#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B (1^st of 2 Weeks At #1)

Biggest Fall Of The Week: Sicko Mode by Travis Scott featuring Drake (–3)

Biggest Rise Of The Week: Last Hurrah by Bebe Rexha (+8)

– Our first debut comes from Marshmello, who has the follow-up to Happier that I’ve been waiting for. He collaborates with the band CHVRCHES in their latest single titled Here With Me. This is a step up from his previous singles. Marshmello showed me that he is talented as a DJ producer, unlike in songs such as Friends, which was my #3 least favorite song of 2018. I like Lauren Mayberry’s voice. She sounds good in the chorus. Overall it is a good song and I hope to see it have some success.

– Next, we get another member of Fifth Harmony going solo. This time, Ally Brooke gives us her single titled Low Key. With her debut, all the members of Fifth Harmony have released their solo music. I came in with pretty decent expectations because I think Ally Brooke is a talented singer. But when I listened to the song in its entirety, it just fell short. Ally doesn’t really sound too good with her voice. She doesn’t really stand out in any part of the song. The production is okay, but it’s not really special. We also get a verse from Tyga, who is also featured in the song. He doesn’t contribute to the song at all. So yeah, I don’t like this song. I expected more out of Ally, but this is just disappointing and frankly, not good.

– Finally, we have a newcomer making her first appearance on the countdown. Her name is Mabel and she has a song titled Don’t Call Me Up. I don’t really have much I can say about the song. I kinda like her voice, but I feel like the production isn’t special and I find it to be underwhelming in some parts of the song. Of course, my opinion on the song will change with more listens. But right now, I find it to be okay.

Best Debut Of The Week: Here With Me by Marshmello featuring CHVRCHES

Don’t Blurb Me Up
– As far as our exits go, good riddance to Hurts Like Hell and Lucid Dreams, especially the latter. That one was long overdue and I’m glad that I genuinely don’t have to suffer through this song again. Hurts Like Hell was a step down to Home With You, which I liked. I’m glad that one didn’t become a hit. The only exit I’m sad about is Swan Song. I feel like that one deserved better. But of course, I guess people have decided it’s time to move on from Dua Lipa. Oh well.

– We get a Top 5 entrant from Better by Khalid. It’s a good song, but I don’t really think it’s worthy of the #1 spot, unlike Love Lies which I enjoyed. Still, anything is better than our current #1 song.

– The big jump from Lash Hurrah is very pleasing. This is one of Bebe Rexha’s better songs and that is more deserving of being a hit. I hope it can keep jumping.

Breakouts/On The Verge:

• Hey Look Ma, I Made It by Panic! At The Disco
• Out Of Love by Alessia Cara
• When The Party’s Over by Billie Eilish

Extras/Optional Extras:

• Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding
• Young, Dumb, And Broke by Khalid
• Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato
• Nothing Breaks Like A Heart by Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus
• Bad Things by Machine Gun Kelly featuring Camila Cabello
• Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith
• Cold by Maroon 5 featuring Future
• No Brainer by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper, and Quavo
• MIA by Bad Bunny featuring Drake
• Can’t Feel My Face by The Weeknd

Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Garbage:
20. 7 Rings by Ariana Grande
19. Sicko Mode by Travis Scott featuring Drake
18. Happier by Marshmello featuring Bastille 

1 – Bad:
18. Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored by Ariana Grande
17. Wow. by Post Malone

2 – Mediocre:
None!

3 – Decent:
16. Without Me by Halsey
15. Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande

4 – Good:
None!

5 – Great: 
14. Be Alright by Dean Lewis
13. Better by Khalid
12. Sucker by Jonas Brothers
11. Please Me by Cardi B featuring Bruno Mars
10. High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco
9. I’ve Been Waiting by Lil’ Peep featuring iLoveMakonnen and Fall Out Boy
8. Eastside by Benny Blanco featuring Halsey and Khalid
7. Undrunk by FLETCHER
6. Sunflower by Post Malone featuring Swae Lee
5. Breathin’ by Ariana Grande 
4. Sweet But Psycho by Ava Max
3. This Feeling by The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini
2. Close To Me by Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo and Swae Lee
1. Dancing With A Stranger by Sam Smith featuring Normani

Total Score: 78/100 = 78% (C+)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Ray Of Light by Madonna (1998)

Most Missed Song: Heartbeat Song by Kelly Clarkson

#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: Thinkin’ Bout You by Ciara

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B (#1)

My Top 5 Picks
1. You Say by Lauren Daigle
2. Dancing With A Stranger by Sam Smith featuring Normani
3. Shallow by Lady Gaga featuring Bradley Cooper
4. Close To Me by Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo and Swae Lee
5. Bad Liar by Imagine Dragons

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. 7 Rings by Ariana Grande
2. Sicko Mode by Travis Scott featuring Drake
3. Happier by Marshmello featuring Bastille
4. Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored by Ariana Grande
5. Wow. by Post Malone

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Delicate by Taylor Swift: This was the only song from Reputation to actually do well chart-wise, in part because it’s the type of song people like to hear from her. I like her voice and the production is solid. After much thought, I can now say that it’s one of my favorite singles from her album.
Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign: While it’s not as bad as Rockstar, I find this to be simply underwhelming all around. Ty Dolla $ign doesn’t contribute to the song at all, and Post Malone doesn’t sound good with his voice. Not helping matters is the production, which is pretty lifeless.