing a record 25 or more years ago, they've been around. I can't comment on this, but it's worth listening to them and checking them out.
The Black Crowes: A blues-rock confection that was popular in the late 1980's and much of the 1990's. They sort of bucked the hair-metal (and later, grunge) trends and brought a blues mentality back to rock. A cover of "Hard to Handle" was one of their big hits, and it was a big party song played down the Jersey Shore bars during that time. But like Bad Company, I'm pretty much on the fence on whether they should get in. I'm going to pass for now. Sorry.
Oasis: Them again. While yes, they led the "Brit-pop" movement of the early to mid 90's, they are too pretentious for my tastes. They got nominated last year and didn't get in. They had one or two good songs, but the rest, in my opinion were overrated. They may still get in, but in my opinion they shouldn't. I'd vote for Bad Company and The Black Crowes over the battling sibling duo.
Mariah Carey: Okay, this is a tough one. If you had asked me even a year or two ago, I'd say "no". While today's music fans only know her from her Christmas song, you have to be reminded that she was arguably the biggest artist in the 1990's, and that most of her 19 number ones (one short of the Beatles' record of 20) came in that decade. True, she isn't "rock", but, given that Mary J. Blige and Whitney Houston are in, I think it's time to say, yes. Her songs, while mostly R&B and pop in nature, do embody the spirit. She should get in. The big question is, should they "thaw" her out for the induction instead of waiting until November, when "that song" starts getting played again?
Outkast: It wouldn't be the RRHOF if at least one hip-hop artist wasn't nominated. He was definitely influential in his genre, and while I never really followed him, that one song in the early 2000's, stood out....the retro-sounding "Hey Ya!". If he can do a song like that along with his other work, then he should get in. I think he will.
Soundgarden: The only band of this group that I've seen live. They were in the heart of the grunge era, and since others in that genre are in, it's no rocket science that they should be in as well. Besides, I need to support a rock band after dissing the previous others on this list. No ifs, ands or buts, they should get in.
Phish: Like The Black Crowes, this jam band from Vermont swam against the nineties music current, and embodied the heart of live rock music, similar to The Grateful Dead. The Dave Matthews Band got in last year, so I think it's time for Phish to do the same.
Joy Division/New Order: The former evolved into the latter, and while I really never got into Joy Division, I did with New Order. Joy Division was sort of the post new-wave with goth overtones that foreshadowed bands like The Cure, while New Order was more in the synth pop arena like Depeche Mode. These bands styles are different enough from what's out there, and Joy Division, like last year's MC5, while not commercially successful, definitely were an influence. They were nominated in 2023 but it's time now. Yes, they should get in.
Joe Cocker: Another head scratcher. I guess the main thing against him was that he didn't write his own material, with his songs mostly covers. But remember this, those songs, like "With A Little Help From My Friends", and "The Letter" were vastly different from the original arrangements and many remember these versions over the originals. He performed at Woodstock, so that should net him points, and he also had hits into the early 1990's. That's a nice long span of popularity. A superb "song stylist" embodies the rock spirit, so he should get in as well.
The White Stripes: Another one nominated two years ago. I thought they should get in back then, but the knock on them were that they were "too new". Is now the time? The duo of Meg and Jack White pioneered the "retro-garage" sound in the 2000's and influenced bands like The Strokes, and The Black Keys. But this is a tough call. Not everyone can get in, and this time, I think they should wait another year (or two) to get in.
Cyndi Lauper: Another 2023 nominee. Back then, people were saying that she isn't "rock", but I disagreed. Even if she is considered "pop", she has mixed new wave with pop/rock, and rock stations played her in the 1980's. Her connections with music's elite in that decade, as well as part of the "Rock and Wrestling Connection" with the WWF that was part of the culture of that decade, give her "something extra" over the others.
Of course, not everyone can get in, but I've been pretty much on the money in years past so let's see how I do this year.
HOT 100: It's no surprise, but Kendrick Lamar, off his Superbowl Halftime show, takes the top three spots on this week's Billboard Hot 100, as well as five of the Top Ten. "Not Like Us", which had a couple non-consecutive weeks at #1 is back there, proving that it's okay to diss another artist. "Luther" one of two tracks featuring SZA, who performed with Lamar at the halftime show, is #2, and "TV Off" with Lefty Gunplay is #3. "Die With a Smile" once again, gets bounced out of the top spot and lands at #4. "Birds of a Feather" is still #6 and "A Bar Song" is still #8. Okay, I'll refrain from my usual comments.
