1. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign (#1) [=] [2^nd Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Stay by Zedd featuring Alessia Cara (3^rd of 5 Weeks At #1)

Biggest Fall Of The Week: Pray For Me by The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar (–5)

Biggest Rise Of The Week: I Like It by Cardi B. featuring Bad Bunny and J. Balvin (+7)

New Entrants
– To start off this week’s new arrivals, we have Big Boi making his debut with the song called All Night. Not too much I can say about this one. I listened to this a couple of times in its entirety…and simply put, it straight up sucks. It’s not really all that different in comparison to some of the hip-hop/rap songs we’ve been getting on Billboard. I’m not very fond of the guy’s voice. The production here is very bland pretty much across the board and the lyrics aren’t to my liking either. So yeah, pretty much everything about this song blows. Moving on.

– Oh, great. We have more Post Malone who replaces himself with his latest single, which is steadily gaining steam while his current representation spends another week at #1. Enter Better Now. Right off the bat, it’s really not all that different compared to his previous singles. The positive thing I can say about this is that Post Malone sounds okay with his vocals. But outside of that, the song really does nothing for me. The production pretty much reminds me of Rockstar, which I still loathe. Simply put, I’m not a fan of this either. But unfortunately, I can see it sticking around and probably become another hit for him. Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but we’ll just see.

– It was only a matter of time until we get another Maroon 5 song on the countdown as Wait begins to die out. With the highest debut of the week, they have a new single which is currently gaining a lot of steam. The song is called Girls Like You, which features Cardi B. who has made her presence known in 2018. I talked about this in depth when it debuted on the Hits 1 Weekend Countdown two weeks ago. But to sum it all up, I just don’t like the idea of Adam Levine taking over the band. In their recent singles such as Don’t Wanna Know and Cold, that seems to be what he’s doing. This song is no exception. Cardi B’s contribution is okay, and so is Adam’s vocals. But the rest of the song is just mediocre all around. I know I said this before, but I miss the days of Maroon 5 sounding like a band. Oh well.

I Need A Blurb Like You
– We’ll begin with our exits. First off, All The Stars sadly left after weeks of decline. I was hoping it would catch on especially after the Black Panther hype, but it didn’t and was therefore underrated on the countdown. On The Loose was enjoyable and I felt that Niall should’ve had another hit. I’m hoping we hear more from him soon. On a more positive note, let us celebrate as I say good riddance Rockstar, which has left the countdown!

– We have Friends entering the Top 5. Blech. This is another song that continues to get worse with each listen. I can’t wait until this song starts moving down soon.

– I’m getting annoyed that I Like Me Better is now in the Top 10. Who is still supporting the song? This isn’t what I want to hear on the radio every day. I hope its time in the Top 10 is short-lived.

– Not too thrilled about the big jump from I Like It either. With the song doing well in sales and streaming, I unfortunately expect it to stick around.

Breakouts/On The Verge:

• Move To Miami by Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull
• Dinero by Jennifer Lopez featuring DJ Khaled and Cardi B.
• Home With You by Madison Beer

Extras/Optional Extras:

• Summer by Calvin Harris
• Almost Love by Sabrina Carpenter
• Break Free by Ariana Grande featuring Zedd
• Don’t Tell ‘Em by Jeremih featuring YG
• Thumbs by Sabrina Carpenter
• Latch by Disclosure featuring Sam Smith
• Send My Love (To Your New Lover) by Adele
• Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars
• Why by Sabrina Carpenter

Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Garbage:
20. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
19. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
18. I Like Me Better by Lauv
17. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello

1 – Bad:
16. Wait by Maroon 5 

2 – Mediocre:
15. God’s Plan by Drake 

3 – Decent:
None!

4 – Good:
None! 

5 – Great:
14. Alone by Halsey featuring Big Sean and Stefflon Don
13. Nice For What by Drake
12. Delicate by Taylor Swift
11. Mine by Bazzi
10. In My Blood by Shawn Mendes
9. Back To You by Selena Gomez
8. Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons
7. New Rules by Dua Lipa
6. Pray For Me by The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar
5. IDGAF by Dua Lipa
4. Done For Me by Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani
3. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey
2. One Kiss by Calvin Harris feautring Dua Lipa

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
1. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande 

Total Score: 74/100 = 74% (C)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Billie Jean by Michael Jackson (1983)

Most Missed Song: Praying by Kesha

#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: Let You Be Right by Meghan Trainor

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Tie between There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back by Shawn Mendes (#12) and Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay (#3)

My Top 5 Picks
1. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande
2. Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B.
3. One Kiss by Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa
4. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey
5. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Backstreet Boys

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
2. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
3. All Night by Big Boi
4. Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
5. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Down by Fifth Harmony featuring Gucci Mane: One of their first singles without Camila, and if I’m being honest it sounds pretty much like Work From Home, which I detested. Only good thing I can say is that the vocals are slightly better.
Redbone by Childish Gambino: It took me a while to grow into the song after it left the countdown. I realized that the song has some throwback vibe to it. That kind of stuff pulls me in. I may have disliked it when it was new. But I’ve since grew into it.
2U by David Guetta featuring Justin Bieber: This was a good song for the most part. While it wasn’t David’s best work, I thought he did a nice job here, and I like Bieber’s vocals. With Justin Bieber as big as he was last summer, I thought he would give David a huge hit. But I was wrong. I guess people were starting to get tired of Bieber around that time, mainly due to his overexposure.

1. Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night) (#1) [=] [3^rd Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay – Something Just Like This (3^rd and Final Week At #1)

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Tie between Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne, Macklemore, and Dan Caplen – These Days and Echosmith – Over My Head (–16)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho (+23)

Blurbin’ On A Prayer
– It’s nice to see Brendon Urie and co. at #1 for the third week in a row. Like I said last week, I think this may be the song of the summer, at least on this countdown. They just recently released their album, Pray For The Wicked this week. I’m sure it’s really good. I’ll just have to take a listen.

– We have two new entrants in the Top 5 this week. The re-entry from Delicate isn’t surprising considering it’s still doing pretty well elsewhere, but I’m not complaining. Friends, on the other hand, I’m not thrilled about at all. That one shouldn’t even be up there. It needs to seriously move down, but I doubt it’ll happen unfortunately.

– …..Did we really need Psycho to be in the Top 10, let alone having the Biggest Jump Of The Week??? Who is voting for this? I’m already having to deal with this being #1 on the AT40. Let’s PLEASE not make it happen here.

