MAKE THAT WEEK NUMBER 18 for Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" as the song continues at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. That puts it firmly in 4th place (3rd if you don't count holiday songs), and just one week behind "Old Town Road" and "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" which logged 19 weeks each. The overall record, of course, is 22 held by Mariah Carey's perennial "All I Want For Christmas Is You".
It's been apparent for some time now, but women--either solo, part of duets, or as featured vocalists have been dominating the big chart, but also this week, it's affected my own Scenes 'n' Soundwaves 100. In both cases, nine of the top 10 involve females in one way or another. Three of them belong to Ms. Langley as her Morgan Wallen duet "I Can't Love You Anymore" is at #6 on the Hot 100, while "Be Her" is at #10. Olivia Dean added two more to that region ("So Easy To Fall in Love", #7, "Man I Need", #9), plus one apiece from Taylor Swift ("I Knew It, I Knew You", #2), Ariana Grande ("Hate I Made You Love Me", #5) and Stella Lefty ("Boston", #4). And while Tame Impala is a male act (Kevin Parker, plus touring musicians), it took a version with K-Pop singer JENNIE, for it to become a fixture in the top 10,, currently at #8. That leaves just Morgan Wallen's "Been By Now" (#3) fully representing the men.
 |
| Female artists have been dominating the top of the SNS 100 (as well as the Billboard Hot 100 lately). Here are some of the artists who have scored here on Scenes 'n' Soundwaves. Clockwise, from top: Ella Langley, Deb Browning, Caroline Rose, Vaughan Penn, Sienna Spiro, Christina Cooper Black, Megan Moroney, and Brooke Combe. In center are The Womack Sisters, who have this week's #1 song with "If I Let You" |
While these artists have been at the top of the Hot 100 for a while now (and you can add Olivia Rodrigo, and Zara Larsson, who have songs in the top 20, as well as recent hits by Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae and Chappell Roan), it has now spread to my chart, where almost the same thing is occurring. But aside from Ella, the singers are different, but still very appealing to the ears.
Nine of the top ten songs here are either by females, solo or a group, male-female duets, or male acts with a featured female singer, almost the same as the Hot 100, except for Ms. Langley, who appears twice in my top 10, and on both lists. There is the male-female duo, in this case, Deb Browning and Townsend link, instead of Ella and Morgan. While Kevin Parker's project Tame Impala has JENNIE, Bruce Blackman's project Starbuck has Elsie B. And then there's The Womack Sisters, Marsha Morgan, Carolina Rose, Megan Moroney and Sienna Spiro all in the top 10. Morgan Wallen's equivalent? That would be Barry Walsh's "Star Ride" as the only pure male act there.
While women have always been a major part of popular music, the fact that so many of them are at or near the top of the charts, and in most cases, writing and/or producing, these days is the continued embodiment of empowerment. For example, Deb and Townsend's "The Sea, Sand and You" was produced by Melissa Hinson, while Pat Murphy co-penned Marsha Morgan's "Whenever There's Summer".
So why have women dominated the charts like they have? I was trying to find an article to explain this, and have found this from the British column Adrenaline, an article written by Esme Campbell. It mentioned that during this current decade, the music styles have seen a revival of many trends of the past forty years or so. Much of the inspiration, at least for popular music stems from 1980s synth-pop, 90's alternative and hip-hop, as well as the 2000's style of pop. With me, of course, you can add the styles of the 1960's like soul, beach, British invasion, psychedelic, etc. There's been a mix of various nostalgia overall lately, and women especially seem to be adept in adapting to these trends. As Ms. Campbell points out, for example, Olivia Rodrigo's music seems to capture Paramore and Avril Lavigne; Sabrina Carpenter does the same with early Britney Spears' music. Many of these national artists have songs that throwback to the beginning of the 21st century.
