I’m using this space this week to provide readers and chartphiles with a little bit of insight into how I compile my chart and what I take into consideration. First and foremost, it is entirely based on my own opinion. But what you have to realize, is that I really do love all of the songs on the chart.
There are only 30 of about 60 or more that are on my personal, private playlist that I play regularly throughout the week. More than 40% of the songs on my chart are released independently, but you may have noticed that this is the only space where I would write about most of those songs released on major labels. Most of those songs don’t need my help with inclusion in the BILLCS New Music Report but I’m not going to disregard a song I love because it’s released on a major label.
Songs are added to the chart with the intention that they could reach my Top 10. Some don’t simply due to the competition. Some songs wear out faster than others. And then there are songs that are “growers” and take time to travel up the chart too. Very few songs peak at #20 or below as a result. And yes, sometimes I may chart a song and soon get sick of it, or retrospectively feel that I should have charted one when I didn’t.
Submissions from artists, managers, and publicists always take priority, but the most important thing – submission or not – is my gut feeling about a song through the discovery process.
REMINDER: As with the BILLCS New Music Report, I’m now embedding the video link in the artwork for the song or the artist, which hopefully will allow the blog page to load faster and smoothly. So you now have to click on the photos above the write up to hear the song or watch the video. Let me know how it works for you! I am also using Alt Text where possible to assist readers with visual impairments.
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.
Getting a third appearance at the top of the chart is “Hero” by Martin Garrix and JVKE, surpassing Martin’s previous #1’s “Animals” and “Proxy”, which each had two appearances at #1 in 2014. It’s hard to say what song will succeed “Hero” at the top as early as in two weeks.
“Lose You” by Afrojack and James Arthur climbs 7-5 and is one of those songs that gets even better with frequent plays.
“The Only One” by Cerrone, Mercer, and Brendan Reilly leaps 13-6, becoming Mercer’s fourth trip to the Top 10. It’s from the excellent album Cerrone By Cerrone, wherein the renown French disco producer reboots his biggest classics in fine fashion too.
“I Go Dancing” by Frank Walker and Ella Henderson climbs 17-9, becoming Frank’s second release to get to my Top 10 after 2021’s #1 “Like Gold” with Loud Luxury and Stephen Puth. You can catch Frank throughout North America this summer as support for acts like Loud Luxury at major venues.
The Fastest Riser on the chart is the 90’s house-soaked “Enchanté” by Just Kiddin’s Lewis Thompson and singer/songwriter Clementine Douglas, which soars 20-10. It’s Clementine’s third visit to the Top 10, previously credited on Sonny Fodera’s “Angel” (#4) and uncredited on Matoma’s “The Power” (#3).
Toronto-born electronic producer Dabin played a sold out show in his home town on March 12, and his latest collaboration “Hollow” with Kai Wachi and vocalist Lø Spirit moves up 21-16.
“Sacrifice” is a beautiful, complex effort from Kx5 (Kaskade and Deadmau5) in collaboration with Sofi Tukker, and it rises 23-17.
Think of “Like U” by L.A.’s Party Nails and Austin’s Boy Sim as a pre-summer bop. This engaging release moves up 27-21.
Philadelphia duo N i G H T S are all about the hip hop inspired atmosphere in “Boyband”, which climbs 28-22. I’m really not sure what the song is all about, but its vibe is hypnotic and I’m glad it’s getting deserved attention five years after its original release.
The Highest Debut belongs to Seattle’s Surf Mesa (aka 22 year old Powell Aguirre) with vocalist Selah Sol and “City of Love” at #28. This melodic house track stirs up the feels for anyone who has felt out of place in big city surroundings after a breakup. You can catch Surf Mesa on the festival circuit this year, and he plays a captivating set.
Next at #29 is NYC-based indie electronic producer Greg Oakland with his trance-influenced “Never Temporary”, featuring a potent vocal by Tara Louise. Greg actually sent to me the song to hear months ago, and I’m so glad the team at Future Sounds of Egypt had the inspired taste to release another song by Greg. And here it is on my chart!
Arriving at #30 is what I would call a “comeback” record for Jason Mraz and a return to the whimsical pop sound which got him his first hit 20 years ago. The song is “I Feel Like Dancing” from the upcoming album Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride (I dare you to keep those words in proper order!), and be sure and check out the seamlessly filmed and well-choreographed video above. It’s Jason’s 10th appearance on my chart but his first since 2012.
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 recent 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.
At Midnight EST on Saturdays, you can also hear my new “Retro Pick of the Week” on Russ Horton’s amazing “Top 40 Timeline” oldies show.
“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, and my “Retro Pick of the Week” plays on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” at 4pm EST.
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 more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking here. You can hear recent 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 recent 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.
You can also listen to my “Retro Pick of the Week” on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.
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