A few things to cover this week, so let's get right to it.
I mentioned this briefly last week, but there seems to be an issue regarding Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny being named to the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime show, but the reasons don't seem to be clear. Unfortunately, I keep coming across various articles about the issue, but not one of them seems to explain the reasons why. Some of it was because the right-wing MAGA community didn't want it, as he was a frequent critic of the current administration. There have been rumors about the NFL canceling him, but that's been just about it---a rumor. Some have "complained" that it's because he is of Puerto Rican descent and he himself has said that all of his lyrics are in Spanish, and that his planned performances will be mainly in that language.
 |
| Bad Bunny has been named the performer for the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, amid controversy. |
Look, I don't have any issue with all of that, although it would be nice if Bad Bunny---or for that matter any public figure would just lay off the politics and just entertain. Between music and television late-night talk shows, it seems to be more about the politics than the entertainment. We want to be entertained, not preached to. We are all responsible human beings, and we are free to express our views without any celebrities telling us what to think.
I don't follow Bad Bunny---personally I would prefer alt rockers like Beach Bunny, but nobody knows who they are---but, like The Weeknd a few years back, who I got into his music after he was named the Super Bowl halftime performer, and scored a few songs on my chart, I will check out some of his songs.
But for me, my issue is: Last year we had another rapper, Kendrick Lamar; a few years before that, Dr. Dre. I know that hip-hop has been a dominant music genre the last few decades. And we also had some good R&B performers like Rihanna and Usher, this decade.... but what about country music? That is an equally important genre these days, but where are these artists in relation to the halftime show? The last time a country artist headlined the halftime show? Shania Twain, back in 2003!
Yes, 2003. That was twenty-three years ago. The following year featured the wardrobe malfunction (Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake), followed by a slew of classic rock acts, before returning to current pop stars in 2013 beginning with Beyonce. Since then, it's either been pop stars (Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, the return of Justin Timberlake, The Weeknd), or acts like Coldplay, Jennifer Lopez and the aforementioned Rihanna and Usher.
And if you look at the top of the Hot 100 these days, unless there's an album drop by the likes of Kendrick Lamar or Drake, there really hasn't been much hip-hop at the top of the charts lately. And while I'm not too happy with songs like "Lose Control", "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and "Die With a Smile" staying on the charts ad infinitum, they are essentially mainstream pop songs, although it would be nice to see some newer songs like that get on there. And while several hip-hop songs debut high, they fall off rather quickly; as for Lamar's songs, while a couple of them topped the chart from his latest album, they have fallen off relative quickly--at least compared to those listed above--- in recent weeks.
There had originally been rumors about Taylor Swift doing the show early on, but that isn't happening. But there are many other artists who are worthy of doing it. As I mentioned, where are the country artists? I know somebody like a Morgan Wallen is too controversial, but what about Shaboozey? Jelly Roll? Lainey Wilson? Reba McEntire? Or even current pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter or Chappell Roan would be fine as well, but country is way, way, overdue.
Sometimes, I feel like I'm out of step with my friends when it comes to current artists. I get comments from my contemporaries like "who the heck is Bad Bunny?", or anyone else on the charts these days. That's a far cry from even 10 years ago, when friends referenced songs like "Happy", "Blurred Lines" or "Uptown Funk". Whether that's a factor on whether to continue this blog and the chart, can be discussed at another time.
Of course, this is a far cry from the days when we had marching bands, or "lightweight" artists performing the show ("Up with People", anyone?). It had gotten to the point where there were "alternate" shows, like what the Fox network did back in the early 1990's, putting on their own halftime show during that time with more "relevant" artists or special editions of shows like In Living Color.
An organization called Turning Point USA is planning something which echos those days, by providing an "alternate" Superbowl halftime show. It doesn't mention who is slated to perform, but it's supposedly going to be more "American", and "patriotic" whatever that means.
They say, if you don't like something, don't watch or listen. And I guess that's what is going on here. But, like the commercials which for me used to be exciting, but now have bored me, it may be the same with the halftime show. To be honest, I will probably do what I've been doing the last few years at a friend's party.... go outside by the bonfire that my friend sets up during his annual party. As that will be back in New Jersey, the time will be for hanging out with my friends from up there catching up, and less about whoever performs.
