What’s up, guys? I’m thinking about doing reveals sometime this weekend, maybe sooner. While I’m at it, I also have some Year-End posts that I want to get out soon. I do realize I’m behind. But in the meantime, here’s the AT40 post for this week. Benny Blanco was the guest host for Ryan Seacrest for the weekend. I thought he did a nice job hosting. Before we get to this week’s fresh 40, here are the songs we’re saying goodbye to this week:

• Don’t Matter To Me by Drake featuring Michael Jackson (#28)
• The Middle by Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey (#40) [Spent 4 Weeks At #1]

The Countdown:
Last Week’s #1 Song: High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco
40. Sweet But Psycho by Ava Max (DEBUT)
39. Delicate by Taylor Swift (#38) [–1] [Spent 1 Week At #1]
38. MIA by Bad Bunny featuring Drake (DEBUT)
37. Mine by Bazzi (#35) [–2] [Spent 1 Week At #1] 
36. Body by Loud Luxury featuring Brando (#36) [=]
35. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign (#33) [–2] [Spent 4 Weeks At #1]
34. 8 Letters by Why Don’t We (#37) [+3]
33. No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande (#31) [–2] [Spent 1 Week At #1]
32. Tequila by Dan + Shay (#34) [+2]
31. I’m A Mess by Bebe Rexha (#29) [–2]
30. Ruin My Life by Zara Larsson (#39) [+9]
29. I Like It by Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J. Balvin (#26) [–3]
28. Be Alright by Dean Lewis (#30) [+2]
27. Trust My Lonely by Alessia Cara (#27) [=]
26. Back To You by Selena Gomez (#23) [–3]
25. Shallow by Lady Gaga featuring Bradley Cooper (#24) [–1]
24. Lucid Dreams by Juice WRLD (#20) [–4]
23. Nothing Breaks Like A Heart by Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus (#32) [+9]
22. Better by Khalid (#24) [+2]
21. God Is A Woman by Ariana Grande (#17) [–4] [Spent 3 Weeks At #1]
20. Taki Taki by DJ Snake featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna, and Cardi B (#22) [+2]
19. This Feeling by The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini (#23) [+2]
18. Lie by NF (#14) [–4]
17. Broken by lovelytheband (#13) [–4]
16. Sicko Mode by Travis Scott featuring Drake (#18) [+2]
15. Electricity by Silk City featuring Dua Lipa (#16) [+1]
14. Girls Like You by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B (#11) [–3] [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]
13. Close To Me by Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo and Swae Lee (#19) [+6]
12. Consequences by Camila Cabello (#15) [+3]
11. Better Now by Post Malone (#9) [–2] [Spent 2 Weeks At #1]
10. Sunflower by Post Malone featuring Swae Lee (#12) [+2]
9. Love Lies by Khalid featuring Normani (#8) [–1] [Spent 3 Weeks At #1]
8. Beautiful (Remix) by Bazzi featuring Camila Cabello (#13) [+3]
7. Youngblood by 5 Seconds Of Summer (#6) [–1] [Spent 3 Weeks At #1]
6. Eastside by Benny Blanco featuring Halsey and Khalid (#5) [–1]
5. Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande (#7) [+2]
4. Happier by Marshmello featuring Bastille (#3) [–1] [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]
3. Without Me by Halsey (#4) [+1]
2. Breathin’ by Ariana Grande (#2) [=]
1. High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco (#1) [=] [2^nd Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Havana by Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug (5^th of 7 Weeks At #1)

Biggest Fall Of The Week: Tie between Lucid Dreams by Juice WRLD, God Is A Woman by Ariana Grande, Lie by NF, and Broken by lovelytheband (–4)

Biggest Rise Of The Week: Tie between Ruin My Life by Zara Larsson and Nothing Breaks Like A Heart by Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus (+9)

New Entrants:
– Only two new songs entering the countdown this week. First, we have newcomer Ava Max with her debut single titled Sweet But Psycho. I don’t have a whole lot to say about this one. I really like her voice and I believe she is talented. The production is quite solid all around. Though I do still kinda question some of the lyrics, it’s still rather decent. Overall, it’s a good song.

