TIS THE SEASON for award shows. You would think that it would be in the spring with the four major industry awards (Grammy, Emmy, Oscar, Tony), but with the beach music awards last week, it was followed by the Country Music Association (CMA) honors this week, one of two ceremonies rewarding the best in the genre, the other being the Academy of Country Music (ACM) earlier in the year.
 |
| Country singer Lainey Wilson hosted the 2025 CMA awards, held this week. Ms. Wilson also won three awards, including Entertainer of the Year |
I won't go into detail about the show (it took place on Wednesday of this week; we caught it Thursday evening on Hulu). It was hosted by Lainey Wilson, who seem to dominate the winners as well. Ms. Wilson won the coveted "Entertainer of the Year" which concluded the telecast but also picked up her fourth "Female Vocalist of the Year", as well as her second "Album of the Year" nod, for Whirlwind.
Lainey had a good year on my blog as well. While "4X4XU" didn't win in the Song or Single categories, the song reached #12 on SNS. Her recent "Somewhere Over Laredo", nominated in the Music Video category, reached #18 here. Lainey had six nominations overall, tying Ella Langley and Megan Moroney for the most. The Song and Single categories both went to Ms. Langley, who duetted with Riley Green with "You Look Like You Love Me".
Other winners on the show include Male Artist of the Year Cody Johnson, and the Duo of the Year went to Brooks and Dunn, their 16th such honor. The New Artist award went to Zach Top. Vocal group of the Year went to The Red Clay Strays. Country legend Vince Gill was honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, and was introduced by another legend, George Strait.
There were many performances on the show, including those who were nominated. Other performers on the evening included Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Shaboozey, and Luke Combs, in addition to the ones mentioned above.
THE RACE IS ON: Turning to the Hot 100, Taylor Swift holds onto the top spot with "The Fate of Ophelia" for a sixth week. That ties her "Anti-Hero" for her most weeks at #1. The song once again holds off HUNTR/X's "Golden". The nine-time chart topper has logged four straight weeks at #2 since Swift dominated. Holding tough at #3 is Alex Warren's "Ordinary" itself a ten-time number one. All three songs are doing well on the SNS 100 as well: "Ophelia" moves up to #26 in its fifth week; "Golden" inches into my top 10, and "Ordinary", which hit my top 20 over the summer, continues its slow descent, it drops fourth notches to #57 in its 26 weeks on SNS.
Of note is sombr's "Back to Friends", previously an alternative hit, that inches up to #10 on the Hot 100. The song, which peaked on SNS at #24, moves back up 80-73 on its 17th week here. Sombr's follow-up, "12 to 12", also an alternative hit, moves 95-76 here, and holds at #66 on the Hot 100. Nice to see many alternative and pop artists coming back to the big chart once more.
HOLIDAY HOE-DOWN: However, just one notch below the top 10 is the annual assault of holiday tunes, led, of course, by Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You", which leaps 32-11, and getting a head start to the top; it needs one week to tie the all-time #1 longevity record of 19.
But it's not a slam dunk thus far. That's because Wham!s "Last Christmas", which also re-entered last week, jumps from 43-13, breathing down Mariah's neck. That song reached its high point last year when it hit #3, and I had suggested that it might even overtake Ms. Carey at some point this season. It'll get interesting!
Meanwhile, the traditional #2 holiday song, "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee, and "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms, the perennial #3 (at least until "Last Christmas" took it over at the end of last season), re-enter this week at #19 and 20, respectively. Next are two songs which made big strides last year; Ariana Grande's "Santa Tell Me" (#30) and Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath The Tree" (#39). Both entered the top 10 last year for the first time. Three other annual tunes, more in the "standards" category also enter in the forties: Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", Michael Bublé's "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" by Nat 'King' Cole". Williams and Cole traditionally hit top 10, but Bublé, now with his exposure on The Voice, could better his previous peak of #12.
SPEAKING OF THE VOICE AND BUBLE: I have been keeping tabs on Rob Cole, from Team Bublé, who is still in the competition, having survived the third round "Knockouts". Cole regularly plays pubs around the Grand Strand area. Cole hails from Pembroke, NC, and is a country artist. He wasn't featured on this week's show, but will no doubt perform in the Playoffs this coming week. Best of luck to him.
SNS 100: Turning to my chart, North Tower holds onto #1 for a sixth week with "Pretty Lady". That ties the record for the longest stint at the top from a beach music-oriented act; it ties "Sunshine and Summertime" by Deb Browning and Marlisa Kay Small, which held the top for six non-consecutive weeks last year. It's also the longest reign at #1 since "Die With A Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars held the top for seven weeks at the end of 2024 and the beginning of this year.