– However, we do have some new songs entering the Top 10 that I’m pleased about. Sit Next To Me at #6 was pretty unexpected, but I’ll take it. I Wanna Know is also surprising. I wonder will these two somehow become elusive hits on this countdown? Only time will tell on that.

– On the note of other big jumps I’m not very thrilled about, we have I Like Me Better roaring back into the Top 20 again. Come on, people. I was just softening on that song. Now, it’s nearly impossible for me to hate the song a little less.

– As one song from 5 Seconds Of Summer drops out of the Top 20, another one takes its place in that region. Youngblood has made its way there in its second with that big jump. We’ll see how well Hits 1 can treat this one. I haven’t listened to their latest album yet. But judging by its first two singles, it sounds pretty good. Maybe there’s another song or two that I’ll probably like.

– The guest DJ that introduced One Foot called her kids by her superhero names! I’ll bet they watch a lot of superhero cartoons, kinda like I did back in the day.

Hit-Bound:

• Cardi B. – I Like It
• MNEK featuring Hailee Steinfeld – Colour
• Fall Out Boy – The Last Of The Real Ones
• Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift – Babe
• Backstreet Boys – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
• lovelytheband – Broken
• Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
• Dennis Lloyd – Nevermind
• Julia Michaels featuring Trippie Redd – Jump (DEBUT)
• Meghan Trainor – Let You Be Right
• In Real Life – Tattoo (How ‘Bout You)
• The Wrecks – James Dean
• HRVY – Personal
• Big Boi – All Night
• Cole Redding – Father Father

– So, we have only one debut on Hit-Bound this week. Julia Michaels makes her return with her new single titled Jump. I’m not really loving this one too much. Her vocals are okay, but Trippie Redd doesn’t do much for me and nothing else about the rest of the song stands out to me. I may have it in blue for now, but it could change.

My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks
1. Backstreet Boys – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
2. Meghan Trainor – Let You Be Right
3. The Wrecks – James Dean
4. Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
5. Fall Out Boy – The Last Of The Real Ones

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

1 – Bad:
16. Maroon 5 – Wait
 
2 – Mediocre:
15. Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B. – Girls Like You

3 – Decent:
None!

4 – Good:
None!

5 – Great:
14. Halsey – Alone
13. NOTD featuring Bea Miller – I Wanna Know
12. Niall Horan – On The Loose
11. Taylor Swift – Delicate
10. Selena Gomez – Back To You
9. Shawn Mendes – In My Blood
8. Foster The People – Sit Next To Me
7. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Youngblood
6. Imagine Dragons – Whatever It Takes
5. Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night)
4. Dua Lipa – IDGAF
3. Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani – Done For Me
2. Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle
 
BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
1. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry

Overall Grade: 74/100 = 74% (C)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer (1986)

Most Missed Countdown Song: Disclosure featuring Lorde – Magnets

Most Missed Hit-Bound Dropout: Lorde – Green Light

#1 Recommendation For Hits 1: Kygo featuring Imagine Dragons – Born To Be Yours

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

My Top 5 Picks
1. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry
2. Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa – One Kiss
3. Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle 

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

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Jon Bellion – Overwhelming: While it’s not a standout track for Jon Bellion, I think it’s still a good song overall in terms of both the production and his vocals. I do wish it had some success like All Time Low did.
Erin Bowman – Good Time Good Life: This song kinda reminds of Right Here, Right Now from Fatboy Slim. I can simply say it’s an enjoyable song for the most part. Erin Bowman did impress me with this solid track.
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber – Despacito: Unlike some people, I have not soured on this song at all. Not even a little bit. I like the idea of bringing Justin Bieber to sing Spanish. That was cool.
Noah Cyrus – Stay Together: I thought this song had potential mainly because the production is better than that of its predecessor. But my goodness, her vocals brought the song down for me.

QOTW: Panic! At The Disco just released a new album called Pray For The Wicked. What are your thoughts on the album?

1. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign (#2) [+1] [1^st Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Stay by Zedd featuring Alessia Cara (2^nd of 5 Weeks At #1)

Biggest Fall Of The Week: Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Backstreet Boys (+7)

Biggest Rise Of The Week: On The Loose by Niall Horan (–9)

New Entrants
– So, we have only two entrant this week. First, we have the return of Sam Smith with his latest from The Thrill Of It All, by the name of Pray, which is remixed with Logic. I talked about this song last week when it debuted on the Hits 1 Weekend Countdown. But to recap, I like the original version of the song. However, in the remix, Logic makes things better. I love the lyrical content in the song and both artists did a nice job with their vocals. So yeah, this is a good collaboration and a great song overall.

– Cardi B. comes in with her new single titled I Like It, which features Bad Bunny and J. Balvin. Simply put, it’s really not that different from her previous singles. While it’s better than songs like Bodak Yellow, I’m still not impressed for the most part. I just don’t like the production and some of the verses after pretty annoying. With the song doing well in sales, I can see it becoming a hit unfortunately. So I’ll have to get used to it for the time being. I might be exaggerating a bit, but we’ll see what happens.

Maybe I’ll Blurb
– Our two exits consists of short-tenured songs. Sober lasting only one week wasn’t too surprising. These Days definitely deserved better. It was a great song overall and a nice collaboration between four different artists. That song will be missed by me.

– And just like that, Post Malone has reached #1 this week. It’s even worse than having Never Be The Same being there for five consecutive weeks. I’m just not fond of his music, and this song is no different. Unfortunately, it’ll probably end up staying there for a while.

– I’m not too surprised about Delicate entering the Top 10. I won’t quite say it tops Taylor Swift’s best work. But it is a good song overall and it kinda reminds me of her songs from her 1989 album.

– The jump from Don’t Go Breaking My Heart was appreciated by me. I don’t see it becoming a huge hit for them, but it’s an enjoyable song overall. It’s nice to have the Backstreet Boys back.

Breakouts/On The Verge:

• Move To Miami by Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull
• All Night by Big Boi
• Dinero by Jennifer Lopez featuring DJ Khaled and Cardi B.

Extras/Optional Extras:

• Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato
• Happy by Pharrell
• Heathens by TWENTY ØNE PILØTS
• Thunder by Imagine Dragons
• Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
• Starving by Hailee Steinfeld & Grey featuring Zedd
• Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato
• That’s What I Like By Bruno Mars

Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Garbage:
20. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
19. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
18. Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
17. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello
 
1 – Bad:
16. I Like Me Better by Lauv
15. Wait by Maroon 5

2 – Mediocre:
14. God’s Plan by Drake

3 – Decent:
None!

4 – Good:
None!

