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Random Notes – 01-27-10

Posted by John on January 27, 2010
Posted in: free download, singles. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

– It looks like Michael Buble has shown enough longevity with “Haven’t Met You Yet” at Adult Contemporary and Adult Top 40 formats that the single is now being officially worked to Top 40 radio now. Are songs like this and Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” a sign that the pop format might actually be expanding a bit? Or are these just abberations used to break up the constant Autotune action?

– Speaking of Lady Antebellum, I have heard the full-length several times, and while a review is on the way, I am now able to say that the CD lives up to the promise of its first single. I am loving “Hello World” at the moment.

– A few months ago, I looked at the chances of a couple of male UK acts in the US, and decided that Taio Cruz stood the best chance. Well, Island/Def Jam must have thought the same, because “Break Your Heart” is officially stateside now. In fact, you can get a free copy of the Wideboys Mix, which includes Ludacris to warm up the crowd, via Masterbeat.com. Just head on over, register for an account if you don’t have it already, and download away. You will get a total of six tracks for free, including current and recent club hits by Rhianna (“Hard”), Mariah (“Obsessed”), Noisettes (“Don’t Upset the Rhythm”), The Bravery (“Time Won’t Let Me Go”), and Utada (“Dirty Desire”). If you go digging, you might also be able to find a free version of Madonna’s “Celebration”.

Random Notes – 08-06-09

Posted by John on August 6, 2009
Posted in: news, personal, us against the music, videos, youtube. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

One last paper, and the summer semester is done. I love my schoolwork, but this degree can’t be over with soon enough.

– First MJ, then John Hughes. I was a bit stunned when the headline came up, then had a moment of denial, since “John Hughes” is a somewhat common name. But the man who single-handedly kept me at movie theaters through high school passed away today. Of course the movies were great, but for me, it was always about the music. How brilliant is the placement of Yello’s “Oh Yeah” in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? Would Sixteen Candles have had the same punch without mood-setting music like the Thompson Twins’ “If You Were Here”? And is it possible that a group like Simple Minds would never have broken in the US with “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” without the help of The Breakfast Club? I seriously doubt it. Rest in peace, John, and thanks for inspiring me to hang around for the credits.

– If you haven’t checked it out yet, Yuri has our most recent diss discussion of Kelly Clarkson, Ryan Tedder, Beyonce, Mimi and Eminem. I’ve now been dubbed the “radio and records guy”, and I will wear that badge proudly. As a little epilogue to the Mariah saga, let me share with you the lame performance of “Obsessed” from last night’s episode of America’s Got Talent. Let’s just say the photo montage on the back wall had more life in it than she did.

– Almost two months later, I am still loving the Gossip’s Music For Men, and they have already unleashed single number two on the world in the form of “Love Long Distance”. The video premiered a few days ago, and it’s a very simple premise with some cool effects. Hopefully they are holding back on “Pop Goes the World” to coincide with the physical release of the CD here in the States in October.

– Paul’s already beaten me to the punch on this, but I fell in love with Elouise yesterday as she spoke with Larry Flick on Sirius-XM’s Out Q. She could not have been any sweeter or cuter if she tried, and I’m just as excited as Paul is for the release of “Another Day”, which is almost as epic as a song by her idol Shirley Bassey. And if you’re not checking Larry out in the morning, you really should. He had a great (and raunchy) interview with Nelly Furtado this morning in advance of her upcoming Spanish CD Mi Plan, and he plays a great mix of music from both sides of the Atlantic.

– One last video, and it’s our fine friend Chris Richardson. It would be great if it were new music, but instead, it’s a little comedy to end your day with.

Top Pop Singles of 2008

Posted by John on December 27, 2008
Posted in: charts, year-end. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 10 Comments

Alright…here we go. 2008 was a good one for Pop, and we’ve got the rundown here. A couple of disclaimers first:

1. A song that would have made my Top 5 was “What I Cannot Change” by Leann Rimes, but that made my list last year, since I loved it so much as an album cut.
2. I know that there’s probably a lot of other good stuff out there, but all I can talk about are the tracks that came across my laptop or iPod.
3. It was a funky year for me, and I think you can tell a lot about my year from the list.
4. The number in parenthesis is the peak position on the Billboard Hot 100.
5. I attempt to keep artists to one song per year-end chart, but Colby O’Donis gets on twice with a technicality, as he’s only featured on the two records he sang on.

Okay…let ‘er rip!