You can read further about the controversy in this article here:
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/bad-bunny-super-bowl-2026-controversy.html
SHE SHALL BE RELEASED: I really never intended to throw politics into my blog, since for me it's been about the music. I don't post politics on my Facebook timeline, as it's always been about my life, my hobbies and interests, and not a political soapbox. Of course, people have the right to say what they want on their own pages, but I have friends on both sides of the aisle. As politics was involved in the Bad Bunny situation, I tried to straddle both sides of the issues. But that's probably small potatoes to what has been going on in the Middle East, especially with the conflict with Israel, Hamas and what has happened in the Gaza Strip. And especially when it has affected people that I know, in particular an artist who I've been following for well over a decade, who was captured as part of a relief flotilla and was detained in an Israeli prison camp, and recently released and is back home after a cease fire was called.
I'm not going to dive deep into this situation; I've always supported Israel's right to exist, and a longtime friend lives there, whose son heads the band based in Queens, NY, Offguard, who has made my chart several times. During the original attack on Israel, her and her husband thankfully were safe.
But on the other side of the coin, there was, among the Palestinian hostages that were captured by Israel, it also included outsiders bringing relief to those who lost their homes. Leila Hegazy was part of a flotilla to bring aid to those whose lives were displaced in Gaza. If you've read my blog for any length of time, you'll know that Leila, along with her twin sister Omnia are musicians, who are part Egyptian, raised Muslim, and are based in Staten Island. Leila had a solo blog #1 back in May 2011 with "Hush Little Baby", and another blog topper with her sister as the duo Hegazy in 2017 with "Alive". As such, they have been pro-Palestinian. In her part to provide aid to those in Gaza, Leila went to Barcelona, Spain, as part of the Global Sumud flotilla, only to be captured and detained in the prison camp, al-Naqub, for five days. She was finally released, along with the other hostages, on October 8.
This is an interview with Leila and Omnia's mother, Marylu: S.I. mom recounts daughter’s detention by Israel during Gaza aid mission: “I was terrified, but I am so proud of her.” - silive.com
 |
| Leila Hegazy is greeted by her husband as she returns from being a prisoner in an Israeli camp in an attempt to provide aid to those affected in Gaza. |
There are two sides to every story, and I'm not going to comment on the situation, but I just wanted to bring light to an indie artist that I've followed and supported their music almost since the beginning of the blog, who was an unfortunate victim of an ongoing issue facing the world.
There must be a better away, in this day and age, to settle issues like this. Godspeed to Leila. You can catch her story and views here: Leila Tells her Story
 |
| John Lodge, the bassist of the classic British band, the Moody Blues, passed away last week. |
FINALLY, in a year that many artists have left us, we have another: John Lodge, singer and bassist for the British band The Moody Blues, has passed away at the age of 82. He was a member of this band for 62 years, joining in 1966. He contributed to some of the band's well-known songs like "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)", "Ride My See-Saw", "Isn't Life Strange", "Gemini Dream" and others. He also released some solo work as well as an album, Blue Jays with fellow band member Justin Hayward.
Lodge was the last surviving member of the band.
CALM BEFORE THE STORM: Looking at the Billboard Hot 100, the top two are the same: HUNTR/X's "Golden" is #1 for the 8th week, while "Ordinary" by Alex Warren is still #2. The former has also passed the latter on the SNS 100, with "Golden" moving to #26 and "Ordinary" now at #27. Tate McRae's latest "Tit For Tat" debuts at #3, while her duet with Morgan Wallen, "What I Want", holds at #4. As for "Lose Control", it moves back up yet another notch to #6, in week 111.
But next week will reflect the new Taylor Swift album, The Life of a Showgirl, which is expected to scour out at least the Top Ten. Her previous album, The Tortured Poets Effect, yielded, in its first week, the top 14 songs on the Hot 100. Early indications are that she will own the entire top ten; it remains to be seen what additional positions other tracks will debut at.
Of course, the big question is, will "Lose Control" hang onto the top 25? And if it doesn't, once many of the new Swift track descend, will the song re-debut? Songs can re-enter the chart above #25 if it had logged 52 weeks or more, but it remains to be seen whether that will apply to a song which has been on there more than twice that. The song, which logged a week at the top of that chart back in Spring 2024 and was Billboard's #1 song of last year, and which also logged three weeks at the top on the SNS 100, also has been in Billboard's top 10 for 80 weeks, also a record. By the way, Benson Boone's "beautiful Things", still #15, has been on the chart for 88 weeks in its own right. That's fourth longest all-time,, and just three off the 91 weeks by "Heat Waves" by Glass Animals which held the record until "Lose Control" broke it.