5 – Great:
13. Nice For What by Drake
12. Delicate by Taylor Swift
11. In My Blood by Shawn Mendes
10. Back To You by Selena Gomez
9. Mine by Bazzi
8. Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons
7. New Rules by Dua Lipa
6. Pray For Me by The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar
5. IDGAF by Dua Lipa
4. Done For Me by Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani
3. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey
2. One Kiss by Calvin Harris feautring Dua Lipa

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
1. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande

Total Score: 70/100 = 70% (C–)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: I’ll Make Love To You by Boyz II Men (1994)

Most Missed Song: Can’t Stop The Feeling! by Justin Timberlake

#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: James Dean by The Wrecks

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay (#3)

My Top 5 Picks
1. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande
2. Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B.
3. One Kiss by Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa
4. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey
5. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Backstreet Boys

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
2. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
3. Rockstar by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage
4. Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
5. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Congratulations by Post Malone featuring Quavo: As I mentioned above, I’m not very fond of Post Malone. Though I’m slowly coming around to his music (Candy Paint, etc.), this song along with his two current representations was never to my liking.
Swish Swish by Katy Perry featuring Nicki Minaj: While the music video for the song wasn’t really good, I thought it was still a great collaboration between both Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj. Too bad this didn’t take off, in part because her momentum died down after its predecessor fizzed out.
Strip That Down by Liam Payne featuring Quavo: Liam’s debut single is probably the weakest of the One Direction members going solo. I won’t say it’s as bad as many others are saying, but it still left me scratching my head as to why.

1. Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night) (#1) [=] [2^nd Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay – Something Just Like This (2^nd of 3 Weeks At #1)

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Four-way tie between G-Eazy featuring Halsey – Him & I, Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso featuring Florida Georgia Line and Watt – Let Me Go, Bad Wolves – Zombie and Demi Lovato – Tell Me You Love Me (–15)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Echosmith – Over My Head (+14)

New Entrants
– Alright, so we have a whole new bunch of new songs entering the countdown this week. Let’s first start with the lowest debut of the week (and also the lowest debut of the year so far at #42). It’s been a long time since a song debuted this low on the countdown. Anyway, the band whose name is Hundred Handed, make their very first appearance on the countdown with the song called Too Good. Hundred Handed consist of members Drew Langan, Matt Black, and singer Jordan McGraw. Right off the bat, the song pretty much reminds me of a Bruno Mars song, in which it has the throwback disco groove to it. The vocals are pretty darn good all throughout the song, and I love the production here. This is how you make a good first impression. I love when artists try to go for a throwback sound and execute it so well. We’ll see how long this one stays.

– Next, we have the return of Cheat Codes. And guess what? They collaborate with the band U2, who we haven’t heard from in a long time. Their new song that’s debuting this week is titled Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way. The last time we saw Cheat Codes was when they had a single with Demi Lovato in No Promises, which I did like. As for the new song, I pretty much have the same opinion as I did with its predecessor. I think Cheat Codes did a nice job with the production on the song. The vocals shine pretty much throughout the entire song, and I love the lyrics for the most part. So yeah, it’s a good song overall.

– Hits 1’s obsession with 5 Seconds Of Summer is still very high despite Want You Back starting to decline on the countdown. Their new album, Youngblood, just recently dropped yesterday. The title track of that album makes its debut at #37 this week. I’ll just say it’s pretty enjoyable for the most part, mainly because of the vocals alone. They shine pretty much throughout the song. But where the song is weak at is the production, which is a bit of a step down from its predecessor. It kinda feels like they’re trying to become more of a modern day pop artist, which is basically what Maroon 5 is right now and we’ll get to that in just a moment. Songs like Jet Black Heart are hard to top because they showed that more of a band. Even She Looks So Perfect at least had a band going for them, even though it wasn’t a good song (at least in my opinion). That’s not to say Youngblood is a bad song. In fact, I do like the song mainly for the vocals. However, I can see myself getting sick of this soon. We’ll see how long Hits 1 holds on to this song.

– Then, we have the return of Sam Smith with his latest single from The Thrill Of It All, by the name of Pray. Well, the remix of the song which features Logic enters the countdown. When I first listen to the original version of the song (which I believe was back in the winter when it was brand new), I thought it was good. But in the remix, Logic adds some life to it. The lyrics are well written for the most part, and I do like the piano work. So yeah, the song is just beautiful overall. I can definitely see it sticking to me in the long run as opposed to some of the other songs from Sam Smith (save for Like I Can, which I fell in love with but it didn’t get quite as big).

– Liam Payne makes his return to the countdown with a Latin-based single in the form of Familiar. The song also features J. Balvin, whose verse is edited out of the song for whatever reason on Hits 1 when I listened to it. Anyway, it pretty much reminds me of Despacito, which was obviously one of the biggest songs of 2017. There’s plenty to like about this. First off, Liam sounds good with his vocals just like he did with For You, which unfortunately was not a big hit in the US. He shows that he has improved from Strip That Down, which wasn’t to my liking. The Latin-based vibe fits him very well. Another thing I like about the song is J. Balvin himself. For those who don’t know, he did a song called Mi Gente back in 2017, which I hated with a fiery passion. It was my second least-favorite song of that year overall. But in Familiar, he does well with his verses. Unfortunately, Hits 1 edited out his verses as I just mentioned, which was disappointing. Overall, it’s a good collaboration between the two artists. I hope to see it do well on the countdown.

– Finally, for the highest debut of the week, we have Maroon 5 with another song from Red Pill Blues, by the name of Girls Like You which features Cardi B.. I’m going to be honest for a second. Maroon 5 has been disappointing me lately with their latest singles (with the exception for What Lovers Do). This song is really no different in comparison to their previous singles. Probably the one interesting thing I can say about the song is the music video itself, in which it shows a lot of different celebrities such as Camila Cabello, Ellen DeGeneres, etc. But outside of that, the song itself is just underwhelming. Once again, Adam Levine has taken over the band. Cardi B. makes a bit of a contribution here, but not much. While I don’t think it’s a bad as their previous singles, it mediocre all around. Think about for a second. When listening to this song and its predecessors (save for What Lovers Do), they basically sound like something you would hear from a solo artist. When it comes to Maroon 5 as a whole, that’s not a good thing. I remember songs such as She Will Be Loved and some older singles in which they have a band. Even some of the songs from V showed that. But now, I feel like they’ve become basically a one-man show with just Adam Levine, and nothing more. I miss those days of them having a band. Unfortunately, with this song now looking like its on its way to becoming another hit for these guys (It’s currently in the Top 5 on Billboard as of this typing), I’ll probably have to get used to it for a while. I could be wrong however, but we’ll see.

