Hello, guys! The 2019 Grammy Music Awards takes place tomorrow night. I will indeed be watching, and I plan on reviewing all of the performances of the show. I do hope we get some good performances. We’ll see. I don’t really have anything else interesting to say, so let’s just get to the countdown. Before we get to this week’s fresh 45, here are the songs we’re saying goodbye to this week:

• The Struts featuring Kesha – Body Talks (#21)
• Lauren Jauregui – Expectations (#31)

The Countdown:
Last Week’s #1 Song: Halsey – Without Me
45. Shawn Mendes – In My Blood (#45) [=] [Spent 2 Weeks At #1]
44. Pitbull featuring Rhea – Ocean To Ocean (#40) [–4]
43. Charlie Puth – The Way I Am (#43) [=]
42. Jennifer Lopez – Limitless (#44) [+2]
41. George Ezra – Shotgun (#41) [=]
40. Bebe Rexha – I’m A Mess (#42) [+2]
39. Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night) (#39) [=] [Spent 4 Weeks At #1]
38. Ariana Grande – Breathin’ (#33) [–5]
37. Backstreet Boys – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (#37) [=]
36. Selena Gomez – Back To You (#35) [–1]
35. Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B – Girls Like You (#34) [–1]
34. Stephen Puth – Sexual Vibe (DEBUT)
33. lovelytheband – Broken (#32) [–1]
32. Avril Lavigne – Tell Me It’s Over (DEBUT)
31. Fall Out Boy – The Last Of The Real Ones (#25) [–6] [Spent 2 Weeks At #1]
30. Alessia Cara – Trust My Lonely (#28) [–2]
29. Imagine Dragons – Machine (#23) [–6]
28. Charli XCX featuring Troye Sivan – 1999 (#38) [+10]
27. James Arthur – Empty Space (#27) [=]
26. Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus – Nothing Breaks Like A Heart (#22) [–4]
25. Seeb featuring BΔSTILLE – Grip (#30) [+5]
24. Khalid – Better (#24) [=]
23. Lauren Daigle – You Say (#29) [+6]
22. Benny Blanco featuring Calvin Harris – I Found You (#26) [+4]
21. Zara Larsson – Ruin My Life (#20) [–1]
20. Imagine Dragons – Natural (#14) [–6] [Spent 1 Week At #1]
19. Post Malone featuring Swae Lee – Sunflower (#18) [–1]
18. Dean Lewis – Be Alright (#36) [+18]
17. David Guetta featuring Anne-Marie – Don’t Leave Me Alone (#17) [=]
16. TWENTY ØNE PILØTS – Chlorine (#16) [=]
15. Khalid featuring Normani – Love Lies (#15) [=]
14. Dan + Shay – Speechless (#19) [+5]
13. Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo – Close To Me (#13) [=]
12. Panic! At The Disco – Hey Look Ma, I Made It (#8) [–4]
11. Ava Max – Sweet But Psycho (#11) [=]
10. Alec Benjamin – Let Me Down Slowly (#10) [=]
9. Ariana Grande – Thank U, Next (#5) [–4]
8. Benny Blanco featuring Halsey featuring Khalid – Eastside (#7) [–1]
7. Dan + Shay – Tequila (#12) [+5]
6. Anne-Marie – 2002 (#10) [+4]
5. 5 Seconds of Summer – Youngblood (#6) [+1] [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]
4. The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini – This Feeling (#3) [–1] [Spent 4 Weeks At #1]
3. Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes (#2) [–1] [Spent 8 Weeks At #1]
2. Marshmello featuring BΔSTILLE – Happier (#4) [+2] [Spent 2 Weeks At #1]
1. Halsey – Without Me (#1) [=] [5^th Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Charlie Puth – How Long (1^st of 2 Weeks At #1)

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Tie between Fall Out Boy – The Last Of The Real Ones, Imagine Dragons – Machine, and Imagine Dragons – Natural (–6)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Dean Lewis – Be Alright (+18)

New Entrants:
– So, I’d like to point out that Charlie Puth has two siblings. He has a sister named Mikalea, who we don’t really know about. But he also has a brother named Stephen, who makes his debut this week with Sexual Vibe. Now, Charlie has the type of voice that helps him be able to hit those high notes. Stephen’s voice is a little different because he has a much deeper voice. Hearing the song, you can easily tell the difference. I was mixed on this at first, but now I grew to love it. The instrumentation here is pretty slick. Stephen’s deep voice and the production blend well together. To put it short, it’s a great first impression for Charlie’s brother.

