Chart Check-in: June 2022 - Harry Styles

Hello, friends! It's always nice to be back. Anyways, my final Year-End post will be coming out this week (or at least, I sure hope so, because I'm gone all July), so look for that in the coming few days. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's take a look at Hits 1 from the past month! Remember that I've been constantly updating the Weekend Countdown on the tab above, so if you ever want to know early what some of my opinions are, go check that out (but not for next month, because I'm gone). I've also been including a blurb of the week, as well as an interesting title for each week, just in case you've been missing some of my charm. Anyways, let's get into it!

Debuts

Devil Doesn't Bargain - Alec Benjamin

Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat

i feel everything - Amelia Moore

I Like You (A Happier Song) - Post Malone/Doja Cat

I Love U - The Chainsmokers

Jiggle Jiggle - Duke & Jones/Louis Theroux

Late Night Talking - Harry Styles

Numb - Marshmello/Khalid

Potion - Calvin Harris/Dua Lipa/Young Thug

SKIN OF MY TEETH - Demi Lovato

So Good - Halsey

Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez

Viva Las Vengeance - Panic! At The Disco

Wrapped Around Your Finger - Post Malone

• Devil Doesn't Bargain is easily the best Alec Benjamin song I've ever heard. Sure, he still sounds like he's 13, but those melodies are incredible and the production is nothing short of fantastic. I'd love to see this do well here.
• After spending three weeks in Hit-Bound last year, then way too long in the Abyss this year, Get Into It (Yuh) finally debuted... and spent one week on the Countdown before leaving. Seriously? Anyways, this song is fun, but it's gotten kind of old, because I've known about it for a while.
• Amelia Moore is our newest One to Watch, and she brings us i feel everything, which is... not great. Her voice is a little grating in the chorus, and the rest isn't that interesting.
• Post Malone and Doja Cat teamed up on I Like You, which is a great song that's much more upbeat than the rest of the Twelve Carat Toothache singles. Super fun, both artists do great here, +10 bonus points for that awesome outro. Just a great song overall.
• After spending a while in the Abyss, The Chainsmokers' I Love U debuted last week. Not too interesting, but a really enjoyable song.
• Possibly the stupidest song ever, Jiggle Jiggle by Duke & Jones and british journalist Louis Theroux debuted. Not sure why this song was made, as it's ridiculously stupid, but it's just so much fun, I love it. The production is also kinda great? Yeah, I shouldn't love this, but I do (also it CRUSHED the record for the shortest song to reach the Countdown, at 1:37).
• The second single from Harry's House, Late Night Talking also debuted. While I personally think Music For a Sushi Restaurant is better, and would've made for a better single, this song is still a bop, and I'd love to see it do well here... and I mean, it's Harry Styles, so is that even in question?
• Marshmello and Khalid's new song Numb is SO GOOD! It's so catchy, I can't.
• Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa and Young Thug's Potion debuted, left and re-entered this month, and seems to be holding steady now. I like it, but it feels like it has potential to be much better. It's just not all that memorable.
• Demi Lovato returned with SKIN OF MY TEETH, which is just a full-on pop-punk song. This is fine. The chorus is pretty catchy, and I like the production, but it's not all that memorable. Probably why it only spent a week here.
• Halsey's new song So Good already feels nostalgic for whatever reason, and I love it. I also like how it kinda tells a story, which is something that I wish more songs would do. I'd love to see this do super well.
• Until I Found You is really really bad and I hope it doesn't re-enter.
• In the past few months, I've gotten really into Panic! At The Disco's stuff, and I've heard all of their songs now, so I was pretty excited to see that Viva Las Vengeance was coming out. It's definitely not their best, but it's fun and catchy, and it's always nice to see Brendon return.
• Apparently Hits 1 got confused and thought that Wrapped Around Your Finger was the big Post Malone single, and well... it wasn't, but it's still a solid song.

Best Debut of the Month: So Good - Halsey

Exits

COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer [#5] {12 weeks}

Cooped Up - Post Malone/Roddy Ricch [#25] {3 weeks}

Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID [6 weeks at #1] {20 weeks}

Flowers - Lauren Spencer-Smith [#19] {4 weeks}

Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat [#15] {10 weeks}

Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat [#28] {1 week}

Honest - Justin Bieber/Don Toliver [#27] {5 weeks}

Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear [#3] {17 weeks}

Move - DNCE [#20] {3 weeks}

she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae [#5] {18 weeks}

SKIN OF MY TEETH - Demi Lovato [#29] {1 week}

Skyline - Khalid [#17] {7 weeks}

TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins [#21] {10 weeks}

Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez [#21] {2 weeks}

Wrapped Around Your Finger - Post Malone [#25] {1 week}

• COMPLETE MESS faded on me pretty quickly, so I'm not sad at all that it's gone.
• Cooped Up was great, but kinda forgettable, so I'm not surprised that it wasn't a hit, although I really want Roddy to get another pop hit. He's so good, you guys.
• I'm really satisfied with how well Enemy did here. It had a great run, and I hope that Bones can match it.
• Honestly, Flowers should still be here, and there's no reason Hits 1 should've dropped it, especially because of how good it is.
• Freaky Deaky should've done much better here.
• Okay, seriously, though, one week for Get Into It (Yuh)? The song is top 10 on the pop charts, yet it was only good enough for one week on Hits 1? Come on.
• Glad to see the world figured out that Honest is bad (although, I do hope that Justin Bieber gets better. That's really unfortunate, and I wish him and his family the best).
• Wait... Love It When You Hate Me left this month? Ok then.
• Oh yeah, haha, Move was a song.
• I'm happy that she's all i wanna be ended up peaking in the top five, but it shouldn't have left so quickly.
• Yeah, SKIN OF MY TEETH wasn't all that memorable, so I don't care that it's gone for good.
• Skyline deserved better, it was really fun. It fell everywhere really quickly because of Numb, and while I agree that that's a better song, Skyline is still really good.
• Oh, yeah, also, TO THE MOON should still be here. It deserved better.
• I'm beyond happy that Until I Found You only spent two weeks on the Countdown, because it is not a radio song.
• Hits 1 figured themselves out with Wrapped Around Your Finger, don't worry.

Best Exit: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID (yeah, I got tired of it too, but it's still my favourite of the bunch)

Top 10 Hits 1 Songs from June 2022

#10: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran (-) [#9]

#9: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold (-5) [#3]

#8: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa (-6) [#6]

#7: Bones - Imagine Dragons (new) [#7]

#6: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes (+2) [#5]

#5: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron (-2) [#5]

#4: Sunroof - Nicky Youre/dazy (new) [#2]

#3: 2step - Ed Sheeran/Lil Baby (+4) [#3]

#2: About Damn Time - Lizzo (new) [#2]

#1: As It Was - Harry Styles (-) [4 weeks at #1]

• Lmao, Bam Bam has been #10 for both May and June. It's really hovering in the low top 10, isn't it? Which is fitting, that's about where I'd place it.
• I'm glad Numb Little Bug ended up coming back to the top five, but it's plummeting way too fast for my comfort right now. This song is really good, and it doesn't deserve this.
• Sweetest Pie is still annoying, but #8 of the month is more tolerable than #2 of the month.
• Ayy, nice to see Bones getting some success here. I'd love to see it do even better here (yes, I know I'm a basic Nathan for liking Imagine Dragons but whatever).
• When You're Gone has reached the top five, which is awesome. It's so much fun, I've been listening to it so much this past month.
• I'm still fading on Boyfriend, but I haven't gotten outright sick of it yet, so this is fine.
• Ope. I guess Sunroof is a thing now. I'm definitely not complaining, because it's a great song, but this was definitely unexpected to say the least.
• I can't explain how much I want 2step to be a huge hit. It deserves to be bigger than Shivers (HITS 1: I AM NOT ASKING FOR 15 WEEKS AT #1. THAT IS EXCESSIVE. NO SONG DESERVES THAT).
• About Damn Time is so much fun and I'm glad it didn't end up flopping. I really want this to hit #1 on the Countdown, but I don't see that happening, because Hits 1 is Hits 1.
• And of course, As It Was dominated the #1 spot for the entire month. The song's starting to fade on me, but it's still solid, so I'm not complaining that much. Just as long as we can switch it up soon.