Best Debut Of The Week: Liam Payne featuring J. Balvin – Familiar

Blurbs Are Bigger Than Anything In Their Way
– Alright, fam. So we’ll start off with one exit that stood out to me. MAX featuring Gnash – Lights Down Low, which was one of the longest-running songs in the history of the Hits 1 Weekend Countdown, is officially no more. Having debuted on Hit-Bound back in January 2017 and then eventually making its way to the countdown all the way back in April 2017, this was a song that was loved by some here in the blogging community, while I wasn’t too fond of it. Up until the beginning of 2018, it was basically an afterthought in which it didn’t do so well here, in large part because at the time the song wasn’t known elsewhere outside of Hits 1. Then, starting in January of this year, more people would come to know the song. And when all is said and done, it reached a peak of #6 on the countdown, coming just short of the Top 5. I will admit, it got as far as it did on most charts, which was impressive for an artist not very well known. Whether this will be on Hits 1’s Top 45 of 2018, we don’t exactly know for sure. We’ll probably find out in about six months. But if it doesn’t, at least it had the distinction of being the song that never goes away, much like with songs such as My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light ‘Em Up), Radioactive, Closer, Shape Of You, and most recently Believer. If there’s one thing I’ve learned when I’ve started blogging, is that you never really know how long a song can last on the countdown. Good-bye, Lights Down Low. It’s been a wild ride.

– Now with that out of the way, we have other exits that I want to talk about. First off, Hurt Somebody burned on me pretty quickly, so I’m not too sad about its departure. No Excuses dropped out of the countdown relatively quickly after that big drop last week. I was expecting that song to maybe stick around for at least a few weeks, but I guess not. I do hope Let You Be Right can debut soon. That one is really good and I’ve been enjoying that song as opposed to its predecessor. All The Stars was bound to be underrated. It’s disappointing to see it suffer through this fate, while it does quite well elsewhere. Oh well, I can’t really do anything about it. That song will be missed by me. That leaves us with two songs. Bad At Love did have a good countdown run and I enjoyed the song while it was here. It showed what Halsey was capable of in terms of her vocals. I’m glad it got to the top spot. I will kinda miss it. Finally, we have the one exit that I’m sad about. Finesse is definitely an enjoyable song all around with the throwback new jack swing sound. It was one of the best off of 24K Magic. I can definitely see myself putting this in My Top 5 songs of 2018. I don’t think we’ll be having anything else from Bruno Mars for a while. We’ll just have to wait until his new album comes out. Farewell, Finesse. You will certainly be missed by me.

– Before introducing How Long, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Charlie Puth’s favorite room temperature to sleep in is around 60 degrees. Wow, I guess he doesn’t like sleeping in a warm room or something. He apparently doesn’t even think about getting a little warm for at least one night. I’m sure many of us are thinking the same thing, well at least until winter when it’s really cold outside.

– During the introduction for Him & I, the guest DJ was named Sam Smith (not the artist, but someone else). How cool was that? I would’ve been funny if he had announced the song from the artist Sam Smith which debuted this week.

– We had quite a lot of big drops this week. First off, Let Me Go was bound to drop down eventually. It had been going strong for a while now, but it looks like this may finally be the end.

– Let Me also took a big drop as well. I didn’t care about it too much so I’m not complaining about it fading away. Also, as I mentioned yesterday, I saw a picture of ZAYN having a purple hair color and I wondered to myself, “does he have some kind of hair-changing dye or what?”. I remembered dying my hair red once and I loved it. I wonder will ZAYN say the same about his new hair color this time?

– Before introducing Never Be The Same, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Camila Cabello’s secret to staying sane is by not using social apps. I guess if she doesn’t want to use social apps, that’s fine. That said, I can’t wait for this song to leave soon.

– Speaking of which, it’s nice to see both Sober Up and Psycho making big drops. The former isn’t a big hit, so it won’t be long until we hopefully see that one leave. The latter I unfortunately have to deal with for a while as it’s still big elsewhere.

– On that note, looks like Zombie may be on its way out as it dropped big as well, along with Tell Me You Love. It’s was nice having them around the Top 10 while they lasted. Now we’ll see how long they hang around the countdown. While we’re on that subject, I believe this is the first time we had four songs tied for the Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week. That is very rare. We recently had that happen back in February with three songs holding that honor.

– Spyder Harrison mentioned during his introduction for Mine that Bazzi is trying to revitalize pop music with his own sound. I can definitely agree with what he said. In fact, that song is still gaining elsewhere, though it still sits outside the Top 20. I would appreciate it if it’s not being underrated here on this countdown.

– On the flip side, we had some big jumps this week, with Fake Friends and Over My Head making their way into the Top 20. I don’t necessarily care about either of them, but I’m not complaining too much about it.

– Also, Selena Gomez – Back To You makes a big jump into the Top 20 just shy of hitting the Top 10. Hopefully it can jump one more spot into that region. Who knows? Maybe it has a chance at success.

– So, I just wanna say congratulations to Ariana Grande on her engagement with Pete Davidson! That said, it’s nice to see No Tears Left To Cry entering the Top 5 this week! I’m looking forward to seeing that song at the top spot. I anticipate that day.

– Speaking of #1, Brendon Urie and company hold that spot for the second week in a row. I wouldn’t even mind this song potentially becoming the song of the summer, at least here. Panic! At The Disco aren’t well known outside of Hits 1, but they do make good music and this song is no exception. I’m glad it’s doing well on this countdown.

Hit-Bound:

• Big Boi – All Night (DEBUT)
• Cole Redding – Father Father (DEBUT)
• In Real Life – Tattoo (How ‘Bout You)
• The Wrecks – James Dean
• Dennis Lloyd – Nevermind
• Fall Out Boy – The Last Of The Real Ones
• Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
• Meghan Trainor – Let You Be Right
• Backstreet Boys – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
• Cardi B. – I Like It
• lovelytheband – Broken
• HRVY – Personal
• Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift – Babe
• MNEK featuring Hailee Steinfeld – Colour (DEBUT)
• BTS – Fake Love (DEBUT)

My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks
TIE: 1. Backstreet Boys – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
TIE: 1. Meghan Trainor – Let You Be Right
3. The Wrecks – James Dean
4. Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
5. Fall Out Boy – The Last Of The Real Ones

Top 20 Review:
0 – Putrid:
20. Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie – Friends
19. Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be

1 – Bad:
18. Maroon 5 – Wait

2 – Mediocre:
None!

