Hello, fam! So, Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! Hopefully, you all have found him a very nice gift. Also, I would like to congratulate the Blues and the Raptors for winning their first ever championship in the NHL and NBA, respectively. It was definitely a thrill watching those games over the course of the week. These guys definitely deserved it! It’s nice to see different teams win for a change. Now, the 2012 Billboard Year-End Rankdown is still open. I have set the deadline for July 31. You have until then to send me your submissions. It’s very likely that I’ll extend the deadline. Before we get to this week’s fresh 45, here are the songs we’re saying goodbye to this week:

• Dean Lewis – Be Alright (#40)

The Countdown:
Last Week’s #1 Song: Jonas Brothers – Sucker
45. Dan + Shay – Tequila (#45) [=]
44. Ariana Grande – 7 Rings (#44) [=]
43. Jordan McGraw – Flexible (#31) [–12]
42. Billie Eilish – When The Party’s Over (#43) [+1]
41. Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo – Close To Me (#39) [–2]
40. Alessia Cara – Out Of Love (#38) [–2]
39. Post Malone – Wow. (#42) [+3]
38. NOTD, Felix Jaehn, & Captain Cuts featuring Georgia Ku – So Close (#41) [+3]
37. BTS featuring Halsey – Boy With Luv (#37) [=]
36. Andy Grammer – Don’t Give Up On Me (#34) [–2]
35. Ciara – Thinkin Bout You (#24) [–11]
34. Billie Eilish – Bury A Friend (#32) [–2]
33. Bazzi – Paradise (DEBUT)
32. TWENTY ØNE PILØTS – Chlorine (#26) [–6]
31. The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini – This Feeling (#33) [+2] [Spent 7 Weeks At #1]
30. Alec Benjamin – Let Me Down Slowly (#25) [–5]
29. Ariana Grande – Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored (#11) [–18]
28. Lauv featuring Troye Sivan – I’m So Tired… (#21) [–7]
27. Martin Garrix featuring Macklemore and Patrick Stump – Summer Days (#35) [+8]
26. Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved (#23) [–3]
25. Ava Max – So Am I (#30) [+5]
24. Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes (#29) [+5] [Spent 8 Weeks At #1]
23. Khalid – Talk (#28) [+5]
22. Alec Benjamin – If We Had Each Other (#36) [+14]
21. Marshmello featuring BΔSTILLE – Happier (#16) [–5] [Spent 2 Weeks At #1]
20. Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger (#14) [–6]
19. MAX featuring Quinn XCII – Love Me Less (#27) [+8]
18. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy (#13) [–5]
17. P!NK – Walk Me Home (#17) [=]
16. Panic! At The Disco – Dancing’s Not A Crime (#20) [+4]
15. Ed Sheeran featuring Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care (#15) [=]
14. Katy Perry – Never Really Over (#19) [+5]
13. Dan + Shay – Speechless (#12) [–1]
12. Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix) (#22) [+10]
11. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Easier (#18) [+7]
10. Halsey – Without Me (#4) [–6] [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]
9. Imagine Dragons – Bad Liar (#8) [–1]
8. Ava Max – Sweet But Psycho (#9) [+1]
7. Panic! At The Disco – Hey Look Ma, I Made It (#10) [+3] [Spent 3 Weeks At #1]
6. Halsey – Nightmare (#6) [=]
5. Marshmello featuring CHVRCHES – Here With Me (#7) [+2]
4. The Chainsmokers featuring 5 Seconds Of Summer – Who Do You Love (#3) [–1]
3. Shawn Mendes – If I Can’t Have You (#5) [+2]
2. Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie – ME! (#2) [=]
1. Jonas Brothers – Sucker (#1) [=] [12^th Week At #1] [Record Tied!]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Panic! At The Disco – Say Amen (Saturday Night) (2^nd of 4 Weeks At #1)

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Ariana Grande – Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored (–18)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Alec Benjamin – If We Had Each Other (+14)

New Entrants:
– We get only one new entrant this week, and it comes from the return of Bazzi with his new single titled Paradise. I figured it was a matter of time until the song made its debut. My initial reaction to the song has been a pretty mixed bag. The production doesn’t quite click with me like it did in his previous singles. But I do like his voice for the most part and I think he’s a good singer as he showed me in most of his album Cosmic. I don’t have too much else to say about the song. It may grow on me with time, but right now I’m now totally in love with it.

