Saturday, December 26, 2009

Rock-It! 12-27-09, Peas-GaGa-Swift Lead Top 100 of 2009

What an incredible year for the Black Eyed Peas. They set the rock era record for most consecutive weeks at #1 when “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling” sat the top for over five months in 2009. Their album, “The E.N.D.” ranks as one of the top ten albums of the year and they score the #1 song of 2009 with “Boom Boom Pow”. They also come in at #4 with “I Gotta Feeling”. For the Peas, it is their best end of the year showing since “Where Is The Love” finished in the Top 10 of 2003.

Sandwiched between the Black Eyed Peas’ hits, was the top newcomer of 2009. Lady GaGa has the #2 song of 2009 with “Poker Face” and the #3 song of the year with “Just Dance” featuring Colby O’Donis. She also placed at #35 with “LoveGame” and at #53 with “Paparazzi”. She was the #3 artist of the year finishing one notch ahead of the Black Eyed Peas. Her album, “The Fame” finished #8 of 2009. She sold more songs digitally than any other artist in 2009.

The #1 artist of 2009 was Taylor Swift who finishes with the #5 song of 2009, “Love Story”. That big smash also finishes as the #1 airplay hit of the year. Her album “Fearless” is the #1 album of 2009. Taylor Swift also finishes at #11 on the year end survey with “You Belong With Me” and at #76 with “White Horse”. She ranks as the #1 country artist of 2009 as well.

Flo Rida finishes with the #6 song of 2009 with “Right Round”. He ranked as the #3 male artist of the year behind Kanye West and T.I. The rapper also places as #58 with “Sugar” featuring Wynter. This is Flo Rida’s second straight year with a Top 10 year end hit. Last year it was his debut single “Low”.

Jason Mraz set a rock era record this year for longest run in the Hot 100 when he topped 70 weeks breaking Leann Rimes’ “How Do I Live” record. That great run is enough to make “I’m Yours” the #7 song of 2009.

The #2 artist of 2009 is Beyonce who also ranks as the #1 female artist of the decade. The superstar places at #8 with “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”. She also is in at #24 with “Halo”, #48 with “If I Were A Boy”, #66 with “Sweet Dreams” and #82 with “Diva”. Beyonce’s album “I Am...Sasha Fierce” is the #2 album of 2009 and she ranks as the #1 hip hop artist of the year.

The top male artist of 2009 is Kanye West. He has the 9th biggest song of 2009 with “Heartless”. He also is in at #31 with Jay-Z and Rihanna with “Run This Town”, #44 with “Love Lockdown” and featured on Keri Hilson’s “Knock You Down” at #15 and Drake’s “Forever” at #88. His album “808s & Heartbreaks” is the #7 album of 2009.

Rounding out the Top 10 is All-American Rejects with “Gives You Hell”. The song became the biggest hit of their career. They finish as the seventh biggest group of 2009.

The second biggest male artist of 2009 is T.I. He comes in at #12 on the year end survey with “Dead And Gone” featuring Justin Timberlake. T.I. also ranked as the top rapper of the year. He also places at #18 with “Live Your Life” featuring Rihanna and #40 with “Whatever You Like”.

The Fray rank as the fourth best band of 2009 behind Black Eyed Peas, Nickelback and Kings Of Leon. They also place at #13 on the year end top songs with “You Found Me”. They come in at #100 as well with “Never Say Never”. That third best group, Kings Of Leon, are at #14 with “Use Somebody”.

Keri Hilson places as the third best newcomer behind Lady GaGa and Drake. She is at #15 with “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo. She is also in at #49 with “Turnin Me On” featuring Lil Wayne.

The #1 hip hop song of 2009 is “Blame It” by Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain. It ranks as the 16th biggest song overall of the year. And Pitbull is in at #17 with “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”. He also is at #46 with “Hotel Room Service”.

Rounding out the Top 20 is “Kiss Me Thru The Phone” by Soulja Boy Tell ‘em featuring Sammie at #19 and “Down” by Jay Sean at #20. Soulja Boy Tell ‘em is also at #79 with “Turn My Swag On”.

Other points of interest on the year end Top 100:

Miley Cyrus places as the fourth best female artist of 2009 and has the #5 album of the year with “Hannah Montana: The Movie”. She has the 21st biggest song of the year with “The Clim” and the #29 song of the year with “Party In The U.S.A.”

Drake places as the second best newcomer of the year and the #2 rapper. He is at #22 on the year end songs chart with “Best I Ever Had” and at #88 with “Forever” featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem.

Kelly Clarkson is at #23 with “My Life Would Suck Without You”, #91 with “I Do Not Hook Up” and #95 with “Alread Gone”. Katy Perry is at #25 with “Hot N Cold” and #36 with “Waking Up In Vegas”.

Britney Spears has the sixth biggest album of 2009 with “Circus”. On the year end songs chart she places at #27 with the titled track as well as #39 with “Womanizer”, #74 with “If U Seek Amy” and #87 with “3”. Britney is the #5 female artist of 2009.

“Run This Town” by Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West is at #31. Jay-Z also places with Alicia Keys at #62 with the current #1 song, “Empire State Of Mind”. And Rihanna is also at #77 with “Disturbia”.

Lil Wayne is featured on multiple songs in the year end Top 100: Kevin Rudolf’s “Let It Rock” at #32, Keri HIlson’s “Turnin Me On” at #49, Young Money’s “Ever Girl” at #69 and Drake’s “Forever” at #88.

Other artists with multiple songs in the Top 100 of 2009:
Pink: “Sober” (#38), “So What” (#45), “Please Don’t Leave Me” (#52)
Ne-Yo: “Mad” (#42), “Miss Independent” (#59)
Nickelback: “Gotta Be Somebody” (#51), “If Today Was Your Last Day” (#70)
Akon: “Beautiful” (#54), “Right Now (Na Na Na)” (#56)
Zac Brown Band: “Chicken Fried” (#81), “Whatever It Is” (#94) 

My Top 10 Songs of 2009:
Shake Me Like A Monkey, Dave Matthews Band
My Life Would Suck Without You, Kelly Clarkson
Heartbreak On Vinyl, Blake Lewis
Major Tom, Shiny Toy Guns
First Train Home, Imogen Heap
When Love Takes Over, David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland
Trying, Eleventyseven
Just Say Yes, Snow Patrol
Hang On, Plumb
Middle Ground, Vertical Horizon

For more Rock-It!, visit my website at www.songerstudio.com

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Rock-It! 12-13-09, Jay-Z's Has Keys To The Toop, Biggest Move Is Money

Jay-Z has been at #1 three times before, but never as a headlined artist. This week the 39-year old Brooklyn rapper holds at #1 for a fourth straight week with “Empire State Of Mind”. He is joined by fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys who as also been to #1 three times previous but unlike Jay-Z, she was the headliner. The run started in 2001 with “Fallin’”. She returned to the top in 2004 with “My Boo” with Usher and then again in 2007 with “No One”.

Lady GaGa made a huge move from 11-2 two weeks ago with “Bad Romance” and this week holds at that #2 spot. This is her fifth straight Top 10 hit to start her career. That includes two #1 hits, “Just Dance” featuring Colby O’Donis and “Poker Face”.

L.A. hip hop star Ke$ha is also closing in on another trip to #1. She was featured on Flo Rida’s chart topper “Right Round” earlier this year. Now she holds at #3 with “TiK ToK”, her first headlined Top 10 single.

Rapper Kiedran Jones continues to move up with his first Top 10 hit, “Replay”. This week Kiedran who goes by the name Iyaz moves up from 5-4 where he initially peaked three weeks ago.

French DJ David Guetta rebounds from 8-7 to match his highest career peak that he set two weeks ago with “Sexy Chick” featuring Akon.

The bottom three spots of the Top 10 are occupied with singles with bullets this week. French DJ David Guetta slides from 7-8 with “Sexy Chick” featuring Akon. British rapper Jay Sean is up from 10-9 with “Down” featuring Liil Wayne. And American superstar Britney Spears slides from 9-10 with her former #1 smash “3”.

There is only one song in the bottom half of the Top 20 that achieves a bullet this week. It is the second Top 20 hit for British hip hop artist Jay Sean. He moves from 25-19 this week with “Do You Remember” featuring Sean Paul & Lil Jon. It is the follow up to his debut #1 smash “Down” featuring Lil Wayne which is at #10 this week.

The biggest mover in the Top 40 this week comes from Young Money Entertainment which is Lil Wayne featuring Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, Mack Maine and Lloyd. The group of hip hop stars rocket from 36-24 this week with “Bedrock” in their second week in the Top 40.

One other song makes a move of five or more spots in the Top 40 this week. That one is “Money To Blow” by Birdman featuring Lil Wayne & Drake which moves from 31-26.

There are two debuts in the Top 40 this week. Snoop Dogg scores his 11th Top 40 hit as a headliner and 17th overall with “Gangsta Luv” featuring The-Dream at #39. It is the first Top 40 hit for the 38-year old west coast hip hop superstar since reaching #7 early last year with “Sensual Seduction”.

Virginia R&B singer/songwriter Trey Songz just celebrated his 25th birthday over Thanksgiving and celebrates a little late with his second Top 40 hit, “Say Aah” featuring Fabolous at #40. His first chart single came in 2007 when he reached #14 with “Can’t Help But Wait”. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“You Are The Reason”, Shawn Starbuck
“Odd One”, Sick Puppies
“If We Ever Meet Again”, Timbaland featuring Katy Perry
“Breakeven”, The Script

For more Rock-It! visit www.songerstudio.com

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Rock-It! 12-6-09, Jay-Z's Empire Reigns Supreme, Not Hard For Rihanna

Jay-Z has been at #1 three times before, but never as a headlined artist. This week the 39-year old Brooklyn rapper holds at #1 for a third straight week with “Empire State Of Mind”. He is joined by fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys who as also been to #1 three times previous but unlike Jay-Z, she was the headliner. The run started in 2001 with “Fallin’”. She returned to the top in 2004 with “My Boo” with Usher and then again in 2007 with “No One”.

Lady GaGa made a huge move from 11-2 last week with “Bad Romance” and this week holds at that #2 spot. This is her fifth straight Top 10 hit to start her career. That includes two #1 hits, “Just Dance” featuring Colby O’Donis and “Poker Face”.

L.A. hip hop star Ke$ha is also closing in on another trip to #1. She was featured on Flo Rida’s chart topper “Right Round” earlier this year. Now she inches up from 5-3 with “TiK ToK”, her first headlined Top 10 single.

Rapper Kiedran Jones regains a bullet this week with his first Top 10 hit, “Replay”. This week Kiedran who goes by the name Iyaz moves back up from 6-5 which is one spot short of his high water mark of #4.

There is one re-entry in the Top 10 this week. The Black Eyed Peas have matched their #7 peak with “Meet Me Halfway” as the song rebounds from 12-7. They are trying to score their third straight #1 hit. Both “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling” from the quartet’s album “The END” had huge runs at #1 this summer and fall.

The bottom three spots of the Top 10 are occupied with singles with bullets this week. French DJ David Guetta slides from 7-8 with “Sexy Chick” featuring Akon. British rapper Jay Sean is up from 10-9 with “Down” featuring Liil Wayne. And American superstar Britney Spears slides from 9-10 with her former #1 smash “3”.

The bottom half of the Top 20 is highlighted by Kelly Clarkson’s 11th Top 40 hit, “Already Gone” moving from 16-14. The Black Eyed Peas already spent seven weeks at #1 with “I Gotta Feeling” and now they regain a bullet by moving from 18-15. And 23-year old Canadian hip hop star Drake is up from 17-16 with “Forever” featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem. It is his follow up to the Top 10 hit “Best I Ever Had”.

The biggest move in the Top 20 though is “Hard” by Rihanna featuring Jeezy. The song rockets from 80-19 and becomes the week’s highest Top 40 debut. It’s high entry was spurred on by the performance of the single on the American Music Awards. It is the 21-year old superstar’s 14th Top 40 hit song.

