Taylor Swift , John Fogerty and Ownership of Music; Black Keys Continue at top (SNS weeks of 7/6-7/13/2025)

 THIS IS A TWO-FER to not only catch up, but I am planning on getting away for a few days.

I wanted to cover this several weeks back, but before of all the passings of notable musicians, I figured I'd finally get to touch upon this now.

Taylor Swift recently bought the rights to her early albums.   In recent years, she had been re-recording those albums as "Taylor's Version"

Could we see the end of those "Taylor's Version" albums, as she recently was able to own the rights to all her music?     Because she didn't have access to her early albums, Taylor Swift had been compelled to re-record them, with the "Taylor's Version" tag on them.   

The superstar's self-titled album was  released in 2006 which was an immediate hit,  selling over seven million units.    But music manager Scooter Braun had owned the recordings of this and several subsequent releases, before selling the music to Shamrock Capital which was a private equity firm.  Ms. Swift at the time tried to purchase the masters to those albums, but was unsuccessful.   She wasn't even consulted about the sale, either.   As a result beginning in 2021, Taylor started a project to re-record four of her albums:  Fearless, Speak Now, Red, and 1989, which was her second through fifth albums originally.  

The idea of artists not owning the music that they create is an old one going back to the beginnings of music.   Artists, whether they write their own music or cover someone else's usually don't own the masters; they frequently belong to the record company, or perhaps another person buys the masters.    Probably the most significant example is The Beatles, in particular the songs written by John Lennon and  Paul McCartney; in the 80's they were famously owned by Michael Jackson.  

John Fogerty recent won the rights to his band Creedence Clearwater Revival's songs, which he had been the primary songwriter.    He also will release re-recordings of his Creedence hits, in August.

John Fogerty is another example of an artist who wrote and produced songs, only to have them owned by someone else.   Fogerty, of course, headed Creedence Clearwater Revival, and was that band's guiding hand.    They had recorded for Fantasy Records, which was owned by Saul Zaentz.   Unfortunately, early on, Fogerty had signed a contract that gave the proceeds to his song to Zaentz.   The band, after scoring many hits, broke up in 1972, and Fogerty, after recording a solo album of mostly covers the following year, Blue Ridge Rangers, left the label.  

In 1985 Fogerty released Centerfield, an album which contained several hits, including the title track (which was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame), and the top 10 "The Old Man Down the Road".  It was that song, which sounded similar to the Creedence hit "Run Through the Jungle".    Even though Fogerty wrote the song, he was sued by Zaentz, basically for plagiarizing himself.   For  the longest time, in concert, he refused to play the Creedence songs, not only because it would benefit Zaentz, but the disillusionment of the split of the band played a part.  Centerfield also included the song "Zanz Kant Danz", which was clearly directed at Saul Zaentz.  

Fogerty won the lawsuit when Zaentz sued him, and then he countersued him for the legal cost in initially defending himself.  Attorney's fees were indeed awarded to Fogerty.

Like Taylor, Fogerty, after a 50 year battle was able to own the rights to the Creedence songs that he had written, in 2023.    And while it is unknown whether Swift will continue to re-record the rest of her albums (she finished re-recording her debut, and had contemplated reworking her sixth album, Reputation),  Fogerty has nonetheless decided to re-record all his Creedence hits, with his family-based band; Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years, set for an August release.   

HOT 100-WHAT DID WE MISS?  NOTHING:  Despite it being two weeks since my last update, nothing's really changed on the Billboard Hot 100, except that Drake's "What Did I Miss?" debuted at #2.  "Ordinary" by Alex Warren is still #1 in its sixth week there.   A song called  "Golden" by HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna & REI AMI moved 23-6, but everything else is the same.  "Lose Control", STILL in the top 10 is now in its 99th week on the chart; seven songs have been in the top 20 for over a year; 12 songs have been there 20 weeks or more.  Pitiful.

SNS 100:  "No Rain, No Flowers" by The Black Keys stays at #1 for a second week, and has a comfortable lead.  However, there are several challengers to the top spot.  Moving 5-2 is "Salty Southern Saturday Night" by Pepper Creek.     Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson's "All Because of You" holds at #3, while three other competitors, Suki Waterhouse's "Dream Woman" (9-4), Thee Sacred Souls' "We Don't Have to Be Alone" (14-5) and Steve Cheek's "Beach Walkin'" (13-6) all make significant moves.   The top of the chart should get interesting in a couple of weeks with those strong competitors.