Hit-Bound Debuts

a letter to me - Dixie

Angry Woman - Ashe

Baby Boo - Muni Long/Saweetie

Booty - Saucy Santana/Latto

Breakfast - Dove Cameron

Carolina - Taylor Swift

die first - Nessa Barrett

Disaster - Conan Gray

DON'T YOU WORRY - Black Eyed Peas/Shakira/David Guetta

Dress - Charlotte Sands

Falling Back - Drake

Glimpse of Us - Joji

Goodbye - Mimi Webb

Grrrls - Lizzo

Left and Right - Charlie Puth/Jung Kook

Life's Too Short (English Version) - aespa

Only You - Eddie Benjamin/Alessia Cara

sheluvme - Tai Verdes

Something to Someone - Dermot Kennedy

Twinkle Twinkle Little Bitch - Leah Kate

Want Want - Maggie Rogers

• a letter to me is really boring and uninteresting. This shouldn't have replaced Wild.
• Yeah, I'm not a huge Ashe fan. The lyrics and message in Angry Woman are great, but I'm just not a huge fan of Ashe.
• Baby Boo is a bop, and this song should be actually doing something on radio.
• Booty is also a bop, and I love the Crazy In Love sample (which is probably a sample of something else, but I'm too lazy to look it up).
• Is Dove Cameron's whole vibe just "spy"? Ok then.
• Carolina is good, but I'm still waiting for a 1989 vault track to be a bop and a half and blow everyone away.
• die first is typical Nessa Barrett, except, contrary to what the title would have you think, it's actually a love song. Cool.
• Disaster is SO GOOD, and if Hits 1 lets this flop, I will have some WORDS to say.
• DON'T YOU WORRY sounds like it came right out of 2006, and I don't mean that as a compliment. At least it's better than GIRL LIKE ME.
• After Hits 1 ignoring it for way too long, Dress by Charlotte Sands is finally here! This is a good song, and I'd love to see it do well here.
• Drake released a surprise album, Honestly, Nevermind, a couple weeks ago. I've never listened to a Drake album in full, but I did for this one, and it was actually really good. Every song was pretty dance-y, and I loved it. I don't think any song would work very well as a single, but they're all good. Falling Back falls back in that category.
• I have no clue why Glimpse of Us blew up like it did, because... uh... (guys, it's bad. I'm not sure if you've been told that, but it's a bad song).
• Goodbye is a great Mimi Webb ballad, and I wish it was a hit.
• Apparently Lizzo's newest, Grrrls, had some controversy around it that's mostly cleared up now, but it probably tanked its chances of becoming a hit, which sucks, because it's a bop.
• A Charlie Puth / Jung Kook collaboration is something I never knew I needed, but it's really catchy and great.
• Life's Too Short is good, even if not all that memorable.
• Only You is definitely better than Weatherman, but Eddie Benjamin is still annoying.
• I respect Tai Verdes for not staying a TikTok artist, even if his style right now isn't really my thing.
• Something to Someone was good and should've been here for more than a week.
• Even if the "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" melody takes me out of the new Leah Kate song a bit, the rest of it is SO GOOD,
• Want Want is just a solid, if forgettable, song.

Best Hit-Bound Debut: Disaster - Conan Gray

Hit-Bound Exits

100sadsongs - Tai Verdes

Best Lover - BIBI

don't come back - Tate McRae

Don't Lose Sight - Lawrence

Falling Back - Drake

gfy - blackbear/Machine Gun Kelly

Goodbye - Mimi Webb

Grrrls - Lizzo

MEAN! - Madeline The Person

No One Dies From Love - Tove Lo

Only You - Eddie Benjamin/Alessia Cara

Overthinking - Mabel/24kGoldn

P.G.N.L. - Conor Maynard

Something to Someone - Dermot Kennedy

Too Precious - Em Beihold

Want Want - Maggie Rogers

Wild - Dixie

Will It Ever Feel The Same? - Bazzi

• I literally can't remember what 100sadsongs sounds like.
• Yeah, Best Lover wasn't all that memorable, but I think it still deserved better than this.
• don't come back shouldn't have replaced what would you do?, and that should've been a hit.
• Don't Lose Sight was here for a ridiculously long time, so while it never ended up debuting, I'm fine with it being gone.
• Massive is actually getting played on the station now instead of Falling Back, so Hits 1 might've changed their minds.
• gfy was so good, it deserved better.
• Goodbye was also really good, so I'm sad I didn't get to hear much of it.
• I get why Grrrls didn't end up doing too well, but I'm disappointed nonetheless.
• MEAN! was really forgettable, so I'm not disappointed in the slightest.
• I've never been a huge Tove Lo fan, and No One Dies From Love did not change my mind.
• I can't remember what Only You sounds like, plus it was an Eddie Benjamin song, so I'm fine with it being gone.
• Overthinking probably deserved better than what it got.
• P.G.N.L. definitely deserved to debut, and I'm sad it was only in the Abyss for a week or two after it left.
• Not sure why Something to Someone only lasted a week, but it's okay. Outnumbered was better anyways.
• I never expected Too Precious to do well, so I'm not sad it's gone.
• Want Want seems to be in the Abyss, so I don't think it's fully gone quite yet. Will it debut? Probably not, but we'll see.
• Wild definitely shouldn't have been replaced by a letter to me.
• Will It Ever Feel The Same? was never that good, so I don't care that it's gone.

Best Hit-Bound Exit: Don't Lose Sight - Lawrence

So next up is a list of the songs that charted on Billboard's Pop Songs chart this month, but haven't reached the Countdown at all yet.

Songs That Hits 1 is Missing Out On

Don't Forget My Love - Diplo/Miguel

Don't Lose Sight - Lawrence

DON'T YOU WORRY - Black Eyed Peas/Shakira/David Guetta

Dress - Charlotte Sands

MAMIII - Becky G/KAROL G

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) - Kate Bush

this is what falling in love feels like - JVKE

Wonderland - AleXa

• Yeah, I think Hits 1 has missed out on adding Don't Forget My Love to the Countdown, which is a shame, because it was a great song.
• Same with Don't Lose Sight.
• Yeah, that's okay, we don't need DON'T YOU WORRY on the Countdown.
• As I mentioned earlier, they finally picked up on Dress, so fingers crossed.
• MAMIII had some really great production, so I kinda wish it made its way to Hits 1, but it didn't, and that's ok.
• Um... so yeah, a song from 1985 is charting on pop radio. Why, you may ask? Actually, it's not TikTok this time. Well, ok, it's partially TikTok. But it's mostly because the song was featured in the fourth season of Stranger Things. And I never would've heard Running Up That Hill if it didn't become viral, so I'm glad it did, because it's a great song.
• Yeah, we don't need this is what falling in love feels like on the Countdown either. It's been in the Abyss for a long time, and I'd be ok if it stayed that way.
• Wonderland was fun, but not all too memorable.

