Hello, fam! I’ll be busy all next week for a special occasion, so I’m going to get this post out as soon as possible. I won’t be wasting time trying to come up with any introductions. I’ll just simply make this relatively quick. But anyway, the month of August is now finally upon us! Let’s get into the countdown. Before we get to this week’s fresh 45, here are the songs we’re saying goodbye to this week:

• Ariana Grande – 7 Rings (#45)

The Countdown:
Last Week’s #1 Song: The Chainsmokers featuring 5 Seconds Of Summer – Who Do You Love
45. TWENTY ØNE PILØTS – Chlorine (#44) [–1]
44. Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger (#41) [–3]
43. Marshmello featuring BΔSTILLE – Happier (#42) [–1] [Spent 2 Weeks at #1]
42. Ellie Goulding featuring Diplo – Close to Me (#43) [+1]
41. Push Baby – Mama’s House (#36) [–5]
40. P!NK – Walk Me Home (#40) [=]
39. Bazzi – Paradise (#39) [=]
38. Imagine Dragons – Bad Liar (#38) [=]
37. Martin Garrix featuring Macklemore and Patrick Stump – Summer Days (#37) [=]
36. Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes (#35) [–1] [Spent 8 Weeks at #1]
35. The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini – This Feeling (#34) [–1] [Spent 7 Weeks at #1]
34. AJR – 100 Bad Days (DEBUT)
33. P!NK – Hustle (#30) [+3]
32. Ava Max – Sweet But Psycho (#29) [–3]
31. PUBLIC – Make You Mine (#33) [+2]
30. Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie – ME! (#28) [–2]
29. Halsey – Without Me (#27) [–2] [Spent 5 Weeks at #1]
28. Alec Benjamin – Let Me Down Slowly (#24) [–4]
27. Blanco Brown – The Git Up (#31) [+4]
26. Dan + Shay – Speechless (#26) [=]
25. Kaskade featuring Meghan Trainor – With You (#32) [+7]
24. Post Malone featuring Young Thug – Goodbyes (#23) [–1]
23. Andy Grammer – Don’t Give Up On Me (#18) [–5]
22. Lizzo – Truth Hurts (#25) [+3]
21. Alec Benjamin – If We Have Each Other (#15) [–6]
20. Katy Perry – Never Really Over (#19) [–1]
19. Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved (#8) [–11] (Happy now, everyone?)
18. Khalid – Talk (#10) [–8]
17. Marshmello featuring CHVRCHES – Here With Me (#16) [–1]
16. Panic! At The Disco – Dancing’s Not A Crime (#20) [+4]
15. The Chainsmokers featuring Bebe Rexha – Call You Mine (#21) [+6]
14. MAX featuring Quinn XCII – Love Me Less (#22) [+8]
13. Shawn Mendes featuring Camila Cabello – Señorita (#15) [+2]
12. Ed Sheeran featuring Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care (#6) [–6]
11. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Easier (#9) [–2]
10. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy (#12) [+2]
9. Jonas Brothers – Cool (#13) [+4]
8. Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix) (#7) [–1]
7. Ava Max – So Am I (#14) [+7]
6. Panic! At The Disco – Hey Look Ma, I Made It (#2) [–4] [Spent 3 Weeks at #1]
5. The Chainsmokers featuring 5 Seconds of Summer – Who Do You Love (#1) [–4] [Spent 2 Weeks at #1]
4. Taylor Swift – You Need to Calm Down (#17) [+13]
3. Jonas Brothers – Sucker (#5) [+2] [Spent 13 Weeks at #1]
2. Halsey – Nightmare (#4) [+2]
1. Shawn Mendes – If I Can’t Have You (#3) [+2] [4^th Week at #1]

#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Taylor Swift – Delicate (3^rd And Final Week At #1)

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved (–11)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down (+13)

New Entrants:
– Alright, so another year, another AJR song that would eventually debut on the countdown. This time they bring us a song from the latest album Neotheater, titled 100 Bad Days. Right off the bat, it’s really not that different compared to what they’ve done in the past. I’ll give it to them that the production isn’t awful though. It’s still tolerable to some degree. But everything else about the song is not good. It consists of bad lyrical content and poor vocal performance from these guys. I also think The vocal effects that come before the chorus are unnecessary. So, I’m not thrilled to see AJR make their return. But I’ll give these guys credit because they’ve replaced one of my least favorite songs of the year (which I’ll get to in just a bit). Still, this is not a good song overall and considering that I’m not very fond of what they have to offer (and neither is everyone else here including the YouTube critics), it does not come as a surprise. Hopefully, it does not last long. But we’ll see.

A Hundred Bad Blurbs Made A Hundred Good Stories
I technically don’t have a hundred bad blurbs, but there was quite a bit to talk about this week and I’m going to make the most of them. So let’s get right into things.

