It’s time for us to bid adieu to our summer favourites to make room for what will become choices songs for the balance of 2022. This summer has offered some of the most memorable music of the year, along with a number of performers playing live at concerts and events either in my city of elsewhere. Yes, it’s finally starting to look a lot what normal looked like pre-pandemic. Since Billboard has not resumed its dance club play chart – and maybe they still might do that once their chart year finishes in November – it’s time for focus to get away from dance music radio airplay, where the music biz has placed it for dance releases, and back into the clubs which has always been where the tastemaking begins.
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Jessie Ware scores her first #1 on my chart since 2014’s “Say You Love Me” with her killer track “Free Yourself”, which vaults 6-1. Although she’s been playing select dates in North America, including ones opening for Harry Styles, I hope she’ll get a proper tour going early next year.
Francesco Yates’ “Jimi” also moves up 5-3 as he continues his tour opening for the Backstreet Boys in North America. “Jimi” ties at his #3 highest peak to date with 2020’s naughty “Late Night Love”.
“Ophelia” by Swedish pop/rock trio Louis Pax moves up 11-9 and becomes the group’s second Top 10 this year following the #1 “Bad Things”. Watch for more great things from these talented guys, who have a real flair for capturing 80’s pop vibes and meshing them with today’s sounds.
Also new to the Top 10 is the Fastest Riser of the week, former UK #1 “Afraid To Feel” by Scottish production duo LF System, which soars 19-10.
I don’t think Future would have ever seen his 2012 hit “Turn On The Lights” revived as a festival anthem 10 years later! UK dance favourite Fred Again.. teams with Swedish House Mafia to put a progressive spin on the song as “Turn On The Lights Again” climbs 18-11.
Moving up within the Top 20 at Top 40 radio in Canada is “Summer Nights” by Orangeville natives DVBBS with Brandyn Burnette, which rises 17-13 on my chart.
NYC’s Robbie Rosen has two songs quickly moving up the chart. “Stained Glass” (above), his collaboration with Germany’s Severman and India’s Arshan Joel, climbs 20-14, while the infectious but short “The Boss” (below), made with French producers Coopex and Charles B, zips into the Top 20, up 26-17.
It will go down as one of the more uncharacteristic hits of 2022, and is currently #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, but “Bad Habit” by R&B/pop singer/songwriter Steve Lacy is one catchy winner of a track, and it rises 24-16.
“Welcome Back Home” is a rollicking but thoughtful house track by Dutch producers Showtek and NYC’s MC Ambush that climbs 25-21.
“Full Force” by Italy’s Luca + Giam and Florida singer/songwriter Sam Merkin is off to a fine start, moving up 28-22.
The Highest Debut belongs to diverse Michigan singer/songwriter Sage Castleberry with “I Kinda Like It”, which bows at #27. This is an instantly likeable track that’s all about being okay with not having a relationship with someone, something that most people will immediately identify with and appreciate.
Next at #28 is Florida singer/songwriter Tonner with “Castles”. Tonner has been behind the scenes as a producer and a member of Tik Tok favourites The 502’s, but “Castles” is a light and respectable pop/dance release, somewhat reminiscent melodically of Marc Cohn’s “Walking In Memphis”, at least to me!
The final new entry at #29 is the fun and anthemic “Timebomb” by L.A. production duo Two Friends along with Minnesota singer and rapper Mod Sun, which I heard first when I saw Two Friends perform in June, the day before its release. Two Friends have visited this chart as remixers and lead artists, but it’s a first time for Mod Sun, whose fiancée happens to be Avril Lavigne.
View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here! Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!
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