Highlights from Adam’s Top 40: November 1, 2015

“Down” is back up at the top.

DEBUTS
40. Kelly Clarkson – Piece By Piece
39. Adam Lambert – Another Lonely Night
36. Gwen Stefani – Used To Love You | HIGHEST DEBUT

TOP GAINERS
30. Martin Luke Brown – Knife Edge (35)
29. Take That – Hey Boy (37)
23. One Direction – Perfect (31)
10. Adele – Hello (25) | BIGGEST MOVER

THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
10. Adele – Hello (25) | PEAK: #10
09. Conrad Sewell – Hold Me Up (10) | PEAK: #09
08. BANNERS – Shine A Light (11) | PEAK: #08
07. Ellie Goulding – On My Mind (09) | PEAK: #07
06. Carly Rae Jepsen – Run Away With Me (05) | PEAK: #02
05. A Great Big World – Hold Each Other (03) | PEAK: #01 for four weeks
04. Taylor Swift – Wildest Dreams (04) | PEAK: #04
03. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness – High Dive (06) | PEAK: #03
02. Years & Years – Desire (02) | PEAK: #02
01. One Direction – Drag Me Down (01) | PEAK: #01 for two weeks

Top 10 Next In Line:
1. Secret Weapons – Something New (1)
2. The Score – Oh My Love (4)
3. Jeff Lynne’s ELO – When I Was A Boy (2)
4. Harry Connick Jr. – (I Do) Like We Do (3)
5. Matt Woods – Blue Skies (9)
6. The Vamps – Wake Up (6)
7. James Morrison – Demons (5)
8. Lipstick Gypsy – The Cure (-)
9. The Front Bottoms – HELP (-)
10. Tori Kelly – Hollow (-)

In The Mix:
Andrew Ripp – Hole In My Heart
Ben Haenow featuring Kelly Clarkson – Second Hand Heart
BØRNS – 10,000 Emerald Pools
Bronze Radio Return – Light Me Up
Carly Rae Jepsen – Your Type
Causes – To The River
Elton John – Looking Up
Hilary Duff and Jem & The Holograms – Youngblood
Hippo Campus – South
HØØNCH – Top
JoJo – When Love Hurts
Marianas Trench – One Love
Matt Nathanson – Adrenaline
Nathan Sykes – Over And Over Again
Olly Murs – Kiss Me
Patrick James – In New Light
Phoebe Ryan – Mine
Royal Wood – Long Way Out
Rudimental featuring Ed Sheeran – Lay It All On Me
Ruen Brothers – Aces
SafetySuit – Looking Up
The All-American Rejects – There’s A Place (new)
Tor Miller – Carter & Cash
X Ambassadors – Unsteady
Zac Brown Band – Beautiful Drug

Chart Notes:

• This week’s Highest Debut at #36 is from Gwen Stefani and her new ballad called “Used To Love You”. It’s scheduled to be on her forthcoming studio album, although there have been a few attempts to launch it in the last year with singles that just fizzled out. This song, however, could be a different story. Stefani’s last tune to reach my chart was “Settle Down” as a part of No Doubt, which went to #9 in the summer of 2012.
• Former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert brings his total to six top 40 singles on my chart with his debut at #39 this week, “Another Lonely Night”. It’s the second cut from his album The Original High to make it on, the other being the top 20 hit “Ghost Town” from earlier this year. Lambert’s sole #1 for me thus far is 2010’s “Whataya Want From Me”.
• Finally, at #40, another Idol, first season winner Kelly Clarkson, enters with the title track from her album from earlier this year, Piece By Piece. Both of the prior singles to be released from it, “Heartbeat Song” and “Invincible”, made my top ten, though neither one was a longevity champ. We’ll see if this track can stay around a little longer.
• As we enter the month of November, and the sweaters and snow boots start to come out, there are only four more Adam’s Top 40 charts until the end of the 2015 Chart Year. Who is gonna rank at #1? Stay tuned for more updates on the Top 100 of 2015 survey, which will be counted down in mid-December here on PGTC.

(See my full chart on the M4BCC message board) (Listen to this week’s chart and more on Spotify)

ADAM’S TOP 40 FLASHBACK: October 28, 2012

The Power of One.

