#BILLCSTop30 #637 – April 11/22

This new edition of the chart was a particularly tough one to compile. It’s because there’s so much music out there that I enjoy, even beyond those songs that I write about. So what happens is that the songs now move up and down and off the chart quickly. The oldest songs now in my Top 30 are 16 weeks old (8 appearances) – from the first chart of this year! – and just about any artist with a song on the chart for 10 weeks (5 appearances) has already released one or more songs in follow up. Songs deserve a longer shelf life – the maximum a song can remain on my chart is 20 weeks (10 appearances), and songs don’t reach 10 appearances very much anymore. The music industry currently alludes that the more you write and release, the more money and exposure you might get. At one level perhaps that’s true, but I don’t think that’s the case at all with most indie artists. This is a model that is fracturing that the music industry will have to mend soon. It means burnout – physical and financial – for indie artists, and a short life span for some very worthy songs. 

That being said, there’s a new #1 and four debuts!

Make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post)!

Washington electronic duo Odesza achieve something rare on the chart – two consecutive number ones, nearly four years apart, which are their only chart appearances to date. Their jaw-dropping rework of Bettye LaVette’s 1965 R&B hit “Let Me Down Easy”, as “The Last Goodbye” (which will be the title of their upcoming album) charges up the chart 4-1, following the lead of their now-classic “Loyal” in the Fall of 2018. And yes, I’ve got my ticket to their concert in my city on their summer tour. Watch the magnetic video performance above too.

That means “High” by The Chainsmokers holds at #2, but it’s in great company, because next to their three number ones on the chart, it becomes their fourth #2, following “Let You Go”, “Sick Boy”, and “Everybody Hates Me”.  Their new album So Far So Good arrives on May 13.

Frankmusik’s gorgeous “The Half Moon Came Up In The Sky” advances 6-3, becoming his highest reaching chart entry since 2013’s #1 “Map”.

One of the most melodic pop singles out there is “Don’t Wake Me Up” by Jonas Blue and Why Don’t We, which rises 7-5.  It’s the second Top 5 entry for Jonas Blue, following 2016’s “Fast Car” (#3).

The Fastest Riser on the chart soars 25-8, and it’s “Aretha” by French dance producer Mercer. It’s his third Top 10 entry on the chart.

“Oxygen” climbs 11-9, becoming the 4th Top 10 on the chart for German producers Saxity, and it’s also their third Top 10 with Victor Perry on vocals.  For Victor however, it’s his 13th Top 10 entry. Still, it’s hard to beat a team like this!

Rounding out the Top 10 is “Reflection”, a deep cut from Years & Years’ deluxe edition of the Night Call album, which moves 12-10. It’s Olly Alexander’s 10th song to reach the Top 10.

“Hold Me Down” by Italy’s Luca and Giam with vocal by Florida’s Sam Merkin is quickly becoming one of the chart’s highlights as it rises 19-11.

Florence Welch hasn’t sounded as good in years as on “My Love” (above), from Florence & The Machine’s upcoming album Dance Fever. The song climbs 28-17, and was recently remixed simply as the “Dave Glass Animals Remix”. You can check out what a fine job Dave did below.

“Tuff” by VASSY and gt_ofice is a fun national dance radio hit and moving up the chart nicely, as it advances 27-21.

To the surprise of no one, the highest debut on the chart belongs to Harry Styles with the magnetic “As It Was” at #25.  It now has the task of following 2019/20’s “Lights Up” and “Adore You” to the top of the chart. Think Harry can do it again? “As It Was” also continues to prove what a great voice he has. It’s from his forthcoming album called Harry’s House.

At #27 is “First Time” by L.A.’s Damon Sharpe in collaboration with the #1 future house producer/DJ in Asia, Tokyo-based VIVID. “First Time” follows up last year’s “15 Minutes” (#5) by Damon with The Disco Fries.

“Fall Into Me” is destined to be an inescapable progressive electronic song of the summer for festival goers and fans of its L.A.-based producers, NGHTMRE and SLANDER, and its vocalist, Dylan Matthew, who all appear on the chart for the first time. “Fall Into Me” bows at #28.

Completing the chart at #30 is Toronto area native Ryan Shepherd with vocalist Bella Renee on their single “The High”.  It’s Ryan’s fourth chart entry, and he’s playing an already sold-out show at The Garrison in Toronto on May 7 with LUN and Glass Petals.

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.

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!

Radio GTA – listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs.  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, now brought to you by the Appalachian Pub & Eatery in Georgetown, Ontario!

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada –  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.  A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” now airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA .  NOTE: The show will not air on April 12 and 13.

My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Wednesdays at 11:00 pm EST, Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST, on Mix88.ca‘s “Addictive Energy” show with Hunter Wilbur on Saturdays at 9pm EST, and now on WXNZ, community radio in Maine!