Deadmau5 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

#BILLCSTop30 #661 – March 13/22

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.

ONLINE RADIO SHOWS

You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!

Radio GTA

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.

Halton Hills Online

“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.

FM 108

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.

#BILLCSTop30 #605 – January 18/21

2020 favourites are gradually departing the chart to make room for what’s new and fresh. There are five debuts on the new chart, a few that have been waiting through the heavy holiday period to find their way onto the chart. There’s lots of great music coming in January alone, so the competition for future charts will be particularly fierce.

“Give It Back” by NYC producers The Disco Fries and L.A. production trio Giiants with vocalist/songwriter Allison Park continues its reign at the top. This one leads the way in the ‘dance banger’ department for me right now, though there are other fun ones further down the chart.

Could “Nobody” by Norway’s NOTD and Catello be the one to succeed “Give It Back” at #1? Currently experiencing one of the longest stays at #1 on US dance radio in recent memory, I hope “Nobody” is also promoted to pop radio. It climbs 6-2.

“No One But You” (above), the quiet, beautiful R&B/pop ballad by Toronto’s Justin Nozuka with UK singer/songwriter Mahalia climbs 5-4 from an upcoming EP that will be released in the Spring. Justin’s latest peaceful and tranquil new single is “summer night 08” – check out the video below.

Like “Bad Decisions”, “Late Night Love” by Toronto’s Francesco Yates has long-lasting power. This funky, soulful, naughty jam climbs 7-5 to match the peak of “Bad Decisions”.

With the release of their album The Good Times and the Bad Ones, L.A. quintet Why Don’t We arrive in the Top 10 with the rollicking “Fallin’ (Adrenaline)”, moving up 11-8.

Also new to the Top 10, somewhat belatedly, is “Chew On My Heart” by James Bay, which rises 12-9. James was last in the Top 10 with 2018’s “Pink Lemonade”, which peaked at #2.

Karen Harding is well on her way to having two Top 10’s in a row on this chart. Following last year’s #1 “Undo My Heart”, “Let’s Get Together”, a collaboration with Scottish producers Illyus and Barrientos, zips up the chart 17-12.

The fastest riser on the chart is by the venerable, influential dance group Faithless. They’ve returned after a long absence with a new album called All Blessed, and “Synthesizer”, featuring singer Nathan Ball, soars 24-16.

With its rather obtuse, mythical-sounding lyrics and futuristic production, Deadmau5 looks to have his biggest hit to date with “Bridged By A Lightwave”, featuring the commanding vocal of Kiesza, up 25-19.

Another innovative production that throws back hard to 90’s techno is “Sinnerman” by England’s Hot Since 82 featuring vocalist/songwriter Ed Graves. From Hot Since 82’s new album Recovery, “Sinnerman” climbs 27-20.

The highest debut is by a performer who effectively replaces himself on the chart. Illenium’s “Nightlight” (#8) departs in favour of new single “Hearts On Fire”, a collaboration with Canadian producer Dabin and Juno Award winning singer/songwriter Lights. Also coming in various remixes, “Hearts On Fire” charges on to the chart at #22. It’s Illenium’s 8th chart entry since 2018.

Premiering on the chart is young French producer Wizzay with the punchy house track “Jealous” at #25 from his debut EP “Who I Am?”. Chart trivia: The uncredited vocalist on this track also appears elsewhere on this chart as part of a group of producers…

His history on this chart has spanned almost 20 years. In fact, the first time he appeared on the chart, it wasn’t even under his own name. “Feel Something” by dance music veteran Armin van Buuren arrives at #26. His first appearance on this chart was in 2002 with the classic “The Sound Of Goodbye” (#4) under the name Perpetuous Dreamer, before Armada Records released its first record. “Feel Something” marks his 8th appearance under his name, with guest vocals by 2019 Eurovision winner Dutch singer/songwriter Duncan Laurence (“Arcade”).

Brits both, producer Bobby Harvey and vocalist Danny Dearden make their debuts with “Tell Me” at #27. It’s one of my favourite deep house tracks that had to wait a little longer than usual to premiere on the chart.

At #28 is the fun alt.rock track by Toronto’s grandson called “Dirty”. The Juno Award nominee reached #1 for three appearances (six weeks) last Spring as the vocalist/co-writer of Whethan’s “All In My Head”.