SNS 100: The competition is getting really tough these days on my chart. While we seem to have a revolving door at #1 as Moto Bandit's "Private Pile" knocks out Monophonics' "Sage Motel" after one week, there is a blitz on the horizon. "Ghost" by The Palms moves 4-3, but a lot of songs make big moves that could challenge the top as early as next week. Thee Sacred Souls' "My Heart is Drowning" moves 10-5, and Tennis' "Weight of Desire", last week's Top Debut moves 40-12 to take Impact honors. My Morning Jacket's "Time Waited" goes 29-13, and Orbis Max's "Follow" moves 45-21 to get Mover honors.
DEBUTS: Once again, some heavyweight adds, two of them by beach music artists who hit the top spot last year. Two country stars, two acts from New Jersey, and one indie band with an intriguing name.
Starbuck's "Beach Radio" heads the debuts at #40. Has it been three years since Bruce Blackman's renaissance that put Starbuck back on the charts beginning with "You're the Reason"? At the time, I wondered if Bruce would get accepted by the beach music community. Well, with two #1's here and on John Hook's Beach Music charts, as well as top five on countless regional beach music tallies, the answer is definitely yes. "Beach Radio" is already on Don Mark's Surfside chart at #18. As for the song, I will go out on a limb and say this is his best song since Starbuck's comeback. A slow intro morphs into a great danceable song, a tribute to the stations that play these nice throwback songs. The song is squarely aimed at the Grand Strand crowd, mentioning shagging and Ocean Drive. The song is moving, it's emotional and a goodtime feeling as well. Any song in that genre that makes me feel good is right up my alley. Excellently produced, this should be yet another hit across the beach music community. Well done.
The second highest debut is another beach music song, written and sung by one of the best at both those crafts: "My Heart Knows You By Heart", promoted as a Valentine's Day song, but will no doubt last well beyond, is the new one by Sylvia Johns Ritchie. Her singing is very soulful, and the production and instrumentation is top notch. Sylvia has been a force in beach music in like, forever, and is one of the top songwriters at the genre. Another song that is up my alley, and it debuts at #60. Beach music has been relatively quiet on my chart lately, but between this song, Starbuck's and recent entries by The Six Piece Suits, I-42 Band, Jim Quick and Coastline, and Rivermist, moving up the chart, the genre will definitely be dominating once again. And that's not including the new song by Deb Browning and Michael Fite, "I Never Wanted To", which is set to debut next week.
Turning to the Indie scene, we have the latest from The Pozers, coming off two top 20 blog hits with their latest, "What You Do To Me", also off their Something Pop set. A bit of a change of pace from those 60's-influenced songs; they slow it down, but the emotions in the vocals are still intact with even a bit of a blues influence. The song shows a nice, new (to me) side that should make it three in a row. It debuts at #69.
Two country stars debut next. Carly Pearce is one of my favorite female stars of the genre and is a cool "rival" of sorts to Lainey Wilson. "truck on fire" is another gem from Ms. Pearce, a song that is easy on the ears, it's a cool jam that is really cooking. I love her voice. Meanwhile, Jason Aldean is back, this time with "Whiskey Drink". Definitely country both in delivery and theme. Aldean is much more than "Try That in a Small Town", this one is less controversial and brings out what he does best with a song.
Next is "Best Dog" by the indie band with the intriguing name of Kathleen Turner Overdrive. No, Kathleen Turner is not in the band, nor there is any connection with 70's rockers Bachman-Turner Overdrive. But the name is what led me to check out this band. The song reminds me of early No Doubt, ska-influenced, post punk. The band are from Australia, and this thing rocks and moves. KTO, as they're often referred to, have a blog hit here.
New Jersey-based kjband, which hit my top ten in 2016 with "Waves", returns with "The Outsider". Before I had heard of Einsteins Dad or Orbis Max, there was this project mastermind of Ken Johnston, who over the years has assembled a various lineup of musicians to back him up on each of his recordings. The album from which this comes from, is J/B. This track actually appeared on kjband's 1999 debut All I Want, but has been redone with horns added, and the song, as a result, sounds a bit like beach music at least to start. but morphs into a nice jam that even has jazz elements and really cooks.
