Taylor Swift (1) - Week Of July 7, 2018

Hey guys! I thought I would do a countdown review this week, as I have really missed doing these, and I know you guys really enjoy to see my opinions on songs and have probably missed these types of posts as well. I am so excited to be doing one of these this week, so let's get started. There were no exits from the countdown this week, so onto the fresh 45 we go. 

Last Week's #1 Song: Panic! At The Disco - Say Amen (Saturday Night) [4]
#1 Song This Week 1 Year Ago: Shawn Mendes - There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back (2)


The Countdown
45. Camila Cabello - Havana (#45) [1 Week At #1]
44. Ed Sheeran - Perfect (#44) [2 Weeks At #1]
43. Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso/Florida Georgia Line/watt - Let Me Go (#43) [1 Week At #1]
42. G-Eazy & Halsey - Him & I (#39)
41. Imagine Dragons - Thunder (#36) [5 Weeks At #1]
40. Rudimental/Jess Glynne/Macklemore/Dan Caplen - These Days (#41)
39. Bad Wolves - Zombie (#42)
38. Dustin Atlas & Erin Bowman - Fake Ass Friends (#33)
37. Sugarland/Taylor Swift - Babe (#40)
36. Hundred Handed - Too Good (#35)
35. Dua Lipa - New Rules (#37)
34. Walk The Moon - One Foot (#22)
33. Post Malone/Ty Dolla $ign - Psycho (#17)
32. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Want You Back (#32) [1 Week At #1]
31. Camila Cabello - Never Be The Same (#31) [1 Week At #1]
30. Lauv - I Like Me Better (#30)
29. The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar - Pray For Me (#29)
28. The Wrecks - James Dean (#38)
27. U2 & Cheat Codes - Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way (#27)
26. Maren Morris - Rich (#24)
25. Demi Lovato - Tell Me You Love Me (#25)
24. Maroon 5 - Wait (#20)
23. Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa - One Kiss (#19)
22. Bebe Rexha/Florida Georgia Line - Meant To Be (#18) [1 Week At #1]
21. Bazzi - Mine (#25)
20. Meghan Trainor - Let You Be Right (#28)
19. Niall Horan - On The Loose (#12)
18. Cardi B - I Like It (#21)
17. Foster The People - Sit Next To Me (#6)
16. Liam Payne - Familiar (#23)
15. Halsey - Alone (#11)
14. Charlie Puth/Kehlani - Done For Me (#14)
13. Dua Lipa - IDGAF (#9)
12. Panic! At The Disco - High Hopes (#34)
11. NOTD/Bea Miller - I Wanna Know (#15)
10. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood (#16)
9. Marshmello & Anne-Marie - FRIENDS (#7)
8. Maroon 5/Cardi B - Girls Like You (#10)
7. Ariana Grande - no tears left to cry (#5)
6. Shawn Mendes - In My Blood (#8)
5. Selena Gomez - Back To You (#13)
4. Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes (#4) [1 Week At #1]
3. Zedd, Maren Morris, & Grey - The Middle (#3) [9 Weeks At #1]
2. Panic! At The Disco - Say Amen (Saturday Night) [#1] {4 Weeks At #1}
1. Taylor Swift - Delicate (#2) [1st Week At #1]

Biggest DROP!!!... Of The Week: Post Malone/Ty Dolla $ign - Psycho (-16)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Panic! At The Disco - High Hopes (+22)

#1 Recommendation Of The Week: King Princess - 1950


Hit-Bound

• Post Malone - Better Now
• Madison Beer - Home With You
• Fall Out Boy - The Last Of The Real Ones
• Train/Cam/Travie McCoy - Call Me Sir
• MNEK/Hailee Steinfeld - Colour
• Backstreet Boys - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
• Julia Michales/Trippie Redd - Jump
• lovelytheband - Broken
• Alessia Cara - Growing Pains
• Bebe Rexha - I'm A Mess
• Big Boi - All Night
• Dan + Shay - Tequila
• Cole Redding - Father Father
• Dennis Lloyd - Nevermind
• BTS - FAKE LOVE

My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks

1. Bebe Rexha - I'm A Mess

2. Alessia Cara - Growing Pains

3. Julia Michaels/Trippie Redd - Jump

4. Dennis Lloyd - Nevermind

5. Backstreet Boys - Don't Go Breaking My Heart

I Blurb It

~ I am quite happy seeing Delicate steal the top spot this week, as I consider it the best song in the top 10 at the moment, besides Ariana Grande - no tears left to cry. I hope it can grasp a few more weeks atop the chart, but I would't mind if any other song in green in the top 10 would take the #1 slot.

~ The Middle, while it's not the worst song ever, could use a dip in numbers on this chart. It has had a good run atop the chart, but I feel as if we need some newer, fresher songs to get up there. I still somewhat enjoy the tune, but there are other songs that I enjoy better. 

