ADAM’S TOP 100 OF 2018: Part One, 100-61

As 2018 draws to a close, it’s time for the annual Top 100 of the year! According to my tabulations, these titles ranked as the most successful on my personal chart. 2018 may have been a doozy on the political front, but in the musical world, plenty of great singles and performers made their mark on my listening habits this year. “Love” was a constant presence in the top 40 for much of the last twelve months, from “Love So Soft” to “Love Someone” to “Say Love” and many others. We also found a “New” perspective from big titles like “New Light” and “New Rules”. “High Hopes”, “High Horse” and “Hell Or High Water” kept us in the heights of a diverse year for sounds, while “You”, “Me” and everybody in-between got their equal share of pop pronouns. Phew… that was a lot, and there’s much more to come! Who will spread the word and have my #1 song at the end of the countdown?

Well, grab your headphones and let’s get to counting. Check out the first 40 songs on my Top 100 of 2018…

The 2018 chart year encompasses a period of 52 weekly surveys from the chart dated December 3, 2017 to the chart dated November 25, 2018. Peaks listed reflect the highest position reached by the final list of this period. For any ties in points, a song with the higher peak is listed first, and further ties are broken by the weeks at a song’s peak position and the amount of time charted in the top 40. 171 titles had at least one point qualify towards the year-end chart, a decrease from the 176 that did so in 2017.

100. BÜLOW, “Two Punks In Love”
Album: (single only)
Label: Wax/Republic
Peak: #19

99. ALEC BENJAMIN, “Let Me Down Slowly”
Album: Narrated For You
Label: Artist Partner Group/Atlantic
Peak: #14+

98. P!NK, “What About Us”
Album: Beautiful Trauma
Label: RCA
Peak: #1 for three weeks (2017 Chart Year)

97. OCEAN PARK STANDOFF, “If You Were Mine”
Album: (single only)
Label: Hollywood
Peak: #20

96. SNOW PATROL, “Empress”
Album: Wildness
Label: Republic
Peak: #20

95. TAYLOR SWIFT featuring ED SHEERAN & FUTURE, “End Game”
Album: Reputation
Label: Big Machine/Republic
Peak: #20

94. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, “Filthy”
Album: Man Of The Woods
Label: RCA
Peak: #15

93. MAROON 5 featuring SZA, “What Lovers Do”
Album: Red Pill Blues
Label: 222/Interscope
Peak: #6 (2017 Chart Year)

92. THE DRIVER ERA, “Preacher Man”
Album: (single only)
Label: TOO/Artist Cooperative
Peak: #19

91. THE HEAD AND THE HEART, “Don’t Dream It’s Over”
Album: (single only)
Label: Warner Bros.
Peak: #12

90. SERENA RYDER, “Ice Age”
Album: Electric Love (EP)
Label: Atlantic
Peak: #19

89. LADY GAGA & BRADLEY COOPER, “Shallow”
Album: A Star Is Born (Soundtrack)
Label: Interscope
Peak: #5+

88. CHRISTINA AGUILERA featuring DEMI LOVATO, “Fall In Line”
Album: Liberation
Label: RCA
Peak: #16

87. SHERYL CROW featuring ANNIE CLARK, “Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You”
Album: (single only)
Label: Independent
Peak: #18

