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.
Come check out our website at www.songerstudio.com
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
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
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
Friday, September 3, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, August 27, 2010
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
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
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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
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
Sunday, August 15, 2010
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
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
Sunday, August 8, 2010
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.
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.
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