What’s up, guys? So, we’re just about through with summer and we’re ever closer to fall. Last night was opening night for my Falcons (I’m a Falcons fan, by the way)…and to say the least, we just couldn’t get it done. A lot of things just didn’t go our way yesterday. Oh well, nothing I can do about that. But anyway, here’s the American Top 40 post. We got some activity this week, most of which is for the better. Plus, Ryan Seacrest is back on the job after being absent for two weeks. So, that’s good news. Before we get to this week’s fresh 40, here are the songs leaving the countdown this week:

• Bed by Nicki Minaj featuring Ariana Grande (#32)
• Nevermind by Dennis Lloyd (#36)
• Let You Down by NF (#40) [Spent 2 Weeks At #1]

The Countdown:
Last Week’s #1 Song: Girls Like You by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B.
40. Broken by lovelytheband (DEBUT)
39. Meant To Be by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line (#38) [–1]
38. Let You Be Right by Meghan Trainor (#34) [–4]
37. New Rules by Dua Lipa (#35) [–2] [Spent 4 Weeks At #1]
36. Almost Love by Sabrina Carpenter (DEBUT)
35. Pray For Me by The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar (#33) [–2]
34. Natural by Imagine Dragons (DEBUT)
33. Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons (#31) [–2]
32. Eastside by Benny Blanco featuring Halsey and Khalid (#37) [–5]
31. Wait by Maroon 5 (#28) [–3]
30. The Way I Am by Charlie Puth (#39) [+9]
29. Jackie Chan by Tiesto & Dzeko featuring Preme and Post Malone (#30) [+1]
28. Lucid Dreams by Juice WRLD (#29) [+1]
27. Never Be The Same by Camila Cabello (#25) [–2] [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]
26. Home With You by Madison Beer (#26) [=]
25. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Backstreet Boys (#20) [–5]
24. In My Blood by Shawn Mendes (#22) [–2]
23. Drew Barrymore by Bryce Vine (#23) [=]
22. I Like Me Better by Lauv (#17) [–5]
21. Lie by NF (#24) [+3]
20. Side Effects by The Chainsmokers featuring Emily Warren (#27) [+7]
19. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey (#19) [=] [Spent 4 Weeks At #1]
18. One Kiss by Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa (#9) [–9]
17. I’m A Mess by Bebe Rexha (#21) [+4]
16. Mine by Bazzi (#13) [–3] [Spent 1 Week At #1]
15. Remind Me To Forget by Kygo featuring Miguel (#16) [+1]
14. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie (#7) [–7] (:D)
13. Growing Pains by Alessia Cara (#14) [+1]
12. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign (#10) [–2] [Spent 4 Weeks At #1]
11. God Is A Woman by Ariana Grande (#18) [+7]
10. No Brainer by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, and Chance The Rapper (#15) [+5]
9. Delicate by Taylor Swift (#8) [–1] [Spent 1 Week At #1]
8. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande (#6) [–2] [Spent 1 Week At #1]
7. Youngblood by 5 Seconds Of Summer (#12) [+5]
6. In My Feelings by Drake (#11) [+5]
5. Back To You by Selena Gomez (#5) [=]
4. Love Lies by Khalid featuring Normani (#4) [=]
3. I Like It by Cardi B. featuring Bad Bunny and J. Balvin (#3) [=]
2. Better Now by Post Malone (#2) [=]
1. Girls Like You by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B. (#1) [=] [5^th Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Attention by Charlie Puth (2^nd of 5 Weeks At #1)

Biggest Fall Of The Week: The Way I Am by Charlie Puth (+9)

Biggest Rise Of The Week: One Kiss by Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa (–9)

New Entrants
– First up, we have a new group called lovelytheband making their first appearance on this countdown with their debut single titled Broken. This song has been around for quite a while. When I first heard it, I didn’t exactly care for it that much. But of course with more listens, I started to grow into it. I do kinda like the sentiment it has behind it. Although I’m not necessarily huge on the production overall, I do think their vocals are pretty good. Yeah, it’s a nice song for the most part.

– After only a year, Sabrina Carpenter makes her return with her new single titled Almost Love. Right off the bat, it’s a little bit of a step up from her previous singles such as Why. She does showcase her vocals a little more here as opposed to her other singles, where she sounded pretty underwhelming. The production may not stand out, but it is pretty decent. I do kinda like the lyrics. So yeah, not a bad song overall. I can definitely see myself growing into this in the near future.