– Then, we get the big return of Avril Lavigne. It’s definitely been a long time since we’ve heard from her. But I’m glad she’s back. At #32, she returns to the countdown with Tell Me It’s Over, from her latest album Head Above Water. I’m a little disappointed that Hits 1 decided to skip over the title track, which is amazing. But Tell Me It’s Over is also one of the diamonds in the rough. This is just beautiful all around. Avril sounds great here, which shows that she hasn’t lost a step since her last album. I love what the song has to offer lyrically. Basically, she talks about a toxic relationship and what she has been through. In a way, it kinda reminds me of Praying, which was my #1 of 2017. That song also talked about the relationship between Kesha and Dr. Luke. She shows her songwriting capabilities in the song. The instrumentation is very nice as well. So yeah, it’s nice to have Avril Lavigne back! This is just phenomenal in every sense of the word.

Best Debut Of The Week: Avril Lavigne – Tell Me It’s Over

Papa Don’t Blurb
– So, we have two exits. The first of which is Expectations, which I’m not all that sad about although I still kinda like the song. Then there’s Body Talks, which left from a high position at #21. Dang! I still love the song, so seeing it go so soon isn’t pleasing.

– Before introducing The Way I Am, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Charlie Puth doesn’t spend time on his phone anymore. Looks like he may be shying away from that. But almost everyone uses a cell phone nowadays. I guess he didn’t want to get too obsessed over his phone, heh.

– Before introducing You Say, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Lauren Daigle sounds more like Adele. Sounds like he must’ve just figured it out, although I’m sure some people knew about it from the start. As a matter of fact, I did talk about how she sounds like Adele when the song made its debut last week. I can definitely hear the comparisons between the two.

– Be Alright having that massive jump was nice to see. I know some people aren’t necessarily on board with this, but I actually like what the song has to offer. It’s definitely meaningful, and I do have a thing for songs like this.

– So, Ariana Grande has decided to not perform at the Grammy Awards, huh? It’s quite a shame we won’t get to hear her voice live. Oh well.

– Can 2002 start making its way down soon? I’m not all that thrilled that it’s still jumping like this and that it’s higher than songs like Tequila. I want this to be fixed soon.

– On that note, can we please get Happier away from #1, or better yet out of the Top 5 soon? I’m tired of being on the edge of my seat hoping it doesn’t become #1 again. Honestly, I’d rather have Without Me hold at #1 for another week over this song, even though I’m not necessarily a big fan of the song either. Or better yet, how about This Feeling back at #1? Even Youngblood or High Hopes would be nice. Just as long as Happier isn’t #1.

Hit-Bound:

The Chainsmokers are the guest hosts for Hit-Bound this week. Here’s the full list:

• Lil’ Peep featuring iLoveMakonnen and Fall Out Boy – I’ve Been Waiting (DEBUT)
• Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger
• Lauv featuring Troye Sivan – I’m So Tired
• Panic! At The Disco – Dancing’s Not A Crime
• Post Malone – Wow.
• Grandson – Apologize (DEBUT)
• The Chainsmokers featuring 5 Seconds Of Summer – Who Do You Love (DEBUT)
• Imagine Dragons – Bad Liar
• Sabrina Carpenter – Sue Me
• Rita Ora – Let You Love Me
• lovelytheband – Maybe, I’m Afraid
• Ariana Grande – 7 Rings
• Gesaffelstein featuring The Weeknd – Lost In The Fire
• Kelsea Ballerini – Miss Me More
• Jake Miller – Wait For You
• Travis Scott featuring Drake – Sicko Mode

Entrant Reviews:
– We’ll start with an interesting collaboration between three artists (the late Lil’ Peep, iLoveMakonnen, and the band Fall Out Boy) in their single, I’ve Been Waiting. I came in with pretty low expectations, but now I actually like this for the most part. I do like their verses here. Also, something about the production here just clicks with me. I don’t know why. Overall, it’s a pretty solid song.

– Next, we have Grandson (yes, the artist) with Apologize. Not much I can say about the song as a whole. I kinda like the instrumentation here, but I’m not too big on his voice. That’s all I’ve got to say about it.

– And now, the big one. The Chainsmokers themselves are collaborating with Hits 1 favorite, 5 Seconds Of Summer in Who Do You Love. This is a song that works well in most aspects. I’ll have more words for when it inevitably debuts. But could this be the song that dethrones Without Me? We’ll have to see.

