A WHOLE LOT TO COVER THIS WEEK, so I will start with the news that really shouldn't surprise anyone but will probably irk anyone who hates new music.
Taylor Swift's latest album, The Life of a Showgirl entered the Billboard 200 album chart at the top, and all of the tracks landed in the top 12 of the Hot 100. It's the second time in as many albums releases that Ms. Swift was able to sweep the top 10, and then some. "The Fate of Ophelia" debuts at #1, with the other 11 tracks following right behind. Her previous album The Tortured Poets Department had the top 14 slots taken, but also debuted several others scattered below that. So, while on the surface it appeared that Taylor had less tracks at the top this time, her new album only HAS those twelve songs on it, making it even more impressive.
 |
| Taylor Swift's new album placed all twelve songs in the top 12 positions of the Billboard Hot 100. |
But I am sure, people are wondering about the real question: Did Taylor "clean house" of all the long-running songs that have been in the upper reaches of the Hot 100 in like, forever? Well, the songs that were 1-2 the last few weeks, are now, as a result, 12-13, that being HUNTR/X's "Golden", and Alex Warren's "Ordinary". But "Lose Control" by Teddy Swims, the "cockroach" of the chart, survived another blitz. While it drops from #6 to #16 in week 112, if you take all the Swift songs away, it actually would have moved up another two notches to #4.
Last week, I mentioned that Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things" is in fourth place all time in weeks logged. It was #15 last week but just hangs on the chart at #25 in week 89. The "recurrent" rule states that songs are removed if they've been on the charts for 52 weeks and drop below #25. It trails "Lose Control" (112 and counting), "Heat Waves" (Glass Animals, 91 weeks) and "Blinding Light" (The Weeknd, 90 weeks). "Die With a Smile", #13 last week, drops to #22 in week 60.
We did lose two long-runners, however. "A Bar Song (Tipsy)", #16 last week, finally drops out after 77 weeks, and "Pink Pony Club", #20 last week, logged 68 weeks before falling off. That song, a late bloomer on my SNS chart, actually was released in 2020.
One curiosity on the chart, is Billie Eilish's "Wildflower", which is at #63 this week, but on the chart for 69 weeks. I'm not sure why that is still on there. It peaked only at #17 as opposed to the top 10, and in most cases #1 for all the others. I'm not sure how that all factors in; perhaps there's another rule out there. An explanation might be that the song, a favorite of mine that peaked here at #6, wasn't released as a single until February of this year, suggesting that a rule to consider the time as a single would take in consideration
But now, the question looms. Often, when there's a chart bomb, similar to Taylor's, many of the songs drop off after the first week, and the older songs resume their prior position. Would that mean "A Bar Song" and "Pink Pony Club" could re-enter the chart if they're in the top 25? I guess we won't find out until at least next week, or definitely the week after.
But now, we get to the heart of the matter: Should all these songs on an album be allowed to chart? On the "JKL Hot 100" Facebook page, many were calling for only songs released as singles be permitted to be on the chart. But, similar to the longevity of many of these songs that just stick around because of constant streaming and airplay, the fact that individual songs can be streamed on their own makes it difficult to screen out the "singles", especially since many labels don't officially release singles, and what happened in the past, especially in the 1990's, many popular songs didn't chart because they weren't released as such. Unfortunately, with multiple entries from many acts, it prevents others from having songs on the chart. Such is the paradox in these modern times.
 |
| Jersey Shore rockers The Eddie Testa Band will be the final act to play at the Neptune nightclub The Headliner on Monday, October 20, at which time, the venue will close its doors for good. |
A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, I blogged about the closing of a key New Jersey rock and blues venue, The Stanhope House. Unfortunately, we have another closing of a popular nightclub, The Headliner, in Neptune at the Jersey Shore, which opened in 1974, and except for a brief period in the late 1980's and early 1990's, has been open. While not as "legendary" as places like Stanhope House, or Asbury Park's Stone Pony, many popular Jersey bands, have played there. I had been to it many times, just to party and hang out back in the day. The bar area was both indoors and outdoors, and it also had volleyball courts, and recently, a pool area. Various bands would play there. Sadly, it was announced last week that The Headliner would be closing for good. The Eddie Testa Band, whom I mentioned a few weeks ago, will be the final band playing there, this Monday, October 20, from 7 PM, until "the cops kick us out". The land will be cleared to build condos on.