Songs making moves of five or more within the bottom half of the Top 40 include Jay Sean’s “Do You Remember” featuring Sean Paul & Lil Jon (30-25) and Boys Like Girls’ “Two Is Better Than One” featuring Taylor Swift (40-33) which is the biggest mover within the Top 40 this week.

In addition to Rihanna’s “Hard”, four other songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Colombian superstar Shakira scores her seventh Top 40 single with “Give It Up To Me” featuring Lil Wayne at #29 this week. The song is from her brand new album “She Wolf”. Lady GaGa notches her sixth Top 40 hit this week at #30 with “Telephone” featuring Beyonce. Young Money Entertainment which is Lil Wayne’s record label has a debut at #36 this week with “BedRock” featuring Lloyd. Joining Lil Wayne on the track is Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda and Mack Maine. And scoring their second hit at #40 is New Boyz with “Tie Me Down” featuring Ray J. Their first hit from earlier this year was “You’re A Jerk”. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“I Dreamed A Dream”, Susan Boyle
“Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)”, Chris Tomlin
“Brick By Boring Brick”, Paramore
“Halfway Gone”, Lifehouse
“Crawl”, Chris Brown
“Heartbreak Warfare”, John Mayer

For more Rock-It!, visit www.songerstudio.com

Sunday, November 22, 2009

New This Week

"Greatest Time Of Year", Aly & AJ.
This song actually has been out for quite awhile now but it's getting a new life on the charts again this Christmas season. Disney duo Aly & AJ give this rendition of "Greatest Time Of Year" a lot of energy and fun. First heard it last year at the Osbourne Light Spectacular at Disney World's Hollywood Studios. It was one of those magical spine tingling moments in life.

"Good Life", OneRepublic.
The Colorado band that hit it big when Timbaland remixed their 2007 single "Apologize" is now on a roll. They reached the Top 10 again last year with "Stop And Stare" and now they have produced another winner with "Good Life".

Rock-It! 11-22-09, Jay-Z's Empire Strikes Back, Make Way For The Lady

Jay-Z has been at #1 three times before, but never as a headlined artist. This week the 39-year old Brooklyn rapper has finally done it by moving from 2-1 with “Empire State Of Mind”. He is joined by fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys who as also been to #1 three times previous but unlike Jay-Z, she was the headliner. The run started in 2001 with “Fallin’”. She returned to the top in 2004 with “My Boo” with Usher and then again in 2007 with “No One”.

Last week rapper Kiedran Jones made the biggest move within the Top 40 by leaping from 12-4. This week Kiedran who goes by the name Iyaz holds at that #4 position with “Replay”.

Two songs make their Top 10 debut this week. The most impressive mover is by Georgia country trio Lady Antebellum who score their first Top 10 pop hit this week with “Need You Now”. The song rockets from 22-5 this week and is the biggest mover within the Top 40 this week. The band headed up by female vocalist Hillary Scott was named new artist of the year by the Country Music Association last year after scoring the Top 5 country hits “Love Don’t Live Here” and “Lookin’ For A Good Time”.

Also entering the Top 10 this week is L.A. hip hop artist Ke$ha who moves from 14-10 with “TiK ToK”. Ke$ha has appeared in the Top 10 once before when she was featured on Flo-Rida’s #1 hit from earlier this year, “Right Round”.

The only other song with a bullet in the Top 10 is Britney Spears’ “3” which moves from 8-6 after three weeks at #8. The song debuted at #1 five weeks ago and became her third #1 hit song and second from her album “Circus” following “Womanizer”.

The bottom half of the Top 20 is highlighted by an 18-11 leap by Lady GaGa. The New York superstar has already sent her first four releases to the Top 10 including “Paparazzi” which is currently #9 and two #1 hits, “Just Dance” and “Poker Face”. Her latest hit “Bad Romance” is now close to becoming her fifth consecutive Top 10 hit to start her career. French DJ/producer David Guetta holds at #12 this week with “Sexy Chick” featuring Akon. The Black Eyed Peas have had two consecutive songs spend seven-plus weeks at #1: “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling”. It wasn’t likely to happen again although their follow up “Meet Me Halfway” regains a bullet at #15 this week. The song reached #7 last month. And Kelly Clarkson is gaining airplay and sales this week at #20 with her 11th Top 20 hit, “Already Gone”.

Songs making moves of five or more within the bottom half of the Top 40 include Taylor Swift’s “Fifteen” (38-26) and Birdman’s “Money To Blow” featuring Lil Wayne & Drake (40-34).

Four songs debut in the Top 40 this week. The latest Glee Cast song to enter the survey is “Defying Gravity” featuring Chris Colfer & Lea Michele at #31. Country superstar Kenny Chesney scores his 17th Top 40 crossover hit by teaming up with band leader Dave Matthews on “I’m Alive” at #32. It is Dave’s first Top 40 appearance without his band which has scored seven Top 40 singles.

Two other country artists also join the survey this week. 26-year old Texas singer Miranda Lambert scores her first Top 40 hit song this week with “White Liar” at #38. And country superstar Reba McEntire who has scored over 90 country hits over her 33-year chart career is back in the Top 40 for the first time since reaching #35 in 2004 with “Somebody”. She bows at #39 with her third Top 40 hit, “Consider Me Gone”. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Greatest Time Of Year”, Aly & AJ
“Good Life”, OneRepublic

For more Rock-It!, visit www.songerstudio.com

Sunday, November 15, 2009

New This Week

My new tunes of the week:

"Picture Perfect", Every Avenue
Michigan pop/rock band with a very polished energetic sound.

"The Christmas Can-Can", Straight No Chaser
A cappella group that started at Inidana University and gained notoriety last Christmas with their entertaining version of the "12 Days Of Christmas". This one is very similar in musicality and humor.

"Walk On The Water", Britt Nicole
Christian star who has scored the CCM Top 10 hits "You" and "The Lost Get Found" has another Christian AC hit on her hands.

"Do You Remember", Jay Sean
The combination of hip hop and electronica continues to interest me especially when it's by a British artist. A little more focus on the electronica instead of the hip hop.

Rock-It! 11-15-09, Owl City Flies Back To #1, Iyaz Makes Quick Play

A week after slipping from the top spot of the Hot 100, Owatonna, Minnesota native Owl City is back at #1 with “Fireflies”. He knocks fellow youngster, Jason DeRulo, back down to #3 with “Whatcha Say” after a week at #1. Owl City is the first Minnesota act to reach #1 since Prince’s purple reign in the 1980s. And he’s already thinking follow up as “Vanilla Twilight” already made an appearance on the Hot 100.

Jay-Z + Alicia Keys inch up a spot this week from 3-2 with “Empire State Of Mind”. For the Brooklyn rapper who turns 40 next month, he is looking for his very first #1 hit as a headlined artist. He did reach #1 as a featured artist on Mariah Carey’s “Heartbreaker” in 1999, his wife Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” in 2003 and Rihanna’s “Umbrella” in 2007. For Alicia Keys, this could become her fourth chart topper.

Three songs enter the Top 10 this week. Rapper Kiedran Jones who goes by Iyaz leaps from 12-4 with his first Top 10 hit, “Replay”. It is also the biggest moving song within the Top 40 this week. Making a very impressive move up the Hot 100 is Rihanna’s “Russian Roulette” which rockets from 75-9. The song is from her upcoming album “Rated R”. It becomes the tenth #1 hit of the 21-year old superstar’s career. Joining Rihanna with a new Top 10 hit this week is another one of the decade’s top female vocalists: Beyonce. She is up from 11-10 with “Sweet Dreams” giving the 28-year old Houston superstar her 12th Top 10 solo hit. Add in her Top 10 efforts with Destiny’s Child, and this is her 22nd Top 10 single.

The only other song with a bullet in the Top 10 is Britney Spears’ “3” which holds at #8 for a third week. The song debuted at #1 four weeks ago and became her third #1 hit song and second from her album “Circus”.

The bottom half of the Top 20 is highlighted by an 18-12 leap by French DJ/producer David Guetta with “Sexy Chick” featuring Akon. This is the 42-year old’s second Top 40 effort this year and biggest hit to date. L.A. hip hop singer Ke$ha is also moving up from 16-14 this week with her first hit as a headliner, “TiK ToK”. And one song makes its Top 20 debut this week. Kelly Clarkson is up from 21-19 with “Already Gone”. This is Kelly’s 11th Top 20 hit song.

Songs making moves of five or more within the bottom half of the Top 40 include Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova” (27-21), Cascada’s “Evacuate The Dancefloor” (33-28) and Usher’s “Papers” (39-32).

Six songs debut in the Top 40 this week. 15-year old Canadian Justin Bieber has his fourth Top 40 hit with “Favorite Girl” at #26. He also moves from 25-24 with his first hit, “One Time”. British rapper Jay Sean is following up his #1 smash “Down” with “Do You Remember” featuring Sean Paul & Lil Jon at #27.

New York pop turned hip hop influenced singer/songwriter Jesse McCartney soces his fourth Top 40 hit “Body Language” featuring T-Pain at #35. Country/pop superstar Taylor Swift watches all six of her debuts from a week ago slip out of the Top 40, but her 19th career Top 40 single, “Fifteen”, bows at #38 this week. Georgia country singer Luke Bryan scores his first Top 40 hit this week at #39 with “Do I”. And 40-year old New Orleans rapper Birdman scores his first Top 40 hit this week with “Money To Blow” featuring Lil Wayne & Drake at #40. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Picture Perfect”, Every Avenue
“The Christmas Can-Can”, Straight No Chaser
“Walk On The Water”, Britt Nicole
“Do You Remember”, Jay Sean

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Rock-It! 11-1-09, Miley #1 in the U.S.A., Britney Spears Another Top 10 Hit

Miley Cyrus has been on stage for as long as she can remember and has been entertaining tweens for the past five years, but this week she scores her first ever #1 hit with “Party In The U.S.A.”. Miley nearly topped the chart in 2007 with “See You Again”. This summer she reached #4 with “The Climb”. But this week she scores her first chart topper with “Party In The U.S.A.” After three weeks at #5 and then three weeks at #2 she climbs to #1 this week.

When 23-year old New York club star Lady GaGa came onto the national music scene during the summer of 2008, not too many people took notice outside of the clubs. Her first single, “Just Dance” bobbed in and out of the Rock-It! Top 100 for the better part of three months. It was exactly a year ago this week though that “Just Dance” jumped from 88-57. A week later it moved another 29 spots to enter the Top 40 at #29. Two months later (in January) it was the #1 song in the country. GaGa was back at #1 in April with “Poker Face” and again in July with “LoveGame”. This week she is at #3 with what could become her fourth consecutive chart topper, “Paparazzi”. And even more GaGa news coming later.

Another youngster is holding at #4 this week. Florida native Jason DeRulo’s debut single, “Whatcha Say” is also closing in on #1. The 20-year old samples the title line of the song from Imogen Heap’s underground hit “Hide N Seek”.

Make it eight Top 5 solo hits now for Beyonce. She is up from 6-5 this week with “Sweet Dreams”. It is the follow up to her #2 hit “Halo”. The song also crashes the Dance Top 5 this week at #3.

Boys Like Girls first hit the Top 10 in 2007 with “The Great Escape”. Now they are trying to top the #6 peak of that song with “LoveDrunk” which is up from 8-7 this week after four consecutive weeks at #8.

Britney Spears notches her 14th Top 10 single this week by leaping from 13-9 with “3”. She will try to make it her third #1 hit from her album “Circus”. It would give her three #1 hits in 2009 tying Lady GaGa for most this year...that is if GaGa doesn’t reach #1 with “Paparazzi” first!

Closing in on the Top 10 are the Black Eyed Peas with “Meet Me Halfway” which is up from 12-11 and Owl City who is up from 13-12 with “Fireflies”. Iyaz, Colbie Caillat and Cascada, three completely different artists, all make one-notch moves as well in the bottom half of the Top 20. The big splash in this area of the survey though is made by Frenchman David Guetta who leaps from 27-20 with “Sexy Chick” featuring Akon. The song is also #1 on the Dance chart this week.