86. ARIANA GRANDE, “Breathin”
Album: Sweetener
Label: Republic
Peak: #18

85. REX ORANGE COUNTY featuring BENNY SINGS, “Loving Is Easy”
Album: (single only)
Label: AWAL
Peak: #17

84. ZEDD & ELLEY DUHÉ, “Happy Now”
Album: (single only)
Label: Interscope
Peak: #16

83. LIAM PAYNE & J BALVIN, “Familiar”
Album: (single only)
Label: Republic
Peak: #18

82. BISHOP BRIGGS, “Dream”
Album: Church Of Scars
Label: Island/Republic
Peak: #15

81. ED SHEERAN, “Perfect”
Album: ÷
Label: Atlantic
Peak: #2 (2017 Chart Year)

80. SIGRID, “Sucker Punch”
Album: Sucker Punch
Label: Island/Republic
Peak: #8+

79. BRYNN ELLIOTT, “Might Not Like Me”
Album: Time Of Our Lives (EP)
Label: Big Yellow Dog/Atlantic
Peak: #17

78. ANDY GRAMMER, “Smoke Clears”
Album: The Good Parts
Label: S-Curve/Hollywood
Peak: #15

77. LUKAS GRAHAM, “Love Someone”
Album: 3 (The Purple Album)
Label: Warner Bros.
Peak: #14

76. WHY DON’T WE, “Trust Fund Baby”
Album: (single only)
Label: Signature Entertainment/Atlantic
Peak: #14

75. LENNY KRAVITZ, “Low”
Album: Raise Vibration
Label: Roxie/BMG
Peak: #15

74. MAT KEARNEY & RAC, “Memorized”
Album: Mat Kearney
Label: Tomorrow/Caroline
Peak: #12

73. LIAM PAYNE & RITA ORA, “For You (Fifty Shades Freed)”
Album: Fifty Shades Freed (Soundtrack)
Label: Universal Studios-Republic
Peak: #11

72. AVRIL LAVIGNE, “Head Above Water”
Album: Head Above Water
Label: BMG
Peak: #2+

71. LIAM PAYNE, “Bedroom Floor”
Album: (single only)
Label: Republic
Peak: #8

70. SNOW PATROL, “Don’t Give In”
Album: Wildness
Label: Republic
Peak: #14

69. PARAMORE, “Rose-Colored Boy”
Album: After Laughter
Label: Fueled By Ramen/RRP
Peak: #13

68. JAMES ARTHUR, “Naked”
Album: (single only)
Label: Syco/Columbia
Peak: #12

67. BLUE OCTOBER, “I Hope You’re Happy”
Album: I Hope You’re Happy
Label: Up/Down-Brando/RED
Peak: #10

66. ANNE-MARIE, “2002”
Album: Speak Your Mind
Label: Warner Bros.
Peak: #14

65. KELLY CLARKSON, “Love So Soft”
Album: Meaning Of Life
Label: Atlantic/RRP
Peak: #2 (2017 Chart Year)

64. KT TUNSTALL, “The River”
Album: WAX
Label: Rostrum/INgrooves
Peak: #10

63. JESSE MCCARTNEY, “Better With You”
Album: (single only)
Label: Blue Suit/AWAL
Peak: #14

62. SILK CITY & DUA LIPA, “Electricity”
Album: Dua Lipa (Complete Edition)
Label: Columbia
Peak: #10

61. U2, “Get Out Of Your Own Way”
Album: Songs Of Experience
Label: Interscope
Peak: #13

Stay tuned for more of the Top 100 of 2018 tomorrow…

ADD LIB — Brace For (CHR) Impact (November 6, 2018)

Welcome to Add Lib, your Tuesday report on POP! Goes The Charts that’s mad about CHR/Top 40 adds, based on the station data provided by Mediabase 24/7 and Add Board. This week: we cast our votes for the top pop candidates, including a hot new single by Ariana Grande and several buzzing collaborations from last week’s list. Time to fill in your ballot and add ’em up:

WHO’S “NEXT”: For those of you hoping the last-minute addition of “Thank U, Next” from Grande to the schedule would be the end of Ellie Goulding‘s chances at the Most Added record at the format, I’m afraid it wasn’t meant to be this Tuesday. Goulding’s collaboration with Diplo featuring Swae Lee, titled “Close To Me”, led with 41 new stations during the session, as “Thank” begins in the runner-up position with 27 adds. (Don’t worry, it will likely have a greater sum next week.) “Close” should have enough adds to approach or break into the top 40 at the format by this weekend, while Grande is most likely to have a smaller climb into the top 50. Rounding out the top three, “Taki Taki” by DJ Snake featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna and Cardi B scores an additional 22 stations this week. It’s already leaping through the 30’s and will continue to gain nicely.