OK, so that explains the national scene, but what about my chart? Surely, I wasn't inspired that much of the music of the 2000's. But I was definitely inspired by the sixties and seventies, and much of the songs in the top of my chart, reflect that. Such as the case of The Womack Sisters, who capture the #1 spot this week with "If I Let You", which is clearly a song you'd hear in the retro-soul filled 1960's. It helps of course, that the sisters are the granddaughters of Sam Cooke, and nieces of Bobby Womack, legendary R&B stars in their own right. The related Northern Soul scene in the U.K. has been revived as well with the likes of Brooke Combe, who enters the top 20 with "Love Was Made of Stone".
And then there's Carolina Beach music.
As has been the case the last several years, it's all over my chart. It's closely related to the soul of the 50's and 60's as well as Britain's Northern Soul scene, but has been refined and evolved to this day. This week, Deb Browning and Townsend Link's "The Sea, Sand and You" is #2 (after a five week run at the top), Marsha Morgan's "Whenever There's Summer" moves up to #3, and Sienna Spiro's "Material Love", on John Hook's Beach Music Top 40 chart, grabs the Impact award moving 21-10. Vaughan Penn and Christina Cooper Black are also in the top 20 with beach songs. Steering away from the beach scene, but innovative nonetheless, are Caroline Rose's "Yip Yip Yow" is sort of a hoedown-like song from the old days. The brother-and-sister duo Ashen Ringlets have a song that comes right out of The Cure playbook, "Waltzing Days in Maidenhood".
But that's not to say the male artists don't pick up trends. Barry Walsh's "Star Ride" was clearly derived out of the late 1960's. And male groups in the top 20 like Interpol, The Black Keys and Orbis Max are holding onto the alternative sounds of the 1990's and the Classic Rock of the 1970's. But it seems that the style and empowerment of the female artists have picked up a lot of the melodic emotion of the songs, and perhaps recent pop songs for the past couple of decades lacked. Country singers Ella Langley and Megan Moroney embody that style.
For me, it's pretty much about the song, and how it moves me. And these days, it's mostly coming from the women artists.
SNS 100: As I've mentioned, we do have a new #1 song, "If I Let You" by The Womack Sisters. It's their first blog topper; "How Can I Tell You (To Love Me More)" stopped at #2 earlier this year. And it looks like a few Triple-A stations have added the song. It just barely edges out Deb Browning & Townsend Link's "The Sea, Sand and You", but that song does go to #1 on Don Mark's Surfside chart. Marsha Morgan and Barry Walsh switch places at 3 and 4. Starbuck featuring Elsie B moves 8 to 5 with "Sleeping in the Rain and Thunder". Ella Langley remains tough with "Be Her" and "Choosin' Texas", each moving down a notch; for the latter it's now in its 30th week. I was trying to look for other songs that were still in the top 10 in week 30 on the chart; apparently, it's happened frequently. I spot checked 2014 and two songs, "Locked in a Cage" by Brick+Mortar and "Temple" by Kings of Leon both did it that summer. Wild Belle's "Keep You", which holds the record for slowest climb to the top (25 weeks), stayed in the top 10 until week 37 in 2013. Back in 2011, Adele's "Rolling in the Deep"---equally a big hit on the par with "Choosin' Texas" was at #10 in its week 30. However, it hasn't happened lately, but with more turnover in this era, this is a big feat.
Megan Moroney's "Wish I Didn't" (11-9) and Impact award winner Sienna Spiro's "Material Lover" (21-10) are new to the top 10. Three new songs enter the top 20: Interpol's "See Out Loud", its fifth there, and first since "The Rover" in 2016; Ashen Ringlets' "Waltzing Days in Maidenhead" (23-17), the duo's first, and Brooke Combe's "Love Was Made of Stone" (38-19), her fifth this year. Other movers outside the top 20 include Vaughan Penn's "Sandbar Shuffle" (35-26), The Womack Sisters' "Chauffeur" (46-33), Loaded Honey's "Tokyo Rain" (63-40), Michelle Branch and New Radicals' "The Game of Love" (47-35) and the Mover of the Week, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's "Rein Me In" (86-58). By the way, last week I had mentioned that at 20 weeks on the Hot 100, "Rein" was in danger of dropping off, thanks to the chart's criteria. But this week it moves up to a new peak of #50 in week 21, so it's safe for now.
