Databoy – Page 6 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

Tuned-On! Top 30 #356 – July 4/11 and Top 25 of the First Half of 2011

Without a doubt, this week’s personal chart is full of some of the most amazing songs in recent years. Major label entries diminish (representing only 30% of this chart); independent and artist-oriented entries flourish. Who’d have thought that when listening to its lyrics, *NSYNC’s “Pop” from 10 years ago would have been such a tell-tale record. Somewhat ironically, it also comes from the album that still holds the record for greatest one week sales, No Strings Attached.

With such strong songs on the chart, I would feel so bad if all of the songs currently in the Top 20 do not reach the Top 10. So some songs are in it for the long haul up the chart; if they stop short of the Top 10 then it’s simply because much stronger songs are ahead of them, but in other recent years might have gone higher. Any song that reaches my chart is a winner.

As with a few weeks back, there are six debuts, and don’t let the lower chart positions of some of them set the wrong impression as every song is frequently played by yours truly. I’ve already blogged about the first three.

Not surprisingly, “Talk Talk Talk” by Darren Hayes is a brilliant introduction to his upcoming album Secret Codes And Battleships. It arrives in the Top 10 at #7 and is a future contender for the top of the chart. Darren’s already been to the top of this chart four times, first with “Crush (1980 Me)” in 2002, then with “Step Into The Light”, “How To Build A Time Machine”, and “Me Myself + I” in 2007. I’m hoping he plays some North American dates on his tour so that I can see his show again, and his album is one of my most anxiously awaited in 2011.

“Just Once” by Databoy bows at #14 as the follow-up to “Stupid” (which peaked two weeks ago at #5) and is one of THE breezy songs of the summer of ’11. You can listen to the song below but Cameron and Adam made the song available for free this past week and you can download it right here. “We Don’t Miss A Beat” is the latest from Oregon duo Van Go Lion, and it has followed its dancing feet onto the chart at #21. Great work from two talented duos on the rise!

The remaining three debuts are led by television sensation “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera, courtesy of a recent broadcast of “The Voice”, and it premieres at #23. This may have been one of the best things to happen to the recent careers of Maroon 5 and Ms Aguilera, which have suffered a bit on the pop charts. But on my personal chart, both artists have flourished, charting regularly. Aguilera’s “Not Myself Tonight” was her most recent hit, and it climbed higher than any other song by her, peaking at #5. While Maroon 5’s “Misery” got to #14, the band has reached the top twice out of its 10 entries, with “This Love” in 2004 and “Makes Me Wonder” in 2007.

Next at #27 is L.A. trio Foster The People, who found themselves breaking out of Australia last year. Their laid back pop/dance hit-by-way-of-the-beach is “Pumped Up Kicks” from their big selling Torches album. Watch for the band (which fills out to a quintet) on tour. The ever-influential Arjan Writes offered up the infectious Skeet Skeet Show Edit for free recently, and you can download that right here.

Last by no means least at #28 is “Prey To The Beat” by recent chart favourite Ro Danishei. The singer has found her way onto my chart as a consistently talented alternative to the Keshas and Britneys of the world, first with the Simon Curtis duet on “Michelle” (#4) and then with “Drunk Txt” (#16). “Prey” however is the secret weapon inside Ro’s album End Of The Rainbow. It’s the last track on the album and the one that’s the biggest grower on the record. Listen below – you will be hooked.

I’ve blogged previously at length about many of the songs at the top of the chart. #1 again is “Flesh” by Simon Curtis, which was recently remixed by the “Do It In The A.M.” guy at #2, Frankmusik, and you can preview that remix right here. “I’m In Love” by Christian TV charged into the Top 5, moving 7-3, while “Out Without Your Boyfriend” by Ballroom Remixed featured artist Jerry Reid climbs 6-4. Fellow Ballroom Remixed artists are not far behind! Elouise’s sensational cover of “Tainted Love” moves 10-8 (and her Ballroom Remixed track “The Lover’s Rumba” rises 23-19), while Simon Curtis’ “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings” continues the artist’s 7-song Top 10 streak at #9. From his debut EP Coda And Jacket, Matt Webb’s pensive “Cinnamon” moves up 16-10, tying this week with the rocking “Venom” by Long Story Short (which climbs 21-15) as the Fastest Risers on the chart. The rest of the songs on the rise outside of the Top 20 are pretty much roadblocked by stronger songs but they will all have their day!