It is time for yet another trip back into the archives on Adam’s Top 40 Flashback! Every Saturday, the day before my latest top 40 goes up for the week, I’ll be featuring a past countdown straight from chart files of Adam’s Top 40. They’re all here — the hit songs, the songs that flopped, and the songs that may be a little embarrassing to reflect on. Alright, let’s get a move on and back to just a few years ago with my top songs from this week in 2012…

Debuts:
40. JIM BRICKMAN & LUKE MCMASTER, “Good Morning Beautiful”
39. OLLY MURS, “Troublemaker”

Biggest Mover(s):
KELLY CLARKSON, “Catch My Breath” (36-27, nine spots)

10. OWL CITY & CARLY RAE JEPSEN, “Good Time” (down 2)
Album: The Midsummer Station (2012, Republic Records) and Kiss (2012, 604/Schoolboy/Interscope Records)
Peak: #1 for two weeks

09. KEANE, “Disconnected” (up 1)
Album: Strangeland (2012, Cherrytree/Interscope Records)
Peak: #8

08. ONEREPUBLIC, “Feel Again” (up 1)
Album: Native (2013, Mosley/Interscope Records)
Peak: #7 for three weeks

07. PINK, “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” (down 1)
Album: The Truth About Love (2012, RCA Records)
Peak: #2 for two weeks

06. WALK THE MOON, “Anna Sun” (up 1)
Album: Walk The Moon (2012, RCA Records)
Peak: #6 for three weeks

05. TAYLOR SWIFT, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (steady, second week)
Album: Red (2012, Big Machine/Republic Records)
Peak: #4 for three weeks

04. ONE DIRECTION, “Live While We’re Young” (steady, second week)
Album: Take Me Home (2012, Syco/Columbia Records)
Peak: #2

03. THE SCRIPT featuring WILL.I.AM, “Hall Of Fame” (down 1)
Album: #3 (2012, Epic Records)
Peak: #1 for four weeks

02. ADELE, “Skyfall” (up 1)
Album: Skyfall – Single (2012, XL/Columbia Records)
Peak: #1 for three weeks

01. ANDY GRAMMER, “Miss Me” (up 1)
Album: Andy Grammer (2011, S-Curve Records)
Peak: #1 for two weeks

Check back next Saturday for another Adam’s Top 40 Flashback countdown and don’t forget to follow the blog by using the tab below or find PGTC on social media by clicking the “Get Social!” tab at the top of the page.

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: Releases For The Week of October 30, 2015

A spooky set of new releases.

This week’s New Music Friday is a good one for all the ghouls and girls of the world, with many treats to be devoured. Is a trick or two in the works as well? Get your costume ready — here’s a look at the week’s top new album and single releases for Halloween:

• FALL OUT BOY — Make America Psycho Again (iTunes)
  • Earlier this year, the Illinois rockers debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with American Beauty/American Psycho, a set that featured hit singles like “Centuries” and “Uma Thurman”. This new release is a totally remixed version, with urban acts appearing on all of the cuts, including Migos and Wiz Khalifa. It may be polarizing for many, but it will likely debut well (for a remixes album, at least) next week.
• CHRIS JANSON — Buy Me A Boat (iTunes)
  • The title track from Janson’s debut album recently topped the Country radio survey, and now, second single “Power Of Positive Drinkin'” hopes to continue that momentum as it grows at the format. It likely won’t be strong enough to grab the top spot on the Country albums chart, though a top five entry is possible.
• THE NEIGHBOURHOOD — Wiped Out! (iTunes)
  • “R.I.P. 2 My Youth” is the name of their latest single, which is just inside the top 30 on Alternative radio, but there’s no need to bury this era just yet. Aided by some Beats 1 action, the California act should see a solid turnout for their first studio album in two years.
• VARIOUS ARTISTS — We Love Disney (iTunes)
  • The latest Disney covers album is a goldmine of top artists like Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, Tori Kelly and a lot more doing their takes on the classics. It’s a cool collection and among the most intriguing releases of the week.
• More albums out this week: Alanis Morissette‘s Jagged Little Pill (Collector’s Edition) (iTunes), Bryan Adams‘s Get Up (iTunes), Car Seat Headrest‘s Teens Of Style (iTunes), Carnage‘s Papi Gordo (iTunes), Crown The Empire‘s The Resistance (Deluxe) (iTunes), Def Leppard‘s Def Leppard (iTunes), Drive-By Truckers‘s It’s Great To Be Alive! (iTunes), Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra‘s If I Can Dream (iTunes), EL VY‘s Return To The Moon (iTunes), Imagine Dragons‘s Smoke + Mirrors (Deluxe) (iTunes), Josh Ward‘s Holding Me Together (iTunes), Jovanie‘s What’s The Move, Pt. II (iTunes), Marc Scibilia‘s Out Of Style (iTunes), Puscifer‘s Money Shot (iTunes), Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings‘s It’s A Holiday Soul Party (iTunes), Steve Martin and Edie Brickell‘s So Familiar (iTunes), Straight No Chaser‘s The New Old Fashioned (iTunes), Trey Anastasio‘s Paper Wheels (iTunes), NOW That’s What I Call Music! 56 (iTunes), NOW That’s What I Call Disney Princess! (iTunes), Original Soundtrack to “AMY” (iTunes)
• More EPs out this week: Bruns‘s Bruns (iTunes), Kelley Stoltz‘s 4 New Cuts (iTunes), LoCash‘s I Love This Life (iTunes)