Moving into the runner-up spot is another Deb Browning duet, "Getaway Car" with Michael Fite. The duo previously topped SNS earlier this year with "I Never Wanted To", still hanging on the chart at #91 after 34 weeks. And Deb makes it a trifecta; her latest Christmas song enters (more on that below).
Pepper Creek and MT Jones each drop a notch to 3 and 4, respectively, and Ruth Morayniss holds at #5. As mentioned above, HUNTR/X moves 11-10 for the only new entry in the Top Ten; it's the first K-Pop act to hit my Top Ten in the blog's 15 year history. Turning to the second ten, there is a logjam with eight bullets. They are dominated by the Impact winner, Anna Lavigne's "Dark Angel" (23-14), a Co-Mover of the Week, "Keep on Moving" by The Jay Vons (31-20), and Durand Jones and the Indications' "Don't You Know" (28-17). The other bulleted songs are only able to move up one notch (or in a couple cases, pushed down a notch) despite healthy gains.
The other co-Mover is Rhonda McDaniel's "I Can't Wait For the Weekend" (90-61). The song was co-written by Steve Cheek and Sylvia Johns Ritchie, both of whom have had much success on SNS.
DEBUTS: The newest by Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson, "Every Road", nabs the Top Debut honors at #62, the follow-up to the duo's #3-peaking "All Because of You". No strangers to the top of my chart, the two of them deliver with another steady-moving heartfelt performance. The pulsating beat compliments their voices. Should be another hit for Rick and Lesa.
Next is Miley Cyrus with "Dream as One". This is a ballad from the movie Avatar: Fire and Ash. This artist should get more respect than she seems to get. Her raspy voice is very soulful. She's topped my chart three times, and while, this one is not quite her best, she does deliver an emotion performance here.
Taking a dip into the indie chart, we have a band out of the Syracuse area, The Half-Cubes, who specialize in power-pop. The song "Go Back" is a cover of a 1970 song by the group Crabby Appleton. While it's true to the original, the Cubes put their own spin on it, in grand indie-style. The song definitely cooks.
I mentioned above that Deb Browning has a new holiday single, and despite it just being released, "Santa Are You Coming To Atlanta?" debuts at #88. The song, introduced this past Wednesday on two of the beach music radio stations, is a cover, originally done in 1986 by Pake McEntire (Reba's older brother). Deb of course is no stranger to Christmas music; she's released singles for the past several years, and each time, they come out on top of all other releases. Once again, Deb here is in top form, with this rocking, bouncy tune, with excellent Tim Sidden production. Another good-timey tune from Deb; should be the hit of the season in these parts.
Evanescence teams up with K. Flay for "Fight Like a Girl". Amy Lee and the crew are in good form here, a perfect example of the industrial alt-rock that they're known for. Some good harmonies with K. Flay make this a gem. It's from the motion picture Ballerina.
Next, we have the team of producer Don Diablo and band Fitz and the Tantrums, with "Radio Baby". Diabolo, making his first SNS appearance has worked with many artists; his role is similar to producers like Mark Ronson, The Knocks, Zedd and Calvin Harris. This is pretty much a fun romp not to be taken seriously. Very danceable, with Fitz and the gang having just a blast. Diablo (real name: Don Pepjin Schipper) is a Dutch producer/DJ whose been at it since 2002. Other artists he's worked with include Public Enemy, Alex Clare, Jessie J and Jamiroquai.
Ariana and the Rose was featured recently on The Kelly Clarkson Show. The moniker is the stage name for Ariana De Lorenzo, based in New York City. This one is center-lane alt-pop with some emotional vocals to go along with a rock-oriented guitar. Gets better with several listens.
Two songs move onto the SNS 100 from the Tremors section: Ed Sheeran's "Camera", and The Swingin' Medallion's beach music hit, "Hit Em With Those Horns". The latter had been spending a lot of time "bubbling under", but with a CAMMY nomination along with Johnny O's cover of their big 1966 hit "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)" moving up to #23 this week, it forces this horn-driving song onto the big chart.