Summer Blurbs
– So this week, we say goodbye to Dean Lewis – Be Alright. And while I did like what he had to offer, it ultimately didn’t end up sticking with me in the long run. I’m sure there are some here who will miss it, while others will celebrate its departure.

– Before introducing 7 Rings, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Ariana Grande made the internet go crazy when she changed her hairstyle. Heh, I’ve seen her wearing long hair before, thus I’m not necessarily shocked. But could she keep it forever? We’ll just have to find out!

– Jordan McGraw – Flexible took a huge drop down to the Bottom 5. I’m okay with this because everything about the song just blows. The lyrics are just cringe-worthy and the weird production isn’t doing any favors.

– Before introducing Wow., Spyder Harrison mentioned that Post Malone did a big order on the hot wings and some other fast-food goodies. I remember eating a whole box of pizza back in the day and I couldn’t help myself because I loved eating it. I’ll bet Post Malone had the same experience, although I don’t know if he ate pizza before. It’s likely that he has eaten something else.

– I have a feeling Don’t Give Up On Me won’t last very long on this countdown, seeing that it’s not gained any sort of traction. It’s a good song, but I’m not surprised about its small drop since people aren’t into Andy Grammer’s latest music.

– Thinking Bout You dropping big isn’t that much of a shock, either. It’s one of her best songs, and it’s pretty sad that the song didn’t do much of anything. Looks like its tenure is pretty close to ending.

– About time Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored dropped big this week. Thankfully, this didn’t enter the Top 10 and it didn’t hit #1 on the American Top 40 (it peaked at #3). Hopefully, this means the song will leave soon. But now that I just jinxed it, watch it move back up to the Top 20 next week.

– During the introduction for High Hopes, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Brendon Urie loves to be on Twitch live streaming during his spare time. I wonder what does he entertain his fans with? Some jokes, perhaps?

– If We Had Each Other would of course, be the Biggest Jump Of The Week. While I’m not big on the move, I think the song is better than Let Me Down Slowly, so I’ll live with it.

– It’s about time Happier dropped out of the Top 20. Looks like the end may finally be near for this song. But I’m sure it’ll hang around for another couple of months or so.

– Three of last week’s debuts (So Am I, Talk, and Never Really Over) each moved 5 spots this week.

– Before introducing Old Town Road, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Lil Nas X surprised kids when he showed up in his cowboy outfit to sing the song. I’ll bet the kids were wild about his performance. That aside, I’m not thrilled that it’s moving up, but it’s a good thing it missed out on the Top 10. But then again, now that I just said it, watch it enter that region next week.

– Despite not having any new Top 10 entrants, we get a Top 5 entrant from Here With Me, which I’m cool with. Although the song has basically lost traction elsewhere, it’s nice to see Hits 1 giving it some love, especially since it’s better than Marshmello’s current representation on the countdown, which thankfully is finally starting to die down.

– And Sucker holds at #1 yet again. With that, the song now joins Taylor Swift – Shake It Off, Walk The Moon – Shut Up And Dance, and Adele –Hello as the only songs in the history of the Hits 1 Weekend Countdown to have spent 12 weeks at #1. Could the Jonas Brothers break the record next week?! We’ll find out for sure!