– For our second (and final) debut of the week, we have quite an interesting collaboration here. Bad Bunny and Drake team up in MIA. I can say that the song itself is decent, I guess. Drake does sound cool singing Spanish here, though a lot of that has to do with the fact that it’s Bad Bunny’s song. I’m not necessarily big on the lyrics and the production is a little too basic. These guys both sound decent, hence why the song is in blue. I guess the song is okay, but it’s nothing special.

Best Debut Of The Week: Sweet But Psycho by Ava Max

I’m Ma-Ma-Ma Out My Blurb
– So, we have two exits. First off, Don’t Matter To Me I fell in love with, but I knew it wouldn’t last very long. Then, we have the big one, in which The Middle has left us after a seemingly long time. I know many here are going to be celebrating and throwing a be-gone party over this one, but I won’t be attending. Instead, I’ll be grieving over its exit. Thank you, The Middle, for your time and service on this countdown. You will definitely be missed by me.

– It was only a matter of time until Thank U, Next would make its way into the Top 5. Although I would much prefer if Breathin’ took the #1 spot. But Thank U, Next is more likely at this point, given that the former is dying down elsewhere.

– Ruin My Life and Nothing Breaks Like A Heart both took nice jumps this week. I would like to see them gain more momentum in the weeks ahead, especially the latter.

– It looks like Broken is now dying out not only here, but elsewhere as well. It had a relatively nice run for a band not known elsewhere. They do have another new single which is currently on Hit-Bound. Will we see that sometime on this countdown soon?

Breakouts/On The Verge:

• There’s No Way by Lauv featuring Julia Michaels
• Love Someone by Lukas Graham
• Let You Love Me by Rita Ora

Extras/Optional Extras:

• Clarity by Zedd featuring Foxes
• I Found You by Benny Blanco featuring Calvin Harris
• Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
• Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
• Hot N Cold by Katy Perry
• Dynamite by Taio Cruz
• Castle On The Hill by Ed Sheeran
• Diamonds by Rihanna

Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Garbage:
20. Sicko Mode by Travis Scott featuring Drake

1 – Bad:
19. Happier by Marshmello featuring Bastille

2 – Mediocre:
None!

3 – Decent:
18. Without Me by Halsey
17. Girls Like You by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B.
16. Broken by lovelytheband

4 – Good:
15. Lie by NF
14. Taki Taki by Dj Snake featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna, and Cardi B
13. Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande

5 – Great:
12. Beautiful by Bazzi featuirng Camila Cabello
11. Consequences by Camila Cabello
10. Better Now by Post Malone
9. Youngblood by 5 Seconds Of Summer
8. High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco
7. Sunflower by Post Malone featuring Swae Lee
6. Love Lies by Khalid featuring Normani
5. Electricity by Silk City featuring Dua Lipa
4. Eastside by Benny Blanco featuring Halsey and Khalid
3. Close To Me by Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo and Swae Lee
2. Breathin’ by Ariana Grande 

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
1. This Feeling by The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini

Total Score: 83/100 = 83% (B)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Fame by David Bowie (1975)

Most Missed Song: Counting Stars by OneRepublic

#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: Dancing With A Stranger by Sam Smith featuring Normani

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Wolves by Selena Gomez featuring Marshmello (#11)

My Top 5 Picks
1. This Feeling by The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini
2. Tequila by Dan + Shay
3. Close To Me by Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo and Swae Lee
4. Breathin’ by Ariana Grande
5. Sunflower by Post Malone featuring Swae Lee

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. I’m A Mess by Bebe Rexha
2. Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
3. Lucid Dreams by Juice WRLD
4. Sicko Mode by Travis Scott featuring Drake
5. Trust My Lonely by Alessia Cara

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
I Like Me Better by Lauv: Ugh, do I need to say anymore about this shitty song? The production is way too weird and the lyrics are cringe-worthy. I honestly don’t think there’s any song that makes my ears scream for mercy more than this.
Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato: Demi’s best single off of the title album. The gospel vibe fits well for Demi. She sounds really good and I love the use of the trumpets.
LOVE. by Kendrick Lamar featuring Zacari: It may not be the best off of DAMN., which was a great album overall. But the song does show how talented Kendrick is when it comes to the verses.