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading

Note that when you click on the pictures in the first column of the chart pages that they will now allow you to either listen to the song or view the official video to the song. Enjoy this new feature!

Top 25 of the First Half of 2011

In reverse order… only songs that have peaked on my chart appear in this listing. This listing could change considerably by year’s end!

25 ANDY GRAMMER Keep Your Head Up
24 FAR EAST MOVEMENT featuring RYAN TEDDER Rocketeer
23 JAMIE WOON Lady Luck
22 BAG RAIDERS featuring DAN BLACK Sunlight
21 ELOUISE The Winner Takes It All
20 KANYE WEST featuring JAY-Z, RICK ROSS, BON IVER & NICKI MINAJ Monster
19 KYLE BRYLIN Everything I’m Missing
18 RO DANISHEI featuring SIMON CURTIS Michelle
17 DATABOY Stupid (Brad Walsh Remix)
16 ADAM TYLER I Won’t Let You Go
15 SIMON CURTIS Superhero
14 LADY GAGA Born This Way
13 BRANDON FLOWERS Jacksonville
12 ANDREA LEWIS featuring SIMON CURTIS Talk To Me
11 ADELE Someone Like You
10 FRANKMUSIK Hurt You Again
09 RIHANNA S&M
08 FRANKMUSIK featuring FAR EAST MOVEMENT Do It In The A.M.
07 JAMIE WOON Night Air
06 CHRISTIAN TV Love 2 Baby
05 ADELE Rolling In The Deep
04 FRANKMUSIK The Fear Inside
03 PENGUIN PRISON Golden Train
02 SIMON CURTIS Flesh

01 ERIC SAADE Popular

Watch what I feel is the year’s star-making performance of “Popular” below!

Tuned-On! Top 30 #355 – June 20/11

Another personal chart is here and it’s the start of a sizzling and scintillating summer of synthpop, which will also be known as in some future posts as Summer Popervescence 🙂

As we begin the sun-worshipping dancing, Simon Curtis has done what both Adele and Frankmusik could not do: Replace Eric Saade’s “Popular” – my favourite song so far this year, by the way – at the top of my personal chart. So the rivetting “Flesh” – which should by all rights be a prime candidate as a featured song on the new season of “The Vampire Diaries” – becomes Simon’s 4th number one song on this chart, joining “Delusional”, “Beat Drop”, and “8bit Heart” in that special group. Look for a special announcement from Simon on Monday, June 20, which I’m sure has something to do with the R∆ album and moving full steam ahead! Simon’s own “Superhero” continues to hold the charge at #4, while the still fantastic “Do It In The A.M.” by the very busy Frankmusik and Far East Movement, climbs to #2 but won’t possibly be able to dislodge “Flesh”. Pop/dance duo Databoy take advantage of the middle of the Top 10 and find “Stupid” rising up to #5. A pic of the boys from their Superfraiche show in NYC on April 1 is below.

Further into the Top 10, we find the Ballroom Remixed project making its presence known. First up from that record is the sock-hop swing of Jerry Reid’s “Out Without Your Boyfriend” at #6. Both Christian TV and Elouise make welcome returns to the Top 10. Christian scores his third straight Top Tenner with “I’m In Love” at #7, while Elouise’s tantalizing cover of “Tainted Love” becomes her third Top 10 entry as well at #10.

Just below is a mid-section of the chart abuzz with activity. A totally different and non-R∆ song by Simon Curtis appears on the Ballroom Remixed album. “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings” is a heart-tugger at #11. Benny Benassi and Gary go lead a sparkling summer charge to the Top 10 with “Cinema” at #13, followed by Lady Gaga and “The Edge Of Glory” (along with its underwhelming video) at #14, and then we’re back with Benassi, this time with Chris Brown (whodathunkit) on the feel-good dance song “Beautiful People” at #15. The emotional “Linda” by Toronto’s Andrea Lewis continues to climb at #17, Adele’s snappy “Rumour Has It” rises to #18, and the buoyant voices of Blue carry “I Can” to #19.

