New Picks of the Week December 19, 2010

Sorry everyone. Just a chart update again this week.

Katy Perry is at #1 again this week as she holds at the top with “Firework”. What a year it has been for the California pop star. She dominated the top of the chart this summer with “California Gurls”. Shortly after her 8-week run on top, she returned to #1 with “Teenage Dream”. And now here she is again with her third #1 hit of 2010.

This week’s Top 7 includes six songs that have hit #1. Along with “Firework” are Rihanna’s “What’s My Name” (#2), P!nk’s “Raise Your Glass” (#4), Ke$ha’s “We R Who We R” (#5), Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In The World)” (#6) and Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” (#7). The only song in the Top 7 that has not hit #1 is “Grenade” by Bruno Mars which leaps from 5-3 so it may be just a matter of time until it reaches the chart pinnacle.

The highest debut on the Top 40 this week is “That’s All She Wrote” by T.I. featuring Eminem. It is the 15th chart single for the 30-year old rapper from Atlanta. Two have hit #1, both in 2008: “Whatever You Like” and “Live Your Life”. Fellow rapper, Diddy also bows this week at #24 with “Coming Home” featuring Dirty Money and Skylar Grey. It is Diddy’s 13th Top 40 single. He also has been featured on twelve others. Country star Jason Aldean has this week’s other debut with “My Kinda Party” at #39.

Last week Chris Brown had the biggest mover in the Top 40 when he jumped from 39-33 with “Yeah 3X”. This week he defends that honor but with a much more impressive move. He is up from 33-22.

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New Picks of the Week December 12, 2010

Only a chart update this week everyone:


Katy Perry is at #1 again this week as she moves from 2-1 with “Firework”. What a year it has been for the California pop star. She dominated the top of the chart this summer with “California Gurls”. Shortly after her 8-week run on top, she returned to #1 with “Teenage Dream”. And now here she is again with her third #1 hit of 2010.

The Black Eyed Peas are eyeing up another trip to #1. If you remember, they were the group dominating the top of the charts the second half of 2009 with “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling”. This week they leap from 9-4 with “The Time (Dirty Bit)”. Right behind is Bruno Mars with his third Top 10 hit, “Grenade” which moves from 10-5.

It’s yet another big Glee week in the Top 40. The cast has three new songs in the Top 40 this week. They are in at #22 with their cover of “Dog Days Are Over”. And enjoying new success due to that cover, the original singer Florence + The Machine (who is solo artist Florence Welch ) re-enters the Top 40 this week at her highest position #21. Glee also covers the only Top 10 rock hit from 2010, “Hey, Soul Sister”. That remake comes in at #29. And in at #38 is “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life”. That is a remake of the 1987 #1 smash by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes from the movie “Dirty Dancing”. The song also is sampled in the aforementioned hit by Black Eyed Peas, “The Time (Dirty Bit)”.

Of course it is also Christmas time which means new holiday music is all over the radio. The first song this month to crack the pop Top 40 is Coldplay’s “Christmas Lights” which debuts at #25 this week.

One other debut this week. Kenny Chesney is in at #40 with “Somewhere With You”. The biggest jump on the survey this week is “Yeah 3X” by Chris Brown which is up from 39-33.

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New Picks of the Week December 5, 2010

Ever since “Welcome To The Black Parade”, I keep my eye on Jersey City rock quintet My Chemical Romance. As a fan of horns and marching bands, you couldn’t beat a crossover pop hit like that. This year they have produced two more songs that have caught my attention: “The Only Hope For Me Is You” and now a non released single from their brand new album “Danger Days”. The song reminds me of the crossover hits of The Cure from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Keyboard pads and a nice guitar solo along with simple lyrics and a catchy chord progression. There are more songs on the new album that have also caught my attention. Check it out.

I don’t know what I like best about Owl City. Let’s see. There are the extremely clever lyrics, the electronic feel, the original sound, his unique voice, the fact that he’s an outspoken Christian, the fact that there isn’t anything superstar-ish or fake about him, or maybe it’s just that he’s from Minnesota. I love this new song by Owl City called “Peppermint Winter”. It’s a nice secular Christmas song about how joyous the holiday is. And it’s done in typical Owl City fashion. It’s a nice festive addition to the classic Holiday repertoire.

I was laughing the other day when I saw a high school picture of 23-year old pop star Ke$ha. She looked like your average high school kid. Now she goes around putting glitter in her hair, putting makeup all over her face and dressing in outrageous costumes. Another words, she is being a pop star. I have really liked a lot of the songs that have been written, produced and mixed for her. Notice, I said I didn’t say I liked her voice. I love “C U Next Tuesday” which is off of her latest album. It’s a fun upbeat pop song.

Chart Update

P!nk jumps to #1 this week with her third career chart topper, “Raise Your Glass”. The 30-year old Pennsylvania native first reached the top in 2001 with “Lady Marmalade” which was a collaboration with Christina Aguilera, LIl’ Kim and Mya. Her second appearance at the pinnacle of pop success was two years ago with “So What”.

Katy Perry also has hit #1 three times. She is looking to make it four as she jumps from 6-2 with “Firework”. And watch out for Bruno Mars who has already reached #1 with “Just The Way You Are”. This week he leaps back up from 7-4.

Bruno also has one of two songs that enter the Top 10 this week. His third career Top 10 hit is “Grenade” which leaps from 17-10. Topping it by one spot is “The Time (Dirty Bit)” by Black Eyed Peas which moves from 13-9. The song which samples the 1987 #1 hit “The Time Of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes is the Peas’ seventh Top 10 hit.

This week’s highest Top 40 debut comes from 35-year old Spaniard Enrique Iglesias who scores his eighth chart single this week with “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)” featuring Ludacris & DJ Frank E at #18. He nearly has back to back hits this week with “I LIke It” up from 21-20 this week.

The biggest mover in the Top 40 this week is “Stereo Love” by Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina which jumps from 35-26 this week. The song is well on its way to becoming the top dance song of 2010.

Also debuting this week are yet two more Glee hits, “Marry You” at #32 and their cover of Bruno Mars‘ “Just The Way You Are” at #40. And Dr. Dre is back at #34 with “Kush” featuring Snoop Dogg and Akon.

New Picks of the Week November 28, 2010

I am on the record saying that I am not a fan of “Glee”, the show. Although I think the premise is cool. I’m a music teacher so why would I not like a show about a school music program? Unfortunately, I think the writing is bad and quite shallow. But I always like to follow this with two other statements. I don’t like 95 percent of the shows on TV today. And quite honestly, Glee is better than many other shows I’ve sampled. Secondly, and more importantly, I love the music. They bring back great songs and do them very well. This mash up of “Singing In The Rain” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella” is awesome. What a creative mix. Great job Glee!

Speaking of Rihanna, she has another big hit. “Only Girl (In The World)” has already hit #1 on the Billboard chart. And it’s grown on me during its short time on the scene. I love the keyboard pads on the chorus coupled with Rihanna’s tuned up voice. The rest of the song is your typical high powered techno drum beat and trance like vocals. The bridge is a nice variation from the rest of the song as the Barbados superstar drops down into her lower octave. So I guess I’m trying to say that this song isn’t anything too special, but it’s a toe tapper.

Way to go Midwestern rock and roll. Stone Sour is from nearby Des Moines, Iowa and formed way back in 1992. After lead singer Corey Taylor left to join Slipknot in 1997, the group disbanded until reforming in 2002. It’s been since then that the band has enjoyed most of their success. Most of their music is on the edgier side, but “Hesitate” is a great rock ballad. I like the harmonies (Def Leppard reminiscent) and the nice guitar solo. A very well crafted pop rock song. Way to go guys.

Chart Update:

Rihanna continues to dominate the female R&B scene as she climbs to #1 for the fifth time in her career with “Only Girl (In The World)”. Her chart toppers date back to “SOS” in 2006 and also include “Umbrella”, “Take A Bow” and “Disturbia”. She also reached #1 in 2008 featured on T.I.’s “Live Your Life”.

Although Rihanna is the top female vocalist of the past four years, she better watch out for some other women closing in on the top. P!nk is up from 4-2 this week with “Raise Your Glass”. Ke$ha moves from 6-4 with “We R Who We R”. And Katy Perry (who doesn’t feel the need to put and shift-number characters in her name), moves from 9-6 with “Firework”. All three of these songs were performed on the recent American Music Awards.

Two big Top 40 debuts this week. And once again they are both by the Glee Cast. They come in at #11 with “Forget You” featuring Gwyneth Paltrow. At #18 they bow with the aforementioned “Singing In The Rain/Umbrella”. Glee is approaching 100 Top 100 hits which is third in the rock era behind James Brown and Elvis Presley. Of course, they are no where close to either in the number of weeks spent on the Hot 100. Of the 90-plus Glee hits, only 14 have spent more than one week on the Hot 100.

The big movers within the Top 40 this week include a big move into the Top 10 by 36-year old Atlanta R&B star Cee Lo Green. He is up from 22-9 with “Forget You”. His move is outdone by another R&B star, Bruno Mars who moves from 30-17 with “Grenade”.

New Picks of the Week November 21, 2010

It’s always nice to hear stories about artists that rise to the top unexpectedly. 24-year old Edward Maya is from Romania where he is finishing up at Bucharest Conservatory as a music student. As a performer, composer and producer, he has recorded many original songs. One of these, “Stereo Love” featuring vocalist Vika Jigulina caught on in his native Romania before becoming a mega hit at clubs around the world. Now, the song has crossed over to pop radio and this week hits the national Top 40 in the U.S. The song features a hook on Edward’s main instrument, accordion.

From a completely other side of the world as Edward and Vika is Charmaine out of Sydney, Australia. Charmaine is looking for a way to bring Christian hit music to us in a different way than the typical pop/rock format. She leans toward electronica which means she is leaning my way. The techno beats along with her perfect voice for this format makes “Run” an easy fit at nightclubs. But the message is definitely Christian which is awesome. The song is also part of the new Rock Band 3. Check it out!

Another Christian rock band that is closer to home that you should check out is Echoing Angels. Out of Atlanta, Georgia, this band has been around since 1999. They didn’t hit it big on the national scene though until 2007 with the release of their album “You Alone” which appeared on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Their latest effort called “Say What You Believe” caught my attention with the great horn line and then the great outspoken message that all Christians should adhere to.

Chart Update:

Returning to #1 this week after a two-week hiatus is “Like A G6” by Far*East Movement featuring Cataracs & Dev. The song just spent two weeks at #2 while Ke$ha took a turn at #1 with “We R Who We R” followed by Rihana with “What’s My Name?” featuring Drake.

Rihanna isn’t done threatening the top spot. She moves from 4-2 this week with “Only Girl In The World”. And yet another diva is closing in on #1. P!nk is up from 7-4 this week with “Raise Your Glass”.

It’s another big Glee Cast week this week. The group which is now overtaken the Beatles for most Hot 100 hits in the rock era adds three more to the Top 40 this week. The list is headed up with “Teenage Dream” at #8. It’s of course a cover of the Katy Perry #1 smash from this summer which still resides at #13 on the pop chart this week. The Cast then has two medleys bow lower on the chart. They are at #31 with “Start Me Up/Livin’ On A Prayer” and at #38 with “Stop In The Name Of Love/Free Your Mind”.

