A BIT LATE, as I had spent the past week getting out and celebrating my 69th birthday, and checking out all the decorations in the town of Conway, SC, the "City of Halloween". They do a great job, so next year, if you're ever in the area, check it out.
Well, it seems the Hot 100 is again in the news, just one week after Billboard changed its recurrent rules to remove older songs that are stagnating on the upper part of the chart. But this time, it's not about the old songs, but about what genre isn't there....at least in the top 40 portion of the big chart. Apparently, for the first time since 1990, there are no rap songs in the top 40.
While I really haven't focused on the chart positions below, say, the top 20, I haven't been paying much attention to what's actually in that 21-40 region. Many of the artists on there, I have never heard of, nor know what their genre is, and I pretty much assume that hip-hop accounts for much of it. Of course, rap, is but a sub-genre of hip-hop so it's possible that it's still there, but rap---an important sub-genre that has been around for half a century, is missing from there. The last rap song---"Luther" by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA---was a victim of the new chart rules, thus was removed last week.
While I followed the genre in its early days---I remember "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang being played at clubs I frequented---to important artists like Run-D.M.C., Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, to the "fun rap" in the late 80's, and even into the "gangsta" era into the 90's, for me, the genre got too repetitious, and it was too much of a good thing. While the Dr. Dre acts like Eminem and Snoop Dogg were palatable, for the last 25 years, it's been a turn-off, which the exception of Lamar, and Wiz Khalifa. It seems that the beat is the same, electronically produced, and the rapping tries to jam so many words into one measure. Even more so, it completely erased any rock acts from the entire chart, with a scant few making it on the Hot 100, albeit briefly.
While of course rap isn't dead---any new entries from Drake, Kendrick Lamar or Bad Bunny will invade the top part of the chart with just one new album drop---it does give a chance for other genres to make a presence. In case you hadn't noticed, with the exception of the above mentioned "Luther", the other songs purged were pure pop songs, and those bordering on rock. This week, the highest rap song on the Hot 100 is YoungBoy Never Broken Again's "Shot Callin'" at #44. The last time there was no rap song in that region of the chart was February 1990, one week before Biz Markie's "Just a Friend"---a perfect example of "fun rap" entered the top 40...the start of a 35-year streak for the genre.
But it is time for the chart to breathe a bit. While country has been omnipresent in the upper regions, usually by Morgan Wallen, and lately, so has pop--in its many forms been there (as it should be), rock, which seems to be a dirty word, unless there's a "classic" in front of it, and alternative, has been slowly creeping back on the list. "Back to Friends" by sombr, near the top at alternative, is at #18. While the acts from that genre seem to be only new artists, it's also great to see Tame Impala on the chart, a few times: "Dracula" is at #33, "My Old Ways" debuts at #56, and "Loser" enters at #91. Billie Eilish--one of the artists who has bucked the trend, has "Wildflower", which still advances, and is a "special case" that is still on the chart after 71 weeks, moving up still to #47. Myles Smith's "Nice to Meet You" is at #62, and two veterans---Coldplay and Radiohead, are also on the chart with "Sparks" and "Let Down", respectively.
Since the Hot 100 was "automated" in 1991, it was to represent a "melting pot" or sorts, a multi-genre chart. Hopefully this trend will continue.
WHICH BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER ISSUE: I mentioned a few weeks ago that Bad Bunny was named to perform at the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, amidst controversy. Bad Bunny, as mentioned above, is one of the key artists in the rap field, who hails from Puerto Rico. He has often been a critic of the current Trump administration, and the MAGA right has struck back and tried to get him off the bill. It was mentioned that he will be performing all his songs in Spanish.
I don't have a problem with Bad Bunny, he can do what he wants, sing what he wants, in any language he chooses. If you don't like it, there are alternatives available. What bothers me, is that, this is the second year in a row that a rapper is headlining the halftime show, with Kendrick Lamar doing the honors last year. Before that we had two R&B-pop performers in Rihanna (who incidentally hails from Barbados), and Usher. But what about the other genres? You have to go back to 2019 to find a pure pop performer, that being Maroon 5. Country? That would be Shania Twain in 2003....22 years ago!!! If you haven't checked the charts lately, there are many country performers on the Hot 100, so why isn't that genre considered? Yes, Reba McEntire sang that National Anthem last year, but apparently, they aren't welcome at halftime.
