Hey, all! I'm so sorry for having this post out so late again, I swear I'm trying, but I'm busy almost every night now. No worries, though! It's here now, and if you guys don't mind having the posts out a week late, then we're fine. Something exciting that happened over the past couple weeks is that I finally got to go to my first concert since before COVID, and it just so happened to be my favourite artist of all time, Imagine Dragons! Which just made it 10x better. The show was electric, and I loved every single second of it. Can't wait until I get to see them again, and I'll never forget it. I'm looking forward that much more to when I get to see Twenty One Pilots in the summer. Anyways, this week Countdown-wise was quite good, there's the obvious reason, and then there's a few more great things that happened too. Let's get into it!
Songs We're Saying Goodbye ToChosen - Blxst/Tyga/Ty Dolla $ign (#30) [#30] {1 week}
I'm Tired - Labrinth/Zendaya (#26) [#26] {4 weeks}
High - The Chainsmokers (#16) [#7] {11 weeks}
One Right Now - Post Malone/The Weeknd (#13) [#4] {23 weeks}
Last Week's #1: Light Switch - Charlie Puth (1)
#30: First Class - Jack Harlow (DEBUT) [1 week in Hit-Bound] {1 week}
#29: All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love) - Lauv (DEBUT) [2 weeks in Hit-Bound] {1 week}
#28: About Damn Time - Lizzo (DEBUT) [1 week in Hit-Bound] {1 week}
#27: IDGAF - BoyWithUke/blackbear (-) [#27] {4 weeks}
#26: Sunroof - Nicky Youre/dazy (+3) [#26] {2 weeks} *new peak*
#25: TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins (+3) [#25] {4 weeks}
#24: Weatherman - Eddie Benjamin (-6) [#18] {9 weeks}
#23: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat (+1) [#23] {5 weeks}
#22: As It Was - Harry Styles (+3) [#21] {3 weeks}
#21: Out of Time - The Weeknd (+1) [#21] {4 weeks} *new peak*
#20: House On Fire - Mimi Webb (-) [#20] {5 weeks}
#19: When I'm Gone - Alesso/Katy Perry (-10) [#2] {9 weeks}
#18: Bones - Imagine Dragons (DEBUT) [3 weeks in Hit-Bound] {1 week}
#17: Woman - Doja Cat (+2) [#12] {15 weeks}
#16: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith (-6) [#10] {14 weeks}
#15: Overpass Graffiti - Ed Sheeran (-7) [5 weeks at #1] {23 weeks}
#14: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron (-2) [#12] {8 weeks}
#13: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes (+10) [#13] {3 weeks} *new peak*
#12: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran (+5) [#12] {7 weeks} *new peak*
#11: Big Energy - Latto (+4) [#7] {13 weeks}
#10: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae (+4) [#9] {11 weeks}
#9: 2step - Ed Sheeran (+12) [#9] {4 weeks} *new peak*
#8: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa (-1) [#7] {6 weeks}
#7: Dancing Feet - Kygo/DNCE (+4) [#7] {6 weeks} *new peak*
#6: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max (-1) [#4] {11 weeks}
#5: COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer (+1) [#5] {7 weeks} *new peak*
#4: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold (-) [#2] {10 weeks}
#3: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear (-) [#3] {12 weeks}
#2: Light Switch - Charlie Puth (-1) [1 week at #1] {13 weeks}
#1: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID (+1) [4th week at #1] {13 weeks}
Last Year's #1: Overdrive - Conan Gray [1/1 week at #1]
Countdown Extra: That's Hilarious - Charlie Puth
So our first debut of the week is a song that for whatever reason debuted at #1 on the Hot 100, First Class by Jack Harlow. This is now Jack's third song on the Countdown after WHATS POPPIN and INDUSTRY BABY. And yeah, this is definitely my least favourite of the three. Jack Harlow isn't the most charismatic rapper, and that fact becomes really obvious when he's solo on a song. The part that showcases this the most is when the sample goes "Are you ready?" super excitedly, and he responds with a super bland "yes I am". But then, Jack launches into one of the best verses I've heard from him. The way that verse flows is just so good, I love it every single time I hear it. The hook is pretty memorable, the Fergie sample is used really creatively, and the production is nice and chill, staying with a mild trap beat and some light piano. So I guess it kinda works with Jack's voice here, but I'd still rather he sound more interested in his own song. But, like, overall, it's still an enjoyable listen, even though it has obvious issues. I'm alright with this being here for now.