– First off, let us celebrate as 7 Rings has now finally left the countdown! It was a asinine single that did not deserve to have success. But it’s nice to see this one finally off!  Good riddance! That song will never be missed!

– Before introducing Happier, Spyder Harrison mentioned that Marshmello competed in the Fortnite World Cup, but ended up losing. I’ll give him points for trying, though. I’m sure he did his best.

– Mama’s House is having a abysmal run on the countdown so far seeing as it has now dropped down to the Bottom 5, which is a good thing because the song is no good. We have some better songs on Hit-Bound that can replace it.

– So, Ed Sheeran’s Divide tour has now officially surprassed U2’s tour as the highest grossing tour of all time. Congrats to Ed Sheeran!

– We get some new songs in the Top 10 this week. Hits 1 was a little late to the party with Bad Guy, but I’m glad it’s getting some recognition. I’m a little surprised about So Am I doing so well. I’m not complaining though, so I’ll take it! And I’m not all that thrilled about Cool entering. It’s only up here because Hits 1 has fallen in love with the Jonas Brothers despite the song falling off elsewhere.

– On that note, I want to say a quick prayer to Joe Jonas whose dog passed away this week. My hearts go out to him.

– Not too happy about You Need To Calm Down entering the Top 5, let alone have the Biggest Jump Of The Week this week. I’m sure it was destined to enter that region eventually. But nothing about the song appeals to me outside of the lyrics and the okay beat.

– However, it’s good to have If I Can’t Have You back at #1. I much prefer that song at the top over any other song in the Top 5 at this moment. Hopefully, it can stay up there for a little while longer.

Hit-Bound:

• Dominic Fike – 3 Nights
• OneRepublic – Rescue Me
• Mark Ronson featuring Camila Cabello – Find U Again
• Ellie Goulding featuring Juice WRLD – Hate Me
• Stephen Puth – Look Away
• Sam Smith – How Do You Sleep?
• Jonas Brothers – Only Human
• SHAED – Trampoline
• Jax Jones featuring Bebe Rexha – Harder
• Taylor Swift – The Archer (DEBUT)
• Thomas Rhett – Look What God Gave Her
• Miley Cyrus – Mother’s Daughter
• Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid – Beautiful People (DEBUT)
• Asher Angel – One Thought Away
• Zara Larsson – All The Time

Entrant Reviews:
– New to Hit-Bound this week is more of Taylor Swift with her promotional single from Lover, titled The Archer. Vocally, this is a step up from You Need To Calm Down. I think Taylor shines a little more here. I also kinda like the production in a way. Overall, this is pretty good. I’m interested to see what else she has in store has her new album comes out later this month.

– Unfortunately, we say goodbye to BLOW this week. But taking its place is another Ed Sheeran single off of No. 6 Collaborations Project, titled Beautiful People. I already talked about this one when it debuted on the AT40 this week. I like the production here and the chemistry between the two artists is great here. I do hope to see it on the countdown soon.

Best Hit-Bound Entrant Of The Week: Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid – Beautiful People

Hit-Bound Breakdown:
0 – Crap:
None!

1 – Bad:
15. Dominic Fike – 3  Nights

2 – Mediocre:
14. Sam Smith – How Do You Sleep?

3 – Decent:
13. Asher Angel – One Thought Away
12. Stephen Puth – Look Away
11. Jax Jones featuring Bebe Rexha – Harder
10. Mark Ronson featuring Camila Cabello – Find U Again

4 – Good:
9. Taylor Swift – The Archer

5 – Great:
8. Ellie Goulding featuring Juice WRLD – Hate Me
7. Miley Cyrus – Mother’s Daughter
6. Jonas Brothers – Only Human
5. OneRepublic – Rescue Me
4. Thomas Rhett – Look What God Gave Her
3. SHAED – Trampoline
2. Zara Larsson – All The Time

BONUS: 6 – Best Song On Hit-Bound:
1. Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid – Beautiful People

Overall Grade: 60/75 = 80% (B–)

Most Missed Hit-Bound Dropout: Ellie Goulding – Still Falling For You

My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks
1. Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid – Beautiful People
2. Zara Larsson – All The Time
3. SHAED – Trampoline
4. Thomas Rhett – Look What God Gave Her
5. OneRepublic – Rescue Me

YouTube 15:

• Khalid – Talk
• Becky G featuring Myke Towers – Dollar
• Why Don’t We – I Still Do
• Lizzo – Truth Hurts
• Sebastian Yatra featuring Jonas Brothers, Daddy Yankee, and Natti Natasha – Runaway
• Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
• Big Sean – Single Again
• Shawn Mendes featuring Camila Cabello – Señorita
• Alan Walker featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Farruko – On My Way
• Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger
• Mabel – Bad Behaviour
• Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix)
• Ed Sheeran featuring Travis Scott – Antisocial
• Taylor Swift – You Need to Calm Down
• Chance the Rapper featuring Shawn Mendes – Ballin Flossin

Song Reviews:
– I’m not all that impressed with this week’s YouTube 15 for the most part. We’ll start with more of Why Don’t We once again, by the name of I Still Do. I think this is okay vocally. But I’m not too big on the instrumentation here. These guys have had better and it’s a little hard to reach the height of 8 Letters, which I think is their best song.