The two biggest movers in the Top 40 this week are “If You Only Knew” by Shinedown which moves from 35-27 and “TiK ToK” by Ke$ha which is up from 38-30. Shinedown is following up their Top 5 hit “Second Chance” while Ke$ha is enjoying her first Top 40 solo hit. Also making moves of five or more spots include Jesse McCartney’s “Body Language” featuring T-Pain (30-25), Leona Lewis’s “Happy” (34-28) and Priscilla Renea’s “Doghouse” (36-30).

Two songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Rihanna is back with “Russian Roulette” at #35. This is her 16th Top 40 hit. And Lady GaGa bows at #37 with her fifth Top 40 single, “Bad Romance”. Jay-Z + Alicia Keys also re-enter the survey at #39 with “Empire State Of Mind”.

Katy Perry has the oldest song in the Top 40 this week with “Waking Up In Vegas”. It has been on the countdown for 27 weeks. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Hungry”, Kutless
“It Is Well”, Kutless
“Every Morning”, Basshunter
“Forget And Not Slow Down”, Relient k
“According To You”, Oritanthi

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Rock-It! 10-25-09, Jay's Third Down, Kelly Already Back In The Top 10

28-year old British hip hop newcomer Jay Sean extends his run at the top of the pop chart to three weeks this week with “Down” featuring Lil Wayne. That makes “Down” the longest running hip hop song at #1 this year topping Flo Rida’s two week stay at the top back in April. This is Jay’s first American release although he has already had success in his homeland of England with two previous releases.

Miley Cyrus has never hit #1 but she has now reached #2 twice. In 2007 she reached the runner up spot with “See You Again”. And now the 16-year old superstar holds at #2 for a third straight week with “Party In The U.S.A.”

23-year old New York native Lady GaGa is closing in on her fourth consecutive #1 song to start her career which would put her in the ranks of legendary female stars like Mariah Carey, Paula Abdul and Whitney Houston. This week she jumps from 5-3 with “Paparazzi”. Her first three releases, “Just Dance”, “Poker Face” and “LoveGame” all reached #1.

Florida native Jason DeRulo is still gaining airplay and sales and holds at #4 this week with his debut single, “Whatcha Say”. The 20-year old samples the title line of the song from Imogen Heap’s underground hit “Hide N Seek”.

Beyonce is closing in on yet another Top 5 hit. Recently awarded Billboard’s Woman Performer of the Year, she continues to attack the survey with hit songs. This week she is up from 9-6 with “Sweet Dreams”.

Boys Like Girls first hit the Top 10 in 2007 with “The Great Escape”. Now they are trying to top the #6 peak of that song with “LoveDrunk” which holds at #8 this week.

It was hard to imagine a collaboration of Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West not having success. So it’s not a surprise that the three superstars continue to move up with “Run This Town”. This week the song jogs up from 10-9.

There is one new song in the Top 10 this week. It’s yet another Top 10 hit for Kelly Clarkson. “Already Gone” moves from 11-10 and becomes the third Top 10 single from her album “All I Ever Wanted”. That includes the #1 smash “My Life Would Suck Without You”.

Lots of news in the bottom half of the Top 20. Black Eyed Peas are back to back at 11-12. “I Gotta Feeling” slips out of the Top 10 this week to #11 but the quartet is poised to return with “Meet Me Halfway” which is up from 13-12. Britney Spears continues to move quickly. After having the biggest mover in the Top 40 last week, the 27-year old pop queen is up from 22-13 with “3”. Owl City’s “Fireflies” and Colbie Caillat’s “Fallin’ For You” also continue to move quickly up the Top 20.

Two songs join Britney Spears’ “3” in their Top 20 entrances this week. “Replay” by rapper Iyaz not only enters the Top 20 this week but is the biggest mover in the Top 40. The song rockets from 30-17. And European dance group Cascada scores its second Top 20 hit this week with “Evacuate The Dancefloor” which jumps from 23-19. Their first Top 20 hit was “Everytime We Touch” in 2007.

Songs making 5-plus moves in the bottom half of the Top 40 include Pink going from 29-24 with “Funhouse”, Sean Kingston jumping from 33-28 with “Face Drop” and Leona Lewis up from 40-34 with “Happy”.

Three songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Los Angeles duo LMFAO follow up their #25 hit “I’m In Miami Trick” with “La La La” at #37. Florida pop-punk band Hey Monday score their first hit at #38 with “How You Love Me Now”. And 22-year old L.A. hip hop newcomer Ke$ha bows at #40 with “TiK ToK”. She appeared at #1 earlier this year featured on Flo Rida’s “Right Round”.

Katy Perry has the oldest song in the Top 40 this week with “Waking Up In Vegas”. It has been on the survey for 26 weeks. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Slice”, Five For Fighting
“How You Love Me Now”, Hey Monday
“Heartbreak On Vinyl”, Blake Lewis
“The Listening”, Lights
“Kaleidoscope”, Tiesto
“Kings And Queens”, 30 Seconds To Mars
“Esclavo de Sus Besos”, David Bisbal
“Rain”, Creed
“The Spark”, Ramsey Lewis
“Forgiven”, Sanctus Real

For more Rock-It!, visit www.songerstudio.com.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Rock-It! 10-11-09, Down Means Up for Jay Sean, Beyonce's Latest Sweet Top 10

It is fairly rare that we have British acts at #1 on the American pop chart these days, but we have one this week. London-native Jay Sean is up from 2-1 this week with “Down” featuring Lil Wayne. The song is from his upcoming album “All Or Nothing” which will be his third but first to be released in the United States. The 28-year old is the first British act to hit #1 this year.

Miley Cyrus has never hit #1 but she has now reached #2 twice. In 2007 she reached the runner up spot with “See You Again”. This week the 16-year old superstar leaps from 5-2 with “Party In The U.S.A.”

Florida native Jason DeRulo was ready to join Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus as teens with Top 5 hits this week. There is one small problem though. The newcomer turned 20 years two weeks ago. That hasn’t slowed his ascent up the Top 40 with “Wahtcha Say” which moves from 6-4 to become his first Top 5 hit.

Lady GaGa has made it four straight Top 10 hits to start her career with“Paparazzi” which jumps from 10-6 this week. And now she is looking to make it her fourth consecutive Top 5 hit and #1 hit. Her first three releases, “Just Dance”, “Poker Face” and “LoveGame” all reached #1.

Boys Like Girls first hit the Top 10 in 2007 with “The Great Escape”. Now they are trying to top the #6 peak of that song with “LoveDrunk” which holds at #8 this week. And Mariah Carey gains airplay but still slips from 7-9 with “Obsessed”.

There is one new song in the Top 10 this week. Beyonce follows up her #2 smash “Halo” with yet another Top 10 single, “Sweet Dreams” which moves from 13-10 this week.

Four songs make 4-notch moves in the bottom half of the Top 20 this week led by the superstar trio of Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West who move from 15-11 with “Run This Town”. Michael Franti & Spearhead are up from 17-13 with “Say Hey (I Love You)”. Flo Rida moves from 19-15 with “Be On You” featuring Ne-Yo. And Kelly Clarkson jumps from 20-16 with “Already Gone”.

There is one new song in the Top 20 this week. 15-year old Canadian singer Justin Bieber is up from 21-19 with “One Time”.

No huge moves in the Top 40 this week. In fact the biggest move of the week is from Iyaz who jumps from 35-30 with “Replay”. Black Eyed Peas who had the biggest move last week are up from 25-21 with “Meet Me Halfway”.

Three songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Dance DJ star David Guetta follows up his Top 40 hit “When Love Takes Over” with “Sexy Chick” featuring Akon which enters at #33. Britney Spears is back at #36 with “3”. And the latest singer to come upon the scene due to YouTube is Priscilla Renea who debuts at #39 with “Dollhouse”.

Black Eyed Peas have the oldest song in the Top 40 this week with “Boom Boom Pow”. It has been on the survey for 30 weeks. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Psychedelic Blues”, Poncho Sanchez
“Hang On”, Plumb
“Naturally”, Selena Gomez & The Scene

For more Rock-It! including complete charts and pics visit www.songerstudio.com

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Rock-It! 10-4-09, Somebody New at #1, Big Peas Move

After seven weeks at #1, the Black Eyed Peas finally vacate the penthouse of the pop chart and leave it open for Nashville, Tennessee rock band Kings Of Leon to take over with their first Top 40 hit, “Use Somebody”. The quartet had patiently been waiting. They debuted in the Top 10 the second week of August and had spent the past three weeks at #3 before reaching the top this week.

28-year old British rapper Jay Sean also breaks up the logjam at the top of the chart this week by busting up from 4-2 with his first hit, “Down”, featuring Lil Wayne. He had just spent three weeks at #4 before this nice move that puts him one notch away from putting a British artist at #1 in the U.S. for the first time this year.

Miley Cyrus has never hit #1 but she did reach #2 last year with “See You Again”. This week the 16-year old Nashville superstar spends her third week at #5 with “Party In The U.S.A.”

Florida native Jason DeRulo was ready to join Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus as teens with Top 5 hits next week. There is one small problem though. The newcomer turned 20 years old last week. That hasn’t slowed his ascent up the Top 40 with “Wahtcha Say” which moves from 9-6 a week after making the biggest move in the entire Top 40 (16-9).

Mariah Carey is also looking for her biggest hit since she scored two chart toppers in 2005. She is up from 10-7 with “Obsessed”. And despite gaining airplay, Boys Like Girls slip from 7-8 with “LoveDrunk”.

There is one new song in the Top 10 this week. Lady GaGa has made it four straight Top 10 hits to start her career as “Paparazzi” leaps from 13-10. But she has larger goals. She is looking for her fourth straight #1 hit.

The remainder of the Top 20 has a few songs closing in the Top 10. The Fray are up from 12-11 with “Never Say Never” which could become their fourth Top 10 single. Beyonce is up from 16-13 with “Sweet Dreams”. And Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West leap from 20-15 with “Run This Town”.

There is one new song in the Top 20 this week. Kelly Clarkson scores her third Top 20 hit from her album “All I Ever Wanted” as “Already Gone” moves from 22-20. The first two singles from that album, “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “I Do Not Hook Up” both went Top 10.

Two huge moves in the bottom half of the Top 40. The Black Eyed Peas have the biggest move of the week with “Meet Me Halfway” jumping from 36-25. Their first two hits from their album “The E.N.D.” both spent seven weeks at #1 so there are high expectations. Falling one notch short of tying for that biggest move is Pink who rockets from 40-30 with “Funhouse”.

Three songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Fabolous is back with The-Dream on “Throw It In The Bag” which bows at #33. Rapper Iyaz is in at #35 with ‘Replay”. And Jay-Z and Alicia Keys round out the Top 40 at #40 this week with “Empire State Of Mind”.

Black Eyed Peas have the oldest song in the Top 40 this week with “Boom Boom Pow”. It has been on the survey for 29 weeks. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Burning The Days” (album), Vertical Horizon
“Salvation Is Here”, Lincoln Brewster
“Let The Waters Rise”, MIKESCHAIR
“What Faith Can Do”, Kutless
“Live Like We’re Dying”, Kris Allen

For more Rock-It! including charts and pics, visit www.songerstudio.com

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Rock-It! 9-27-09, Peas Feeling It!, Mariah back in Top 10

2009 has turned into the Black Eyed Peas’ year. They scored the longest running #1 song of the year this past spring and summer when “Boom Boom Pow” racked up seven weeks at #1. Now they have matched that mark by putting together seven straight weeks at the top with their follow up, “I Gotta Feeling”. And don’t look now but here comes the follow up, “Meet Me Halfway” entering the Top 40 this week at #36.

While Black Eyed Peas are dominating the #1 spot, Taylor Swift has #2 locked in. This is her sixth straight week at the runner up spot with “You Belong With Me”. She is trying to match the Peas with her second #1 hit of the year. She reached the top back in February with “Love Story”.