Next up, we have a brand-new song from Lauv, All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love). This one's faded on me a bit since it debuted on Hit-Bound a couple weeks ago, but I still like it. Lauv sounds good (even if I can't understand what he's saying 90% of the time), and the hook is pretty catchy. The production's nice and groovy, and it moves the song along nicely. Definitely a job well done there. Now you're probably wondering, "why don't you find it great then? It seems like you really like the song". And I do. But I also don't remember it whatsoever once I'm not listening to the song. It's so ridiculously forgettable, that I almost never think about it unless I'm listening to it. So it's not something I'm gonna end up going back to, because I'm not able to remember that it exists. Will this grow back on me? Probably, but we'll see.
Next up, we've got the return of Lizzo with a groovy bop, About Damn Time. If you've heard any of Lizzo's stuff, if I told you it was a disco-inspired Lizzo song, you could probably guess what it sounds like. It's nothing particularly new for Lizzo, but that's far from a bad thing. She sounds great throughout, the production is so groovy, and the chorus is really memorable and fun. Between this and Rumors, I'm starting to get pretty excited for this new album. I have no doubts that this will do well on pop radio, and I hope it does.
Something that I definitely didn't expect but I'm very happy about, is that Imagine Dragons' new single from their upcoming album Mercury - Act 2, Bones, debuted all the way up at #18 this week. Um... alright, I'll take it. Yeah, so I heard this one live, they played it right after Enemy, and it was fantastic. It's a great arena song, and you can tell it was made with that in mind. Anyways, now for the actual song. This definitely isn't my favourite Imagine Dragons song, but it's still amazing, and I really enjoy it. Dan sounds really great throughout, as he usually does, except for when the vocal-pitch thing happens in the pre-chorus. But that doesn't bother me as much as it did when it first released, I got used to it. The song is extremely cool sonically. It's very atmospheric, and the production plays a huge role in that. The chorus is really good, and pretty catchy, and the verses (especially the second one) also mesh really well with the rest of the song and move it forward nicely. The bridge is pretty cool, I like how it comes way down before building up again for the last chorus. Also, the outro is just fantastic. It's really punchy, and I like it a lot. I could definitely see this becoming a hit if the label ever decides to push it as a single.
Best Debut: Bones - Imagine Dragons
Biggest Drop: When I'm Gone - Alesso/Katy Perry (-10): Yeah, this one definitely faded on me, so I'm totally fine with the fact that it's on its way out. Actually, I find it kinda funny how quickly this peaked at #2, then flopped immediately.
Biggest Jump: 2step - Ed Sheeran (+12): Alright, I'm fine with this, considering this is actually gonna be the next single. I'd be more fine with this if it was the Lil Baby remix, but Hits 1 has played it a few times, so I feel that coming next week.
Countdown Ranking
0 - Awful:
#30: Weatherman - Eddie Benjamin
1 - Bad:
NONE!
2 - Mediocre:
NONE!