~ I am very glad to see 5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood in the top 10 this week. I have been enjoying this song a lot lately, and its definitely among the top 5 songs on this countdown for me right now. I thoroughly enjoy the vibe of this song and I like how the vocals compliment the production. I just think it is a really cool song.

~ At this point I would much rather see High Hopes take the spot of its predecessor in the top 10. This is another track that I have really been enjoying lately. I like the positive feeling I get while listening to this song.

~ I would really like to see Meghan Trainor - Let You Be Right headed down in the other direction. It is not a song that I would like to see get much further here. It is one of the few bad songs on this countdown. My hope is to finally see a countdown with all good, decent, or great songs.

~ On the note of not so good songs, Maren Morris - Rich should be on its way out, too. I feel as if this song just has all the wrong things put together. It has the potential to work, but I just don't think it does at all.

~ I'm kind of sad to see Psycho dropping so far down in the countdown this week. I really enjoy this song, but I really would just like it to stay a bit longer.

~ I feel as if Thunder has had quite a long run here, and that it just needs to exit. It's never really going to get any better in my eyes. I feel as if the radio has done it to death by now. So, I would just like to see a fresh song take its place.

Let's Do A Top 20 Review!

0-Garbage

NONE

1-Bad

20. Meghan Trainor - Let You Be Right

2-Mediocre

NONE

3-Decent

NONE

4-Good

19. Zedd, Maren Morris, & Grey - The Middle

18. Panic! At The Disco - Say Amen (Saturday Night)

17. Charlie Puth/Kehlani - Done For Me

5-Great

16. Liam Payne - Familiar

15. Niall Horan - On The Loose

14. Foster The People - Sit Next To Me

13. Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes

12. Marshmello & Anne-Marie - FRIENDS

11. Halsey - Alone

10. Shawn Mendes - In My Blood

9. Dua Lipa - IDGAF

8. NOTD/Bea Miller - I Wanna Know

7. Maroon 5/Cardi B - Girls Like You

6. Panic! At The Disco - High Hopes

5. Selena Gomez - Back To You

4. Cardi B - I Like It

3. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood 

2. Taylor Swift - Delicate

1. Ariana Grande - no tears left to cry

Score: 93% (A-)

Throwback Pick Of The Week: P!nk - So What

My Bottom 5 Countdown Picks

1. Maren Morris - Rich

2. Imagine Dragons - Thunder

3. Meghan Trainor - Let You Be Right

4. G-Eazy & Halsey - Him & I

5. Dustin Atlas & Erin Bowman - Fake Ass Friends

My Top 5 Countdown Picks

1. Camila Cabello - Never Be The Same

2. Ariana Grande - no tears left to cry

3. Taylor Swift - Delicate

4. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood

5. Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa - One Kiss

Hope you all enjoyed!

~ Jack :)

My Hot 100 - Week Ending June 30, 2018

Hello everyone! So, this is the premiere of a chart in which I had begun creating in my free time while I was off the internet. It is a collection of my top 100 songs of the week. I have launched a new name and style for my charts, as I am mostly done with the Hot 45 Chart. It had a nice run, and this is the same thing, just with an additional fifty five songs. I cannot simply post the Hot 45 Chart and a Weekend Countdown review simultaneously anymore. Subsequently, I am just going to allow this blog be a flow of anything music-related. I will throw in these charts, and countdown reviews, and other things from time to time, and just allow this to be one blog that's really just all things hit music, and possibly even more. So, this is the first time you have seen my hot 100 of the week. I hope you enjoy!

Green- rise in position

Red- fall in position

Blue- dormant in position

Orange- premiere to the chart

Pink- re-entry to the chart

Fallouts:

• Eminem - River (featuring Ed Sheeran) [#89]
• Maroon 5 - What Lovers Do (featuring SZA) [#92]
• Daya - New [#95]
• Dustin Atlas & Erin Bowman - Fake Ass Friends [#96]
• Clean Bandit - I Miss You (featuring Julia Michaels) [#98]
• Kesha - Praying [#100]

LW  POS                                        ARTIST/TITLE

🆕  100     1950 - King Princess

🆕  99       APES**T - THE CARTERS

99  98       Body - Loud Luxury featuring brando

97  97       Finesse [Remix] - Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B

🆕  96       Start Again - OneRepublic featuring Logic

84  95       Why - Sabrina Carpenter

93  94       Everyday - Logic & Marshmello

94  93       Hurt Somebody - Noah Kahan & Julia Michaels

83  92       Feel It Still - Portugal. The Man

88  91       Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift

91  90       Sick Boy - The Chainsmokers

85  89       For You - Liam Payne & Rita Ora

77  88       Zombie - Bad Wolves

86  87       Everybody Hates Me - The Chainsmokers

90  86       FAKE LOVE - BTS

🆕  85       Finest Hour - Cash Cash featuring Abir

81  84       Pray For Me - The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar

87  83       On The Loose - Niall Horan

74  82       These Days - Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne, Macklemore, & Dan Caplen