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| Alabama Shakes, fronted by Brittany Howard (2nd from L), have the Top Debut this week with "I Feel Hope Coming". |
NEWBIES: The debuts are led by the latest by Alabama Shakes, "I Feel Hope Coming", the latest release from Brittany Howard and the gang as they've reunited recently. They've charted well with their last few songs, but this one is far and away their best in a long time. This is a slow ballad, and sort of a change in sound for them. Ms. Howard's voice is less bluesy, but still soulful and emotional. The Shakes had two number ones here in 2015, but this is their best shot at another since then. Love the production on this. It enters at #70.
While Tame Impala stays in the national Top 10 with "Dracula" (which did hit my top 10 at the beginning of the year---sans JENNIE), Kevin Parker follows it with "Loser", also currently on the Hot 100 (#22). It's got a little funky beat (which probably explains its presence this high on the chart), but it's still pretty much quintessential Tame Impala. Kevin sings with emotion above the instrumentation, keeping things in control. It debuts at #90.
Just behind is the latest from New Jersey's C. Lynne Smith. She follows her top 20 "A Little Faith", with "Close to Me". This is a cool, acoustic ramble of sorts. A folk-country jam should propel the second song from her Taking the Long Way set back up the chart. The song enters at #91.
This has definitely been the year for male-female duets, and we have yet another one: "Phone, Keys, Wallet" by Lainey Wilson and John Mayer. Lainey has been sort of eclipsed lately by Ella Langley, and my wife had reminded me that we both liked her and why I haven't added a song from her in a while. It's on the Hot 100 this week at #48, its peak after 10 weeks there. Ms. Wilson is in fine form here and sings mostly lead here. As for Mayer, he does not supply vocals here; he just provides guitar work on it, but still shares co billing. It comes in at #97.
Finally, we have Steve Lacy at #100 with "oh yeah?". It made a big move on the Hot 100, moving 54-20 in its second week there. Although he charted recently with "The Feeling", this one should put him back in "Bad Habit" territory, which hit #1 on both SNS and the Hot 100. This one is a bit moody and emotional, but delivers the goods and should put him back near the top.
BUBBLING: Again, because of the intense competition, most of the new songs enter the Tremors chart. We have the latest from The Pozers, "Somewhere in My 21". It has that sore of raw, retro vibe to it, and love the harmonies as well......Maren Morris is someone we haven't heard too much from recently, but this country singer is back with "Hard Liquor and Soft Rock". It's sort of a "hard country", ironically, but it's a pleaser.....Olivia Rodrigo's "stupid song" is sort of a mellow song in the current pop mode, but picks up after the first verse.....The Revivalists take another stab with "Heart Stop", it's a ballad that has some life, but upon first listen, never quite gets off the ground.....finally, The Jayhawks are still around with "Keeping Our Heads Above Water". Kind of catchy, but it lacks the emotion of their 90's heyday, but repeated listening could propel it.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