But the big news within the Top 20 is with “Cinnamon”, by Marianas Trench guitarist Matt Webb. Smack me on the head and send me through the wayback machine to the 1983 pop hooks of songs by the likes of Rick Springfield or Huey Lewis, and give me guitar riffs that won’t quit and are as memorable as those in a song like “Let It Rock” by Kevin Rudolf. I think a lot of broken hearts will identify with the lyrics of “Cinnamon”. As much as I like Matt’s lead single “Bad Girl”, “Cinnamon” is a winner and the fastest riser on the chart moving 26-16.

Finally, four debuts arrive on the chart this week.

You may recall that I blogged about Montreal/L.A. duo Long Story Short earlier this year, who have debuted with their album What A Scene which includes the song “Caved In”. The band has since amassed a following in the Philippines (!!), came second in a couple of songwriting contests, is about to make a video for the song, and has seen “Caved In” added to several radio station playlists across Canada – a difficult thing to do when you’re an independent artist. Even better, Dan and Nicky have recorded a new song, “Venom”, which is included as a free download if you subscribe to their newsletter. It’s also their best song to date, a true late summer night driving song, and you can hear it at the top of this blog. Taking the best pages from the edgy sides of bands like Lifehouse, Matchbox 20, and Goo Goo Dolls, producer John Nathaniel has helped craft a wickedly catchy song that documents a relationship’s dive into a hellish abyss. “Venom” is the highest debut on the chart at #21 – go get it!

Ballroom Remixed Part 3: I’ve already blogged about the dance/pop wonders of “The Lover’s Rumba” by Elouise, and while her version of “Born This Way” exits the chart, our torch club queen remains on the chart with “Rumba” at #23. Then at #24 we have a song that totally floored me over the past few weeks, thanks in part to MuuMuse touting the artist and the song. Former Girls Aloud member Nicola Roberts slid onto the UK charts with “Beat Of My Drum” and then promptly slid back off. Perhaps it’s because “Porcelain Heart”, also released on the single, is the better song of the two, with some cool drama carried by successfully emotive vocals. It’s a real grower!

The last premiere belongs to the creative producer/remixer Monsieur Adi, who in the last year has had triumphs with the likes of Madonna (his take on “Get Together” must be heard), Ellie Goulding, Javi Silva, Reni Lane, Gary Go, and Marina & The Diamonds, as well as his own songs. His most recent free download is the mesmerizing and commanding “Chariot”, which bows on the chart at #26. Listen and download below.

http://soundcloud.com/monsieuradi/chariot

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading

Tuned-On! Top 30 #354 – June 6/11

It’s been an extraordinarily busy few weeks in the pop music world, and accordingly my new personal chart takes to some flipping and flopping. When that happens, usually some songs that might have been destined for greater sights on the chart suddenly stop or tumble to make way for some of the year’s best triumphs. And this chart is no exception.

“Popular” by Eric Saade remains at #1 for a fourth appearance (8 weeks) from his forthcoming album Saade Volume One. Lord knows what would have happened if “Popular” was about pushing up against hot bodies, S&M, going down on someone, or biting into willing flesh, it might have never let go of the top of my chart 😉 For just this past Tuesday (May 31), Simon Curtis unleashed “Flesh” onto the somewhat unsuspecting public, and the resulting Internet frenzy may have been cause for temporary decreases in a productive workforce or perhaps sudden desires to procreate. From its slow-building start to its heart-racing climax, “Flesh” vaults onto the chart into the runner-up spot right off the bat. And though I’ve heard versions of a number of the fine songs that will eventually appear on R∆ in their finest forms, one can only wonder what tasty production treats Simon and producer Jeff “Jadion” Wells have in store for us. Listen to the Future Freestyle remix below.

