Databoy – Page 4 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

BILLCS Chart #382

The Top 4 songs on the chart stay the same, while six new entries dance onto the chart. They’re led by “Remember When (Push Rewind)”, the song that simply won’t leave my head by ex-White Tie Affair singer Chris Wallace. It will be one of a handful of songs that will be remembered in tandem with Summer ’12! Watch the impressive video below again, if you didn’t see my most recent blog post 🙂

Meanwhile, back at the top of the chart, “Waiting For The Feeling” by Bright Light Bright Light latches to #1 for another chart, but assuredly will be succeeded by “One Kiss” by Jeronimo, which holds at #2. Both performers’ full length albums are treats, so be sure to buy them on iTunes. Watch live clips of both performers below, with Bright Light Bright Light performing “Moves” and Jeronimo singing “Unheard”.

Moving quickly up the chart of course to #5 is “Dreams Are Gold”, the title track from DATABOY’s new album, which you can also read about right here. Poptronik sensation Markus Riva climbs to #7 with “How It Feels To Be A Man”, while Boston sextet Gentlemen Hall (recently voted the best act in that city by the Boston Phoenix) move up to #8 with “All Our Love”, and Daniel Bedingfield’s intense “Secret Fear” is at #9 and his first Top Tenner on this chart since 2005. Watch for club dates for Gentlemen Hall in Boston and for Daniel in L.A.

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. You can hear all of the songs on the chart or watch their videos by clicking on the pics on the chart page. Any free downloads that are identified are sanctioned by the performer.

The fastest riser on the chart this week is “Hollywood” by RAC featuring Penguin Prison, moving 23-13. If you enjoyed PP’s “The Worse It Gets”, it’s much in that vein – sunny, California-sounding pop that should get kick-started in clubs. Listen to the exceptional remix by The Magician below.

Other songs on the move include those by Andreas Moe, DATABOY (their second song “Lotion” is at #15), River Tiber, and Darren Hayes’ reverent cover of Madonna’s “Angel” at #22 (listen below).

In among the rest of the five debuts we have a double shot of Baiyu, the New York singer who I wrote about right here and has released a new mixtape for free download called Hunter. The magnetic dance club geared title song bows at #24, while the sexy and heartfelt R&B duet with Rotimi, “Invisible”, enters at #30.

While my 12 year old daughter is firmly planted in the One Direction camp, I’m more partial to the songs from The Wanted, who seem to be geared less towards teens and more towards a varied audience. As “Glad You Came” (which got to #4) departs, it is replaced by “Chasing The Sun” which debuts at #27. Lawson are a British quartet who I’ve already written about that write their own songs and play their own instruments. It’s taken a little while but “When She Was Mine” seems geared for the summer months and premieres on the chart at #28. Watch videos for both songs below.

The last debut is Kylie Minogue’s finest hour in recent years, so I’m not understanding the mixed public reaction to “Timebomb”. It enters my chart at #29, and if anything it will high-tail it to the top of the dance charts in North America. Watch below.

DATABOY’s Dreams Are Gold album, plus new songs by Chris Wallace, Matt & Kim, The Presets, and Mika

DATABOY – Dreams Are Gold

Dreams Are Gold, the debut full pop electronica album from Texas duo DATABOY, is everything that I hoped it would be and more. For the uninitiated, the album features both of their past singles – the irrepressible “Stupid” and the massive summer anthem “Just Once” – as well as the new songs from their recent Summer Now EP, “8Ball”, “Lotion”, and the blink-and-it’s-done “Sweat (Part 1)”.

I continue to rave about the title song as I did earlier in the month – it’s a heartfelt lyrical song encouraging you to rise above your troubles that bursts into a club rave up (listen again below). “Genius” starts off the record, a playful song that’ll make you flaunt your smarts. Two other new songs, “Shoplift Your Love” and “Unfriend”, both show Cameron and Adam at their most caustic but still remaining extremely thoughtful with their ruminations. “Shoplift” comments on people who treat love as a whole lot less than what it should mean, while “Unfriend” rightly paints our social media as (more often than not) a destroyer of friendships with a click of a button.

Every song (there’s another mainly instrumental quickie called “Like It”) is more than worthy of your attention, whether you’re in the mood for dancing or listening. DATABOY’s Dreams Are Gold is one of 2012’s very best albums and is available on iTunes.