There was a petition going around to have the NFL cancel Bad Bunny and put in country legend George Strait, but that was immediately struck down despite that petition garnering 97,000 signatures. Recently, Sting was announced as part of the lineup, who will perform on Friday night. Wouldn't it be nice to have a rotating list of performers by genre over the years---or even better, have multi-genres represented at one show, which has happened many times and should again now.
I mentioned that the group Turning Point USA was planning an alternative to the halftime show. The organization was founded by the late Charlie Kirk, who was murdered recently. As for the proposed lineup, there were several rumors with many right-leaning country and rock performers, but all of them haven't been confirmed, so we don't know who will be there.
All I can say about this, is if you don't like who is performing, don't watch. Chances are that many Super Bowl parties going on, there will be time for talking and catching up---as I probably will, when I head back up to New Jersey for one.
I REALLY WANTED TO: It was only a matter of time, but I finally got to check out a couple of the beach music acts this past week. My wife and I headed to Captain Archie's in North Myrtle Beach. The band was The Mac Daddy's Band, with special guest Deb Browning. They are probably the two hottest artists on the SNS 100 this year. The Mac Daddy's, fronted by Michael Fite, hit #1 with "Seaside in the Sand", while Ms. Browning topped the blog with "Does Your Baby Got Your Back". In addition, Michael and Deb duetted with the #1 "I Never Wanted To". The duo's new release, "Getaway Car", is already up to #11 on this week's SNS 100.
 |
| Deb Browning joins The Mac Daddy's Band, fronted by Michael Fite (2nd from left), at Captain Archie's in North Myrtle Beach |
We caught the first two sets over dinner, with the Daddy's mostly performing. Starting off with a cover of the Chairmen of the Board's "Gone Fishin'" putting their complete band effort into that beach chestnut, it set the stage for what they're all about. Mixing their blog hits like "Flip Flops and Margaritas" with many beach and R&B classics, and with Deb coming up on stage for a few numbers, they are an exciting band to check out.
 |
| Yours truly (C) with Michael Fite (L) and Deb Browning, during their gig at Captain Archies. |
Deb was with them much of the second set, and they performed both "I Never Wanted To", as well as "Getaway Car". And while, I had met Deb back in April of 2023, I finally got to meet Deb's husband Bob, as well as Michael. They are awesome people.
HOT 100: Back to the Hot 100, where Taylor Swift stays at #1 for a third consecutive week with "The Fate of Ophelia", some familiar tracks are moving back to where they were before Taylor's chart bomb of two weeks ago: HUNTR/X's "Golden" and Alex Warren's "Ordinary" are back to 2 and 3, and are poised to take back the top two positions that they previously held. Many of Ms. Swift's tracks fall down this week, as only four are still in the top 10, the others are scattered between #11 and #22. "Opalite" and "Elizabeth Taylor" by Taylor round out the top five. Further down, I was trying to spot the new "rule violators" aside from "Wildflower": Russell Dickerson's "Happen to Me", is #41 after #27 weeks, but it is bulleted (in spite of dropping a notch). "House Again" by Hudson Westbrook drops to #55 after 27 weeks which would violate the rules, but there may be a stipulation that songs should drop three consecutive weeks. Plus, that song only peaked at #47 so it may rebound. Finally, Shaboozey and Jelly Roll's "Amen" is #85 after 24 weeks but only peaked at #56. So, there are exceptions!
SNS 100: On my chart, it's still North Tower's "Pretty Lady" on top for a third straight week. Contrary to what I said before, it's actually the 10th beach-oriented song to top SNS in 2025, not the 9th, in what is shaping up as a banner year for the genre. Role Model's alternative hit "Sally When the Wine Runs Out" and Bradley Denniston's "HER" hold at #2 and #3, while Pepper Creek's "Carolina Tans" jumps from #9 to #4. MT Jones' "Why I Cry" goes 8-5 while Ruth Morayniss's "All I Need" moves 10-6. There are no new entries in the top 10 this week.
