THREE BIG THINGS happening this week, but we have to start off with the record breaker.
Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" holds at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a 23rd week. This breaks the record of 22 set by Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You", which was set over the course of seven holiday seasons (2019-2025). In addition to the new landmark, it's also the 13th consecutive week that it has led the parade; it is one of six times the song had advanced to the top spot over seven months' time. The Hot 100 chart has been around since 1958, so that is quite a bit of history.
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| Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" sets a record for the longest reign at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, now in its 23rd week on top |
Now the question is, can Ella pad her lead? Normally you would have to wait---possibly a long time--before there's a chance for a song to set another high-water mark, but we are dealing with a holiday song that re-appears every holiday season. Coming into last year's holiday season, the record was a tie between "Old Town Road" (Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus) from 2019, and "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" (Shaboozey) from 2023, both with 19 weeks, with "All I Want For Christmas Is You", having swept the Christmas sweepstakes in 2024, right behind with 18. Once again, Mariah ran the table, swept all four weeks to become the first artist to log the 20-week mark with a song. She went on to make it 22.
Unless something drastic happens, there's no doubt that Mariah in a couple months' time, will add onto her total. But the Hot 100's Top 10 once again is very stagnant---no new songs in the top 10---and with no reported superstar releases in the near future, thus it's possible that Ms. Langley could tack on a few more weeks and make it difficult for Mariah to re-take the crown.
Again, not to take anything away from this accomplishment, but the chart once again is dead as a doornail. Not only the top 10 is the same (with minor change in position), but positions 11-20 haven't changed either. Right now, the two songs (barring a debut in the top position) that could advance to the top are Stella Lefty's "Boston", still #2 but making gains, and Karol G's "Bby WOW" which has advanced 14 to 10 to 7 this week.
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| Deb Browning and Townsend Link's "The Sea, Sand and You" is this year's "Song of the Summer" |
This past week saw the arrival of fall, and just like that, we have gotten some much cooler days down here in the Grand Strand after an oppressive summer. So, it's a good time to announce this year's Scenes 'n' Soundwaves "Song of the Summer". The winner probably isn't any big surprise: "The Sea, Sand and You" by Deb Browning and Townsend Link wins this year's honors.
The song logged six weeks at the top of the SNS 100 during three reigns at the top. The songs were determined from the SNS 100 chart between May 10 and September 13, 2026 based on point tabulations that determine the charts each week. It's the third honor for Deb, who had gotten the honors in 2022 with "Three More Minutes", and again in 2024 with "Sunshine and Summertime", which was a duet with her singing partner Marlisa Kay Small. It's the first honor for Townsend Link, the lead singer of The Pink Slips' Band who is retiring from that band at the end of the year. The song was written by David Howard Faircloth.
Deb and Townsend beat out not one, but TWO songs by Ella Langley for the crown. "Be Her", which interrupted a run at the top for "The Sea..." landed at #2, while "Choosin' Texas"--which captured the Billboard Summer Song crown, was at #3. Vaughan Penn's "Bands on the Beach", which was also a contender for the honor, wound up at #4, while The Tams' "I Tried" came in at #5. As the two Ms. Langley tracks got some beach music airplay, that would make it a sweep of the top five for the Carolina genre. Aside from Ella Langley, Starbuck also landed two songs in the top 20: "Sleeping in the Rain and Thunder", featuring Elsie B (#9), and "Doo Wop Bop" (#20).
Here is the top 20 in both video and list form:
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10 |
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11 |
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12 |
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13 |
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14 |
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15 |
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17 |
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18 |
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19 |
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20 |
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As I mentioned above, this was Deb Browning's third honor, the most thus far. It breaks a tie with The Black Keys, who won the title in 2010 and again in 2014; the only other multiple winner. The Keys did okay this year as well, with "Where There's Smoke There's Fire" landing at #13.
2010: The Black
Keys, "Tighten Up"
2011: Rachel Allyn, "Say Hello to
Goodbye"
2012: The Shins, "The Rifle's Spiral"
2013: Paul Czekaj, "At the Beach"
2014: The Black Keys, "Fever"
2015: Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"
2016: Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Dark
Necessities"
2017: Miley Cyrus, "Malibu"
2018: Neko Case, "Bad Luck"
2019: Lil Peep & ILoveMakonnen featuring
Fall Out Boy, "I've Been Waiting"
2020: Pepper featuring Collie Buddz, "Change"
2021; ScreenAge, "Think Again"
2022: Deb Browning, “3 More Minutes”
2023: Orbis Max with Lisa
Mychols and Ed Ryan, “R U OK”
2024: Deb Browning and Marlisa
Kay Small, “Sunshine and Summertime”
2025: Jerry Powell, “Dance With Me”
2026: Deb Browning and Townsend Link, “The Sea, Sand and You”
So, can Deb parlay her latest summer award into her fifth straight year-end number one? The song has been one of her best, but one thing is standing in the way: Ella Langley. But with two and a half months to go before the end of the year, anything is possible.