3 - Decent:
#29: First Class - Jack Harlow
#28: Woman - Doja Cat
#27: As It Was - Harry Styles
4 - Good:
#26: When I'm Gone - Alesso/Katy Perry
#25: COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer
#24: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa
#23: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith
#22: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron
#21: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max
#20: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran
#19: Overpass Graffiti - Ed Sheeran
#18: 2step - Ed Sheeran
#17: All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love) - Lauv
5 - Great:
#16: TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins
#15: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear
#14: House On Fire - Mimi Webb
#13: Light Switch - Charlie Puth
#12: Sunroof - Nicky Youre/dazy
#11: About Damn Time - Lizzo
#10: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes
#9: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat
#8: Big Energy - Latto
#7: IDGAF - BoyWithUke/blackbear
#6: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold
#5: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae
#4: Out of Time - The Weeknd
#3: Dancing Feet - Kygo/DNCE
#2: Bones - Imagine Dragons
#1: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID
Overall Score: 129/150 = 86%
5 Oldest Songs
#5: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear {12 weeks}
#4: Big Energy- Latto, Light Switch - Charlie Puth & Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID {13 weeks}
#3: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith {14 weeks}
#2: Woman - Doja Cat {15 weeks}
#1: Overpass Graffiti - Ed Sheeran {23 weeks}
#1 Recommendation for Hits 1: Lonely - Imagine Dragons
My Top 10 Songs Last Year
#10: WITHOUT YOU - The Kid LAROI (#13)
#9: Save Your Tears - The Weeknd (#9)
#8: Once In A Lifetime - All Time Low (#23)
#7: Beautiful Mistakes - Maroon 5/Megan Thee Stallion (#17)
#6: Too Late - Cash Cash/Wiz Khalifa/Lukas Graham (#27)
#5: forget me too - Machine Gun Kelly/Halsey (#3)
#4: pov - Ariana Grande (#14)
#3: Astronaut In The Ocean - Masked Wolf (#21)
#2: Way Less Sad - AJR (#8)
#1: Overdrive - Conan Gray (#1)
Most Missed Countdown Song: Radioactive - Imagine Dragons
Hit-Bound
10 Things I Hate About You - Leah Kate [5]
Riptide - The Chainsmokers [1]
Go The Distance - New Rules [3]
Where you are - PinkPantheress/WILLOW [1]
Words - Alesso/Zara Larsson [1]
HANDSOMER (Remix) - Russ/Ktlyn [3]
Speakers - Alec Benjamin [2]
That's Hilarious - Charlie Puth [2]
Checkmate - Jena Rose [8]
Flowers - Lauren Spencer-Smith [2]
Thousand Miles - The Kid LAROI [1]
Don't Lose Sight - Lawrence [7]
psychofreak - Camila Cabello/WILLOW [2]
Sunshine - Latto/Lil Wayne/Childish Gambino [1]
this is what falling in love feels like - JVKE [3]
Abyss
Chosen - Blxst/Tyga/Ty Dolla $ign
Don't Forget My Love - Diplo/Miguel
Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat
I Can't Help But Feel - Surfaces
I Love You So - The Walters
Peru - Fireboy DML/Ed Sheeran
Remind Me - Tom Grennan
So for our first Hit-Bound debut of the week, we have a brand-new single from The Chainsmokers, with this one being called Riptide. I think I genuinely really like this song. We've already gotten two tastes of their newest album, as they've given us High and iPad, which were both pretty good, but honestly, I think this might be my favourite. Andrew Taggart actually sounds pretty good here, and I'd say this one of his best vocal performances. The song's more chill than the rest of their songs, but it kinda works with the production here. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is the drop, it's kinda weird, but it might grow on me in the future, we'll see. I don't think it really stops me from thinking this song is great, however. I really hope this sticks around for a while here and Hits 1 gives it a push, because it's a great song.
Guys. Stop putting WILLOW on bad songs. I want to like her music, I really do, but I can't if you keep having her feature on awful songs. Anyways, this week, we see PinkPantheress and WILLOW collaborate on a song called Where you are. This song is... very weird. PinkPantheress' voice is kinda shrill, and I don't like it whatsoever. The production is really strange, and it's kind of unsettling and a little hard to listen to. The chorus isn't bad, but PinkPantheress and WILLOW's voices don't mesh very well together. That being said, WILLOW is still the only saving grace of this song. Please, I just want one song from her that I can just love.