Finally we have the latest from The Early November, "The Sand", which mid-charted last year with "About Me". The New Jersey-based duo sort of reminds me of Ben Folds, and does have a rock-oriented presentation. A few spins should guarantee a lengthy chart run.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
February 16, 2025
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This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
3 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: Pile of Garbage (EP) |
12 |
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2 |
1 |
12 |
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3 |
4 |
11 |
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4 |
2 |
10 |
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5 |
10 |
5 |
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|
6 |
6 |
14 |
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|
7 |
7 |
9 |
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|
8 |
9 |
10 |
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|
9 |
5 |
19 |
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10 |
11 |
13 |
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|
11 |
8 |
23 |
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|
12 |
40 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  Album: Face Down in the Garden |
2 |
|
13 |
29 |
3 |
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|
14 |
20 |
6 |
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15 |
12 |
11 |
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16 |
14 |
12 |
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17 |
17 |
16 |
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18 |
18 |
12 |
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19 |
16 |
24 |
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20 |
21 |
11 |
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|
21 |
45 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  "Follow" (Single Release) |
2 |
|
22 |
13 |
16 |
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23 |
23 |
5 |
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24 |
27 |
6 |
|
|
25 |
32 |
4 |
|
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26 |
31 |
5 |
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|
27 |
15 |
14 |
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28 |
22 |
13 |
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29 |
24 |
24 |
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30 |
26 |
16 |
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31 |
34 |
4 |
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|
32 |
43 |
The Six Piece Suits ft. Nina
Starsong - Lovers Into Strangers |
3 |
|
33 |
33 |
5 |
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|
34 |
19 |
15 |
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35 |
28 |
8 |
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36 |
35 |
6 |
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|
37 |
38 |
4 |
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38 |
39 |
6 |
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|
39 |
47 |
5 |
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|
40 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Release) |
1 |
|
41 |
54 |
3 |
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|
42 |
25 |
11 |
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|
43 |
30 |
12 |
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|
44 |
67 |
2 |
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|
45 |
48 |
5 |
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|
46 |
36 |
22 |
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47 |
53 |
4 |
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|
48 |
71 |
2 |
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49 |
51 |
6 |
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50 |
41 |
8 |
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51 |
52 |
5 |
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52 |
59 |
3 |
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53 |
56 |
5 |
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54 |
57 |
4 |
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55 |
62 |
3 |
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56 |
37 |
22 |
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57 |
61 |
4 |
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58 |
58 |
6 |
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|
59 |
64 |
4 |
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|
60 |
--- |
1 |
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|
61 |
55 |
25 |
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|
62 |
68 |
4 |
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|
63 |
70 |
5 |
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|
64 |
85 |
2 |
|
|
65 |
42 |
11 |
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|
66 |
74 |
4 |
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|
67 |
76 |
2 |
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|
68 |
50 |
16 |
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|
69 |
---- |
1 |
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|
70 |
44 |
11 |
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71 |
78 |
3 |
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72 |
89 |
2 |
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73 |
77 |
3 |
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74 |
80 |
4 |
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75 |
46 |
11 |
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|
76 |
63 |
6 |
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77 |
49 |
14 |
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|
78 |
83 |
3 |
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|
79 |
--- |
1 |
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|
80 |
60 |
7 |
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|
81 |
66 |
27 |
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|
82 |
--- |
1 |
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|
83 |
81 |
3 |
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|
84 |
88 |
3 |
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|
85 |
--- |
1 |
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|
86 |
69 |
6 |
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|
87 |
86 |
2 |
|
|
88 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
89 |
65 |
19 |
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|
90 |
75 |
13 |
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|
91 |
87 |
5 |
|
|
92 |
--- |
1 |
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|
93 |
92 |
2 |
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|
94 |
73 |
Sylvia Johns Ritchie -I Don't
Care Who Knows ( I Love My Baby) |
19 |
|
95 |
72 |
6 |
|
|
96 |
79 |
20 |
|
|
97 |
93 |
3 |
|
|
98 |
82 |
21 |
|
|
99 |
84 |
17 |
|
|
100 |
99 |
4 |
Murmurs:
Justice - Neverender
Deb Browning and Michael Fite - I Never Wanted To
The Black Keys - The Night Before
Franz Ferdinand - Night or Day
Mumford and Sons - Rushmore
Barry Walsh - The Sound
Juliet Callahan - Intoxicated
Almost Monday - Can't Slow Down
Sir Prize and the Twomorrow Knightz - Glide to Arrive
Dead Poet Society ft The Warning - Hurt
The Warning - Hell Y0u Call A Dream
Sweet Unrest - How Are You Feeling
Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers - Bender Coming On
Dani Zanoni- Safe Space
Inhaler - Your Hour
Phantogram - Come Alive
Tommy James - Where Did Our Love Go/You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Morgan Wallen - I'm the Problem
Lady Gaga - Abracadabra
Billie Eilish - Wild Flower
Lucius - Gold Rush
The Kooks - Never Know
Alabama Shakes - Until There's Nothing Left
Moon Soul - Don't Change
Ashley Clark - Liberty
pMad - Feed
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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. (Until September 2024)
●Songs garnering 25 plays
on Spotify (“Scrobbles”) according to Last.Fm (effective October 2024)
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 From 41-100 that are moving up the
chart that have not reached the top 40
Scenes
Down and Going: Song formerly in the top 40 that are
descending but still on the SNS 100.
Scenes
Recurrents: Songs which had been in
the top 20 and/or songs on the chart 25 weeks or more, that have dropped off
the SNS 100.