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| This year's Carolina Beach Music Awards nominations were announced last week. |
Finally, we turn to the Carolina Beach Music Award nominations which went out last week. It's been a busy time for the genre, as the Fall Migration SOS (Sounds of the Strand) took place this past week and a half. Sadly, I wasn't able to attend the festivities like I did last spring, but it appears that all went well, with many of the well-known artists performing in the many venues around the Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach.
Below is a list of the nominations in the key categories. Unfortunately, it was too late for me to join as a member, thus I wasn't able to nominate or vote (I hope to join for 2027), but I figured I'd make a few comments on the noms, and in some cases how I would cast my vote if I was able to.
FEMALE VOCALIST:
Deb Browning
Karen Clayton ( The Castaways)
Laura Kepley (The Tonez)
Lesa Hudson
Rhonda McDaniel (Carolina Coast Band)
Terri Gore (Classic Soul)
How do you choose here? All of them are FB friends, and I have met Deb, Lesa and Rhonda, and seen the first two of them perform. Both Deb and Lesa have had #1 blog songs this year, so it's a toss-up between them. I guess I gotta go with Deb here since I've seen her twice this year (as opposed to once for Lesa).
MALE VOCALIST:
Allen Pier (Rivermist)
Gary Lowder (Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot)
Jonathan Treece (The Tonez)
Rickey Godfrey (Carolina Coast Band)
Rick Strickland
Steve Long (Too Much Sylvia)
Turning to the men, it's a tougher decision. Gary Lowder is obviously the hardest working man in beach music, but Allen's Rivermist has been more successful on my chart. The Tonez had a big hit in "NMBSC", and Too Much Sylvia topped a few regional charts (and mid-charted here) with "I'll Be There". I've seen Rick Strickland, of course, performing with Lesa Hudson, but what the hey, going with Rick.
RISING STAR:
Groove Harbor Band
Jennifer James
Mac Daddy’s Band
Vaughan Penn
Oh boy, this is a tough one as they're all good. With all due respect, I have to eliminate the Groove Harbor band, but only because they don't put their songs on Spotify (my playlist, based on my chart, is public, and it would help with the exposure if they had their music on that streaming platform). The other three have scored multiple hits on SNS. I've seen the Daddy's and Vaughan play (but unfortunately missed Ms. James that night) at Deckerz for Spring SOS. I'm going with Vaughan Penn, only because the Mac Daddy's Band was around last year, while Vaughan (whose star actually has risen in other fields over the past quarter-century), took the beach world by storm this year. But all of these nominations are deserving.
ENTERTAINER:
Craig Woolard w/ Embers feat. Craig Woolard
Gary Lowder w/ Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot
Jim Quick w/ Jim Quick & Coastline
Karen Clayton w/ Castaways
Lesa Hudson w/ Rick Strickland Band
Townsend Link w/ The Pink Slips
Steve Long w/Too Much Sylvia
This reads like a "who's who" in beach music. All worthy, of course and most of them have been referenced in song by Vaughan's "Bands on the Beach". But I have to narrow it down to Lesa Hudson, who I saw, and Townsend Link due to his monster duet with Deb Browning. So, it's between them. Townsend is retiring this year....but I've seen Lesa entertain (and she definitely does),.
SMOOTHIE:
“Every Road" Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson
“Forevermore” Gary Lowder & Smoking Hot
"I’ll Be There" Too Much Sylvia
“Love Is What I’m Talking About" The Castaways ft Karen Clayton
“Soul Full of Sunshine” Gary “Alex” Alexander
“Wait For Me” Jim Quick & Allie Privette
I may be wrong, but a "smoothie" is more of a slower tempo song (although some of these songs are at least mid-tempo). All except the Gary Lowder song charted here. But one of these songs went straight to number one, and that's "Every Road". And I got to see them perform it at Duplin Winery this past spring.