3 – Decent:
17. Dustin Atlas featuring Erin Bowman – Fake Friends

4 – Good:
16. Echosmith – Over My Head

5 – Great:
15. Halsey – Alone
14. NOTD featuring Bea Miller – I Wanna Know
13. Niall Horan – On The Loose
12. Taylor Swift – Delicate
11. Selena Gomez – Back To You
10. Shawn Mendes – In My Blood
9. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Want You Back
8. Foster The People – Sit Next To Me
7. Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night)
6. Imagine Dragons – Whatever It Takes
5. The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me
4. Dua Lipa – IDGAF
3. Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani – Done For Me
2. Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
1. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry

Overall Grade: 84/100 = 84% (B)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (2002)

Most Missed Countdown Song: Katy Perry – Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

Most Missed Hit-Bound Dropout: Nathan Sykes featuring Ariana Grande – Over And Over Again

#1 Recommendation For Hits 1: Halsey featuring Lauren Jauregui – Strangers

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

My Top 5 Picks
1. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry
2. Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle
3. Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani – Done For Me
4. Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa – One Kiss
5. Dua Lipa – IDGAF

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

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
None!

1. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello (#1) [=] [5^th Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Stay by Zedd featuring Alessia Cara (1^st of 5 Weeks At #1)

Biggest Fall Of The Week: Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line (–7)

Biggest Rise Of The Week: Tie between Nice For What by Drake and Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign (+5)

New Entrants
– So, only two new songs making their arrival this week. First up, we’ll begin with G-Eazy with his second song on the countdown along with Charlie Puth, who are collaborating with each other in Sober. This song is pretty good for the most part. Charlie shows that he has good vocals, and G-Eazy is a good rapper in the song for the most part. I don’t have too much else to say about the song except that it’s good. I don’t think it’ll get as big as Him & I in my opinion, but I do like it.

– For our second debut of the week, we have the return of the Backstreet Boys. It was the late 1990’s, and one of their first songs I’ve ever heard from them was Everybody (Backstreet’s Back). That one is a classic and probably what I’ve known them best for. Since then, they became a band that people would come to love. Today, after a while, they have a brand new single titled Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. This song is no different from their previous singles. As always, I love the vocals from both Nick Carter and AJ McLean.  The EDM-based production is really good and the groove & synths are pleasant. I also love the lyrical content. Basically, it’s about not trying to be heartbroken in a relationship and this is something most of us can relate to. Backstreet Boys have yet to disappoint me and this song shows that they can still make good music even after all those years.

Baby, Don’t Go Blurbing My Heart
– We’ll start with our two exits this week. First off, good riddance to Sober Up. That one thankfully only lasted two weeks and wasn’t with us for too long. AJR has not been the kind to make music to my liking. This song isn’t any different from what they’ve released in the past. It’s a good thing that it didn’t do well on most charts. We also have the important exit, in which Thunder makes its departure. Now that one I did like as opposed to our other song. While there were some who weren’t very fond of that one, it was something that caught my attention for a while. Eventually it did get old to me and I was ready to move on, but it was never something I hated at the end.

– Oh great. Psycho has now reached the #2 spot. This is even worse when it was #7 last week. I’m scared that this will be #1 soon. It’s bad enough that it’s still gaining, but the fact that it’s not slowing down only makes matters so much worse.

– We do have one other new song entering Top 5 in the form of Mine by Bazzi to shine some light in the darkness. It’s a good song, so I’m cool with that song being there. I would like it to be #1 at some point soon. But with our current #1 and #2, I have a feeling it’s going to take a while unfortunately.

– Then, we also have No Tears Left To Cry entering the top 10 this week! It’s nice to see that song still gaining some momentum since its debut. Ariana Grande mostly never disappoints, and this song is pretty much no exception, mainly because of her vocals alone. I’m hoping this can be a potential #1. The sooner the better.

– So, I recently saw a picture of ZAYN dying his hair purple. Oh boy, it was a couple weeks ago that he had dyed his hair green. Let me guess, did his hair dye had some ever-changing color or what?

Breakouts/On The Verge:

• All Night by Big Boi
• Pray by Sam Smith featuring Logic
• Move to Miami by Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull

Extras/Optional Extras:

• No Roots by Alice Merton
• Cool For The Summer by Demi Lovato
• Let Me Love You by DJ Snake featuring Justin Bieber
• Want You Back by 5 Seconds Of Summer
• Photograph by Ed Sheeran
• No Excuses by Meghan Trainor
• Cake By The Ocean by DNCE
• Sober Up by AJR featuring Rivers Cuomo
• Just Like Fire by P!NK

Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Garbage:
20. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
19. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
18. Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
17. I Like Me Better by Lauv
16. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello

1 – Bad:
15. Wait by Maroon 5

2 – Mediocre:
14. God’s Plan by Drake

3 – Decent:
None!

4 – Good:
None!

5 – Great:
13. Delicate by Taylor Swift
12. Mine by Bazzi
11. In My Blood by Shawn Mendes
10. Nice For What by Drake
9. Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons
8. New Rules by Dua Lipa
7. Pray For Me by The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar
6. All The Stars by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA
5. IDGAF by Dua Lipa
4. Done For Me by Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani
3. One Kiss by Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa
2. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
1. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande

Total Score: 69/100 = 69% (D+)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by The Backstreet Boys (1998)

Most Missed Song: Shower by Becky G

#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: Tie between Seeing Blind by Niall Horan featuring Maren Morris and Let You Be Right by Meghan Trainor

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay (#2)

My Top 5 Picks
1. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande
2. Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B.
3. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey
4. Done For Me by Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani
5. One Kiss by Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa

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

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Crying In The Club by Camila Cabello: Speaking of Camila, this was her first attempt at her solo career. Not much I can say about this one other than it’s less interesting, and I’m not too fond of her vocals. This wasn’t on her debut album as a solo artist, so that’s probably a good thing.

The first performance of the night comes from an artist whose music I’ve been fond of for a while now. Ariana Grande took the stage with her latest single No Tears Left To Cry, which is one of my favorites at the moment. As for the performance itself, I was definitely impressed. I always thought she had a great voice, but she sounds amazing when singing live. I do like some of the dance moves that she put together. Simply put, this was a great start to the show and it shows just how talented Ariana is. I do think she had probably the best performance of that night.