With “Flesh” building a solid wall at #2, that leaves “Do It In The A.M.”, the fine single from Frankmusik and Far East Movement, to climb to third place. But don’t underestimate this song’s place on the chart. It’s a great motivational song, particularly if you want to paint your town red. Then it’s more super Simon climbing from 9 to 4 with the first single from R∆, “Superhero”. Though “Flesh” has the lead story this week, “Superhero” should be taken hand-in-hand for the pop anthem that it truly is.

All of this activity leaves songs by Kyle Brylin, Jamie Woon, and Databoy stranded mid-Top 10 (a good place to be, by the way), Adele’s “Someone Like You” tumbling to #8, and “Another Dimension” by Bass Robbers and new Dutch sensation Matt Blue struggling to get past #9. And it’s not going to get much easier, as the first entry from the Ballroom Remixed compilation (read here for more) debuts at #10. That belongs to “Out Without Your Boyfriend”, the jive-East/West coast swing bundle of energy by Jerry Reid featuring pianist Ben Waters (listen to the song here). Rarely is a song such fun that you can visualize a room full of people going full tilt, dancing and having a blast to it.

Just below, the always busy Christian TV has the fastest riser on the chart with his slice of eurodance/pop “I’m In Love”, which moves up 19-11. “Tainted Love” by Elouise has to take a few smaller steps this week, rising to #12, while songs by Britney Spears and Nelson Clemente hold just below. Then it’s a triple play score for Simon Curtis as his song from Ballroom Remixed, “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings”, bows mid-chart at #15 (listen to the song here). It’s gotta be hard when such a fine, but differently styled song from those on R∆, is such a winner unto itself. Its story will resonate with listeners and Simon’s vocals are totally captivating.

The incredible activity on the chart continues just below with lovely Ro Danishei’s “Drunk Txt” climbing to #16, while Lady GaGa herself soars to #18 with “The Edge Of Glory”. Benny Benassi is two-for-two as his own “Cinema”, featuring the talented UK vocalist Gary Go, rises to #17, and his collaboration with Chris Brown on “Beautiful People” lands at #20. Sandwiched between GaGa and Brown/Benassi we find Andrea Lewis with the heart-wrenching “Linda” at #19.

Many recent favourites have slid into the 20-30 zone, which is also peppered by Adele’s “Rumour Has It”, “I Can” by Blue”, and our fourth debut. Canadian band Marianas Trench are promoting their current release Masterpiece Theatre in the U.S., and in among all of that, guitarist Matt Webb has put together an upcoming album. I blogged about “Bad Girl” a few weeks ago, but Matt also posted a limited free download of “Cinnamon”. And he’s outdone “Bad Girl” with that song, with great end-of-summer-breakup lyrics and a zinger of a guitar hook. Listen to “Cinnamon” right below – I can’t wait for his debut solo record.

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading

Tuned-On! Top 30 #353 – May 23/11

It finished in third place at Eurovision but that’s still enough to keep a big buzz worldwide for Eric Saade’s “Popular” as it remains at the top of my personal chart handily for a third appearance (6 weeks). The Adele machine slows a bit, but not enough to prevent Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” from breaking a chart record as it remains on the chart for an 11th consecutive appearance. Will it go for a 12th or disappear from the chart? It will have to fend off Adele’s own “Someone Like You” at #3 and the smart summery vibe of “Do It In The A.M.” by Frankmusik featuring Far East Movement, which ascends to #4. Kyle Brylin’s sexy, eerie but addictive “Everything I’m Missing” rounds out the Top 5 in advance of his upcoming appearance this week on the Ballroom Remixed album with a song called “I’m A Man (Not A Piece Of Meat)”…

Next to Adele’s 21, Jamie Woon’s Mirrorwriting is the album I’m listening to most in full. “Lady Luck” is definitely on his side – though I want him to make up his cancelled Toronto show sometime soon – and climbs to #6, but the album is deep with multi-layered enjoyable songs. Databoy’s “Stupid” rises to #7, and I can’t wait for the fun music this duo has to offer up this summer. “Another Dimension” by Dutch talents Bass Robbers featuring Matt Blue enters the Top 10. Talented Mr. Blue releases his first major label single “Can’t Help Myself” in the near future! But the big news within the Top 10 of course is the debut of Simon Curtis’ “Superhero” at #9. Simon’s not content to put this pop anthem on iTunes for your purchasing pleasure, a second single is on its way from his forthcoming album R∆. And another song from the aforementioned Ballroom Remixed project by Simon is “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings”. You can hear the original version of “Superhero” at the top of this page, and the trancey remix below.