Song Hits 1 Should Add to the Countdown: Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) - Kate Bush

Yeah, so that's it! As I did last month, I'll open up Q&A if there's anything you guys feel like asking me. But for now, kwaheri, everybody! See you all in the next one (hopefully this week!).

Chart Check-in: May 2022 - Harry Styles

Welp, needless to say, things haven't quite gone according to plan, but I thought I'd still take the time to do my May check-in. I'll kinda go through how this is gonna work, but basically it's just a pretty quick rundown of everything that happened on the Countdown in May. Let's kick it off with the songs that debuted in May.

Debuts

Cooped Up - Post Malone/Roddy Ricch

Flowers - Lauren Spencer-Smith

Hold My Hand - Lady Gaga

Honest - Justin Bieber/Don Toliver

Love Me More - Sam Smith

Maybe You're The Problem - Ava Max

Me Myself & I - 5 Seconds of Summer

Move - DNCE

Skyline - Khalid

SUPERMODEL - Måneskin

• Ok, so Cooped Up isn't the best Post Malone song, but it's nice and chill and it's always great to have Roddy back on radio.
• I really didn't expect Flowers to debut, but here we are I guess. Can't say I'm complaining, it's a great song. A little confused though, and I don't see this lasting very long.
• Hold My Hand is definitely a movie song. It's also definitely a Lady Gaga song. Overall, pretty great, and I'd love to see this be a hit.
• Honest is so bad. Nothing really works here, except for Don Toliver, I guess. Overall just a very weird song.
• I expected Love Me More to debut, but I don't see it doing too well given it's kind of slow. Good song though.
• I'm SO HAPPY to see Maybe You're The Problem here so quickly. It's such a fun song, and I'd love to see it do well here.
• OK GUYS. Me Myself & I IS THE BEST 5SOS SONG I'VE EVER HEARD. SERIOUSLY, IT'S SO GOOD. EVERYONE HERE SOUNDS GREAT AND IT'S CATCHY AND THE INSTRUMENTATION IS GREAT AGHHHHHH. I WANT THIS TO BE A HIT SO BAD.
• Move is fine. It's fun, but not too memorable in the long run.
• I've been enjoying Skyline lately, so I'm glad it's here.
• Also, Måneskin is back and SUPERMODEL is easily the best song from them so far. So much fun, great instrumentation, just a masterpiece. I'd love to see this become a hit too.

Best Debut of the Month: SUPERMODEL - Måneskin (very close tho)

Ok next up is every song that left (without re-entering) this month.

Exits

Big Energy - Latto [#7] {15 weeks}

Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith [#10] {15 weeks}

Hold My Hand - Lady Gaga [#28] {1 week}

House On Fire - Mimi Webb [#15] {9 weeks}

IDGAF - BoyWithUke/blackbear [#25] {5 weeks}

Light Switch - Charlie Puth [1 week at #1] {15 weeks}

Overpass Graffiti - Ed Sheeran [5 weeks at #1] {24 weeks}

The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max [#4] {14 weeks}

Weatherman - Eddie Benjamin [#18] {11 weeks}

Woman - Doja Cat [#12] {16 weeks}

• Ugh, I can't believe Big Energy flopped as much as it did here. It was such a big hit, and such a great song, and Hits 1 didn't treat it well enough.
• Fingers Crossed was good, but ultimately got a little annoying, so I'm not sad that it's gone.
• Pffsh, Hold My Hand only spent a week on the Countdown. Something tells me it'll be back though.
• Ok I could've sworn that House On Fire left way before it did. Not saying that it's a bad song, I love it, just not all that memorable.
• IDGAF should've done so much better, it was so good.
• I'm pretty satisfied with how Light Switch did here. Great song, and was treated as such.
• I really didn't expect Overpass Graffiti to grow on me as much as it did, to the point where I was a little sad when it left, even though it spent much too long here.
• I also got a little bored with The Motto, and it did quite well, so I'm not sad to see it go.
• Weatherman was trash, and should've left a long time ago.
• Woman should've done so much better what the hell.

Now is the part where I give the award for "Song That Will Be Missed the Most" (title is a work in progress). And this month, it goes to Big Energy by Latto. Seriously, this was done dirty here.

Here are the top 10 songs on Hits 1 of the month based on chart performance.

Top 10 Hits 1 Songs from May 2022

#10: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran [#9]

#9: COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer [#6]

#8: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes [#8]

#7: 2step - Ed Sheeran/Lil Baby [#6]

#6: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID [#1]

#5: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae [#5]

#4: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold [#3]

#3: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron [#2]

#2: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa [#2]

#1: As It Was - Harry Styles [#1]

• Bam Bam is pretty good, so I'm glad to see it in the top 10 now.
• COMPLETE MESS really faded on me, so I'm glad to see it starting to go.
• I'm very happy to see When You're Gone doing somewhat well, because it's a great song.
• I'm unsure why 2step hasn't entered the top five yet, considering it's Ed Sheeran, and it's probably the best = song.
• Enemy has started to drop a ton, and while I'm sad, because I still love the song, it did much better here than I expected it to, so I'm satisfied.
• Ayy, she's all i wanna be finally entered the top five! Let's go!
• I got very scared that Numb Little Bug was gonna fall quickly, but it seems to have rebounded, so fingers crossed that it'll manage to hit #1.
• I don't think Boyfriend deserves #3 of the month, but whatever.
• Sweetest Pie got so annoying. I'm sorry, I just don't really like it anymore.
• It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that As It Was is the #1 of the month. It's a solid song, though, so I'm not complaining. I listened to Harry's House too, and it was actually a pretty great little album. I wasn't expecting that at all, and I'm so glad it was.

Next is all the Hit-Bound debuts (that I haven't already talked about) from May.

Hit-Bound Debuts

100sadsongs - Tai Verdes

Best Lover - BIBI

don't come back - Tate McRae

Dope - John Legend/JID

Dua Lipa - Jack Harlow

gfy - blackbear/Machine Gun Kelly

Hope You're Not Happy - Ashe

I Love U - The Chainsmokers

In The Stars - Benson Boone

Late Night Talking - Harry Styles

MEAN! - Madeline The Person

No One Dies From Love - Tove Lo

Overthinking - Mabel/24kGoldn

P.G.N.L. - Conor Maynard

Potion - Calvin Harris/Dua Lipa/Young Thug

This Love (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift

Too Precious - Em Beihold

Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez

what would you do? - Tate McRae

Wild - Dixie

Will It Ever Feel The Same? - Bazzi

• 100sadsongs is solid, but not too memorable.
• Best Lover isn't nearly as good as The Weekend, but it's still good, so I'll take it.
• I've really been enjoying Tate McRae's new stuff, and don't come back is a great little bop.
• A John Legend and JID song called Dope is something I never knew I needed in my life. Great song.
• Apparently Jack Harlow made a song called Dua Lipa. And it's... fine? I mean, it's Jack Harlow, it can't really be that great or that bad.
• gfy is yet another blackbear / MGK collaboration, and I don't even care, it's great.
• I've never been a fan of Ashe and Hope You're Not Happy did not change my opinion at all.
• I Love U isn't memorable at all, but it's pretty good.
• In The Stars is so sad what. I didn't need to feel that on a random Friday night.
• Late Night Talking is a BOP and I don't care what you say.
• This song, MEAN! really bothers me because it had so much potential when I first starting listening to it, but it ended up being really underwhelming.
• No One Dies From Love is really weird and it sucks.
• Overthinking is good, but I don't know, something about it just isn't enough to make it great
• P.G.N.L. is a super chill song, 8/10.
• Same issue with Overthinking applies to Potion.
• It was very weird having This Love here for a bit, because it's a song that I actually have memories attached to. It was weird to see a song I've been with for so long be on a new music show.
• Too Precious isn't nearly as good as Numb Little Bug, but it's still a very solid song.
• Ew, who is Stephen Sanchez and why does his song suck so much. Very slow and the vocal effects are bad.
• I'm sad that what would you do? got replaced, because it was SO GOOD. So much fun, I loved it.
• Wild is pretty great, actually. Dammit, Dixie, stop making me like your songs.
• Will It Ever Feel The Same? exists, I guess.