Also making a big debut this week is Black Eyed Peas. They roll in at #12 with “The Time (Dirty Bit)” which samples the “Dirty Dancing” 1980’s classic “The Time Of My Life”. It is the Peas‘ 12th career Top 40 single. Two songs tie for the biggest move up the Top 40 this week. Country superstars Sugarland are up from 25-17 with “Stuck Like Glue”. And Cee Lo Green is up from 30-22 with “Forget You”.

Also debuting in the Top 40 this week are the aforementioned Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina with the Top 10 Dance smash “Stereo Love”.

New Picks of the Week November 7, 2010

I am a huge fan of Michael Buble. The fact that I play in a big band that covers half of his stuff is probably a good sign of that. But the Michael Buble music I love is not always the stuff that other people know. Buble has some incredible big band tunes. The arrangements are killer. His voice and style is right up there with Sinatra in my mind. I try to convince people that there is more to Buble than all of his cheesy pop tunes. But okay, now I like one of his cheesy pop tunes. “End Of May” is awesome. The perfect Buble voice combined with a great piano driven ballad plus strings. Beautiful! Just beautiful!

Last week I was writing about one of my favorite Christian rock bands, Hawk Nelson. Those guys go back a ways. A little bit newer on the scene is the Atlanta rock quartet The Museum. I love there straight ahead rock feel with the U2 type guitar hooks. Their debut album “Reverse This Dying Trend” dropped in 2008. Their new album “Let Love Win” is already winning over new fans. “My Help Comes From The Lord” hit the Top 20 on the Christian pop chart. And now they are making waves with “Never Look Away” which has a very catchy melody with a good message and with a very nice guitar solo.

I’ll close my new picks of the week with the Chicago-based Christian rock outfit Superchick. I thought maybe my phase of loving this band ran out when they first hit the Christian music scene back in 2001. But here they are still here. Ironically, their latest hit is called “Still Here”. Very much in the style of contemporary glam rock, this tune has the subdued verses followed by the screamin‘ choruses and raging guitar solo. The message maybe isn’t very novel or deep, but it is a great rocker nonetheless.

Chart Update:

Hello Ke$ha, and welcome to #1. Wow, out of nowhere we have our first song to debut at #1 in 2010. And it’s by none other than 23-year old California girl Ke$ha. Yes, the same Ke$ha that started off the year with a solid two months at #1 with “TiK ToK”. She is in at #1 with her latest smash “We R Who We R”.

And then check out what Ke$ha has done to the remainder of the Top 9. Every song slips a notch from last week including last week’s #1 song “Like A G6” by Far*East Movement. Of last week’s Top 10, only P!nk’s “Raise Your Glass” manages to hold it’s spot from a week ago at #10.

Debuting just a notch out of the Top 10 is Will Smith’s 9-year old daughter Willow. She is one of the youngest artists to ever have a hit song. She rolls in at #11 with “Whip My Hair”.

Another amazing feat happens this week as well. Taylor Swift has entered the Hot 100 the past four weeks in the Top 20 with “Speak Low” at #8 three weeks ago, “Back To December” at #6 two weeks ago, “Mean” at #11 last week and now “Sparks Fly” at #17 this week. They are all from her latest album, “Speak Now” which debuts at #1 on the album chart and sells a million copies in its first week. That is almost unheard of these days. Taylor also debuts at #27 with “innocent” and just misses entering the Top 40 at #41 with “The Story Of Us”. She also is at #21 with “Mine”.

You want even more debuts? They are all over the place this week. Kanye West busts in at #18 with “Monster” featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, (Eau Claire native) Bon Iver and Nicki Minaj. Katy Perry is looking for a third consecutive #1 single with “Firework” which jumps in at #29 this week. And Chris Brown scores his second Top 40 this this year (“Decues” was the first). He bows at #33 with “Yeah 3X”.

I’m not trying to forget about the songs that were already on the survey last week, but there are no big moves of note. The biggest jump within the Top 40 this week is a mere two spots! Neon Trees move from 15-13 with “Animal”.

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New Picks of the Week October 31, 2010

Only one new pick this week fans:

When I think about some of my favorite Christian rock bands from the first part of the decade, the Ontario, Canada band Hawk Nelson comes to mind. They came out at a time when I was getting really tired of all the AC pop that was dominating Christian music. And yes, AC still dominates the format, but Hawk Nelson is a pop punk rock band that has provided us with some terrific rock efforts. My favorite song at this point is “The Show”. But I am really enjoying their latest effort “Crazy Love”. Check it out.

Chart Update:

Los Angeles hip hop/progressive quartet Far*East Quartet holds at #1 this week for a second week in a row with “Like A G6” featuring Cataracs & Dev. The song is their first chart single.

Trey Songz has the biggest mover in the Top 10 this week as he jumps from 10-6 with “Bottoms Up” featuring Nicki Minaj. He is on his way to scoring his personal biggest hit.

P!nk scores her 11th career Top 10 hit this week as she moves from 11-10 with “Raise Your Glass”. It’s tough to believe that it was over ten years ago that she earned her first Top 10 single with “There You Go” in 2000.

Taylor Swift nearly debuts in the Top 10 for the third week in a row. Two weeks ago she entered the Top 10 at #8 with “Speak Now”. Last week she bowed at #6 with “Back To December”. Now this week she debuts at #11 with “Mean”. She nearly has back to back hits this week with yet another song, “Mine” which is up from 14-13.

22-year old Detroit pop singer Mike Posner has the biggest mover in the Top 40 this week. He leaps from 34-19 with “Please Don’t Go” in the song’s second week in the Top 40. It’s the follow up to his Top 10 debut single “Cooler Than Me”.

In addition to Taylor Swift’s “Mean”, two other songs debut in the Top 40 this week. 33-year old Colombian superstar Shakira is in at #32 with “Loca” featuring El Cata or Dizzee Rascal. It is her seventh Top 40 single in the U.S. And Georgia country group Zac Brown Band scores its third Top 40 pop hit this week as they are in at #39 with “As She’s Walking Away” featuring Alan Jackson.

For more, visit www.songerstudio.com

New Picks of the Week October 24, 2010

I was not a very big fan of My Chemical Romance until they sold out, at least according to their “true” fans. When they hit it big with “Welcome To The Black Parade”, I jumped on the band wagon of this New Jersey rock quartet. Their latest single, “The Only Hope For Me Is You” is a great upbeat rocker with a catchy chorus and a descending bass line and fun vocals. The heavy beat will also get you up and dancing if you’d rather do that over rocking out. The song ends with a terrific lead guitar solo behind the repeating chorus.

I shouldn’t like Katy Perry. I really shouldn’t with her questionable lyrics and sexual overtones. But I love the dance beats and hooks. Then in her latest single, “Firework”, there are string riffs coupled with heavy electronic dance beat. Katy also has a great powerful voice which creates energy more than most of the other pop/dance singers on the scene today. So put it together with songs like “Waking Up In Vegas”, “If We Ever Meet Again” and “Hot N Cold”. Keep it going Katy!

Chart Update

Los Angeles hip hop/progressive quartet Far*East Quartet scores its first #1 song this week with “Like A G6” featuring Cataracs & Dev. The song jumps to the top after two weeks at #2.

Taylor Swift debuts in the Top 10 for the second week in a row. Last week she entered the Top 10 at #8 with “Speak Now”. This week she bows at #6 with “Back To December”. Meanwhile, “Speak Now” slips out of the Top 40. But she still holds at #14 with “Mine”.

It’s not a Top 40 debut, but Trey Songz enters the Top 10 this week with “Bottoms Up” featuring Nicki Minaj by moving from 13-10. Entering the Top 40 one notch short of the Top 10 is the 17th Top 40 hit for P!nk, “Raise Your Glass” at #11. Two other songs enter the Top 20 this week. Country band The Band Perry leaps from 27-19 with “If I Die Young”. And Lil Wayne is up from 26-20 with “Right Above It” featuring Drake. “If I Die Young” ties for the biggest move up the Top 40 this week with “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame featuring Roscoe Dash & Wale which debuted at #30 last week.

There are four other Top 40 debuts this week. Glee Cast’s cover of Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz’s “Lucky” enters at #27. The original never made the Top 40 survey last year. Detroit pop star Mike Posner is following up his Top 10 hit “Cooler Than Me” with “Please Don’t Go” which debuts at #34 this week. A former #1 on the dance chart, “We No Speak Americano” by Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup bows at #35. And former Hootie & The Blowfish star Darius Rucker is in at #37 with “Come Back Song”.

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New Picks of the Week October 17, 2010

54-year old Joe Satriani isn’t slowing down one bit. His newest album “Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards” makes a splash on the Top 200 Albums this week. The lead single, “Premonition”, is classic Satriani. Maybe better known for teaching well known guitar icons Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett, Joe Satriani has had his share of success recording highly successful instrumental rock albums. He has also toured with Mick Jagger and Deep Purple amongst others. His talents and successes have been recognized by a large number of Grammy nominations. He has the dubious recognition of having the second most Grammy Award nominations without winning.


Another new album on the chart this week is the latest release from Jason Mraz. It’s an EP called “Life Is Good”. The single, “Up”, is by far my favorite track on the record. It has a laid back funk feel with clever songwriting and vocal work. Of course what makes the tune is the horns. Great hook on the “lviin’ it up” line but even better is the Chicago-esque trombone/tenor sax driven horn lines. This may already be my favorite song by Jason which is saying quite a bit since I have been a fan since his debut.

Well she isn’t mad this time around, but Pink sure is assertive in her upbeat pop smashes. This is another one that is sure to score approval from her fans and pop radio. This time she is “raising her glass” to having a good time with of course a hint of anti-establishment of course. The song has the typical four on the floor to get your foot tapping and too many curse words for my liking. But it’s something about Pink that I just end up laughing. Then the chorus chimes in and you’ll be singing “never be never be” or “come on and come on and” for the rest of the day. Raise your glass to another hit by Pink.

Chart Highlights:

One of my past new picks of the week has reached the #1 spot on the pop chart this week. The 25-year old newcomer, Bruno Mars makes it four weeks on top of the chart this week with “Just The Way You Are”. It tops Bruno’s former chart peak of #4 when he was featured on Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” earlier this year.

Taylor Swift is back with her 15th Top 40 pop hit. She zooms on to the Top 40 at #8 this week with “Speak Now”. Another impressive debut rockets on to the Top 40 this week at #12. It is the 13th Top 40 single for Kanye West called “Ruanway” featuring Pusha T.

There isn’t much chart action other than this in the Top 20. Far*East Movement holds at #2 after moves from 10-6 and 6-2 in consecutive weeks with “Like A G6” featuring Cataracs & Dev. Rihanna has a big airplay increase as she moves from 8-6 with “Only Girl (in The World)”.

