Hello, fam. Today marks the one year anniversary of nearly everything shutting down (whether it be concerts, sports, etc.) due to the pandemic. I had no idea the type of lifestyle that was in store for us. Social distancing has become the norm and large gatherings are being frowned upon. I miss the days of going to concerts and sporting events and all the parties (the last time I’ve been to one was a couple years ago). We’re still not out of the woods yet. So, everyone please keep washing your hands and stay safe out there. Before we get to this week’s fresh 40, here are the songs we’re saying goodbye to this week:
- Body by Megan Thee Stallion (#21)
- Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles (#40) [Spent 8 Weeks At #1]
The Countdown:
Last Week’s #1 Song: 34+35 by Ariana Grande
40. Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi (#39) [–1] [Spent 1 Week At #1]
39. SO DONE by The Kid LAROI (#35) [–4]
38. Dynamite by BTS (#37) [–1]
37. Star by LOOΠΔ (#38) [+1]
36. Savage Love by Jawsh 685 featuring Jason Derulo (#34) [–2] [Spent 4 Weeks At #1]
35. Skin by Sabrina Carpenter (DEBUT)
34. ily (i love you baby) by Surf Mesa featuring Emilee (#32) [–2]
33. The Business by Tiësto (DEBUT)
32. Blinding Lights by The Weeknd (#30) [–2] [Spent 5 Weeks At #1]
31. Girl Like Me by The Black Eyed Peas featuring Shakira (#36) [+5]
30. Laugh Now Cry Later by Drake featuring Lil Durk (#25) [–5]
29. Best Friend by Saweetie featuring Doja Cat (#33) [+4]
28. I Hope by Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth (#27) [–1]
27. Lasting Lover by Sigala featuring James Arthur (#29) [+2]
26. Dákati by Bad Bunny featuring Jhay Cortez (#26) [=]
25. WITHOUT YOU by The KID LAROI (#24) [–1]
24. Lifestyle by Jason Derulo featuring Adam Levine (#28) [+4]
23. Kings & Queens by Ava Max (#22) [–1]
22. Goosebumps (Remix) by Travis Scott featuring HVME (#23) [+1]
21. Bang! by AJR (#18) [–3]
20. We’re Good by Dua Lipa (#31) [+11]
19. Monsters by All Time Low featuring Blackbear (#20) [+1]
18. Willow by Taylor Swift (#19) [+1]
17. Holy by Justin Bieber featuring Chance The Rapper (#15) [–2]
16. My Head & My Heart by Ava Max (#17) [+1]
15. Anyone by Justin Bieber (#16) [+1]
14. Golden by Harry Styles (#14) [=]
13. What You Know About Love by Pop Smoke (#13) [=]
12. My Ex’s Best Friend by Machine Gun Kelly featuring Blackbear (#12) [=]
11. Save Your Tears by The Weeknd (#11) [=]
10. Levitating by Dua Lipa featuring DaBaby (#9) [–1]
9. You Broke Me First by Tate McRae (#10) [+1]
8. Lonely by Justin Bieber featuring Benny Blanco (#5) [–3] [Spent 1 Week At #1]
7. Mood by 24KGoldn featuring Iann Dior (#7) [=] [Spent 10 Weeks At #1]
6. Put Your Records On by Ritt Momney (#8) [+2]
5. Therefore I Am by Billie Eilish (#6) [+1]
4. Positions by Ariana Grande (#2) [–2] [Spent 4 Weeks At #1]
3. Driver’s License by Olivia Rodrigo (#4) [+1]
2. Go Crazy by Chris Brown featuring Young Thug (#3) [+1]
1. 34+35 by Ariana Grande (#1) [=] [3rd Week At #1]
#1 Song This Week One Year Ago: Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa (1st of 5 Weeks At #1)
Biggest Fall Of The Week: Laugh Now Cry Later by Drake featuring Lil Turk (–5)
Biggest Rise Of The Week: We’re Good by Dua Lipa (+11)
New Entrants:
– Oh boy…I was not looking forward to hearing anymore of Sabrina Carpenter. But alas, here she is with her worst single to date, in the form of Skin. What this is is basically a response to Driver’s License by Olivia Rodrigo, the biggest hit of the year so far. And this came just a couple weeks after it’s release. And I recently found out that Joshua Bassett’s single (Lie, Lie, Lie) was also a response to that song. I won’t go into much detail about it, as it is too time consuming and I want to speed things through. Now, onto this shitty song. Sabrina has proven single after single that she is not a good singer and Skin is another good example of such. She sounds like absolute shit from the very first line and I knew then that this would not be a fun listen. Her voice in both the pre-chorus and the chorus is DRENCHED in auto-tune. And don’t even get me fucking started on the lyrics. “Maybe blonde was the only rhyme”. No, just no. That line is very unsettling and the rest…Eck. Simply put, this song absolutely blows. You know things are really bad when I prefer to listen to both songs from The KID LAROI. I don’t think we’ll ever get something more along the lines of Almost Love, which is easily her best song. Hopefully, it doesn’t stay very long because it is TRASH.
– Now onto the much better debut, and it’s from EDM artist Tiësto with his new single. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from him. I believe the last time we saw him was back in 2018 when he gave us Jackie Chan. Also, his last big hit was I believe back in 2014 with Wasted. Now, let’s get down to The Business of reviewing that song, shall we? I do like what the song has to offer. It’s got a good beat and I adore the production. Tiësto did a nice job with his work overall. We also get vocals as well, which sounds good. I don’t know who the singer exactly is, but I’m sure his voice is fine. So yeah, it’s a solid song and I hope it sticks around.