71  81       You Owe Me - The Chainsmokers

82  80       Mad World - KJ Apa, Camila Mendes, & Lili Reinhart

76  79       SAD! - XXXTENTACION

67  78       Remind Me To Forget - Kygo & Miguel

69  77       All The Stars - Kendrick Lamar & SZA

66  76       Satellite - Gabbie Hanna

80  75       Beautiful Trauma - P!nk

75  74       Live In The Moment - Portugal. The Man

70  73       No Roots - Alice Merton

79  72       Heaven - Julia Michaels

72  71       Lost In Japan - Shawn Mendes

78  70       Tell Me You Love Me - Demi Lovato

🆕  69       Ocean - Martin Garrix featuring Khalid

56  68       Rise - Jonas Blue featuring Jack & Jack

68  67       ...Ready For It? - Taylor Swift

63  66       Wolves - Selena Gomez & Marshmello

60  65       Let Me Go - Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso featuring Florida Georgia Line and watt

52  64       I'll Be There - Jess Glynne

73  63       Pray - Sam Smith featuring Logic

64  62       Almost Love - Sabrina Carpenter

62  61       Flames - David Guetta & Sia

59  60       Colour - MNEK featuring Hailee Steinfeld

51  59       Whatever It Takes - Imagine Dragons

48  58       Want You Back - 5 Seconds Of Summer

61  57       Personal - HRVY

54  56       Nervous - Shawn Mendes

58  55       Broken - lovelytheband

48  54       Nevermind - Dennis Lloyd

55  53       the light is coming - Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj

50  52       Familiar - Liam Payne & J Balvin

57  51       Done For Me - Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani

53  50       High Hopes - Panic! At The Disco

45  49       I Wanna Know - RL Grime featuring Daya

46  48       Sit Next To Me [Stereotypes Remix] - Foster The People 

🆕  47       Only You - Cheat Codes & Little Mix

65  46       Out Loud - Gabbie Hanna

43  45       Alien - Sabrina Carpenter & Jonas Blue

42  44       2 Souls On Fire - Bebe Rexha featuring Quavo

39  43       Say Amen (Saturday Night) - Panic! At The Disco

33  42       Don't Say You Love Me - Fifth Harmony

44  41       My My My! - Troye Sivan

35  40       Youth - Shawn Mendes featuring Khalid

41  39       Havana - Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug

15  38       Psycho - Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign

26  37       FRIENDS - Marshmello & Anne-Marie

38  36       Beautiful - Bazzi

40  35       Babe - Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift

21  34       Love Lies - Khalid & Normani

32  33       Somebody - The Chainsmokers & Drew Love

36  32       The Middle - Zedd, Maren Morris, & Grey

48  31       I'm A Mess - Bebe Rexha

37  30       Alone - Halsey featuring Big Sean & Stefflon Don

28  29       Real Friends - Camila Cabello

27  28       The Way I Am - Charlie Puth 

30  27       Mine - Bazzi

34  26       Dance To This - Troye Sivan featuring Ariana Grande

31  25       End Game - Taylor Swift featuring Ed Sheeran and Future

29  24       Lie - NF

25  23       In My Blood - Shawn Mendes

19  22       Solo - Clean Bandit featuring Demi Lovato 

17  21       Jump - Julia Michaels featuring Trippie Redd

23  20       Girls - Rita Ora featuring Cardi B, Bebe Rexha, & Charli XCX

12  19       2002 - Anne-Marie

08  18       Let Me - Zayn

20  17       Growing Pains - Alessia Cara

14  16       I Wanna Know - NOTD featuring Bea Miller

22  15       Youngblood - 5 Seconds Of Summer

18  14       Bed - Nicki Minaj featuring Ariana Grande

24  13       Sober - Demi Lovato

13  12       IDGAF - Dua Lipa

09  11       Boo'd Up - Ella Mai

11  10       Lovely - Billie Eilish & Khalid

16  09       Girls Like You - Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B

10  08       Sangria Wine - Pharell Williams & Camila Cabello

07  07       Playinwitme - KYLE featuring Kehlani

05  06       One Kiss - Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa

04  05       Delicate - Taylor Swift

06  04       Back To You - Selena Gomez

02  03       no tears left to cry - Ariana Grande

03  02       I Like It - Cardi B, Bad Bunny, & J Balvin

01  01       Never Be The Same - Camila Cabello

Thank you all for reading! I hope you enjoyed. We are getting extremely close to 200,000 pageviews on this blog. I could not thank any of you more. Thank you, thank you, thank you. If you have any suggestions of what you would like to see for that special, I would love it if you could drop them below. It would be much appreciated.

Also, please continue to vote, vote, vote!

~ Jack :)

2018 Summer Soundtrack Voting

Hey guys! I have enjoyed doing this every year and I am so excited to be doing it again. Yes, we have reached the time for Summer Soundtrack Voting. Voting will close on July 31. So, you have about four weeks to get those votes in. You can vote more than once, and there are further directions and other guidelines within the form. Thank you, and more will be out soon. Happy voting!