Ne-Yo Mic1. Closer/Ne-Yo (Year of the Gentleman) – No song this year stuck with me more than this one, which took a good three months to catch fire, but when it did, it headed straight to the Top 10. When future generations want to see how to write a perfect dance-pop song, they’ll look to “Closer”. (#7)

51z7mvejicl_sl160_2. Run (Bonus Track)/Leona Lewis (Spirit – Deluxe Edition) – How impressive is it that a cover song performed live almost six months earlier finally ended up being a single all its own, while topping the UK charts in the process. If there was any question of Leona’s validity as a pop vocalist, this should erase those doubts. (#81 to date)

Killers Day Age3. Human /The Killers (Day & Age) – There were two questions that came up when this song first hit the Internet: 1) was it “dancer” or “denser”? 2) how high will this end up on everyone’s year-end list? (#32 to date)

adele-bar4. Chasing Pavements/Adele (19) – Best debut single of the year by a mile, this tale of reconciling the conflicted feelings of a dying relationship showed much depth, and sounded years beyond a 19-year-old newbie. When she hits that final chorus, it gives me goosebumps. (#82)

Jason Guitar5. I’m Yours/Jason Mraz (We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things) – We can’t all be visionaries like Fizzy Pop (this was on his list in 2006), but when it finally came around for the rest of us, it just wouldn’t let go. It’s the feel-good record of the year, no doubt. Happiness is hearing this track live as part of a sing-along. (#6)

Sara Bareilles Live6. Gravity/Sara Bareilles (Little Voice) – The first of several album cuts on the list. From that minimal piano intro, to the simple cry toward the end, it’s an emotional powerhouse from start to finish. One of my live music highlights of the year was hearing this song when she stopped in Denver. (NA)

Will Young LIG Cover7. Let It Go/Will Young (Let It Go) – Another album cut from a record that’s guaranteed to be in my Top 10. The pure honesty and stress of recognizing the failings of a man hit me hard upon first listen, and the impact has only grown upon repeated plays. Let’s hope that Will can finally leave the “Idol” title behind, and just be recognized as a true artist. (NA)

dkdcoverej4sq88. Damaged/Danity Kane (Welcome To The Dollhouse) – Sadly overlooked on most lists, it was impossible to avoid this song in the first half of the year, but when you break it down, pop music doesn’t come much more pure than this. Killer hook, fluffy lyrics, and vocals just strong enough to hold themselves above all of it. Diddy found the formula, even if it may have only been a one-shot fluke. (#10)

61dwalvpfl_sl500_aa240_9. Boyfriend (Pete Hammond 7″ Mix)/Alphabeat (This Is Alphabeat) – Talk about taking a good song and making it great, Alphabeat really found their footing by hooking up with Pete Hammond. This song will always be driving down the highway in Michigan in the summer to me. (NA)

chrisrichardson10. All Alone/Chris Richardson (All Alone – Single) – While this song didn’t get the attention that it deserved, it hopefully put the tastemakers on alert that C Rich has a genuinely unique perspective that will lead to big things in the future. A simple melody and lyrics belie an emotionally complex song. (NA)

CBrown Rihanna11. Forever/Chris Brown (Exclusive – The Forever Edition) – To some, this might seem like blasphemy, but I’m good with this being at #11. Love the song, but somewhere along the line it overstayed its welcome. Amazing hook, though. (#1)

GA Out Control12. The Loving Kind/Girls Aloud (Out Of Control) – I heard the raves, and paid them no mind originally, since I’ve only met one GA single that really rocked my world (“Call the Shots”). Let’s be honest, though…like a car wreck on the side of the road, I couldn’t help but stop and check it out with the Pet Shop Boys and Xenomania attached to the track, and I’m glad I did. If even for 3 minutes, Girls Aloud seem to know the meaning of sophisticated pop. (NA)

Keane PS Cover13. Spiraling/Keane (Perfect Symmetry) – “Wooooooooo!” The first time I heard that, I was lost. From a band that innovates how instruments are utilized in pop songs, that vocal flourish marked the beginning of the most uplifting song of the year. (NA)

Beyonce I Am14. Sweet Dreams/Beyoncé (I Am…Sasha Fierce) – While everyone else is bragging on “Single Ladies”, my jam has been “Sweet Dreams” ever since it leaked as “Beautiful Nightmare”. The final CD version is a tad too busy for my liking, but in it’s purest form, the record is brilliant. (NA)