SONG OF THE YEAR:
”Every Road” Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson
“I Can’t Wait For The Weekend” Rhonda McDaniels
“I Tried” The Tams
" I’ll Be There" Too Much Sylvia
”Love Is What I’m Talking About” The Castaways
“Pretty Lady” North Tower
”Pretty Women Everywhere” Craig Woolard
Okay, where's "The Sea, Sand and You"? Or "A New Lease on Love"? Well, four songs stand out for me. I do like Rhonda's songs, but "I Tried" was a solid top five SNS blog hit. "Every Road" had a nice three-week run at #1. But how can you not vote for "Pretty Lady"? A record 12 weeks topping my chart! 47 weeks on the chart, just dropping off this week. And believe it or not, it's STILL #1 on Pat Gwinn's "At the Beach" chart. Only one concern. In the Grammys, "Song of the Year" is for the songwriter, and as you know, this was a cover of a song by the Canadian band Lighthouse, written by its member, the late Skip Prokop. But, as far as I know, that isn't the requirement for the CBMA's. If that's the case, "Pretty Lady" wins hands down.
NATIONAL SHAG DANCE SONG:
“Choosin’ Texas” Ella Langley
“Honey” Lenny Kravitz
"I Just might" Bruno Mars
“Just One More” California Honeydrops
OK, is there any reason why "Choosin' Texas" DOESN'T deserve to win this? A record run on the Hot 100, a four-week reign on SNS (where the song has been in my top 20 continuously since early February). "I Just Might" also hit the top of my chart, but it had less staying power. I never heard the California Honeydrops song, and while I like Lenny Kravitz, "Honey" stopped at #41 here. Another award for Ella, in my opinion.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
“Best Of The Band” Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot
”Power of Two” Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson
”Reaching For The Top” Rhonda McDaniel
”Right Place Right Time” Rivermist
I know albums aren't really the specialty in beach music, and didn't the Rick and Lesa collaboration come out a few years ago? For me, it's between Rivermist and Rhonda. Reaching for the Top contained "Sad Girl" which I love (and hit #1 here), so I gotta go for that, although Rivermist has some very good songs on Right Place, Right Time.
GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Band of Oz
The Castaways
Embers ft Craig Woolard
Gary Lowder & Smokin' Hot
Jim Quick & Coastline
North Tower
Too Much Sylvia
If I'm not mistaken, I think all these bands are mentioned in "Bands on the Beach". So, 'give it up for all the Carolina bands'. Unfortunately, only one of them can win. For me, it's not a contest....it's North Tower.
COLLABORATION OR DUO
“Getaway Car” Deb Browning & Michael Fite
“Jump On It” Rhonda McDaniel & Gary Lowder
”My Heart Is Not A Toy” Jim Quick & Gary Lowder
“Suspicious Minds” Jennifer James & Brad Cox
“The Sea Sand & You” Deb Browning & Townsend Link
“Wait For Me” Jim Quick, Allie Privette & Mark Black
The best way to get nominated in this category? Do a lot of duets with different people. That works for Deb Browning, who's nominated twice in this category because of it, with the leaders of The Mac Daddy's Band and The Pink Slips. But Jennifer and Brad's "Suspicious Minds" is awesome too. All of these songs made my chart, so how to decide? Well of this bunch, "The Sea, Sand and You" hit #1, so I gotta go with that, with "Getaway Car" a close second (it hit #2 on SNS).
SONG WRITER:
Charlie Sattenfield and Brad Cox “I Tried” The Mighty Tams
Guy Brooks “Love Is What I’m Talking About” The Castaways
Jim Quick “Wait For Me” Jim Quick, Allie Privette & Mark Black
Jonathan Treece “NMBSC” The Tonez
Rick Strickland “Every Road” Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson
Wayne Free “I Love Kissing You” Wayne Free
OK, so this confirms that the aforementioned "Song of the Year" award isn't for the writer, but this one is. While "Every Road" is awesome, has there been a hotter writer than Charlie Sattenfield? While I had no idea that Brad Cox co-wrote it, that's great too. They did capture what The Tams were all about, and "I Tried" should get the nod here.
MUSIC VIDEO:
“Forevermore” Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot
“I’ll Be There’” Too Much Sylvia
“Lady of The Island” Rivermist
”No Place Like New Orleans” Sylvia Johns Ricthie
”Someday at Christmas” Craig Woolard & Jackie Gore
“The Sea Sand and You” Deb Browning & Townsend Link
I'm always glad to see music videos for beach music...it captures the essence of the genre, especially the ones that are shot at North Myrtle Beach. I wish "Shirley, You're Kidding" was on here, but that probably came out too late for consideration. Two standouts from this list: Rivermist's "Lady of the Island" and Deb & Townsend's "The Sea Sand and You".