Outside the Top 20 though there is a lot to talk about. The biggest move in the Top 40 is LIl Wayne rocketing from 39-26 with “Right Above It‘ featuring Drake. This comes a week after slipping from 30-39. The Band Perry re-enters the Top 40 at #27 with “If I Die Young” a week after slipping off the survey. 24-year old New York rapper Waka Flocka Flame bows at #30 with his first hit single “No Hands” featuring Roscoe Dash & Wale. Black Eyed Peas‘ star will.i.am scores his second Top 40 solo hit with “Check It Out” featuring Nicki Minaj at #34. And then there are two more singles from Glee that jump onto the Top 40. “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and “One Of Us” debut at #36 and #37 respectively.

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New Picks of the Week October 10, 2010

Did we really need another alternative rock band from Orange County, California? Well, apparently iTunes thought we did. They have made the single of the week “The Ballad Of You And I” by Melee it’s free tune of the week. And I have to say that they’ve stumbled upon something really good. There is some musical talent here. Good songwriting. Good guitar work, nice background vocal hook with some syncopation that is very cool. Cool string stabs on the second verse and some nice piano reverb all contribute to a song that I think could catch on. Plus, you gotta feel good for this band which has been releasing albums for over a decade now and had a #1 hit in Japan in 2007 with “Built To Last”.


I guess it’s alternative rock week in Rock-It! My second pick of the week comes from Arizona rock outfit Jimmy Eat World who came out with their brand new album “Invented” this week. The album debuted high on the Billboard chart and has a great single on it called “Stop”. Actually, there are a ton of good songs on the album, but I like this one best because it builds up to a high energy rock tune with good female backup vocals and a subtly soft beginning. Great pop rock workmanship doesn’t hurt either. Way to go guys!

When people ask me who my favorite pop artist of all time is, the answer is usually Phil Collins. And it is for so many reasons. Probably the number one reason though is that he is truly a musical genius. His latest album goes one step further to proving that. Here is a rock star who has dabbled in virtually every area of rock during his 40-plus year career in the business. And now he is doing a Motown cover album. It’s interesting to find out that Phil was a huge Motown fan growing up but because of the quick rise of Genesis, he never got to play in a band that covered Motown or that played in that style. Well, now he is finally getting his opportunity. Way to go Phil. You are one of my musical idols. Thanks for continuing to make great music!

Chart Highlights:

One of my past new picks of the week has reached the #1 spot on the pop chart this week. The 25-year old newcomer, Bruno Mars makes it three weeks on top of the chart this week with “Just The Way You Are”. It tops Bruno’s former chart peak of #4 when he was featured on Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” earlier this year.

The big move in the Top 10 for the second week in a row is Far*East Movement’s “Like A G6” featuring Cataracs & Dev. The song leaps from 6-2 a week after leaping from 10-6. Also making a big move just below the Top 10 is Neon Trees up from 22-15 with “Animal”.

This is a tough fact to believe. This week the Glee Cast passes the Beatles for most Top 100 hits ever by a group in the rock era. Of course we live in a different era where the Glee Cast is able to put an average of five new songs on the chart every week at which time they quickly drop off. Don’t look for them to pass the Beatles any time soon when it comes to most Top 10 hits or #1 songs by a group. This week Glee debuts at #16 with a cover of Britney Spears‘ “Toxic” and #26 with their version of Paramore’s “The Only Exception”. Ironically, Paramore’s version is back to back with the Glee version at #25 this week. Thanks to the Glee version, the song makes a huge 57-25 move this week. It peaked earlier this year at #19.

There are two non-Glee debuts this week as well. Lil Wayne is back with a new album and a new single at #17 called “Gonorrhea” featuring Drake. And The Ready Set bows at #38 with “Love Like Woe”.

Check out my website at www.songerstudio.com

New Picks of the Week October 3, 2010

I have a electro hop fever. Akon has definitely jumped on board. It’s not as if the Senegalese hip hop star just joined the new wave of hip hop though. A couple years ago he had the clubs jumpin’ with “Keep You Much Longer” and of course his major pop crossover hit “Beautiful” with Colby O’Donis and Kardinal Offishall. Now in a week dominated by Glee debuts, the 37-year old superstar makes a huge splash with “Angel”. Nothing special here lyric wise or even from a harmonic chord progression standpoint. Just a good solid club hit. And it looks like this one will also crossover and have a chance to become Akon’s seventh Top 10 hit song.

At first you think you are going to get a beautiful ballad from the Barbados R&B singer that celebrates her 25th birthday this week. But then “Perfect Nightmare” turns into a great dance song. Shontelle, who belongs to the same record label as Rihanna who also is from Barbados, had a breakout hit two years ago with “T-Shirt”. Maybe this will become her second Top 40 effort.

It took me awhile to really dig this keyboard driven hit by Neon Trees. But now that I’m hearing the song more and it’s rocketing its way up the Top 40, it finally has it’s hook in me. “Animal” by Neon Trees holds at #22 this week. The band is from Provo, Utah and has been around since 2005. The band’s name comes from a California restaurant that had lights hung in all of its trees surrounding the establishment. After many independent releases, they are now with Mercury Records and are hoping not to be just a one-hit wonder.

Chart Update:

One of my past new picks of the week has reached the #1 spot on the pop chart this week. The 25-year old newcomer, Bruno Mars makes it two weeks on top of the chart this week with “Just The Way You Are”. It tops Bruno’s former chart peak of #4 when he was featured on Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” earlier this year.

The big move in the Top 10 this week is from Far*East Movement with “Like A G6” featuring Cataracs & Dev. The song leaps from 10-6 this week. Also making a big move just below the Top 10 is Maroon 5 up from 20-14 with “Misery”.

With the season premiere of “Glee” coming out this past week, we have several new songs from the show entering the Hot 100 this week. The top debut is “Empire State Of Mind” which comes in at #21. The original by Jay-Z + Alicia Keys reached #1 ten months ago. The cast’s cover of Lady GaGa’s “Telephone” comes in a couple notches lower at #23. At #28 is their remake of the aforementioned “Billionaire”. And at #38 is their version of “Listen” from “Dreamgirls”.

There are two non-Glee debuts this week as well. Jay Sean is in at #36 with “2012 (It Ain’t The End)” featuring Nicki Minaj and Daughtry bows at #40 with “September”.

For more, visit my website at www.songerstudio.com

New Picks of the Week September 26, 2010

Yes, I know. Another Owl City song in my list of new picks of the week. But this one is a little different. For one, the credit is given to his real name, Adam Young. You wonder if he is going to eventually switch over to this. And he is featured on a different project by Dutch DJ/producer Armin Van Buuren. Armin has been around the club scene even longer than fashionably popular David Guetta. His music has more of an alternative trance feel than David’s however this effort is definitely more pop friendly. Some of my other recommendations by Armin include “Going Wrong” with DJ Shah featuring Chris Jones, “Fine Without You”, his mix of BT’s “Every Other Way” and “Broken Tonight” featuring VanVelzen.

Easily my favorite Christian rock album of the year is “Light Up The Sky” by the Dallas, Texas band The Afters. It already has produced the CCM hits “Light Up The Sky” and “Runaway”. And now there is another one to add to the list, “Lift Me Up”. A refreshing declaration to giving our lives to Christ with a great anthem-like chorus and driving bridge leads to another wonderful effort from this young band that in my opinion rivals MercyMe and Casting Crowns as one of the best Christian rock bands on the scene today.

Okay so I’m pretty sure the Killers have not broken up. Thanks goodness. They have been one of the best pop rock bands in the music world the past half decade. Therefore, I can like frontman Brandon Flowers’ first solo project, “Flamingo”. The single “Only The Young” has that Killers type feel but more low key and trance-like. And the lyrics like most Killers songs are somewhat confusing, but you know me, lyrics aren’t always that important. The 29-year old Nevada native has a hit on his hands.

Chart Highlights:

One of my past new picks of the week has reached the #1 spot on the pop chart this week. The 25-year old newcomer has replaced Katy Perry at the top of the chart this week with “Just The Way You Are”. It tops Bruno’s former chart peak of #4 when he was featured on Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” earlier this year.

The other big development in the Top 10 this week is Rihanna’s mega leap from 75-3 with “Only Girl (In The World)”. It becomes teh 22-year old Barbados superstar’s 12th Top 10 hit song. Also entering the Top 10 this week is Far*East Movement by moving from 16-10 with “Like A G6” featuring Cataracs & Dev. It’s the first hit song for the L.A. hip hop quartet.

Another big debut comes in at #21 this week. “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine leaps from 93-21 which actually matches the 72-notch move of Rihanna. Florence + The Machine is actually one artist Florence Welch out of London, England. The Machine consists of a variety of other artists that appear on her recordings.

Rapper Drake bows at #25 with “Fancy” featuring T.I. and Swizz Beatz. It is Drake’s eighth Top 10 hit, all coming in the past year and a half. Kings Of Leon round out the collection of new songs in the Top 40 this week. They enter at #37 with “Radioactive”.

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New Picks of the Week September 19, 2010

31-year old singer-songwriter Brendan James made a nice splash on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart this week with his self titled album. Brendan who is originally from New Hampshire and is now based out of New York first hit the scene back in 2007 with the EP “The Ballroom Break-In”. He followed that up with the full length “The Day Is Brave” which featured a couple songs that appeared in movies and TV including the FOX show “Bones”. His latest album includes a great new song called “Nothing For Granted” which has a fun message and is a great acoustic driven pop song. Check out the song and the entire album which sounds great.

Since the inception of the dance chart as it is known in its current format, nobody has had more chart hits than Robyn. The 31-year old Swedish superstar continues to crank out club hit after club hit. Her latest EP “Body Talk Part 2” is just as good as “Body Talk Part 1” if not better. The first release from that album, “Hang With Me” has the classic Robyn synth-hook with floating vocals over the standard techno dance driving beat. Nothing special about the lyrics. Just another great beat-driven hit that is great to crank up on a late summer evening.

Last week my third pick of the week was “Notbroken” by the Goo Goo Dolls. This week I have a hit by another band that has been doing it up right for over a decade, Lifehouse. The L.A. rock trio first got us all pumped up in 2001 with “Hangin’ By A Moment” which was one of the top ten songs played at radio in the 2000’s. Since then they have been spotted on my pick of the weeks with songs like “Spin”, “First Time”, “From Where You Are”, “Halfway Gone” and most recently “It Is What It Is” from the album “Smoke & Mirrors”. The latest hit from that album is “All In”. It is upbeat and actually brings me back to the youth of their first bit hits.

Chart Update:

Katy Perry was at #1 during seven of the thirteen weeks that the calendar read summer. Now she is starting off the autumn at the top as she spends a second week at the top with “Teenage Dream”. The song is also closing in on becoming the #1 dance song in the country.

KP better watch out because the electro hop movement is aiming for her the next couple weeks. All three songs moving up the Top 10 this week fit under the e-hop umbrella. Bruno Mars is up from 4-3 with “Just The Way You Are”. Nelly jumps from 9-7 with “Just A Dream”. And one of my faves on the Top 40 right now, Flo Rida’s “Club Can’t Handle Me” featuring David Guetta dances up from 13-9 this week. By the way, that hit as well as Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite” (which slides from 3-4 this week) are now available from me as pep band arrangements.

Hard to believe the biggest moving song in the Top 40 this week is making just a 6-notch move. The honor goes to Provo, Utah alternative rock quartet Neon Trees who leap from 30-24 with “Animal”.