New digital-only singles that you can buy this week include:

• “All I Want Is Love”, A Great Big World (iTunes)
• “Army”, Ellie Goulding (iTunes)
• “Black & Blue”, James TW (iTunes)
• “Door Number Three”, Sara Bareilles (iTunes)
• “Ego”, Bibi Bourelly (iTunes)
• “Fix”, Chris Lane (iTunes)
• “Focus”, Ariana Grande (iTunes)
• “Gold”, Kiiara (iTunes)
• “Grown”, Little Mix (iTunes)
• “Heart Is Full”, Miike Snow (iTunes)
• “Humble And Kind”, Tim McGraw (iTunes)
• “I Don’t Belong To You”, Keke Palmer (iTunes)
• “I Know A Guy”, Chris Young (iTunes)
• “I Want To Love You”, Mat Kearney (iTunes)
• “Let The Games Begin”, AJR (iTunes)
• “Mess Around”, Cage The Elephant (iTunes)
• “One Step At A Time”, Jeff Lynne’s ELO (iTunes)
• “Random”, G-Eazy (iTunes)
• “Thank God For Girls”, Weezer (iTunes)
• “There’s A Place”, The All-American Rejects (iTunes)
• “You Look Like I Need a Drink”, Justin Moore (iTunes)

Next Friday, our preview will include new albums from notable artists like Ellie Goulding, Little Mix, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw and many more. See you then!

Highlights from Adam’s Top 40: October 25, 2015

They’re “Down” with a second chart-topper.

DEBUTS
25. Adele – Hello

TOP GAINERS
31. One Direction – Perfect (37)
21. The 1975 – Love Me (31) | BIGGEST MOVER — two weeks (tie)
20. DNCE – Cake By The Ocean (30) | BIGGEST MOVER (tie)
11. BANNERS – Shine A Light (21) | BIGGEST MOVER (tie)
09. Ellie Goulding – On My Mind (14)

THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
10. Conrad Sewell – Hold Me Up (10) | PEAK: #10
09. Ellie Goulding – On My Mind (14) | PEAK: #09
08. Duran Duran featuring Janelle Monáe and Nile Rodgers – Pressure Off (06) | PEAK: #01 for five weeks
07. Gavin James – Bitter Pill (07) | PEAK: #07
06. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness – High Dive (08) | PEAK: #06
05. Carly Rae Jepsen – Run Away With Me (02) | PEAK: #02
04. Taylor Swift – Wildest Dreams (05) | PEAK: #04
03. A Great Big World – Hold Each Other (01) | PEAK: #01 for four weeks
02. Years & Years – Desire (04) | PEAK: #02
01. One Direction – Drag Me Down (03) | PEAK: #01 for one week | NEW #1

Top 10 Next In Line:
1. Secret Weapons – Something New (1)
2. Jeff Lynne’s ELO – When I Was A Boy (2)
3. Harry Connick Jr. – (I Do) Like We Do (3)
4. The Score – Oh My Love (7)
5. James Morrison – Demons (6)
6. The Vamps – Wake Up (9)
7. Adam Lambert – Another Lonely Night (-)
8. Gwen Stefani – Used To Love You (-)
9. Matt Woods – Blue Skies (-)
10. Kelly Clarkson – Piece By Piece (-)

In The Mix:
Andrew Ripp – Hole In My Heart
Ben Haenow featuring Kelly Clarkson – Second Hand Heart
BØRNS – 10,000 Emerald Pools
Bronze Radio Return – Light Me Up
Bryan Adams – Brand New Day
Carly Rae Jepsen – Your Type
Causes – To The River
Demi Lovato – Confident
Elton John – Looking Up (new)
Hilary Duff and Jem & The Holograms – Youngblood (new)
Hippo Campus – South
HØØNCH – Top
JoJo – When Love Hurts
Lipstick Gypsy – The Cure (new)
Marianas Trench – One Love
Matt Nathanson – Adrenaline
Nathan Sykes – Over And Over Again (new)
Olly Murs – Kiss Me
Patrick James – In New Light
Phoebe Ryan – Mine
Royal Wood – Long Way Out
Rudimental featuring Ed Sheeran – Lay It All On Me
Ruen Brothers – Aces
SafetySuit – Looking Up (new)
Sia – Alive
The Band Perry – Live Forever
The Front Bottoms – HELP
Tor Miller – Carter & Cash
Tori Kelly – Hollow (new)
X Ambassadors – Unsteady
Zac Brown Band – Beautiful Drug