There are other categories, of course, but these are the ones that we are in contact every time that we listen to them. The Awards Show is on Sunday, November 8 at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach. Best of luck to all the nominees!
SNS 100: Turning (finally) to my chart, Sienna Spiro's "Material Lover" logs a second week at #1, barely holding off Brooke Combe's "Love Was Made of Stone". Ms. Spiro's new album Visitor is out, and while "Material Lover" isn't on the physical versions of the set (i.e. vinyl, cassette, CD), it is included on the deluxe digital edition. The song is still moving up John Hook's Top 40 chart (16-14). The Womack Sisters' "If I Let You" holds at #3 as it moves 26-24 on the RadioWave Triple-A list. Vaughan Penn's "Sandbar Shuffle" advances 5-4 and Loaded Honey's "Tokyo Rain" moves 6-5. The one new entry in the top 10 is Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's "Rein Me In" which is moving up the Billboard's Alternative chart and holding at #51 on the Hot 100 after 26 weeks (meaning it has to move up or is in danger of being dropped).
Four new entries in the top 20, spearheaded by yet another Womack Sisters' song, the smooth ballad "Monster" (25-14), garnering the Impact award. Jerry Powell scores another hit, this time with "Nights on Ocean Drive" (24-17). Jungle joins its members from Loaded Honey, and enters with "Sunshine" (27-19), and New Jersey-to-South Carolina artist and friend Karen Wallo moves 23-20 with "Plum Local Blues". Anna Lavigne captures the Mover of the Week with her latest, "One Black Swan" (57-47)
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| Marlisa Kay Small has this week's Top Debut with "In Way Over My Heart", written by Charlie Sattenfield and produced by Tim Sidden |
DEBUTS: The new songs this week are marked by the return of Marlisa Kay Small, as her new song, "In Way Over My Heart" lands the Top Debut at #61. This is a nice, bouncy song perfect for shagging...and listening as well. I have to say that Marlisa is a class-act, and a kind person who has done so much for the beach music community. I've had the pleasure of meeting her twice. She is a cancer survivor and has given back by heading the "Wigs for Cancer" charity, who have helped many deal with cancer and try and maintain a normal life. She, of course, performs gigs with Deb Browning, also a cancer survivor. And while Marlisa has hit with several duets, it's nice to see her record solo as well. The song has a lot going for it. It was written by the red-hot Charlie Sattenfield ("Shirley, You're Kidding", "I Tried", "A New Lease on Love", which the subject of the new song resembles). Add to that, production by Tim Sidden of Ocean Drive Productions (with the help of Melissa Hinson), and you have a winner. With a team like that, and a person as awesome as she is, she can't miss with this one.
The Six Piece Suits, another act associated with Deb Browning, are back with "Moment With You", coming in at #42. This is another soul-filled outing; you gotta love Kyle Hooks' vocal. It's an example of what the band does best. This band should get more recognition that it has gotten (maybe this Florida contingent can move up to South Carolina). But this is modern beach music through and through and should be another big hit on SNS, and hopefully along the Strand.
With Scots Brooke Combe and Anna Lavigne doing well on the chart, here comes the latest from Jennifer Licko tying that in with the Carolinas with her latest "Carolina Scot" (which doesn't sound like either artist....well maybe a bit like Ms. Lavigne). Ms. Licko had a big beach hit with "Meet Me at The Shag Pad" earlier this year and recently followed it up with her take on the Irish folk ballad "Danny Boy". Jennifer, who has roots in both places (as well as Brazil), dives headfirst in the Celtic mode as the song starts off with bagpipes. Definitely in the Scot Irish mode, it's the subject of the lyrics that link it with the Grand Strand. There are Irish pubs in the area, like Flynn's, she would be perfect to perform that (I think she has played there already). Being part Scottish, and living in South Carolina, this is a nice song to identify with. If given a chance, this should be a hit.
Next is the latest from retro soul trio Thee Sacred Souls, following up the top ten "Any Old Fool" with "Waiting On the Right Time" at #88. It's a nice-powered soul ballad, as you'd come to expect from this band. The song again captured what made the soul genre an all-time favorite.
We head back up to Nova Scotia for the latest from Blair Sparrow, with the indie-powered "Someday in Your Life", at #92. This is definitely in the middle of the indie-alternative lane, and has been doing well on the indie charts......Temper City's "Self-Aware" is at the top of Billboard's alternative chart, and entering at #94, this one has a steady beat, bordering a bit on hip-hop, but not fully so, and is what you'd expect from alternative these days.