I am loving the week in debuts this week. The list is headed up by Sara Bareilles who debuts at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums this week with “Kaleidoscope Heart”. The first single, “King Of Anything” which is one of my favorite singles of the year bows at #32 on pop chart this week. She reached #4 a couple years ago with another great hit, “Love Song”.

Coming in at #34 is “If It’s Love” by Train. The band is coming off its biggest hit ever, “Hey, Soul Sister”. Their latest is another cleverly written pop rock bit. Selena Gomez scores her third hit at #35 with “A Year Without Rain”. And The Band Perry score their first hit with “If I Die Young” at #39.

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New Picks of the Week September 12, 2010

It’s been eight years since Aussie sensation Kylie Minogue had her comeback smash hits “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” and “Love At First Sight”. Now here we are watching her comeback again. Little do most pop music fans in the U.S. know that she hasn’t gone anywhere during her 25-year career in Europe except during the time she fought and beat breast cancer. Kylie is back with the Top 10 album “Aphrodite” which has already produced the Top 10 dance smash “All The Lovers”. Now she is back with “Get Outta My Way” which has a great classic Kylie-dance beat and a classic sing-a-long chorus that will have Kylie fans once again dancing.


It’s kind of tough to classify what kind of music the L.A. quartet The Rescues are making. It has elements of pop, alternative, country and electronica. Well, if you know what kind of songs really catch my attention, it’s usually something that is different and combines elements of a variety of styles. That is probably why I’m really into “Break Me Out” by The Rescues. There are keyboard lines that make it sound like it’s out of the eighties, guitar licks that remind me of Lady Antebellum and times I feel like it’s a Jason Mraz tune. Check it out.


One complaint a lot of us have about bands that have been around for awhile is how all their music sounds the same after awhile. And although that usually bothers me as well, when it’s a band that you really enjoy, it doesn’t seem to be as big of a problem. That is the case with the Goo Goo Dolls. Ever since their breakout megahits “Iris” and “Slide” from a decade ago, I have been on the Goo Goo Dolls bandwagon. Their latest release, “Notbroken” is another great release from the Buffalo, New York trio. It’s a down tempo power ballad that proves that lead singer John Rzeznik still sounds great.

Here's a look at this week's pop chart highlights:


Eminem’s seven-week run at #1 on the pop chart comes to an end this week as he is knocked off of the top spot by the same girl he kicked out almost two months ago. Katy Perry is back on top with “Teenage Dream”, the titled track from her latest release. The first single from that album, “California Gurls”, spent six weeks at #1 prior to Eminem’s run. It is the 25 year old California girl’s third chart topper. She also reached #1 with her first hit, “I Kissed A Girl”, in 2008.

Eminem of course is one of the top rappers from the past decade. And there could be another star in that classification that could be the next one at #1. Nelly has the one new song in the Top 10 this week as he moves from13-9 with “Just A Dream”.

Making the biggest move in the Top 40 this week is Trey Songz who leaps from 27-20 with “Bottoms Up” featuring Nicki Minaj. The 25-year old R&B star is looking for his second Top 10 hit following up “Say Aah” from earlier this year.

The highest debut in the Top 40 this week is from the Far*East Movement, an L.A. electro hop group that has been around for seven years. Their first hit, “Like A G6” featuring Cataracs & Dev, makes a big splash this week at #21.

Also debuting this week is newcomer Cee Lo Green at #33 with “Forget You” and Sean Kingston at #40 with “Letting Go (Dutty Love) featuring Nicki Minaj. It is the 20-year old Jamaican star’s fifth Top 40 hit.

Come visit our website at www.songerstudio.com

New Picks of the Week September 5, 2010

Okay, if you don’t know who Natalie Grant is, check her out. She is a Christian pop star based out of Seattle. She is been on the scene for over a decade now and has cranked out great songs such as The Real Me”, “What Are You Waiting For”, “In Better Hands” and “Held”. She has won four consecutive Dove Awards for best female artist. The 38-year old’s latest release is called “Love Revolution”. It has a Kelly Clarkson power anthem feel with a positive spin on Christ working in our lives to the point of overflowing to others. Way to go Natalie.


What a fun album “The Latin Side Of Herbie Hancock” is. A ton of classic Hancock songs like “Cantaloupe Island” and “Butterfly”. But my favorite single on the album is “Watermelon Man”. The album is credited to three incredible musicians. The most recognizable is trumpeter Randy Brecker of Brecker Brothers fame. But he is joined by Puerto Rican pianist Eddie Palmieri and one of the best trombone players on the planet right now, Conrad Herwig. Saxophonist Craig Handy is also featured plus some wonderful Latin drumming.


When students learn about jazz 50 years from now, the name that will probably be most commonly attached to the past twenty or thirty years of jazz will be Marsalis. The family is well known for their incredible musicianship, advancements in jazz style, bringing jazz to the mainstream and their wisdom and knowledge of jazz history and the idiom. Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and the entire gang have teamed up to record a wonderful live performance called “Music Redeems”. It’s another must-have for jazz lovers with the name Marsalis on it.

Chart Highlights:


It’s going to be pretty difficult for Eminem to top his biggest hit of all time. Back in 2002, the 37-year old Kansas City native went to #1 the first week of October with “Lose Yourself” and nearly held down the top spot the remainder of that calendar year. His run ended at 12 weeks. With that said, he is over half of the way there with his current single. This week he makes it six weeks at #1 with “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna.

The run could be coming to an end though because Katy Perry has the biggest airplay gainer of the week moving from 3-2 with “Teenage Dream”. Katy was actually who Eminem knocked out of the top spot six weeks ago when she was making a long run on top with “California Gurls”. Her new album “Teenage Dream” debuts at #2 on the album chart this week.

And keep your eye on two more songs at the bottom of the Top 10 this week. Taylor Swift who debuted at #3 three weeks ago with “Mine” is back up from 14-9 this week. And Ke$ha who also had a long run at #1 to start the year with “TiK ToK”, leaps from 16-10 with “Take It Off”.

Three songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Leading the way is 26-year old Ohio rapper Kid Cudi with “Erase Me” featuring Kanye West at #22. It already becomes his second biggest hit after “Day ‘N‘ Nite”, which was his first hit song last year. Usher joins the 20-hit club this week. His 20th Top 40 single, “Hot Tottie” featuring Jay-Z bows at #25 this week. And Utah rock quartet Neon Trees score their first hit this week at #33 with “Animal”.

For more, visit my website at www.songerstudio.com.

New Picks of the Week August 29, 2010

It never fails. When someone does even a halfway decent dance remix of an eighties hit, I am all over it. And that is what we have with Gaby Dershin & Steven Lee’s cover of Asia’s 1982 #4 hit “Heat Of The Moment”. There are some songs from the 1980s that lend themselves really well to the electronica format, and this one definitely fits the mold. What Gaby & Steven have missed out on though is the harmonic opportunities and doing more with the chorus of the song. I love the grooves and the various remixes but it’s just a little too minimalistic for me. So close though. Nice try guys!


I love this new haunting and dramatic single from British/Russian singer-songwriter Katie Melua. The 25-year old singer puts you into a trance at the beginning of this record called “The Flood” and then suddenly the beat kicks in and although the haunting overtones remain, you start moving. And then in traditional classical form it returns to the beginning theme almost creating an A-B-A form. I am very anxious to hear the club remixes of this song. I am also looking forward to hearing more from this intriguing artist.


Good for Christian rock bands that can cross over and influence today’s youth. Lead singer Lacey Mosley and her Texas-based quintet Flyleaf has been leading the charge the past few years starting with their #40 hit from 2008, “All Around Me”. Now they are back with another great rocker called “Missing”. It is from their current album “Memento Mori”. The song is already picking up airplay at Christian radio. We’ll see if this one has the crossover success they have had in the past with both “All Around Me” and “Fully Alive”.

This week's chart update:


It’s going to be pretty difficult for Eminem to top his biggest hit of all time. Back in 2002, the 37-year old Kansas City native went to #1 the first week of October with “Lose Yourself” and nearly held down the top spot the remainder of that calendar year. His run ended at 12 weeks. He is half of the way there with his current single. This week he makes it six weeks at #1 with “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna.

Eminem is not the only rapper and hip hop star having a big week. There are two huge debuts in the Top 40 this week from rap superstars. 27-year old Lil Wayne powers in at #6 this week with “Right Above It” featuring Drake. It’s the New Orleans rapper’s first Top 10 appearance sing 2008 when he went to #10 with “Got Money”. Lil Wayne has four career Top 10 headliner hits. He has appeared on five more.

The other big debut this week is from 35-year old veteran Nelly. He is in at #12 with “Just A Dream”. It’s Nelly’s first Top 40 appearance sing 2008 when he reached #40 with “Party People”. It’s his highest peak since 2006 when he went all the way to #1 with “Grillz” featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp.

And then making a big move amongst all these hip hop giants is newcomer Bruno Mars who leaps from 16-9 with a former new pick of the week, “Just The Way You Are”. The only Top 40 songs that can top that 7-notch move this week is country act Lady Antebellum which rockets from 33-23 with “Need You Now”. The song already has peaked at #2 and spent 54 weeks in the Hot 100. And the other is “Deuces” from Chris Brown featuring Tyga & Kevin McCall which is up from 39-29.

One other debut in the Top 40 this week. American Idol superstar Adam Lambert bows at #32 with “If I Had You”.

Come check out my website at www.songerstudio.com

New Picks of the Week August 22, 2010

This the 70s retro sound that I absolutely love. Thank you to the Staten Island Afro-funk band Budos Band for providing it. The band which has been around for five years has just released their third album “The Budos Band III” (they enjoy titling their albums like Chicago). My favorite single from their new album is “Mark of the Unnamed”. I love the funky unison horn lines with the organ, funk guitar and African drum grooves layered underneath.

The Plain White T’s are doing everything they can to get out of the one-hit-wonder label that they firmly had placed on them with their mega hit “Hey There Delilah”. They technically got rid of it last year with their minor hit “1234”. Now they are making another attempt with “Rhythm Of Love” which is another fun vocally captivating tune with a Jason Mraz “I’m Yours” type of feel. I of course love the line “My heart beats like a drum” followed by the hard hits on the bass drum. Then comes the line “a guitar string to the strum” of course followed by the guitar hook. It’s too bad they didn’t follow the next line “a beautiful song to be sung” with some harmonic vocal line or even a small choir.


This week’s free iTunes download was “White Lies” by Stacy Clark. Stacy is a 29-year old singer-songwriter from Buffalo, New York. Her first big time release is quite similar to Sara Bareilles‘ new single “King Of Anything” without the horns (unfortunately). It has a fun pop beat with a cool piano groove. If you get a chance, download this one for free before the week is over. But it is definitely worth the one dollar too.

Chart update:
It’s going to be pretty difficult for Eminem to top his biggest hit of all time. Back in 2002, the 37-year old Kansas City native went to #1 the first week of October with “Lose Yourself” and nearly held down the top spot the remainder of that calendar year. His run ended at 12 weeks. He is over one third of the way there with his current single. This week he makes it five weeks at #1 with “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna.