Link: https://goo.gl/forms/2h060021ksq8oZtY2


~ Jack :)

What Have I Been Listening To While I Was Gone? Here Are A Few Of My Favorites!

In this first official post that I have had in months, I will reveal my top 15 songs of this very moment and tell you what I enjoy about each and every one of them. These are the songs that have lately been on repeat on my playlists and have been feel-good and go-to songs when I need a little boost of energy or focus or a little bit of light in my day. They are not in any set or specific order, although the #1 song on this list is my favorite song at the moment, without any exception. Without further adieu, here you go. 


15. Shawn Mendes/Khalid - Youth

This song has been such an empowering song, especially in this day and age, given the current generation we have. I love the message it spreads, saying that youth is something that cannot be taken away no matter what stands in the way. It is a part of each and every one of us, and our youth defines our lives. I believe Khalid did an exceptionally good job on this track. I love his voice so much. While Shawn is still good, Khalid definitely sold this song for me. I especially enjoyed when their two voices finally blended together, as the song built up. The chorus has a nice progression and the production for this song is a nice fit. It is a perfect anthem for the youth of the past, present, and tomorrow. I feel so empowered every time it happens to come on.


14. Alessia Cara - Growing Pains

It had been a while since we had heard from Alessia Cara until this Friday. Knowing that this song was only released a few days ago, I have come to love it just as much as any song that has been out for months now. She never ceases to disappoint me with anything she releases. Her lyrics are beautiful in their own way for this song. It is such a stand-out amongst her singles, and may very well be my favorite of all of the ones she has previously released. The way the song opens is such a creative way in expressing the direction in which the song progresses in. I felt the raw expression of her personal struggles in this song and it reflected upon everything she's ever been through in her life. She wrote this on her own, and it really shows the individuality. It's something new that I had never expected to hear from her, but I have fallen so much in love with this song and everything it has to offer. I feel as if anyone could really relate to this song when experiencing the metamorphosis and change that life places upon our shoulders. It's been at the top of my rotation all weekend and will likely continue to be for the foreseeable future.


13. NOTD/Bea Miller - I Wanna Know

This song. This song just uplifts me with such an amazing feeling every time I listen. Seeing as Bea Miller always impresses me with her strange, yet soothing vocals, I expected myself to enjoy this song one hundred percent. I love how this song makes such a nice expression of grievance after a breakup. Miller's vocals truly fit the circumstances surrounding the song. The electro-pop feel to this song is what truly pieces it all together. I had not expected that her voice would fit with it, but it really does. Every time this song happens to come on, I am in a state of mesmerization, especially when the chorus comes on. I find this song especially good, and it has been a definite standout track for me this year.


12. Bazzi - Mine

I have to admit that this song was something I had no interest in, at first listen. Once I had decided at first listen that I really had no enjoyment in listening to this track, I passed it the next few times I heard it. However, after one accidental listen on the radio, something transformed, and my opinion was fully changed on this song. I don't know what the circumstance happened to be behind it. It kind of just happened. Despite the short tenure in which this song lasts, I find it quite enjoyable from start to finish. I have learned to appreciate the lyrics for what they mean, and I really like them. Bazzi doesn't have an awful voice either. I have actually come to enjoy his most recent single, Beautiful, as well. During my time off of posting, I began to open my eyes more to new genres of music, and began to give more songs second chances. Many of times, I learned that some of those tracks were actually really meaningful, and I understood why people liked them. This is one of them, and I cannot imagine myself hating this song at all anymore.


11. Khalid & Normani - Love Lies

From first listen, I have completely been in love with this track. I love Khalid's voice and Normani is beautiful in this song, like any other. My favorite parts in this song is how their voices happen to blend in perfect harmony, as the song progresses. I absolutely love how it sounds, especially in the last chorus. The song has such a sultry feel, but such a nice underlying focus. These two have amazing chemistry on this track and I really would love to see them work together in the future. I love to listen to this song when I'm feeling a bit low. It's definitely a type of track that washes you over with a breath of fresh air and new feeling. The production is very well-done, which really just puts together everything in this song. I don't see myself getting sick of this in the foreseeable future.


10. Shawn Mendes - In My Blood

I have really been feeling Shawn Mendes's newer singles. His sound has definitely changed since his last album and his songs have struck me as more empowering and meaningful, while still keeping to their previously noted pop undertones. In My Blood is such an amazing track and the first time I heard it, I fell in love with it. It really lifts my spirits every time it plays. His voice is unlike anything I have ever heard from him before, and I really like the strength and power every time the chorus is led up to. Long story short, the production, vocals, and meaningful lyrics surrounding this song empower me every time I happen to take a quick listen. There are so many similar feelings I experience when I listen to this song and Youth.