Best Hit-Bound Debut of the Month: Late Night Talking - Harry Styles

Next, the Hit-Bound exits.

Hit-Bound Exits

Dope - John Legend/JID

Dua Lipa - Jack Harlow

Hope You're Not Happy - Ashe

I Love U - The Chainsmokers

In The Stars - Benson Boone

That's Hilarious - Charlie Puth

this is what falling in love feels like - JVKE

This Love (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift

what would you do? - Tate McRae

Where you are - PinkPantheress/WILLOW

Words - Alesso/Zara Larsson

• Ugh, Dope should've lasted for more than a week, it was so fun.
• Dua Lipa was just kinda there, so I'm not sad it's gone.
• Glad to see Hope You're Not Happy didn't last.
• I think I Love U was in the Abyss for a bit, so it might not be gone, idk.
• I wish In The Stars had done better, it was so good.
• That's Hilarious had actually started to grow on me a bit, so I'm sad to see it go.
• why is this is what falling in love feels like in the Abyss? Come on, it's not good.
• Ok, yeah, This Love is good, but it would've been weird to have it on the Countdown.
• I said this earlier, but what would you do? shouldn't have been replaced.
• Where you are was pretty bad, so I don't care that it's gone.
• Oh yeah, Words exists.

Best Hit-Bound Exit of the Month: what would you do? - Tate McRae

So yeah! That's about it. I promise that my last Year-End post is coming, and the announcement I was talking about will come with it, and if not, at least before I leave for a month in July. Anyways, if you want to ask me anything about May, feel free, I'll try to respond lmao. And if you want the exact Countdown from each week in May, make sure you check out the "Weekend Countdown" tab above. That's where I've been posting the Countdown recently.

Kwaheri, everybody! See you all in the next one.

Ok, I need to address something...

    Hey, guys. So if you've been reading this blog for a while, you'd know that there was like two years straight where I was consistently getting all of my posts out on Saturday. And if you've been with me in recent months, you'd know that that hasn't been happening recently. I thought about this for a while, and I've realized that at the moment, my motivation and time just doesn't match with the quality and speed that you guys (and myself) have come to expect from me. So with that being said, I've come to the disappointing conclusion that this is the end of weekly posts. I've seen this coming for a while, but I wanted to keep this going for as long as I could. I've had so much fun doing this over the years, and I love connecting with you guys too. I honestly wouldn't trade any of it.

    However, this isn't goodbye. I'll put up a tab or something where I'll post the Countdown every week, colour-coded and everything, so you guys can at least see my opinions on songs, but I won't be doing the full, week-by-week reviews. I might check in once a month or something to give you guys my thoughts on the charts, but we'll see when the time comes if I actually end up doing it.

    One thing that I definitely want to do however (and I'll have more time to now), is bigger posts. Obviously, this will start with finally finishing up the Rankdown, and getting my best list of 2021 out for my three-year anniversary (mark that as a schedule so that I get it done, June 1st). As well as ultimately announce something I've been planning on doing for a while now on June 1st. After all that happens, I'll probably do some album reviews, maybe a couple more fun games and rankdowns, and I have a few concepts bouncing around that I've wanted to do for a while, but never had the time to with the weekly posts.

    At the end of the day, I'm excited for this new chapter in my life, even if this is where my journey with you guys ends. I'll be focusing a lot more on songwriting now, which is really one of my passions, so if I ever make it, maybe you guys can get a face reveal (!).

    So yeah. I guess that's it. Make sure you check out Waffle's blog if you haven't already, because he puts out some high-quality weekly posts, and he's actually been doing this for longer than I have. As always, it's linked in the sidebar, and it'll update whenever he posts.

    Kwaheri, everybody. See you all in the next one.

If the Countdown Made Sense: Week of May 7, 2022 - Imagine Dragons/JID (1)

Hi! This week on If the Countdown Made Sense, Imagine Dragons and JID take the #1 spot from Latto with their hit Enemy! We also have debuts from Nicky Youre & dazy, Jnr Choi & Sam Tompkins, and a MASSIVE debut from The Kid LAROI. Enjoy!

Songs We're Saying Goodbye To

STAY - The Kid LAROI/Justin Bieber (#30) [10 weeks at #1] {41 weeks}

Peru - Fireboy DML/Ed Sheeran (#16) [#16] {6 weeks}

Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith (#6) [#4] {13 weeks}

Last Week's #1: Big Energy - Latto (3)

#30: Sunroof - Nicky Youre/dazy (DEBUT) [11 weeks in Hit-Bound] {1 week} {-15}

#29: Ghost - Justin Bieber (-) [1 week at #1] {32 weeks} {N/A}

#28: Heat Waves - Glass Animals (-) [#10] {36 weeks} {N/A}

#27: One Right Now - Post Malone/The Weeknd (-1) [#3] {26 weeks} {N/A}

#26: THATS WHAT I WANT - Lil Nas X (-2) [2 weeks at #1] {32 weeks} {N/A}

#25: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear (+2) [#18] {13 weeks} {-15}

#24: Woman - Doja Cat (-19) [2 weeks at #1] {17 weeks} {N/A}

#23: Light Switch - Charlie Puth (-5) [#6] {14 weeks} {-15}

#22: TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins (DEBUT) [5 weeks in Hit-Bound] {1 week} {-}

#21: Out of Time - The Weeknd (+2) [#21] {3 weeks} {-10} *new peak*

#20: Don't Forget My Love - Diplo/Miguel (+2) [#20] {4 weeks} {N/A} *new peak*

#19: 2step - Ed Sheeran/Lil Baby (+6) [#19] {3 weeks} {-7} *new peak*

#18: I Love You So - The Walters (+2) [#18] {7 weeks} {N/A} *new peak*

#17: Chosen - Blxst/Tyga/Ty Dolla $ign (-) [#17] {8 weeks} {N/A}

#16: Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat (+3) [#16] {3 weeks} {N/A} *new peak*

#15: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat (+6) [#15] {5 weeks} {+4}

#14: COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer (-1) [#13] {8 weeks} {-8}

#13: Thousand Miles - The Kid LAROI (DEBUT) [2 weeks in Hit-Bound] {1 week} {+11}

#12: First Class - Jack Harlow (+3) [#12] {2 weeks} {+15} *new peak*

#11: About Damn Time - Lizzo (+3) [#11] {2 weeks} {+10} *new peak*

#10: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes (+1) [#10] {4 weeks} {+4} *new peak*

#9: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max (+1) [#9] {12 weeks} {-}

#8: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold (+4) [#8] {10 weeks} {-3} *new peak*

#7: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae (+2) [#7] {12 weeks} {-} *new peak*

#6: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran (+1) [#6] {9 weeks} {+10}

#5: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron (+3) [#5] {9 weeks} {-2} *new peak*

#4: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa (-) [#4] {8 weeks} {-2}

#3: As It Was - Harry Styles (-) [#3] {5 weeks} {+1}

#2: Big Energy - Latto (-1) [3 weeks at #1] {15 weeks} {+11}

#1: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID (+1) [1st week at #1] {13 weeks} {-} *new peak*

Last Year's #1: WITHOUT YOU - The Kid LAROI [1/5 weeks at #1]

Biggest Drop: Woman - Doja Cat (-19)

Biggest Jump: 2step - Ed Sheeran/Lil Baby & Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat (+6)

Hit-Bound

10 Things I Hate About You - Leah Kate [7]

All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love) - Lauv [5]

Bones - Imagine Dragons [6]

Don't Lose Sight - Lawrence [9]

Flowers - Lauren Spencer-Smith [4]

Honest - Justin Bieber/Don Toliver [2]

Hope You're Not Happy - Ashe [1]

House On Fire - Mimi Webb [12]

In The Stars - Benson Boone [1]

Just a Cloud Away - Pharrell Williams [5]

Love Me More - Sam Smith [2]

MAMIII - Becky G/KAROL G [8]

Maybe You're The Problem - Ava Max [2]

Move - DNCE [1]

No One Dies From Love - Tove Lo [1]

Skyline - Khalid [2]

That's Hilarious - Charlie Puth [4]

this is what falling in love feels like - JVKE [5]

This Love (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift [1]

Weatherman - Eddie Benjamin [12]

Where you are - PinkPantheress/WILLOW [3]

Words - Alesso/Zara Larsson [3]

Kwaheri, everybody! See you all in the next one.

Hunger Games Countdown: Week of May 7, 2022 - Tove Lo (1)

Hiya friends! Life is weird. Anyways, post! This week, Tove Lo claims the #1 spot with her song How Long. We also have debuts from Alesso feat. Zara Larsson, Latto feat. Lil Wayne & Childish Gambino, Justin Bieber feat. Don Toliver and Ava Max. Enjoy!

Songs We're Saying Goodbye To

I'm Tired - Labrinth/Zendaya (#30) [#8] {7 weeks}

TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins (#29) [#4] {4 weeks}

Go The Distance - New Rules (#28) [#18] {2 weeks}

When I'm Gone - Alesso/Katy Perry (#27) [#16] {2 weeks}

Last Week's #1: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat (1)

#30: Words - Alesso/Zara Larsson (DEBUT) [2 weeks in Hit-Bound] {1 week} {It's You, Not Me (Sabotage) & Sunshine}

#29: Big Energy - Latto (-5) [2 weeks at #1] {21 weeks} {It's You, Not Me (Sabotage) & Sunshine}

#28: PS5 - salem ilese/TOMORROW X TOGETHER/Alan Walker (-8) [1 week at #1] {9 weeks} {It's You, Not Me (Sabotage) & Sunshine}

#27: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat (-26) [1 week at #1] {8 weeks} {N/A}

#26: Celebrity Skin - Doja Cat (-17) [2 weeks at #1] {12 weeks} {Sweetest Pie}

#25: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold (-2) [#3] {13 weeks} {Sweetest Pie}

#24: ROOM FOR 2 - Benson Boone (-7) [#6] {10 weeks} {Where you are}

#23: Out of Time - The Weeknd (-1) [#15] {5 weeks} {N/A}

#22: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes (-16) [#6] {3 weeks} {N/A}

#21: Billie Bossa Nova - Billie Eilish (-3) [#7] {15 weeks} {House On Fire}

#20: Jigsaw - Conan Gray (+1) [#2] {12 weeks} {N/A}

#19: i h8 that i still feel bad for u - Claire Rosinkranz (-) [#19] {4 weeks} {N/A}

#18: Where you are - PinkPantheress/WILLOW (+7) [#18] {2 weeks} {N/A} *new peak*

#17: Sunshine - Latto/Lil Wayne/Childish Gambino (DEBUT) [2 weeks in Hit-Bound] {1 week} {Another Man's Jeans}

#16: Honest - Justin Bieber/Don Toliver (DEBUT) [1 week in Hit-Bound] {1 week} {N/A}

#15: Paralyzed - Sueco (-13) [#2] {30 weeks} {N/A}

#14: As It Was - Harry Styles (-6) [#8] {3 weeks} {It's You, Not Me (Sabotage)}

#13: Tom's Diner - AnnenMayKantereit/Giant Rooks (-2) [#8] {6 weeks} {make up sex}

#12: Lifestyle - Jason Derulo/Adam Levine (-9) [4 weeks at #1] {60 weeks} {N/A}

#11: MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) - Lil Nas X (-4) [#2] {20 weeks} {N/A}

#10: Faking Love - Anitta/Saweetie (-) [#3] {25 weeks} {How Long}

#9: The Joker And The Queen - Ed Sheeran/Taylor Swift (+7) [#6] {11 weeks} {Another Man's Jeans}

#8: Maybe You're The Problem - Ava Max (DEBUT) [1 week in Hit-Bound] {1 week} {N/A}

#7: House On Fire - Mimi Webb (+7) [#7] {6 weeks} {N/A} *new peak*

#6: MF - Bailey Bryan/24kGoldn (+6) [#4] {7 weeks} {make up sex}

#5: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa (-1) [#4] {6 weeks} {N/A}

#4: It's You, Not Me (Sabotage) - Masked Wolf/Bebe Rexha (+22) [#2] {22 weeks} {N/A}

#3: Another Man's Jeans - Ashe (+10) [#2] {9 weeks} {N/A}

#2: make up sex - Machine Gun Kelly/blackbear (+3) [#2] {6 weeks} {How Long}

#1: How Long - Tove Lo (+14) [1st week at #1] {8 weeks} *new peak*

Last Year's #1: Peaches - Justin Bieber/Daniel Caesar/Giveon [1/1 week at #1]

Biggest Drop: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat

Biggest Jump: It's You, Not Me (Sabotage) - Masked Wolf/Bebe Rexha (+22)

Hit-Bound Dropouts

I Can't Help But Feel - Surfaces [3]

WYD Now? - Sadie Jean [11]

Thousand Miles - The Kid LAROI [2]

HANDSOMER (Remix) - Russ/Ktlyn [4]

Hit-Bound

#11: In The Stars - Benson Boone (DEBUT) [1] {N/A}

#10: this is what falling in love feels like - JVKE (-2) [5] {Move}

#9: That's Hilarious - Charlie Puth (-) [4] {N/A}

#8: No One Dies From Love - Tove Lo (DEBUT) [1] {N/A}

#7: Skyline - Khalid (-) [2] {Love Me More}

#6: Love Me More - Sam Smith (-) [2] {Move}

#5: Hope You're Not Happy - Ashe (DEBUT) [1] {sunburn}

#4: This Love (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift (DEBUT) [1] {sunburn}

#3: sunburn - almost monday (+2) [5] {N/A}

#2: Move - DNCE (DEBUT) [1] {N/A}

#1: Speakers - Alec Benjamin (+9) [4]

Kwaheri, everybody! See you all in the next one.

Week of April 30, 2022 - Imagine Dragons/JID (5)

Hey guys! Welcome back. Hopefully this will set me on a track to be on time from here on out. Anyways, this week was pretty interesting. Lots of big movements on the Countdown, and a bunch of big new songs were released on Friday. So let's jump into it!

