Hello, fam! So, Shawn Mendes hosted this week’s countdown in place of Spyder Harrison. And with it, he has new music in its stead. Well, two new songs, actually (including one which debuted straight to the countdown, and we’ll get to that in a bit). Let’s get right into things. Before we get to this week’s fresh 45, here are the songs leaving us this week:
- Troye Sivan – My My My! (#32)
- Shawn Mendes – There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back (#40) [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]
- X Ambassadors – Ahead Of Myself (#41)
- Maroon 5 featuring SZA – What Lovers Do (#45)
The Countdown:
Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: P!NK – Beautiful Trauma (–16)
– We have four new songs entering the countdown this week. Let’s start with Charlie Puth with yet another new single, by the name of Done For Me, which features Kehlani. A year ago, most people weren’t looking forward to his latest album Voicenotes, what with the singles from Nine Track Mind not to their liking (and for good reason). But when Attention came around, their perception changed almost completely and would be a harbinger of what his album would sound like. Following the release of How Long back in the fall, it was clear that Charlie was trying something new, and so far it appears to be working from a critical standpoint. This week’s debut, Done For Me, is another one of those tracks which shows that his two predecessors were not a fluke and that he has indeed improved from his last album. The production here, which believe it or not is where he’s doing most of the work, is spot on for the most part. I do love how their vocals blend together, especially in the chorus. Both of them did a good job with the verses overall. It’s similar to his two predecessors in terms of the lyrical content, which talks about a love story between the couple. So yeah, it’s another solid track for Charlie overall, and I’m definitely looking forward to listening to that album of his, which doesn’t come out until May.
– For our next debut, we have newcomer Noah Kahan making his first appearance on the countdown. Enter Hurt Somebody, which features Julia Michaels. If you remember Julia Michaels, she bought us Issues and Uh Huh, two songs that were not to anyone’s liking. As for this collaboration, I can’t really say that I care for it too much. I do like the instrumentation throughout the song, and their vocals are good for the most part. But this one lacks something that makes it unique. It’s not a bad song by any means, and I can see it growing on me. But right now, I’m split on this.
– As I mentioned in the introduction, Shawn Mendes released two new songs this week, including one which made it straight to the countdown without spending a week on Hit-Bound. At #32, he replaces himself with his new single titled In My Blood. Similar to Charlie Puth’s last album Nine Track Mind, many hated the entirety of Illuminate (other than his two singles I won’t mention) and were not looking forward to hearing more from Shawn. One of the singles from that album, Treat You Better, was on many Worst Of The Year lists for 2016. I liked that one at first, but I realized it wasn’t good and many of the YouTube critics knew what they were talking about. Here in his latest single, In My Blood, I’m not quite sure what to think as of yet. I do like the song, mainly for the production, which seems to be leaning a little more rock while being acoustic. It has some Kings Of Leon vibes to it. I do like his vocals, and he does a pretty good job with the chorus. Will this stick with me in the big picture? Maybe not, but I’ll consider it a good song for now. He did just release another new single, which is titled Lost In Japan, which is a step up from this production-wise. I’m hoping that one can get big soon, but I’m okay with his first single for the time being.
– When Taylor Swift made her big return with Look What You Made Me Do, it seemed destined to become another hit for her and thus would start another string of #1 hits for her latest album, Reputation. Well, it actually did start that way when the song debuted at #1 on Billboard by no surprise because of her star power. But the song was not very well liked by many YouTube critics and audiences alike. And soon enough, it got hit pretty hard with bad radio call-outs and would start a massive free-fall to the point where it would eventually fade away. It set the tone for her other singles that would also end up flopping big time. And with End Game dropping to near the bottom of the countdown (more on that in the blurbs) and will likely miss the Year-End list on Billboard, many have started to wonder will she have another hit from her album? Well, only time will tell on that. But she’s looking to redeem herself chart-wise with her latest single, Delicate, which makes its debut at #29. Normally, this would be another hit in the making. But seeing as her singles fared so badly, I’m not so sure anymore. Anyway, it took me several listens throughout the week (not including the music video I watched in its entirety), but I’ve come around to it. There’s more singing going on than her other songs combined, and like I said numerous times, Taylor Swift isn’t one to disappoint me (at least not yet). I do love the production overall. Basically, the song is about her being happy and living the care-free life. The music video that just recently came out shows her basically just being happy. Again, I’m not entirely sure how this will fare chart-wise, but one is hoping that it becomes an actual hit. I do like the song now, some I’m hoping for some success.