9. Billie Eilish & Khalid - Lovely

This track never ceases to captivate me after every listen. Khalid, once again has appeared on this list, and this time with the mesmerizing voice of Billie Eilish. This song, having the strange production and feel it does, always proves itself to be a feel-good song to me. I really appreciate the underlying meaning to the lyrics and how they illustrate a darker experience in someone's life. I feel as if its a song that someone can really connect to, which means a lot to me when I listen to a song. I always try to look for true meaning in a song, despite my love for just fun songs in general. Billie Eilish, let me tell you, has one of the greatest voices I have ever heard. She can change her register from low to high in seconds, and it really showcases in this song, especially in the chorus. Khalid, as usual does a good job and his mysterious voice really fits the feel in this song. Not to mention, this song has incredible underlying instrumentals, which really captivate me as well. It's a beautiful piece from start to finish. This is definitely something I would highly suggest listening to if you have not. I don't understand how this song could be the slightest bit unlikeable, it is truly one of the best songs this year. It is in my top ten at the moment for sure.


8. Post Malone/Ty Dolla $ign - Psycho

Again, I am assuming that none of you would assume this be a song that I like, but it is. Any time this song happens to hit the airways, I instantly have something inside of me that triggers my senses. I usually find myself dancing and singing to this song, and I barely like Post Malone. He somehow captivated my attention with this song, and I don't really know how to explain it. It's just there, and it's really good in my eyes.


7. Pharrell Williams & Camila Cabello - Sangria Wine

This is another feel-good song to me. I love Camila so much. She is such an amazing vocalist and I found it really nice when she put some vocals in Spanish for this song. She really put this song together. Pharrell did quite a nice job too, I enjoy his parts. Nevertheless, the quirky and odd production and the fun summer-feeling lyrics always put me in a mood to jam or even dance and have fun. I cannot hold back whenever this song comes on. It's too fun, and too good.


6. Selena Gomez - Back To You

Such a magnificent return to the radio for Selena with this single. Her vocals are outstanding, especially when the intro to the chorus comes. I feel the emotion in this song so strongly, and I like to listen to it when I'm feeling down. The production is outstanding and really puts it all together. I felt like it was perfect for Thirteen Reasons Why, and the visual for this song was all the more empowering. It's just another feel-good song for me, and has me singing along every time I listen.


5. Maroon 5/Cardi B - Girls Like You

Although I have not really been the biggest fan of Maroon 5's work lately, this song was definitely a redeemer of my opinions on them. I really like the message behind this song and I enjoyed the video for this one, too. It was very nice, and the message really reflected on me after watching it. It has a very generic pop production, which is characteristic of this band, but I still enjoy it. The vocals are pretty steady through this song, but still don't fail to impress me. It gives me a warm feeling when I listen, and Cardi B's verse is not bad at all, in my opinion. Overall, it is a really sweet and nice song and the video is an amazing representation of it.


4. The Chainsmokers & Drew Love - Somebody

I have been feeling the vibe with the odd music The Chainsmokers have been releasing lately and the strange visuals to go with them. Somehow, I can just relate to the creepy, yet satisfying singles they have been releasing, such as You Owe Me and Sick Boy. Somebody is no different. I thoroughly enjoy the odd lyrics this song has to offer, especially when Taggart is singing. I find it quite interesting. The production is quite different than anything I have heard, and I hope the duo continues to release singles like this. I find them intriguing and enjoyable. They took a few risks with these deeper, and more personal singles, and in my opinion, they worked.


3. Taylor Swift - Delicate

I have loved this song since Reputation was released back in November. It was one of my favorites on that album and I was so pleased to see that it was released as a single. It is just a real simple song and I like it a lot. The simplicity is what makes it so good. The beat compliments the song very well and the vocals are nice. I am really one to like beats that complement songs. It is something that really sells me in a song, and this track is a perfect example. Although it hasn't been hugely successful on radio, it always makes me sing along whenever it comes on.


2. Ariana Grande - No Tears Left To Cry

This song is very good in terms of expression and vocals. I find the meaning behind this song very significant. I can tell that it was written on the brink of her terrible emotions after the tragedy at her concert last year. I felt as if I could see Ariana's emotion that was put in this track and the visual was very odd, yet quite enjoyable. It was a quite literal complement to this song, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Her vocals, are without a doubt, amazing as usual, which is a huge sell for me in this song. When this single was first announced, it was my most anticipated track of the year. I was so excited to see her evolution and what she had to offer after all of her time of the radio. It has definitely been a song that I cannot keep off and one that never fails to put me in a good mood. 