– Big Sean makes his comeback this week, and he brings us Single Again. Lyrically, I love what it’s trying to do and it’s something we can relate to. However, the weird instrumentals don’t make this a fun listen. I think Big Sean has potential, but I’m not quite feeling that comeback single of his. This might grow on me with time. We’ll see.

– Mabel has another new single making its appearance on the YouTube 15, by the name of Bad Behaviour. I think this is pretty good, mainly because Mabel has a good voice and the production is nice. It’s not as good as her previous singles, though.

– Chance The Rapper just dropped his debut album titled The Big Day. One of those songs off the album is a collaboration with Shawn Mendes in Ballin Flossin. There’s not much to the production here and I’m not exactly feeling the lyrics. Shawn is probably the best part about this one. I like his smooth voice in this one. But Chance’s vocal performance doesn’t do much for me. Overall, I’m not wild about this one.

YouTube 15 Breakdown:
0 – Crap:
15. Becky G featuring Myke Towers – Dollar
14. Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix)

1 – Bad:
13. Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down

2 – Mediocre:
12. Khalid – Talk

3 – Decent:
11. Alan Walker featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Farruko – On My Way
10. Ed Sheeran featuring Travis Scott – Antisocial
9. Chance The Rapper featuring Shawn Mendes – Ballin Flossin
8. Why Don’t We – I Still Do
7. Big Sean – Single Again

4 – Good:
6. Mabel – Bad Behaviour

5 – Great:
5. Sebastian Yatra featuring Jonas Brothers, Daddy Yankee, and Natti Natasha – Runaway
4. Lizzo – Truth Hurts
3. Shawn Mendes featuring Camila Cabello – Señorita
2. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy

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

Overall Grade: 48/75 = 64% (D–)

Most Missed YouTube 15 Song: Logic featuring Rag’n’Bone Man – Broken People

My Top 5 YouTube 15 Picks
1. Sam Smith featuring Normani – Dancing With A Stranger
2. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
3. Shawn Mendes featuring Camila Cabello – Señorita
4. Lizzo – Truth Hurts
5. Sebastian Yatra featuring Jonas Brothers, Daddy Yankee, and Natti Natasha – Runaway

Hits 1 Weekend Countdown Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Crap:
20. MAX featuring Quinn XCII – Love Me Less
19. Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix)

1 – Bad:
18. Jonas Brothers – Cool
17. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Easier
16. Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down

2 – Mediocre:
15. Khalid – Talk
14. Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved

3 – Decent:
13. The Chainsmokers featuring 5 Seconds Of Summer – Who Do You Love
12. Ed Sheeran featuring Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care

4 – Good:
None!

5 – Great:
11. Panic! At The Disco – Dancing’s Not A Crime
10. Halsey – Nightmare
9. Jonas Brothers – Sucker
8. Panic! At The Disco – Hey Look Ma, I Made It
7. The Chainsmokers featuring Bebe Rexha – Call You Mine
6. Marshmello featuring CHVRCHES – Here With Me 
5. Ava Max – So Am I
4. Shawn Mendes featuring Camila Cabello – Señorita
3. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy

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: 70/100 = 70% (C–)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: Mariah Carey featuring Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day (1995)

Most Missed Countdown Song: Coldplay – Paradise

#1 Recommendation For Hits 1: Alice Chater – Tonight

Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Tie between TWENTY ØNE PILØTS – Jumpsuit (#33) and Backstreet Boys – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (#9)

My Top 5 Picks
TIE: 1. Katy Perry – Never Really Over
TIE: 1. Shawn Mendes – If I Can’t Have You
3. Dan + Shay – Speechless
4. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
5. Martin Garrix featuring Macklemore and Patrick Stump – Summer Days

My Bottom 5 Picks
1. MAX featuring Quinn XCII – Love Me Less
2. Push Baby – Mama’s House
3. AJR – 100 Bad Days
4. Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix)
5. Kaskade featuring Meghan Trainor – With You

Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
PRETTYMUCH – Summer On You: I think this one is underwhelming for a group that gave us Would You Mind, which I loved but sadly got stranded on Hit-Bound. I much prefer that song over this one. But it’s slightly better than what they’ve been releasing lately.
lovelytheband – Broken: I’m surprised this one became a bit of a sleeper hit here and stayed for as long as it did. I quite liked the instrumentation here, as well as the lyrics and their vocals. I’m interested to see what else these guys can give us.