Eddie Testa's band has been around forever and is a key element to the "Jersey Shore Sound". They've been together since the early 1980's, when they were called "The Cruisers", and then "Eddie and the Cruisers". The funny thing about that is they had nothing to do with the popular 1983 movie of the same name, and people have thought that either the band was named after the movie, or vice versa, but apparently, it's just coincidence. The band, which occasionally still released new music (two of their songs charted on my playlist) is still going strong, however.
R.I.P. Headliner. You gave us some really fun times.
 |
| Musician Ace Frehley, original guitarist with the band Kiss, passed away last week. He was 74. |
AND WHAT SEEMS to be a weekly occurrence, we have yet another musician passing. This time, it's Ace Frehley, best known as the original lead guitarist of the glam rock band Kiss. After playing in local bands, he joined Kiss in late 1972 and stayed with them through their 1970's heyday. While members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were often considered the "frontmen" for the band, Frehley was a key member. In fact, in 1978, the four members of the band released solo records, as well as singles from them. It was Frehley's "New York Groove" that reached #13 on the Hot 100, and his self-titled album was the best-selling of the four.
Frehley left Kiss in 1982 and formed a new band, Frehley's Comet before rejoining the band for a reunion tour in the 1990's. He's released several solo albums since, especially in the 2010's, and culminating in 2024's 10,000 Volts.
Last month, Frehley fell in his home twice, and had to cancel some tour dates. This past week, he was put on life support with a ventilator due to his brain bleeding resulting from his falls. His family made the decision to take him off life support and he passed shortly thereafter. He was 74.
There's a couple more topics to cover, such as MTV discontinuing it's overseas music channels (they still had them?) and the ongoing reaction to Bad Bunny's scheduled performance at the Super Bowl halftime show coming up, but I will save that for a future week.
 |
| North Tower's "Pretty Lady" lands at the #1 spot on the SNS 100. |
SNS 100: Taking a look at my latest chart, there is a new song at the top. North Tower takes #1 this week with "Pretty Lady". Thus, it becomes a record ninth beach music song or artist to top the blog chart in 2025, which breaks the record of 8, set two years ago. While the song technically isn't a shag song as it was originally done by the jazz-rock Canadian band Lighthouse back in 1973, and the remake is true to the original, the band North Tower is, and it's at or near the top of several beach surveys. It's #1 on Pat Gwinn's "At the Beach" chart, as well as topping the 94.9 "The Surf" radio station listing. This is great news for this party band which has been around for over 40 years. The contingent is also in the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame. You can check out the band's history on their website here: North Tower Band Website.
The Jay Vons' "My Mama (She Was Right)" drops to #2 after four weeks at the top. Role Model's alternative hit "Sally When the Wine Runs Out" advances 4-3, while Arctic Monkeys drops to #4 after a couple weeks at #2, and Bradley Denniston's "HER" advances 8-5. New to the top ten is the latest by MT Jones, "Why I Cry" (12-10). It's interesting that beach music radio isn't onto this one but is still playing "I'd Be Lying".
Four new entries into the top 20, including this week's Impact winner, Say She She with "Under the Sun" (21-16). Turnstile's "Never Enough" (25-18), Billboard's former #1 HUNTR/X's "Golden" (26-19), and Starbuck's "Jim's Cafe" (22-20). Speaking of Starbuck, Bruce Blackman has a new version of the band's 1977 top 40 hit "Everybody Be Dancin'", on the Murmurs list this week. Expect a good debut next week. Last week's Top Debut is this week's Mover of the Week, Alice Merton's "Ignorance is Bliss" (72-49). Other prime movers include Jennifer James' "Carolina's Home" (50-26) and The Six Piece Suits' "He Doesn't Have a Clue" (52-29).
 |
| Michael Fite (L) and Deb Browning's "Getaway Car" has the Top Debut this week at #40. |
DEB-UTS: This week's new entries are topped by the #40 arrival of the new Deb Browning-Michael Fite duet, "Getaway Car". The song was introduced this past week via two appearances on local radio stations. Fite, of course, plays with The Mac Daddy's Band, and Deb has appeared with the group at several recent gigs. The two of them hit #1 with "I Never Wanted To", which is still hanging onto the chart at #93 after 29 weeks (the oldest song on my chart). Deb and Michael each have an additional #1 song this year---Deb with "Does You Baby Got Your Back"---still riding near the top of many beach lists and holding on here at #94, and Fite's band topped SNS with "Seaside in the Sand" still #86 here.