Two songs are on Eminem’s trail though. 28-year old British newcomer Taio Cruz has already proved he can hit #1 here in the states. He nailed down the top spot earlier this year with “Break Your Heart”. This week he is at #2 with “Dynamite”. And leaping from 9-5 is Katy Perry’s “Teenage Girl”. She is looking to displace Eminem out of #1 and seek revenge for him knocking her out with “California Gurls” which still sits at #3 this week.

A little further down in the ranks are some other songs gaining quickly. All are of the electro hop feel that continues to dominate the pop chart. B.o.B. who has already scored two Top 10’s this year with “Nothin’ On You” and “Airplanes” is up from 15-11 with “Magic” featuring Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo. Bruno Mars who was featured on “Nothin’ On You” is up from 20-16 with “Just The Way You Are”. Flo Rida is the latest to jump on to one of David Guetta’s grooves as he moves from 24-18 with “Club Can’t Handle Me”. And Ke$ha is looking for her fourth Top 10 hit with “Take It Off” which leaps from 27-20.

15-year old singer-songwriter Trey Songz has the week’s highest debut with his third career hit, “Bottoms Up” featuring Nicki Minaj at #22. Country superstar Blake Shelton scores his fifth pop hit this week at #37 with “All About Tonight”. His biggest hit was his first, “Austin”, which reached #18 in 2001. And Chris Brown is back in the Top 40 this week with “Deuces” featuring Tyga & Kevin McCall at #39. It is the 21-year old’s tenth Top 40 hit song.

For more, visit my website at www.songerstudio.com

New Picks of the Week August 15, 2010

It may not have been a great year for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL, but it has been a good year for pop/dance trio Audio Playground. The group which formed just a little over a year ago is having its first breakthrough success with “Shadows”. The song has a great groove and a fun club feel. After a little digging I actually found that this group had their first success in their homeland, Canada, with a remake of the British group Erasure’s “A Little Respect”. Erasure was one of the biggest synth-pop acts of the 1980s and are considered to be one of the forerunners in the current dance movement that dominates the club scene today. Not a bad way for Audio Playground to get started. Check out both songs!


Okay, so here is a problem that I have. I love dance music, positive lyrics and teach middle school. This leads to liking a lot of the Disney music that has come out over the last five years. So is it so wrong for a middle aged husband and father to like this stuff? In some ways, I think it’s better than liking hard rock or the inappropriate hip hop that some of my friends listen to. Anyway, check out Demi Lovato’s “Me, Myself And Time”. Great message for students I work with as well as any of us who get down and need a kick in the butt. And of course it’s a great dance tune. So keep ‘em coming Demi.


What?!?!? A ballad by a mainstream artist. Not one of those half-ballads that have a dance beat with the artist talking or grunting because they lack the ability to sing in tune. This is a true ballad like we would hear all the time (if not way too much) through the last 30 years of the 20th century. Katy Perry’s “Not Like The Movies” is not the greatest ballad written in the history of popular music, but it consists of interesting lyrics and a strong vocal performance. And to make it even more impressive, Katy who is looking for her third #1 hit wrote this song as well. I guess there is hope for the pop music world!

Top 40 Chart Highlights:


It’s going to be pretty difficult for Eminem to top his biggest hit of all time. Back in 2002, the 37-year old Kansas City native went to #1 the first week of October with “Lose Yourself” and nearly held down the top spot the remainder of that calendar year. His run ended at 12 weeks. He is one third of the way there with his current single. This week he makes it four weeks at #1 with “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna.

Two songs are on Eminem’s trail though. 28-year old British newcomer Taio Cruz has already proved he can hit #1 here in the states. He nailed down the top spot earlier this year with “Break Your Heart”. This week he is up from 3-2 with “Dynamite”. And making the highest debut of the year is “Mine” by Taylor Swift” at #3 on the pop chart. The high entry already has it in the rarified air of Taylor’s biggest two hits to date: “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me” both from last year.

Taylor Swift is not the only country superstar invading the pop chart with a high debut this week. 42-year old superstar Kenny Chesney bows at #18 with “The Boys Of Fall”. It is Kenny’s highest placement ever on the pop chart topping his #22 peak in 2002 with “The Good Stuff”.

I am amazed by the amount of electro hop on the pop chart right now. Just look at the biggest movers in the Top 40 this week. Bruno Mars has the biggest moving song on the survey with “Just The Way You Are” which rockets from 36-20. B.o.B. is up from 22-15 with “Magic” featuring Rivers Cuomo. And Flo Rida jumps from 33-24 with “Club Can’t Handle Me” featuring David Guetta. Those are the three biggest jumps in the Top 40 this week.

There are some other hot debuts this week. Ke$ha has watched her first three releases go Top 10 including the #1 smash “TiK ToK”. This week her fourth Top 40 single, “Take It Off” debuts at #27. And, it’s been two and a half years since Linkin Park cracked the Top 40 with “Shadow Of The Day”. They are back at #35 with “The Catalyst”.

Come visit my website at www.songerstudio.com

New Picks of the Week August 8, 2010

It truly is a passion of mine to find new music out there that is worth while. Every now and then I am very proud of what I’ve stumbled upon. “Don’t Unplug Me” by All Caps is one of those. The duo consisting of youngsters Kristina Horner and Luke Conard have only been together for a year. Based out of Los Angeles, they combine techno and pop with a sound that isn’t all that original. But the lyrics of this tune are very clever. “Don’t unplug me or just shut me down. Please just love me with your steel heart. I’d reboot you if you looked at me with those cold eyes one more time.” Or better yet: “I remember when our software was compatible.” And it’s not very often that I notice a song based on its lyrics before its music, or in this case, in despite of the music. Yet, I recommend giving it a listen.


Speaking of getting one of the first scoops on new music, it was a little over a year ago that I was very impressed with this young artist from right here in Minnesota, Adam Young, a.k.a. Owl City. Now of course, he is a national sensation with his #1 smash “Fireflies”. What is not extremely well known is that he is a Christian and often makes references to his faith in his music. “Tidal Wave” is definitely a song that calls for God’s glory and salvation. He sings “Lift your arms, only Heaven knows where the danger grows and it’s safe to say there’s a bright light up ahead and help is on the way.” Looks like Mr. Young has another hit on his hands.


Pop-punk has died a slow death this past year, but there are plenty of bands that continue to have fun jumping and singing to their power happy beats. “I Don’t Wanna Dance” by Florida rock quintet Hey Monday definitely fits the mold. It’s a fun dance rock tune led by the simple yet powerful lyrical singing of 20-year old Cassadee Pope (who by the way got her start in her middle school jazz band...I like that!). And this is not my first pick by this band. You might remember “How You Love Me Now” from last fall which made my cut.

Chart Highlights:
It’s been a pretty sweet chart run so far for 37-year old rap superstar Eminem. His latest hit, “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna spent its first three weeks in the Top 100 at #2. Now it spends its third straight week at #1. The song it displaced from #1 was “California Gurls” by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg which had a six week run at #1. It now spends its third week at #2. So these two megahits have been throwing a 1-2 punch at us now for six consecutive weeks.

And wouldn’t it be something if the 25-year old California girl returned the favor knocking Eminem back out of the top spot. It could happen with “California Gurls” or her brand new hit, “Teenage Dream” which rockets from 20-7 this week making it easily the biggest mover in the Top 40 this week.

Last week “Teenage Dream” was the highest debuting song in the Top 40 when it came in at #20. The highest debut comes in at the #20 position again this week. This time it is Atlanta country duo Sugarland that bows with “Stuck Like Glue”. It is already their second biggest hit to “All I Want To Do” which reached #18 in 2008.

Also debuting this week in the Top 40 is past Pick of the Week “Club Can’t Handle Me” by Flo Rida featuring David Guetta at #33. It is Flo Rida’s fourth Top 40 career hit. Another Pick of the Week from just last week, Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” debuts at #36. And Cali Swag District’s “Teach Me How To Dougie” is in at #37.

For more, visit my website www.songerstudio.com.

New Picks of the Week August 1, 2010

David Garrett is one of these artists who is trying to bring orchestral music to the popular music audience of the 21st century. In that sense, he is doing a great job. Covering the likes of Metallica, Guns N Roses, ACDC and Nirvana is going to draw a lot of us to his music. The question for me is the cheesy factor. I guess it’s a no brainer that it is corny, but this 28-year old German violinist is darn good. And his album “Rock Symphonies” is not just a bunch of remakes of songs by some of the most popular rock bands of the past 30 years. It also includes rock-infused arrangements of Bach’s “Tocatta” and the theme of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. He also has his rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” and the Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” (which is much more like the Run DMC version from 1986 not the Aerosmith original). Check this out and see if it’s too silly for you or if you find his technique cancels it out.


Yes I am a fan of electro hop. I keep saying that if this is the direction hip hop is going to go, I am going to become its biggest new fan. So this new single from L.A. newcomer Bruno Mars called “Just The Way You Are” is totally my style. It’s got a nice piano hook with a fun beat and harmonies both instrumentally and vocally. That is always my second biggest problem with hip hop (after the crudeness of it) is that it is so minimalistic. It’s also no surprise I like this song since Bruno also was featured on B.o.B’s “Nothin’ On You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” which are both solid tunes.


Florida rock quintet Anberlin has a nice solid rocker that has just come out called “Impossible”. The band was signed to Tooth & Nail Records but doesn’t classify themselves as a Christian band necessarily even though they are all believers. Their music explores many areas connected to their faith and real life situations. They have sensed move on to Universal Republic Records. Their last album “New Surrender” reached the Top 20 on the album chart. And now here they go again with a great lead single from the album “Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place”.

Now on to the charts. Eminem is perched atop the pop chart again this week with “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna. It is the rapper’s third #1 single in his career. One of his other chart toppers, “Not Afraid”, is sitting at #11 this week.

If you’re looking for a song that is out to catch Eminem, check out Usher’s “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” featuring Pitbull which debuted last week at #19 and this week cruises up to #12. Usher has already hit #1 this year with “OMG” featuring will.i.am which slides down to #8 this week.

“Love The Way You Lie” knocked “California Gurls” by Katy Perry out of the top spot after a 6-week run. This week the California girl has the highest debut in the Top 40 with “Teenage Dream” at #20. It is the 25-year old pop star’s sixth Top 40 hit dating back to her only other #1 hit, “I Kissed A Girl” in 2008.

Usher’s 7-notch move is tied for the biggest move in the Top 40 this week. It’s tied with “Misery” by California rock quintet Maroon 5 which leaps from 28-21. “Misery” also debuted last week. It’s from their upcoming album “Hands All Over” due out in September.

Also debuting this week in the Top 40 is “Magic” by B.o.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo at #27, “Secrets” by OneRepublic at #35 and “Pretty Boy Swag” by Soulja Boy Tell’em.

Come visit our website www.songerstudio.com.

New Picks of the Week 7-25-10

I am not much of a movie guy. I probably see about two or three new films in the theater a year. So it should come as no surprise, that I have no intention and seeing the new thriller “Inception”. It’s not that I don’t think I wouldn’t like it. In fact, from what I’ve heard, I probably would like it. Nonetheless, like most movies, I am all over the soundtrack though. This one was written by living legend Hans Zimmer. The 52-year old composer from Frankfurt, Germany is known for music from movies like “The Lion King”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, “The Da Vinci Code” and “Rain Man” just to name a few. I love the them from this soundtrack. It has creative and unique chord movement and a sort of electronic beat to the uptempo stuff. And the low brass is amazing. I would say that, wouldn’t I?


