Many of us are having to make the most of what’s going on in our municipalities. I can’t be more grateful that we have an overabundance of music to keep us company. I can’t imagine my life without it. There’s a lot of activity brewing in the new chart, with two additions joining in all the activity. I wish everyone a safe, restful and happy holiday and a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it with me.
Closing out the year at the top is “Diamonds” by Sam Smith from their excellent third album Love Goes. Even the best singers have to admit that Sam’s performance here is pretty unbeatable. I think the public-at-large associates Sam with sad songs, which they also sing so well, and which make up most of the album.
Soaring from 9-2, in a tie as the Fastest Mover on the chart, is “Give It Back”, a new dancefloor banger that requires your attention! It’s brought to you by The Disco Fries and Giiants with vocals by Allison Park. It’s the highest that The Disco Fries and Giiants have reached on the chart, though two thirds of Giiants reached #1 three times as DATABOY in 2011-13.
Cover songs rarely appear on this chart, and I must say one by The Blue Nile is a great choice by producers Matt Mancid and Color Theory. It’s “Tinseltown In The Rain”, which originally appeared on The Blue Nile’s 1984 album A Walk Across The Rooftops. The “Big Rhythm” mix climbs 5-3, with vocals by Color Theory (Brian Hazard).
Climbing 7-4 is “Fantasy” by the dynamic collaboration of Saxity, Victor Perry and Robbie Rosen. It’s Saxity’s second Top 5 entry following #3 “Brothers”, and Victor’s fourth, most recently reaching #2 with “What I Deserve”.
Tying for the Fastest Riser is another danceable favourite, “Nobody” by Sweden’s NOTD with vocals by Catello, rising 14-7. “Nobody” also reached #1 this week on Mediabase’s national dance airplay chart.
Toronto’s Francesco Yates obtains his third Top 10 on this chart with the steamy “Late Night Love” (13-9) from his EP Bad Decisions. It’s been amazing to hear his growth as an artist on this enjoyable EP.
“Good At Goodbyes” by Bright Light Bright Light and Erasure’s Andy Bell closes in on the Top 10 as this multi-faceted track from the Fun City album moves up 18-12.
The fun and energetic “Too Hot To Touch” by Toronto’s Crash Adams rises 16-13 and gives you another reason to check out their ‘in office’ video.
L.A. quintet Why Don’t We have a new album coming in January called The Good Times & The Bad Ones, which will include their current rollicking pop hit “Fallin’ (Adrenaline)”, which moves up 21-16. The band also made available a hologram of sorts of themselves on Snapchat, where you can place them virtually in your room with you.
I’m fond of the messaging in “Fake” by Lauv and Conan Gray as much as I am of its cool music track and its colourful video. It climbs 25-19.
The highest debut belongs to Japanese-British singer/songwriter Rina Sawayama with her first entry, “Lucid” at #26. This Lady Gaga influenced track should be her big breakthrough. It’s the lead track from her recent album called Sawayama.
The second entry is the latest collaboration between NYC producers The Knocks and rock group Foster The People with “All About You” at #28. It’s The Knocks’ 8th song to appear on this chart (they reached #1 in 2016 with “Kiss The Sky” with Wyclef Jean), and it’s Foster The People’s fourth but first since 2012.
A reminder that the music from my chart and blog are featured regularly on the online radio station The New 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 2021 🙂 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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