Kings Of Leon are also learning how to be patient as they hold at #3 for a third consecutive week with their first Top 5 hit, “Use Somebody”. In fact, the entire Top 5 hold their spots from a week ago. Jay Sean’s first Top 5 hit, “Down” featuring Lil Wayne is at #4 for a second week. And Miley Cyrus’ second Top 5 effort, “Party In The U.S.A.”, notches a second week at #5.

Jordin Sparks first reached #6 with “Battlefield” on August 2. She spend four weeks at that spot before slipping back down but this week she returns to the #6 spot for a fifth non consecutive week by leaping three spots.

Also making a 3-spot move is Boys Like Girls with “LoveDrunk”. They move from 10-7 with their second Top 10 hit. They are looking to top their biggest hit to date, “The Great Escape”.

Making the biggest move in the entire Top 40 this week is young Jason DeRulo. He rockets from 16-9 with “Whatcha Say”. it becomes his first Top 10 hit song.

Mariah Carey is no stranger to Top 10 hits. She scored her first Top 10 hit in 1990 with “Vision Of Love”. 19 years later she moves from 14-10 with “Obsessed”.

The Top 20 has a couple big movers this week. Lady GaGa is looking for a fourth consecutive #1 hit to start her career as she moves from 20-14 with “Paparazzi”. And there is one new song in the Top 20. Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West sprint from 26-20 with “Run This Town”.

The bottom half of the Top 40 also features a couple songs making 5-plus notch moves. 3Oh!3 who reached #1 this summer with “Don’t Trust Me”, jump from 30-25 with their follow up, “Starstrukk”. And Sean Kingston matches Jason DeRulo for the biggest move this week with “Face Drop”, which moves from 39-32.

Three songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Minnesota native Owl City scores his first Top 40 hit this week with “Fireflies” at #30. As mentioned before, Black Eyed Peas bow at #36 with “Meet Me Halfway. The Peas have three songs in the Top 40 this week a “Boom Boom Pow” is still at #33. And Pink debuts at #40 with the titled track from her album “Funhouse”. She is back to back with her former Top 5 hit “Please Don’t Leave Me” which is at #39.

After 55 weeks in the Top 40, “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz slips out of the Top 40. The new oldest song this week tallies just barely half of Jason Mraz’s total. Black Eyed Peas have been on the survey for 28 weeks with “Boom Boom Pow”. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“In The Low Country”, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers
“Church Music” (album), David Crowder Band
“Trying”, Elevntyseven
“Be Alive In Me”, Abandon
“Wait On You”, Attaboy
“My Sweet Escape”, Run Kid Run
“Hey, Sould Sister”, Train
“Broken Strings”, Carefree
“Superstar”, David May
“Heart Heart Heartbreak”, Boys Like Girls
“Sad Song”, Blake Lewis
“Electric Car”, They Might Be Giants
“Straight Through My Heart”, Backstreet Boys
“The Reeling”, Passion Pit
“Two Rebels”, Honor Society
“Two Is Better Than One”, Boys Like Girls featuring Taylor Swift
“Bulletproof”, La Roux

For more Rock-It! including complete charts and pics, visit www.songerstudio.com

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Couple Great New Jazz Albums

There are some great new albums out this week. Imogen Heap and Collective Soul are a couple of note. But I want to focus on a couple new jazz albums.

Check out Eldar Djangirov, born in Kyrgyzstan (then the USSR) and grew up in Kansas City. He is a great jazz pianist. His progressive release "Virtue" is a breath of fresh air.

Also, jazz trumpet star Roy Hargrove has a great big band album out called "Emergence". Not often that you see big band albums crack the Top 15 on the jazz charts these days unless it features a vocalist. But this one has done it. And it's very good.

Rock-It! 9-6-09, Four For Feeling, Thomas scores 14th career Top 20 hit

The Black Eyed Peas hold at #1 for a fourth straight week with the second hit from their #1 album “The E.N.D.”, “I Gotta Feeling”. This is the Peas’ second consecutive #1 song and third overall. They spent seven weeks at the top with “Boom Boom Pow” earlier this summer. They also reached #1 back in 2003 for five weeks with “Where Is The Love”. In Billboard, they set a rock era record this week with 21 straight weeks at #1 between “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling”.

19-year old country phenom Taylor Swift holds at #2 this week with “You Belong With Me”. This is her third Top 5 hit. She reached #5 in 2007 with “Teardrops On My Guitar” and then wen all the way to #1 with “Love Story” this year. “You Belong With Me” is also currently the #1 country hit. Taylor is the first artist since Faith HIll with “Breathe” in 2000 to have a song simultaneously in the Top 3 on both charts.

Keri Hilson is making her second Top 5 appearance. She holds at #3 with “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo. Keri went all the way to #1 two years ago when she was featured on Timbaland’s “The Way I Are”.

Up from 5-4 this week is Kings Of Leon. They already reached #1 on the rock chart with “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody”. This is the first pop hit for the Nashville, Tennessee band.

New York rock dance quintet Cobra Starship rebound from 6-5 this week with their first hit, “Good Girls Go Bad” featuring Leighton Meester. They jumped to their peak of #5 two weeks ago before slipping back a notch last week.

19-year old Arizona star Jordin Sparks spends a second week at #7 after four straight weeks at #6 with “Battlefield”. This is her fourth Top 10 hit and it continues to gain airplay. Last year she visited the Top 10 her other three times with “Tattoo”, “One Step At A Time” and “No Air” with Chris Brown.

British rapper Jay Sean joined the Top 10 last week for the first time in his young career. The 28-year old newcomer holds at #8 this week with “Down” featuring Lil Wayne.

The fourth Top 10 smash for former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry is doing well. His band Daughtry holds at #9 with “No Surprise”. Daughtry went to #1 in 2007 with “It’s Not Over” and then #4 with “Home”. In 2008 he reached #9 with “Feels Like Tonight”.

There is one new song in the Top 10 this week. 32-year old Colombian star Shakira is back with “She Wolf”. This week she moves from 11-10. This is her fourth Top 10 hit and first since going to #1 in 2006 with “Hips Don’t Lie”. Shakira first hit the Top 10 way back in 2001 with “Whenever, Wherever”.

Two songs tie for the biggest move in the Top 40 this week. Miley Cyrus is bunring up the Top 40 with her latest, “Party In The U.S.A.”. Two weeks ago the song rocketed from 40-19. This week she is up from 18-12. Matching the 16-year old is 43-year old Michael Franti who along with his band Spearhead move from 27-21 with “Say Hey (I Love You)”.

There is one new song in the Top 20 this week. Rob Thomas scores his second Top 20 solo hit with “Her Diamonds” which moves from 21-20. His other Top 20 appearance was in 2005 with the #7 hit “Lonely No More”. The 37-year old superstar also owns eleven Top 20 hits with his band matchbox twenty and a #1 hit as the featured singer on Santana’s “Smooth”.

There are two new songs in the Top 40 this week. Colbie Caillat has the highest debut with “Fallin’ For You” at #35. It is from the new #1 album in the country, “Breakthrough”. This is the 24-year old’s third Top 40 hit. “Bubbly” and “Realize” both went Top 10. And Lady GaGa keeps the hit parade going with “Paprazzi” at #38. She is looking for her fourth consecutive #1 hit to start a career.

Other chart information of note this week:
Lady GaGa is back to back this week at #38 with “Paparazzi” and at #39 with “Poker Face”. She is also at #14 with ‘LoveGame” and #66 with “Just Dance”.
Green Day re-enters the Top 40 this week at #37 with “21 Guns”
Jason Mraz has the oldest song in the Top 40 again this week with “I’m Yours” It has now been in the Top 40 for 53 weeks which is one week more than a year. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song reaches its 71st week which is an all time rock era record, two weeks longer than the old record by Leeann Rimes’ “How Do I Live”. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Sexy Chick”, David Guetta featuring Akon
“Awake And Alive”, Skillet
“Blues Sketch In Clave”, Eldar Djangirov
“Insensitive”, Eldar Djangirov
“Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey”, Roy Hargrove Big Band

For more Rock-It! including charts and pics, visit www.songerstudio.com

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Rock-It! 8-30-09, Peas Still Feeling #1, Carey Reaches 30 Top 20s, Mraz Sets Record

The Black Eyed Peas hold at #1 for a third straight week with the second hit from their #1 album “The E.N.D.”, “I Gotta Feeling”. This is the Peas’ second consecutive #1 song and third overall. They spent seven weeks at the top with “Boom Boom Pow” earlier this summer. They also reached #1 back in 2003 for five weeks with “Where Is The Love”. In Billboard, they set a rock era record this week with 20 straight weeks at #1 between “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling”.

19-year old country phenom Taylor Swift holds at #2 this week with “You Belong With Me”. This is her third Top 5 hit. She reached #5 in 2007 with “Teardrops On My Guitar” and then wen all the way to #1 with “Love Story” this year. “You Belong With Me” is also currently the #1 country hit. Taylor is the first artist since Faith HIll with “Breathe” in 2000 to have a song simultaneously in the Top 3 on both charts.

Keri Hilson is making her second Top 5 appearance. She is up from 4-3 with “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo. Keri went all the way to #1 two years ago when she was featured on Timbaland’s “The Way I Are”.

Up from 7-5 this week is Kings Of Leon. They already reached #1 on the rock chart with “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody”. This is the first pop hit for the Nashville, Tennessee band.

New York rock dance quintet Cobra Starship drop from 5-6 this week with their first hit, “Good Girls Go Bad” featuring Leighton Meester despite gaining airplay. The band’s album, “Hot Mess” debuted in the Top 10 on the album chart last week.

19-year old Arizona star Jordin Sparks slips from 6-7 after four straight weeks at #6 with “Battlefield”. This is her fourth Top 10 hit and it continues to gain airplay. Last year she visited the Top 10 her other three times with “Tattoo”, “One Step At A Time” and “No Air” with Chris Brown.

Canadian rapper Drake slips out of the Top 10 this week with “Best I Ever Had”, but British rapper Jay Sean joins the Top 10 party for the first time in his young career. The 28-year old newcomer is up from 12-8 this week with “Down” featuring Lil Wayne.

The fourth Top 10 smash for former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry is doing well. His band Daughtry is up from 10-9 with “No Surprise”. Daughtry went to #1 in 2007 with “It’s Not Over” and then #4 with “Home”. In 2008 he reached #9 with “Feels Like Tonight”.

Mariah Carey reaches a milestone this week. She scores her 30th career Top 20 hit this week with “Obsessed” which jumps from 25-20 this week. The 39-year old pop diva first hit the Top 20 nineteen years ago this summer with the #1 smash “Vision Of Love”.

The biggest mover in the Top 40 this week is “I Wanna” by All-American Rejects. It is the follow up to their #1 smash “Gives You Hell”. This week the hit rockets from 37-29.

There are four new songs in the Top 40 this week. Singer-songwriter Jason DeRulo scores his first hit this week. The 20-year old Florida pop newcomer is in at #32 with “Whatcha Say”. Another Floridian is in at #35. Rapper Flo Rida has his fifth Top 40 hit as he bows at #35 with “Be On You” featuring Ne-Yo. Kelly Clarkson notches her 13th Top 40 hit this week at #36 with “Already Gone”. And Jay-Z does Kelly one better by entering with his 14th hit. He is joined by Rihanna who also is scoring her 14th Top 40 singles and Kanye West who is on his 13th. The three team up at #40 with “Run This Town”.

Other chart information of note this week:
Two songs also re-enter the Top 40 this week. Lady GaGa is in at #37 with “Poker Face”. And Kelly Clarkson is at #38 with “I Do Not Hook Up”.
Justin Bieber’s “One Time” and Michael Franti’s “Say Hey (I Love You)” both make nice six notch moves into the Top 30.
Jason Mraz has the oldest song in the Top 40 again this week with “I’m Yours” It has now been in the Top 40 for exactly one year. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song reaches its 70th week which is an all time rock era record moving ahead of Leeann Rimes’ “How Do I Live”.

