Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Camila Cabello – Never Be The Same (–19)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho (+14)

New Entrants
– We’ve somehow got a re-entry from Dua Lipa – New Rules, which is nice to see even though it’s dying out elsewhere. This is the first time we had a re-entry since last year when Castle On The Hill made it back to the countdown. However, there are no new songs from Hit-Bound debuting this week, so let’s move on.

I Know I’d Go Blurb To You
– Let’s first talk about our exit. We say good-bye to Alice Merton – No Roots this week. I was hoping we could get another alternative hit from another artist, but the song never really caught on elsewhere. It was, of course, underrated and deserved better.

– So, Spyder Harrison mentioned that a hospital worker was fired because they looked at Ed Sheeran’s medical records? Hmm…I guess the people wanted to keep it private or something. But anyway, at least Ed Sheeran did give a performance of Galway Girl last weekend. I thought it was a good performance overall.

– Before introducing No Tears Left To Cry, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Ariana is dating a new person who is actually from Saturday Night Live and he mentioned that he’s the coolest person on the cast. I have a feeling that they may end up being the coolest couple of the year. I mean, they should be given that award, don’t you think? That is unless G-Eazy and Halsey still prove to be a strong couple.

– I’m not thrilled about the big jump from Psycho at all. Hopefully, it doesn’t stay in the Top 20 for too long and starts dropping back down, but at this point it’s not likely.

– Before introducing Meant To Be, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Nick Jonas and Bebe Rexha are meant to be (no pun intended)? Really? Did Bebe Rexha found a special someone? If that’s the case, then I hope it works out well.

– During his introduction for In My Blood, Spyder Harrison had a conversation with Shawn Mendes about his new album which was released just yesterday. He recently did a performance of Youth (with Khalid) at the Billboard Music Awards. Honestly, I thought it was a moving performance. However, I do hope he releases Lost In Japan as a single soon.

– Bad Wolves – Zombie has made its way into the Top 10 this week. I have a feeling that it’ll try to be an elusive hit on this countdown in general. This wouldn’t be the first time, as some songs that weren’t popular elsewhere have did really well. I hope the same rings true for that song.

– The guest DJ that introduced Friends called Spyder Harrison the best DJ on the planet. I’ll say that was a nice complement.

– Niall Horan – On The Loose has now entered the Top 5. I wasn’t too surprised about this given that I heard this a lot the past two weeks. Also, the guest DJ that introduced the song gave a shout out to all of the students at her school. Seeing as the kids are out for the summer, that was a very nice complement.

– Finally, we’ve come to our #1 this week, in which The Middle holds the #1 spot once again! As you probably can tell, I still really, really like that song, so I very pleased with this. I did watch a performance of the song at the Billboard Music Awards and I thought it was great. I’ll probably have more to say about it. But yeah, I did enjoy it overall.

Hit-Bound:

• Sam Smith featuring Logic – Pray
• HRVY – Personal
• Fall Out Boy – Last Of The Real Ones (DEBUT)
• The Wrecks – James Dean
• Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa – One Kiss
• 5 Seconds Of Summer – Youngblood
• Cardi B. – I Like It
• Maren Morris – Rich
• Liam Payne featuring J. Balvin – Familiar
• Meghan Trainor – Let You Be Right
• lovelytheband – Broken
• In Real Life – Tattoo (How ‘Bout You)
• Dennis Lloyd – Nevermind
• Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift – Babe
• Hundred Handed – Too Good
• Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes (DEBUT)

My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks
1. The Wrecks – James Dean
2. Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa – One Kiss
3. Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
4. Fall Out Boy – Last Of The Real Ones
5. Meghan Trainor – Let You Be Right

Top 20 Review:
0 – Putrid:
20. Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho
19. Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie – Friends
18. Lauv – I Like Me Better
17. Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be

1 – Bad:
16. Maroon 5 – Wait

2 – Mediocre:
None!

3 – Decent:
None!

4 – Good:
15. Meghan Trainor – No Excuses

5 – Great:
14. Shawn Mendes – In My Blood
13. Taylor Swift – Delicate
12. Halsey – Alone
11. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Want You Back
10. Niall Horan – On The Loose
9. Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night)
8. Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne, Macklemore, and Dan Caplen – These Days
7. Bad Wolves – Zombie
6. Dua Lipa – IDGAF
5. Imagine Dragons – Whatever It Takes
4. Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani – Done For Me
3. Demi Lovato – Tell Me You Love Me

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
TIE: 1. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry
TIE: 1. Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle

Overall Grade: 77/100 = 77% (C+)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Christina Aguilera – What A Girl Wants (1999)

Most Missed Countdown Song: Demi Lovato – Cool For The Summer

Most Missed Hit-Bound Dropout: Carly Rae Jepsen – Run Away From Me

#1 Recommendation For Hits 1: Céline Dion – Ashes

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay – Something Just Like This (#1)

My Top 5 Picks
TIE: 1. Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle
TIE: 1. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry
3. Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B. – Finesse (Remix)
4. Demi Lovato – Tell Me You Love Me
5. Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani – Done For Me

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. AJR featuring Rivers Cuomo – Sober Up
2. Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho
3. Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie – Friends
4. Camila Cabello – Never Be The Same
5. Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Liam Payne featuring Quavo – Strip That Down: I wasn’t fond of Liam’s decision to go hip-hop. I’d say this was probably the weakest debut single from a former member of One Direction. I’m sure many here will say the same.
Miley Cyrus – Malibu: Although the song itself isn’t all that memorable, I did like how Miley was able go back to her country roots. After her last album, Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, was not to my liking at all whatsoever, it was nice to hear something refreshing from her.

QOTW: Who do you think gave the best performance in the 2018 Billboard Music Awards last week? Why?