Songs We're Saying Goodbye To

When I'm Gone - Alesso/Katy Perry (#19) [#2] {9 weeks}

Dancing Feet - Kygo/DNCE (#7) [#7] {6 weeks}

Last Week's #1: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID (4)

#30: Thousand Miles - The Kid LAROI (DEBUT) [1 week in Hit-Bound] {1 week}

#29: First Class - Jack Harlow (+1) [#29] {2 weeks} *new peak*

#28: 10 Things I Hate About You - Leah Kate (DEBUT) [5 weeks in Hit-Bound] {1 week}

#27: TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins (-2) [#25] {5 weeks}

#26: All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love) - Lauv (+3) [#26] {2 weeks} *new peak*

#25: IDGAF - BoyWithUke/blackbear (+2) [#25] {5 weeks} *new peak*

#24: About Damn Time - Lizzo (+4) [#24] {2 weeks} *new peak*

#23: Weatherman - Eddie Benjamin (+1) [#18] {10 weeks}

#22: Overpass Graffiti - Ed Sheeran (-7) [5 weeks at #1] {24 weeks}

#21: House On Fire - Mimi Webb (-1) [#20] {6 weeks}

#20: Woman - Doja Cat (-3) [#12] {16 weeks}

#19: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith (-3) [#10] {15 weeks}

#18: Sunroof - Nicky Youre/dazy (+8) [#18] {3 weeks} *new peak*

#17: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat (+6) [#17] {6 weeks} *new peak*

#16: Bones - Imagine Dragons (+2) [#16] {2 weeks} *new peak*

#15: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran (-3) [#12] {8 weeks}

#14: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes (-1) [#13] {4 weeks}

#13: Out of Time - The Weeknd (+8) [#13] {5 weeks} *new peak*

#12: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear (-9) [#3] {13 weeks}

#11: Big Energy - Latto (-) [#7] {14 weeks}

#10: 2step - Ed Sheeran/Lil Baby (-1) [#9] {5 weeks}

#9: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max (-3) [#4] {12 weeks}

#8: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae (+2) [#8] {12 weeks} *new peak*

#7: Light Switch - Charlie Puth (-5) [1 week at #1] {14 weeks}

#6: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron (+8) [#6] {9 weeks} *new peak*

#5: COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer (-) [#5] {8 weeks}

#4: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold (-) [#2] {11 weeks}

#3: As It Was - Harry Styles (+19) [#3] {4 weeks} *new peak*

#2: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa (+6) [#2] {7 weeks} *new peak*

#1: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID (-) [5th week at #1] {14 weeks}

Last Year's #1: We're Good - Dua Lipa [1/2 weeks at #1]

Countdown Extra: Sunshine - Latto/Lil Wayne/Childish Gambino

Our first debut, at #30 this week, is The Kid LAROI's newest single (and first in 2022), Thousand Miles. I've liked pretty much everything that The Kid LAROI has put out so far. I can definitely see how some people would find his voice annoying, but I personally like it. I don't know why, I just think it's really unique, and fits his style really nicely. This song's definitely a lot less immediately catchy than his last few songs, but I think it's just as good. The melodies here, especially during the chorus, are very well-done, even if the song isn't all that catchy. Solid pre-chorus too. The production here is great, I like the mix of piano and guitar along with the trap beat. I think it all works really well together. I'm, like, 99% sure that this won't be as big as WITHOUT YOU or STAY, but I don't mind too much, because that means that it won't get overplayed, and I can just continue to enjoy this one. Very solid song, I'd love to see it do well here.

For our second and final debut of the week, we have Leah Kate, who's been announced as our newest Hits One to Watch, with her song 10 Things I Hate About You. The first thing I heard from her was F U Anthem, which was a mess in every sense of the word, so I wasn't too sold on Leah Kate as a whole. As for this one, though, it's much better. One of my biggest issues with F U Anthem was that the mixing was atrocious, and while that's still somewhat of an issue here, it's much less of one. Leah Kate sounds good here, the pop-punk production fits nicely, although I wish I could hear some of the background guitar stuff more, because it's pretty well-done. The writing in the chorus is kinda clever, with the whole counting thing, and although some of the lines are definitely a little cringey, I think "1, I hate the fact that you made me love you" is enough of a payoff to make up for the weaker lines. Easily the best line here though is right before the second chorus, "And I've got a list of why you don't get to f*** me". Honestly, I think it's even better censored, because it makes the whole thing that much more funny. So yeah, overall, this song has its flaws, but it's much more enjoyable than our last One to Watch, so I'll happily take it.

Best Debut: Thousand Miles - The Kid LAROI

Biggest Drop: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear (-9): I figured this was coming eventually, because it was started to fade everywhere else, but given how much Hits 1 loves both Avril and blackbear, I had my doubts. I'm definitely surprised it made it all the way up to #3, though.

Biggest Jump: As It Was - Harry Styles (+19): I mean... it was only a matter of time. I'm not particularly mad that this is all the way up here, because it's a solid song. I kinda wish it would hold off just for a bit, so we can maybe get an Em Beihold or Megan Thee Stallion #1, but I'm sure that's not gonna happen, so I've accepted it. Considering this is Harry's biggest song yet, I'm sure it'll be #1 for a very long time here. Enjoy, folks.

Countdown Ranking

0 - Awful:

#30: Weatherman - Eddie Benjamin

1 - Bad:

NONE!

2 - Mediocre:

#29: COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer

3 - Decent:

#28: First Class - Jack Harlow

#27: Woman - Doja Cat

#26: As It Was - Harry Styles

#25: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron

4 - Good:

#24: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith

#23: 10 Things I Hate About You - Leah Kate

#22: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa

#21: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran

#20: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max

#19: All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love) - Lauv

#18: Overpass Graffiti - Ed Sheeran

5 - Great:

#17: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear

#16: Thousand Miles - The Kid LAROI

#15: 2step - Ed Sheeran/Lil Baby

#14: TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins

#13: Sunroof - Nicky Youre/dazy

#12: House On Fire - Mimi Webb

#11: About Damn Time - Lizzo

#10: Big Energy - Latto

#9: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat

#8: IDGAF - BoyWithUke/blackbear

#7: Light Switch - Charlie Puth

#6: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes

#5: Out of Time - The Weeknd

#4: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae

#3: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold

#2: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID

#1: Bones - Imagine Dragons

Overall Score: 127/150 = 85%

5 Oldest Songs

#5: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear {13 weeks}
#4: Big Energy - Latto, Light Switch - Charlie Puth & Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID {14 weeks}
#3: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith {15 weeks}
#2: Woman - Doja Cat {16 weeks}
#1: Overpass Graffiti - Ed Sheeran {24 weeks}

#1 Recommendation for Hits 1: Sleep Tight - Holly Humberstone

My Top 10 Songs Last Year

#10: Save Your Tears - The Weeknd (#18)

#9: Once In A Lifetime - All Time Low (#24)

#8: Beautiful Mistakes - Maroon 5/Megan Thee Stallion (#17)

#7: Wave of You - Surfaces (#28)

#6: pov - Ariana Grande (#11)

#5: forget me too - Machine Gun Kelly/Halsey (#3)

#4: Astronaut In The Ocean - Masked Wolf (#15)

#3: Way Less Sad - AJR (#12)

#2: Overdrive - Conan Gray (#2)

#1: Follow You - Imagine Dragons (#14)

Most Missed Song: Live While We're Young - One Direction

Hit-Bound

Sunshine - Latto/Lil Wayne/Childish Gambino [2]

psychofreak - Camila Cabello/WILLOW [3]

this is what falling in love feels like - JVKE [4]

Maybe You're The Problem - Ava Max [1]

That's Hilarious - Charlie Puth [3]

Skyline - Khalid [1]

Don't Lose Sight - Lawrence [8]

Love Me More - Sam Smith [1]

Where you are - PinkPantheress/WILLOW [2]

Flowers - Lauren Spencer-Smith [3]

Honest - Justin Bieber/Don Toliver [1]

Checkmate - Jena Rose [9]

Go The Distance - New Rules [4]

Words - Alesso/Zara Larsson [2]