Indie band The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs grab Impact honors with "Long Haul" (21-18), with The Tonez & Sylvia Johns Ritchie's "Ladies Man" (22-19), and Jade Bird's "Dreams" (23-20) also entering the top 20 this week.  Mover Of the Week goes to Anna Lavigne's "Night Dreams" (38-23).  

DEBUTS:  Has it been almost a decade since I discussed the mini-music scene in Ridgewood, New Jersey?    Well, Real Estate, one of those acts, grabs the Top Debut with "Pink Sky" at #75. This is a very melodic slice of alt-pop, very accessible.    The band, which topped SNS several years back with "Paper Cup", released a compilation album of B-sides and other gems, The Wee Small Hours: B-Sides and Other Detritus 2011-2025.    

Next is (probably) the final farewell from Tennis, "At the Wedding".   As I mentioned a while back, the husband-and-wife duo had released their final album Face Down in the Garden, and are doing a farewell tour.   This song is a tender ballad, as you would expect from them.  Alaina Moore's vocals are sentimental, and it's a nice sendoff (barring culling another track from the album).  

Then we have the latest from Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers, "Truth Is".   Having resolved their distribution issues, the band headed by Seth Storer is back with this uptempo number.    I've said in the past that Storer's voice reminded me of Eddie Vedder.   However, this one has a Hootie & the Blowfish feel, and Seth kind of has a Darius Rucker vibe to it.   Which is a good thing.    Should be a blog hit.   Of course, Storer also has a solo career and has released new music also, which I will get to in subsequent weeks.  But his band rocks big time.

OTHER DEBUTS: Hannah Jagadu had a couple of major blog entries in 2023, and she returns here with "My Love".  It's sort of a mid-tempo rather dreamy thing...I haven't added a Jack White song in a while, but "Archbishop Harold Holmer" is an alt-hit, and it's pretty much what you'd expect from White, which could be anything.  This is vintage-era rock, sort of classic 70's metal mixed in with stuff from his White Stripes era in the 2000's.    Gordi, aka Australian Sophie Payten, who was featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show a few weeks back, debuts with "Peripheral Lover" , which is sort of in the same vein the Hannah Jagadu mentioned above.  Sonny Russell and Cannonball Joe's "Carolina Sunshine Is Calling Me", as you probably figured out, is a beach music song, and an upbeat one at that.     Sort of beach mixed with southern rock.   Finally Kesha is back, with "Attention", more of a throwback to her late 2000's heyday rather than her recent #1 "Only Love Can Save Us Now", but still worth checking out. 