August 16, 2026
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
2 |
NUMBER ONE:  THE WOMACK SISTERS Album: The Womack Sisters |
6 |
|
2 |
1 |
15 |
|
|
3 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
4 |
3 |
12 |
|
|
5 |
8 |
13 |
|
|
6 |
5 |
24 |
|
|
7 |
6 |
30 |
|
|
8 |
9 |
12 |
|
|
9 |
11 |
11 |
|
|
10 |
21 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  Album: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Soundtrack) |
4 |
|
11 |
17 |
10 |
|
|
12 |
7 |
19 |
|
|
13 |
16 |
12 |
|
|
14 |
14 |
16 |
|
|
15 |
22 |
8 |
|
|
16 |
10 |
12 |
|
|
17 |
23 |
6 |
|
|
18 |
20 |
12 |
|
|
19 |
38 |
3 |
|
|
20 |
19 |
9 |
|
|
21 |
15 |
18 |
|
|
22 |
25 |
5 |
|
|
23 |
12 |
11 |
|
|
24 |
24 |
9 |
|
|
25 |
26 |
7 |
|
|
26 |
35 |
3 |
|
|
27 |
13 |
12 |
|
|
28 |
31 |
9 |
|
|
29 |
27 |
8 |
|
|
30 |
42 |
5 |
|
|
31 |
18 |
15 |
|
|
32 |
30 |
8 |
|
|
33 |
46 |
5 |
|
|
34 |
33 |
6 |
|
|
35 |
47 |
3 |
|
|
36 |
37 |
8 |
|
|
37 |
36 |
6 |
|
|
38 |
34 |
9 |
|
|
39 |
45 |
9 |
|
|
40 |
63 |
3 |
|
|
41 |
50 |
5 |
|
|
42 |
51 |
4 |
|
|
43 |
52 |
6 |
|
|
44 |
55 |
7 |
|
|
45 |
28 |
14 |
|
|
46 |
60 |
5 |
|
|
47 |
29 |
10 |
|
|
48 |
64 |
4 |
|
|
49 |
58 |
15 |
|
|
50 |
54 |
7 |
|
|
51 |
57 |
6 |
|
|
52 |
53 |
11 |
|
|
53 |
62 |
8 |
|
|
54 |
41 |
10 |
|
|
55 |
39 |
13 |
|
|
56 |
32 |
15 |
|
|
57 |
40 |
11 |
|
|
58 |
86 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: People Watching (Deluxe Edition) |
2 |
|
59 |
67 |
6 |
|
|
60 |
43 |
19 |
|
|
61 |
44 |
13 |
|
|
62 |
48 |
13 |
|
|
63 |
76 |
2 |
|
|
64 |
69 |
5 |
|
|
65 |
79 |
2 |
|
|
66 |
49 |
14 |
|
|
67 |
78 |
4 |
|
|
68 |
59 |
14 |
|
|
69 |
74 |
4 |
|
|
70 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: I Must Be Dreaming |
1 |
|
71 |
61 |
7 |
|
|
72 |
56 |
13 |
|
|
73 |
89 |
2 |
|
|
74 |
72 |
6 |
|
|
75 |
94 |
2 |
|
|
76 |
77 |
4 |
|
|
77 |
81 |
3 |
|
|
78 |
80 |
5 |
|
|
79 |
65 |
13 |
|
|
80 |
70 |
26 |
|
|
81 |
84 |
3 |
|
|
82 |
66 |
15 |
|
|
83 |
85 |
3 |
|
|
84 |
88 |
3 |
|
|
85 |
90 |
2 |
|
|
86 |
68 |
20 |
|
|
87 |
71 |
17 |
|
|
88 |
104 |
1 |
|
|
89 |
105 |
1 |
|
|
90 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
91 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
92 |
82 |
7 |
|
|
93 |
91 |
3 |
|
|
94 |
96 |
2 |
|
|
95 |
73 |
8 |
|
|
96 |
75 |
17 |
|
|
97 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
98 |
87 |
16 |
|
|
99 |
101 |
1 |
|
|
100 |
--- |
1 |
Tremors:
101. Phoebe Bridgers - Lost Boys
102. Cage the Elephant - Beaches in Tennessee
103. The Pozers - Somewhere in My 21
104. Harley Olivia - Try Me On For Size
105. Maren Morris - Hard Liquor and Soft Rock
106. Olivia Rodrigo - stupid song
107. The Revivalists - Heart Stop
108. The Jayhawks - Keeping Our Heads Above Water
Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
Thee Sacred Souls - Waiting for the Right Time/One and the Same
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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