Simon Curtis “Superhero (The Remix)”

While Lady GaGa’s original slides to #8, Elouise’s pensive live cover of “Born This Way” inches up to #11, but the Fastest Riser on the chart is her sensational and original take on “Tainted Love”, which climbs to #15. The Top 20 is otherwise filled with rising songs by Shawn Desman, Britney Spears, Nelson Clemente (listen to the Australian talent’s “No Protection” in the Brian Canham – remember “Funky Town” by Pseudo Echo? – mix version below), Ro Danishei, and Richard Barone.

Nelson Clemente “No Protection (BC mix)”

Debuting at #19 is a song that continues to display the versatility of singer Christian TV. We’ve already experienced two pop-to-die-for releases in the form of #1 “Love 2 Baby” and #5 “When She Turns 18”, as well as an urban flipside in the form of the mixtape Who The Fuck Is Christian TV? Now Christian conquers eurodance with the effervescent “I’m In Love”, which arrives at #19. The song is a giddy ode to being uncontrollably in love, with a high pitched keyboard hook that you’ll find in the best Swedish dance hits. It’s destined to join the other two songs as Top 5 entries in this chart 🙂 Listen to to the song below.

While “Cinema” by Benny Benassi & Gary Go and “Linda” by Andrea Lewis don’t end up in the Top 20 this week, it’s because of fierce competition so watch them to move up in the coming weeks. There are four additional songs debuting on the chart this week. Adele’s “Rumour Has It” at #24 is a slick and seductive track that would be amazing in a dance remix. I’m not sure what will follow up “Someone Like You” as a single but “Rumour” has my vote. Then at #25 is a return to fun pure pop dance form for Lady GaGa with “The Edge Of Glory”. Next at #26 is the UK Eurovision entry by Blue, “I Can”. I never really cared much for these four lads in their early 00’s heyday outside of a few songs, but I love the uplifting vibe of this song as well as the vocal arrangement. They could find an audience that they never had with this song, particularly if released in North America (hear the song below). Lastly, it’s a complete turnaround for Chris Brown but his teaming with Benny Benassi for “Beautiful People” at #27 has landed him at #1 on Billboard’s dance club play chart as well as in the Top 10 on charts around the world. North America decided to go with the urban “Look At Me Now” as a single from F.A.M.E. instead but this one could do equally well at radio. It’s Brown’s first appearance on this chart since 2008’s #5 “Forever”.

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading Note that I will be replacing the My Space links on the chart with You Tube links to the song or video in the near future…

Tuned-On! Top 30 #352 – May 9/11

Sitting atop the new Tuned-On! Top 30 of course is “Popular” by Eric Saade, an amazingly feel-good song that shows no sign of leaving the summit any time soon. There is competition below but it will have to wait!!

This leaves two songs by Adele to tread behind “Popular”, either of which could be number one if there was no “Popular”. Most interestingly, “Rolling In The Deep” has rebounded to the runner-up spot, which is also a new peak for that song. There is a dilemma however. “Rolling In The Deep” is in its 10th appearance (20th week) on my chart. On every occasion during the nearly 13 years that I’ve published this chart online, such a song leaves the chart as long as it’s in a holding position or descending. This helps keep the chart fresh and full of great songs that otherwise may not get as much attention. No song has been in an upward rise in its 10th appearance until now. If “Rolling In The Deep” continues to be in second place in two weeks – and I think it may – it will break a chart rule and have 11 consecutive appearances. It couldn’t happen to a nicer song. And “Someone Like You” is right behind to keep it company – an outstanding Top 3!