I might not like the football team from Dallas, Texas, but I sure like this band from Cowboy country. The band is The Afters. They have been making music for over a decade now. I first stumbled upon them two years ago with their hit “Never Going Back To OK”. Their latest album “Light Up The Sky” is great. More middle of the road well produced rock with a great message. My favorite track from the album is “Runaway”. It’s sure to be a hit at Christian radio and probably something Heidi and I will be playing for special music at Fairview in the near future.


Sting has done it again. He is combining his love of unique pop stylings with symphonic overtones. This time he has recorded an entire album with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Most of the songs are covers of his own music. My absolute favorite is “We Work The Black Seam” which is Sting accompanied by brass ensemble. The brass arrangement is very cool although somewhat repetitive. It makes me want to transcribe the whole thing and play it with some group. But who? I must figure this out. The rest of the album is also a treat. Sorry to just focus on one song!


Eminem (pictured left) has returned to #1 for the second time in his career. This week he moves from 2-1 on the pop chart with “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna. It is Eminem’s first trip to #1 since 2002 when he spent 12 weeks on top with “Lose Yourself”.

Add another hit to Usher’s career list as he debuts in the Top 40 at #19 this week with “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” featuring Pitbull. It is the 19th career Top 40 hit for the 31-year old Tennessee native. Four of those have come this year including the #1 smash “OMG” featuring will.i.am which is at #5 this week.

One of my past picks of the week also debuts in the Top 40 this week. Maroon 5 is at #28 with “Misery”. It becomes the California rock quintet’s fifth Top 40 hit. Other former picks of the week in the Top 40 this week include La Roux’s “Bulletproof” (#12), Taio Cruz’s “Break Your Heart” (#15), Ke$ha’s “Your Love Is My Drug” (#16), Train’s “Hey Soul Sister” (#17 in its 42nd week on the Top 100) and The Script’s “Breakeven” (#31).

Also debuting in the Top 40 this week is “Jar Of Hearts” by 23-year old pop newcomer Christina Perri and “The Only Exception” by Paramore, their third career Top 40 hit.

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Picks of the Week August 11

“Voices In The Night”, Silverline. Check out this new British band that is a combination of Christian rock and alternative with some psychedelia. The lyrics are definitely Christian in nature with an anthem type feel. Gets the heart and spirit pumpin’!

“Club Can’t Handle Me”, Flo Rida featuring David Guetta. Thank you David Guetta for getting dance beats right. And not only that, but thank you for harmony. That is what modern day hip hop and dance has lacked for so many years. I know a lot of people dis electro hop for it’s lack of musicality. But I think it is much more musical than some of the popular hip hop that’s out there today. This one is great!

Check out my website www.songerstudio.com.

New Picks for July 4, 2010

“The Imagine Project”, Herbie Hancock. Jazz great Herbie Hancock has put together a great collaboration project. Some of the highlights are a recreation of John Lennon’s “Imagine” which features Pink, India.Arie and Jeff Beck amongst others. Also on the album is a cover of Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up” also featuring Pink along with John Legend and a mysterious collaboration with Dave Matthews called “Tomorrow Never Knows”.

“Misery”, Maroon 5. Oh they are back. Just love these guys. Of course I don’t know if they can top “Sunday Morning” which is my favorite Maroon 5 groove of all time. Their new release “Misery” sounds a lot like their chart topper “This Love”. And I like it just as much. Can’t wait for the new album.

“Fire With Fire”, Scissor Sisters. This New York quintet is hard to describe. They combine pop with glam rock with electronica and almost sound Broadway show like at times. I love this single “Fire With Fire” which is an example of what I just described. It has a little retro feel to it as well.

“No Matter What”, Kerrie Roberts. Here’s the latest Christian pop sensation to hit the scene. She has a voice and sound that will make you think of Leona Lewis and a message in her songs that is much like that of Nicole Nordeman or Sara Groves.

Rock-It! 6-19-10, A New Gurl On Top, Drake & Taio Cruise To High Debuts

25-year old Katy Perry has returned to #1 for the first time since 2008 when she reached the top with her very first hit, “I Kissed A Girl”. She returns to #1 again this week with another girl, “California Gurls” featuring Ludacris. This week the Santa Barbara, California girl moves from 2-1. It’s her fourth Top 10 appearance. She also reached the Top 10 in 2008 with “Hot N Cold” and again last year with “Waking Up In Vegas”.

28-year old Travie McCoy has hit the Top 5 before but not as a solo star. In 2007, his New York hip hop band Gym Class Heroes reached #4 with their debut single “Cupid’s Chokehold”. Three years later, Travie jumps from 11-5 with his first solo hit, “Billionaire” featuring Bruno Mars.

The Black Eyed Peas make it five Top 10 hits from their blockbuster album “The E.N.D.” This week they leap from 16-9 with “Rock That Body”. Two of the previous four releases from the album made long runs at #1 last year: “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling”. Previous to this album the L.A. quartet had only had three hits in their entire 9-year chart career.

Making the week’s highest debut in the Top 40 and entire Hot 100 is Canadian actor and hip hop star Aubrey Drake Graham. The 23-year old Toronto native goes simply by his middle name, Drake. This week he is in at #15 with “Miss Me” featuring Lil Wayne. It’s from his brand new album, “Thank Me Later”. It becomes Drake’s seventh Top 10 hit in his short chart career which began a little over a year ago.

For the second week in a row, the Top 40’s biggest moving song is from 22-year old MIchigan newcomer Mike Posner. Last week he moved from 40-31 with “Cooler Than Me”. This week he makes even a bigger leap by rocketing from 31-19.

Four other songs debut in the Top 40 this week. British electro hop star Taio Cruz is in at #26 with “Dynamite”. It is the follow up to his #1 smash “Break Your Heart” featuring Ludacris which slips from 5-6 this week. The 27-year old also debuts on the Top 200 Album chart this week with “Rokstarr”.

20-year old Miami, Florida hip hop star Jason DeRulo is looking for his third Top 10 hit. He debuts at #34 with “Ridin’ Solo”. He has already gone to #1 with “Whatcha Say” and Top 10 with “In My Head”.

Two chart veterans round out the list of new songs. Atlanta rapper T.I. scores his 14th Top 40 hit this week at #38 with “Got Your Back” featuring Keri Hilson. And Canadian chart veterans Nickelback rack up their 10th Top 40 U.S. hit with “This Afternoon” at #39.

Best of the New Releases

Streetlight-Joshua Radin, 36-year old singer/songwriter Joshua Radin has enjoyed a career of hearing his music played in TV shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy”, “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance”. More recently he has hit the pop charts in the U.K. This may be the breakout single in the U.S. for the Ohio native. Clever lyrics teamed up with a catchy melody has this song on my radar.

Higher State-Bailey, Another fun dance hit that has reached the club scene.

Home-The Goo Goo Dolls, They have a sound that they know hits home with their listeners. So their latest single does not wade very far in the deep end. Just another classic Goo Goo Dolls single.

After being knocked out of the #1 spot after his first week at #1 by Eminem, Usher manages to hold down the top spot after returning to #1 a week ago with “OMG” featuring will.i.am. This makes three weeks at the top for Usher. All of the 31-year old superstar’s #1 hits have spent multiple weeks at the top. This matches his three-week run 2008 with “Love In This Club”. His longest run was 12 weeks back in 2004 with “Yeah!” featuring Ludacris and Lil Jon.

Ludacris is featured on two of this week’s Top 5 hits. He slips a notch from 2-3 on Katy Perry’s “California Gurls”. And he is up from 5-4 on Taio Cruz’s former #1 hit “Break Your Heart”.

This week’s highest debut is the first hit from Miley Cyrus’s upcoming album. She is in at #8 with “Can’t Be Tamed”. It is her sixth Top 10 hit. European electronic band LaRoux makes a nice move from 19-14 with “Bulletproof”.

Three other Top 40 debuts this week. Two are from Glee. At #26 is a cover of the 1976 Top 10 smash “Dream On” by Aerosmith. And at #31 is “I Dreamed A Dream” from the classic Broadway smash “Les Miserables”. The other debut is “Cooler Than Me” by Mike Posner. The biggest move in the Top 40 this week is “Un-Thinkable” by Alicia Keys which jumps from 35-27 in its second week on the survey.

There is a new look to Rock-It! this week as I start to focus on the brand new songs and albums that are the making the biggest impressions on me.

Blackout In Wonderland-Jackie Siebert, Love this new dance club hit by Jackie Siebert who was discovered by pop queen Mariah Carey. It combines a retro sound which includes 80s synth stabs with a catchy chorus. The standard techno dance beat makes this song a dance smash.

Something Holy-Stellar Kart, As many of you know, I get very tired by the easy listening Christian pop that we are inundated by with KTIS here in the Cities. That is why groups like Stellar Kart are so refreshing. The Christian pop punk band from Phoenix opened my eyes a couple years ago with “Jesus Loves You”. There latest, “Something Holy” is even better. What is funny is that KTIS might even play this song. It borders on easy listening pop, but is definitely middle of the road rock with a great message.

Light Outside-Wakey!Wakey!, Different yet the same explains this band which is mainly just singer/songwriter Michael Grubbs. He plays piano and sings and finds some outstanding backing musicians. This song from his debut album “Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said The Last Time I Saw You” which debuts in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200 this week has fun string parts and fun lyrics. It is refreshing.

Growing Up-The Maine, Another Arizona band with a perfect song for graduation time. The message is nostalgic and perfect for everyone finishing school or for that matter any of us who have ever finished school.

Safety Dance-Glee Cast, It took me a long time to buy a Glee song after “Don’t Stop Believin’” but it seems like lately I am buying two per month. And I couldn’t pass up the Men Without Hats cover. “Safetydance” is a classic that has been forgotten by many. The remake is adequate but I mostly like it because it brings back a song that people should never forget.

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

Rock-It! 5-22-10, Eminem Not Afraid Of Heights, 3Oh!3 and Glee Also Debut

For the first time in 2010, a song has debuted at #1. 37-year old Kansas City rapper Eminem makes his entrance on top this week with “Not Afraid”. It’s the first song to debut at #1 since Britney Spears did it last year with “3”. The song becomes Eminem’s second career chart topper. He reached #1 for twelve weeks back in 2002 with “Lose Yourself”. It is his 16th Top 40 hit and first since 2006 when he hit #12 with “You Don’t Know”.

The incredible debut of “Not Afraid” pushes Usher down a notch to #2 after making a 6-1 leap last week with “OMG” featuring will.i.am. Usher will look to return to #1 next week. All of his first eight #1 hits spent at least two weeks at the top. Four of them have spent at least six weeks at #1: “U Got It Bad” (6 weeks) in 2001, “Yeah!” (12 weeks) in 2004, “Burn” (8 weeks) in 2004 and “My Boo” (6 weeks) in 2004.