As mentioned above, Deb Browning and Michael Fite's "Getaway Car" moves 23-11 to grab Impact honors this week. Other new entries in the top 20 include Alice Merton's "Ignorance is Bliss" (27-16), The Black Keys' "Man on a Mission" (32-18) and Rhonda McDaniel's "Little Black Dress" (24-19) which joins her former #1 "Sad Girl" which hangs in at #20.
Last week's Top Debut is this week's Mover, that being Starbuck's "Everybody Be Dancin' II" (51-35). Taylor Swift's national #1, "The Fate of Ophelia" moves 93-66 here.
DEBUTS: The new songs are led by Anna Lavigne's "Dark Angel", the Top Debut at #51, the second off of the Scottish artist's latest album, Night Dreams, following the top five success of the title track. Starting off with a bluesy country guitar intro, Anna's awesome voice, a bit understated here, takes over. There is coming about Anna's vocal that is mesmerizing. The melody has sort of a "Free Fallin'" vibe to it, but make no mistake, this is all Ms. Lavigne. This woman has so much talent!
Also debuting is Balu Brigada, following up "What Do We Really Ever Know" with "Backseat", which is on the alt charts. Not as melodic as their prior entries, but this is a steady, pulsating beat that keeps at you. It's more a tuned to the format......Next is Internet collective SupaPurple, which features Italian drummer Daniele Silvestri, with "Levers of the World", from the contingent's Eight album. This one has a late-60's rock/sunshine pop vibe, a la Barry Walsh's recent "Suddenly June", maybe even mixed with some Pozers-like texture. Very cool.
Next is another Internet collective that Silvestri has appeared with (but not on this song), that being Einstein's Dad's "Lost Love". Regular members Steve Shouse, Mario Licata, Richard Bradley and sometimes member Kev Zed are joined on vocals by Tiffany Childers on vocals. This is a nice ballad with country-rock vibes as well. Ms. Childers lead vocals are heartfelt and emotional. The Dad's prior chart entry, "Black Doves" introduced us to Ruth Morayniss; can "Lost Love" do the same for Tiffany? Could be.......Next is Randy Clay's "The Key", currently on beach charts. It starts with a tropical feel with steel drums and definitely moves along with Clay's appealing vocal, and southern rock stylings, all in one complete package....finally to the alt chart with Wet Leg's "mangetout", a steadily moving with understated vocals, but an occasional chord shift makes this a worthy listen.
AND BUBBLING UNDER are a few more new songs. Camp Saint Helene's "Baby Bird"; Courtney Barnett's "Stay in Your Lane", a bit different from her "Dead Fox" blog topper but still worthy. Lady Gaga also enters here with "The Dead Dance", which has to be a Halloween-themed song that echoes Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to an extent, complete with haunting video. Between "The Dead Dance", Tame Impala's "Dracula" and Strawberry Alarm Clock's "Monsters" these seem to be primed for Halloween season; it is sort of unusual for songs to be released like they are around Christmas time; many classics that you hear during this season were released other times during the year: "Thriller", "Monster Mash", "Ghostbusters" and "Somebody's Watching Me" were all released other times of the year. So, I guess there's a market for this. Of course, Halloween is over (I'm writing this on November 2), so these songs will be short-lived, but they'll be on my Halloween playlist for future years.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