Chart Notes:

• There’s a new one at the top this week, as One Direction advances 3-1 with “Drag Me Down”. Of course, they’re also back at #31 with their newest single, “Perfect”, up from #37 last week. Both songs appear on their forthcoming album, Made In The A.M., out in stores on November 13. “Drag” is the band’s second #1 single on my personal chart: they previously spent three weeks at the summit with “Story Of My Life” (from Midnight Memories) in December 2013.
• Three songs are tied for the Biggest Mover title this week and each of them lands in double-digit territory, up ten spots. If you think that sounds pretty rare, it is. We’re lucky to get one over ten nowadays. Anyways, those three tunes are “Shine A Light” by BANNERS (21-11), “Cake By The Ocean” by DNCE (30-20) and “Love Me” by The 1975 (31-21). All three look good for top ten ranks by the end of November, unless a certain someone changes the plan…
• …and that someone is the current queen of the music industry, Adele, who rockets onto the survey at #25 with this week’s only debut, “Hello”. The single leads off her forthcoming set, 25, due on November 20. Obviously, the slayage is huge, and it won’t be stopping anytime soon. Question is, will the singer be able to grab her fifth #1 on my chart? I think we will know the answer very soon.
• There were a number of new singles by some of my chart favorites that were either announced or received radio dates this week, so watch out for the latest tunes from Adam Lambert, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson and more to jockey for a debut on the chart. I’ll also be starting up the Christmas Corner section again soon should anything catch my attention.
• Only five more top 40 charts left until the end of the 2015 Chart Year, and the competition is real hot. Stay tuned for more updates on the Top 100 of 2015 survey, which will be counted down in December here on PGTC.

(See my full chart on the M4BCC message board) (Listen to this week’s chart and more on Spotify)

ADAM’S TOP 40 FLASHBACK: October 25, 2009

Chart and “Soul”.

It is time for yet another trip back into the archives on Adam’s Top 40 Flashback! Every Saturday, the day before my latest top 40 goes up for the week, I’ll be featuring a past countdown straight from chart files of Adam’s Top 40. They’re all here — the hit songs, the songs that flopped, and the songs that may be a little embarrassing to reflect on. Alright, let’s get a move on and back to midterm season during my sophomore year of college with my top songs from this week in 2009…

Debuts:
38. NORAH JONES, “Chasing Pirates”
37. CREED, “Rain”
36. JOHN MAYER, “Who Says”
32. KRIS ALLEN, “Live Like We’re Dying”

Biggest Mover(s):
MUSE, “Uprising” (38-29, nine spots)

10. MIKA, “We Are Golden” (down 1)
Album: The Boy Who Knew Too Much (2009, Casablanca/Universal Republic Records)
Peak: #6 for two weeks

09. UNCLE KRACKER, “Smile” (down 2)
Album: Happy Hour (2009, Atlantic Records)
Peak: #7 for four weeks

08. OWL CITY, “Fireflies” (up 2)
Album: Ocean Eyes (2009, Universal Republic Records)
Peak: #1 for six weeks

07. GARY GO, “Wonderful” (down 2)
Album: Gary Go (2008, Decca Records)
Peak: #1 for three weeks

06. KELLY CLARKSON, “Already Gone” (up 2)
Album: All I Ever Wanted (2009, 19/RCA Records)
Peak: #2

05. COLBIE CAILLAT, “Fallin’ For You” (down 2)
Album: Breakthrough (2009, Universal Republic Records)
Peak: #3 for three weeks

04. TRAIN, “Hey, Soul Sister” (up 2)
Album: Save Me, San Francisco (2009, Columbia Records)
Peak: #4 for four weeks

03. ROB THOMAS, “Someday” (up 1)
Album: Cradlesong (2009, Emblem/Atlantic Records)
Peak: #2 for four weeks

02. FIVE FOR FIGHTING, “Chances” (down 1)
Album: Slice (2009, Aware/Columbia Records)
Peak: #1 for two weeks

01. MICHAEL BUBLÉ, “Haven’t Met You Yet” (up 1)
Album: Crazy Love (2009, 143/Reprise Records)
Peak: #1 for five weeks

Check back next Saturday for another Adam’s Top 40 Flashback countdown and don’t forget to follow the blog by using the tab below or find PGTC on social media by clicking the “Get Social!” tab at the top of the page.