Chris Wallace “Remember When (Push Rewind)”

Chris Wallace’s previous band, The White Tie Affair, had a decent run of almost hits like “Candle (Sick and Tired”) and “You Look Better When I’m Drunk”, opening up for the likes of Lady GaGa in their short career. “Remember When (Push Rewind)”, the Indiana native’s debut solo single, pushes every direct button possible, grasping both your emotion and party moods at the same time – it’s 2012’s graduation and end-of-school song. He’s got a marvelous, unique voice that totally suits the song. The video is wickedly well shot, showing Chris as an engaging lead who carries the video. “Remember When” has everything it takes to be a massive hit. This one will be on your annual summer playlist! Watch below.

Matt & Kim “Let’s Go”

The Brooklyn, New York duo have nary taken a break from touring and their new album Lightning is almost upon us. To preview that record, we now have “Let’s Go”. It’s as enjoyably infectious as their best songs, which means that it’s going to sound fabulous in a concert setting, with all of its ooohs, hand claps, and percussive snaps getting stuck in your head. Watch/listen below.

The Presets “Youth In Trouble”

It’s been more than three years since Julian and Kim bestowed us with their original take on today’s dance music in their last album as well as one of their best singles, the unusually tender “If I Know You”. The Australian duo are back with the new album Pacifica this Fall, and in advance of that we have “Youth In Trouble” with an imaginative and psychedelic video to accompany it. The song itself is percolating 70s disco-influenced electronica – lately (and not just with the passing of Donna Summer) it seems like a whole group of musicians and producers have rediscovered the likes of Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte, Cerrone, and others who created the roots for our current dance music. It’s larger than life dance music that will blow your socks off in a club setting. Can’t wait for the tour! Watch the video below – but it’s sort of impossible not to move to “Youth In Trouble”!

Mika “Make You Happy”

To me Mika’s The Boy Who Knew Too Much was one of those watershed records, where you hope the performer would (selfishly… 😉 ) continue to make more and more of the same. In the spirit of artistic advancement however we know there will be change. While the official first single from the upcoming The Origins Of Love (“Celebrate”, featuring Pharrell Williams) is not gelling with me right now, the song with the first video, “Make You Happy”, certainly is. It continues to show how Mika can touch us by warmly zeroing in on a key phrase – “all I wanna do is make you happy” – to which we can all relate. The scenes in the video only encourage everyone to be as good as possible to each other in this life that you have. Watch below.

BILLCS Chart #381

My new and slightly overdue chart is a busy affair where only one song sits still. That would be the song at the top. I simply can’t get enough of “Waiting For The Feeling” by Bright Light Bright Light or the essential album from which it comes, Make Me Believe In Hope (read my previous post right here). And I’m very anxious to hear Jeronimo’s full album that contains its title song “One Kiss”. I often look for songs that are mood-changers, and “One Kiss” is a breezy, fun ode to new love that moves up to #2 on my chart. Also rising up a place is the first of three featured songs from the amazing electronica dance compilation This Beat Is Poptronik Volume One. Tao Hypah’s “Celeb” moves up to #3. Give a listen to this one, and bop your way into bliss 😉

While his gal Quigley’s “Inkblot Game” continues to climb up to #16 on this chart, FrankMusik (under his Vincent Did It alias) pairs up with his lovely on “Notice Me”. This song is a grower, thanks to Vince’s artistic production and Quigley’s exuberant vocals, and moves up to #4. Listen to this one below.

Also entering the Top 5 is “Only The Horses” by Scissor Sisters, currently touring their Magic Hour album. I’m thinking about checking out their concert next week, so if you’ve seen them let me know what you think to help make my decision 🙂 Watch their performance of “Only The Horses” from The Voice UK at the top of this post.

There are more Poptronik performers to be had within the Top 10, with Adam Tyler’s “Music Freak” rising to #6, and “How It Feels To Be A Man”, a quiet kind of anthem of sorts by Latvian singer Markus Riva, moves up to #9. The trifecta of Foster The People’s Mark Foster, DJ A-Trak, and New Zealand’s Kimbra, currently on release with her own album Vows, rounds out the songs on the rise within the Top 10 with the free download of “Warrior”.

I won’t leave the Top 10 without remarking on a very high debut. That of course comes from Texas duo DATABOY, whose “Dreams Are Gold” is my new summer jam and crashes the chart at #8. Read all about it right here. The second highest debut on the chart, at #21, also belongs to these lads, from their free download Summer Now EP. “Lotion” will transport you to a beautiful beach somewhere warm enough where DATABOY won’t let you get sunburned 🙂 Listen to both songs below.