"Getaway Car" (no relation to Taylor Swift's 2017 song of the same name) was originally done by Susan Ashton in 1999, as has been oft-covered since. However, it didn't chart until Daryl Hall & John Oates 2003 version hit #21 on the Billboard Hot AC chart. As for the song, it has a nice, relaxing sax intro, sentimentally then hits the song as the duo recalls what was in the past, and wants it again now, only to get away from it all. Fite takes the first verse, then Ms. Browning takes over. Deb's voice always has that sincere, sentimentality to it. I never heard the Hall & Oates rendition, so the song is new to me. Tim Sidden production cinches it. Another winner. Now, I have to catch both of these talents in a gig soon--unfortunately I missed a great gig with the Mac Daddy's and Deb at the Deckerz venue today (October 18 as I wrote this), but hopefully soon! The song enters at #40.
Next, debuting at #54 is the latest from The Black Keys, "Man On a Mission". Their album, No Rain, No Flowers has already produced two blog #1, including the title track, which had a four week #1 and still is in the top 10. Unfortunately, many alternative stations didn't play that, for some unknown reason and it stalled on that chart at #26. The new one has a cool intro, and the first vocals remind me of Tears For Fears' "Sowing the Seeds of Love", then progresses into an "I Love Rock 'n Roll" vibe, but somehow, the duo makes this all its own. There are a number of guitar riffs here, echoing even late 1960's acid rock, it's sort of rock paradise. This band has been going at it for 20 years, and the sound is still fresh. The Keys have 10 number one's on my chart, could this be number eleven? Maybe.
What's interesting is that the three acts with the most number ones in the 15-year history of SNS have the top three debuts. Deb Browning has 8, The Black Keys 10, and Fitz and the Tantrums have 12. The latter debuts with "OK OK OK", the follow-up to the top 20 "Steppin' On Me". I always love Fitz's voice, and the organ is cool. The band seems to be having fun here, nothing serious, just a bunch "nah nah nahs". Along the lines of latter material, such as "Handclap" or "123456", and their soulful past all but abandoned, but somehow this actually works. It debuts at #84...I'm getting a bit behind on Orbis Max songs, as the online contingent releases "Blue Confetti", I add the prior single, "If I Still Believe in Love At All". This is an uptempo pop-rocker that harkens back to the late 60's and early 70's. Great guitar work and vocals. An all-out jam that debuts at #85.
Next is the latest from Tame Impala, "Dracula". I'm not sure if this is a Halloween-themed song based on the name, but it sort of has that feel. It's in the emotion style of the band's past. It is accessible and appealing and runs a short (for them) 3:25. The group hasn't hit my top 10 since 2019, but this might have a shot.