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: Releases For The Week of October 23, 2015

“Sounds” like a #1 album.

This week’s New Music Friday makes the Summer roll along into the fall, with a number of potential top ten entries making their debuts online and in stores. Who’s bringing the most heat? Here’s a look at the week’s top new album and single releases:

• 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER — Sounds Good Feels Good (iTunes)
  • Last year, this Australian band and their passionate fans took their self-titled effort to #1 in the U.S. and around the world. Now, with a new album and singles like “Hey Everybody!” and “She’s Kinda Hot”, look for the four men to be seated at a real Good place next week, the top of the chart. How high is it destined to go? Stay tuned to find out.
• CARRIE UNDERWOOD — Storyteller (iTunes)
  • Former American Idol winner Underwood has five #1 debuts (four studio albums and a hits compilation) in a row to her credit on the Top Country Albums survey, three of which have also topped the mighty Billboard 200. This could very well be her sixth set to top the genre chart, with “Smoke Break” still gaining well at radio.
• BLAKE SHELTON — Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits (iTunes)
  • Shelton’s newest hits compilation features his 20 #1 singles from the Country radio chart, as well as his latest single, “Gonna”, which just broke the top ten at the format. It should be a consistent seller throughout the holiday season.
• ANDREA BOCELLI — Cinema (iTunes)
  • Bocelli’s latest collection of songs features music of both stage and screen, and includes duets with Ariana Grande and Nicole Scherzinger. A top ten debut should be attainable for opera singer once again.
• More albums out this week: Bizzle‘s Surrender (iTunes), Born Of Osiris‘s Soul Sphere (iTunes), Chris Tomlin‘s Adore: Christmas Songs Of Worship (Live) (iTunes), Dave Gahan & Soulsavers‘s Angels & Ghosts (iTunes), DJ Khaled‘s I Changed A Lot (iTunes), Half Moon Run‘s Sun Leads Me On (iTunes), Harry Connick, Jr.‘s That Would Be Me (iTunes), Joanna Newsom‘s Divers (iTunes), Kyle Park‘s Blue Roof Sessions (iTunes), Marianas Trench‘s Astoria (iTunes), Omarion‘s Reasons (iTunes), Outasight‘s Big Trouble (iTunes), Rod Stewart‘s Another Country (iTunes), Seinabo Sey‘s Pretend (iTunes), Vanessa Carlton‘s Liberman (iTunes), Walter Trout‘s Battle Scars (iTunes), NOW That’s What I Call Country Christmas (iTunes)
• More EPs out this week: Coleman Hell‘s Coleman Hell (iTunes), DNCE‘s SWAAY (iTunes), love+war‘s Hue (iTunes), POWERS‘s Legendary (iTunes), The Chainsmokers‘s Bouquet (iTunes), The Mosers‘s Ticonderoga (iTunes), Whisperer‘s Whisperer (iTunes)

New digital-only singles that you can buy this week include:

• “Bad Idea”, Sara Bareilles featuring Jason Mraz (iTunes)
• “Dancing On Glass”, St. Lucia (iTunes)
• “Emperor’s New Clothes”, Panic! At The Disco (iTunes)
• “End Of The World”, A Great Big World (iTunes)
• “GoGo!”, Baauer (iTunes)
• “Hello”, Adele (iTunes)
• “Hollow”, Tori Kelly (iTunes)
• “Home”, One Direction (iTunes)
• “Looking Up”, Elton John (iTunes)
• “Lost And Found”, Ellie Goulding (iTunes)
• “One”, Esperanza Spalding (iTunes)
• “Slow Down Time”, Us The Duo (iTunes)
• “Snapback”, Old Dominion (iTunes)
• “Sorry”, Justin Bieber (iTunes)
• “Think Of You”, Chris Young featuring Cassadee Pope (iTunes)
• “Used To Love You”, Gwen Stefani (iTunes)
• “Used To Love You Sober”, Kane Brown (iTunes)
• “When The Truth Hunts You Down”, Sam Tinnesz (iTunes)
• “Working For It”, Zhu x Skrillex x They (iTunes)

Next Friday, our preview will include new albums from Chris Janson, Def Leppard, The Neighbourhood and much more. See you then!

Highlights from Adam’s Top 40: October 18, 2015

Still at the top, four the record.