There are five other fast risers on the chart. “All Our Love” by Gentlemen Hall jumps 19-14, while the fastest riser, “Secret Fear” by Daniel Bedingfield is right behind, climbing 22-15. Moving up four places each are “Collecting Sunlight” by Andreas Moe at #19 (official single is out June 26 – watch him perform an acoustic version below), River Tiber’s jazzy “These Are Centuries” at #20, and Poptronik performer Monti Montañez with “Turn Up The Radio” at #22.

There are two other debuts which complete this week’s blog post. RAC stands for Remix Artist Collective, three producer/DJ’s who create their own music and remix that of others, and you can find out more about them at http://www.rac.fm. Penguin Prison has joined up with them for the free download of “Hollywood” which bows at #23. Listen below.

Lastly but hardly least, when Darren Hayes picks a song recorded by someone else to sing, it’s usually a wise choice. I’ve actually owned the vinyl single of “Talk Talk Talk” since last Fall, and I’ve decided to chart his vibrant and faithful cover of Madonna’s “Angel”, the 45’s B-side, after continual play on my iTouch. “Angel”, at #28, accompanies “Stupid Mistake”, which moves up to #11. Listen below – and why shouldn’t pop radio play it?? The song would fit like a glove.

Quick Reeecap: DATABOY’s New Gem, Jane Badler’s High Drama, Sam Sparro’s Dancing Kingpin, and Nick’s High Notes

DATABOY “Dreams Are Gold”

It’s no secret that I can’t get enough of the music that DATABOY is creating right now. The Austin, Texas duo of Cameron Maxwell and Adam Bailey continued to win me over recently when I wrote about their free Summer Now EP, and their song “Lotion” in particular is on repeat in my head as I write. But today they unveiled the title song of their upcoming album Dreams Are Gold. It’s a real gem. These fellas are amazingly clever. They’ve managed to meld a beautiful and often playful melody, crafty house rhythms, ever so soulful vocals (secretly, I think they listen to a lot of R&B), and some truly heartfelt and identifiable lyrics. By design it’s a sincere and joyous invitation to get your ass on the dancefloor and to never, ever stop dreaming. And if the rest of the album is this good, DATABOY will be on many playlists for this summer and beyond. So well done!! Listen below.

Jane Badler, “Yesterday’s Tomorrows” (Stormby’s Drama Mix)

Not too long ago, I wrote about the potential of “Yesterday’s Tomorrows”, by noted actress Jane Badler, who has also had a singing career for a while now, with her latest release an EP called Mistaken Identity. Visions of a grand Broadway play with gorgeous costumes, people, drama, murder, and lust, all filled my head. And then along came Stormby’s drama mix… and now my visions are turned on their head, into a grand Broadway musical, with over the top costumes, lots of make up and colour, drama, and dancing. If a song is going to be transformed, do it in high style like this. Dance clubs, here it comes! Listen below.

Sam Sparro, “I Wish I Never Met You” (video)

“I Wish I Never Met You” is the bold antithesis of a pop/dance hit, but it really works, as I wrote recently. I hadn’t found the video though until now, where we have Sam as a 30’s prohibition kingpin who gambles, dances, and gets his comeuppance – or does he? Watch and find out! I hope to find my way to Sam’s Return To Paradise album soon!

Nick “Human Nature”

It’s been a while since we heard something new from our boy Nick Hagelin (now using only his first name). You see, he’s been kind of busy, making new friends in pretty high places, and finding himself a record deal. And not just any deal. You may have heard of Streamline Records. It’s a subsidy of Interscope. The lead act on the label is one Lady GaGa. And while we had a fling with getting to know “X Games”, from his upcoming album, the song was pulled off the interweb to make you anxious for more. A lot of you are out there because you made my post on “X Games” in January my most read blog post in the three years I’ve been writing! So Nick’s promised to be viral once again, and his return to acoustic covers is with a version of Michael Jackon’s “Human Nature”. Nick’s honest charm, talent, and gorgeous high notes are all on display. Watch below.

Trademarking Contemporary Summer Sounds: DATABOY’s Summer Now EP Teaser

Even though the first time I heard them it was the latter part of Winter at the start of ’11, the Austin TX duo of Cameron and Adam, aka DATABOY, are trademarking contemporary summer sounds.

“Just Once” was MY summer jam of 2011, reaching #1 on my chart in August and ranking #4 on my year end chart. And this year it can be your summer jam too, thanks to the boys’ juicy teaser of an EP called Summer Now. It’s released in anticipation of what is certain to be a long-awaited killer of an album, Dreams Are Gold, in June, and follows on the heels of the excellent single with Rune RK, “Memorize Me”.

You won’t find “Just Once” in its original version here, but you’ll get it in the Audien Summer radio mix, plus in a clever pairing – albeit with a song that I don’t even like – Rihanna’s “You Da One”. But I like this mashup, it flows along just beautifully, sounding simple and seamless, so the duo know their craft quite well. So to the beach we go with some inviting “Lotion”, then shakin’ it like an “8-Ball” with more clever wordplay.

But best of all is one helluva big tease called “Sweat Part 1”, which modernizes the classic electro sound created by the likes of Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte with songs like Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”, and Moroder’s own “From Here To Eternity” and “Chase”. Right now, “Sweat Part 1” clocks in at a whopping 1:38 – and surely that’s not all? I’ll gladly take parts 2, 3 and 4! “Sweat” could end up being as classic summer DATABOY as “Just Once”.

To hear more, of course, Dreams Are Gold will be just around the corner. Can’t wait!! In the meantime, download Summer Now from the DATABOY website and listen to it on Soundcloud below.

BILLCS Chart #378 – May 7/12

The new chart is anchored at the top once again by Toronto group River Tiber, with the rocking “Someday” at #1 for a third appearance (6 weeks) and the quiet and thoughtful “Symmetry” moving up to #2. The band is working on their next album, and will be playing in Toronto on Saturday June 16 as a part of NXNE at C’est What restaurant and bar. Check them out if you’re in Toronto!

Closing in at rapid speed though is “Waiting For The Feeling”, the latest single by Bright Light Bright Light, from the upcoming Make Me Believe In Hope album, due now in a month. If the lyrics don’t strike you at the first couple of listens, they do hit home not long after. Hence “Waiting For The Feeling” is the fastest riser on the chart, moving 14-3. Rod Thomas (aka Bright Light x2) has already had two #1’s on my chart, “A New Word To Say” and “Love Part II”, in 2010.

Moving along, Toronto’s Colin Munroe is also working on a highly anticipated album, but in the meantime “The Fight Of My Life” climbs to #5, followed behind at #6 by “Call It What You Want”, the insanely catchy song that is the true follow up to “Pumped Up Kicks” by L.A.’s Foster the People. I’m looking to catch Ryan Star’s show in Toronto on June 5 at Lee’s Palace when he opens up for The Parlotones. In anticipation of a follow up album to 2010’s 11:59, “Stay Awhile” rises to #9.

Somehow it doesn’t seem quite right that “Happiness” by Sam Sparro and “Could It Be Magic” by Elouise have only inched up to #11 and #12, but there’s a load of competition brewing underneath. “Prince Of Nothing Charming” by Tyler Hilton jumps to #13 – I have my tix to his May 17 show at The Virgin Mobile Mod Club here in Toronto. As far as I know, it’s Tyler’s first show in Toronto since 2006. Adam Tyler’s “Music Freak” can be found mid-way at #15, followed by the soaring “Silenced By The Night” by Keane at #17 (and another Toronto concert on deck, for June 19 at Sound Academy), and the three-fold punch of “Warrior” by Mark Foster/A-Trak/Kimbra at #17. “Only The Horses” by Scissor Sisters is turning into a current favourite with its bright melody and urgent Jake Shears vocals at #19, followed by “Stupid Mistake” by Darren Hayes at #20 (live clip from his New Year’s show is below).

(Psssst watch Twitter and Facebook for what will be surely some online celebrations of Darren’s 40th birthday on Tuesday May 8!)

I’m hopeful for some success of the five very strong debuts which have hit the chart.

My raving about the supurb dance compilation This Beat Is… Poptronik Volume One continues, as some favourites from that record have surfaced to rank alongside the six songs on the record that have already appeared on my chart during the last year. There are so many great songs inside that I play regularly, but there are two that I’m going to more often. The one that’s grabbed me and won’t let go is the Lindsay Lohan-inspired “Celeb” by half-Dutch, half-Japanese singer Tao Hypah, which bolts onto the chart at a stunning #14. The bouncy and fun vibe of this song is worth your time as Tao Hypah prepares to release more new songs, including his latest “Play The Girl”, whose video will be online in a few weeks (pic from the video is above). In the meantime, you can get “Celeb” on the Poptronik release, though it has been available as a free download on Soundcloud for quite sometime as well and you can get it right here.

