I must admit, I came back to watching “Stranger Things” after enjoying season 1, being disappointed with the first four episodes of season 2, then skipping the rest. Now the first 7 episodes have finished with a cliff-hanger till July 1. And I’m writing about this because of the accompanying success of the revival of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” from her 1985 album Hounds Of Love.
It was already one of my favourite songs of that year, and has been much enjoyed since, so you won’t see it any time on the BILLCS Top 30. And it’s definitely one of the best recent examples of “sync” – when music supervisors of movies and TV shows choose their songs. In the past, we have experienced other songs that succeeded as a result of being placed in movies – “(What A) Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong in 1988 from “Good Morning Vietnam” or “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen in 1992 from “Wayne’s World” for example.
While successful syncs will continue long into the future, pop radio’s past discovery of songs seems to in the past, otherwise they would take advantage and play “Running Up That Hill” to death. Often in the past songs would break out of certain key cities and spread throughout North America and the world. But that doesn’t happen anymore because radio is stuck on making money and serving up background music fodder for its listeners. That’s where online radio is becoming an emerging alternative – listen to lots of great music, played pre-recorded or sometimes live, curated for the listener that wants more music and less repetition. And online radio will play “Running Up That Hill”, too, just not every two hours like every other big hit.
Make sure you read about my frequently updated ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post)!
Mercer’s “Aretha” holds at #1 for a third appearance, the longest time at #1 for any song so far in 2022. The song samples Aretha’s “Rock-a-Lott” and uses her voice as a weapon without even singing any words. An amazing idea and the result is so enjoyable.
Florence & The Machine’s “My Love” climbs 4-2, to match the 2009 peak of their first entry, the now-classic “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)”.
“Romance with a Memory” by The xx’s vocalist and bassist Oliver Sim has suddenly become the one to watch in the Top 10, as it makes short work of the chart, climbing 14-6.
Belgian producer NIVIRO and California singer/songwriter Harley Bird have also got a great song with “The Edge”, which moves up 13-8, thanks to heartfelt lyrics and a euphoric melody. It becomes Harley’s 2nd Top 10 after singing on “Float” by Jay Bird and TWSTD ZOO (#3).
Victor Perry collects his 14th Top 10 as either a lead or featured artist on the chart with his recent solo single “Punching Bag”, which rises 12-10. It’s his 2nd Top 10 in 2022 as “Oxygen” (#7, with Saxity) departs the chart.
The Fastest Riser on the chart is “In The Stars”, the dreamy song about heartbreak by Washington’s Benson Boone, which soars 24-11.
“Unity” by Gareth Emery & Omnia, with proceeds via UNICEF to Ukraine, climbs 25-18.
Two softer, emotional tracks are also off to good starts. Rising 27-20 is Conan Gray with the touching “Memories” (above), and then moving up 30-22 is Why Don’t We with the more biting “Let Me Down Easy (Lie)” (below). Why Don’t We have their Good Times & The Bad Times tour this summer to watch for in a city near you!
The chart has room for four debuts this week, which is topped by a second song from Harry’s House by Harry Styles called “Daydreaming” at #26. Although to me the song has a 60’s vibe, it actually samples The Brothers Johnson’s “Ain’t We Funkin’ Now” from the 70’s. At any rate, it will eventually compete with my current #4 “As It Was” as my favourite song from the album.
The third time is also a charm as Sweden’s Darin returns with his third recent English language single called “Superstar” at #27. It follows the similar dance/pop vibes of “Can’t Stay Away” and his ballad “Holding Me More”, which both got to #1 on the BILLCS Top 30. It’s his 7th overall chart entry.
I’m impressed and excited about what I hear from dance producer Manila Killa as we approach a July release for his album Dusk. First we had the drum’n bass flavours of “Take Me Higher”, and it was immediately followed by “Dusk”, a collaboration co-written and sung by Canada’s Lights. “Dusk” arrives at #28, becoming both Manila Killa’s and Lights’ 3rd chart entries.
At #30 are the heavier sounding but engaging future bass rhythms of “Crown” by Vancouver production duo We Are Fury. It features fine vocals by Washington DC’s brassie and California’s Kyle Reynolds, and is culled from We Are Fury’s new EP The Lost and the Damned.
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 🙂
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features! Links to all stations appear later in this section in blue.
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. The show also repeats on Sunday mornings on Radio GTA at 2:00 AM EST, at 8pm EST on Sundays on Party Dog Radio, and then at 7:00 am EST Fridays on Unique Radio Australia!
On Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm EST 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 EST! 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 Big 20” also airs on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.
The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada
I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my New Music Pick of the Week which debuts every 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.
My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on:
- Radio GTA Wednesdays at 11:00 pm EST, Saturdays after Midnight EST, and Sundays at 3 am EST
- Halton Hills Online Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and Saturdays at 7pm EST
- Mix88.ca‘s “Addictive Energy” show with Hunter Wilbur on Saturdays after 9pm EST
- WXNZ, community radio in Maine, Mondays after 10pm EST
- Party Dog Radio, Sundays at 9pm EST
- Unique Radio Australia, Fridays at 7am EST
More new affiliates are joining and I’ll update this list as I receive new information.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 