New to the Top 5, and still pretty fresh to my ears, is “Born This Way” by Lady GaGa, despite a new single being released tomorrow called “The Edge Of Glory”, in anticipation of the Born This Way album. Kyle Brylin’s “Everything I’m Missing” follows suit right up to #6, along with soulful dubstep vibe of Jamie Woon’s “Lady Luck” coincidentally at lucky #7. At #8, and the fastest riser on the chart, moving from #25 two weeks ago, is the first, and possibly definitive, summer jam of ’11 – “Do It In The A.M.” by Frankmusik featuring Far East Movement. After such great music this year with my #1 “The Fear Inside” and #2 “Hurt You Again”, I felt a little underwhelmed with this track on the first few listens… but after that it simply becomes a highly contagious summer driving song. You can view the video at the top of this page. Another seemingly ridiculous song but similarly irresistible is “Stupid” by Databoy, which soars into the Top 10 at #9.

The middle of the chart continues to be busy, with Bass Robbers & Matt Blue almost in Top TenLand with “Another Dimension”, and other big moves from songs by Britney Spears (looks to be my all time favourite from her), Nelson Clemente, Ro Danishei, and Richard Barone’s “Sanctified”, which you can hear at the bottom of the page in a video of a photoshoot of Richard.

The highest debut on the chart at #24 quite deservedly goes to “Tainted Love” by Elouise, the retooling of the song best known by Soft Cell, which you can hear in my previous entry a few weeks back. And the song sparked an entire investigation about cover songs on my chart, and that discussion will follow this paragraph. Then at #27 you’ll find “Cinema” by Benny Benassi featuring Gary Go, which was discussed in these pages last week. Finally, in anticipation of next week’s show in London, England with Simon Curtis and Ro Danishei, I go 4 songs deep into Andrea Lewis’ fine 54321 album with “Linda” bowing at #28. Her duet with Simon, “Talk To Me” got to #4, with “Voodoo” and “Robot” reaching #10 and #11 respectively. Before the last paragraph you can listen to her gorgeous live rendition from a show I attended in Toronto in January.

So with Elouise reaching my chart with no less than 3 cover versions in 6 months, and with me never being one enamoured with cover versions, I investigated how many cover songs have actually appeared in my chart since I began publishing it online in late 1997. Counting Elouise’s three winners, there is a grand total of 41 cover versions out of over 1,415 chart entries – a very small percentage indeed! I will publish a list of the entire 41 later in the week, but for now here are the Top 10 placing cover versions in my chart’s history.

MECK F/ LEO SAYER (2006)	Thunder In My Heart Again
MICHAEL BUBLE (2004)	Sway
TYLER HILTON & BETHANY JOY LENZ (2005)	When The Stars Go Blue
BLUE MAN GROUP featuring VENUS HUM (2003)	I Feel Love
ENUR F/ NATASJA (2007)	Calabria
RUFUS, MARTHA & LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, AND KATE MCGARRIGLE (1998)	What’ll I Do
KATE RYAN (2003)	Desenchantee
ORGY (1998)	Blue Monday
FREEMASONS F/ SYLVIA MASON-JAMES (2006)	Nothing But A Heartache
LOST BROTHERS featuring G TOM MAC (2004)	Cry Little Sister

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading

Tuned-On! Top 30 #351 – April 25/11

I’m going out on a limb, but I think “Popular” by Sweden’s Eric Saade could be the first worldwide smasheroo arising out of the Eurovision contest in years. The theme is so universal that I think it can conquer all shores in time. That having been said, of course it sits atop of my personal chart this week and looks to reside there for a long stay. And I love the “Beat It” inspired choreography in the video above! With all focus on the title track from his upcoming album Do It In The A.M., which debuts at #25 this week (and you can follow the promotion of it at Cherrytree Records’ site), that leaves the previously free download of “Hurt You Again” at #2 – I’m hoping the song will appear on the album… it’s too good not to make the cut!

The Top 10 is just loaded with great songs. Adele’s “Someone Like You” rises to #4 while the 2011 anthem “Rolling In The Deep” slips to #6. That other anthem, “Born This Way” by Lady GaGa climbs to #7, while the simple spot-on alternate rendition by Elouise moves up 21-15. Kyle Brylin’s hypnotic “Everything I’m Missing” joins the Top 10 by moving 12-8, along with Mirrorwriting’s second single from Jamie Woon called “Lady Luck” (14-9), and “The City” by Patrick Wolf (#10) from the upcoming long-awaited Lupercalia.