S Sparro15. Black and Gold (Album Version)/Sam Sparro (Black and Gold) – On first listen, I proclaimed this song “LAME”. I quickly ate my words, as that chorus just haunted me like the hot wings I had for dinner tonight. His CD was a welcome blast of 80s-inspired freshness, and “21st Century Life” should be up in this piece as well. (NA)

Chris Cagle Black16. Never Ever Gone/Chris Cagle (My Life’s Been a Country Song) – My top country song this year would be burned at the stake by country purists, but Chris has a huge potential hit on his hands with this one. I haven’t heard Chris have this much fun with a record since “Chicks Dig It”. I’m pretty sure his album is dead, thanks to a domestic abuse situation back in Nashville, but the fact this won’t be released is a big ol’ shame. For you non-country heads, I dare ya to go to iTunes and check it out. You won’t be sorry… (NA)

Ferras17. Hollywood’s Not America/Ferras (Aliens & Rainbows) – This song hit my radar when it was used during Hollywood week on American Idol, but who knew that a consolation prize theme song would help bring such and amazing CD to the American public. Er, or at least to my attention, as the record barely sold anything. (#62)

colbyodonisakon18. Beautiful (Feat Colby O’Donis & Kardinal Offishall)/Akon (Freedom) – The newest of the tracks on this countdown comes from 3 people that even six months ago would have caused me to laugh at a potential inclusion, but this track just works for me. As I said a week ago, this could potentially be the biggest record of Akon’s career. (#19 to date)

Fray You Found Me19. You Found Me/The Fray (You Found Me) – From their February 2nd sophomore release, this song takes the “How To Save A Life” formula to the next level. For me, it’s the epitome of a “why bad things happen to good people” kind of record. (#15 to date)

mcarey e=mc220. I’m That Chick/Mariah Carey (E=MC2) – So the rumor goes that this song was L.A. Reid’s pick for the first single, instead of “Touch My Body”, and now we’re on single #7 (feels like it), and “Touch” is the ONLY hit she’s had. What gives, Mimi? Give the people what they want, mm’kay? (NA)

Now, here’s the rest of the Top 40:

greenlight21. Girl You Never Knew /Georgia Wonder (Hello Stranger – EP)
22. Green Light (feat. Andre 3000)/John Legend (Evolver)
23. Just Got Started Lovin’ You/James Otto (Sunset Man)
24. American Boy (Ft. Kanye West)/Estelle (Shine)
25. That’s Not My Name/The Ting Tings (We Started Nothing)
DCook Light On26. So What/P!nk (Funhouse)
27. Viva La Vida/Coldplay (Viva La Vida)
28. Handlebars/Flobots (Fight With Tools)
29. Light On/David Cook (David Cook)
30. Hero (feat. Keri Hilson)/Nas (Nas)
Solange HSA31. Sandcastle Disco/Solange (Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams)
32. If This Is Love/The Saturdays (Chasing Lights)
33. I Dream Of Spring/k. d. Lang (Watershed)
34. All I See/Kylie Minogue (X)
35. Paranoid ft. Mr. Hudson/Kanye West (808s & Heartbreaks)
200px-ladygagajustdance36. Just Dance/Lady GaGa feat Colby O’Donis (The Fame)
37. 3 Little Words/Frankmusik (3 Little Words EP)
38. Dream On (Moto Blanco Club Mix)/Robyn (Dream On – Remixes)
39. Freeway/Aimee Mann (@#%&*! Smilers)
40. The Man Who Can’t Be Moved/The Script (The Script)

Honorable Mentions:
1. Underneath/Alanis Morissette (Flavors Of Entanglement)
2. Click Click Click/New Kids On The Block (The Block – Deluxe Edition)
3. Silly Really/Per Gessle (Silly Really – Single)
4. Insomnia/Craig David (Insomnia – Single)
5. Mercy/Duffy (Rockferry)

Chart Notables – 10-30-08

Posted by John on October 30, 2008
Posted in: charts, music industry, singles. Tagged: , , , , , , . 4 Comments

– If it’s a recession, then AC/DC must be number one. The boys from Down Under pick up their biggest sales week of the Soundscan era, and also the second biggest week of the year (behind Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter 3”), with almost 800,000 copies of “Black Ice”. My initial skepticism of Wal-Mart’s ability to generate huge numbers on exclusive deals is fully debunked now, after seeing what they’ve been able to do for AC/DC, the Eagles, and Garth Brooks. In addition, the rock veterans also move close to 100,000 copies of their back catalog.