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Evacuate The Dancefloor”, Cascada
“Release Me”, Agnes
“Beautiful World”, Jim Brickman

For more Rock-It! including charts and pictures, visit www.songerstudio.com

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Rock-It! 8-23-09, Feeling #1 Again For BEP, Cyrus Parties Hard

The Black Eyed Peas hold at #1 for a second straight week with the second hit from their #1 album “The E.N.D.”, “I Gotta Feeling”. This is the Peas’ second consecutive #1 song and third overall. They spent seven weeks at the top with “Boom Boom Pow” earlier this summer. They also reached #1 back in 2003 for five weeks with “Where Is The Love”. As you can see, their track record is long running number one hits. We’ll see.

19-year old country phenom Taylor Swift is up from 3-2 this week with “You Belong With Me”. This is her third Top 5 hit. She reached #5 in 2007 with “Teardrops On My Guitar” and then wen all the way to #1 with “Love Story” this year. “You Belong With Me” is also currently a Top 3 country hit. Taylor is the first artist since Faith HIll with “Breathe” in 2000 to have a song simultaneously in the Top 3 on both charts.

Keri Hilson is making her second Top 5 appearance. She holds for a second week at #4 with “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo. Keri went all the way to #1 two years ago when she was featured on Timbaland’s “The Way I Are”.

New York rock dance quintet Cobra Starship move from 7-5 this week with their first hit, “Good Girls Go Bad” featuring Leighton Meester. The band’s album, “Hot Mess” debuted in the Top 10 on the album chart this week.

19-year old Arizona star Jordin Sparks holds at #6 for a fourth week with “Battlefield”. This is her fourth Top 10 hit. Last year she visited the Top 10 her other three times with “Tattoo”, “One Step At A Time” and “No Air” with Chris Brown.

Up from 8-7 this week is Kings Of Leon. They already reached #1 on the rock chart with “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody”. This is the first pop hit for the Nashville, Tennessee band.

Canadian rapper Drake moves from 10-9 this week with “Best I Ever Had”. He is also closing in on his second Top 40 hit, “Successful” featuring Trey Songz which is up to #52 this week.

There is one new song in the Top 10 this week. It’s the fourth Top 10 smash for former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry. His band Daughtry is up from 11-10 with “No Surprise”. Daughtry went to #1 in 2007 with “It’s Not Over” and then #4 with “Home”. In 2008 he reached #9 with “Feels Like Tonight”.

Two songs rocket into the Top 20 this week. Latin-American rapper Pitbull jumps from 25-15 with “Hotel Room Service”. It’s his second Top 20 hit. He is back to back with this first this week, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” which slides from 12-14.

And making the biggest move of 2009 is Miley Cyrus. She leaps from 40-19 with “Party In The U.S.A.”. This is the teen sensation’s third Top 20 hit. She got to #2 last year with “See You Again” and then #15 a year ago with “7 Things”.

Two songs debut in the Top 40 this week. The All-American Rejects have their fifth Top 40 hit at #37, “I Wanna”. It’s the follow up to their #1 smash “Gives You Hell”. And Green Day which first charted back in 1994 with “Long View”, have their first hit in four years. They are in at #40 with “21 Guns”. Their last chart appearance was in 2005 with the #4 smash “Wake Me Up When September Ends”.

Other chart information of note this week:
Beyonce also has back to back hits this week. She is at #30 with “Halo” and at #331 with “Sweet Dreams”.
The big moves by Pitbull and Miley Cyrus overshadow Mariah Carey’s nice jump from 33-25 with “Obsessed”.
Jason Mraz has the oldest song in the Top 40 again this week with “I’m Yours” now in week 51. It debuted September 7, 2008 and is one week away from making it one whole year in the Top 40. The song slips from 30-32 this week.

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Wonderful”, Gary Go
“Fallin’ For You”, Colbie Caillat

For more Rock-It! including charts and pics, visit www.songerstudio.com

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Maher, Leeland, After Midnight Project

Some great artists that maybe you haven't heard of:

Matt Maher is a worship leader from New Foundland, Canada. He wrote Chris Tomlin's "Your Grace is Enough". Great new tune out called "Alive Again".

Texas band Leeland has a progressive rock feel and a Christian message. Their latest tune, "Follow You" features Christian music star Brandon Heath.

And I've never been too into their music but I like the new tune from L.A. rock quintet After Midnight Project, "Take Me Home".

Rock-It! 8-16-09, The Peas #1 Feeling, "Down" going Up

The Black Eyed Peas return to the #1 position this week with the second hit from their #1 album “The E.N.D.” They are up from 2-1 with “I Gotta Feeling”. This is the Peas’ second consecutive #1 song and third overall. They spent seven weeks at the top with “Boom Boom Pow” earlier this summer. They also reached #1 back in 2003 for five weeks with “Where Is The Love”. As you can see, their track record is long running number one hits. We’ll see.

19-year old country phenom Taylor Swift holds tight at #3 for a second week with “You Belong With Me”. This is her third Top 5 hit. She reached #5 in 2007 with “Teardrops On My Guitar” and then wen all the way to #1 with “Love Story” this year. “You Belong With Me” is also currently a Top 3 country hit. Taylor is the first artist since Faith HIll with “Breathe” in 2000 to have a song simultaneously in the Top 3 on both charts.

Keri Hilson is making her second Top 5 appearance. She moves from 5-4 with “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo. Keri went all the way to #1 two years ago when she was featured on Timbaland’s “The Way I Are”.

19-year old Arizona star Jordin Sparks holds at #6 this week with “Battlefield”. This is her fourth Top 10 hit. Last year she visited the Top 10 her other three times with “Tattoo”, “One Step At A Time” and “No Air” with Chris Brown.

Cobra Starship rocketed from 14-7 two weeks ago with their first hit, “Good Girls Go Bad” featuring Leighton Meester. This week the song holds at the #7 spot for a third week.

Up from 9-8 this week is Kings Of Leon. They already reached #1 on the rock chart with “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody”. This is the first pop hit for the Nashville, Tennessee band.

There is one new song in the Top 10 this week. Canadian rapper Drake moves from 11-10 with “Best I Ever Had”. He is also closing in on his second Top 40 hit, “Successful” featuring Trey Songz which is up to #53 this week.

Two songs make their Top 20 debut this week. British R&B singer/songwriter Jay Sean scores his first Top 20 hit with “Down” featuring Lil Wayne. The song is the biggest mover in the Top 40 this week by jumping from 30-18 a week after making the highest debut in the Top 40.

And moving from 21-20 is Boston pop quartet Boys Like Girls with “LoveDrunk”. This is their fourth Top 20 hit. They peaked at #6 with “The Great Escape” in 2007. And then they barely cracked the Top 20 last year with “Hero/Heroine” and “Thunder”.

For the eighth time in nine weeks there are three debuts in the Top 40. The highest of which is from the youngest singer on the Top 40 this week, Canadian pop newcomer Justin Bieber. He is in at #35 with “One Time”. On the contrary, the newcomer at #39 is Michale Franti who is 43 years old. The Oakland reggae singer/songwriter makes his first chart appearance with “Say Hey (I Love You)” featuring his band Spearhead. And back on the younger side of things is 16-year old Miley Cyrus bowing at #40 with “Party In The U.S.A.”

Other chart information of note this week:
Miley Cyrus was at #40 last week also with “The Climb” which rebounds from 40-36 this week.
Three artists who were big in the late 1990s line up in the #34-32 spots this week: Britney Spears, Mariah Carey and Beyonce (then with Desiny’s Child).
Jason Mraz has the oldest song in the Top 40 again this week with “I’m Yours” now in week 50. It debuted September 7, 2008 and is two weeks away from making it one whole year in the Top 40. And to prove that it is not losing steam, this week Jason moves from 36-30 tying it for the second biggest move in the Top 40 this week.

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Celebration”, Madonna
“Staring Down”, Collective Soul
“Follow You”, Leeland
“Take Me Home”, After Midnight Project
“Already Gone”, Kelly Clarkson
“Alive Again”, Matt Maher

For more Rock-It! including pics and complete charts, visit www.songerstudio.com

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Rock-It! 8-9-09, Perry Wakes Up At #1, Shakira howls up the chart

Lady GaGa might be dominating the charts this year, but Katy Perry is not a very distant second. This week the California girl holds at #1 for a second week a week after knocking GaGa out of the top spot with “Waking Up In Vegas”. This is Katy’s second chart topper. She spent three weeks at #1 last fall with “Hot N Cold”. She nearly reached #1 with her first hit “I Kissed A Girl” which peaked at #2 last August. She also reached #14 this past March with “Thinking Of You”.

The Black Eyed Peas are looking for a second consecutive #1 hit. They inch up from 3-2 this week with “I Gotta Feeling”. The group just tied a record this week on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart by spending their 17th straight week at #1, 12 with “Boom Boom Pow” and four with “I Gotta Feeling”. That is the longest run by an duo/group in the rock era. Usher holds the all-time record with 19 weeks with the combo “Yeah!” and “Burn” in 2004.

Taylor Swift jumped from 10-4 two weeks ago with ‘You Belong With Me”. It was the biggest move to the #4 position in four years. This week the 19-year old country superstar is on the move again from 4-3. Like the Black Eyed Peas, she is looking for back to back #1 hits. “Love Story” reached #1 back in February.

Keri Hilson is making her second Top 5 appearance. A week after leaping from 9-5 she holds at #5 with “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo. Keri went all the way to #1 two years ago when she was featured on Timbaland’s “The Way I Are”.

19-year old Arizona star Jordin Sparks also made a 4-notch move last week and now holds at #6 with “Battlefield”. This is her fourth Top 10 hit. Last year she visited the Top 10 her other three times with “Tattoo”, “One Step At A Time” and “No Air” with Chris Brown.

Cobra Starship rocketed from 14-7 last week with their first hit, “Good Girls Go Bad” featuring Leighton Meester. This week the song holds at the #7 spot. And Jamaican R&B star Sean Kingston who slipped out of the Top 10 last week rebounds from 12-8 with “Fire Burning”. The song appeared to peak at #7 four weeks ago.

Also entering the Top 10 this week is Kings Of Leon. They already reached #1 on the rock chart with “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody”. This week the latter moves from 13-9 this week to become the band’s first Top 10 hit.

Two songs make their Top 20 debut this week. Shakira is back in the Top 20 for the first time since reaching #15 in 2007 with “Beautiful Liar/Bello Embustero” with Beyonce. This is her fifth Top 20 hit song. She jumps from 26-18 which ties her for the biggest move in the Top 40 this week.

The Fray also move into the Top 20 this week from 22-20 with “Never Say Never”. This is the Colorado band’s fourth Top 20 hit. The first three all reached the Top 10 including “You Found Me” which spent four weeks at #5 back in March and just slid off the Top 40 last week.

This week’s other biggest mover, like Shakira’s “She Wolf”, was also one of last week’s debuts. Pitbull leaps from 37-29 with ‘Hotel Room Service”. The rapper is still hanging out in the Top 10 this week at #10 with “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”.

For the seventh time in eight weeks there are three debuts in the Top 40. Rapper Jay Sean scores his first hit this week at #30 with “Down” featuring Lil Wayne. Beyonce has another Top 40 hit this week with “Sweet Dreams” at #38. This is her 12th Top 40 solo hit. And in at #39 is superstar Mariah Carey with “Obsessed”. this is Mariah’s 34th career Top 40 hit. Her very first, “Vision Of Love”, hit #1 19 years ago this week (see chart at right).

Other chart information of note this week:
Last week’s other debut, “Who’s Got Your Money?” by Tina Parol also makes a nice move this week from 40-34 making it the next best move in the Top 40 after its co-debuts from a week ago.
The music industry is continuing to have a problem with bringing in talented female artists but you would never guess looking at this week’s Top 7 songs. All seven songs are either by solo female vocalists or bands with a female vocalist.
Jason Mraz has the oldest song in the Top 40 again this week with “I’m Yours” now in week 49. It debuted September 7, 2008 and is three weeks away from making it one whole year in the Top 40.