Next up we have Swedes Alesso and Zara Larsson teaming up on a new song, Words. I want to like this song, I think Zara Larsson is a really good singer, and when she's used correctly, she can really elevate a song. And she does really well here. Her voice sounds really good, and the song is super catchy. But Alesso was not the person to produce this. I don't think he did badly here, in fact, I definitely don't mind the production, but I think this song would've been much better if it wasn't an EDM song. I'm not sure if a more lucious feel or if a poppier feel would've been better, but EDM wasn't it. Still not bad, though.
After really blowing up last year, The Kid LAROI has brought us his first pop single of 2022 with this new one, Thousand Miles. I've generally enjoyed LAROI's music, in fact (spoiler alert) all three of his singles from last year are gonna pop up on my best list this year (I swear that's coming. Life has been hectic [in a good way, don't worry]). As for this one, I think it's pretty good. It's definitely far from the best thing I've heard from him, but I really enjoy it. The melodies here are simply genius, especially the chorus. I can't even describe what I feel from the chorus' melody. It's just something else entirely. I personally like LAROI's voice, and I think it fits really well here. Good writing, too. Overall, just a great song that I'd love to see become a hit.
After breaking out this year with her smash hit, Big Energy, Latto returns this week with another single, Sunshine featuring Lil Wayne and Childish Gambino (or, as I know him, actor Donald Glover). I've really been enjoying Big Energy lately, and I find it super cool how much it's blown up on radio. As for this one, I'd say it's right on par. The hook in this one is a lot more melodic, which is good, even though I really don't mind either way. Everybody here delivers really solid verses. Latto's is fantastic, Lil Wayne's is great for the fact that he's Lil Wayne, and Childish Gambino's is great. It's kinda funny to see him back on Hits 1 after Redbone from a while ago, because that song was so unique, that I never expected him to get another song on Hits 1. But here we are, and I'm very happy that this is here. Overall, a very solid song, and I'm really glad that Hits 1 has decided to push it.
Get Into It (Yuh) is back, but only in the Abyss. This has officially been released as a single, and it's a solid song, so I'm glad it's back. I'd be totally fine with this one debuting.
As for the songs leaving Hit-Bound, we have In My Head, Hot Crush Lover, Fair and I Can't Help But Feel. In My Head was fantastic, so I'm really sad that it never really became a hit. Hot Crush Lover and Fair were never all that memorable, so I don't care that either of them are gone. As for I Can't Help But Feel, that's the one that Hits 1 is still playing? Come on. Speaking of the Abyss, iPad and love nwantiti are gone. iPad was pretty good, so I'm sad it only got one week on the Countdown. As for love nwantiti, I would've liked to see it re-enter, but it's been in the Abyss for forever now, so I don't care that it's gone.
Best Hit-Bound Debut: Sunshine - Latto/Lil Wayne/Childish Gambino
Hit-Bound/Abyss Ranking
0 - Awful:
#22: this is what falling in love feels like - JVKE
#21: I Love You So - The Walters
1 - Bad:
#20: Where you are - PinkPantheress/WILLOW
#19: I Can't Help But Feel - Surfaces
2 - Mediocre:
#18: HANDSOMER (Remix) - Russ/Ktlyn
3 - Decent:
#17: Speakers - Alec Benjamin
#16: Words - Alesso/Zara Larsson
#15: Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat
#14: Peru - Fireboy DML/Ed Sheeran
4 - Good:
#13: 10 Things I Hate About You - Leah Kate
#12: Checkmate - Jena Rose
#11: That's Hilarious - Charlie Puth
#10: Go The Distance - New Rules
#9: psychofreak - Camila Cabello/WILLOW
5 - Great:
#8: Flowers - Lauren Spencer-Smith
#7: Thousand Miles - The Kid LAROI
#6: Riptide - The Chainsmokers
#5: Remind Me - Tom Grennan
#4: Don't Forget My Love - Diplo/Miguel
#3: Sunshine - Latto/Lil Wayne/Childish Gambino
#2: Don't Lose Sight - Lawrence
#1: Chosen - Blxst/Tyga/Ty Dolla $ign
Overall Score: 76/110 = 69%
'Cause There's Magic in My Blurbs
This week, we said goodbye to Chosen, I'm Tired, High and One Right Now. I'm really sad to see Chosen go after just one week. That sucks. Fingers crossed that it'll re-enter. I'm Tired was bad, and never should've been on the radio in the first place, so I'm glad it's gone. High was alright, and I think it did just well enough for how good it was. As for One Right Now, it's still ridiculously forgettable, so I don't care that it's gone. Plus, it did really well here.