– In other album news, “High School Musical 3” does something that neither of its predecessors ever did: it debuts outside of #1. While it sells just shy of 300,000, that’s not quite enough this time around. Those kids have a #1 movie…what else could they want anyway? Someone who exceeds their previous best peak is Adele, who makes another strong jump from 46 to 11 with “19”. Her single “Chasing Pavements” is the top new entry on the Hot 100 at #82. In addition, the single climbs 19-17 on the Hot AC chart, and is one of the Most Added songs, with 8 new stations reporting airplay. Things are definitely looking up for Ms. Aerophobia making it here in the U.S. She has also rescheduled her tour here for the second half of January, and I have tickets to see her. She’s playing smaller theaters, but I have a feeling those shows will sell out pretty quickly.

– Speaking of radio, Most Increased Plays and Most Added goes to Beyonce’s “If I Were A Boy”, which is at #19 in its second week. Fueled by the release of a digital single, the track also zooms up the Hot 100 to #3. In most circumstances, this would be an amazing achievement, but in today’s chart world, where we see songs jump from #96 to #1 in the span of a week, Beyonce’s jump is just okay. Other notable jumps include Jason Mraz, who re-enters the top 10 at #10, and Lady GaGa, whose “Just Dance” FINALLY looks like it may become a hit, taking a 10-point leap to #49. At Pop radio, Mr A-Z gains another 850 plays to come in at #9, and Ms Bowie-Mercury is most added, with 16 new stations reporting airplay this week. Colby O’Donis may not end up a one-hit wonder after all! I commented last month that GaGa’s radio strategy seemed odd and ill-timed, but I may have to eat my words on that one, too.

– The highly-underrated “Right Here (Departed)” from Brandy debuts at #40 on the Pop chart, and is among the most added records this week, along with Mariah Carey’s “I Stay In Love”. “Stay” is a high point of “E=MC2” (and a personal favorite of the Fizz), and the video is surprisingly good, compared to some of the crap that she’s produced for her latest disc. There’s actually a coherent story to the video, and the black and white really works well here. It’s not necessarily a Video Notable, but when you’re comparing it to her recent output, it’s absolutely stellar. Judge for yourself:

Chart Notables – 10-23-08

Posted by John on October 23, 2008
Posted in: charts, music industry, singles, songs. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

– Adele did indeed take a big jump up the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, from 129-46, with a 145% increase over last week’s sales. Because there was only one reporting day after her performance on SNL, and given that the record is still #2 (behind the High School Musical 3 soundtrack), I’m guessing there will be another up week next week to reflect the rest of her sales. “Chasing Pavements” moves up a spot to #19 at Hot AC radio. This could be the make-or-break week for that single.

– Another album that takes a huge leap this week is the long-released duet CD from Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, “ChasingRaising Sand”. That record sees a 125% increase in sales, and jumps to #50. Heading in the other direction is the unexpectedly good “Unexpected” from former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams. It drops 75% of last week’s sales, and plummets to #190. Notable debuts include Kenny Chesney at #1, and Keane, whose “Perfect Symmetry” bows at #7, but with only close to half of the sales of “Under the Iron Sea”.

– In other radio news, the big news at Pop Radio is the huge debut this week for Beyonce’s “If I Was A Boy”. The track roars onto the top 40 at #26, tying Britney’s “Womanizer” debut two weeks ago. That track is at #16 in its third week, with a good head of steam on it. “Boy” also moves up the Hot 100 at a good clip, moving from 100 – 68, while “Single Ladies” hops on the chart at #72.

– Pop programmers finally seem to have recognized that Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” is a hit, and it picks up over 900 additional spins this week, and moves up to #13 on the Hot 100. (Paul, I told you it would rebound) Number 1 at Pop Radio this week is Pink for a second week with over 10,000 spins total (#3 on the Hot 100), and Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold” is a distant second place (#5 on the Hot 100). Songs going for adds this week include Mariah’s “I Stay In Love” and the twelfth attempt at a hit for Christina Milian with “Us Against the World” on MySpace Records.

– A note for chart followers…you’re seeing a lot of huge debuts, followed by steep declines, and you might be saying to yourself “it never used to do this in the past.” Well, for the most part, you’re right. But this is a new age. With the advent of electronic forms of distribution, coupled with illegal downloading, labels are rushing singles out quickly to recapture as much revenue as possible before tracks end up on the Internet by other means. In the past, record companies would release the single early on, but the airplay would be the primary thing pushing the sales. It was in the 90s that companies started withholding singles, and then releasing them when airplay was dominant, in order to get a big debut (along with big headlines…see image). Oh…and 99 cent singles didn’t hurt, either.