AND BUBBLING UNDER: On the Tremors list are some other holiday songs. Fall Out Boy's "It Feels Like Christmas", and Pentatonix's "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm". The latter is actually a "duet" with Frank Sinatra, with the acapella group's input to the Chairman of the Board's original. It's the most added holiday song thus far at Adult Contemporary radio, a format which traditionally adds new Christmas songs, or flips to a holiday format this time of year.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
November 16, 2025
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  (Single Release) (6 Weeks at #1) |
11 |
|
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
3 |
2 |
10 |
|
|
4 |
3 |
10 |
|
|
5 |
5 |
12 |
|
|
6 |
6 |
9 |
|
|
7 |
9 |
8 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
7 |
|
|
9 |
8 |
13 |
|
|
10 |
11 |
HUNTR/X
- Golden |
12 |
|
11 |
7 |
15 |
|
|
12 |
13 |
9 |
|
|
13 |
14 |
6 |
|
|
14 |
23 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  Album: Night Dreams |
4 |
|
15 |
16 |
5 |
|
|
16 |
15 |
10 |
|
|
17 |
28 |
3 |
|
|
18 |
17 |
9 |
|
|
19 |
18 |
11 |
|
|
20 |
31 |
CO-MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: The Word |
3 |
|
21 |
12 |
14 |
|
|
22 |
21 |
The
Tams - My True Love● |
18 |
|
23 |
24 |
Johnny O and the
Pocket Rockets - Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) |
7 |
|
24 |
20 |
11 |
|
|
25 |
32 |
5 |
|
|
26 |
34 |
5 |
|
|
27 |
29 |
11 |
|
|
28 |
25 |
Barry Duke and
Sharon Woodruff - Sometimes Love Is Not Enough |
11 |
|
29 |
19 |
10 |
|
|
30 |
22 |
15 |
|
|
31 |
33 |
10 |
|
|
32 |
36 |
7 |
|
|
33 |
30 |
21 |
|
|
34 |
47 |
4 |
|
|
35 |
43 |
5 |
|
|
36 |
27 |
15 |
|
|
37 |
46 |
4 |
|
|
38 |
39 |
9 |
|
|
39 |
26 |
16 |
|
|
40 |
45 |
6 |
|
|
41 |
42 |
9 |
|
|
42 |
44 |
6 |
|
|
43 |
52 |
6 |
|
|
44 |
40 |
22 |
|
|
45 |
50 |
8 |
|
|
46 |
56 |
5 |
|
|
47 |
57 |
6 |
|
|
48 |
60 |
6 |
|
|
49 |
66 |
3 |
|
|
50 |
35 |
13 |
|
|
51 |
38 |
10 |
|
|
52 |
41 |
21 |
|
|
53 |
76 |
2 |
|
|
54 |
83 |
2 |
|
|
55 |
82 |
2 |
|
|
56 |
37 |
13 |
|
|
57 |
53 |
26 |
|
|
58 |
69 |
4 |
|
|
59 |
73 |
8 |
|
|
60 |
92 |
CO-MOVER OF THE WEEK:  "I Can't Wait For the Weekend" Album: Reaching For the Top |
2 |
|
61 |
63 |
5 |
|
|
62 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  RICK STRICKLAND and LESA HUDSON (Single Release) |
1 |
|
63 |
71 |
4 |
|
|
64 |
74 |
3 |
|
|
65 |
70 |
23 |
|
|
66 |
72 |
4 |
|
|
67 |
48 |
15 |
|
|
68 |
64 |
5 |
|
|
69 |
55 |
8 |
|
|
70 |
89 |
2 |
|
|
71 |
49 |
14 |
|
|
72 |
81 |
3 |
|
|
73 |
80 |
17 |
|
|
74 |
58 |
14 |
|
|
75 |
62 |
6 |
|
|
76 |
95 |
2 |
|
|
77 |
51 |
8 |
|
|
78 |
54 |
7 |
|
|
79 |
59 |
9 |
|
|
80 |
61 |
Scotty McCreery
ft.. Hootie and the Blowfish - Bottle Rockets |
8 |
|
81 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
82 |
88 |
2 |
|
|
83 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
84 |
79 |
23 |
|
|
85 |
97 |
2 |
|
|
86 |
77 |
Sonny Russell
and Cannonball Joe - Carolina Sunshine Is Calling Me |
16 |
|
87 |
87 |
3 |
|
|
88 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
89 |
75 |
27 |
|
|
90 |
65 |
14 |
|
|
91 |
84 |
34 |
|
|
92 |
67 |
13 |
|
|
93 |
86 |
23 |
|
|
94 |
102 |
1 |
|
|
95 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
96 |
78 |
7 |
|
|
97 |
101 |
The
Swingin' Medallions - Hit Me With Those Horns |
1 |
|
98 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
99 |
90 |
10 |
|
|
100 |
--- |
1 |
Tremors:
101. Pentatonix and Frank Sinatra, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
102. Fall Out Boy, It Feels Like Christmas
103. Cigarettes After Sex, Anna Karenina
104. Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot ft. Harold Smith, Patience
105. Wayne Free, I Love Kissin' You
Tremors: Songs which have steady
or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
High Frequencies - Tonight and Every Night
Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100
|
|
Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week
|
|
Holiday
Songs
●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.
(Rob Sheldon
is a music fan who has followed music trends the past 60 years, and covers new
and classic music, specializing in pop, rock, alternative, beach, soul and
country genres). He can be contacted
at rsheldonx4804@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment