Billboard’s Hot 100 methodology for identifying recurrents will finally change, and it seemed to have been conveniently planned with Taylor Swift’s anticipated sweep of the Top 12, which bumped down the older songs, just in time for the Hot 100’s new chart year! This means we will say buh-bye to long-lasting songs like longevity record-breaker “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims, “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone, and “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars.
Apparently casual listeners play the same songs on streaming as they request at radio stations, and the horrid US AC Mediabase chart is witness to this (currently only replacing “Lose Control” with Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” – which gained points at that format 😮 ). We know it’s all about money and how the powers-that-be all have their hands in manipulating the chart data (legally of course – you don’t think they let a computerized printout of the top songs stay as is, do you?). At least these changes will serve new songs and new artists better on the chart.
Here are the changes from Billboard’s “Chart Beat” column by Gary Trust:
“Effective this week, on the first Hot 100 of Billboard’s 2026 chart year, altered tiers will dictate when songs move to recurrent status following their runs on the ranking.
Previously, descending songs were removed from the Hot 100 once falling below No. 25 after 52 weeks or below No. 50 after 20 weeks. Descending songs will now depart via the following thresholds, once they are:
Below No. 5 after 78 weeks
Below No. 10 after 52 weeks
Below No. 25 after 26 weeks
Below No. 50 after 20 weeks
Songs gaining below those markers will be eligible to remain on the Hot 100 on a case-by-case basis. Plus, holiday classics will qualify to return above No. 50 regardless of total chart weeks, and then be subject to the rules noted above upon their descents; the same for newly-surging non-holiday catalog songs, with those without significant chart history eligible to debut at any rank, as considered individually. Songs will also continue to be removed from the all-format Radio Songs chart once they go recurrent on the Hot 100.”
As a standing item about my daughter VXTORIA‘s progress with her music, her debut EP Dreamstate is now out! It features three new songs, “Awaken”, “U&Me”, and “TMRW”, in addition to singles Back To You, changes, and Lost in Your Love. I’d like to thank anyone who has found out about her music through my blog page for supporting the songs. She is currently working on new music.
Check out information about my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS after the chart commentary below as they are directly tied in with this blog. As most of you know, I host 3 online radio shows – The Big 20 and two iterations of Your Weekend New Music Mix – and produce 2 online radio segments – my new music and retro picks of the week – that are all pre-recorded. The Big 20 and the picks of the week are happily being syndicated and you can find the current schedule for all at the bottom of the home page of this blog.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
Just in time to announce another leg of his Wishbone tour which will take him to North America (including one Canadian date in Toronto), the UK/Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, Conan Gray steals #1 away from Sombr after 3 appearances (6 weeks) with the immensely touching “Vodka Cranberry” (above). It’s Conan’s third #1 on my chart following “Yours” (which sadly he hates and will never play in concert) and “Never Ending Song”. Conan also moves up 4-3 with “This Song” (below), which gradually just grew on me more and more. Wish me luck getting a ticket for the show in the week!
Extending their stays as independent artists, UK dance producer MXTR and L.A.-based talent Tyler Garrett find their collaboration “Won’t Give Up” is now up 6-4. It’s a drum ‘n bass flavoured techno-house track that even fans of pop/dance will enjoy. And a big Happy Birthday to Tyler today (October 20)!
The Fastest Riser on the chart is the heart-wrenching ballad by Canadians Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith, “Friends Don’t”, which flies up the chart 17-5, becoming Alexander’s third visit to the Top 5. His album, What If, arrives on Friday October 24. “Friends Don’t” needs more attention in North America. And Top 40/Hot AC/AC radio stations in Canada – what are you waiting for, wake up and play this one!!
Also new to the Top 10 is another collaboration, DJ Martinee and Canadian disco chanteuse France Joli with the stunning “My Everlasting Love”, which climbs 13-9.
Rounding out the Top 10 is “The Dead Dance” by Lady Gaga, moving up 12-10 and becoming her third Top 10 entry this year following #1 “Abracadabra” and #9 “Vanish Into You”, both also from the fantastic MAYHEM album.
Top 10 bound is the super-infectious “Fake It” by American DJ duo Polar Bears and Dutch vocalist/songwriter Jay Mason, which rises 15-12.
UK talent Yungblud continues to rise up the chart for his first time with “Zombie” (the Hansa Studios mix) jumping 19-15.
Greyson Chance’s new music is flourishing as his South East Asian tour now moves to Malaysia and the Philippines. “Summertrain ’25”, a rework of a song he recorded age 13/14 in 2011, climbs 23-16.
Conan Gray’s third entry from Wishbone on the chart, the cathartic “Eleven Eleven”, is also making waves by rising 25-18.
“Summer Rain” is the deft and danceable release by Felix Cartal and L.A. vocalist/songwriter Reo Cragun and climbs 27-21. It’s culled from Felix’s new album, i, sabotage.
“Run – Disco” by Donna Summer with Mousse T and Toby Gad is bittersweet but joyous, and rises 28-22.
Summer favourites exiting the chart have made way for five potential new ones for the Autumn months.
Leading the pack is L.A. dance producers TELYKast and Swedish vocalist/songwriter Oaks with “Super Powers” at #24. It’s TELYKast’s 5th chart entry, which includes two #1’s, “Unbreakable” and “Surrender Your Love”. Oaks also appeared on the chart last year in the Martin Garrix and Third Party collaboration “Carry You”, which peaked at #8.
Next at #25 is “Quiero Bailar”, the fiery Spanish-language track by Madrid-based American singer/songwriter Reigen which means “I want to dance”. Guaranteed to make you move, “Quiero Bailar” is Reigen’s fourth appearance on the chart but first since 2021.
“Come Find Me” by MK and Clementine Douglas arrives at #26 in time to give MK his second concurrent entry on the chart as “Dior” winds its way down at #19 after peaking at #2. It’s also UK singer/songwriter Clementine’s fourth chart entry (fifth if you count her uncredited vocal on Matoma’s “The Power”) and second this year following her #1 with Sonny Fodera, “Tell Me”.
Veteran Canadian singer/songwriter/producer and drummer (with rock band Harem Scarem) Creighton Doane gets his first chart entry with the thoughtful indie pop bop “Need a Friend”, which bows at #28. He’s also the brother of Melanie Doane, who got to #13 back in the chart’s first year of 1998 with “Adam’s Rib”.
Finishing out the chart at #30 is the super fun fusion of future bass and drum ‘n bass by L.A. indie dance producer HISSTERIA (aka Antonio Mejia) called “RUDEBOI”. Be sure to check out his socials, where he’ll introduce you to his pet snake Javier!
ONLINE RADIO SHOWS
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 evening at 6 pm EST.
My New Music Pick of the Week debuts each week on The Big 20. It airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking at the following link: Schedule.
On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
My Retro Pick of the Week airs each week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline”, Saturdays at 4pm EST. You can view its schedule by going to the lower right corner of the home page of this blog. New episodes are coming soon!
The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada
The 3D Variety Show is currently on a brief hiatus and will return in the coming weeks.
Canada’s Party Dog Radio anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Saturdays at 4pm EST, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. Party Dog Radio also airs “The Big 20”, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week on Sundays after 9pm EST.
For other details about all of the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! Schedules are updated regularly.
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