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Sooner Or Later”, Michelle Branch
“Right Here (Jason Nevins Mix), Carmen Reece

For more Rock-It! including complete charts and pictures visit our new home www.songerstudio.com

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Imogen Heap

Great British female vocalist that if you haven't heard you need to check out because she is so different. Imogen Heap is her name. She hasn't hit the mainstream like so many great artists, but it may just be a matter of time at this point. First got to know her 2005 single "Hide And Seek". Very original tune. Now she has a song called "First Train Home". It looks like it might crack the Billboard Top 100 in August. It is more "normal" and could catch on at radio. We'll see. Regardless, I love her stuff!

Rock-It! 7-26-09, Lady Loves the #1 Game, Best Move Drake Ever Had

Lady GaGa holds at #1 for a second straight week this week with “LoveGame”. Last week, I told you that she becomes the first artist since Avril Lavigne in 2002 to go to #1 with her first three songs. The last artist to do it before Avril was the group Ace Of Base way back in 1994. She is the first artist since Pink in 2007-08 to have three consecutive #1 songs. So far this year Lady GaGa has reached #1 for two weeks with “Just Dance” and five weeks with “Poker Face”.

Katy Perry notches her third Top 2 hit in her short career this week. She moves from 3-2 with “Waking Up In Vegas”. She reached #2 last year with “I Kissed A Girl” and then topped the chart last November with “Hot N Cold”.

The Black Eyed Peas are looking for a second consecutive #1 hit. And they are moving fast. This week they leap from 6-3 with “I Gotta Feeling”. The song already has been the biggest mover two times and was a highest debut in its ascent up the chart. It is the follow up to “Boom Boom Pow” which had a similar climb until it stalled out at #2 for three weeks. It eventually went on to spend seven weeks at #1 though this spring and summer.

Moving even faster is Taylor Swift with ‘You Belong With Me”. The 19-year old superstar rockets from 10-4 which is the biggest move into the Top 4 since Kanye West moved from 11-4 with “Gold Digger” in October of 2005. It’s the biggest move within the Top 10 since Weezer jumped from 9-3 in September of 2005 with “Beverly Hills”. This is Taylor’s third Top 5 hit.

Pink had her string of three consecutive #1 hits snapped when she stalled out at #4 with “Sober” back in March. But she’s trying to start a new streak as she holds at #5 with “Please Don’t Leave Me”. It is her 13th career Top 10 hit. Twelve of those have made the Top 5. Ten have gone Top 3 and five have reached #1.

Jamaican rapper and hip hop star Sean Kingston holds at #7 this week with “Fire Burning”. This is his third Top 10 hit. In 2007 he soared to #2 with “Beautiful Girls”. And then last year he reached #4 with “Take You There”.

Keri Hilson sang on one of the top songs of the decade, ‘The Way I Are” by Timbaland. Now she has her first Top 10 hit that will be credited to her as a lead artist. She holds at #9 for a third week with “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo.

The last two weeks the #10 position was occupied by 19-year old Taylor Swift. Now that she has soared to the Top 5, 19-year old Arizona star Jordin Sparks has taken her place. She has the lone new song in the Top 10 this week with “Battlefield”. This is her fourth Top 10 hit. Last year she visited the Top 10 her other three times with “Tattoo”, “One Step At A Time” and “No Air” with Chris Brown.

There is one new song in the Top 20 this week. And it is the biggest moving song in the Top 40 this week. 22-year old Canadian rapper Drake is up from 25-17 with “Best I Ever Had”. This is his first hit song and he becomes the second Canadian rapper after Kardinal Offishall to hit the U.S. Top 20.

There are two debuts this week in the Top 40. Boston pop-punk quartet Boys Like Girls have their fourth Top 40 hit with “Love Drunk” which bows way up at #26. That makes it the fifth highest debuting song of 2009. And 36-year old Jamaican rapper/reggae star Sean Paul has his eighth Top 40 hit this week with “So Fine” at #35. It’s his first since reaching #7 in 2006 with “(When You Gonna) Give It Up To Me” featuring Keyshia Cole.

Other chart information of note this week:
Linkin Park re-enters the survey this week at #37 with “New Divide”.
Lady GaGa has now been at #1 one third of the weeks of 2009.
Jason Mraz has the oldest song in the Top 40 again this week with “I’m Yours” now in week 47. It debuted September 7, 2008 and by the end of this week will reach the 11 month plateau.

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Why I Am”, Dave Matthews Band
“First Train Home”, Imogen Heap
“If It Kills Me”, Jason Mraz
“Come Home”, OneRepublic & Sara Bareilles
“Heavy Cross”, Gossip (free download on iTunes this week)

For more Rock-It! including complete charts and pics visit www.chaska.net/~songer

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Deana Martin

Like the Natalie Cole and Queen Latifah jazz efforts lately? Check out the new one by Deana Martin. It's up that same alley. Good stuff!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Rock-It! 7-19-09, The Game Continues for GaGa, Good Move For Good Girls

Lady GaGa has struck again as she moves from 2-1 with “LoveGame”. She becomes the first artist since Avril Lavigne in 2002 to go to #1 with her first three songs. She is the first artist since Pink in 2007-08 to have three consecutive #1 songs. So far this year Lady GaGa has reached #1 for two weeks with “Just Dance” and five weeks with “Poker Face” which is currently #24 this week.

Katy Perry notches her third Top 3 hit in her short career this week. She moves from 5-3 with “Waking Up In Vegas”. She reached #2 last year with “I Kissed A Girl” and then topped the chart last November with “Hot N Cold”.

28-year old Miami rapper Pitbull holds at #4 for a third week after three weeks at #5 with his first hit song, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”. He joins Flo Rida and T.I. as the only three rappers to reach the top 4 on the pop chart in 2009.

Pink had her string of three consecutive #1 hits snapped when she stalled out at #4 with “Sober” back in March. But she’s trying to start a new streak as she improves from 6-5 with “Please Don’t Leave Me”. It is her 13th career Top 10 hit. Twelve of those have made the Top 5. Ten have gone Top 3 and five have reached #1.

The Black Eyed Peas aren’t waiting long in trying to land a second straight #1 hit. They move from 8-6 this week with “I Gotta Feeling”. It is the follow up to “Boom Boom Pow” which just spent seven weeks at #1 and this week slips from 3-8. It is the second straight week the band has had two songs in the Top 10.

Jamaican rapper and hip hop star Sean Kingston holds at #7 this week with “Fire Burning”. This is his third Top 10 hit. In 2007 he soared to #2 with “Beautiful Girls”. And then last year he reached #4 with “Take You There”.

Keri Hilson sang on one of the top songs of the decade, ‘The Way I Are” by Timbaland. Now she has her first Top 10 hit that will be credited to her as a lead artist. She holds at #9 for a second week with “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo.

And 19-year old superstar Taylor Swift is also holding steady. She is at #10 with “You Belong With Me”, her third Top 10 hit. Her other two are “Teardrops On My Guitar” and her #1 hit from earlier this year, “Love Story” which slips to #38 this week.

There are no new songs in the Top 10 this week but two hits make their Top 20 debut this week. Both are bands who have never hit the Top 20 before. New York pop-punk band Cobra Starship score their first Top 20 entry with “Good Girls Go Bad” featuring Leighton Meester. The song rockets from 24-17 and becomes the biggest mover in the Top 40 this week.

Nashville rock quartet Kings Of Leon also make their first appearance in the Top 20 as they jump from 25-19 with “Use Somebody”. They currently hold down three spots on the modern rock chart’s Top 20.

For the fifth week in a row there are three debuts in the Top 40. Britney Spears leads the charge at #36 with “Radar”. This is her 23rd Top 40 hit song and follow up to the #7 hit “If U Seek Amy”.

Flo Rida has a fifth Top 40 hit this week with “Jump” featuring Nelly Furtado at #39. He is still at #37 with “Right Round” featuring Ke$ha which became his second #1 hit earlier this year.

And Hannah Montana, aka Miley Cyrus, is back. She has a unique distinction of having two Top 40 hits under two different names this week. She bows at #40 with “He Could Be The One” as Hannah Montana. And she slips from 15-22 with “The Climb” as Miley Cyrus. This is the first time since Rock-It! began charting in 1984 that this has occurred.

Other chart information of note this week:
After starting the year with five of the first seven #1 hits spending only one week at #1, “Don’t Trust Me” by 3Oh!3 becomes the sixth but first since Britney Spears’ “Circus” on March 1.
American Idols own the 11-20 segment of the the survey this week. “Battlefield” by Jordin Sparks at #13, “I Do Not Hook Up” by Kelly Clarkson at #16 and “No Surprise” by Daughtry at #18.
Jason Mraz has the oldest song in the Top 40 again this week with “I’m Yours” now in week 46. It debuted September 7, 2008. If it remains on the Top 40 next week it will reach 11 months.

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Invasion”, Oakenfold & Vibe Shock
“The Sound Of Missing You”, Ameerah
“1901”, Phoenix
“What If”, Ashley Tisdale
“Hosanna”, Selah
“Fireflies”, Owl City (free download on iTunes this week)

For more Rock-It! including phots and complete charts, visit www.chaska.net/~songer

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Rob Thomas Does It Again

I still remember the first time I head a Rob Thomas tune. It was "Push" with matchbox twenty back in the summer of '97. I distinctly remember hearing it as I was getting ready for another day of work at Valleyfair and Gina Paveglio, Tony Mazzone and my sister (my 3 roomies for the summer) were all getting ready with me. I asked if anyone knew what the tune was. Nobody knew but we all listened to the end when Casey Kasem came on and let us know what it was. I thought to myself that even though I didn't think the tune was going to soar to become one of my favorites that it was a well-done pop tune that would do well.

That song went Top 10 and twelve years later Rob Thomas is still cranking out well-done pop songs. His new album is called "Cradlesong" and already has produced the Top 40 hit "Her Dimaonds' which I really like. The tune I like on the album even more is called "Someday". And as I am typing this I'm listening to the cut "Gasoline". This album is great. Rob Thomas is one of the top hit makers of this decade.

Rock-It! 7-12-09, 3Oh!#1, Make Way For The Kings

It’s not often that electronic bands fly to the top of the pop chart. In fact it has been four years since D.H.T. held down the #1 song with “Listen To Your Heart”. Well this week the genre that has a consistent underground following finds itself on top again. This time it’s Colorado band 3Oh!3 with a song that topped the dance sales chart late last year with “Don’t Trust Me”. This week the song moves from 2-1 on the pop chart.

Lady GaGa has also had success on the dance chart although unlike 3Oh!3 she has found herself crossing over from pop to dance. She has the second longest running Top 10 dance single of the decade with “Just Dance” and she has the longest running #1 dance song of all time with “Poker Face which topped the chart for 15 weeks this year. Now she is at #3 on the dance chart with “LoveGame”. She does herself one better on the pop chart this week as she climbs from 3-2. She is looking for her third straight #1 song to start her career.

28-year old Miami rapper Pitbull holds at #4 for a second week after three weeks at #5 with his first hit song, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”. And Katy Perry makes her third career Top 5 appearance by holding at #5 with “Waking Up In Vegas”. The California star hit #2 with “I Kissed A Girl” and #1 with “Hot N Cold” last year.

Pink had her string of three consecutive #1 hits snapped when she stalled out at #4 with “Sober” back in March. But she’s trying to start a new streak as she improves from 7-6 with “Please Don’t Leave Me”. It is her 13th career Top 10 hit.

Jamaican rapper and hip hop star Sean Kingston moves from 10-7 this week with “Fire Burning”. This is his third Top 10 hit. In 2007 he soared to #2 with “Beautiful Girls”. And then last year he reached #4 with “Take You There”.

Three songs rocket into the Top 10 this week. The Black Eyed Peas aren’t waiting long in trying to land a second straight #1 hit. A week after their seven week run at #1 ends with “Boom Boom Pow”, they are moving from 12-8 with “I Gotta Feeling”, the second hit from their #1 album “The E.N.D.”