October 26, 2025
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  (Single Release) (3 Weeks at #1) |
8 |
|
2 |
2 |
12 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
11 |
|
|
4 |
9 |
7 |
|
|
5 |
8 |
7 |
|
|
6 |
10 |
9 |
|
|
7 |
4 |
12 |
|
|
8 |
7 |
10 |
|
|
9 |
5 |
13 |
|
|
10 |
6 |
12 |
|
|
11 |
23 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
3 |
|
12 |
18 |
6 |
|
|
13 |
17 |
HUNTR/X
- Golden |
9 |
|
14 |
20 |
5 |
|
|
15 |
11 |
The
Tams - My True Love |
15 |
|
16 |
27 |
4 |
|
|
17 |
14 |
10 |
|
|
18 |
32 |
3 |
|
|
19 |
24 |
6 |
|
|
20 |
13 |
18 |
|
|
21 |
12 |
18 |
|
|
22 |
26 |
7 |
|
|
23 |
16 |
10 |
|
|
24 |
25 |
7 |
|
|
25 |
15 |
19 |
|
|
26 |
22 |
12 |
|
|
27 |
33 |
8 |
|
|
28 |
36 |
6 |
|
|
29 |
31 |
Barry Duke and
Sharon Woodruff - Sometimes Love Is Not Enough |
8 |
|
30 |
34 |
8 |
|
|
31 |
19 |
11 |
|
|
32 |
30 |
11 |
|
|
33 |
40 |
8 |
|
|
34 |
21 |
11 |
|
|
35 |
51 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
2 |
|
36 |
45 |
Johnny O and the
Pocket Rockets - Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) |
4 |
|
37 |
29 |
Sonny Russell
and Cannonball Joe - Carolina Sunshine Is Calling Me |
13 |
|
38 |
43 |
7 |
|
|
39 |
39 |
24 |
|
|
40 |
28 |
10 |
|
|
41 |
47 |
7 |
|
|
42 |
50 |
6 |
|
|
43 |
41 |
23 |
|
|
44 |
35 |
19 |
|
|
45 |
38 |
14 |
|
|
46 |
37 |
The
Cynz -Can't Help Thinking About Me |
9 |
|
47 |
52 |
6 |
|
|
48 |
53 |
6 |
|
|
49 |
42 |
18 |
|
|
50 |
54 |
5 |
|
|
51 |
60 |
5 |
|
|
52 |
63 |
5 |
|
|
53 |
44 |
Los
Staitjackets - Spinout |
9 |
|
54 |
65 |
4 |
|
|
55 |
62 |
5 |
|
|
56 |
71 |
4 |
|
|
57 |
75 |
3 |
|
|
58 |
81 |
2 |
|
|
59 |
48 |
20 |
|
|
60 |
64 |
7 |
|
|
61 |
80 |
3 |
|
|
62 |
46 |
16 |
|
|
63 |
57 |
16 |
|
|
64 |
70 |
Scotty McCreery
ft.. Hootie and the Blowfish - Bottle Rockets |
5 |
|
65 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: Night Dreams |
1 |
|
66 |
93 |
2 |
|
|
67 |
49 |
17 |
|
|
68 |
79 |
3 |
|
|
69 |
87 |
2 |
|
|
70 |
59 |
20 |
|
|
71 |
77 |
4 |
|
|
72 |
55 |
20 |
|
|
73 |
78 |
3 |
|
|
74 |
56 |
16 |
|
|
75 |
94 |
2 |
|
|
76 |
73 |
15 |
|
|
77 |
86 |
3 |
|
|
78 |
82 |
3 |
|
|
79 |
89 |
2 |
|
|
80 |
69 |
8 |
|
|
81 |
95 |
31 |
|
|
82 |
96 |
2 |
|
|
83 |
85 |
4 |
|
|
84 |
58 |
14 |
|
|
85 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
86 |
88 |
4 |
|
|
87 |
68 |
17 |
|
|
88 |
90 |
5 |
|
|
89 |
61 |
13 |
|
|
90 |
67 |
19 |
|
|
91 |
98 |
26 |
|
|
92 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
93 |
66 |
12 |
|
|
94 |
74 |
19 |
|
|
95 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
96 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
97 |
72 |
Craig
Woodlard - Pretty Women Everywhere |
9 |
|
98 |
99 |
24 |
|
|
99 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
100 |
100 |
2 |
Tremors:
101. Lady Gaga, The Dead Dance
102. Courtney Barnett, Stay In Your Lane
103. Camp Saint Helene, Baby Bird
104. The Swingin' Medallions - Hit Me With Those Horns
105. Billie Eilish, Wildflower
Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
Orbis Max -Blue Confetti
Say She She - Disco Life
High Frequencies - Tonight and Every Night
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
41-100 and Newbies Songs in Positions 41-100 on the SNS 100 plus
new additions
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.