Also very impressive and bowing at #27 from the Poptronik album is “How It Feels To Be A Man” by Latvian sensation Markus Riva. Markus is a true DIY performer – already a noted singer, actor, and model in his home territory – so “How It Feels” serves as a sturdy breakout for him (he also directed the video, above). Some genuine lyrics carried by Markus’ rich voice, which reminds me a lot of British singer Peter Murphy’s low timbre (listen to “The Sweetest Drop” for example), make the theatrical-sounding song highly recognizable. I’d love to hear some remixes too!

Two songs immediately carry over from my last post to arrive quickly on the chart. Jeronimo’s “One Kiss” spells Mass Appeal and has the potential for worldwide success. It’s from Jeronimo’s upcoming album and bows at #24. “Can’t Say No” by UK sensation Conor Maynard is a nice companion to “One Kiss” with its good-natured fun, and premieres at #28.

Lastly at #25 is a song whose intriguing video of psychological drama (ab0ve) I wrote about a few months back. Quigley (aka Casey Carlson) hits the chart with “Inkblot Game”, from her brand new EP Pleiades. Pleiades is a star cluster within Taurus, hence why lovely Quigley released the EP on her Taurian birthday! The EP is available for free download at http://www.quigleyofficial.com and “Inkblot Game” arrives concurrently with her featured vocal on “Notice Me” by Vincent Did It (aka FrankMusik) moving up to #22. Of course “Inkblot Game” and the two other gorgeous songs in Pleiades (which all also appear in instrumental form) are all produced by FrankMusik. The music of Quigley and Frankmusik will not be free forever. This is high quality craftmanship most deserving of way more than online success. FrankMusik has also posted a few more of his demos for you to hear on his Soundcloud page. I just can’t get enough 🙂

Final chart geek note: You’ll notice on my chart that “Memorize Me” by Rune RK & Databoy has hit the magic mark of 11 appearances (22 weeks) on the chart. One of my few rules is that songs drop off after a 10 appearance run, but because “Memorize Me” has had two non-consecutive runs, it continues past the 10 appearances 🙂

Reinventing the Dance Compilation With Style: This Beat Is Poptronik, Volume One

When I first heard about the launch of This Beat Is Poptronik and its accompanying concert to be held in among the beautiful beaches of Sitges, Spain, on September 1 and 2, I was very impressed at the idea of such an ambitious project. But upon learning the lineup on the Poptronik record, I couldn’t help but think how well it has set the stage for the concert to happen (the Poptronik concert headliner is none other than “Toy Soldiers” singer and comeback queen Martika!).

And after being afforded the opportunity to listen to the record in advance, the great folks behind Poptronik have done something so overdue: They have reinvented the dance compilation with style. This Beat Is Poptronik Volume One not only contains six songs with which I was already well acquainted, it contains several others that should have no trouble finding favour in dance clubs worldwide.

This Beat Is Poptronik Volume One is a must-have compilation of 32 songs that will get your groove on, and more, for the next several months! And it’s great to be excited about contemporary dance music.

First – those familiar songs… readers of this blog are no doubt already familiar with them 🙂

“Flesh” by Simon Curtis – an intense and sexually charged June 2011 release from the L.A.-based singer’s independent sophomore unique R∆ album, the song spent 2 months at the top of my chart, following other #1’s like 2010’s “Beat Drop”, “Delusional”, and “8bit Heart”. Simon’s most recent release is the free download of the ballad “Starlight”, produced by Frankmusik. A live performance of “8bit Heart” and “Flesh” from Simon’s London show put on by the EQ Music Blog is below.

“Disco Moment” by Bright Light Bright Light – a glorious August 2011 release from the upcoming debut album via The Blue Team/Aztec, Make Me Believe In Hope. BLx2 aka Wales native Rod Thomas got to #3 on my chart with “Disco Moment”, following 2010 #1’s “A New Word To Say” and “Love Part II”. Its impressive video is below.

“Like A Drug” by Adam Tyler – a smouldering late 2011 release from L.A.-based Adam’s wonderful debut independent album Shattered Ice. A Top Tenner on my chart, following previous Top 5 songs like “Friction” and “I Won’t Let You Go”, the song is complimented by an intriguing video (below) and a recent EP of remixes.

“Stupid” by Databoy – a fun, smart early 2011 digital single from the Texas duo which went Top 5 on my chart, and was followed by two #1’s, “Just Once” and “Memorize Me”.
“Head Over Heels” by Bim – a heartbreaking electro ballad from mid-2010 and the UK duo’s debut digital album Scatterheart, which got to the Top 5 on my chart. Their latest release is the infectious “Scream”.
“We Don’t Miss A Beat” by Van Go Lion – a bouncy dancefloor filler from the Portland, Oregon duo which became a Top 15 hit on my chart.

