I’ve mentioned this before, but for those who are new to the BILLCS Top 30, the bi-weekly chart has been online since January 1998 and there are very few rules about it, but the most notable is that songs drop off after 10 appearances (20 weeks) unless they happen to be in an upward motion (and that’s only happened once!). This allows for frequent changeover and for me to continue to introduce you to what is simply a list of my current favourites, many of which I’ve already written about in my blog posts.
My next chart on August 24 will be coming to you from a boat somewhere in the Mediterranean!! There will only be the chart and no additional commentary.
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 all-Canadian The MAPL Tapes, and two iterations of Your Weekend New Music Mix – and produce The MAPL Tapes and 2 online radio segments – my new music and retro picks of the week – that are all pre-recorded. The MAPL Tapes, 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.
It’s now three BILLCS Top 30 #1’s for the extremely talented Alexander Stewart with his most recent single, the gorgeous “Temporary”! The other two are “Friends Don’t” (with Lauren Spencer Smith) and “The Boy I Almost Was”.
Sombr is going to determine how long “Temporary” will be up top, as his latest, the affecting and honest “My Body Isn’t Ready”, moves up 3-2.
I was never quite sure how far it would go when it debuted on the chart, but “Charlotte” by Johnny Orlando is still hanging in from his latest album Songs For Young Lovers and advances 4-3.
“Repeat It” becomes Martin Garrix’s 10th Top 5 entry on the chart, bringing along Ed Sheeran for his highest charting release to date. I’ve much preferred Ed’s more recent songs to those in the last decade.
The Top 10 continues to be busy with songs that have been waiting patiently for their turns! Langley, BC indie performer Danny Baylen climbs 11-8 with his single “say you need me” (above). It’s followed immediately by UK indie performer and go-to dance music vocalist HRVY with “lie to me” which jumps 14-9. The Chainsmokers get their 14th Top 10 entry with Swedish singer/songwriter OAKS (who gets her 2nd) with “Echo” (12-10 below) from their collaborative EP Love Is Kind.
Toronto dance/pop artist Kinga moves up 18-13 with “Just Play the Music” (above), a collaboration with Swedish production legend StoneBridge. And speaking of StoneBridge, he remixed Kinga’s latest single “PUMP”, which you read about last week in the BILLCS New Music Report. It was released on Friday and you can check it out below.
I’ve been happy to be part of the viral success of Scott Helman’s “Mr. Record Label”, which is the Fastest Riser on the chart, soaring 22-16. It’s got so much interest that it may be single-handedly turning around Scott’s pop career. Be sure to follow Scott on his socials for all the fun!
Sonny Fodera and Hayla have a top notch collaboration called “Only Thing That Matters” on his latest album Can We Do It All Again that shouldn’t be overlooked. It rises 23-18.
Climbing 24-19 is a song that is chock full of hooks, “Monster” by Toronto’s Siobhan Bodrug, who has been playing all over Ontario, so do try to catch one of her performances.
I’m looking forward to seeing Canadian-Persian singer/songwriter Navan perform in Toronto at The Great Hall on Sunday August 16. Moving up 27-22 is “C’est toi (Bidaram Kon)”, sung in Farsi and French, from his album Kisses on the Moon.
If you’re needing some summery vibes in your playlist than look no further than “Dance with the Sun (Olé Olé)” by Quebec’s Mike Demero and Betta Lemme, which rises 28-23.
The Highest Debut marks a return to the chart after 17 years for Madonna with her fun, name-dropping filled track “Danceteria” which arrives at #25. It comes from her acclaimed album Confessions II, and the song is reminiscent of Madonna’s “Vogue” as well as Blondie’s “Rapture”, and it all works splendidly.
At #26 is “fire escape” by L.A.’s Two Friends with Puerto Rico-born iann dior. It’s also another bright spot for summer music, and is Two Friends’ 8th chart entry – they have had 6 as a lead artist, and 2 as remixers.
Rounding out the debuts is L.A.-based indie alternative pop artist Ian Cobiella, who is of Bolivian and Cuban heritage, with the Latin-infused “Have I Been Good to You” from his recent EP All I Have to Give. Ian has a unique, highly expressive approach to his songs, and once “Have I Been Good to You” grabs you, it doesn’t let go.
ONLINE RADIO SHOWS
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!
The MAPL Tapes offers the best of Canadian music past and present, and can be heard Mondays at 6pm EST as well as on six other stations between Monday and Sunday.
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 New Music Pick of the Week is played both days at 10pm ET, and airs several times during the week on other stations. You can view its schedule by clicking at the following link: Schedule.
The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada
I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my Retro Pick of the Week on the live online radio show “The 3D Variety Show”, powered by www.xstreamrockradio.com with “The Musicman” James Rogers. I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments.
The Retro Pick of the Week also airs on at 12:25 pm ET on Tuesdays on KPHR.
Chicago’s Lake Online Radio now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Sundays at Midnight EST, which airs my New Music Pick of the Week. You can also hear the new music pick on Hunter’s other show Fridays at 8pm EST on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio.
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.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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