Kelly Clarkson, the host of the awards show herself, has always been a favorite of mine. She performed a number of songs such as There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back, Shape Of You, Finesse, etc. She does have an amazing voice and I thought she sounded very good singing live. I love the way she is rapping in some of the songs, and then I like that she sings Shape Of You with the background music in Finesse. Yeah, I absolutely loved that performance and Kelly did not disappoint me at all. That was a great one for her.
Performance Grade: 9.5/10

• Dua Lipa – New Rules

While I do still like New Rules, I can’t really say the same about her performance of the song. I think she was a little off key in some parts of the performance. She is a pretty good dancer for the most part, but vocally I didn’t think she sounded good here. So yeah, I’m not big on that performance.
Performance Grade: 5/10

• Christina Aguilera featuring Demi Lovato – Fall In Line

I never thought of the idea of bringing these two together for this collaboration, but I’m glad it turned out well. Both of them have amazing voices, and their performance of the song at the awards was no exception. When I heard the song for the first time while watching the show, I was floored. It sounded really good live. The chorus is amazing. Both Christina’s and Demi’s voices blend together really well. They shined pretty much all throughout the whole thing. Simply put, I was in love with their performance overall and definitely one of my favorites from that night.
Performance Grade: 9.5/10

• Ed Sheeran – Galway Girl

Ed Sheeran gave us a performance all the way from Dublin. He sounded pretty good singing live, and his fans joined in to sing the song. The guitar was quite solid when he played it. To put it easy, I thought he did a nice job with the song’s performance overall.
Performance Grade: 8/10

• Jennifer Lopez featuring DJ Khaled and Cardi B. – Dinero

Out of all of the performances from that night, I think this is probably the weakest. I didn’t think JLo sounded good throughout the whole thing. DJ Khaled doesn’t add much to the performance. I’m not sure what the song is about, but judging by the sound it’s basically has some sort of trap-beat in the song. Yeah, I think this simply wasn’t a good performance. They can do better.

Performance Grade: 4/10

1. Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night) (#4) [+3] [1^st Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Zedd featuring Alessia Cara – Stay (3^rd of 4 Weeks At #1)

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Meghan Trainor – No Excuses (–20)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho (+15)

New Entrants
– So, with The Middle still doing very well on all fronts, it was only a matter of time until Maren Morris would bring in one of her solo songs. At #35, she brings in her second song on the countdown titled Rich. If you’ve been following my blog, then you probably know that I still have a huge liking towards The Middle (mainly because I really like Maren Morris). Unfortunately I can’t say the same for this song. I’m not in love with the lyrical content of the song. One of the reason I love The Middle so much is because she’s having fun just singing. But here, she sounds conceited and thinks she’s all that. I’m sorry, but this kind of stuff doesn’t impress me. She sounds okay, but that doesn’t make the song any better. I’m hoping it doesn’t stay for too long and end up getting big.

– Dua Lipa has become a presence in 2018, what with songs like New Rules getting big and IDGAF starting to gain some momentum. Now, she brings in her third song to the countdown as she collaborates with Calvin Harris in his latest release titled One Kiss. I talked about this when it debuted on the American Top 40 a while ago. It’s not his best single by any means, but Calvin Harris still did well as a DJ. Dua Lipa does great with her unique vocals. I do think it’s a great collaboration overall. I’m hoping it does well on the countdown.

Best Debut Of The Week: Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa – One Kiss

One Blurb Is All It Takes
– We’ll begin with our two exits. To start, Feel It Still had quite a run for a band not really known elsewhere. I’m sure some here are happy about its departure. But the one I’m saddest about is Wolves. I never thought Marshmello would make an amazing collaboration with Selena at first, but I’m glad that it worked out well to my liking. It’s definitely a candidate for my Top 10 or maybe even Top 5 songs of 2018 depending on how the rest of the year goes. Goodbye, Wolves. It’s been real.

– The guest DJ that introduced Lights Down Low copied Spyder Harrison’s line when he introduces that song. How cool is that?!

– We had some big drops this week, most of which I’m pleased about. I Like Me Better and Never Be The Same both took some drops which were very pleasing to see. Then, we have No Excuses taking the biggest drop this week all the way down to #31. I was starting to grow out of that song, so I was okay with this. I’m hoping Let You Be Right can debut soon. That song is really good in my opinion.

– So, Spyder Harrison mentioned that ZAYN has anxiety when singing on stage, yet he still plans on touring. If that’s the case, then I’m sure fans will finally be able to come hear him sing. Hopefully, he’ll be able to overcome his anxiety.

– Are you kidding me?! Psycho takes a big jump right back into the Top 20 this week. I’m annoyed by this. But with it still gaining elsewhere, I don’t see it leaving us anytime soon. I honestly cannot believe I actually jinxed it last week when I said it was going to jump big.

– Before introducing I Wanna Know, Spyder Harrison mentioned that NOTD would rather play fortnite rather than make music. I’m not sure how that’ll work out. If they can be able to do that, then the public might take them seriously.

– So, Spyder Harrison said that Ariana Grande’s boyfriend got two tattoos of herself. Man, I guess he must really love Ariana. I’m sure she’ll probably say the same and maybe do something to return his favor.

– Want You Back dropped out of the Top 10 rather quickly. I thought it might stay there for a long time, what with how much Hits 1 loves 5 Seconds Of Summer. But I guess it spent enough time there as it is.

– Spyder Harrison mentioned upon introducing Wait that Adam Levine managed to get a gig at Porsche. I have a feeling this is going to get more people interested in buying one of those. Maybe Adam will find a way to give them one.

– IDGAF has now entered the Top 10 this week. It has now peaked higher than her predecessor New Rules, which is currently in the bottom 5 of the countdown. I’m hoping this time Dua Lipa can get higher on the countdown, but you never know for sure. Pretty much anything can happen on this countdown.

– In My Blood entered the Top 10 as well. I’m sure this will end up staying there for a while, given how Hits 1 has treated Shawn Mendes’s music in the past. Also, his new album has hit #1 on the Billboard 200. Congrats to him.

– But wait, we also have another new song entering that region. Done For Me has reached a new peak of #7. I’m sure this one will get higher eventually. If his two previous singles were able to hit #1, then so can this. Though, it’s not doing quite well in sales and streaming, so it might be a stretch.

– That brings us to our new #1 this week! Brendon Urie and company have hit the top spot with Say Amen (Saturday Night). It’s definitely an fun song and probably one of my songs of the summer. I’m cool seeing it at #1. They may not be known elsewhere, but I’m glad Hits 1 is treating their music well.