SNS 100: "My Mama (She Was Right)" by The Jay Vons logs a 4th week at the top of the Scenes 'n' Soundwaves 100. Holding at #2 is "505" by Arctic Monkeys. But it looks like the next #1 may well be North Tower's version of "Pretty Lady", moving 5 to 3 this week. Role Model's "Sally When the Wine Runs Out" moves 7-4, while The Black Keys' "No Rain, No Flowers" hangs onto the top 5 at #5. Bradley Denniston's "HER" and Chappell Roan's "The Subway" enter the top 10.
Three beach music acts enter the top 20 this week: The third hit by Pepper Creek, "Carolina Tans" grabs Impact honors (29-16), while The Tonez' "This Love Is Real" (21-18) and Angela Resignalo's "Carolina Kiss" (25-19). Last week's Top Debut, "He Doesn't Have a Clue" (72-52) is this week's Mover.
NOTHING CAN BE FINER: There are FOUR songs that have "Carolina" in the title. Aside from the above-mentioned Pepper Creek and Angela Resignalo songs, we also Sonny Russell and Cannonball Joe's "Carolina Sunshine Is Calling Me" (30-25) and Jennifer James' "Carolina's Home" (62-50). Aside from these songs, two others had made the SNS 100 this year: Dexter and the Moonrocks alternative hit, "Sad in Carolina", which peaked at #41 here, and Tony Torre's "Carolina Girls" which rose to #97 earlier this year.
I guess I've moved to the right state. Aside from "Jersey Girl", can I recall any songs mentioning my prior state?
NEWIES: The Top Debut goes to the latest by Alice Merton, "Ignorance is Bliss". Ms. Merton, who hit with the blog #2 "No Roots" in 2017, is back and delivers this gem. It starts off with a pulsating beat, followed by her lively and emotional vocal. This is a rockin', singer-songwriter tour de force, that is right up my wheelhouse. Ms. Merton last charted in 2022 with the #56 "Same Team"; this is her first release since then. A winner garnering a #72 debut.
Next, we have a cool rendition of one of my favorite beach music songs, "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)", originally done by The Swinging' Medallions. A new version by a group called Johnny O and the Pocket Rockets enter at #75. Johnny O is Johnny Erato, who hails from Brooklyn NY, and is a geocaching friend, but is also a musician. The original version, a Carolina beach music classic, landed at #10 on my 1966 year-end list, and this is a cool rendition. The instrumentation is slightly different, but otherwise it's true to the original. With North Tower's cover of Lighthouse's "Pretty Lady" from 1973 (#15 on my year-end list that year), it seems the way to my playlist and chart is to cover one of my all-time favorites, and this fits the bill.
Also debuting are the latest from Jade Bird, "Save Your Tears" (no relation to The Weeknd's song of the same name), a worthy follow to her top 10 "Dreams", it sort of reminds me of KT Tunstall; reggae artist King Tappa's "Badness", which once again takes you to the islands on a sunny day while it makes a statement; Lomax's "Shake It Baby", a soulful record, sixties style, on some beach music charts; Ax and the Henchmen's "Blurry Lights", an alt-pop record that features Albert Hammond Jr of The Strokes, and finally, the latest from Portugal. The Man, "Tanana", a midtempo alternative son, that could create some noise here.