DEBUTS
40. Take That – Hey Boy
39. Martin Luke Brown – Knife Edge
37. One Direction – Perfect | HIGHEST DEBUT

TOP GAINERS
31. The 1975 – Love Me (40) | BIGGEST MOVER
30. DNCE – Cake By The Ocean (35)
21. BANNERS – Shine A Light (28)
19. Sara Bareilles – She Used To Be Mine (24)
14. Ellie Goulding – On My Mind (19)

THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
10. Conrad Sewell – Hold Me Up (10) | PEAK: #10
09. X Ambassadors – Renegades (05) | PEAK: #05
08. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness – High Dive (12) | PEAK: #08
07. Gavin James – Bitter Pill (08) | PEAK: #07
06. Duran Duran featuring Janelle Monáe and Nile Rodgers – Pressure Off (04) | PEAK: #01 for five weeks
05. Taylor Swift – Wildest Dreams (09) | PEAK: #05
04. Years & Years – Desire (06) | PEAK: #04
03. One Direction – Drag Me Down (03) | PEAK: #03
02. Carly Rae Jepsen – Run Away With Me (02) | PEAK: #02
01. A Great Big World – Hold Each Other (01) | PEAK: #01 for four weeks

Top 10 Next In Line:
1. Secret Weapons – Something New (2)
2. Jeff Lynne’s ELO – When I Was A Boy (3)
3. Harry Connick Jr. – (I Do) Like We Do (4)
4. Grace Mitchell – Jitter (1)
5. John Newman featuring Charlie Wilson – Tiring Game (5)
6. James Morrison – Demons (6)
7. The Score – Oh My Love (9)
8. Patrick James – In New Light (8)
9. The Vamps – Wake Up (10)
10. Rudimental featuring Ed Sheeran – Lay It All On Me (7)

In The Mix:
Adam Lambert – Another Lonely Night
Andrew Ripp – Hole In My Heart (new)
Ben Haenow featuring Kelly Clarkson – Second Hand Heart (new)
Ben Rector – Brand New
BØRNS – 10,000 Emerald Pools (new)
Bronze Radio Return – Light Me Up
Bryan Adams – Brand New Day
Carly Rae Jepsen – Your Type (new)
Causes – To The River
Demi Lovato – Confident
Grace – You Don’t Own Me
Hippo Campus – South
HØØNCH – Top
JoJo – When Love Hurts
Marianas Trench – One Love (new)
Matt Nathanson – Adrenaline
Matt Woods – Blue Skies
Olly Murs – Kiss Me
Phoebe Ryan – Mine
Rachel Platten – Stand By You
Royal Wood – Long Way Out (new)
Ruen Brothers – Aces
Ryan Corn – White Flag
Sia – Alive
The Band Perry – Live Forever
The Front Bottoms – HELP
Tor Miller – Carter & Cash
X Ambassadors – Unsteady
Zac Brown Band – Beautiful Drug

Chart Notes:

• The week’s Biggest Mover belongs to The 1975. They debuted at #40 last week with “Love Me”, and this week, they keep it moving up to #31. The band will be looking for their fourth top ten on my chart later this year. Now, from the useless trivia department, no songs called “Love Me” or song titles containing the two words in that sequence within a larger phrase ever ranked in the national top 40 in 1975. However, two did in 1974 and another two did in 1976. That’s just the way love goes.
• This week’s Highest Debut belongs to One Direction and their new one, “Perfect”, bowing in at #37. It’s the second single to be issued from their Made In The A.M. album, due November 13. Leadoff single “Drag Me Down” holds at #3 for a third week. The act’s latest single was co-written by group members Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, along with Jesse Shatkin, Jacob Kasher, John Ryan, Maureen Anne McDonald and Julian Bunetta.
• He’s currently falling with his prior single, “Scars On Scars”, but singer Martin Luke Brown edges into the countdown at #39 with his fourth charting song, “Knife Edge”. It’s another sharp sound from Brown, who released an EP earlier this year and should have some more music coming out next year, at least I hope so. Of course, I will stan when appropriate.
• They last hit my chart in the spring with “Let In The Sun”, which peaked at #17. Now, from the expanded reissue of their III album, Take That come in at #40 with “Hey Boy”. They’ve now charted three songs as a trio, which is the same number of songs they charted as a quintet in 2010 and 2011 when all of their original members were in tact.

(See my full chart on the M4BCC message board) (Listen to this week’s chart and more on Spotify)

ADAM’S TOP 40 FLASHBACK: October 15, 2000

Boys and Ladies hit the chart.