Abyss

Chosen - Blxst/Tyga/Ty Dolla $ign

Dancing Feet - Kygo/DNCE

Don't Forget My Love - Diplo/Miguel

Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat

HANDSOMER (Remix) - Russ/Ktlyn

I Can't Help But Feel - Surfaces

I Love You So - The Walters

Just a Cloud Away - Pharrell Williams

Peru - Fireboy DML/Ed Sheeran

Remind Me - Tom Grennan

Hype sucks. When an artist announces something way ahead of the release date, it just build up your expectations of the song, because you have to wait for it. Then, most of the time, it just wasn't worth the wait. This new Ava Max song, Maybe You're The Problem was announced a long time ago, and naturally, I was pretty excited when I heard it was coming, because Ava has a pretty great track record of making bops. And BOY did it actually live up to the hype. In fact, it surpassed the hype. I would honestly say that this is the best Ava Max song that I've heard. The second I heard that intro, I was immediately hooked, and knew I was in for something special, which isn't a common thing with new songs. It's so stupidly catchy, and I've had trouble getting out of my head this past week. That chorus is nothing short of masterful. Then, you have Ava's great voice, on top of a very well-done synth-driven track. Seriously, the production is so good on this one. It's super dancy, the song has nice momentum that never really drops, and the riff in the post-chorus is fantastic. I'm not so sure I'm a huge fan of the bridge yet, but I'm sure it'll grow on me. It certainly doesn't ruin the song. Overall, this is an amazing song, and I'd love to see it do well here. Great job, Ava, you did it again.

Next, we have a new Khalid song called Skyline. I've generally been a fan of Khalid, because I think he has a great voice, and can pull off a bunch of different styles. It seems like he's kind of going for a Song of the Summer thing here, and while I don't think he entirely pulled it off, it's still an enjoyable song. The bassline is super groovy, and the chorus is really catchy too, but I don't know. Something about Khalid's voice doesn't really fit here. Obviously, there's the super weird intro that's painful to listen to, but other than that, I can't really understand what he's saying most of the time. It doesn't bother me all that much, and I think he executes the song fine, I just also think it could've been much better if someone else recorded it.

Ayy, Sam Smith is back! It's been a while since they've brought us a single, with their last big one being Diamonds from 2020. I remember, actually, that song dropped the same day as Holy by Justin Bieber, and I really enjoyed both. Anyways, Sam has flip-flopped a lot between upbeat songs and slower songs lately, and with this new one, Love Me More, they really seem to be trying to find a middle. Because the tempo itself is kind of upbeat, but the song's also really chill. I think they pulled it off really well, too. I enjoy this one probably more than I should, because it has obvious flaws, but I don't mind too much. I think the song evolves nicely enough to keep me interested, and Sam sounds great throughout, too. I like the melodies here, although the chorus kinda sneaks up on me, and it's a little hard to tell that you're in the chorus when you're in it. Good song, I'd love to see it do well, although it probably won't.

...aaaand to kill our good streak of songs, we have none other than the aforementioned Justin Bieber. Funny how Sam and Justin dropped on the same day twice now. Anyways, for our final Hit-Bound debut, he teams up with Don Toliver on a song called Honest, and if you remember the last time they collaborated, they brought us Don't Go with Skrillex, which was a really messy and pretty bad song. And this song sounds pretty much identical. I'm pretty sure it even has the same chords (or at least very similar ones). The production is super weird here, and feels generally very clunky. The chorus is strange, and honestly sounds improvised. Justin doesn't sound that good here either, and doesn't really fit with the vibe of the song. Honestly, I'm surprised to say this, but the only saving grace of this song is Don Toliver. He fits much better here than Justin does, and I honestly kinda like his verse. But, yeah, I still don't want this to be a hit.

Ha. You thought I was done. Nope! We've got a song in the Abyss that I've never talked about before. Just a Cloud Away by Pharrell Williams. From *sighs* the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack. Yup. You heard me right. The movie from 2013. This song is nine years old. It came from the same soundtrack as Happy. I remember this song, and it's probably been six or seven years since I'd have a good reason to. Take a wild guess where this came from. Did you guess TikTok? Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay. Enough of the clowning, though. In all honesty, this song isn't bad. Pharrell sounds good throughout, the song is pretty catchy, and the vibe is nice and chill. It's definitely not as upbeat as Happy, and I wouldn't expect it to be, because it WASn't the SINgle. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Overall, good song? Yes. Should this be on radio? Absolutely not.

As for dropouts, we say goodbye to Riptide, HANDSOMER and Speakers. Riptide was great, so I'm really sad that it only spent a week here. It deserved more. Speakers was alright, but I didn't really expect it to debut. As for HANDSOMER, it's my least favourite of the songs that left, and it's the one that moved into the Abyss... great. I doubt this will debut, but we'll see. Hits 1 likes to throw curveballs sometimes.

Best Hit-Bound Debut: Maybe You're The Problem - Ava Max

Hit-Bound/Abyss Ranking

0 - Awful:

#24: this is what falling in love feels like - JVKE

#23: I Love You So - The Walters

1 - Bad:

#22: Honest - Justin Bieber/Don Toliver

#21: I Can't Help But Feel - Surfaces

#20: Where you are - PinkPantheress/WILLOW

2 - Mediocre:

#19: HANDSOMER (Remix) - Russ/Ktlyn

3 - Decent:

#18: Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat

#17: Words - Alesso/Zara Larsson

4 - Good:

#16: psychofreak - Camila Cabello/WILLOW

#15: Checkmate - Jena Rose

#14: Peru - Fireboy DML/Ed Sheeran

#13: Skyline - Khalid

#12: Just a Cloud Away - Pharrell Williams

#11: That's Hilarious - Charlie Puth

#10: Go The Distance - New Rules

5 - Great:

#9: Flowers - Lauren Spencer-Smith

#8: Love Me More - Sam Smith

#7: Remind Me - Tom Grennan

#6: Don't Forget My Love - Diplo/Miguel

#5: Sunshine - Latto/Lil Wayne/Childish Gambino

#4: Don't Lose Sight - Lawrence

#3: Dancing Feet - Kygo/DNCE

#2: Chosen - Blxst/Tyga/Ty Dolla $ign

#1: Maybe You're The Problem - Ava Max

Overall Score: 88/120 = 73%

10 Things I Bluuuuuurb Aaaaabouuuuuut Youuuuuu

Our Countdown exits this week were When I'm Gone and Dancing Feet. I got really bored of When I'm Gone really quickly, so I'm not disappointed at all that it's gone. As for Dancing Feet, I know it was fading on radio, but it shouldn't have. It especially shouldn't have dropped out at #7. It's in the Abyss for now, but we'll see how much longer this lasts.

Looks like Overpass Graffiti is probably on its last week here. I'm okay with that, even though the song hasn't stopped growing on me.

Um... nobody gonna question why Sunroof jumped eight spots? No? We're just rolling with it and moving on? Ok then.

Freaky Deaky is up at #17, which is great to see. I'd love to see this do well here.

Bones jumped to #16 on its second week here, which I think bodes well. Who knows? Maybe this will hit #1 too.

Another song that got an eight-spot jump this week was Out of Time. I've been with this song since January pretty much, so it's less new to me now than it probably is for most people, but I'm still glad to see it doing well.

Oh yeah! Ed Sheeran decided to make a remix of his newest single, 2step, and who did he choose to be on it? Lil Baby. Yup. That was a choice. But honestly? It makes the song so much better. I actually really like Lil Baby's verse here, and it makes the song feel so much more fresh and new. Another positive on top of that is that this means we'll probably get a Lil Baby #1 on the Weekend Countdown sometime in the future.

Boyfriend is all the way up at #6, and the song's started to fade on me, so... meh.

