Remembering Lou Christie and SNS 100 for Week of 6/15/2025

 

VERY LATE on this one, so it's going to be ultra-brief.     We are in the middle of a transition as we prepare to put our house on the market, and if all goes well, we will be heading south.    There's a few topics I want to talk about for weeks, such as Taylor Swift gaining ownership of her recordings, but we had to deal with other issues like chart stagnation, and last week's passings of Sly Stone and Brian Wilson.  

Pop singer Lou Christie passed away this week at age 82.  His hits included such 60's gems as "Lightnin' Strikes", and "I'm Gonna Make You Mine"

They say things come in three's, and unfortunately, that happened this week as Lou Christie, who had many hits in the 1960's died from cancer.    And like Stone and Wilson, he was also 82.     He was born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco, in western Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.   In his teens, while he was trained for classical music, he really wanted to be a pop star and to appear on shows like American Bandstand.   In the late 1950's and early 1960's he wrote many songs and recorded solo and with groups on small record labels in the Pittsburgh area.   He then moved to New York City and worked as a session vocalist.

He submitted some demo tapes to a record exec named Nick Cenci, who loved them, and signed him  on his C&C label using the more simplified name of "Lou Christie".     And it was 1962 that he scored with his first of many chart hits, "The Gypsy Cried".    Christie has a four-octave vocal range, and the falsetto sound (probably inspired by Frankie Valli's similar style displayed during the Four Seasons hit at that time, "Sherry") became a trademark on many of his records.  The follow-up, "Two Faces Have I", became his first of three top ten songs in early 1963.  He appeared on many shows, including Bandstand, as well as taking part in its host Dick Clark's touring "Caravan of Stars". 

His career stalled at that time due to his induction into the Army, but resumed his career in late 1965.  He picked up right where he left off as he had his only #1 song, "Lightnin' Strikes" which hit the top in early 1966.  A similar song, "Rhapsody in the Rain" hit the top 20 later that year, and caused some controversy at the time due to suggestive lyrics (for 1966); some stations banned the song but nonetheless became a hit. On my personal year-end list, "Strikes" came in at #21, and "Rhapsody" #86.   

He then hit a mini slump which resulted in his being dropped by MGM records that he had those hits with.   A stint with Columbia wasn't successful either.  But upon signing with Buddah Records, he returned to the top 10 with  "I'm Gonna Make You Mine".  On my year-end 1969 list, it landed at #9.  Christie continued to chart well into the 1970's, with his last entry, a cover of the 1930's song "Beyond the Blue Horizon".  He could have had a hit in 1972 with a cover of The Tokens' "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", but his record label removed his vocals, and replaced them with Robert John's, who then had the hit remake.

He then dabbled in country but didn't chart there, and by the 1980's he toured on the oldies circuit.  He did release a duet in 1986 with fellow 60's star Lesley Gore.   He released his first album of new material in over twenty years in 1997, a live album in 2004 and various one-off tracks since.   He would lose his battle with cancer on June 18.  He was 82.

HOT 100:  Very little to say here, except that Sabrina Carpenter's new song "Manchild" debuted at #1, but all that did was move last week's top 10 down a notch each.   With predictions that "Manchild" will fall completely out of the top ten next week, there's little comfort that the stagnant chart will just continue.

SNS 100:  Turning to my chart, we do have a new number one song, that being The Jay Vons' "Days Undone".  The band, which had roots in New Jersey along with New York City and Long Island, has a nice bone-chilling organ, which is my Achille's heel in liking a record.   The song is the first non-beach music song to hit the top since Michael Nau's "No Quit" on April 20.   A succession of Carolina shag songs followed for the next six weeks.

And there's a chance that beach music will prevail again as Jerry Powell moves 3-2 with "Dance With Me".  Former chart toppers Deb Browning and The Mac Daddy's Band, are 3 and 4 respective, while Ashley Clark's "Liberty" rounds out the top five.  Three new entries in the top 10, including the Impact award winner from The Black Keys, "No Rain, No Flowers" jumping 24-8 in only its third week.   Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson's "All Because of You", and Kelly Clarkson's "Where Have You Been" are also new to that region, at #7 and 9 respectively.  Claire Davis and Moon Soul also enter the top 20. Lainey Wilson's "Somewhere Over Laredo" is the Mover of the Week (72-48).

NEWBIES: Jalen Ngonda leads the new entries with "Just As Long As We're Together" continuing the retro soul movement,, and Jalen is in rare form here, the production reminds a little of Marvin Gaye's; it's great to see this genre still going strong here.  Combined with the latest by Thee Sacred Souls, and Moon Soul, it's in good hands.