1. Camila Cabello - Never Be The Same

This song is absolute perfection from start to finish in my eyes and I could go on and on and on about it for days. It is one of my absolute favorite songs that I have ever heard, and that is no exaggeration. It definitely should signify to you how much this song means to me. I have never heard something so vocally and lyrically amazing, and the production is outstanding. I know many of you may disagree and say that this song is really nothing special, but its so much more to me. I can't imagine myself ever getting sick of this song. I truly believe that Camila Cabello is one of the best vocalists on the radio nowadays, and this song is really an indication of what she can demonstrate with her voice. Ever since Fifth Harmony, she has been my favorite member, she does everything with such perfection in my eyes. Her voice is just pure amazingness to me. I don't know how else to put it. The lyrics in this song, about a torn up love that leaves you always wanting more, are so good, and she sings every note beautifully. The last chorus is something that is my favorite part of this song. Her background vocals underlying the melody sound so good in the last few seconds of the song, I cannot even explain. Almost anything I'm going through allows this song to get me through it. If it is sad, or even amazing, I put on this song, and its always on repeat. Let me tell you, I have watched the video for this song about a hundred or more times. The visuals in the video are absolutely stunning and she is beautiful, just perfect to match them. Long story short, I feel absolutely empowered whenever this song comes on and this is just one reason why I absolutely love Camila and her work. Her album, too, was so good from start to finish. Many of you may disagree, but I have a lot to say about this song, and this is a very condensed review of it. It helped me through so many things this year, and that's just the tiniest fraction of a reason why I am so in love with it.





There you go, a fun little post to get things back and rolling. Right? I'm going to be trying out new styles of posts this summer and new things, but I will post as much as I can. It's going to be quite hard. I am so busy, but I will definitely try my best. I hope you enjoyed this post.

~ Jack :)

Goodbye? Hello? New Start? Let's Talk.

Hey guys. It has been quite a while since I have been here. I have had a very busy schedule and quite a lot of events have happened in my past few months of life, in which I have not been particularly sharing with you on the Internet and within this website. I hope you can respect that some of it I must keep to myself, and would not wish to share with you at this point in time. The last few months, nevertheless, have definitely allowed me to grow. I turned sixteen a couple of months ago. There's one thing that definitely allowed for change in my life.

It's not like I had expected to take a break without notice from this blog. The weeks just eventually crept away from me, and honestly I could see that me being inconsistent with my posting was bound to have happened at any given point during this year. I never even got to finish all of my year-end posts for 2017. However, many of you have been checking back regularly since my last post back in February. You managed to give me about 20,000 extra views since then. I thank you immensely for that. Truthfully though, I definitely felt like the long period of time in which I stopped posting on this website was somehow very beneficial. Also, I knew that all of the work I had for school was going to catch up to my free time. Obviously school comes before this, as much as I love reviewing music. I obviously value school very much and work as hard as I can. Last week, my school held our annual Academic Awards Ceremony, and I was named Most Outstanding Student in all four of my core subject areas, my Spanish Class, earned a Scholar Athlete Award; as I also participated on the Tennis Team this spring, a research award for a history competition in which I participated in and made it to the New York State finals, as well as earning the title of Most Outstanding Male Student in my grade and an award for being on the High Honor Roll every quarter. I was immensely proud of my accomplishments. None of this means that I never forgot about this along the way. I still kept writing charts for my other blog, kept listening to the Sirius XM Hits 1 Weekend Countdown, and still read all of your blog posts (without commenting, as I wanted a break from all of this in some way). 

I don't know if you completely missed my reviews, as you could definitely have received other opinions due to the massive amount of blogs pertaining to the same topics in this community. I began to think that I really was going to just have to say goodbye, as there were things in my life that were more important, truthfully, than this. And I love this SOOOOO much. I love music SOOOOO much. Family, friends, school, it all has to come before my free time when I can post these. 

I just got out of school for summer vacation yesterday, and I realized that I should probably make a post on here. I haven't talked to you guys in a while. I'm not sure if many of you are still here after my long string of absence, but if you still are, I am here. Please comment below, I want to hear from you. Please, please, please comment. Let me know you're still hear. I am definitely going to reply.

Anyways, I am going to cut to the chase. What I want for this blog for this summer, until September, when I go back for my junior year, is to post as much as I can. I am not necessarily going to review the countdown all the time. I might be doing album reviews, song reviews, and other cool things like that. I also have summer homework (yes I know that is crazy), too. So, I still will have occupied time, but a little more free time to spend on here. However, when school starts back up in September, I am going to have a pretty busy year. I am going to be taking two AP classes, a college class, and an honors class. It's going to be pretty strenuous. I also want sleep. I will try to post as much as I can on the weekends, when I can, and only if I can. I hope you understand and respect that. This blog will probably no longer be completely Hits 1 focused. As for my other, less-popular blog, I probably will not be posting on there anymore, but I really haven't decided on that yet. I'll keep you posted. 

In all, that's all I have to really say right now. Comment below, let me know you're still here. I want to talk to you guys. Keep reading. I'll keep you updated when new posts come out. I look forward to what summer holds.

-Jack :)

Taylor Swift (1) - Week Of February 3, 2018

Hey guys! I am sorry for the major delay on this post. I have been having some difficulties with my computer this week. I did watch the Super Bowl this past Sunday, and I thought that the halftime show was pretty good. P!nk also sang the national anthem very nicely, even when she was sick. Also, the game was pretty good, and I was rooting for the Eagles, so I am glad that they won. Without further comments from me, here are the exits this week.