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

July 6 / 13, 2025

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	1	NUMBER ONE: THE BLACK KEYS "No Rain, No Flowers" Album: No Rain, No Flowers (2 Weeks at #1)	6
2	5	Pepper Creek - Salty Southern Saturday Night	10
3	3	Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson - All Because Of You	11
4	9	Suki Waterhouse - Dream Woman	8
5	14	Thee Sacred Souls - We Don't Have To Be Alone	5
6	13	Steve Cheek - Beach Walkin'	7
7	2	Jerry Powell - Dance With Me	12
8	4	The Jay Vons - Days Undone●	16
9	6	Kelly Clarkson - Where Have You Been	9
10	7	The Mac Daddy's Band - Seaside in the Sand	14
11	11	Moon Soul - Don't Change	9
12	10	The Cure- A Fragile Thing	22
13	16	The Black Keys - Babygirl	6
14	8	Deb Browning - Does Your Baby Got Your Back●	12
15	17	Rhonda McDaniel - Sad Girl	6
16	15	Claire Davis - Thrive	11
17	12	Ashley Clark and Matthew Simon Clark - Liberty●	17
18	21	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: THE STREETWALKIN' CHEETAHS "Long Haul" Album: Call The Dogs (EP)	9
19	22	The Tonez and Sylvia Johns Ritchie - Ladies Man	8
20	23	Jade Bird - Dreams	9
21	25	Fitz and the Tantrums - Man on the Moon	7
22	26	Rivermist - Lady of the Island	6
23	38	MOVER OF THE WEEK: ANNA LAVIGNE "Night Dreams" Album: Night Dreams	4
24	18	Michael Nau - No Quit▲	17
25	30	Barry Walsh - Suddenly June	7
26	39	Jalen Ngonda - Just As Long As We're Together	4
27	19	Alex Warren - Ordinary	11
28	33	Lainey Wilson - Somewhere Over Laredo	5
29	20	Wilder Woods ft. Nick Waterhouse - Time On My Hands	13
30	35	Wet Leg - Catch These Fists	10
31	28	Almost Monday - Jupiter	8
32	40	Starbuck - Ocean Drive Nights	4
33	44	Juliet Callahan - Running Lights	3
34	47	The Tams - My True Love	3
35	24	Starbuck - Who's Gonna' Love You	11
36	46	My Morning Jacket - Everyday Magic	4
37	29	Ruth Morayniss. - Any Day Now	17
38	27	The Tonez - Flip Flops	16
39	34	The Kooks - Never Know	16
40	42	Too Much Sylvia - A Jukebox Playin' 45's	8
41	41	Sports Team - Bang Bang Bang	9
42	50	Orbis Max-  Nowhereland	4
43	32	Einsteins Dad ft. Ruth Moranyiss - Black Doves●	21
44	45	Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club	8
45	31	Miley Cyrus - End of the World	11
46	36	Deb Browning and Michael Fite - I Never Wanted To	19
47	49	Nadia Shutkofski - Slow It Down	5
48	37	Jackie Gore and Terri Gore - Unforgettable	12
49	52	Say She She - Cut and Rewind	4
50	51	Lorde - What Was That	8
51	43	Ed Sheeran - Azizam	11
52	53	Bush - 60 Ways to Forget People	9
53	54	Lissie - I'll Stand By You	6
54	61	Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild	4
55	62	Morgan Wallen ft Tate McRae - What I Want	5
56	63	Lola Young - One Thing	3
57	56	The Beaches - Did I Say Too Much	6
58	65	Lana Del Rey - Bluebird	5
59	64	Bartees Strange - Sober	6
60	74	Ruth Morayniss - Easy Does It	3
61	66	Royel Otis - Moody	7
62	76	KALEO -Bloodline	3
63	48	Seth Storer - Insomnia	13
64	58	Linkin Park - Up From the Bottom	7
65	69	SadGirl - Santeria	5
66	78	Wednesday  - Elderberry Wine	3
67	83	The Tonez - This Love Is Real	2
68	72	Lord Huron - Nothing I Need	5
69	75	Bad Suns - Communicating	5
70	87	The Pozers - Ease Off My Heart	2
71	55	The Black Keys - The Night Before●	19
72	68	The Beths - Metal	6
73	81	Easha - Stunning	3
74	80	MT Jones - Punching	3
75	---	TOP DEBUT: REAL ESTATE "Pink Sky" Album: The Wee Small Hours: B-Sides and Other Detritus 2011-2025	1
76	57	Sylvia Johns Ritchie - My Heart Knows You By Heart	20
77	93	SOMBR - Back to Friends	2
78	60	Teddy Swims - Guilty	17
79	---	Tennis - At the Wedding	1
80	59	Balu Brigada - So Cold	15
81	89	Psychic Air - Phase Disintegrate	3
82	92	Polyanna - Gravedigger	2
83	77	Billie Eilish - Wildflower	18
84	86	Ed Sheeran - Sapphire	3
85	67	MT Jones - I'd Be Lying	16
86	85	John Foster - Tell That Angel That I Love Her	4
87	98	Ty Segall - Possession	2
88	91	Good Neighbours - Ripple	3
89	---	Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers - Truth Is	1
90	71	Trousdale - Growing Pains	6
91	---	Hannah Jadagu - My Love	1
92	70	Fontaines DC - It's Amazing To Be Young	13
93	---	Sonny Russell and Cannonball Joe - Carolina Sunshine Is Calling Me	1
94	97	Myles Smith - Nice to Meet You	13
95	---	Jack White - Archbishop Harold Holmes	1
96	---	Gordi - Peripheral Lover	1
97	101	Michael Nau - Smokeflowers	1
98	73	Harley Olivia - Diggin'	11
99	---	Kesha - Attention	1
100	79	Evanescence - Afterlife	8

Tremors:

101. The Swingin' Medallions, Hit Me With Those Horns

102. Goose, Give It Time

 

Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.

Murmurs:

Moon Soul - Call

Shaboozey and Jelly Roll - Amen

Balu Brigada - The Question

Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge - Going to California

Roger Smith, Just Give Me a Beach

Orbis Max and Tim izzard - Summerville/Further Down the Line

Kathleen Turner Overdrive - Love At the End of the Line

The Doobie Brothers - Angels and Mercy/Call Me/New Orleans

The Big Takeover - Where Did I Go Wrong

Margo Price - Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down

David F.Porfirio - The Things I See

Tennis - At the Wedding/12 Blown Tires

Mumford and Sons - Caroline

Turnstile - Never Enough

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

 

●Songs garnering 25 plays on Spotify (“Scrobbles”) according to Last.Fm (effective October 2024)  ▲ Songs garnering 50 plays.

 

 

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.