With blog posts about 22 songs in the past two weeks, and the fact that I never previously had holidays in September or October (other than a day or two at Thanksgiving), retirement from my day job is sinking in and that is a good thing! I’ve been working on a project to supplement this blog and chart – more news about that in the coming weeks! There are five debuts on the chart and a new #1!
After three appearances (six weeks) at the top, Joel Corry & MNEK’s “Head & Heart” slips to #2 in favour of “Undo My Heart”, a glorious banger by British singer/songwriter Karen Harding and fellow Brit, songwriter/producer Digital Farm Animals. This is one song that immediately turns heads, which is why, to me, it ranks as one of the best of the year!
A frantic-sounding saxophone in a dance music track can never be a bad thing, so “House Is Happiness” by Germany’s Stan Sax cuts through the Top 10 to soar 10-3!
While I’m enjoying MAX’s latest album Colour Vision a whole lot, “Naked” by Jonas Blue and the singer/songwriter inches up 5-4.
Not to be outdone, UK indie singer/songwriter Benedict Cork gets his 2nd Top 5 hit on this chart with “One Last Song”, climbing 8-5. It’s from his new EP, Piano Tapes Vol. 2.
The only new Top 10 entry is a very deserving one. The stylish panache of “What’s Your Pleasure” by Jessie Ware moves up 13-10. It’s the second chart entry from the album of the same name, following “Save A Kiss” (#3).
There’s plenty of movement outside of the Top 10 as long-time faves exit the chart. It’s a bit of a transitional release I think, but Troye Sivan’s EP In A Dream is chock full of interesting songs that sit outside of the Top 40 world, and would be more suitable for alternative radio stations if they weren’t so top-heavy with songs in the rock genre. The winning title song moves up 17-12.
L.A. indie trio Fames, on the other hand, has a could-be pop hit with the supremely catchy “scared of the dark”, which zips up the chart 20-13.
The Fastest Riser on the chart belongs to the latest dynamic duo from Sweden, Pawl & Discrete, with the infectious toe-tapper “Type Like That”, soaring 24-16.
It’s hard not to be drawn into the warm lyrics and propulsive beat of “We Are Home” by Florida singer/songwriter Lauren Mayhew and young Moroccan producer Mariline, as it rises 22-17.
Gliding onto the chart at a respectably high #21 is “Tinseltown In The Rain” by German producer Matt Mancid and L.A. man of many talents Color Theory (aka Brian Hazard). It’s a highly reverent cover of a song by Scottish group The Blue Nile from their 1984 album A Walk Across The Rooftops, which sounds oh so great again 36 years later. Matt Mancid and Color Theory both charted previously in 2013/14, when Matt’s remix of Color Theory’s still-amazing “Headphones” reached #1. Although the original of “Tinseltown” is gorgeous, I’m charting the dance club worthy “Big Rhythm Mix”.
After you hear “Fantasy”, you’re going to want another collaboration from German production duo Saxity, NYC-based singer/songwriter Victor Perry, and NYC’s “American Idol” finalist Robbie Rosen. “Fantasy” arrives at #23, accompanying songs by both Stan Sax (one half of Saxity, at #3) and Victor Perry (at #9) on the chart! The live performance video is above. Also check out the “Saxophone House remix” below.
Sam Smith last graced this chart with his spot-on cover of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” earlier this year, which reached #6. His vocal could not have been any better in his latest single “Diamonds”, from his upcoming album Love Goes, which debuts at #25. Listen to Joel Corry’s new remix, too, below.
Denver’s Illenium returns to the chart for the first time since he partnered with Ekali for “Hard To Say Goodbye” (#9) earlier this year with the thoughtful and elegant “Nightlight” at #26.
The fifth debut is by Toronto duo Crash Adams who bring a lot of fun and zest back into rock ‘n roll. Their effortless track “Too Hot To Touch” is accompanied by an amusing video where rocking out in an empty office never seemed so good. “Too Hot” bows on the chart at #28.
A reminder that the music from my chart and blog are featured regularly on the new online radio station Radio GTA. You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers and listen for songs from the chart too 🙂 Scroll down the station’s main page to listen to lots of variety from across the decades! I’m the new music consultant for the station so you can expect even more in 2020 🙂 You can start by joining Radio GTA’s new interactive Facebook group too!!
View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs
Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂
Want to see what I’ve been listening to and charting for the past 22 years? Rummage through the BILLCS Top 30 Archive (where you can click on the link within) when you have a chance!!
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