• Liam Payne - Strip That Down (#33) [2 Weeks At #1]
• Zayn/Sia - Dusk Till Dawn (#40)

Last Week's #1 Song: Imagine Dragons - Thunder

The Countdown

45. Charlie Puth - Attention (#43) [1 Week At #1]

44. Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry (#37) [1 Week At #1]

43. Sam Smith - Too Good At Goodbyes (#42)

42. Taylor Swift - ...Ready For It? (#41)

41. P!nk - What About Us (#44) [1 Week At #1]

40. The Shadowboxers - Hot Damn (#45)

39. Symon - Lonely Girl (#31)

38. WOLVES - Animal (#38)

37. Kesha - Praying (#39)

36. Niall Horan - Slow Hands (#36) [3 Weeks At #1]

35. All Time Low - Last Young Renegade (DEBUT)

34. Louis Tomlinson - Miss You (#25)

33. Maroon 5/SZA - What Lovers Do (#30)

32. Zedd/Maren Morris/Grey - The Middle (DEBUT)

31. Ed Sheeran - Galway Girl (#32) [4 Weeks At #1]

30. Justin Timberlake - Filthy (#26)

29. Shawn Mendes - There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back (#29) [5 Weeks At #1]

28. Camila Cabello - Havana (#11) [1 Week At #1]

27. Niall Horan - Too Much To Ask (#22)

26. Post Malone/21 Savage - Rockstar (#15)

25. Maroon 5 - Wait (#20)

24. NF - Let You Down (#35)

23. Portugal. The Man - Feel It Still (#24)

22. Bruno Mars/Cardi B - Finesse [Remix] (#21)

21. Fall Out Boy - Hold Me Tight Or Don't (#18)

20. G-Eazy & Halsey - Him & I (#19)

19. Imagine Dragons - Believer (#16) [3 Weeks At #1]

18. Dua Lipa - New Rules (#13)

17. MAX/Gnash - Lights Down Low (#27)

16. Camila Cabello - Never Be The Same (#28)

15. P!nk - Beautiful Trauma (#34)

14. Lauv - I Like Me Better (#17)

13. Kelly Clarkson - Love So Soft (#14)

12. Eminem/Ed Sheeran - River (#23)

11. Bebe Rexha/Florida Georgia Line - Meant To Be (#6)

10. Halsey - Bad At Love (#2) [2 Weeks At #1]

9. Charlie Puth - How Long (#8)

8. X Ambassadors - Ahead Of Myself (#12)

7. Macklemore/Kesha - Good Old Days (#4)

6. Walk The Moon - One Foot (#10)

5. Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso/Florida Georgia Line/watt - Let Me Go (#9)

4. Ed Sheeran - Perfect (#3) [2 Weeks At #1]

3. Selena Gomez & Marshmello - Wolves (#7)

2. Imagine Dragons - Thunder (#1) [5 Weeks At #1]

1. Taylor Swift/Ed Sheeran/Future - End Game (#5) [1st Week At #1]

#1 Song This Week 1 Year Ago: Maroon 5 - Don't Wanna Know

Biggest DROP!!!... Of The Week: Camila Cabello - Havana (-17)

Biggest Jump Of The Week: P!nk - Beautiful Trauma (+19)

#1 Recommendation Of The Week: Julia Michaels - Heaven

New Entrants

~ The first of our two new entrants comes from countdown alum, All Time Low. This week, they bring Last Young Renegade. I have only really heard a few sons from these guys, and most of them have not really been unbearably great or amazing. The first song I ever heard from them, Something's Gotta Give has been the only one that I have thought was pretty good, but even still has not been anything amazing at all. Last Young Renegade is no exception. I'm not saying that the song is not enjoyable at all, because it certainly can be. The production in this song is nice, but the vocals could use a little work. It's just something about them that don't really pull me in all the way. It's certainly not bad, and I don't mind it being here, but it's nothing stand-out in my book. 

~ Our second and final debut of the week comes from Zedd. This time he brings in Maren Morris, as well as duo Grey, for another track, titled The Middle. At first listen, this song really wasn't something amazing to me either. However, it was a grower on me. After several more listens over the course of the past week, I have definitely grown into this one. I like Maren's vocals, but they are not entirely amazing throughout the whole song. They are perfectly enough to make it enjoyable, though. I feel like Zedd has been taking a new approach in terms of his last three singles. They have all been a kind of mixed bag for me. Stay was great, and I really enjoyed that song. However, the follow up to Stay, Get Low, was nothing enjoyable at all, and this one is just good at the moment, so I'll have to see where this one takes me. I think that this track was produced pretty decently, and Grey did a good enough job. I just will have to see where this one takes me in the coming weeks, but for now, it's good.