Catchy, irresistible, infectious… there are so many songs out right now that fit that bill as we head into warmer weather where I live. You must get by at least two or three listens for “Stupid” by Databoy to sink in. This is what smart fun is all about, and the song is the fastest riser on the chart this week, soaring 25-16. Right below is Toronto-based Shawn Desman’s latest, “Electric”, which climbs 22-17. Nelson Clemente’s dark and sexy “No Protection” moves up 28-23 and makes a good mix with “Everything I’m Missing”. Nelson’s”You’re A Star” will also see release on iTunes within the next few weeks. And if you didn’t get to hear the Nicki Minaj/Kesha remix of Britney Spears’ “Till The World Ends”, you can find it below courtesy of Jon Ali’s blog. It becomes her biggest hit on my chart moving 30-22.

Our other two debuts include the #20 premiere for “Another Dimension” by Bass Robbers featuring Matt Blue, which I blogged about on the weekend. Matt’s voice is so powerful it goes right through you on this track! Our last debut comes from Ro Danishei, who will be performing at the Electroqueer showcase in London along with Andrea Lewis and Simon Curtis (with whom I hear she may have a duet on Simon’s upcoming R∆ release). This is another song from her release End of The Rainbow, which is available entirely as a free download right here. This one hasn’t had as much attention as Simon’s or Andrea’s albums, and is very deserving. Take a listen to “Drunk Txt” below.

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading

No Frills Late Chart Blog: Tuned-On! Top 30 #350 – April 11, 2011

It’s not often that the chart is posted late, but between dealing with personal staff and getting ready to head to Grand Ol’ Opry land for five days then good things have to wait a bit.

“Love 2 Baby” triumphs for a second chart appearance at the top for the talented Christian TV. But that feat is pretty much fleeting as Eric Saade’s amazing triumph “Popular” soars 18-2, and looks ready for a hefty stay at the top. Frankmusik’s gorgeous ballad “Hurt You Again” has to settle for third place though in another chart year it would be a chart-topper. Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” appears to have longer legs than I’d imagined but slips to #4, and Adam Tyler gets a second Top 5 hit on my chart with “I Won’t Let You Go”. You can hear one of Adam’s latest projects, “Time Bomb”, right here.

Adele mach #2 on this chart, “Someone Like You”, rises to #8 – slow but steady I promise you. New to the Top 10 besides “Popular” are Andy Grammer’s MTV O video award nominee “Keep Your Head Up” (see the chart for the link) and Lady GaGa’s now ubiquitous “Born This Way”… which has made an impact in another version….

Jumping straight to the debuts, I blogged about Elouise’s live version of “Born This Way” a week ago, and it’s such an impressive redux that it joins GaGa’s version on my chart at #21. Top 10 bound? I think so – which will make it 3/3 for Elouise as recent #6 hit “The Winner Takes It All” leaves the chart. Then at #25 is Databoy, who I enjoyed so much at the Superfraiche show in New York City 10 days ago. The free download of the Brad Walsh remix of “Stupid” bows on the chart. Aussie Nelson Clemente is such an underrated talent. He has a solid EP Love.Feel.Dangerous on release as a free download which I blogged about a while back. The dark but danceable “No Protection” arrives at #28. Richard Barone’s album Glow has been long-lasting on my iTouch in regular rotation since its release in September. An offbeat track “Sanctified” – which takes a cue from late 60’s early 70’s guitar rock despite an acoustic beginning – premieres at #29. The title track from Barone’s album got to #2 last year.

I’m saving an entire paragraph for the song at #30 because I honestly never thought it would appear in my chart. And the performer really does not need any extra promotion. But the song’s infectious club beat – yes I still think an audience for a soccer game will arrive on the scene at any minute – reminds me that performers that I’m not fond of often make good, fun records. So for the first time since 1999, Britney Spears appears in my chart with “Till The World Ends”. Her last song to chart? “(You Drive Me) Crazy” – and it got to #24. Only “And Then We Kiss” (not one of her biggest hits) and “Toxic” could have come close to charting in the intervening years. Looks like “Till The World” could pass that “Crazy”.