This week’s top four songs and five of the top six all are #1 hits. That includes Taio Cruz’s debut single “Break Your Heart” featuring Ludacris which holds at #4 with a bullet this week. The song reached #1 back in March and has been hanging out in the Top 5 nearly every week since.

Hip hop newcomer B.o.B. has two songs in the Top 5 this week. He slips from 2-3 with “Nothin’ On You” featuring Bruno Mars. The song spent the first two weeks of May at #1. He also climbs two spots from 7-5 this week with his follow up “Airplanes” featuring Eminem and Haley Williams of Paramore. The 21-year old Atlanta native debuted at #1 on the album chart last week with “B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray”.

Another young star looking for her second #1 hit is 23-year old Ke$ha. She topped the chart for nine weeks at the beginning of 2010 with “TiK ToK”. This week she holds at #8 for a third week with her third Top 10 smash, “Your Love Is My Drug”.

Ke$ha’s second Top 10 hit was “Blah Blah Blah” which featured Colorado alternative band 3Oh!3. This week, Ke$ha returns the favor by contributing to 3Oh!3’s latest hit, “My First Kiss” which is the week’s second debut on the Top 40 coming in way up at #9. 3Oh!3 reached #1 last year with “Don’t Trust Me”.

There are five songs in the 11-20 range of the survey with bullets. One is yet another debut in the Top 40. It is the latest Glee Cast song to hit the chart. This time it is a cover of “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”. This is the third time this song has been on the Top 40. The original by Bonnie Tyler hit #1 in 1983. A dance remake by Nicki French reached #2 in 1995. This week the Glee Cast debuts at #16 with the song.

Another one of the fast movers in this section of the survey is Lady GaGa’s “Alejandro” which jumps from 16-11. She is hoping to make it her seventh Top 10 hit to start her career. The other three bulleted songs all drop this week, partly due to the high debuts in the Top 40 this week. Jay-Z + Mr. Hudson hit the Top 10 last week with “Young Forever”. This week they slip from 10-12. Drake slides from 14-17 with “Over”. And Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber are down from 15-18 with “Eenie Meenie”.

Two songs make a move of 5 more spots in the bottom half of the Top 40 this week. Former Gym Class Heroes’ frontman Travie McCoy is up from 28-22 with “Billionaire” featuring Bruno Mars. And British electropop duo LaRoux consisting of singer Eleanor Jackson and keyboardist Ben Langmaid move up six spots for the second week in a row with “Bulletproof”. It’s up from 29-23 this week.

Three additional songs debut in the Top 40 this week to make a total of six. British rapper Drake scores his sixth Top 40 hit in the past year to start his career at #34 with “Find Your Love”. 32-year old rapper Young Jeezy returns to the Top 40 this week at #35 with “Lose My Mind” featuring Plies. And the Black Eyed Peas have their 11th Top 40 hit this week with “Rock That Body” bowing at #36. 

My iTunes pick of the week:
“Speak To Me”, Remedy Drive
“Total Eclipse Of The Heart”, Glee Cast
“Keep Faith”, Dresden & Johnston

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

Rock-It! 5-15-10, OMG: Anotehr #1 For Usher!, Eenie Meenie Might Move

It was almost 16 year ago when then 15-year old Usher made his Hot 100 debut with the little known record “Can U Get Wit It” in 1994. Now the 31-year old superstar from Tennessee has his ninth career #1 hit with “OMG” featuring will.i.am. which makes an incredible move from 6-1. It’s his first chart topper since 2008 when he spend three weeks at #1 with “Love In This Club”. His first single to top the chart was back in 1998 when he spent two weeks at #1 with “Nice & Slow”.

British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz has already reached #1 on the pop chart with his first hit, “Break Your Heart” featuring Ludacris. He reached that peak in his second week in the Hot 100 back in March. This week he retains a bullet despite slipping from 3-4.

After two weeks at #1, B.o.B., slips to #2 with his debut single “Nothin’ On You” featuring Bruno Mars. However, the hip hop newcomer climbs two spots from 9-7 this week with his follow up “Airplanes” featuring Eminem and Haley Williams of Paramore. The 21-year old Atlanta native also debuts at #1 on the album chart this week with “B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray”. That album produces a third Hot 100 hit this week, “Magic” featuring Rivers Cuomo at #83.

Another young star looking for her second #1 hit is 23-year old Ke$ha. She topped the chart for nine weeks at the beginning of 2010 with “TiK ToK”. This week she holds at #8 with her third Top 10 smash, “Your Love Is My Drug”.

There is one new song in the Top 10 this week. It is the ninth Top 10 career hit for 40-year old superstar Jay-Z as he moves from 12-10 with “Young Forever” featuring Mr. Hudson. Overall, it is the New York rapper-producer’s 16th appearance in the Top 10 which includes four #1’s: Mariah Carey’s “Heartbreaker” in 1999, Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” in 2003, Rihanna’s “Umbrella” in 2007 and together with Alicia Keys in 2009 with “Empire State Of Mind”.

Two songs are closing in on making their first appearance in the Top 10. Ludacris holds at #11 with “My Chick Bad” featuring Nicki Minaj. The Atlanta rapper is looking for his eighth Top 10 headlined hit. And Irish band The Script is up from 14-12 with their very first Top 40 hit, “Breakeven”.

There is one new song in the Top 20 this week and it is also the biggest mover within the Top 40. Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber are up from 26-15 with “Eenie Meenie”. For the 20-year old Jamaican Kingston, this is his fourth Top 20 effort highlighted by his #1 smash “Beautiful Girls” from 2007. For the 16-year old teen sensation Bieber, this is also his fourth Top 20 appearance which have all come in the past nine months.

Two other songs hold down bullets in the Top 20 this week. Drake is up from 16-14 with “Over”, and Lady GaGa moves from 20-16 with “Alejandro”.

One song makes a move of 5 more spots in the bottom half of the Top 40 this week. British electropop duo LaRoux consisting of singer Eleanor Jackson and keyboardist Ben Langmaid move from 35-29 with “Bulletproof”.

Three songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Leading the charge at #28 is former Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy. His New York band reached #4 in 2007 with “Cupid’s Chokehold”. This week he has his first solo hit at #28 with “Billionaire” featuring Bruno Mars.

39-year old producer-hip hop star Timbaland has his ninth headlined hit this week as he jumps into the survey with “If We Ever Meet Again” featuring Katy Perry at #37. And 42-year old DJ Khaled who got his start as a radio DJ in New Orleans scores his fourth Top 40 single this week at #39 with “All I Do Is Win” featuring T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross.

Jamie Foxx also re-enters the Top 40 this week with “Winner” featuring Justin Timberlake & T.I. at #32.

My iTunes pick of the week:
“The Found”, Mat Zo
“Human Reactor”, Kaskade featuring Polina

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

Rock-It! 5-8-10, B.o.B. Two For "You" at One, Ushering in More Big Hits

21-year old Bobby Ray spends a second week on top of the pop charts this week with his first hit “Nothin’ On You” featuring Bruno Mars. Under his stage name B.o.B., the Atlanta hip hop artist holds at #1 with his first hit song which is from his brand new album which was released this week from T.I.’s label Grand Hustle. B.o.B. also has some other chart success this week with a brand new Top 10 hit. More on that later.

Another hip hop chart newcomer, Taio Cruz is also doing well this week. The English singer-songwriter already reached #1 in March with his first hit, “Break Your Heart” featuring Ludacris. This week the song moves from 4-3 in its attempt to return to the pole position. The song also ascends to the #1 spot on the dance chart this week.

Lady Antebellum is in no hurry to leave the Top 5. Their latest hit, “Need You Now” has been on the Hot 100 since last August. This week the country trio moves from 5-4 with the song that they have already taken to #2.

Usher remains red hot by moving from 8-6 with “OMG” featuring will.i.am. It is the 31-year old superstar’s 13th Top 10 hit. Of those 13 hits, eight have gone all the way to #1 including “Yeah!” which spent 12 weeks at #1 in 2004 and “Burn” which spent eight weeks on top that same year. His last chart topper was in 2008 with “Love In This Club”.

23-year old Kesha Rose Sebert who goes simply by Ke$ha is doing well with her third Top 10 hit this week by moving from 9-8 with “Your Love Is My Drug”. Ke$ha has had two mega-chart toppers over the past couple years. She was featured on FloRida’s “Right Round” in 2009 and then topped the pop chart for first two months of 2010 with “TiK ToK” which is up from 18-17 this week.

B.o.B. is not only topping the pop chart this week, he also has the one lone new song in the Top 10. A week after debuting in the Top 40 at #12, the newcomer moves from 12-9 with “Airplanes” featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore.

Four songs hold down bullets within the 11-20 spots this week. Ludacris is up from 13-11 with “My Chick Bad” featuring Nicki Minaj. Jay-Z + Mr. Hudson make a nice 17-12 move with “Young Forever”. Irish band The Script hold at #14 with “Breakeven”. And Canadian rapper Drake moves from 20-16 with “Over”.

There is one new song in the Top 20 this week and it is also the biggest mover within the Top 40. Lady GaGa is up from 28-20 with “Alejandro”. It is the New York superstar’s seventh Top 20 hit song. All have come in the past 18 months and include the #1 megahits “Just Dance” and “Poker Face”. She also has two of those other seven hits still in the Top 40 this week. “Telephone” featuring Beyonce is at #10 and “Bad Romance” is at #28.

Two songs make moves of 5 more spots in the bottom half of the Top 40 this week. Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber leap from 31-26 with “Eenie Meenie”. And Iyaz is up from 39-32 with “Solo”.

There are four new songs in the Top 40 this week. At #27 is the Glee Cast version of Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” featuring Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff, Cory Monteith, Chris Colfer & Amber Riley. It is part of the new #1 album in the country “Glee: Music Of Madonna” which is an EP collection of the songs performed on the “Glee” episode that aired a couple weeks ago. “Like A Prayer” in one of four Glee remakes of Madonna hits that debut in the Hot 100 this week. This also comes a week after the Glee Cast entered the Hot 100 with numerous hits from their last episode “Hell-O”.

26-year old Texas country star Miranda Lambert scores her first Top 40 pop hit this week. She debuts at #30 with “The House That Built Me”. Miranda came close to the Top 40 two years ago when she peaked at #52 with “Gunpowder & Lead” but this is her first entry. Yet another country star, 33-year old Arkansas native Joe Nichols also enters the pop chart this week. He is in at #34 with “Gimmie That Girl”. It is Joe’s fourth Top 40 hit joining “The Impossible” in 2002, “Brokenheartsville” in 2003 and “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” in 2005.

And rounding out the Top 40 is Usher at #40 with “Lil Freak” featuring Nicki Minaj. It is Usher’s 17th Top 40 hit.

My iTunes pick of the week:
“Strong Enough To Save”, Tenth Avenue North
“Shine (Love Is An Action)”, Luminate
“Walls”, Manic Drive

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

Rock-It! 5-1-10, Nothin' On B.o.B., Gleeful Debuts

21-year old Bobby Ray has reached the top of the pop charts for the first time this week with “Nothin’ On You” featuring Bruno Mars. Under his stage name B.o.B., the Atlanta hip hop artist moves from 2-1 with his first hit song which is from his brand new album which will be released this week from T.I.’s label Grand Hustle. B.o.B. also has some other chart success this week with the highest debut. More on that later.

