1. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey (#2) [+1] [1^st Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Shape Of You by Ed Sheeran (8^th Of 10 Weeks At #1)

Biggest Fall Of The Week: Wolves by Selena Gomez featuring Marshmello (–7)

Biggest Rise Of The Week: In My Blood by Shawn Mendes (+15)

New Entrants
– We have two new songs debuting this week. To start, we have Why Don’t We making their second appearance on the countdown with their latest single titled Trust Fund Baby. Now, I’ll say that I did like Something Different for the most part. Even though it wasn’t a stand-out track for them, it was still something that I enjoyed every now and then. Trust Fund Baby, on the other hand, is a different story. This song is just plain bad all around. I can’t really see the appeal to this. Looking at the lyrical content, it’s basically them bragging about stuff and what not. And let me remind you that Ed Sheeran of all people did the songwriting for this one. I don’t know about you, but whatever he was doing I don’t think he did a good job. He was also a part of Strip That Down, which I wasn’t fond of either. The production isn’t well done. In fact, it sounds way too much like something that I would hear on some of the mediocre hip-hop songs currently flooding the charts. I want something along the lines of Something Different, but oh well. I hope it doesn’t stay for too long.

– Halsey has another new single making its debut as Bad At Love continues to fade away, which is called Alone. Now, the remix for the song was recently released last month and that includes Big Sean and Stefflon Don. As for the solo version, I do like it, mainly because Halsey sounds good with her vocals and production is solid all around. The remix is pretty good as well. I think both Big Sean and Stefflon Don added something that makes it enjoyable for me. Now the question is, do I see this becoming another hit for Halsey? Only time will tell on that. But right now, I do like it and I hope for some success out of it.

When Blurbs Cry
– Our two exits consist of songs that I won’t really miss too much. Beg by Jack & Jack wasn’t all that memorable for me, and Lemon by N.E.R.D. featuring Rihanna was a guilty pleasure of mine. So I’m not saddened by the exits.

– In My Blood by Shawn Mendes took a massive jump in its second week. It’s been a while since we had a jump this big. But I’m not complaining as I do like the song. We’ll see if this ends up being another hit for Shawn.

– Before introducing Whatever It Takes, Ryan Seacrest mentioned that Dan Reynolds was being treated for a chronic disease while working on music. It’s nice to see that he still has the strength to continue making music despite his shortcomings. I’m sure it doesn’t affect his vocals too much. That said, I hope the song enters the Top 10 soon, like maybe next week.

– Before introducing Let Me Down, Ryan Seacrest mentioned that NF’s music has connected people in some ways in terms of the lyrical content. I guess people can relate to the song in some way. There are many songs we listen to that have a meaning and I can appreciate songs like that. I’m sure he does too.

– Never Be The Same makes its entrance into the Top 5, which isn’t too surprising since Camila Cabello is a rising star. But I’m not very thrilled to see it there. She just does not sound good throughout the song. Her vocal work was the main reason why I despised Work From Home. Songs like Havana, on the other hand, showed that her vocals aren’t grating. That said, I’m hoping it doesn’t reach #1, but that’s a long shot at this point.

– In other Top 5 news, we have Meant To Be reaching a dangerous new peak of #2. I’ll be hanging on to the edge of my seat hoping it doesn’t get to #1. But given that it’s still continuing to go strong in sales, I’m afraid it’s a possibility.

– Honestly, our new #1 is one in which I saw coming. The Middle has been going strong for a while now and I wasn’t too surprised to see it take the top spot on the American Top 40 this week. Perfectly fine by me as this one has become a huge favorite of mine, along with our #3 song. As I said before, it’s nice to see Maren Morris get a country cross-over hit. I’m hoping that it can hold the #1 spot for a while.

Breakouts/On The Verge:

• Everyday by Logic featuring Marshmello
• Stir Fry by Migos
• Everybody Hates Me by The Chainsmokers

Extras/Optional Extras:

• Let Me Go by Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso featuring Florida Georgia Line and Watt
• Into You by Ariana Grande
• Love Yourself by Justin Bieber
• Don’t Wanna Know by Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar
• Shape Of You by Ed Sheeran
• Never Forget You by Zara Larsson featuring MNEK
• 1-800-273-8255 by Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid
• Shut Up And Dance by Walk The Moon

Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Garbage:
20. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
19. Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
18. I Like Me Better by Lauv
17. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello
16. Lights Down Low by MAX featuring Gnash

1 – Bad:
15. Wait by Maroon 5
14. God’s Plan by Drake

2 – Mediocre:
13. Let You Down by NF

3 – Decent:
None!

4 – Good:
12. Mine by Bazzi

5 – Great:
11. No Excuses by Meghan Trainor
10. Havana by Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug
9. Perfect by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé
8. Him & I by G-Eazy featuring Halsey
7. New Rules by Dua Lipa
6. Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato
5. Say Something by Justin Timberlake featuring Chris Stapleton
4. Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons
3. Pray For Me by The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar
2. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
1. Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B.

Total Score: 64/100 = 64% (D)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: When Doves Cry by Prince (1984) (It’s been two years since he passed)

Most Missed Song: Hymn For The Weekend by Coldplay featuring Beyoncé (Hi, Adrian)

#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: Say Amen (Saturday Night) by Panic! At The Disco

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Tie between Green Light by Lorde (#20) and Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay (#10)

My Top 5 Picks
1. Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B.
2. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey
3. Pray For Me by The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar
4. Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons
5. No Roots by Alice Merton

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
2. Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
3. Rockstar by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage
4. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
5. I Like Me Better by Lauv

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
I Love You by Axwell Λ Ingresso featuring Kid Ink: Not really the best song in the EDM genre by any means, but I do like what it has to offer, mainly the lyrical content
Still Got Time by ZAYN featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR: This is basically a snooze fest across the board. ZAYN has had some songs that I enjoyed for the most part, but this isn’t one them unfortunately.

QOTW: Ariana Grande is back with her new single, No Tears Left To Cry. What are your thoughts? How do you think the single will fare?