All of a sudden, there is a spate of really good songs out there, which is making it difficult for me every two weeks to add new songs to my chart! Just so that you all know, besides my Top 30, I have a personal playlist in my iTunes that contains more than double those songs – yes I still buy mp3’s too 🙂 Every week, I shortlist songs for the BILLCS New Music Report on Wednesdays mainly using a private Spotify playlist, and the songs that get added to my iTunes playlist are in the running for the BILLCS Top 30 – the best of the best. And I’m always listening for songs that grab me on first listen. It’s a strategy I’ve used for years with some modifications along the way. So hopefully that gives you some insight into how the blog comes to be and what a rabid music fan that I still am.
I’m pleased to announce my latest online radio segment that has in fact been airing since November called My Retro Pick of the Week! It’s featured on “Big Daddy” Russ Horton’s massive Top 40 Timeline show at the top of the second hour, and currently airs on Saturdays on a variety of online radio stations including UK National Radio (Noon EST), Halton Hills Radio Online (4 PM EST), FM 108 (6 PM EST), and Radio GTA (Midnight EST)! The segment tells the backstory behind some of my favourite songs of the past as well as some tidbits about the artists. Some of the songs I’ve featured so far have included “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak, “River Deep-Mountain High” by Ike & Tina Turner, “Love Hangover” by Diana Ross, “The Letter” by The Box Tops, “(I Just) Died In Your Arms” by Cutting Crew, “Endless Sleep” by Jody Reynolds, and “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” by The 4 Tops!! I may put the segments online for you to hear in the future.
The best places to communicate with me continue to be Twitter @billcs or Instagram @thebillcs or Facebook @BILLCSMusicProjects. Follow this blog using the “Follow” button at the bottom of the home page.
Check out my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS below too as they are increasingly tied in with this blog.
While JVKE’s former #1 and Billboard Top 10 hit “Golden Hour” slides to #4 in its 10th and final appearance (20 weeks) on the chart, this fresh new talent is back on top, this time with Martin Garrix with their collaboration “Hero”. In an interesting coincidence, Martin’s first two songs to reach my chart, “Animals” and “Proxy” were both #1 in 2014. They, along with other talents like Daniel Bedingfield, Sam Smith, Rufus Wainwright and Matthew Koma have all achieved this feat. “Hero” has plenty of competition so let’s see how long it can hold fort at the top!
Trying to close the gap again in the coming weeks is “Black Mascara”, the haunting song by Greyson Chance from his album Palladium, which rises 5-2, becoming his third song to reach the runner-up spot, after “Dancing Next To Me” and “My Dying Spirit”, which just departed the chart after 9 appearances (18 weeks).
I always root for a good underdog, and “Ghost Boy” by L.A.-based singer/songwriter Zac Poor is just that. It moves up 7-5, and please check out the thoughtful video above, and don’t be surprised if you shed a few tears.
Also new to the Top 10 are former national Dance Radio #1 “Spiral” by NYC’s Lena Leon (11-8, above), and “Wish On An Eyelash Pt. 2” by Australia’s Mallrat in collaboration with The Chainsmokers (12-9, below). It’s The Chainsmokers’ 12th time in the Top 10!!
The Fastest Riser on the chart is “Lose You” (above) by the dynamic team of Afrojack and James Arthur, which soars 22-15. And good news for James Arthur fans. Despite him never before appearing on my chart, his collaboration with Brazil’s Alok is also the Highest Debut at #27 called “Work With My Love” (below). Both feature compelling vocals by James, and to me he has a huge future in dance music if he wishes!
I was pleased to check out Famba’s live set locally last week, and we finally got to meet up after me writing about him for the last six years! His latest and techno-inspired release is a gem called “No Sleep” featuring Glasgow KI$$, which climbs 23-17.
Arriving at #28 is “Hollow” by the terrific trio of Dabin, Kai Wachi and singer/screamer Lø Spirit. Everything about this release is next level, the producers have outdone themselves and Lø Spirit is one helluva vocalist. It’s Dabin’s second appearance on the chart. He previously appeared on best bud Illenium’s “Hearts On Fire” with Lights (#5, 2021).
At #29 is one of those songs that felled me on first listen and I would say is a ‘cousin’ of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own”. It’s “I Go Dancing” by Toronto dance producer Frank Walker featuring British sensation Ella Henderson. It’s Frank’s second appearance on the chart – his first, with Loud Luxury and Stephen Puth called “Like Gold”, went to #1 two years ago. And Stephen (aka Puth the Younger) co-produced and co-wrote “I Go Dancing” too.
Rounding out the list at #30 is “Fever Dreamer” by British producer SG Lewis and featuring Toronto singer/songwriter Charlotte Day Wilson and L.A. rapper Channel Tres. It’s a compelling listen that is heavily influenced by classic disco, with a soulful vocal by Charlotte, and the results are tantalizing. It’s culled from SG’s latest album AudioLust and Higher Love.
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.
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!
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 Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. EST and Sunday mornings at 2:00 AM EST. You can hear past episodes of The Big 20 at this link.
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.
“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. “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” airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA. My pick of the week airs 20 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking here. You can hear past episodes of The 3D Variety Show at this link.
Addictive Energy
This is a weekly show hosted by Hunter Wilbur that airs on several online stations but is anchored at Mix88.ca on Saturdays beginning at 8pm EST. You can hear past episodes of Addictive Energy at this link.
For other details about the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! The schedules have been updated.
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