Hit-Bound:

• Mark Ronson featuring Camila Cabello – Find U Again
• OneRepublic – Rescue Me
• In Real Life – Crazy AF
• The Chainsmokers featuring Bebe Rexha – Call You Mine
• AJR – 100 Bad Days
• Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down (DEBUT)
• Lizzo – Truth Hurts
• P!NK – Hustle
• Jonas Brothers – Cool
• Push Baby – Mama’s House
• Kygo featuring Rita Ora – Carry On
• Ed Sheeran featuring Chance The Rapper and PnB Rock – Cross Me
• Kaskade featuring Meghan Trainor – With You (DEBUT)
• Asher Angel featuring Wiz Khalifa – One Thought Away
• Public – Make You Mine
• Miley Cyrus – Mother’s Daughter

Entrant Reviews:
– Mikey Piff is back to hosting Hit-Bound this week. We have two new songs entering Hit-Bound this week, starting with Taylor Swift who has a new single titled You Need To Calm Down. I was this close to loving the song because I like the beat. But Taylor didn’t really deliver with her voice outside of the chorus. Overall, this is okay, but not what I was hoping for.

– Next is the collaboration between Kaskade and Meghan Trainor with their new single, With You. Like with You Need To Calm Down, I came in with pretty decent expectations thinking it was going to be good. But it just didn’t do it for me ultimately. Meghan’s voice is just not good in any part of the song, and I don’t like Kaskade’s work here. Overall, I’m not a fan.

Best Hit-Bound Entrant Of The Week: Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down

Hit-Bound Breakdown:
0 – Crap:
16. Ed Sheeran featuring Chance The Rapper and PnB Rock – Cross Me

1 – Bad:
15. AJR – 100 Bad Days
14. Jonas Brothers – Cool
13. Push Baby – Mama’s House
12. Kaskade featuring Meghan Trainor – With You

2 – Mediocre:
None!

3 – Decent:
11. In Real Life – Crazy AF
10. Asher Angel featuring Wiz Khalifa – One Thought Away
9. Mark Ronson featuring Camila Cabello – Find U Again
8. Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down
7. The Chainsmokers featuring Bebe Rexha – Call You Mine

4 – Good:
None!

5 – Great:
6. P!NK – Hustle
5. Public – Make You Mine
4. OneRepublic – Rescue Me
3. Kygo featuring Rita Ora – Carry On
2. Miley Cyrus – Mother’s Daughter

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On Hit-Bound:
1. Lizzo – Truth Hurts

Overall Grade: 53/80 = 66% (D+)

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

My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks
1. Lizzo – Truth Hurts
2. Miley Cyrus – Mother’s Daughter
3. Kygo featuring Rita Ora – Carry On
4. OneRepublic – Rescue Me
5. Public – Make You Mine

YouTube 15:

• Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
• DJ Khalid featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend – Higher
• Sabrina Carpenter – In My Bed
• Ed Sheeran featuring Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care
• Ally Brooke featuring A Boogie Wit A Hoodie – Lips Don’t Lie
• Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger
• Jonas Brothers – Used To Be
• Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix)
• Lauv – Sad Forever
• Khalid – Talk
• BTS featuring Charli XCX – Dream Glow 
• Halsey – Nightmare
• Alan Walker featuring Sabrina Carpenter – On My Way
• Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie – ME!
• Mabel – Mad Love

Song Reviews:
– Up first, we have Sabrina Carpenter yet again, this time with In My Bed. She hasn’t really been impressing me with her music (well, other than Almost Love which I liked). In My Bed is really not that different. But I like the production in this one quite a bit and the beat is decent. Sabrina sounds okay, but she doesn’t stand out in the chorus. So yeah, I find this okay for now. My opinion may change.

– With the Jonas Brothers releasing their new album Happiness Begins, I’m not surprised that they would end up bringing a song to the YouTube 15. This week, they give us Used To Be. Not too much I can say about this song. The instrumentation is good and I like the vocals we get from them. This is based on my initial reaction when I first heard it. It’ll probably change with more listens.

– The k-pop band BTS are collaborating with Charli XCX in their latest single titled Dream Glow. I haven’t really been a big fan of what BTS has to offer. But this is actually pretty good. I like Charli’s voice and the production is on point for the most part. So yeah, I’m content with this.

– Finally, we have Mabel with her latest single, Mad Love. I think this is better than Don’t Call Me Up. She sounds better in Mad Love than she does in her predecessor, but that’s just me. There’s some other stuff I like about this as well. Overall, it’s a pretty solid song.