– For our final debut of the week, we have more Imagine Dragons, this time with Natural. If I recall correctly, the song is being used as an official anthem for the college football season. I do like how it turned out. One of the things that stood out to me is Dan Reynold’s vocals. He’s pushing his limits and just hit those high notes pretty hard. The production here is well done, and I like the lyrics here. And with this song gaining a lot of steam, this could very well be yet another huge hit for these guys. I’m definitely cool with this sticking around.

Best Debut Of The Week: Natural by Imagine Dragons

It Could Be Blurbs
– As far as our exits go, I didn’t care for Nevermind too much. The same goes for Bed. It wasn’t too interesting of a song either, and Ariana and Nicki have done better. So I’m not complaining about this. Finally, the departure of Let You Down was overdue, at least for me. I’m sure some people here are sad about this, but I’m happy. It’s nice to see that it has finally left us.

– Our Top 5 remains the same this week, so nothing really to talk about here.

– We do however, have some new entrants in the Top 10. In My Feelings reaching a peak of #6 is something I’m not thrilled about. Of course, because it’s immensely popular, I can see it sticking around, though hopefully not much longer. Youngblood was expected given the song’s popularity right now and I could see it go farther. Then, there’s No Brainer which rose thanks to Justin Bieber. However, I don’t think it’ll last long given that the hype has died down somewhat.

– There are some noticeable drops that I should mention. First off, Friends has finally dropped out of the Top 10 this week! I’ve been waiting a long time for this to happen! It’s only a matter of time until this dreck of a song leaves hopefully. But we have the drop from One Kiss, which is a little saddening. Though, it did quite well for the most part. We’ll see how long that song can stick around.

– The jumps from both The Way I Am and God Is A Woman are nice to see, especially the latter. That one I’m certain will be another hit for Ariana. I anticipate the day it can hopefully hit #1.

Breakouts/On The Verge:

• Happy Now by Zedd featuring Elley Duhé
• Boo’d Up by Elle Mai
• Beautiful (Remix) by Bazzi featuring Camila Cabello

Extras/Optional Extras:

• Perfect by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé
• Feels So Close by Calvin Harris
• Ride by TWENTY ØNE PILØTS
• Dinero by Jennifer Lopez featuring DJ Khaled and Cardi B.
• Love Somebody by Maroon 5
• Mercy by Shawn Mendes
• Let Me Go by Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso featuring Florida Georgia Line and Watt
• Bad At Love by Halsey

Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Garbage:
20. Friends by Marshmello featuring Anne-Marie
19. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign

1 – Bad:
18. I’m A Mess by Bebe Rexha
17. In My Feelings by Drake

2 – Mediocre:
16. I Like It by Cardi B. featuring Bad Bunny and J. Balvin

3 – Decent:
15. No Brainer by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, and Chance The Rapper
14. Girls Like You by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B.

4 – Good:
13. Mine by Bazzi

5 – Great:
12. Love Lies by Khalid featuring Normani
11. Better Now by Post Malone
10. Back To You by Selena Gomez
9. Remind Me To Forget by Kygo featuring Miguel
8. Youngblood by 5 Seconds Of Summer
7. Delicate by Taylor Swift
6. One Kiss by Calvin Harris featuring Dua Lipa
5. Growing Pains by Alessia Cara
4. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande
3. God Is A Woman by Ariana Grande

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
TIE: 1. Side Effects by The Chainsmokers featuring Emily Warren
TIE: 1. The Middle byy Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey

Total Score: 76/100 = 76% (C)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: September by Earth, Wind, & Fire (1979)

Most Missed Song: Heartbeat Song by Kelly Clarkson

#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: Electricity by Silk City featuring Dua Lipa

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Praying by Kesha (#15)

My Top 5 Picks
TIE: 1. The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey
TIE: 1. Side Effects by The Chainsmokers featuring Emily Warren
3. God Is A Woman by Ariana Grande
4. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande
5. Let You Be Right by Meghan Trainor

Honorable Mentions: Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Backstreet Boys and Growing Pains by Alessia Cara

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

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Mama by Jonas Blue featuring William Singe: This is probably a standout from Jonas Blue. William’s vocals are pretty spot on for the most part. I do kinda wish it had at least some success, but I guess it was not meant to be (no pun intended).
Lights Down Low by MAX featuring Gnash: I’ll probably talk more about this in a later post, but I’ll just simply say that I don’t like the sentiment the song has behind it. Not to mention the line “I promise you that no one will ever treat you better” comes off as whiny.
Friends by Justin Bieber featuring BloodPop: This was Justin’s attempt to get another hit after Despacito. But by that point, people were simply tired of him. It’s really a shame because pretty much everything about the song works for me.