Keri Hilson sang on one of the top songs of the decade, ‘The Way I Are” by Timbaland. Now she has her first Top 10 hit that will be credited to her as a lead artist. She makes a major move from 15-9 with “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo.

And 19-year old superstar Taylor Swift is moving fast. She debuted in the Top 40 just two weeks ago at #22 and now has made two consecutive 6-notch moves to land herself at #10. “You Belong With Me” becomes her third Top 10 hit after “Teardrops On My Guitar” and her #1 hit from earlier this year, “Love Story”.

There are also two new songs in the Top 20 this week. Daughtry scores its fifth Top 20 hit this week by moving from 21-19 with “No Surprise”.The North Carolina rock quintet has had two Top 20 hits each of the past two years including the #1 smash “It’s Not Over” in 2007.

And moving from 23-20 is 21-year old pop/country newcomer Jessie James with her first hit “Wanted”.

The biggest move in the Top 40 this week is by Nashville rock band Kings Of Leon. They rocket from 39-25 with “Use Somebody”. It is the biggest move in the Top 40 since Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You” jumped from 24-9 back in February.

Three songs debut in the Top 40 this week. California electro-hop duo LMFAO have the highest entry at #37 with “I’m In Miami Trick”. The Pussycat Dolls score their ninth Top 40 hit this week at #38 with “Hush Hush” featuring their own member Nicole Scherzinger. And the debut at #39 is a remake of a song that was credited to a band featuring its own member--”Careless Whisper” by Wham! featuring George Michael, a #1 hit in 1985. This week the South Africa band Seether are at #39 with their version of “Careless Whisper”. It’s the follow up to their first hit, “Rise Above This” which reached #38 last summer.

Other chart information of note this week:
The following acts have two songs in the Top 40 this week: Lady GaGa, Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson and the Fray.
“Just Dance” by Lady GaGa slips out of the Top 40 after a 35-week stay.
Jason Mraz has the oldest song in the Top 40 again this week with “I’m Yours” now in week 45. It debuted September 7, 2008.

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Gasoline”, Rob Thomas
“Love Drunk”, Boys Like Girls

For more Rock-It! including charts, pics and updates, visit www.chaska.net/~songer.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Monkey Baby!

Let me start by saying that I am not a huge Dave Matthews Band fan. I enjoy some of their music and am not too keen with some of his other stuff. That includes the new album. But, "Shake Me LIke A Monkey" is awesome. Alright, the lyrics are not good, but as those of you who follow this blog know, lyrics are often secondary to me. This is a good old fashioned funk feel with great horns and the Dave Matthews drive that I love. Someone please tell me who the horn players are and who arranged the horn chart.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Rock-It! 7-5-09, Lucky SevEND for Black Eyed, Swift Jump Into Top 20

The Black Eyed Peas have the longest running #1 hit of their career and of 2009 as they extend to a seventh week at #1 with “Boom Boom Pow” from their #1 album “The E.N.D.” Their other #1 hit, “Where Is The Love?” spent five weeks at #1 in 2003. The last song to spend seven weeks at #1 was “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis last summer. That hit spent nine weeks at the top.

The Boulder, Colorado band, 3Oh!3, named after the area code from their hometown (303), are knocking on the door of the Peas. “Don’t Trust Me” moves from 3-2 this week. It already has gone to #1 on the club dance chart. This is the band’s first Top 40 hit. They would follow Lady GaGa as the only two acts to hit #1 this year with their first hit.

Speaking of Lady GaGa, she is looking to score her third straight #1 hit here in 2009. She already went to #1 in January with “Just Dance”. Then she spent five weeks at #1 prior to the Black Eyed Peas’ run with “Poker Face”. This week she leaps from 7-3 with “LoveGame”.

28-year old Miami rapper Pitbull is up from 5-4 after three weeks at #5 with his first hit song, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”. And Katy Perry makes her third career Top 5 appearance by jumping from 9-5 with “Waking Up In Vegas”. The California star hit #2 with “I Kissed A Girl” and #1 with “Hot N Cold” last year.

Pink had her string of three consecutive #1 hits snapped when she stalled out at #4 with “Sober” back in March. But she’s trying to start a new streak as she leaps from 10-7 with “Please Don’t Leave Me”.

There is one new song in the Top 10 this week. Jamaican rapper and hip hop star Sean Kingston moves from 12-10 with “Fire Burning”. This is his third Top 10 hit. In 2007 he soared to #2 with “Beautiful Girls”. And then last year he reached #4 with “Take You There”.

There is one new song in the Top 20 this week. It is the fourth Top 20 hit for Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”. Her last one, “Love Story”, went all the way to #1. Both songs have hit #1 on the country chart. The 19-year old star moves from 22-16 and puts her in a 3-way tie for the biggest jump in the Top 40 this week. The Black Eyed Peas rocket from 18-12 with “I Gotta Feeling” and Theory Of A Deadman jump from 31-25 with “Not Meant To Be”.

Three songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Two are by newcomers. Making the highest entry is 22-year old Canadian rapper Aubrey Drake Graham who goes simply by his middle name, Drake. He is in at #33 with “Best I Ever Had”. Bowing at #39 is Nashville rock quartet Kings Of Leon who already have had mega-success in England but score their first hit this week in the U.S. with “Use Somebody”. And rockin’ in at #40 is the veteran California band Linkin Park with “New Divide”. It is the sextet’s seventh Top 40 hit which includes the #1 smash “In The End” from 2002.

Other chart information of note this week:
Colorado band The Fray has back to back hits this week with “You Found Me” at #28 and “Never Say Never” at #29.
Both Beyonce and Kelly Clarkson who were looking to follow up #1 hits seem to have fallen short. They both drop from their peak positions in the Top 10 this week with “Halo” and “I Do Not Hook Up” respectively.
Jason Mraz has the oldest song in the Top 40 again this week with “I’m Yours” now in week 44. It debuted September 7, 2008.

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Everytime”, Daisy
“Hole In My Pocket”, Joy Lippard
“Overrated”, Ashley Tisdale
“Here We Go Again”, Demi Lovato
“Best Night Of Our Lives”, Everyday Sunday
“Shine”, Laura Izibor
“Mister Pitiful”, Dave Douglas
“Rainbow Wheel”, Christian McBride and Inside Straight
“Gone”, Lasgo
“Electricity”, Elton John
“Someday”, Rob Thomas
“Home”, Paul van Dyk
“Rumples”, Chris Potter
“Jesus”, Robert Pierre
“Seasons”, The Veer Union
“Don’t Stay”, Laura Izibor
“The Lost Get Found”, Britt Nicole
“Shake Me Like A Monkey”, Dave Matthews Band

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Rock-It! 5-31-09, 2nd Pow For The Peas, Gleeful Return For "Believin'"

Ten Top 10 hits and multiple solo project successes, but unbelievably, this is the Black Eyed Peas first trip back to #1 since 2003 when they reached the top of the pop chart with their first Top 10 hit, “Where Is The Love?”. This week they spend their second week at #1 with “Boom Boom Pow”. They also debut in the Top 100 this week with “I Gotta Feeling” and “Imma Be”, both from their upcoming album “The END”.

Holding at #3 is 41-year old Texas R&B singer Jamie Foxx who has already been to #1 featured on Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” in 2005. “Blame It” featuring T-Pain becomes Jamie’s first hit as a headline artist to go Top 3.

Moving from 6-4 is Beyonce with “Halo”. This is the 27-year old Houston superstar’s seventh Top 5 solo hit. She is looking to make it her second straight #1 following up “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”. She has already had five solo #1 hits. The other four: “Irreplaceable” (2006), “Check On It” (2006), “Crazy In Love” (2003) and “Baby Boy” (2003). If you check out the pattern she is due for another #1 hit this year.

Florida rock quartet Shinedown hold at #5 with their first Top 5 hit this week with “Second Chance” which is their second Top 40 hit. Their first, “I Dare You”, reached #32 in 2006.

The Boulder, Colorado band, 3Oh!3, named after the area code from their hometown (303), have scored its first Top 10 hit. “Don’t Trust Me” leaps from 8-6. It already has gone to #1 on the club dance chart.

Taking a cue from its title, Miley Cyrus climbs from 10-7 with “The Climb”. The song is from her hit movie “Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack”. This is her second Top 10 hit. She reached #2 last year with “See You Again”.

Kelly Clarkson’s tenth Top 10 hit moves from 9-8 this week. “I Do Not Hook Up” is the follow up to her #1 smash “My Life Would Suck Without You”. Kelly is looking to make this her sixth #1 hit. The other four: “Miss Independent” (2003), “Breakaway” (2004), “Since U Been Gone” (2005), “Behind These Hazel Eyes” (2005) and “Because Of You” (2005).

The Top 10 is full of female star power this week with Fergie of Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa (at #2 with “Poker Face”), Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears (who slips from 7-9 this week with “If U Seek Amy”). And this week Pink joins the party with “Please Don’t Leave Me”. This is the third Top 10 hit from her album “Funhouse”. It is her 13th career Top 10 hit. Like Beyonce and Kelly Clarkson, she is looking to make it her sixth #1 hit.

28-year old Armando Christian Perez who goes by Pitbull has the biggest mover within the Top 40 this week with “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”. The Cuban-American rapper out of Miami is up 20-14 this week.

There are two new songs in the Top 20 this week. Lady GaGa is at it again as she jumps from 22-19 with “LoveGame”. The New York sensation is looking to make it three straight #1 hits to start her career. She has already reached the top this year with two songs that are still in the Top 40 this week “Just Dance” (at #27) and “Poker Face” (at #2).

And making a nice move from 25-20 is Jamaican R&B/hip hop star Sean Kingston with “Fire Burning”. This is Sean’s fourth Top 20 hit.

Three songs debut in the Top 40 this week. The highest comes from the new FOX musical comedy “Glee” which premiered after “American Idol” a couple weeks ago. The cast from “Glee” which is about a high school show choir enters at #34 this week with their remake of Journey’s 1981 #9 hit “Don’t Stop Believin’”.

Speaking of “American Idol”, the song that debuts at #35 was premiered on “American Idol” earlier this month. It’s the latest by former Idol contestant Chris Daughtry. His band Daughtry enters at #35 with “No Surprise” from the upcoming album “Leave This Town”.

And bowing at #36 is “New Divide” by Linkin Park” from the new “Transformers” movie. This is the seventh Top 40 hit for the California band.

Other chart information of note this week:
No “American Idol” songs from the new winners enter the Top 40 which is a rarity the week after the champions are crowned. New Idol, Kris Allen falls just short by entering the Top 100 at #41 with “No Boundaries”. He also comes in at #46 with “Heartless”. Runner-up Adam Lambert’s highest entry is “Mad World” at #49.
A week after All-American Rejects dropped from 4-11, Flo Rida slides from 4-12 with “Right Round”.
“Let It Rock” by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne and “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz tie for oldest song honors this week at 39 weeks which is nine months. The songs are at #39 and #40 respectively this week. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Fire And Rain”, Mat Kearney
“Summer Nights”, Rascal Flatts
“Don’t Stop Believin’”, Glee Cast

For more Rock-It! including charts, pics and more, visit www.chaska.net/~songer

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Rock-It! 5-24-09, A Black Big Boom, GaGa's New Game

Ten Top 10 hits and multiple solo project successes, but unbelievably, this is the Black Eyed Peas first trip back to #1 since 2003 when they reached the top of the pop chart with their first Top 10 hit, “Where Is The Love?”. This week they return to #1 with “Boom Boom Pow” which lands at the top spot after three weeks at #2. It is from their new album “The END” which drops next month.

Up from 5-3 is 41-year old Texas R&B singer Jamie Foxx who has already been to #1 featured on Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” in 2005. This week his hit “Blame It” featuring T-Pain becomes his first hit as a headline artist to go Top 3.

Florida rock quartet Shinedown score their first Top 5 hit this week with “Second Chance” which is their second Top 40 hit. Their first, “I Dare You”, reached #32 in 2006. This week “Second Chance” moves from 6-5.