A reminder that the music from my chart and blog are featured regularly on the online radio station The New Radio GTA. You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers and listen for songs from the chart too 🙂 Scroll down the station’s main page to listen to lots of variety from across the decades! I’m the new music consultant for the station so you can expect even more in 2021 🙂 You can start by joining Radio GTA’s new interactive Facebook group too!!

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! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

#BILLCSTop30 #604, January 4, 2021

Happy 2021! Let’s hope the worst of everything is over, and that 2021 can be used as a year of healing and revitalization. For the music industry, however, I expect things will take longer before it gets back on its feet in most of the world. Edition #604 marks the 23rd official online anniversary of this chart, though I did post it in various forms in late 1997 on message boards, etc.

2021 starts with a new number one on my chart, and a first for all three performers. The efforts of NYC producers The Disco Fries, L.A. producers Giiants, and vocalist Allison Park have paid off as “Give It Back” reaches the top position. Only two of the members of Giiants have been at #1 before in their previous incarnation as DATABOY. “Give It Back” is one helluva banger of a house track to start of 2021!

Songs #2 and #3 both fared well on my Top Songs of 2020, in fact they were back-to-back at #33 and #34. “Tinseltown In The Rain” (Big Rhythm mix) (above) by Matt Mancid and Color Theory moves 3-2, and “Fantasy” (below) by Saxity, Victor Perry and Robbie Rosen advances 4-3. Both songs will also carry over to my Top Songs of 2021 at the end of the year.

Another house banger, “Chasing Feelings” by Jerome Price and Cally Rhodes, leaps into the Top 10, moving up 14-8, with its sights set on the Top 5.

I was very pleased to see Tyler Shaw sing “Remember” on the CBC’s New Year’s Eve telecast, he’s always on his game. “Remember” climbs 11-9 becoming his second Top 10 on my chart after 2015’s “Dizzy” (#6).

“Good At Goodbyes” from the Fun City album becomes chart regular Bright Light Bright Light’s 18th Top 10 on my chart since 2010 as it moves up 12-10. Featured vocalist Andy Bell also previously reached the Top 10 as a solo artist outside of Erasure with “Crazy” in 2005 (#7).

It may have charted somewhat belatedly, but I’m still grooving to James Bay’s “Chew On My Heart”, and it moves up 18-12.

The fastest riser on the chart belongs to the triple whammy of Canadian dance producers – duo Loud Luxury and Frank Walker – as “Like Gold” (featuring vocals by Stephen Puth) soars 23-14.

Scotland’s Illyus & Barrientos paired with UK singer Karen Harding is a dream team for the sophisticated deep house of “Let’s Get Together” (24-17).

“Lucid” by Japanese-British pop/dance singer Rina Sawayama makes its presence known on the chart, advancing 26-19.

The carefree and breezy sound of “All About You” moves up 28-21 for the second teaming of The Knocks and Foster The People after 2018’s “Ride Or Die”.

“Synthesizer” marks the fourth chart entry for seminal UK progressive dance group Faithless from their first album since 2004 called All Blessed. It’s their first chart entry since 2009’s “Sun To Me” and features singer Nathan Ball. “Synthesizer”‘s retro techno flavours matched with interesting lyrics help it become the highest debut at #24. Although this chart wasn’t around for 1997’s “Insomnia” (which would have been a #1 for me), Faithless did reach #3 in 1998 with “God Is A DJ”.

Also in a progressive-techno vein is “Bridged By A Lightwave”, the startling single by an unlikely Canadian duo – Deadmau5 and Kiesza! It arrives at #25, and appears in an EP along with a few remixes. It’s Deadmau5’s first appearance on this chart, and Kiesza’s second, following 2017’s delightfully wacked out #1 “Phantom Of The Dancefloor”.

Like Deadmau5, another veteran dance music act appearing for the first time on this chart is UK legend Hot Since 82. His album Recovery has attracted performances by the likes of Boy George and Rudimental, but it’s the intrigue of “Sinnerman”, featuring singer/songwriter Ed Graves, which helps it arrive at #27.

Making his 17th appearance on this chart since 2014, including three as featured artists, is L.A.-based singer/songwriter Brandyn Burnette. He’s back as a solo singer with “Airplane Mode”, the title track from his enjoyable new EP, which bows at #28. Brandyn has also appeared on the chart as EMAN8 and in one-half of Cosmos & Creature.

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! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

Want to see what I’ve been listening to and charting for the past 23 years? Rummage through the BILLCS Top 30 Archive (where you can click on the link within) when you have a chance!!