For whatever reason, Sweetest Pie jumped all the way up to #2. I'll take it, I guess. I'm still not loving the song, though.

How Hits 1 Songs Are Doing on the Hot 100

#1: As It Was - Harry Styles

#2: First Class - Jack Harlow

#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

#10: Ghost - Justin Bieber

#11: THATS WHAT I WANT - Lil Nas X

#12: Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran

#13: abcdefu - GAYLE

#14: Shivers - Ed Sheeran

#15: Cold Heart (Remix) - Elton John/Dua Lipa/PNAU

#16: Easy On Me - Adele

#17: Need to Know - Doja Cat

#18: Save Your Tears (Remix) - The Weeknd/Ariana Grande

#19: One Right Now - Post Malone/The Weeknd

#21: Levitating - Dua Lipa

#23: INDUSTRY BABY - Lil Nas X/Jack Harlow

#25: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran

#27: We Don't Talk About Bruno - Encanto Cast

#33: good 4 u - Olivia Rodrigo

#34: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa

#35: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith

#36: I Hate U - SZA

#37: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron

#38: TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins

#39: You Right - Doja Cat/The Weeknd

#40: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold

#41: Fancy Like - Walker Hayes

#44: pushin P - Gunna/Future/Young Thug

#46: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max

#47: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae

#48: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes

#50: About Damn Time - Lizzo

#52: Light Switch - Charlie Puth

#54: Peru - Fireboy DML/Ed Sheeran

#55: Flowers - Lauren Spencer-Smith

#57: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat

#70: HANDSOMER (Remix) - Russ/Ktlyn

#73: Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat

#77: Circles Around This Town - Maren Morris

#81: I Love You So - The Walters

#85: COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer

#87: Bones - Imagine Dragons

Hunger Games Countdown Top 10

#10: Faking Love - Anitta/Saweetie

#9: Celebrity Skin - Doja Cat

#8: As It Was - Harry Styles

#7: MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) - Lil Nas X

#6: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes

#5: make up sex - Machine Gun Kelly/blackbear

#4: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa

#3: Lifestyle - Jason Derulo/Adam Levine

#2: Paralyzed - Sueco

#1: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat

If the Countdown Made Sense Top 10

#10: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max

#9: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae

#8: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron

#7: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran

#6: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith

#5: Woman - Doja Cat

#4: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa

#3: As It Was - Harry Styles

#2: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID

#1: Big Energy - Latto

Kwaheri, everybody! See you all in the next one.

If the Countdown Made Sense: Week of April 30, 2022 - Latto (3)

Welcome back to ItCMS! This week, we see Latto's Big Energy hold at #1 for a third week in a row. We also have debuts from Jack Harlow and Lizzo! Oh, and also, I decided to only include non-Hits 1 songs from the Billboard Pop Chart again, because all the other songs were just taking up space.

Songs We're Saying Goodbye To

Overpass Graffiti - Ed Sheeran (#30) [#16] {22 weeks}

Dancing Feet - Kygo/DNCE (#22) [#20] {6 weeks}

Last Week's #1: Big Energy - Latto (2)

#30: STAY - The Kid LAROI/Justin Bieber (-1) [10 weeks at #1] {41 weeks} {N/A}

#29: Ghost - Justin Bieber (-1) [1 week at #1] {31 weeks} {N/A}

#28: Heat Waves - Glass Animals (-2) [#10] {35 weeks} {N/A}

#27: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear (-9) [#18] {12 weeks} {-15}

#26: One Right Now - Post Malone/The Weeknd (+1) [#3] {25 weeks} {N/A}

#25: 2step - Ed Sheeran/Lil Baby (-1) [#24] {2 weeks} {-15}

#24: THATS WHAT I WANT - Lil Nas X (+1) [2 weeks at #1] {31 weeks} {N/A}

#23: Out of Time - The Weeknd (-) [#23] {2 weeks} {-10}

#22: Don't Forget My Love - Diplo/Miguel (-1) [#21] {3 weeks} {N/A}

#21: Freaky Deaky - Tyga/Doja Cat (-6) [#15] {4 weeks} {-4}

#20: I Love You So - The Walters (-1) [#19] {6 weeks} {N/A}

#19: Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat (+1) [#19] {2 weeks} {N/A} *new peak*

#18: Light Switch - Charlie Puth (-4) [#6] {13 weeks} {-11}

#17: Chosen - Blxst/Tyga/Ty Dolla $ign (-) [#17] {7 weeks} {N/A}

#16: Peru - Fireboy DML/Ed Sheeran (-) [#16] {6 weeks} {N/A}

#15: First Class - Jack Harlow (DEBUT) [1 week in Hit-Bound] {1 week} {+14}

#14: About Damn Time - Lizzo (DEBUT) [1 week in Hit-Bound] {1 week} {+10}

#13: COMPLETE MESS - 5 Seconds of Summer (-) [#13] {7 weeks} {-8}

#12: Numb Little Bug - Em Beihold (-) [#12] {9 weeks} {-8}

#11: When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes (-) [#11] {3 weeks} {+3}

#10: The Motto - Tiësto/Ava Max (-) [#9] {11 weeks} {-1}

#9: she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae (-1) [#8] {11 weeks} {-1}

#8: Boyfriend - Dove Cameron (+1) [#8] {8 weeks} {-2} *new peak*

#7: Bam Bam - Camila Cabello/Ed Sheeran (-1) [#6] {8 weeks} {+8}

#6: Fingers Crossed - Lauren Spencer-Smith (-2) [#4] {13 weeks} {+13}

#5: Woman - Doja Cat (-2) [2 weeks at #1] {16 weeks} {+15}

#4: Sweetest Pie - Megan Thee Stallion/Dua Lipa (+1) [#4] {7 weeks} {-2} *new peak*

#3: As It Was - Harry Styles (+4) [#3] {4 weeks} {-} *new peak*

#2: Enemy - Imagine Dragons/JID (-) [#2] {12 weeks} {-1}

#1: Big Energy - Latto (-) [3rd week at #1] {14 weeks} {+10}

Last Year's #1: Peaches - Justin Bieber/Daniel Caesar/Giveon [1/2 weeks at #1]

Biggest Drop: Love It When You Hate Me - Avril Lavigne/blackbear (-9)

Biggest Jump: As It Was - Harry Styles (+4)

Hit-Bound

10 Things I Hate About You - Leah Kate [6]

All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love) - Lauv [4]

Bones - Imagine Dragons [5]

Checkmate - Jena Rose [13]

Don't Lose Sight - Lawrence [8]

Flowers - Lauren Spencer-Smith [3]

Go The Distance - New Rules [4]

Honest - Justin Bieber/Don Toliver [1]

House On Fire - Mimi Webb [11]

IDGAF - BoyWithUke/blackbear [6]

Just a Cloud Away - Pharrell Williams [4]

Love Me More - Sam Smith [1]

MAMIII - Becky G/KAROL G [7]

Maybe You're The Problem - Ava Max [1]

psychofreak - Camila Cabello/WILLOW [3]

Skyline - Khalid [1]

Sunroof - Nicky Youre/dazy [11]

Sunshine - Latto/Lil Wayne/Childish Gambino [2]

That's Hilarious - Charlie Puth [3]

this is what falling in love feels like - JVKE [4]

Thousand Miles - The Kid LAROI [2]

TO THE MOON - Jnr Choi/Sam Tompkins [5]

Weatherman - Eddie Benjamin [11]

Where you are - PinkPantheress/WILLOW [2]

Words - Alesso/Zara Larsson [2]

Kwaheri, everybody! See you all in the next one.