Moving across the pond, we have the new one by Anna Lavigne, the title track to her fourth album, "Night Dreams", which is the first track.   Her Scottish brogue is in full effect, but it's the overall production by her partner Martin Stephenson, that surrounds this performance, including some cool guitar work, will ensure another hit.    She has four #1's on my blog thus far, and the album will provide more opportunities to add to it.  Another winner.

2023's breakout band, Say She She, is back with some new material.    The trio, with three straight number ones and several other top tens to their credit, returns after a two and a half year hiatus with "Cut and Rewind".   It's a bit of a change from their previous set; while it lacks the cool instrumental backing, this is a pulsating and hypnotic yet straight-ahead performance that grips you and doesn't let go.  Subsequent listens only become more infectious.  

Meanwhile, Starbuck continues to court the Grand Strand crowd with "Ocean Drive".   Bruce Blackman's string of recent successes will no doubt continue with this.    While it contains traces of other of his gems, and even captures the spirit of his classic "Moonlight Feels Right", it's pretty much its own song.     This should no doubt continue to score in the beach community, and hopefully will invade many of the regional charts down there.    

The latest in a string of Orbis Max songs released this year continues with "Nowhereland".   The Internet collective has another strong outing here.  This one is an up-tempo record, with what appears to be harmonic vocals, mixed in with lead Dw Dunphy's delivery..  The production mix is very appealing.   It should top the recent "Oh Polaris", and put the gang back in the top 20.   

My Morning Jacket is coming off a multi chart #1 with "Time Waited" (#100) this week, and follows it up with "Everyday Magic".  This band has been around since before my blog, and they rarely do the same thing.  This one is a bit different slick of alt-pop that strikes you when you don't expect.  Very melodic, and listenable.    It should keep their successes intact.  Should have a long chart run.

Finally, we have Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild", the current #1 on Billboard.   This is a mover from an artist whose been around for ten years or so, but has found success only in recent years.   I hear some uptempo Stevie Nicks overtones on this.   Hopefully people will move on from "Espresso", one of those song that won't go away (it's still #17 on the Hot 100 after 61 weeks).   While I'm a critic of songs that just stick around, most of them are actually really good pop songs, much better than the sparse-pop productions in recent years.    But c'mon, let's showcase more new stuff in that vein, OK?

BRIEFLY, BUBBLING:  Three other debuts in the Tremors section, with Lola Young, following her top 20 blog hit "Messy" with "One Thing"; Wednesday (not the 1970's Canadian band, but a new one out of Asheville, North Carolina), with "Elderberry Wine" (not the Elton John song, but an original); and finally the latest from Ed Sheeran, "Sapphire".

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

June 15, 2025

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	2	NUMBER ONE: The Jay Vons "Days Undone"● Album: The Word	13
2	3	Jerry Powell - Dance With Me	9
3	1	Deb Browning - Does Your Baby Got Your Back	9
4	4	The Mac Daddy's Band - Seaside in the Sand	11
5	7	Ashley Clark and Matthew Simon Clark - Liberty	14
6	6	Einsteins Dad ft. Ruth Moranyiss - Black Doves	18
7	11	Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson - All Because Of You	8
8	24	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: THE BLACK KEYS "No Rain, No Flowers" Album: No Rain ,No Flowers	3
9	13	Kelly Clarkson - Where Have You Been	6
10	8	The Kooks - Never Know	13
11	12	Starbuck - Who's Gonna' Love You	8
12	15	Pepper Creek - Salty Southern Saturday Night	7
13	10	Michael Nau - No Quit▲	14
14	5	The Tonez - Flip Flops	13
15	14	Miley Cyrus - End of the World	8
16	19	The Cure- A Fragile Thing	19
17	9	Deb Browning and Michael Fite - I Never Wanted To	16
18	22	Claire Davis - Thrive	8
19	21	Moon Soul - Don't Change	6
20	16	Ruth Morayniss. - Any Day Now	14
21	23	Alex Warren - Ordinary	8
22	29	Suki Waterhouse - Dream Woman	5
23	20	Jackie Gore and Terri Gore - Unforgettable	9
24	18	Seth Storer - Insomnia	10
25	25	Wilder Woods ft. Nick Waterhouse - Time On My Hands	10
26	26	Ed Sheeran - Azizam	8
27	38	Steve Cheek - Beach Walkin'	4
28	17	Balu Brigada - So Cold	12
29	34	Jade Bird - Dreams	6
30	43	The Black Keys - Babygirl	3
31	35	The Tonez and Sylvia Johns Ritchie - Ladies Man	5
32	36	The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs - Long Haul	6
33	54	Thee Sacred Souls - We Don't Have To Be Alone	2
34	28	Teddy Swims - Guilty	14
35	46	Rhonda McDaniel - Sad Girl	3
36	27	Sylvia Johns Ritchie - My Heart Knows You By Heart	17
37	37	Almost Monday - Jupiter	5
38	49	Fitz and the Tantrums - Man on the Moon	4
39	32	The Black Keys - The Night Before●	16
40	53	Rivermist - Lady of the Island	3
41	39	Harley Olivia - Diggin'	8
42	52	Barry Walsh - Suddenly June	4
43	30	The Six Piece Suits ft. Nina Starsong  - Lovers Into Strangers	19
44	47	Wet Leg - Catch These Fists	7
45	31	MT Jones - I'd Be Lying	13
46	51	Sports Team - Bang Bang Bang	6
47	48	Pip Millett - Better	7
48	72	MOVER OF THE WEEK: LAINEY WILSON "Somewhere Over Laredo" Album: Whirlwind	2
49	58	Too Much Sylvia - A Jukebox Playin' 45's	5
50	40	Billie Eilish - Wildflower	15
51	45	Fontaines DC - It's Amazing To Be Young	10
52	33	Kjband - The Outsider	17
53	66	Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club	5
54	63	Bush - 60 Ways to Forget People	6
55	44	Bachman Turner Overdrive - 60 Years Ago	11
56	70	Lorde - What Was That	5
57	41	Lenny Kravitz - Honey	19
58	50	Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA - Luther	13
59	67	Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers - Bender Coming On	8
60	42	Jelly Roll - Liar	21
61	62	Lizzo - Still Bad	9
62	77	The Beaches - Did I Say Too Much	3
63	79	Lissie - I'll Stand By You	3
64	60	Thee Sacred Souls - My Heart is Drowning	21
65	76	Linkin Park - Up From the Bottom	4
66	---	TOP DEBUT:  JALEN NGONDA "Just As Long As We're Together" (Single Release)	1
67	78	Royel Otis - Moody	4
68	74	Evanescence - Afterlife	5
69	---	Starbuck - Ocean Drive Nights	1
70	55	Elton John and Brandi  Carlile - Who Believes in Angels	11
71	59	Lady Gaga - Abracadabra	15
72	81	The Wombats - I Love America and She Hates Me	4
73	98	Nadia Shutkofski - Slow It Down	2
74	86	The Beths - Metal	3
75	87	Bartees Strange - Sober	3
76	64	Almost Monday - Can't Slow Down●	16
77	83	David F. Porfirio - Arabian Nights	5
78	---	Anna Lavigne - Night Dreams	1
79	61	Tim Sidden - You Make Me Crazy	12
80	57	Orbis Max - Lie To Me	13
81	91	Lana Del Rey - Bluebird	2
82	56	The Beaches - Last Girls At the Party	10
83	88	Trousdale - Growing Pains	3
84	90	Morgan Wallen ft Tate McRae - What I Want	2
85	93	SadGirl - Santeria	2
86	65	The Cynz - Heartbreak Time	9
87	71	Orbis Max - Oh Polaris	6
88	---	Say She She - Cut and Rewind	1
89	---	Orbis Max-  Nowhereland	1
90	80	The Marias - Back To Me	7
91	68	Rivermist - Oceans Apart	19
92	75	Myles Smith - Nice to Meet You	10
93	94	Lord Huron - Nothing I Need	2
94	---	My Morning Jacket - Everyday Magic	1
95	95	Bad Suns - Communicating	2
96	92	Lucia Flores-Wiseman - La Llorona	3
97	69	Clover County - Ultraviolet	12
98	101	John Foster - Tell That Angel That I Love Her	1
99	---	Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild	1
100	84	My Morning Jacket - Time Waited●	19

Tremors:

101. Lola Young, One Thing

102. Wednesday, Elderberry Wine

103. Ed Sheeran, Sapphire

  

 

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

 

Murmurs:

  Michael Nau - Montrose Tape

MT Jones - Punching

Suki Waterhouse - On This Love

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

Good Neighbours - Ripple

Psychic Air - Phase Disintergrate

Easha - Stunning

Kathleen Turner Overdrive - Love At the End of the Line

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

The Swinging Medallions - Hit Me With Those Horns

Goose - Give It Time

The Big Takeover - Where Did I Go Wrong

Gordi - Peripheral Lover

SOMBR- Back to Friends

Hannah Jadagu - My Love

The Tonez -The Love Is Real

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.