Another hip hop chart newcomer, Taio Cruz is also doing well this week. The English singer-songwriter already reached #1 in March with his first hit, “Break Your Heart” featuring Ludacris. This week the song holds at #4 with a bullet in its attempt to return to the pole position.

While the top portion of the Top 10 includes many songs that are beginning to go into reverse, the bottom three slots consist of hits that are red hot. Usher leads that charge at #8 with “OMG” featuring will.i.am. The 31-year old superstar moves from 10-8 with his 13th Top 10 hit. Of those 13 hits, eight have gone all the way to #1 including “Yeah!” which spent 12 weeks at #1 in 2004 and “Burn” which spent eight weeks on top that same year. His last chart topper was in 2008 with “Love In This Club”.

23-year old Kesha Rose Sebert who goes simply by Ke$ha scores her third Top 10 hit this week by rocketing from 19-9 with “Your Love Is My Drug”. Ke$ha has had two mega-chart toppers over the past couple years. She was featured on FloRida’s “Right Round” in 2009 and then topped the pop chart for first two months of 2010 with “TiK ToK” which slips from 15-18 this week.

Making the biggest move in the Top 40 this week is 2009 American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert. He leaps from 23-10 and scores his first ever Top 10 hit with “Whataya Want From Me”. The song’s big move was spurred by his recent appearance on the latest season of American Idol.

A year-high six songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Four of those are brand new to the entire Hot 100 this week including B.o.B. who has a huge week highlighted by his first trip to #1. B.o.B. jumps in at #12 this week with “Airplanes” featuring Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams. More on the Top 40 debuts in a moment.

Canadian rapper Drake scores his fourth Top 20 hit this week by moving from 22-20 with “Over”. His other three Top 20 efforts all came at the end of 2009 with “Best I Ever Had”, “I Can Transform Ya” and “Forever”.

Back to this week’s new hits. There are five more. It’s been nearly a year and a half since Christina Aguilera was in the Top 40. This week the 29-year old superstar debuts at #23 with “Not Myself Tonight”. It becomes her 15th Top 40 hit and first since she hit #7 with “Keeps Gettin’ Better” in 2008. Four of those hits have gone all the way to #1 although the last time she was at the top was back in 2001 with “Lady Marmalade”.

Make it seven Top 40 hits now for New York pop queen Lady GaGa. She bows at #28 with “Alejandro”. It’s the follow up to “Telephone” which holds at #7 this week. The 24-year old diva is also still at #24 this week with “Bad Romance”.

This week marked the beginning of the second season of the TV smash “Glee”. The premiere episode entitled “Hell-O” featured covers of many popular songs featuring the word “Hell” or “Hello” in the title. Two of them debut in the Top 40 this week. “Gives You Hell” originally by All-American Rejects comes in at #32 and a remake of Lionel Richie’s 1984 classic “Hello” is in at #35.

And finally, dance group LaRoux scores its first hit at #36 this week with a Top 10 Dance hit, “Bulletproof”.

My iTunes pick of the week:
“The Living Years”, Straight No Chaser
“If It’s Love”, Train

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

Rock-It! 4-24-10, Rihanna's Fifth Week for "Boy", Johnson's Heartfelt Debut

Barbados superstar Rihanna is on top of the pop chart again this week with “Rude Boy”. This is her fifth career #1 hit. Her run started in 2006 with “SOS” which spent three weeks at the top. That was follwed by “Umbrella” in 2007 and “Take A Bow” and “Disturbia” in 2008. Only “Umbrella” had a longer run at #1 (seven weeks) than “Rude Boy” which is in its fifth week at #1. The 22-year old singer also reached #1 as a featured artist on T.I.’s 2008 hit “Live Your Life”.

Rapper Bobby Ray Simmons was born the same year as Rihanna and is finding his way up the pop chart very nicely as well. This week, the Atlanta rapper who goes by B.o.B. holds at #2 for a fourth straight week with his first hit, “Nothin’ On You” featuring Bruno Mars.

The band at #3 has a little more experience than our top two artists this week. The San Francisco band headed by lead man Patrick Monahan formed way back in 1994. They scored their first hit in 1999 with “Meet Virginia”. Two years later they scored their first Top 10 appearance with “Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)”. That remained their only Top 10 hit until now. They have scored the biggest hit of their career with “Hey, Soul Sister” which holds at #2 for a third week this week.

British hip hop artist Taio Cruz is trying to rebound after a couple drops down the chart. He has already reached #1 with “Break Your Heart” featuring Ludacris. This week the 26-year old newcomer rebounds from 6-4.

Another artist who has rebounded nicely with his latest hit is 2-year old Jason DeRulo. It appeared that he had peaked at #8 a few weeks back with “In My Head”. But this week he leaps from 9-5. It is his second straight Top 5 hit to start his career. Jason went all the way to #1 last year with “Whatcha Say”.

Last week, R&B legend Usher had the week’s highest debut at #14. This week the 31-year old superstar moves from 14-10 with “OMG” featuring will.i.am. It is from his brand new album “Raymond v. Raymond” which debuted at #1 on the album chart last week. This is Usher’s 13th Top 10 hit dating back to 1997 when he first broke onto the scene with the #2 smash “You Make Me Wanna...”. Of those 13 hits, eight have gone all the way to #1 including “Yeah!” which spent 12 weeks at #1 in 2004 and “Burn” which spent eight weeks on top that same year. His last chart topper was in 2008 with “Love In This Club”.

Three songs move into the Top 20 this week. Jay-Z scores his 16th Top 20 hit this week with “Young Forever” which moves from 21-17. The song is also headlined by Mr. Hudson. Making the biggest move of the week is Ke$ha who leaps from 32-19 with “Your Love Is My Drug”. It is her third Top 40 hit. Her other two are currently in the Top 40 as well: “Tik ToK” at #15 and “Blah Blah Blah” at #36.

The highest debut in the Top 40 is “You And Your Heart” by Jack Johnson at #20. It is the first Top 20 hit for the 34-year old Hawaiian native. He has one other Top 40 hit to his credit, “Upside Down” which peaked at #38 in 2006.

Three other songs make their Top 40 debut this week as well. Jamie Foxx bows at #28 with “Winner” featuring Justin Timberlake and T.I. The 42-year old actor/singer is looking for his third #1 appearance. The first two times came with Kanye West with “Slow Jamz” in 2004 and “Gold Digger” in 2005. Maine native Ryan Peters who goes by Spose scores his first Top 40 hit this week. The 24-year old newcomer enters the survey at #37 with “I’m Awesome”. And Virgin Islands rapper Iyaz has his second hit song this week. “Solo” debuts at #39. It is the follow up to his Top 5 smash “Replay”.


My iTunes pick of the week:
none this week

For more, visit my website at www.songerstudio.com

Rock-It! 4-17-10, Oh Boy, Rihanna Still #1, Oh My High Debut By Usher

Barbados superstar Rihanna is on top of the pop chart again this week with “Rude Boy”. This is her fifth career #1 hit. Her run started in 2006 with “SOS” which spent three weeks at the top. That was follwed by “Umbrella” in 2007 and “Take A Bow” and “Disturbia” in 2008. Only “Umbrella” had a longer run at #1 (seven weeks) than “Rude Boy” which is in its fourth week at #1. The 22-year old singer also reached #1 as a featured artist on T.I.’s 2008 hit “Live Your Life”.

Rapper Bobby Ray Simmons was born the same year as Rihanna and is finding his way up the pop chart very nicely as well. This week, the Atlanta rapper who goes by B.o.B. holds at #2 for a third straight week with his first hit, “Nothin’ On You” featuring Bruno Mars.

The band at #3 has a little more experience than our top two artists this week. The San Francisco band headed by lead man Patrick Monahan formed way back in 1994. They scored their first hit in 1999 with “Meet Virginia”. Two years later they scored their first Top 10 appearance with “Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)”. That remained their only Top 10 hit until now. They have scored the biggest hit of their career with “Hey, Soul Sister” which holds at #2 for a second week this week.

The country trio Lady Antebellum nearly achieved a great feat when they got to #2 three weeks ago with “Need You Now”. Not very often do country artists reach #1 on the pop chart. But don’t count these guys out yet. The song holds at #4 this week.

Lady GaGa knows what it is like to reach #1. She has been there with “Just Dance” and “Poker Face” and both songs finished among the top five hits of 2009. This week she holds at #5 with “Telephone” featuring another chart veteran, Beyonce.

British hip hop artist Taio Cruz is also hoping to rebound after a drop. However, he has already reached #1 with “Break Your Heart” featuring Ludacris. This week the 26-year old newcomer holds at #6.

16-year old teen heartthrob Justin Bieber is doing well with his third Top 10 hit. He is holding at #8 this week with “Baby” featuring Ludacris. It is the follow up to “One Less Lonely Girl” which reached the Top 10 earlier this year.

20-year old star Jason DeRulo already reached #8 with “In My Head” back in February. But this week the Miami hip hop/pop singer who hit #1 with his first single, “Whatcha Say” last year rebounds back into the Top 10 by moving from 11-9.

25-year old Virginia R&B singer Trey Songz is also looking to return to the Top 10 where he reached #9 last month with “Say Aah” featuring Fabolous. This week his first Top 10 hit is up from 13-11.

The week’s highest debut comes from R&B legend Usher. This week the 31-year old superstar enters the Hot 100 at #14 with “OMG” featuring will.i.am. It is from his brand new album “Raymond v. Raymond” which debuts at #1 on the album chart this week. This is Usher’s 16th Top 40 hit dating back to 1997 when he first broke onto the scene with the #2 smash “You Make Me Wanna...”. Of those 16 hits, eight have gone all the way to #1 including “Yeah!” which spent 12 weeks at #1 in 2004 and “Burn” which spent eight weeks on top that same year. His last chart topper was in 2008 with “Love In This Club”.

Two songs move their way into the Top 20 this week. Miley Cyrus scores her fifth career Top 20 hit this week as “When I Look At You” from her movie “The Last Song” jumps from 25-16. It is the biggest moving song in the Top 40 this week. And Ludacris is up from 21-18 with “My Chick Bad” featuring Nicki Minaj. It is the Atlanta rapper’s 11th Top 20 hit.

In addition to Usher’s “OMG”, two other songs debut in the Top 40 this week. Ke$ha scores her third Top 40 hit this week with “Your Love Is My Drug” at #32. It is the follow up to “Blah Blah Blah” which hit #7 last month. And Diddy returns at #34 this week with “Hello Good Morning” featuring T.I. It is the 40-year old rapper’s 15th Top 40 hit and 27th chart appearance. 

My iTunes pick of the week:
“Lovesong”, Jes
“Oh, Happiness”, David Crowder Band
“I’ll Be”, newsboys

I really like Jes. Great music. Very different. And of course, those of you who know me, know David Crowder is my favorite worship band. Gets your feet tappin' and your soul feelin' good. And I like this newsboys song. Check it out. More on our website, www.songerstudio.com. Lots to check out. So get to it!