The middle of the chart is quite busy, so don’t overlook great songs by Patrick Wolf, Kyle Brylin, Jamie Woon (I look forward to Mirrorwriting’s arrival next week), Bright Light Bright Light, and Brandon Flowers.

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading It’s 350 charts later after 13 years too!

Superfraiche NYC: Simon Curtis, Databoy, Sky Ferreira

Combine it with a need for a quick getaway from the daily routine and the opportunity to see Arjan Writes’ Superfraiche featuring a set by Simon Curtis… I had no choice but to go 🙂

So despite tremendous flight delays from Toronto due to bad weather on the east coast and in New Jersey, I got to the show via LaGuardia airport instead of Newark at around 9:30 pm (I was supposed to be in NYC around 3:30!!). New duo She’s The Queen was already performing and I couldn’t focus in on their set, but with beverage in hand my day of travelling finally finished!

(stunning photo courtesy of Gabi Porter/Metromix New York)

LA-based, Oklahoma-raised Simon Curtis played his first ever New York City show as part of the Superfraiche series, this time held at the Galapagos Art Centre in Brooklyn – the lovely intimite but open concept setting was great for the performers. Simon’s set of powerful dance pop songs from last year’s 8-bit Heart and the forthcoming R∆ was indeed raw and intense in so many ways. Highly emotion-charged new songs like “Pit Of Vipers” and “Enemy” worked the audience over, while 8-bit fans heard “Don’t Wanna Be Alone” and a medley of the always rousing “Beat Drop” and no holds barred “Diablo”. Best of all was “Laser Guns Up”, which I have a terrible time getting out of my head – all it needed was some actual laser effects! And with props to Ms Spears’ release of Femme Fatale, Simon’s vocal prowess was showcased in an acapella sing-along of “…Baby One More Time”. All in all, our Simon has more than enough stage cred to get into the major leagues. The hot, aggressive new songs from R∆ will help get him there. And as a side note, the amazing photo above from Metromix New York speaks volumes. See more pics from the evening right here.

Simon’s set

Don’t Dance (first single)

Pit of Vipers

Don’t Wanna Be Alone

Chip in Your Head

Beat Drop/Diablo medley

Enemy

…Baby One More Time

Laser Guns Up

The evening was full of surprises for me. Immediately before Simon, Austin duo Cameron Maxwell and Adam Bailey, who comprise Databoy, performed a four song set of playful, energetic, and smart electronic dance/pop. In fact they could have used some fun props to fill some of the space on stage as they bounced and danced. You may have already heard the deliriously catchy “Stupid” and can certainly get this single on iTunes. There’s more lyrically to this song than meets the ear. The rest of the set included “Click”, “Only Human” (featuring a prominent sample of Toto’s “Africa”), and my favourite of the night, “Just Once”, which embodies a high voltage “here comes summer” spirit. Good things are coming from these guys soon so keep your eye on their website.

Headliner 18 year old actress/singer Sky Ferreira won me over with her magnetic stage presence. The sound was a bit off – when she spoke I couldn’t really hear from where I was in the room – but her singing was spectacularly on-point, showcasing songs from her new Capitol Records EP As If! (in advance of a full album release this summer) including a top notch single “Sex Rules”, plus “99 Tears”, and “108” (there’s even a bit of Canadiana in there, with “Traces” co-written and produced by Toronto’s Colin Munroe). Sky came across alternately vulnerable and sexy, and the crowd could have watched her all night.

Thanks once again to the charming and personable Arjan Writes for curating the Superfraiche series, you sir have a great thing going. I was also thrilled to meet and chat with Simon after the show too. Superfraiche is a great way for the spotlight to shine on new performers on the bubble in a classy setting. I’m sure I’ll get to another one of these events – I’m a big city boy, and Los Angeles or New York can call me back anytime 🙂 (Toronto could use one of these events too 😉 )

I took some photos but they are trapped on my blackberry, which has decided not to work properly. Once I get them off of it, and if they turned out decently, I may post a few in this space.