Best New Entrant Of The Week: Zedd/Maren Morris/Grey - The Middle

Hit-Bound

• AJR/Rivers Cuomo - Sober Up
• Portugal. The Man - Live In The Moment
• Alan Walker/Noah Cyrus/Digital Farm Animals - All Falls Down
• Spencer - Whatever
• Kesha/The Dap-Kings Horns - Woman
• Justin Timberlake/Chris Stapleton - Say Something (DEBUT)
• Post Malone - I Fall Apart
• Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes
• The Chainsmokers - Sick Boy
• Troye Sivan - My My My!
• Clean Bandit/Julia Michaels - I Miss You
• Welshly Arms - Legendary (DEBUT)
• Wild Things - Don't Wanna Feel It
• Sofi Tukker/NERVO/The Knocks/Alisa Ueno - Best Friend

My Top 5 Hit-Bound Picks

1. The Chainsmokers - Sick Boy

2. Justin Timberlake/Chris Stapleton - Say Something

3. Troye Sivan - My My My!

4. Clean Bandit/Julia Michaels - I Miss You

5. Kesha/The Dap-Kings Horns - Woman

Last Young Blurb

~ We have finally received a fresh #1 song. End Game is now on the top of the chart. To be honest, I did not expect this, but I am completely glad that it happened. We needed something to replace last week's #1. As long as we are keeping the mediocre songs out of the #1 spot, I am glad that this one is here and I hope to see it possibly hang on up here for more than one week.

~ Selena Gomez & Marshmello - Wolves made an unexpected, but very nice hop up into the top 3 this week. I am glad to see that this one has been so successful. It never fails to impress me every time I listen.

~ We also received an unexpected entry to the top 10 this week from X Ambassadors. Ahead Of Myself is a song I had not once expected to even get above #20, but it's here and it's at #8. I am very glad that this song is doing so well, too. It is a very enjoyable track.

~ After that scary dip to #23 last week, River has thankfully redeemed itself. I'm really hoping to see this one make it into the top 10 in the near future. That would be nice. However, for now, it's nice to see that this one has not completely faded away. 

~ Yes, you all read it right. Camila Cabello - Never Be The Same is my favorite song on the countdown. I cannot bring myself to stop constantly listening to this song. I am absolutely in love with it and the way it makes me feel. Also, if you have not seen the music video for this song, it is wonderful and I suggest that you go check it out. I am so glad that she has been doing so well, and has put out just a wonderful selection of songs, this being one of my absolute favorite of hers from her album. It is right up there with Consequences and Something's Gotta Give. I would love to see this one jump into the top 10 if it could.

~ Unfortunately, MAX/Gnash - Lights Down Low has had this random spur of success after being at the tail end of the countdown for a while. I am not happy about this, seeing as I thought that we were going to get rid of this one and now its back in the top 20. Hopefully, we can see this back on the decline in the coming weeks. I have no idea what sparked this sudden rise in votes.

~ We finally got rid of Post Malone/21 Savage - Rockstar from the top 20. I am still not really sure why this song even made it onto Hits 1 in the first place. I just hope we can see this one leave soon, just so we can clear out some of the clutter. 

~ Havana took a sudden and saddening drop this week. I shouldn't have expected this one to still be in the top 20, though, if I wanted success out of Never Be The Same. I guess it is what it is, as long as it stays for a while longer.

~ Filthy has surprisingly not done well here in the slightest. I would have expected this song to already be in the top 10 by now, but no, it's just chilling at #30. 

~ Already, WOLVES - Animal is showing no signs of a song that will do good here. All it has done is hold its spot. Frankly, I could see this song leaving next week, I just feel like it has almost zero relevance here. The same goes for Lonely Girl. It has not done well here either. They are just both space fillers in my opinion.

Let's Do A Top 20 Review!

0-Garbage

20. Imagine Dragons - Believer

19. MAX/Gnash - Lights Down Low

1-Bad

NONE

2-Mediocre

NONE

3-Decent

18. Imagine Dragons - Thunder

17. Kelly Clarkson - Love So Soft

4-Good

16. Bebe Rexha/Florida Georgia Line - Meant To Be

5-Great

15. Charlie Puth - How Long

14. Dua Lipa - New Rules

13. Lauv - I Like Me Better

12. X Ambassadors - Ahead Of Myself

11. Halsey - Bad At Love

10. Walk The Moon - One Foot

9. Macklemore/Kesha - Good Old Days

8. P!nk - Beautiful Trauma

7. G-Eazy & Halsey - Him & I

6. Eminem/Ed Sheeran - River

5. Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso/Florida Georgia Line/watt - Let Me Go

4. Selena Gomez & Marshmello - Wolves

3. Ed Sheeran - Perfect

2. Taylor Swift/Ed Sheeran/Future - End Game

1. Camila Cabello - Never Be The Same

Score: 85% (B)

My Bottom 5 Countdown Picks

1. Imagine Dragons - Believer

2. Post Malone/21 Savage - Rockstar

3. Niall Horan - Slow Hands

4. MAX/Gnash - Lights Down Low

5. Fall Out Boy - Hold Me Tight Or Don't

My Top 5 Countdown Picks

1. Camila Cabello - Never Be The Same

2. Taylor Swift/Ed Sheeran/Future - End Game

3. Ed Sheeran - Perfect

4. Bruno Mars/Cardi B - Finesse [Remix]

5. Camila Cabello - Havana

Thanks for reading guys!

~ Jack :)