Definitely didn't expect Sunroof to jump, but here we are.
Weatherman fell six spots this week, which is great. The sooner we can get rid of this, the better.
Hunh. As It Was is still in the bottom 10. I'm 99% sure this will be short-lived, but it's interesting that it hasn't had its big jump yet.
Aaaaaaaand there goes Fingers Crossed.
Ok, I'm tired of pretending like I don't like Overpass Graffiti. Sure, it's ridiculously forgettable, but I have so much fun while listening to it, and I let Hits 1 make me lie to myself for too long.
#13-#10 all got pretty big jumps this week, and I'm happy for all of them, especially Big Energy.
Dancing Feet is up at #7! This is certainly unexpected considering how much it's started to flop everywhere else, but very welcome.
Surprisingly, Enemy becomes our first non-consecutive #1 since Golden from earlier last year. I'm really happy to see this back, because I really love it. The way the energy spiked when they played this live was insane and something I'll never forget. I loved yelling out the lyrics to this one with twenty thousand other people. Glad to see it back at #1, this song will always hold a special place in my heart from here on out.
How Hits 1 Songs Are Doing on the Hot 100
#1: First Class - Jack Harlow
#2: As It Was - Harry Styles
#3: Heat Waves - Glass Animals
#4: Big Energy - Latto
#5: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID
#6: STAY - The Kid LAROI/Justin Bieber
#8: Woman - Doja Cat
#9: Ghost - Justin Bieber
#10: THATS WHAT I WANT - Lil Nas X
#11: abcdefu - GAYLE
#12: Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran
#15: Shivers - Ed Sheeran
#16: Cold Heart (Remix) - Elton John/Dua Lipa/PNAU
#17: Easy On Me - Adele
#18: We Don't Talk About Bruno - Encanto Cast
#19: INDUSTRY BABY - Lil Nas X/Jack Harlow
#20: Need to Know - Doja Cat
#21: Levitating - Dua Lipa
#23: Save Your Tears (Remix) - The Weeknd/Ariana Grande
#24: One Right Now - Post Malone/The Weeknd
#25: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran
#28: good 4 u - Olivia Rodrigo
#29: I Hate U - SZA
#33: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa
#34: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith
#35: pushin P - Gunna/Future/Young Thug
#37: You Right - Doja Cat/The Weeknd
#38: Fancy Like - Walker Hayes
#42: TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins
#43: Light Switch - Charlie Puth
#44: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron
#45: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold
#49: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max
#50: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae
#52: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes
#53: Peru - Fireboy DML/Ed Sheeran
#54: HANDSOMER (Remix) - Russ/Ktlyn
#57: Circles Around This Town - Maren Morris
#60: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat
#75: psychofreak - Camila Cabello/WILLOW
#82: Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat
#85: COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer
#86: I Love You So - The Walters
#94: Bones - Imagine Dragons
Hunger Games Countdown Top 10
#10: It's You, Not Me (Sabotage) - Masked Wolf/Bebe Rexha
#9: Faking Love - Anitta/Saweetie
#8: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat
#7: Billie Bossa Nova - Billie Eilish
#6: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa
#5: MF - Bailey Bryan/24kGoldn
#4: TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins
#3: Jigsaw - Conan Gray
#2: make up sex - Machine Gun Kelly/blackbear
#1: Big Energy - Latto
If the Countdown Made Sense Top 10
#10: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max
#9: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron
#8: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae
#7: As It Was - Harry Styles
#6: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran
#5: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa
#4: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith
#3: Woman - Doja Cat
#2: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID
#1: Big Energy - Latto
Kwaheri, everybody! See you all in the next one. (Rankdown will finish this week!)