– For our exits, What Lovers Do was fading on me, but I did enjoy it even though it wasn’t Maroon 5’s best work. The other three songs we’re really good and I’m sad to see them off. Both My My My! and Ahead Of Myself never got much success elsewhere and they deserved better. There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back, however, was a different story. It became another hit for Shawn Mendes and it was a different sound compared to some of his previous singles. While some may find you old and annoying right now, I’m not one of them. Thank you for your time on the countdown. You will definitely be missed.
– Shawn Mendes mentioned during his introduction for Galway Girl that Ed Sheeran wants Beyoncé to sing at his wedding. That would be very interesting. I’ll bet she would want to sing Perfect.
– Feel It Still has officially fallen to the Bottom 5 of the countdown after spending a seemingly long time in the 20’s for a few months. Now I wonder how long will this hang around?
– Beautiful Trauma took a disappointing drop out of the Top 10. I thought P!NK would have another hit on her hands. Never mind. It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
– And Finesse is back to square one again. You would think this would be in the Top 5 here on this countdown given that it’s very high on many other charts. But Hits 1 logic seems to work differently, and not in a good way.
– Last week’s debuts (other than Young, Dumb, and Broke) didn’t jump much this week. And to my pleasure, one of them (Friends) actually dropped this week. Yeah, that song is only getting worse every time I hear it. The production is not great, Anne-Marie’s vocals are underwhelming, and the song’s premise does not sit well with me at all. It’s very possible that this could be orange soon.
– Thunder somehow makes a big jump back into the Top 20 this week. I would’ve been much more happy with this maybe about a month ago when I was still in love with that song. I do still like it somewhat, but I’m starting to see why some hate this now (including a certain someone who I won’t mention). Imagine Dragons have done better in the past.
– Here we go again with Meant To Be being back in the Top 10. Who is making this a Top 5 hit on Billboard?! And why is this at #10?! Seriously, Bebe Rexha has done MUCH better in my opinion, yet none of her singles got this high up. I’m very fed up with this, people.
– I’m also not thrilled with Wait making its entrance into the Top 10. Of course, it was destined to enter that region given that Maroon 5 are still relevant and all, but it doesn’t make me happy. This song lacks the groove that they once had. When compared to their previous albums, there’s easily a difference.
– Halsey makes her way back into the Top 10 (and Top 5) with Him & I. Apparently, one week without a song from Halsey in that region is forbidden based on Hits 1 logic. But I’m definitely okay with this. As I said, it’s a powerful collaboration for a powerful couple. (Again, they’re not that powerful, but you know what I mean. :P)
– It was only a matter of time until The Middle would take back the #1 spot. But I’ll surely take it. Though, I know some people are not happy about this. Also, Shawn Mendes mentioned that the song is amazing and is one of the best songs he’s heard. Some people are going to disagree with him on that one, Shawn. 😛
Hit-Bound:
- Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho
- Alice Merton – No Roots
- Bazzi – Mine
- Halsey – Alone
- Demi Lovato – Tell Me You Love Me
- Foster The People – Sit Next To Me
- Portugal. The Man – Live In The Moment
- Dustin Atlas featuring Erin Bowman – Fake Friends
- Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night) (DEBUT)
- Drake – God’s Plan
- Welshly Arms – Legendary (RE-ENTRY)
- Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne, Macklemore, Dan Caplen – These Days
- Dua Lipa – IDGAF
- Thirty Seconds To Mars – Walk On Water
– It’s nice to see Legendary make a re-entry to Hit-Bound. I’m still holding out hope that it can make the countdown soon. It’s one of the better alternative rocks songs at the moment and I would like to see it be successful.
My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks
20. Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be
19. Lauv – I Like Me Better
18. MAX featuring Gnash – Lights Down Low
17. Camila Cabello – Never Be The Same
1 – Bad:
16. Maroon 5 – Wait
15. NF – Let You Down
2 – Mediocre:
None!
3 – Decent:
14. Imagine Dragons – Thunder
13. Khalid – Young, Dumb, And Broke
4 – Good:
None!
5 – Great:
12. Fall Out Boy – Hold Me Tight Or Don’t
11. Meghan Trainor – No Excuses
10. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Want You Back
9. Ed Sheeran – Perfect
8. Halsey – Bad At Love
7. Imagine Dragons – Whatever It Takes
6. Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso featuring Florida Georgia Line and Watt – Let Me Go
5. Macklemore featuring Kesha – Good Old Days
4. Walk The Moon – One Foot
3. G-Eazy featuring Halsey – Him & I
2. Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle
1. The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me
Overall Grade: 69/100 = 69% (D+)
Most Missed Hit-Bound Drop-Out: Carly Rae Jepsen – Cut To The Feeling
Clean Bandit featuring Sean Paul and Anne-Marie – Rockabye: A song that talks about motherhood works well for me, especially when the production is solid all around, and Anne-Marie shines throughout the song, unlike her current representation on the countdown.