Best Debut Of The Week: The Business by Tiësto
Let’s Get Down To Blurbiness
– So we have two exits. First, there was Body by Megan Thee Stallion which ended up flopping. No surprise there given that it never really took off elsewhere. I liked the song, but it’s not something worth crying over. The most important exit is Watermelon Sugar. I enjoyed it overall and it became another massive hit for Harry Styles this past year. It’ll be somewhat missed by me.
– I’m not thrilled by the big jump we get from We’re Good. I still can’t believe she chose this as a single out of all the songs from Future Nostalgia. It’s not catchy and it’s not groovy in any way. It’s just flavorless with an uninteresting beat. Of course, I shouldn’t be surprised given thatDua Lipais a big name right now.
– Before introducing My Head & My Heart, Ryan Seacrest mentioned that Ava Max’s tour is going to be driven by color and fashion. Heh, I guess you can say that when she can tour again, everything is going to be colorful.
– Before introducing Anyone, Ryan Seacrest mentioned that Justin Bieber wants to make music that can help comfort anyone. I’ll have to agree with him on that one because everytime I hear Anyone, I get a little emotional. It’s a nice and sweet song. It’s better than his two current representations on the countdown.
– Therefore I Am reaches a new peak of #5. It’s not a shock considering that people are still buying into Billie Eilish and her music. I have no complaints at all about this as I love the song. I wouldn’t be opposed to it hitting #1 (though I have my doubts given that a certain song has it’s sights set on the #1).
– I don’t really have much else to say other than the fact that the Grammys are going to be this Sunday. I unfortunately won’t be able to watch given that I have a long day at work tomorrow. Hopefully, the performances will be exciting. I’m still disappointed that The Weeknd got snubbed from nominations.
– Also, I just want to say congrats to The Weeknd for making history by having Blinding Lights spend the entire year in the Top 10 on Billboard. It’s the first song ever to do it. Congrats, The Weeknd! 🙂
Breakouts/On The Verge:
- Lil Bit by Nelly featuring Florida Georgia Line
- Talk About Love by Zara Larsson featuring Young Thug
- Heat Waves by Glass Animals
- Up by Cardi B
Extras/Optional Extras:
- All Of Me by John Legend
- Slow Hands by Niall Horan
- Prisoner by Miley Cyrus featuring Dua Lipa
- Roses by SAINt JHN
- Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish
- Don’t Wanna Know by Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar
- Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande
- Thunder by Imagine Dragons
- Be Kind by Marshmello featuring Halsey
- Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars
- Take You Dancing by Jason Derulo
- Stitches by Shawn Mendes
Top 20 Breakdown:
0 – Crap:
20. Put Your Records On by Ritt Momney
19. Holy by Justin Bieber featuring Chance The Rapper
18. Go Crazy by Chris Brown featuring Young Thug
1 – Bad:
17. We’re Good by Dua Lipa
16. What You Know About Love by Pop Smoke
2 – Mediocre:
15. Lonely by Justin Bieber featuring Benny Blanco
3 – Decent:
14. You Broke Me First by Tate McRae
13. 34+35 by Ariana Grande
12. Willow by Taylor Swift
4 – Good:
11. My Ex’s Best Friend by Machine Gun Kelly featuring Blackbear
10. Positions by Ariana Grande
5 – Great:
9. Anyone by Justin Bieber
8. Golden by Harry Styles
7. Driver’s License by Olivia Rodrigo
6. My Head & My Heart by Ava Max
5. Monsters by All Time Low featuring Blackbear
4. Therefore I Am by Billie Eilish
3. Mood by 24KGoldn featuring Iann Dior
2. Levitating by Dua Lipa featuring DaBaby
BONUS: 6 – Best Song On The Countdown:s
1. Save Your Tears by The Weeknd
Total Score: 67/100 = 67% (C)
Throwback Pick Of The Week: Disturbia by Rihanna (2008)
Most Missed Song: Pray For Me by The Weeknd featuring Kendrick Lamar
#1 Recommendation For The American Top 40: Leave The Door Open by Silk Sonic
Favorite Countdown Song This Week One Year Ago: Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa (#1)
My Top 5 Picks
1. Save Your Tears by The Weeknd
2. Levitating by Dua Lipa featuring DaBaby
3. Mood by 24KGoldn featuring Iann Dior
4. Kings & Queens by Ava Max
5. Therefore I Am by Billie Eilish
My Bottom 5 Picks
1. Skin by Sabrina Carpenter
2. SO DONE by The KID LAROI
3. WITHOUT YOU by The KID LAROI
4. Put Your Records On by Ritt Momney
5. Holy by Justin Bieber featuring Chance The Rapper
Songs That Debuted This Week One Year Ago:
Ride It by Regard: Really the only interesting thing I can say about this is that it’s a remix of the song from Jay Sean. Other than that, there’s really not a whole lot about the song that’s seriously worth caring for. On that note, he did release follow-up with RAYE in Secrets, which although not that amazing either, is a lot better thant his. (P.S. I’ve been hearing that a lot at work).
To Die For by Sam Smith: This was actually released on Valentine’s Day last year. I don’t have much to say about this one. Sam’s voice is still pretty good and I kinda like the lyrics. So yeah, good song. But still pales in comparison to Dancing With A Stranger.
Music Reviews + More 