Best Debut Of The Week: The Chainsmokers featuring 5 Seconds Of Summer – Who Do You Love

My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks
1. Imagine Dragons – Bad Liar
2. Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger
3. Gesafflestein featuring The Weeknd – Lost In The Fire
4. Kelsea Ballerini – Miss Me More
5. The Chainsmokers featuring 5 Seconds Of Summer – Who Do You Love

YouTube 15:

• Travis Scott featuring Drake – Sicko Mode
• Clean Bandit featuring Marina And The Diamond and Luis Fonsi – Baby
• AJR – 100 Bad Days
• Post Malone featuring Swae Lee – Sunflower
• The Chainsmokers featuring Winona Oak – Hope
• Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B – Girls Like You
• Galantis featuring OneRepublic – Bones
• Benny Blanco featuring Halsey and Khalid – Eastside
• Alan Walker featuring Au/Ra and Tomine Harket – Darkside
• Ariana Grande – Thank U, Next
• Billie Eilish – Bury A Friend
• Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
• Julia Michaels featuring Selena Gomez – Anxiety
• Marshmello featuring BΔSTILLE – Happier
• Ally Brooke featuring Tyga – Low Key

Song Reviews:
– Oh boy…we have AJR once again. This time, they bring us 100 Bad Days. I will say that it’s a step up from their previous singles, but that’s not saying too much. The production isn’t quite as obnoxious, but the lyrics aren’t good and I still don’t like their vocals too much. They just don’t click with me. I don’t know why. Overall, it’s not a good song and it’s not surprising considering I’m not fond of AJR.

– Next, we have EDM duo Galantis collaborating with Ryan Tedder and co. (a.k.a. OneRepublic) in their new single titled Bones. Last time, they had San Francisco which was on the YouTube 15 a month ago. I talked about that song a while back and that one was terrible. Bones is a different story. I like the guitar here. Ryan has a nice voice and he uses it well in the song. It’s pretty darn good overall.

– I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I actually love Billie Eilish’s music. Bury A Friend is another example of such. Her voice is mysterious, but at the same time, it’s unique. I like the dark vibe here. The production, while there’s not much to it, is pretty solid and her voice meshes well. So yeah, it’s definitely a good song and I’m looking forward to her album, which comes out next month.

– For our final song of the week, we have another Fifth Harmony member with her solo debut. Ally Brooke teams up with Tyga in Low Key. Right off the bat, the song isn’t very appealing to me. I don’t like Tyga’s contribution for the most part. His verses didn’t do much. I expected more out of Ally, but she didn’t strike me with her voice. She sounds pretty underwhelming here. The production is decent, though. Overall, I’m not all that impressed for now. While it’s in blue, it’s slightly closer to red than it is green.

My Top 5 YouTube 15 Picks
1. Billie Eilish – Bury A Friend
2. Alan Walker featuring Au/Ra and Tomine Harket – Darkside
3. Galantis featuring OneRepublic – Bones
4. Post Malone featuring Swae Lee – Sunflower
5. Clean Bandit featuring Marina And The Diamonds and Luis Fonsi – Baby

Top 20 Review:
0 – Horrific:
None!

1 – Bad:
20. Alec Benjamin – Let Me Down Slowly
19. Marshmello featuring BΔSTILLE – Happier

2 – Mediocre:
18. TWENTY ØNE PILØTS – Chlorine
17. Anne-Marie – 2002

3 – Decent:
16. Halsey – Without Me

4 – Good:
15. Ariana Grande – Thank U, Next
14. David Guetta featuring Anne-Marie – Don’t Leave Me Alone

5 – Great:
13. Imagine Dragons – Natural
12. Dean Lewis – Be Alright
11. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Youngblood
10. Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes
9. Khalid featuring Normani – Love Lies
8. Panic! At The Disco – Hey Look Ma I Made It
7. Ava Max – Sweet But Psycho
6. Benny Blanco featuring Halsey and Khalid – Eastside
5. Post Malone featuring Swae Lee – Sunflower
4. Dan + Shay – Tequila
3. The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini – This Feeling
2. Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo – Close To Me

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
1. Dan + Shay – Speechless

Overall Grade: 83/100 = 83% (B)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Madonna – Papa Don’t Preach (1986)

Most Missed Countdown Song: Coldplay – A Sky Full Of Stars

Most Missed Hit-Bound Dropout: Years & Years – If You’re Over Me

#1 Recommendation For Hits 1: Maren Morris – GIRL

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Tie between Kesha – Praying (#37), Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B – Finesse (Remix) (#20), and Zedd featuring Maren Morris and Grey – The Middle (#16)

My Top 5 Picks
1. Dan + Shay – Speechless
2. Avril Lavigne – Tell Me It’s Over
3. Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo – Close To Me
4. Lauren Daigle – You Say
5. Dan + Shay – Tequila

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. Bebe Rexha – I’m A Mess
2. Imagine Dragons – Machine
3. Alessia Cara – Trust My Lonely
4. James Arthur – Empty Space
5. Alec Benjamin – Let Me Down Slowly

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
None!

QOTW: What are your thoughts about Maroon 5’s performance for the halftime show?