FINALLY, last week, I had wondered if the new song, "Monster" by 60's psychedelic band Strawberry Alarm Clock had any original members. Upon some research, it appears that yes, four members of the current band were with them back in 1967 when "Incense and Peppermints" hit #1. And speaking of The Swingin' Medallions, who are scoring in beach music circles, I readded "Hit Me With Them Horns" giving it another "shot"! (see what I did there?). I will have to look to see how many original members are here since this doesn't sound anything like their big hit. We shall see.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
October 5, 2025
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: The Word (4 Weeks at #1) |
9 |
|
2 |
2 |
9 |
|
|
3 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
4 |
7 |
9 |
|
|
5 |
4 |
15 |
|
|
6 |
10 |
10 |
|
|
7 |
3 |
The
Tams - My True Love |
12 |
|
8 |
11 |
8 |
|
|
9 |
12 |
7 |
|
|
10 |
6 |
16 |
|
|
11 |
8 |
15 |
|
|
12 |
19 |
4 |
|
|
13 |
9 |
16 |
|
|
14 |
15 |
8 |
|
|
15 |
20 |
6 |
|
|
16 |
29 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
4 |
|
17 |
14 |
15 |
|
|
18 |
21 |
11 |
|
|
19 |
25 |
7 |
|
|
20 |
13 |
13 |
|
|
21 |
28 |
7 |
|
|
22 |
30 |
7 |
|
|
23 |
16 |
14 |
|
|
24 |
27 |
11 |
|
|
25 |
34 |
8 |
|
|
26 |
36 |
HUNTR/X
- Golden |
6 |
|
27 |
23 |
20 |
|
|
28 |
38 |
9 |
|
|
29 |
24 |
13 |
|
|
30 |
37 |
10 |
|
|
31 |
18 |
17 |
|
|
32 |
22 |
17 |
|
|
33 |
39 |
The
Cynz -Can't Help Thinking About Me |
6 |
|
34 |
32 |
9 |
|
|
35 |
40 |
Sonny Russell
and Cannonball Joe - Carolina Sunshine Is Calling Me |
10 |
|
36 |
17 |
14 |
|
|
37 |
31 |
21 |
|
|
38 |
41 |
16 |
|
|
39 |
44 |
8 |
|
|
40 |
46 |
Los
Staitjackets - Spinout |
6 |
|
41 |
26 |
13 |
|
|
42 |
35 |
16 |
|
|
43 |
50 |
Barry Duke and
Sharon Woodruff - Sometimes Love Is Not Enough |
5 |
|
44 |
54 |
4 |
|
|
45 |
33 |
11 |
|
|
46 |
43 |
17 |
|
|
47 |
51 |
5 |
|
|
48 |
53 |
5 |
|
|
49 |
61 |
3 |
|
|
50 |
62 |
3 |
|
|
51 |
64 |
4 |
|
|
52 |
72 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
2 |
|
53 |
49 |
12 |
|
|
54 |
59 |
5 |
|
|
55 |
56 |
Craig
Woodlard - Pretty Women Everywhere |
6 |
|
56 |
63 |
4 |
|
|
57 |
42 |
Juliet
Callahan - Running Lights |
12 |
|
58 |
45 |
13 |
|
|
59 |
47 |
17 |
|
|
60 |
48 |
18 |
|
|
61 |
52 |
19 |
|
|
62 |
74 |
3 |
|
|
63 |
69 |
4 |
|
|
64 |
60 |
8 |
|
|
65 |
77 |
3 |
|
|
66 |
68 |
7 |
|
|
67 |
73 |
3 |
|
|
68 |
71 |
5 |
|
|
69 |
80 |
3 |
|
|
70 |
78 |
3 |
|
|
71 |
79 |
4 |
|
|
72 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: Visions |
1 |
|
73 |
91 |
2 |
|
|
74 |
58 |
13 |
|
|
75 |
--- |
Johnny O and the
Pocket Rockets - Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) |
1 |
|
76 |
67 |
25 |
|
|
77 |
55 |
12 |
|
|
78 |
84 |
2 |
|
|
79 |
85 |
2 |
|
|
80 |
57 |
7 |
|
|
81 |
88 |
2 |
|
|
82 |
66 |
14 |
|
|
83 |
86 |
Scotty McCreery
ft.. Hootie and the Blowfish - Bottle Rockets |
2 |
|
84 |
76 |
26 |
|
|
85 |
75 |
23 |
|
|
86 |
65 |
12 |
|
|
87 |
70 |
20 |
|
|
88 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
89 |
97 |
2 |
|
|
90 |
82 |
21 |
|
|
91 |
96 |
2 |
|
|
92 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
93 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
94 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
95 |
83 |
18 |
|
|
96 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
97 |
93 |
28 |
|
|
98 |
92 |
Ariel
Pink - With You Every Night |
6 |
|
99 |
94 |
25 |
|
|
100 |
101 |
1 |
Tremors:
101. The Lumineers, Asshole
102. Swingin' Medallions, Hit Me With Those Horns
Tremors: Songs which have steady
or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
Orbis Max - If I Still Believe In Love At All
Lissie - America
Camp St. Helene - Baby Bird
Say She She - Disco Life
Wednesday - Townies
Wet Leg - Manageout
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.
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