QOTW: Shawn Mendes has released two new singles (In My Blood and Lost In Japan) this week. Which of these is your favorite out of the two and why?
Music Reviews + More 
First thing first, from your QotD from last week, I am pulling for Villanova to win it because they’re my team and all. But it’s a stretch, they have a #1 Seed but we could be surprised! I also haven’t heard Lost in Japan yet, but I’ll do that later.I’ll likely have more to say later (am on phone at the moment), but during the second 411, Nicole talked about rumors of Ariana Grande being pregnant, but that the fans are drawing conclusions too quickly based off her having gone dark for so long and it’s ridiculous. Just like with Cardi B. And since her next album is confirmed to be this year, I doubt she’d take this forward through her life right now.
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What is Hurt Somebody? I had no idea it was going to debut. Going to listen now.How did In My Blood debut so fast too? It only came out on Thursday.Lost in Japan is much better in my opinion. It has more of a funky and calm vibe. In My Blood just seemed like Shawn's Too Good at Goodbyes. A shame LIJ wasn't the lead single.
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No idea. I guess that's what happens when you have Shawn Mendes hosting the countdown.And yeah, I was surprised about Hurt Somebody debuting, too.
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LWYMMD did not debut at #1 on the Hot 100, it debuted at #77 and rocketed to #1 on it's second week, and stayed there for three weeks until it was dethrone by Bodak Yellow.
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Oh yeah I forgot about that.
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Alright, now that I'm at a computer, here are some more things for me to comment on:-As I said on Pulse, Friends is not a song that I'm on board with at all. It's disappointing after Rockabye from last year and Wolves right now.-During the introduction to Delicate, Shawn talked about how Taylor Swift liked to go horseback riding back in the day. That's kind of cool, I mean with her being formerly country and all it does make sense.-And mentioning Halsey, yep, she has indeed been on the countdown since Closer debuted in August 2016. I wonder what the longest streaks (aside from Fall Out Boy) for one artist being on the countdown could be? Twenty-one Pilots had an almost year and a half streak that was cut with the one week that Tear In My Heart left.
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Correction, it would have been a two year streak had Tear In My Heart lasted one more week, or Stressed Out had debuted one week sooner.
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I'm not for sure on this but I'm sure Taylor Swift has one of the longest streaks with all 7 singles from 1989 being on the countdown for a really long time
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Unlike most people, I actually like In My Blood a little bit better than Lost In Japan but I like them both.A re-entry on Hit-Bound? Does that happen very often?
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Shawn Mendes has been on the countdown since June 25, 2016.
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I think the last time it happened is when Ed Sheeran – Castle On The Hill was on Hitbound then debuted on the countdown then fell off and went back to Hitbound
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Oh yeah thanks
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We've also had One Direction solo members on the countdown since at least the end of September 2016 when This Town debuted. That was a month and a half after Pillowtalk departed.
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Top 20 Review:0:Crap20. No Excuses1:Bad19. Wait18. I Like Me Better17. The Middle16. Lights Down Low2:MehNone!3:Decent15. Bad At Love4:Good14. Want You Back13. Never Be The Same12. Hold Me Tight Or Don't5:Great11. One Foot10. Thunder9. Whatever It Takes8. Perfect7. Let Me Go6. Good Old Days5. Young Dumb & Broke4. Let You Down3. Meant To Be2. Him & I1. Pray For MeScore: 74/100Top 5:1. Pray For Me2. Finesse3. Delicate4. Him & I5. Meant To BeBottom 5:1. This Is Me2. Sober Up3. No Excuses4. Wait5. I Like Me BetterTop 3 Hitbound:1. Gods Plan2. Psycho3. These DaysNOTE: I have not heard like half of these songs on Hitbound. I will listen later.
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Just so you know, I was actually talking about Halsey being in the Top 10. But yeah, she's had a song on the countdown since 2016. I'm surprised I haven't mentioned this in any of my posts.On that note, the longest streak currently belongs to Fall Out Boy in which they had a song on the countdown for three years. Goes to shows that Hits 1 just loves these artists. I have a feeling Shawn Mendes may surpass that streak before we know it.
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Has he released a follow-up after Stitches, that might have happened. But there was three months between that departure and Treat You Better debuting.
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I forgot to mention that Legendary is now of the voting poll. Sorry.
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Yeah, I didn't mention this before. But yeah, it's very disappointing. It would've been really nice to have it debut. Oh well.
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