These six songs may be reason enough to purchase the album, but in fact there are many top notch songs within that I didn’t know. The variety of song styles capture the essence of electronic dance music of the last three decades.

I can’t mention all 32 songs here, so I’ll highlight my favourites (in no order), but you could play the album all the way through and not skip a beat! Global-wide talent here 🙂

“Hotter” by Parallox handily modernizes the crunchy and innovative funky electro sound spawned by producers Mark Liggett and Chris Barbosa on Shannon’s seminal 1983 hit “Let The Music Play”
“London Is Banging” by Disco Damage (pictured below) vs Dr. Jekyll teases us at the start with a Pet Shop Boys vibe but becomes a ridiculous and somewhat campy late night track

“Homosapien” is a delectable low-key cover of Pete Shelley’s grand 1982 hit by singer Matthew Duffy
“In The Beginning” by Maighread sounds like it uses Grace Jones’ Warm Leatherette album as a jumping off point for a tough, pulsating song
Great voices and totally infectious singalong hooks come from Tao Hypah’s “Celeb”, “Pitiful” by Carlos Nobrega (pictured below), “Bad Boyfriend” by Johnny Lazer, and the not-so-campy “How It Feels To Be A Man” by Markus Riva

“Psycho” by Killian Wells takes the other point of view (singer-as-psycho 😉 ) – sort of the reverse of Simon Curtis’ ‘Super Psycho Love” but equally catchy
“Turn Up The Radio” by Monti Montanez (pictured below) is hit-worthy and could find the former Menudo member in radioland around the world

“Stay In Touch” by Garcon Garcon and “Where Are You Now” by Queen of Hearts accompany Van Go Lion’s “We Don’t Miss A Beat” into more emotionally-rooted pop-house territory
SIRPAUL’s breezy “Going Down In La-La Land” stands out with a familiar theme accompanied by a killer hook
Disco Damage accompanies Lady Joker on her self-named song – an entertaining and creative blend of Nicki Minaj meets Kesha via 90’s house styles

My raving could continue on, but suffice it to say that Aztec Records and the Poptronik organizers have created a template for the ’10’s dance compilations, and I wish them great success with their vision. I simply can’t wait till Volume Two!

This Beat Is Poptronik Volume One is one of the best albums of the year. Get all of the details about it and the Poptronik festival at http://www.poptronik.com. You can buy This Beat Is Poptronik Volume One through iTunes, Amazon, Beatport, and other digital stores starting Monday.

Listen to the songs through Soundcloud at

BILLCS Top 30 #374 – March 12/12

As the top 5 songs on my chart remain exactly the same (that’s 4 appearances – 8 weeks – at #1 for “Memorize Me” by Rune RK & Databoy, plus 5 appearances at #2 for Eric Saade’s “Backseat” – and both songs are still red hot!), the rest of the chart gets a shake-up with 6 additions. I’ve chatted about all of these songs before except the highest debut.

While the regular big hits from TV’s “Glee” now seem to have stopped, that doesn’t prevent the show from helping the original versions of some of the songs they are performing to become huge hits in North America. How many of you knew “We Are Young” by fun. featuring Janelle Monae before you saw the “Glee” performance”? It’s currently #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. And not too far behind it is “Glad You Came” by The Wanted. There’s nothing complex about this one – a simple unadulterated catchy fun song that deserves to be a hit. It bows at #22 on my chart, yes a little belatedly, but nothing stops a good song.

In a bit of a chart first from these last 14 years, I’m charting the same song by two different performers. “Midnight City” by M83 in its original version slides up comfortably to #12, but the version I premiered a few weeks back by The Knocks featuring Mandy Lee has its own vibe and merits and debuts at #23. Plus – it’s a free download 🙂

The next two debuts don’t have official videos and both hail from the UK. I do say it’s time for a revival of the Barry Manilow/Take That hit “Could It Be Magic”, this time as performed by captivating chanteuse Elouise. Read my last blog post about her album Little Belter – the song debuts at #27. It’s her 6th entry in my chart world – 2010’s “Pretender” even got as high as #2. Then we have a chart premiere for young American singer Kaya with “When I Was Blind”, which has a preview on You Tube but is also available on iTunes in its original ballad form. It features talented UK singer Pierre Lewis in a truly harmonious vocal pairing. Pierre got to #2 in 2009 on my chart with “Broken” and has come close again with some other recent songs. But “When I Was Blind” is a beautiful, classic ballad with loads of potential. You can get the Florian Maier dance mix for free right here. The song arrives at #28.

