I fully admit I don’t listen to commercial radio anymore. Radio lost my interest years ago when it steered away from being a discovery place for new music for me. And now it is proving even more that it’s way more about the profit and less about the music. Radio missed its opportunity recently to make “Easy On Me” by Adele or her follow up “Oh My God” or “Cold Heart” (Pnau remix) by Elton John & Dua Lipa event records. Radio could have used its still significant platform to dazzle audiences again by getting behind three songs that are very good for any pop radio format. Instead, it treated the Adele songs just like any release by a major perform, and Top 40 radio in particular has been reluctant to play an Elton John record because he is outside of their under 40 demographic. So until radio can prove to me again that it is interested in music again, I will do without.
Make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!
Obtaining his second #1 of 2021 is Sweden’s Darin with the beautiful ballad “Holding Me More”, an ideal song to cuddle up with during the winter months. This and previous #1 “Can’t Stay Away” are big comeback songs for Darin, whose last English-language release was in 2013. Both mark complete shifts in direction after many years of success in Sweden, and I’m just loving it! It’s also the 14th #1 song of 2021 on my chart, the most in any year since I began the chart in 1998.
One song that is a unique change of pace for pop/dance music this year is “To The Top” by German producers Natixx and Lyonbrotherz with vocalist/songwriter Robbie Rosen, which climbs 5-3. The contrast between such deep rich bass synths and a medieval sounding flute creates an interesting effect in this anthem that will have you cheering in your own way.
“Play It Cool” by UK/Irish duo Menrva and vocalist Island Banks rises 11-8 with its slick, infectious beats and a Craig David-ish vocal that matches its title quite aptly!
The other new entry to the Top 10 is the second for Vancouver’s Young Bombs, following last year’s #3 “Better Day” (with Aloe Blacc), called “Summer In Brooklyn” (with Jordy, above), moving up 12-10. You can also check out Young Bombs latest single with Stondon Massey called “U Up?”, below.
Heading for the Top 10 are two bona fide dance radio hits. Karen Harding’s “You & I (All I Need)” (above), from her EP Sweet Vibrations, climbs 14-11, while the independent release “Unbreakable” by L.A. trio TELYKast and Nashville vocalist Sam Gray (below) soars 17-12.
The haunting single “sicc” by Georgia-based alt.electronic singer/songwriter stef continues to flourish, rising 18-14.
Ballads are not often seen on my chart, but besides Darin’s #1, we’ve got Brandyn Burnette and Charlotte Sands serenading us in the gorgeous “Everything”, which moves up 19-15.
The last chart’s Highest Debut is this chart’s Fastest Riser as “Out Of The Dark”, a song glowing with positive vibes, leaps 25-18 for Austin duo Tritonal and vocalist EMME in a Morgin Madison remix.
In fact all of the last chart’s debuts are making their marks on the chart, each rising 6 points. “Float” (above) by Jay Bird, TWSTD ZOO and Harley Bird rises 26-20, while the astute pairing of The Knocks and singer/songwriter Parson James allows “River” (below) to rise 28-22, and Michael Medrano’s telling but fun “i don’t wanna talk about love” (also below) moves up 29-23.
The Highest Debut at #26 belongs to Years & Years in collaboration with Swedish production duo Galantis with the smashing retrotastic arpeggios of “Sweet Talker” from the upcoming Years & Years album Night Call. It’s the 9th chart entry for Years & Years (now simply an Olly Alexander project), which has included #1’s with “King” and “Shine”, and it’s the first one in two years, despite some good releases in-between that were also collaborations – the cover of Pet Shop Boys’ “It’s A Sin” with Elton John, and “Starstruck” and “Second To Midnight”, both with Kylie Minogue. It’s also Galantis’ second entry following their hit “Faith” (with Dolly Parton and Mr. Probz) which reached #5 in 2019. Watch Olly perform the song in his recent appearance on “BBC Strictly Come Dancing” above.
Next at #27 is “Pretty” by Toronto’s Scott Helman, which is his first chart entry. I saw Scott perform in concert a number of years ago and he is an engaging performer full of stories. I like the, good-naturedness, softer edges and gender neutrality of “Pretty”, reminding me somewhat of some of Conan Gray’s releases, and a lot of young folks will relate to this one.
And at #28 is the aforementioned Kylie Minogue, with her 10th chart entry and first since 2015 with “Kiss Of Life”, in which she is partnered with Jessie Ware on what is her 11th chart entry. “Kiss Of Life” is a not quite over-the-top dance floor filler that appears on the “Guest List Edition” version of Kylie’s album titled Disco. It’s a whole lotta fun, so dig out your dancing shoes for it!
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! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link: BILLCS Top 30 Songs.
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Radio GTA – listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs mixed with classics and songs you haven’t heard in a while. And on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
Halton Hills Online – “Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free, proudly brought to you by Symposium Cafe Restaurant & Lounge in Georgetown, Ontario!
Planet Radio Canada (currently on hiatus until January)– I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm with my New Music Pick of the Week on the “3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments.
My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST!
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