It is time for yet another trip back into the archives on Adam’s Top 40 Flashback! Every Saturday, the day before my latest top 40 goes up for the week, I’ll be featuring a past countdown straight from chart files of Adam’s Top 40. They’re all here — the hit songs, the songs that flopped, and the songs that may be a little embarrassing to reflect on. Alright, let’s get a move on to, yes, the fall of fifth grade and dig those elementary school vibes with my top songs from this week in 2000…

Debuts:
40. LEIGH NASH, “Need To Be Next To You”
38. EMINEM featuring DIDO, “Stan”
37. SISTER HAZEL, “Champagne High”
35. JA RULE featuring CHRISTINA MILIAN, “Between Me And You”

Biggest Mover(s):
NELLY FURTADO, “I’m Like A Bird” (39-30, nine spots)

10. CHRISTINA AGUILERA, “Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)” (down 2)
Album: Christina Aguilera (1999, RCA Records)
Peak: #1 for two weeks

09. 98 DEGREES, “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” (down 4)
Album: Revelation (2000, Universal Records)
Peak: #2

08. BACKSTREET BOYS, “Shape Of My Heart” (up 6)
Album: Black & Blue (2000, Jive Records)
Peak: #2 for three weeks

07. BARENAKED LADIES, “Pinch Me” (down 1)
Album: Maroon (2000, Reprise Records)
Peak: #6

06. DREAM, “He Loves U Not” (up 3)
Album: It Was All A Dream (2001, Bad Boy Entertainment/Universal Records)
Peak: #4 for three weeks

05. MYA, “Case Of The Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do)” (up 2)
Album: Fear Of Flying (2000, University/Interscope Records)
Peak: #5

04. SAMANTHA MUMBA, “Gotta Tell You” (down 2)
Album: Gotta Tell You (2001, Wildcard/Polydor/Interscope Records)
Peak: #2 for two weeks

03. *NSYNC, “This I Promise You” (steady, second week)
Album: No Strings Attached (2000, Jive Records)
Peak: #2 for two weeks

02. MADONNA, “Music” (down 1)
Album: Music (2000, Maverick/Warner Bros. Records)
Peak: #1 for three weeks

01. RICKY MARTIN, “She Bangs” (up 3)
Album: Sound Loaded (2000, Columbia Records)
Peak: #1 for four weeks

Check back next Saturday for another Adam’s Top 40 Flashback countdown and don’t forget to follow the blog by using the tab below or find PGTC on social media by clicking the “Get Social!” tab at the top of the page.

Striving For Perfection: The Chase For Chart Excellence

Flawless fellows and females.

As expected, boy band One Direction‘s latest single “Perfect” is already a worldwide hit and currently sits at #1 on iTunes here in the States. Co-written by two of the quartet’s members (among its seven listed co-writers), it follows “Drag Me Down” (now at #3 on my top 40) as the second radio single from their upcoming Made In The A.M. album, due on November 13. Of course, like the majority of their singles, a splashy opening doesn’t guarantee that it’s an automatic top ten on the pop radio survey, but we’ll have to wait and see how this one does in the long run.

Speaking of the pop radio chart, we’ve had a bunch of “perfect” pop titles hit both the Radio & Records and Mediabase listings. I think it’s time to relive some of those musical moments. From the beginning of the archives in the fall of 1973 and into 2015, this list of seven splendid singles (which will soon be growing to eight) keeps it ideal:

1985
“Perfect Way”, Scritti Politti (#10, December 10)
A variation on the Italian phrase scritti politici, or political writings, this English act wrote a place for themselves on the charts in 1985 with this fun synthpop sound. “Way” remains the group’s only top 40 hit in the U.S., though their had five in the U.K. (with this single, surprisingly, a miss on that side of the pond.)

1988
“Perfect World”, Huey Lewis & The News (#2, August 26 – September 9)
They dominated the national charts in the 80’s with huge top ten singles over several album cycles, though it was Small World in 1988 that essentially marked a downturn in popularity for the California act. “World” remains their last top five single. The guys still play together, but not at the rate they did years ago.

2003
“Perfect”, Simple Plan (#4, December 19)
It may be one of the best album titles of the 00’s: No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls. Taken from it, this tune is still their highest-charting release at the format, and though the Canadian band hasn’t ranked on this particular survey in years, they’re continuing to crank out the jams ahead of a forthcoming studio set.

2010
“The Perfect Mistake”, Cartel (#39, June 10)
Two minor titles made the top 40 during 2010, with this single being one of them. It was the second of two songs to chart for the band from Georgia, who peaked with their previous albums. Though Will Pugh and the guys built up a sizable following, it never fully translated into the best radio play or sales numbers.

“Perfect Nightmare”, Shontelle (#38, October 17)
After a not-so-“Impossible” run up to the top ten that summer, this performer from Barbados couldn’t pull off the same trick, as her follow-up single barely edged into the top 40 at the format. She’s been absent from pop radio since the conclusion of her No Gravity era in 2011, though it appears she is still singing.