A video is forthcoming for Sam Sparro’s “Happiness”, from his upcoming Return To Paradise album, which premieres at #29. Sam has just been back to his native Australia and is now poised to offer up lots of “Happiness” to the rest of the pop world 🙂 The last debut has been kicking around in my head, well at least since last November when I wrote about it. I think I’ve still been a bit attached to “Pumped Up Kicks”, and while “Helena Beat” was promoted as the follow up I think the true successor is still “Call It What You Want” and its imaginative video. It steps onto the chart at #30.

There’s still some impressive movement happening on the rest of the chart. I like the sound of Graffiti 6 at #6, as “Free” continues its ascent. Joe Jonas still has a two-fer in my Top 10 with “Make You Mine” hanging at #3, and “Not Right Now” now moving up 10-7. JMSN’s “Something” climbs 14-8 as the singer prepares some more thought-provoking videos for our entertainment. “Fallout” by Marianas Trench becomes their fifth top tenner at #9, and “Better Than I Know Myself” lands at #10 for Adam Lambert – very interested in hearing the other songs from his upcoming album Trespassing. Last week’s new ones all made some fine gains this week. Ryan Star’s “Stay Awhile” rises 25-18, while “The Fight Of My Life” by Colin Munroe featuring Pusha-T jumps 27-19. Liquid Diet, who performed their first live show last night in New York City, slide up 29-24.

However, it’s “Someday” by River Tiber that you must keep your eyes and ears on. A huge 26-11 jump smells of a #1 contender once the current dance music up top takes a break. I’ll have lots more to say about Tommy Paxton-Beesley and his band in the coming week as River Tiber performs a couple of shows in my city. I’ve been listening steadily to River Tiber’s From Now On album and the new EP Massachusetts, and have plenty to talk about once I collect my thoughts. In the meantime, here’s that video for “Someday” again…

BILLCS Top 30 #373 – February 27/12

Much of my personal chart stays the same in this end of February edition, but there are always the requisite new songs on the rise. The big mover on this week’s chart is the increasingly infectious “Free” by Graffiti 6, which jumps 20-8. The British duo of Jamie Scott and Tommy Danvers comes off with a unique pop sound amid so much autotuned dross on the charts. As testament to this, you’ll find an acoustic video of “Free” below as well as the official video. As bloggers have claimed for the last few years, Graffiti 6 continues to impress and acquire new fans (me, among them).

The top of the chart continues to be a friendly battle between “Memorize Me” by Rune RK & Databoy, which continues in the lead, and “Backseat” by Eric Saade. The former’s intriguing story sweatered in electropop and the latter’s rock-flavoured sensual dance pop are both fantastic detours in the current pop world. Not far behind is “Make You Mine” by Joe Jonas at #3, which like “Backseat” throws a little aggression into the mix. The sensitive old-school R&B/pop of “Home” by Stone Walters continues at #4, and then it’s that guy Saade again at #5 with the mysterious and danceable singalong that is “Fingerprints”. Aside from “Free” by Graffiti 6, the only other new entry to the Top 10 is another Jonas-should-be-smash done up as a break-up cha cha called “Not Right Now” at #10.

While the fine “Fallout” by Marianas Trench (video below) and “Born To Die” by Lana Del Rey each inch up a notch, Adam Lambert’s “Better Than I Know Myself” comes up the middle as Top 10 bound at #12. JMSN’s intriguing “Something” is on the move at #14 (yes, more weird and wonderful videos are on the way), with “Summer Is Over” by Jon McLaughlin & Sara Bareilles climbing to #16. M83’s “Midnight City” continues to get stuck in my head for long periods of time and jumps to #17, while Fallulah’s “Out Of It” as remixed by the ingenious Monsieur Adi is equally captivating at #20. The crowd pleasing “Believe It” by Spencer & Ross and Nadia Ali rounds out the songs to watch at #21.

I’ve already written about our four debuts in past posts. But in case you haven’t got the tip from the above paragraphs, a lot more rock flavour seems to be finding its way into my personal chart. Three out of the four debuts can attest to this.

At #25 is New Yorker Ryan Star, whose songs have fared extremely well on the chart since 2008, all reaching the Top 5: “Right Now” (#2), “Start A Fire” (#3), “Last Train Home” (#4), and “Breathe” (#5). “Stay Awhile” is no exception – a fine emotionally-charged and thoughtful rock ballad. The video is below, as is Ryan’s rendition of “I Won’t Back Down”, a late 80’s hit for Tom Petty.