Two debuts enter the Tremors chart: Ariana Grande's "petal", the title track from her album, is what current pop sounds like these days. A bit sparse without completely falling completely into that abyss, this one could make some noise on SNS....and finally, we have Canadian Harley Olivia with the intriguing "MADONNA/WHØRE". No, this isn't some sort of hate song about the singer. There is something called the "Madonna-whore complex" which is attributed to a male's inability to maintain sexual arousal in a committed relationship and with men seeing women as either a saintly 'madonna' or debased 'whores". As for the song, this is a hard-rocking alternative romp, a no-holds-barred tour de force bordering on even nu-metal. Interesting to say the least, but palatable as well.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
September 20, 2026
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This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
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1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Albums: Visitor (Deluxe Digital)/The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Soundtrack) (2 Weeks at #1) |
9 |
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2 |
2 |
8 |
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3 |
3 |
11 |
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4 |
5 |
8 |
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5 |
6 |
8 |
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6 |
7 |
6 |
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7 |
4 |
20 |
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8 |
10 |
7 |
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9 |
11 |
7 |
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10 |
9 |
14 |
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11 |
12 |
10 |
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12 |
13 |
8 |
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13 |
20 |
5 |
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14 |
25 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  "Monster" Album: The Womack Sisters |
4 |
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15 |
8 |
10 |
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16 |
15 |
35 |
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17 |
24 |
10 |
|
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18 |
17 |
12 |
|
|
19 |
27 |
5 |
|
|
20 |
23 |
11 |
|
|
21 |
16 |
12 |
|
|
22 |
22 |
29 |
|
|
23 |
28 |
10 |
|
|
24 |
19 |
16 |
|
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25 |
21 |
13 |
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26 |
32 |
7 |
|
|
27 |
14 |
10 |
|
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28 |
36 |
4 |
|
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29 |
34 |
9 |
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30 |
18 |
15 |
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31 |
35 |
7 |
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32 |
38 |
7 |
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33 |
26 |
11 |
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34 |
29 |
13 |
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35 |
33 |
11 |
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36 |
40 |
9 |
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37 |
44 |
5 |
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38 |
30 |
18 |
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39 |
37 |
24 |
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40 |
47 |
6 |
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41 |
48 |
5 |
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42 |
39 |
21 |
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43 |
53 |
4 |
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44 |
31 |
9 |
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45 |
52 |
6 |
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46 |
49 |
9 |
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47 |
57 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: Just Be |
3 |
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48 |
43 |
23 |
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49 |
41 |
17 |
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50 |
54 |
8 |
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51 |
55 |
6 |
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52 |
60 |
5 |
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53 |
59 |
Sylvia Johns
Ritchie and Doyle Wood - I've Got the Just Can't Help Its |
20 |
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54 |
45 |
17 |
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55 |
61 |
6 |
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56 |
62 |
6 |
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57 |
65 |
4 |
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58 |
42 |
11 |
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59 |
58 |
7 |
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60 |
46 |
17 |
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61 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Release) |
1 |
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62 |
67 |
4 |
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63 |
51 |
20 |
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64 |
50 |
17 |
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65 |
69 |
3 |
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66 |
82 |
2 |
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67 |
77 |
3 |
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68 |
73 |
3 |
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69 |
81 |
2 |
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70 |
74 |
5 |
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71 |
76 |
3 |
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72 |
79 |
3 |
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73 |
56 |
14 |
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74 |
68 |
8 |
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75 |
80 |
2 |
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76 |
64 |
12 |
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77 |
66 |
9 |
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78 |
72 |
5 |
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79 |
63 |
17 |
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80 |
86 |
2 |
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81 |
92 |
2 |
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|
82 |
--- |
1 |
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|
83 |
75 |
3 |
|
|
84 |
71 |
5 |
|
|
85 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
86 |
97 |
2 |
|
|
87 |
93 |
4 |
|
|
88 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
89 |
83 |
7 |
|
|
90 |
90 |
18 |
|
|
91 |
94 |
2 |
|
|
92 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
93 |
70 |
14 |
|
|
94 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
95 |
99 |
2 |
|
|
96 |
84 |
5 |
|
|
97 |
102 |
1 |
|
|
98 |
100 |
2 |
|
|
99 |
88 |
18 |
|
|
100 |
101 |
1 |
Tremors:
101. Ariana Grande - petal
102. Julia Wolf - In My Room
103. Harley Olivia - MADONNA/WHØRE
Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.
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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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