Lissie offers another from her covers EP, Promises, "America". This is the song made famous by Simon and Garfunkel, and covered by many, including Yes. This one is a nice, down-to-earth acoustic-leaning style that complements her. A worthy follow to her Pretenders cover "I'll Stand By You". Meanwhile The Beths follow "Metal" with "Straight Line Was a Lie". Definitely more active than the prior song as the vibe takes on a Beaches-style approach. A nice indie-middle-of-the road effort. Finally, we have the latest from New Jersey based Kjband, "Everybody Has a Dream" from the Ken Johnston-led contingent's Live (2025) set. This one moves along a bit, and has a Doobie Brothers feel. In fact, the lead singer, Peter McCulloch (on his debut with the band) on this sounds a bit like Tom Johnston (no relation). There's also a nice bass, guitar and keyboard jam in the middle of the song. The collective returned to the SNS top 40 with "The Outsider", and this should at least repeat that success. It debuts at #98.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
October 12, 2025
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
3 |
NUMBER ONE:  (Single Release) |
6 |
|
2 |
1 |
10 |
|
|
3 |
4 |
10 |
|
|
4 |
2 |
10 |
|
|
5 |
8 |
9 |
|
|
6 |
6 |
11 |
|
|
7 |
5 |
16 |
|
|
8 |
9 |
8 |
|
|
9 |
7 |
The
Tams - My True Love |
13 |
|
10 |
12 |
5 |
|
|
11 |
16 |
5 |
|
|
12 |
11 |
16 |
|
|
13 |
10 |
17 |
|
|
14 |
15 |
7 |
|
|
15 |
14 |
9 |
|
|
16 |
21 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  Album: Cut and Rewind |
8 |
|
17 |
19 |
8 |
|
|
18 |
25 |
9 |
|
|
19 |
26 |
HUNTR/X
- Golden |
7 |
|
20 |
22 |
8 |
|
|
21 |
13 |
17 |
|
|
22 |
28 |
10 |
|
|
23 |
18 |
12 |
|
|
24 |
33 |
The
Cynz -Can't Help Thinking About Me |
7 |
|
25 |
35 |
Sonny Russell
and Cannonball Joe - Carolina Sunshine Is Calling Me |
11 |
|
26 |
50 |
4 |
|
|
27 |
37 |
22 |
|
|
28 |
17 |
16 |
|
|
29 |
52 |
3 |
|
|
30 |
39 |
9 |
|
|
31 |
49 |
4 |
|
|
32 |
27 |
21 |
|
|
33 |
44 |
5 |
|
|
34 |
43 |
Barry Duke and
Sharon Woodruff - Sometimes Love Is Not Enough |
6 |
|
35 |
20 |
14 |
|
|
36 |
40 |
Los
Staitjackets - Spinout |
7 |
|
37 |
51 |
5 |
|
|
38 |
47 |
6 |
|
|
39 |
48 |
6 |
|
|
40 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Release) |
1 |
|
41 |
23 |
15 |
|
|
42 |
32 |
18 |
|
|
43 |
31 |
18 |
|
|
44 |
30 |
11 |
|
|
45 |
54 |
6 |
|
|
46 |
24 |
12 |
|
|
47 |
29 |
14 |
|
|
48 |
34 |
10 |
|
|
49 |
72 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: Visions |
2 |
|
50 |
62 |
4 |
|
|
51 |
38 |
17 |
|
|
52 |
56 |
5 |
|
|
53 |
36 |
15 |
|
|
54 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
55 |
46 |
18 |
|
|
56 |
42 |
17 |
|
|
57 |
55 |
Craig
Woodlard - Pretty Women Everywhere |
7 |
|
58 |
63 |
5 |
|
|
59 |
41 |
14 |
|
|
60 |
58 |
14 |
|
|
61 |
75 |
Johnny O and the
Pocket Rockets - Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) |
2 |
|
62 |
53 |
13 |
|
|
63 |
65 |
4 |
|
|
64 |
45 |
12 |
|
|
65 |
67 |
4 |
|
|
66 |
69 |
4 |
|
|
67 |
73 |
3 |
|
|
68 |
71 |
5 |
|
|
69 |
70 |
4 |
|
|
70 |
78 |
3 |
|
|
71 |
68 |
6 |
|
|
72 |
79 |
3 |
|
|
73 |
61 |
20 |
|
|
74 |
81 |
3 |
|
|
75 |
88 |
2 |
|
|
76 |
64 |
9 |
|
|
77 |
83 |
Scotty McCreery
ft.. Hootie and the Blowfish - Bottle Rockets |
3 |
|
78 |
59 |
18 |
|
|
79 |
57 |
Juliet
Callahan - Running Lights |
13 |
|
80 |
66 |
8 |
|
|
81 |
60 |
19 |
|
|
82 |
93 |
2 |
|
|
83 |
92 |
2 |
|
|
84 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
85 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
86 |
85 |
24 |
|
|
87 |
89 |
3 |
|
|
88 |
94 |
2 |
|
|
89 |
96 |
2 |
|
|
90 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
91 |
76 |
26 |
|
|
92 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
93 |
97 |
29 |
|
|
94 |
90 |
22 |
|
|
95 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
96 |
82 |
15 |
|
|
97 |
91 |
3 |
|
|
98 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
99 |
87 |
21 |
|
|
100 |
77 |
13 |
Tremors:
101. Tate McRae, Tit For Tat
102. The Lumineers, Asshole
103. The 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 -Blue Confetti
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment