IT'S VERY HARD TO BELIEVE, but the year of 2026 is already half over, and it's been pretty much an interesting year, music wise. While much of it is still obscure and undiscovered, the quality of music that I was able to find seems to be top notch.
2026 has been the usual mix of national pop hits, combined with regional beach music favorites, and personal discoveries, but with the glut of great songs, many of them haven't been able to make the top spot, or even the top 20. The turnover of songs--with the notable exception of one "Pretty Lady" by North Tower, has been noteworthy, with even the big songs barely attaining 20 weeks on the SNS 100 before falling off.
We've seen twelve songs hit the top in the first six months of the year, and that includes the 12th week for "Pretty Lady" which had logged 11 weeks at the end of 2025. Vaughan Penn's "Bands on the Beach" tallied five weeks, then "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley had four, and "Every Road" by Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson led for three.
Five songs that you could classify as beach music have hit the top so far. That would be seven if you include "Choosin' Texas", and Bruno Mars' "I Just Might" as both those songs made various regional and national beach charts. Both of those songs also hit #1 on Billboard.
So, if the year ended today, what would be the #1 song of 2026? That would be "Choosin' Texas". Keep in mind that it's also the frontrunner for Billboard's top song of the year as well. The last time a song led both year-end lists was in 2017, when Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" accomplished the feat. In second place is "Pretty Lady"; the North Tower song, despite logging 11 of its 12 weeks at the top late last year, stayed in the top 20 much of this year before finally falling off. It is still #1 on Pat Gwinn's "At the Beach" chart after some 35 weeks. The song came in #11 on my 2025 tally and could be one of the few songs to hit my year-end top 20 two years running. Sombr's "Homewrecker" currently sits in third place and has made the Hot 100's top 20, and it's in the top five on the current Top 40 airplay chart as well. Bruno Mars' "I Just Might" and Jennifer Licko's "Meet Me at the Shag Pad" round out the top five.
Of course, the year is only half over and some of these may drop in rank over the next six months ("Meet Me..." already dropped off, and "I Just Might" is close to falling off as well.
And then we have Deb Browning.
Deb's latest duet, with The Pink Slips Band's Townsend Link, "The Sea, Sand and You" moves to the #1 slot this week, becoming her ninth blog chart topper. That puts her in third place all time (since the SNS 100's inception in August 2010), behind Fitz and the Tantrums' 12 and The Black Keys 10. When you talk about year-end charts, you always have to mention Deb, who has an unprecedented four-year streak at number ones. And this song, written by the Pink Slips' David Howard Faircloth, definitely has the ingredients for another shot for 2026.
While we're here, let's take a look at the most successful artists on the SNS 100 that have had four or more number one songs on Scenes 'n' Soundwaves.
|
Artist |
#1's |
First #1 |
Date |
Most Recent #1 |
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fitz & the Tantrums |
12 |
MoneyGrabber |
12/20/2010 |
"123456" |
5/19/2019 |
|
The Black Keys |
10 |
Tighten Up |
8/23/2010 |
No Rain, No Flowers |
8/3/2025 |
|
Deb Browning |
9 |
Take Me By The Hand (with
the Six Piece Suits) |
6/5/2022 |
The Sea, Sand and You
(with Townsend Link) |
6/30/2026 |
|
ScreenAge |
6 |
Blue Eyed Addiction |
8/23/2020 |
Like Fine Wine |
12/12/2021 |
|
Adele |
5 |
Rolling In the Deep |
1/17/2011 |
Easy on Me |
11/28/2021 |
|
Rachel Allyn |
4 |
Stand Still |
9/27/2010 |
Ain't No Fun |
1/23/2012 |
|
Foster The People |
4 |
Pumped Up Kicks |
3/21/2011 |
Imagination |
10/13/2019 |
|
Tennis |
4 |
Origins |
1/30/2012 |
Runner |
3/29/2020 |
|
Ed Sheeran |
4 |
Thinking Out Loud |
5/31/2015 |
Bad Habits |
10/3/2021 |
|
Starbuck |
4 |
On the Sand |
11/5/2023 |
Robusto |
3/15/2026 |
|
The Jay Vons |
4 |
Days Undone |
6/15/2025 |
Changing Seasons |
4/5/2026 |
HOT 100: After patiently waiting for Drake, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift to finish occupying the top spot, Ella Langley returns to pole position on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Choosin' Texas". It logs its 11th nonconsecutive week at #1, and it moves to the top for a sixth time. With 36 weeks on the chart (going back to before the start week of measuring year-end activity for this year, at the end of October 2025), it seems a lock for year-end honors. It also may have a shot at Billboard's "song of the summer" as well if it keeps this up. Taylor Swift, who's in the news lately regarding for her pending wedding at Madison Square Garden in New York, drops to #2 with "I Knew It, I Knew You". Ella's other song "Be Her" moves back to #3. A pair of Olivia Rodrigo songs, "Stupid Song" and "Drop Dead" round out the top five.
SNS 100: Turning to my chart, as mentioned above, Deb Browning lands her ninth number one with her Townsend Link duet, "The Sea, Sand and You". It's interesting to note that five of her nine blog toppers are duets: Two with The Six Piece Suits, one each with Marlisa Kay Small, Michael Fite (of The Mac Daddy's Band) and now Townsend Link of The Pink Slips Band. It knocks out Vaughan Penn (who had met Deb at Deckerz during Spring S.O.S). with "Bands on the Beach" after five weeks at the top. "Be Here" holds at #3, while The Tams' "I Tried" inches up to #4. Brooke Combe's "Tears Won't Lie" drops a notch to #5, Jennifer James and Brad Cox's "Suspicious Minds" moves 9-6, "Choosin' Texas" drops a notch to #7. Christina Cooper Black advances 10-8 with "A New Lease on Love". "Too Late" by Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson inches down to #9, and Barry Walsh enters the top 10 with "Star Ride" (13-10).
In the second ten, it's very competitive as eight of the ten songs bullet, and most of them are unable to move up or at most, one position. The only new entry is the "Hello Juliet" by Clarion (26-20). The Mover of the Week is last week's Top Debut, Rivermist's "Heaven's Not That Far Away".
The Top Debut is the latest by beach music artist Marsha Morgan, "Whenever There's Summer" debuting at #58. Just listening to this, emits a great feeling. It sort of has that "Hello Stranger" vibe to it. This should be a definitive hit for Ms. Morgan who hit #8 two years ago with "Knockin' Down Doors". While it should have, in my opinion been released a few weeks earlier, it still should be considered for "song of the summer" contention. Well, sung, well produced, great texture.
I've been holding on to sombr's "Potential" for a while now because I'm still enjoying his "Homewrecker" as it's one of the best pop-oriented songs out there in a long while, and it just set a new peak on the Hot 100 this week at #16, to go with his two weeks at #1 SNS. While his new one only spent a week on the big chart, the gutsiness of that song does carry somewhat into "Potential" so it has a chance to move upwards. The song debuts at #85. Sombr also released another new one, "My Body Isn't Ready", which bubbles under at #102. It's a slower song which mentioned the 4th of July. A little more emotional and introspective than his other recent songs, but several listens will help propel this one as well.
Wendy Lucas heads up a band based in Boston which has been all over the reels lately, and thus "Down For the Drive" enters at #89. I absolutely love the vibe on this one. This is a great example of how good indie-oriented rock can be. Love the guitar and sax work on it. The pop sensibilities are at work here as well. Should be a blog hit here.....Guitar impresario David F. Porfirio returns with "The Drifter" (#90), and to be honest, it's his best work in a while which is saying a lot. While not entirely in the "exotica" of recent releases, this one lets off an Eric Johnson vibe. The guitar work melds perfectly with the piano accompaniment. I say this every time he releases a new song.... Give his guy a listen. He is worth it!!!
Well, we have The Rolling Stones in the top 20, the surviving members of the Beatles moving up, not to mention The Tams currently in the top five, so why not Micky Dolenz? The lone surviving member of The Monkees debuts with "Terri". This is a tasty, moving, pop-oriented morsal that deserves a chance......Role Model had a monster alternative hit last year with "Sally When the Wine Runs Out", and he's back with "High Hopes 3000". It has sort of a Fleetwood Mac beat to it and it's a continued romp with a fun rock beat. Has a chance. It debuts at #97.
TREMORS: Aside from the sombr song, we have a couple entries bubbling under. Kathleen Turner Overdrive, which made the SNS top 40 a couple times last year, return with "I Want to Believe". This is rock/funk mix that is persistent and keeps at it. It's an intriguing song with references to many urban legends, in particular the "Jersey Devil". That reference alone should propel this one up the SNS 100.....Finally, Mitski returns with "Fireproof" from her re-released album Puberty 2, originally released 10 years ago. Definitely worthy of a several spins.