YouTube 15 Breakdown:
0 – Crap:
15. Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix)

1 – Bad:
None!

2 – Mediocre:
14. Khalid – Talk

3 – Decent:
13. Alan Walker featuring Sabrina Carpenter – On My Way
12. Lauv – Sad Forever
11. Sabrina Carpenter – In My Bed
10. Ed Sheeran featuring Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care
9. Halsey – Nightmare

4 – Good:
None!

5 – Great:
8. Jonas Brothers – Used To Be
7. BTS featuring Halsey – Dream Glow
6. Mabel – Mad Love
5. Ally Brooke featuring A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – Lips Don’t Lie
4. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
3. DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend – Higher
2. Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie – ME!

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The YouTube 15:
1. Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger

Overall Grade: 58/75 = 77% (C+)

Most Missed YouTube 15 Song: Olly Murs featuring Louisa Johnson – Unpredictable

My Top 5 YouTube 15 Picks
1. Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger
2. Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie – ME!
3. DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend – Higher
4. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
5. Ally Brooke featuring A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – Lips Don’t Lie

Hits 1 Weekend Countdown Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Crap:
20. Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix)

1 – Bad:
None!

2 – Mediocre:
19. MAX featuring Quinn XCII – Love Me Less

3 – Decent:
18. Halsey – Without Me
17. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Easier
16. Ed Sheeran featuring Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care
15. Halsey – Nightmare
14. The Chainsmokers featuring 5 Seconds Of Summer – Who Do You Love

4 – Good:
13. P!NK – Walk Me Home
12. Jonas Brothers – Sucker

5 – Great:
11. Panic! At The Disco – Dancing’s Not A Crime
10. Panic! At The Disco – Hey Look Ma, I Made It
9. Marshmello featuring CHVRCHES – Here With Me
8. Imagine Dragons – Bad Liar
7. Ava Max – Sweet But Psycho
6. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
5. Dan + Shay – Speechless
4. Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie – ME!
3. Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:
TIE: 1. Shawn Mendes – If I Can’t Have You
TIE: 1. Katy Perry – Never Really Over

Overall Grade: 82/100 = 82% (B–)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Laura Branigan – Gloria (1982)

Most Missed Countdown Song: Kelly Clarkson – Mr. Know It All

#1 Recommendation For Hits 1: Carly Rae Jepsen – Now That I Found You

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry (#4)

My Top 5 Picks
TIE: 1. Katy Perry – Never Really Over
TIE: 1. Shawn Mendes – If I Can’t Have You
3. Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger
4. Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie – ME!
5. Dan + Shay – Speechless

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix)
2. Ariana Grande – 7 Rings
3. Lauv featuring Troye Sivan – I’m So Tired…
4. Jordan McGraw – Flexible
5. Marshmello featuring BΔSTILLE – Happier

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Hundred Handed – Too Good: The song reminds me of something Bruno Mars would sing, in large part because it has that throwback feel to it. Their vocals fit well and I love the groove.
U2 featuring Cheat Codes – Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way: The song has a nice sentiment to it, especially the original version. This version with Cheat Codes kinda defeats that purpose. Still, it’s not bad at all.
5 Seconds Of Summer – Youngblood: This is different than what were used to hearing from this band. And some of the lines pull me in. Yeah, I’m still loving this.
Sam Smith featuring Logic – Pray: The solo version of this song is good. It shows how talented Sam is as a songwriter and as a vocalist. But I find the remix to be even better, in part because Logic adds more to it. Although his current representation on the countdown is better, I like this quite a bit.
Liam Payne featuring J. Balvin – Familiar: I love the Latin vibes in the song, though J. Balvin had a lot to do it. Liam sounds good here. This is a solid song that deserved to be a hit than Strip That Down.
Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B – Girls Like You: I’ll give them that it’s slightly better than what these guys had recently (outside of What Lovers Do). Cardi B is one of the good things about it, and the cool music video featuring a lot of female celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres.

QOTW: Taylor Swift has just recently released her new single, You Need To Calm Down. What are your thoughts on the song?