2011
“F**kin’ Perfect”, Pink (#1, March 20)
Two number-one singles from a hits compilation doesn’t happen too often nowadays, but this Pennsylvania singer did it in 2010 and 2011 with “Raise Your Glass” and this song. Her newest release is called “Today’s The Day”, and it was recently picked as the new theme song of daytime’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

2014
“She Looks So Perfect”, 5 Seconds Of Summer (#17, June 8)
Hey everybody, it wasn’t too long ago that this release was cruising up radio lists everywhere as the first major label single from the young and popular Aussie band. To date, it’s their only multi-Platinum hit in the U.S., but that can obviously change. Fans of the act have under a week until their newest album release.

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NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: Releases For The Week of October 16, 2015

“Cool” keeps this era burning.

This week’s New Music Friday is all about chart courage and musical morale, so pump up the pop with these sweet sets and more than two dozen other titles in the bunch. Here’s a look at the week’s top new album and single releases:

• DEMI LOVATO — Confident (iTunes)
  • After Selena Gomez bowed at the top of the album chart, her former Disney mate is also looking for a #1 entry on the Billboard 200 with her fifth studio album. Two singles from the effort have already graced the charts: “Cool For The Summer” and the title track. Lovato usually opens well in her first frame, so expect this one to do the same.
• PENTATONIX — Pentatonix (iTunes)
  • After years of covers and medleys, this a cappella act is out with their first album of predominantly original tunes. It also features guests like Jason Derulo and Tink, the latter of whom appears on a remix of first single “Can’t Sleep Love”. The set should register a top five debut on the album listing.
• JAMIE LAWSON — Jamie Lawson (iTunes)
  • Lawson’s single “Wasn’t Expecting That” is a big #1 seller in the United Kingdom, and its recent status as the On The Verge song at Hot AC radio for radio giant iHeartMedia propelled into the top 20 at that format. Ed Sheeran gave him his seal of approval; will you?
• OMI — Me 4 U (iTunes)
  • Singer Omar Paisley may like a “Cheerleader” or two, but he’s also hoping his debut set will get a rah-rah sis-boom-bah from music fans everywhere. The album also features followup single “Hula Hoop”, currently on the CHR radio chart.
• More albums out this week: Andrew Ripp‘s Andrew Ripp (iTunes), Beach House‘s Thank Your Lucky Stars (iTunes), BØRNS‘s Dopamine (iTunes), Christine And The Queens‘s Christine And The Queens (iTunes), Coheed And Cambria‘s The Color Before The Sun (iTunes), Deerhunter‘s Fading Frontier (iTunes), Hillsong United‘s Open Heaven/River Wild (iTunes), India Arie & Joe Sample‘s Christmas With Friends (iTunes), Jenny & Tyler‘s Of This I’m Sure (iTunes), Joe Budden‘s All Love Lost (iTunes), Josh Ritter‘s Sermon On The Rocks (iTunes), Kidz Bop‘s Kidz Bop 30 (iTunes), LeAnn Rimes‘s Today Is Christmas (iTunes), Machine Gun Kelly‘s General Admission (iTunes), Majical Cloudz‘s Are You Alone? (iTunes), Neon Indian‘s VEGA INTL. Night School (iTunes), Oh Hellos‘s Dear Wormwood (iTunes), Raury‘s All We Need (iTunes), Son Little‘s Son Little (iTunes), State Champs‘s Around The World And Back (iTunes), Stoney LaRue‘s Us Time (iTunes), Stryper‘s Fallen (iTunes), The Game‘s The Documentary 2.5 (iTunes), YACHT‘s I Thought The Future Would Be Cooler (iTunes), Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Mix, Vol. 1 (iTunes)
• More EPs out this week: Jake Worthington‘s Jake Worthington (iTunes), Young Rising Sons‘s The Kids Will Be Fine (iTunes)

New digital-only singles that you can buy this week include:

• “C.U.R.E.”, Boots (iTunes)
• “Perfect”, One Direction (iTunes)
• “Prey”, The Neighbourhood (iTunes)
• “Renegade Runaway”, Carrie Underwood (iTunes)
• “Second Hand Heart”, Ben Haenow featuring Kelly Clarkson (iTunes)
• “Way Back Home”, Rod Stewart (iTunes)
• “When the Night Comes”, Jeff Lynne’s ELO (iTunes)

Next Friday, our preview will include new albums from 5 Seconds Of Summer, Carrie Underwood, Rod Stewart and a lot more. See you then!