Then we have River Tiber, the band name for Canada’s Tommy Paxton-Beesley, which hits with “Someday” at #26. It’s another song with genuine emotional fervour and highly-charged guitar playing that is made even better by Tommy’s Jeff Buckleyesque vocals which now give me goosebumps. Catch the video below and become a believer, along with another one of River Tiber’s songs called “Symmetry”. Be sure to download a new EP, hot off the presses, called Massachusetts, from River Tiber’s website.

Bowing at #27 is “The Fight Of My Life” by Colin Munroe featuring Pusha-T. The duo concocted a wicked blend of pop, rock, R&B, and rap in this powerful song, which should put Toronto’s Colin back into the international scene handily. A lot of people, myself included, can relate to the lyrics and Colin’s soulful and honest vocal. Colin’s had two chart entries, “Will I Stay” (#8) and “Bulletproof Monster” (#12). Listen to “The Fight Of My Life” below, as well as lending an ear to Colin’s affecting revox of Sky Ferreira’s “One”.

The last debut at #29 focuses on a retro new wave vibe, in a kind of Animotion-meets-Divinyls kind of way (and they would do a great version of the former’s hit “Obsession”, hint hint). I’m talking about fun trio Liquid Diet, who have released a 3 song self-titled EP that puts ears foremost on “Hand Dance”, their ode to self-pleasure. It’s kitschy for sure but not only instantly likeable but hard to get out of your head, and before you know it you’ll want more… And that must be why the duo also recorded a danceable cover-with-a-twist of George Michael’s “Father Figure”. As with “Hand Dance”, vocalists Georgia and Billy trade off well and what sounds like it could have been a train wreck in principle actually works out just fine thank you. The EP rounds out with “Nude”, which manages to name-check bloggers among a cast of thousands. Watch the video for “Hand Dance” below and listen to “Father Figure” as well.

BILLCS Top 30 #372

Yeah I know it’s late for the first time but there are neither as many words nor much energy behind it this week. Expect several videos 🙂

“Memorize Me” by Rune RK & Databoy continue with a tight grip at the top (video is at the bottom of the blog), with “Backseat” by Eric Saade (which I’m hoping will be the follow up to “Hotter Than Fire”, but I think it will be something a little lighter and less risque) as runner-up. Joe Jonas climbs to #3 with “Make You Mine”, while gorgeous soul ballad “Home” by new UK singer Stone Walters is now at #4. Listen to “Home” below.

Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up” climbs to #9, while the cheery “Champagne” by Nelson Clemente becomes his fourth top tenner on my chart. But it’s “Like A Drug” by Adam Tyler that makes a nice surge up to #7. The snazzy video is below.

The mostly upwardly mobile songs in the teens are by Eric Saade, The Midway State, Lana Del Rey, Marianas Trench, and Jon McLaughlin & Sara Bareilles, but they’re punctuated by some faster risers. Joe Jonas once again has the fastest climber on the chart with “Not Right Now” from the Fastlife album at #15. Right below is Adam Lambert’s “Better Than I Know Myself”, which has a really strong video that shows a softer, vulnerable side of Adam (below) – and I love the high notes in this song. And “Something” by JMSN is both well worth hearing and watching ( below – you have already been warned in previous posts). The talented Detroit singer climbs to #18 on the chart.

The newbies this week are almost all dance-oriented except for the one that leads the pack. Graffiti 6 are on the rise, long after many bloggers have praised their glory over the last few years. But “Free” is definitely the song to cut it for them, featuring a beautiful vocal from singer Jamie Scott.

Then we have at #22, M83 with “Midnight City”, a song that I’ve been listening to for quite a while now but now the melodic hook is completely entrenched in my brain. I don’t usually mention covers in conjunction with a newly charted song or one on the rise, but I must say that the rendition by the much-praised The Knocks featuring Mandy Lee is a swift alternate version well worth checking out, with a free download on Soundcloud right here.

It’s nice to have the divine Nadia Ali back in the chart at #26, this time in the hands of producers Spencer & Hill. “Believe It” has already had significant club play but it’s also great for blasting out the car window on a bad day. Nadia has previously charted with #2 “Love Story” in 2009, plus of course as part of duo iio with “Rapture”, “At The End”, and “Smooth”.

Lastly, the Monsieur Adi remix of “Out Of It” by Fallulah is such a humdinger that it enters the chart at #27, and you can buy it on iTunes too!

Bill’s #1 song: “Memorize Me” by Rune RK & Databoy