Making a nice move from 8-6 is Beyonce with “Halo”. This is the 27-year old Houston superstar’s eighth Top 10 solo hit. She is looking to make it her second straight #1 following up “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”. She has already had five solo #1 hits. The other four: “Irreplaceable” (2006), “Check On It” (2006), “Crazy In Love” (2003) and “Baby Boy” (2003).

A lot of new songs making big moves at the bottom of the Top 10 this week. Jumping from 13-7 is “If U Seek Amy” by Britney Spears. The song just spent two weeks at #8 before dropping to #13 last week. This week the song rebounds to a new peak.

The Boulder, Colorado band, 3Oh!3, named after the area code from their hometown (303), scores its first Top 10 hit this week. “Don’t Trust Me” leaps from 12-8. It already has gone to #1 on the club dance chart.

Kelly Clarkson notches her tenth Top 10 hit this week as she moves from 11-9 with “I Do Not Hook Up”. It is the follow up to her #1 smash “My Life Would Suck Without You” which slides out of the Top 10 this week. Kelly is looking to make this her sixth #1 hit. The other four: “Miss Independent” (2003), “Breakaway” (2004), “Since U Been Gone” (2005), “Behind These Hazel Eyes” (2005) and “Because Of You” (2005).

And making a huge “climb” into the Top 10 this week is “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. The teen star rockets from 19-10 a week after dropping from an apparent #14 peak. The song becomes her second Top 10 hit. Last year Miley hit #2 with “See You Again”.

Not only is the Top 10 greeting three new songs this week but so is the Top 20. 19-year old Pasadena, California newcomer Kristinia Debarge has gotten off to a nice start with her first hit, “Goodbye”. She made the biggest move in the Top 40 last week by jumping from 37-25 in her second week on the survey. And this week she leaps from 25-18.

Fellow California star Katy Perry is right on Kristinia’s heels as she moves from 23-19 with “Waking Up In Vegas”. This is Katy’s fourth consecutive Top 20 hit to start her career. One of those, “Hot N Cold”, reached #1 and slips out of the Top 40 this week.

28-year old Armando Christian Perez who goes by Pitbull rounds out the new Top 20 hits with his very first Top 20 smash, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”. The Cuban-American rapper out of Miami is up from 21-20 this week.

On top of all the new entries in the top segments of the survey, we have a huge mover in the bottom half of the Top 40. Lady GaGa soars up from 33-22 with “LoveGame” in its second week in the Top 40. The big move might ease the pain for Lady GaGa who slides out of the #1 position after five weeks with “Poker Face”. The New York star is also at #29 this week with her former #1 hit “Just Dance”.

And the new song parade continues as we welcome four new songs in the Top 40 this week. 21-year old Georgia newcomer Jessie James debuts at #32 this week with “Wanted”, her first Top 40 hit. Norwegian dance group Madcon also scores their first U.S. hit this week with “Beggin’” at #33. Chicago R&B newcomer Jeremih notches his first hit song with “Birthday Sex” at #34. And finally All-American Rejects just set a record for most weeks at #4 (seven) with their former #1 smash “Gives You Hell”. And this week they score their fifth Top 40 this with “The Wind Blows” at #37.

Other chart information of note this week:
After spending those seven weeks at #4, All-American Rejects drop seven spots from 4-11 this week with “Gives You Hell”..
Four songs drop out of the Top 10 this week. Three of those drop seven spots: “Gives You Hell”, “Kiss Me Thru The Phone” and “My Life Would Suck Without You”.
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz and “Let It Rock” by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne tie for oldest song honors this week at 38 weeks, one week shy of nine months. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Her Diamonds”, Rob Thomas
“Major Tom”, Shiny Toy Guns
the album “Losing Sleep”, Parachute

For more Rock-It! including charts, pictures and more, visit www.chaska.net/~songer

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Surprise! It's Daughtry

Daughtry has announced their new album, "Leave This Town", will drop in mid-July. The first single from that album, "No Surprise" was just released last week though. And it's another great Daughtry tune. Check it out.

Some of you might be familiary with the band Metric, out of Toronto, Canada. They've been around for over a decade. Their album "Live It Out" produced two Top 10 hits in Canada in 2006 including "Monster Hospital". They are now enjoying their first breakthrogh success in the States with "Help, I'm Alive" which is getting play at rock radio.

And then there is the band Madina Lake out of Chicago. They've been around for about four years now. They're led by twin brothers Nathan and Matthew Leone. Their album "Attics To Eden" just bowed on the Billboard 200 this week. I like the single "Living In Oblivion".

Rock-It! 5-17-09, Five Card Draw for GaGa, Goodbye's Good Move

In a year of instability at the #1 position on the pop chart, Lady GaGa has finally brought to the table the biggest hit of the year. This week she holds down the #1 spot for a fifth week in a row with “Poker Face”. It becomes the first song in 2009 to spend four weeks at the top. It is the longest running #1 hit since Pink spent five weeks on top last October and November with “So What”. The bad news: “Poker Face” slips from 1-4 on the dance chart after 15 weeks at #1.

The Black Eyed Peas are back in the Top 2 for the first time since their very first hit, “Where Is The Love” went to #1 in 2003. This week the L.A. quartet holds at #2 for a third week with “Boom Boom Pow”. The song is the first release from their new album “The END” which drops next month. This is the Black Eyed Peas’ eighth Top 10 hit and first since going to #10 in 2006 with “Pump It”. They have been to #1 once. That was in 2003 with “Where Is The Love?”.

The All-American Rejects already spent two weeks at #1 with “Gives You Hell”. The song is losing airplay and sales now but sets a unique rock era record this week by spending its seventh consecutive week at the #4 position. That has never happened before.

Up from 6-5 is 41-year old Texas R&B singer Jamie Foxx who has already been to #1 featured on Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” in 2005. This week his hit “Blame It” featuring T-Pain becomes his first hit as a headline artist to go Top 5.

Florida rock quartet Shinedown score their first Top 10 hit this week with “Second Chance” which is their second Top 40 hit. Their first, “I Dare You”, reached #32 in 2006. This week “Second Chance” leaps from 11-6. The #6 Top 10 debut is the highest since Rihanna entered at #6 in February 2008 with “Don’t Stop The Music”.

Also making a nice move into the Top 10 is Beyonce who jumps from 12-8 with “Halo”. It becomes the 27-year old Houston superstar’s eighth Top 10 solo hit. She is looking to make it her second straight #1 following up “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”.

There are no new songs in the Top 20 this week but look out for a couple hot songs closing in on the Top 10. Kelly Clarkson leaps from 16-11 with “I Do Not Hook Up”. And Flo Rida jumps from 18-14 with “Sugar” featuring Wynter. Both are looking to follow up #1 hits strongly.

The biggest mover within the Top 40 this week is “Goodbye” by Kristinia Debarge. Kristinia is the 19-year old daughter of James Debarge who led the highly successful 1980s R&B group Debarge. This week she rockets from 37-25 in her second week in the Top 40.

There is only one debut in the Top 40 this week. Lady GaGa scores her third Top 40 hit this week at #33 with “LoveGame”. Her first two hits, “Just Dance” and “Poker Face” have both hit #1. Katy Perry also re-enters the Top 40 this week at #39 with “Hot N Cold”. Her latest hit, “Waking Up In Vegas” makes a healthy jump from 29-23. It was one year ago that she debuted on the Top 40 with “I Kissed A Girl”. She has had at least one song on the survey every week since.

Other chart information of note this week:
Kelly Clarkson who had a run of 90 straight weeks with a song in the Top 10 (a rock era record) back in 2005-06 is going to most likely keep her current modest streak of 16 weeks alive as “My Life Would Suck Without You” which slips to #10 is back to back with the follow up “I Do Not Hook Up” which moves up to #11.
Sean Kingston makes an 11-notch move from 40-29 with “Fire Burning” but falls one spot shy of tying for the biggest move in the Top 40 this week.
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz and “Let It Rock” by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne tie for oldest song honors this week at 37 weeks. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“No Surprise”, Daughtry
“Help I’m Alive”, Metric
“Welcome To Oblivion”, Madina Lake
“Bleed For This Love”, downhere

For more Rock-It! including charts, pictures and more, visit www.chaska.net/~songer

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Rock-It! 5-10-09, Radio GaGa, Perry Awake Again

In a year of instability at the #1 position on the pop chart, Lady GaGa has finally brought to the table the biggest hit of the year. This week she holds down the #1 spot for a fourth week in a row with “Poker Face”. It becomes the first song in 2009 to spend four weeks at the top. And it appears that she will be there for at least a couple more weeks as the song continues to get over 10,000 spins a week on radio, is selling at a Top 10 pace on iTunes and holds at #1 for a 15th week on the dance chart.

The Black Eyed Peas are back in the Top 2 for the first time since their very first hit, “Where Is The Love” went to #1 in 2003. This week the L.A. quartet moves holds at #2 for a second week with “Boom Boom Pow”. The song is the first release from their new album “The END” which drops in June. This is the Black Eyed Peas’ eighth Top 10 hit and first since going to #10 in 2006 with “Pump It”.

The All-American Rejects already spent two weeks at #1 with “Gives You Hell”. But they have a big week in two ways this week. They spend their sixth consecutive week at #4. The last song to spend six weeks at any position in the Top 5 was “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis which spent nine weeks at #1 Last May and June. The Oklahoma band also moves from 57-54 this week with “The Wind Blows”.

Up from 6-5 is Jesse McCartney who makes his third career Top 5 appearance with “How Do You Sleep?” featuring Ludacris. This is the 22-year old New York star’s first Top 5 trip since going to #1 with the top song of 2008, “Leavin’”. It is his third Top 5 hit. His first was “Beautiful Soul” which peaked at #3 in 2005.

41-year old Texas R&B singer Jamie Foxx has already been to #1 featured on Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” in 2005. But this week the actor rolls up from 10-6 with his first Top 10 hit as a headline artist with “Blame It” featuring T-Pain. It becomes only the third song this year to make a 4-notch move within the Top 10. The other two: Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You” which spent three weeks at #1 and “Boom Boom Pow” which is at #2 this week.

Holding at #8 this week is Britney Spears with “If U Seek Amy”. It is Britney’s 13th Top 10 hit and third from her current album “Circus”. The first two, “Womanizer” and “Circus” both reached #1. She is trying to match Pink, the last artist to have three straight #1 hits.

There are no new songs in the Top 10 this week but two songs join the Top 20 party this week. 36-year old Massachusetts singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson scores his first Top 20 hit this week with “Come On Get Higher” which is up from 22-19. And notching her 17th Top 20 hit is Pink by climbing from 23-20 this week with “Please Don’t Leave Me”. She actually replaces herself in the Top 20 this week as “Sober” drops out.

British duo the Ting Tings have this week’s biggest mover by jumping from 33-26 with “That’s Not My Name”. It is the group’s second Top 40 hit following up “Shut Up And Let Me Go”.

Three songs debut this week in the Top 40. Katy Perry starts us off at #29 with “Waking Up In Vegas”. It becomes the 24-year old California girl’s fourth straight Top 40 hit. 19-year old newcomer Krisinia Debarge and daughter of James Debarge who led the highly successful 1980s R&B group Debarge, bows at #37 with “Goodbye”. And Sean Kingston is back at #40 this week. The Jamaican singer who reached #2 with his debut single “Beautiful Girls” in 2007 has his fourth Top 40 hit this week with “Fire Burning”.

Other chart information of note this week:
Katy Perry has had at least one song in the Top 40 for 51 straight weeks.
Pink is back to back this week at #20 with “Please Don’t Leave Me” and #21 with “Sober”.
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz and “Let It Rock” by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne tie for oldest song honors this week at 36 weeks. 

My iTunes new picks of the week:
“Revelation Song” by Philips, Craig & Dean
“Fire Burning” by Sean Kingston

For more Rock-It! including charts and pics, visit www.chaska.net/~songer