Hit-Bound:

• Sam Smith featuring Logic – Pray
• HRVY – Personal
• Fall Out Boy – The Last Of The Real Ones
• Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift – Babe
• Hundred Handed – Too Good
• Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
• 5 Seconds Of Summer – Youngblood
• Cardi B. – I Like It
• In Real Life – Tattoo (How ‘Bout You)
• Liam Payne featuring J. Balvin – Familiar
• lovelytheband – Broken
• Meghan Trainor – Let You Be Right
• Dennis Lloyd – Nevermind
• The Wrecks – James Dean
• Cheat Codes featuring U2 – Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way (DEBUT)
• Backstreet Boys – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (DEBUT)
• Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B. – Girls Like You (DEBUT)

– We have three songs entering Hit-Bound this week. First, Maroon 5 are back with another new single, titled Girls Like You. Right off the bat, it’s really not that different from what they’ve been releasing lately. Once again, Adam Levine has taken over the band. His vocals are decent, but they’re not enough to save this song from being red. I’ll have more words about this come its inevitable debut.

– Next, we have an unexpected collaboration between Cheat Codes and the band U2, who we haven’t heard from in a while, in the song Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way. It’s really a good song overall. I love how Cheat Codes does with the production, and I like the vocals. More on this when it debuts.

– Finally, we have the best debut of the week. After a long time, the Backstreet Boys have finally made their comeback! Their new single is titled Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. Right off the bat, this is just amazing on many different levels. They haven’t really disappointed me with their music. I’ll have more to say about this song when it debuts.

– For the past week or so, I’ve been enjoying Let You Be Right more than I do with No Excuses. Meghan sounds better with her vocals, and I’m in love with the production. She seems to have improved from Thank You. I do hope to see it on the countdown soon.

My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks
TIE: 1. Backstreet Boys – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
TIE: 1. Meghan Trainor – Let You Be Right
3. The Wrecks – James Dean
4. Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
5. Hundred Handed – Too Good

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

1 – Bad:
17. Maroon 5 – Wait

2 – Mediocre:
None!

3 – Decent:
None!

4 – Good:
None!

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

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
1. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry

Overall Grade: 82/100 = 82% (B+)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Prince – When Doves Cry (1984) (This week would’ve been his 60th Birthday. So, Happy Birthday to the late Prince)

Most Missed Countdown Song: OneRepublic – Counting Stars

Most Missed Hit-Bound Dropout: Welshly Arms – Legendary

#1 Recommendation For Hits 1: Niall Horan featuring Maren Morris – Seeing Blind

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay – Something Just Like This (#3)

My Top 5 Picks
1. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry
2. Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle
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. Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be
5. Camila Cabello – Never Be The Same

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
None!

QOTW: What are your thoughts on Shawn Mendes’s new album? What is your favorite song from that album?

1. Imagine Dragons – Whatever It Takes (#3) [+2] [1^st Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Shawn Mendes – There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back (1^st of 5 Weeks At #1)

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho (–16)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Foster The People – Sit Next To Me (+14)

New Entrants
– For our only entrant of this week, we have the return of Echosmith. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from this band. Back in 2014, they made a breakthrough with Cool Kids, which I did kinda like. This week, they debut with their latest single titled Over My Head. They recently released their EP titled Inside A Dream back in the fall, which is filled with great songs such as 18 and Get Into My Car. As for Over My Head, well I guess you can say I do like it. Though I would much prefer if songs like 18 debuted. Anyway, about the song itself, I can say that I do like the vocals from Sydney Sierota. But I’ll admit that the chorus can be a bit underwhelming. The production here is good for an Echosmith song, and I do like the lyrics. The song is nothing amazing, but I do enjoy it for the time being. I can’t say it’ll stick around for too long given that the song isn’t popular right now. But we’ll see happens during its tenure here.

I Can Feel You Blurb
– For the second week in a row, we have only one exit. God’s Plan leaving wasn’t much of a surprise given that Hits 1 tends to underrated some of the biggest songs outside of this countdown. I don’t really like the song very much, so I can say I’m happy about it leaving.

– All The Stars doesn’t look like it’ll be lasting very long here either. It’s too bad because I really like that song. But then again, it’s starting to falter elsewhere too.

– It’s nice to see Psycho taking a big drop this week. I’m hoping this means it won’t last long on the countdown. But now that I’ve just jinxed it, watch it take a massive jump next week.

– This is the first time Thunder is not in the Top 30 since I don’t know how long. I’m sure some here are happy about this. Now we’ll see how much longer it can hang around.

– Spyder Harrison mentioned during his introduction for Let Me that ZAYN was sporting another new hairstyle. This time, he dyed it green. At this rate, I’m sure he’ll continue to change his hairstyle to make his fans interested. I dyed my hair once and it was red. Oh, how I miss those days.

– So, NOTD and Bea Miller just recently did a cover for In My Blood. Even though it was short, I thought they did a nice job. I think these two make a great collaboration.

– Before introducing No Tears Left To Cry, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Ariana Grande and her boyfriend were have s’mores at a Memorial Day dinner. My goodness! Now, I’m hungry for some s’mores! With summer just now getting warmed up, I won’t be surprised to see many other people try to make s’mores for dinner.

– Not too much has changed in the Top 10 other than Delicate making its entry in the Top 5. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up getting the #1 spot given how Hits 1 has treated Taylor Swift’s music in the past.

– On that note, our new #1 for this week is one I’m sure many here are greatly happy about. Whatever It Takes has now taken over the #1 spot after spending a while in the Top 5. I do think it’s one of the more superior songs off of Evolve, so I happy about that.

Hit-Bound:

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

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

YouTube 15:

• Drake – God’s Plan
• Poo Bear featuring Justin Bieber and Jay Electronica – Hard 2 Face Reality
• Lauv – Bracelet
• Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho
• Calum Scott – What I Miss Most
• The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me
• Bazzi – Beautiful
• Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle
• Jax Jones featuring Ina Wroldsen – Breathe
• Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry
• Don Diablo featuring Nina Nesbitt – Put It On For Me
• Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie – Friends
• Lil Dicky featuring Chris Brown – Freaky Friday
• Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be
• Mike Shinoda featuring Grandson – Running From My Shadow

My Top 5 YouTube 15 Picks
TIE: 1. Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle
TIE: 1. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry
3. The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me
4. Don Diablo featuring Nina Nesbitt – Put It On For Me
5. Jax Jones featuring Ina Wroldsen – Breathe

Top 20 Review:
0 – Putrid:
20. Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie – Friends
19. Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be
18. Lauv – I Like Me Better

1 – Bad:
17. Maroon 5 – Wait

2 – Mediocre:
None!