Have a happy and safe July 4th!
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
June 28 / July 5, 2026
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
2 |
NUMBER ONE:  DEB BROWNING and TOWNSEND LINK (Single Release) |
9 |
|
2 |
1 |
13 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
18 |
|
|
4 |
5 |
12 |
|
|
5 |
4 |
13 |
|
|
6 |
9 |
7 |
|
|
7 |
6 |
24 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
10 |
|
|
9 |
8 |
11 |
|
|
10 |
13 |
6 |
|
|
11 |
12 |
9 |
|
|
12 |
14 |
8 |
|
|
13 |
7 |
13 |
|
|
14 |
11 |
20 |
|
|
15 |
15 |
6 |
|
|
16 |
16 |
14 |
|
|
17 |
17 |
7 |
|
|
18 |
19 |
9 |
|
|
19 |
20 |
7 |
|
|
20 |
26 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  Album: Clarion (EP) |
7 |
|
21 |
21 |
10 |
|
|
22 |
29 |
10 |
|
|
23 |
23 |
10 |
|
|
24 |
25 |
11 |
|
|
25 |
27 |
11 |
|
|
26 |
30 |
5 |
|
|
27 |
31 |
7 |
|
|
28 |
34 |
6 |
|
|
29 |
35 |
6 |
|
|
30 |
24 |
14 |
|
|
31 |
32 |
8 |
|
|
32 |
28 |
9 |
|
|
33 |
36 |
11 |
|
|
34 |
18 |
16 |
|
|
35 |
39 |
5 |
|
|
36 |
41 |
5 |
|
|
37 |
38 |
9 |
|
|
38 |
42 |
6 |
|
|
39 |
22 |
14 |
|
|
40 |
43 |
8 |
|
|
41 |
47 |
4 |
|
|
42 |
44 |
7 |
|
|
43 |
49 |
4 |
|
|
44 |
37 |
16 |
|
|
45 |
50 |
8 |
|
|
46 |
51 |
6 |
|
|
47 |
56 |
3 |
|
|
48 |
33 |
14 |
|
|
49 |
52 |
5 |
|
|
50 |
53 |
4 |
|
|
51 |
67 |
3 |
|
|
52 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Release) |
1 |
|
53 |
61 |
5 |
|
|
54 |
40 |
18 |
|
|
55 |
55 |
5 |
|
|
56 |
57 |
6 |
|
|
57 |
62 |
5 |
|
|
58 |
59 |
6 |
|
|
59 |
48 |
41 |
|
|
60 |
58 |
16 |
|
|
61 |
68 |
4 |
|
|
62 |
69 |
3 |
|
|
63 |
78 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
2 |
|
64 |
70 |
3 |
|
|
65 |
74 |
3 |
|
|
66 |
87 |
2 |
|
|
67 |
45 |
12 |
|
|
68 |
88 |
2 |
|
|
69 |
73 |
5 |
|
|
70 |
46 |
15 |
|
|
71 |
84 |
2 |
|
|
72 |
93 |
2 |
|
|
73 |
76 |
5 |
|
|
74 |
83 |
3 |
|
|
75 |
66 |
7 |
|
|
76 |
86 |
3 |
|
|
77 |
81 |
3 |
|
|
78 |
54 |
10 |
|
|
79 |
65 |
6 |
|
|
80 |
92 |
3 |
|
|
81 |
64 |
19 |
|
|
82 |
75 |
21 |
|
|
83 |
94 |
2 |
|
|
84 |
80 |
9 |
|
|
85 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
86 |
82 |
4 |
|
|
87 |
63 |
22 |
|
|
88 |
96 |
2 |
|
|
89 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
90 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
91 |
100 |
2 |
|
|
92 |
60 |
17 |
|
|
93 |
85 |
24 |
|
|
94 |
95 |
2 |
|
|
95 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
96 |
99 |
2 |
|
|
97 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
98 |
71 |
14 |
|
|
99 |
79 |
11 |
|
|
100 |
89 |
19 |
Tremors:
101. The Avalanches - Together
101. Cigarettes After Sex - Twizzlers
102. Sombr - My Body Isn't Ready
103. Kathleen Turner Overdrive - I Want To Believe
104. Death Cab For Cutie - Riptides
105. Mitski - Fireproof
Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - Forevermore
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.
(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
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