3 – Decent:
None!

4 – Good:
16. Meghan Trainor – No Excuses

5 – Great:
15. Shawn Mendes – In My Blood
14. Taylor Swift – Delicate
13. Halsey – Alone
12. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Want You Back
11. Niall Horan – On The Loose
10. Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night)
9. Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne, Macklemore, and Dan Caplen – These Days
8. Bad Wolves – Zombie
7. The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me
6. Imagine Dragons – Whatever It Takes
5. Dua Lipa – IDGAF
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: 81/100 = 81% (B–)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Faith Hill – Breathe (1999)

Most Missed Countdown Song: Tove Lo – Talking Body

Most Missed Hit-Bound Dropout: Carly Rae Jepsen – Cut To The Feeling

#1 Recommendation For Hits 1: Niall Horan featuring Maren Morris – Seeing Blind

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay – Something Just Like This (#3)

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. Selena Gomez featuring Marshmello – Wolves
5. Demi Lovato – Tell Me You Love 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. Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be
5. Camila Cabello – Never Be The Same

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Ocean Park Standoff – Good News: For a band not really known elsewhere, it was definitely refreshing to hear a song that basically talks about wanting some good news (hence the title).
Sam Hunt – Body Like A Back Road: I pretty much said everything about this when it debuted last year. Honestly, it’s a shame that this had to be the biggest country song of last year when there were much better songs from that genre.
Hey Violet – Break My Heart: Some may not like this mainly because of the vocals alone, but I didn’t really mind. It’s just simply a love song that talks about not wanting to feel the pain and this is something we can relate to.
Hailee Steinfeld – Most Girls: The idea of making a female empowerment song was a good one. It may not be that memorable, but it did work out for Hailee Steinfeld.
Selena Gomez – Bad Liar: This was Selena Gomez basically hitting rock bottom. Hands To Myself at least had something going on; this doesn’t. But at least in her current representation on the countdown, she shows that she is improving from that song.

QOTW: Who do you want to win the NBA Finals? Also, who are you rooting for in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals?

1. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello (#1) [=] [3^rd Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay (1^st And Only Week At #1)

Biggest Fall Of The Week: No Excuses by Meghan Trainor (–8)

Biggest Rise Of The Week: Nice For What by Drake (+9)

New Entrants
– To start off our new round of debuts, we have the return of a band that many here are not looking forward to. AJR make their return with the single called Sober Up, which features Rivers Cuomo of Weezer. I already explained why I dislike the song so much. AJR has been the type of band that hasn’t impressed me at all. If you remember, I did like Weak at first but I realized how stupid the lyrics were and the chorus was obnoxious. Here in Sober Up, it has the same result. While the chorus isn’t quite as bad with the high falsetto getting on my nerves, it’s still very undesirable all around. The lyrics are no good. Yeah, I’m hoping it doesn’t stick around.

– Our second debut is much better than the one I just finished talking about. Selena Gomez makes her return to the American Top 40 countdown this week not long after the departure of Wolves last week. Her new single is titled Back To You, which is taken from the 13 Reason Why Soundtrack for Season 2. Now right off the bat, this is the type of song I want to hear from Selena. She doesn’t do any mumbling or whispering whatsoever throughout the song. Here, she actually sounds good singing with her vocals and we get to hear what she’s truly capable of. This is an improvement for Selena Gomez and I’m looking forward to seeing that one be successful.

Best Debut Of The Week: Back To You by Selena Gomez

I Want To Blurb Something Again
– As far as our exits go this week, Want You Back leaving wasn’t much of a surprise given that 5 Seconds Of Summer aren’t very popular outside of Hits 1. Then we have No Roots, which I felt deserved better. I personally thought it was one of the best songs in alternative music. It’s unfortunate that it failed t do well on this countdown.

– Not much has changed in the Top 5 except Never Be The Same is #1 for the third week in the row (ugh). But Whatever It Takes has entered that region, which is nice to see and I don’t mind it being there for a while.

– New Rules has now left the Top 10 for the first time in about six months. Talk about an incredible run. Now we’ll see how long this can hang around. I have a feeling it’s going to be ranked very high on the year-end list come December.

– We had quite a couple of big drops this week. Him & I has now left the Top 20. It had a nice run while it lasted. No Excuses, on the other hand, took another big drop and now is at the end of its rope. I won’t be too surprised if it leaves soon.

Breakouts/On The Verge:

• Pray by Sam Smith featuring Logic
• Sober by G-Eazy featuring Charlie Puth
• Tattoo (How ‘Bout You) by In Real Life

Extras/Optional Extras:

• Redbone by Childish Gambino
• Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes
• Side To Side by Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj
• Say Something by Justin Timberlake featuring Chris Stapleton
• Scars To Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara
• Can’t Feel My Face by The Weeknd
• Mi Gente by J. Balvin featuring Willy William
• Unsteady by X Ambassadors

Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Garbage:
20. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
19. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
18. Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
17. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello
16. I Like Me Better by Lauv

1 – Bad:
15. Wait by Maroon 5

2 – Mediocre:
14. Let You Down by NF
13. God’s Plan by Drake

3 – Decent:
None!

4 – Good:
None!

5 – Great:
12. Mine by Bazzi
11. Delicate by Taylor Swift
10. In My Blood by Shawn Mendes
9. Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons
8. New Rules by Dua Lipa
7. Pray For Me by The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar
6. All The Stars by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA
5. One Kiss by Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa
4. IDGAF by Dua Lipa
3. Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B.

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

Total Score: 67/100 = 67% (D+)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Breathe by Faith Hill (1999)

Most Missed Song: Talking Body by Tove Lo

#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: Seeing Blind by Niall Horan featuring Maren Morris

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

My Top 5 Picks
TIE: 1. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey
TIE: 1. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande
3. Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B.
4. Done For Me by Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani
5. IDGAF by Dua Lipa

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. Sober Up by AJR featuring Rivers Cuomo
2. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
3. Rockstar by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage
4. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
5. Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
HUMBLE. by Kendrick Lamar: Easily the best song Kendrick Lamar has done. He definitely showcases his talent as a rapper in this song. It is unfortunate that it didn’t really do well on this countdown, but it did well elsewhere.
Slow Hands by Niall Horan: While this isn’t quite his best song, it’s different from the acoustic guitar. It’s more upbeat than This Town.
Attention by Charlie Puth: It was the start of something new for Charlie Puth, and it worked out well for him. Even though the song is only a year old, I still enjoy it to this day.