Further down, Jack & Jack‘s new single “No One Compares To You” starts modestly at 16 stations, good for eighth place. The two guys have a pair of minor top 40 entries to date, with neither reaching the top 20. We’ll see if this one can be their first.

Next week, look for Benny Blanco‘s collaboration with Calvin Harris, “I Found You”, to find some excellent results here.

MOST ADDED — THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
1. ELLIE GOULDING x DIPLO featuring SWAE LEE, “Close To Me” (Interscope)
2. ARIANA GRANDE, “Thank U, Next” (Republic)
3. DJ SNAKE featuring SELENA GOMEZ, OZUNA & CARDI B, “Taki Taki” (Geffen/Interscope)
4. ZARA LARSSON, “Ruin My Life” (TEN/Epic)
5-T. CAMILA CABELLO, “Consequences” (Syco/Epic)
5-T. KHALID, “Better” (Right Hand/RCA)
7. POST MALONE & SWAE LEE, “Sunflower” (Interscope-Republic)
8. JACK & JACK, “No One Compares To You” (Island/Republic)
9. WHY DON’T WE, “8 Letters” (Signature Ent./Atlantic)
10. PANIC! AT THE DISCO, “High Hopes” (Fueled By Ramen/RRP)

Check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages for more adds coverage and commentary.

ADD LIB — Brace For (CHR) Impact (October 9, 2018)

Welcome to Add Lib, your Tuesday report on POP! Goes The Charts that’s mad about CHR/Top 40 adds, based on the station data provided by Mediabase 24/7 and Add Board. This week: over half a dozen big names compete for #1 with their current radio songs on the latest report, but in the end, it’s all about “Me”. No, really. Let’s add ’em up:

“ME” TWO TOO: It was a strong battle this Tuesday at Top 40 stations across the country, but the top two winners on the report prove that it’s all about “Me”. Halsey‘s “Without Me” tops the list this time around, with Drake‘s “Don’t Matter To Me”, featuring the late Michael Jackson, in second place. The former is in with a massive 105 stations, while the latter comes in with a still very respectable 76 stations. Needless to say, you can expect both records to bolt straight into the top 40 by the end of the week. For the former performer, her collaboration with Benny Blanco, “Eastside”, remains active at the format, as it approaches the top ten. At Rhythmic and Urban radio today, the latter single scored 35 and 41 stations on impact, respectively, while earning 16 stations from the Hot AC panel yesterday.

Additionally, new singles from Alessia Cara and Khalid reach the top five on the report, with “Trust My Lonely” starting in third place at 45 stations and “Better” appearing in fourth place with 39 stations, respectively. Next week, Cara’s song impacts at the Hot AC format on Monday, while Khalid’s new one also impacted at the Rhythmic format today, totaling 23 stations on that report. (He also performs on Blanco’s “Eastside”, as mentioned above.) The two singles appear bound for the top 50 in the coming days.

Labelmates Camila Cabello and Mariah Carey and their new songs are ready to take on a soundtrack release from Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper next Tuesday. Which star single will be born at the top? Come back and find out soon.

MOST ADDED — THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN (ELEVEN)
1. HALSEY, “Without Me” (Capitol)
2. DRAKE featuring MICHAEL JACKSON, “Don’t Matter To Me” (YMCMB/Republic)
3. ALESSIA CARA, “Trust My Lonely” (Def Jam)
4. KHALID, “Better” (Right Hand/RCA)
5. SHAWN MENDES & ZEDD, “Lost In Japan (Remix)” (Island/Republic)
6. ARIANA GRANDE, “Breathin” (Republic)
7. KANYE WEST & LIL PUMP, “I Love It” (G.O.O.D./Def Jam-Warner Bros.)
8-T. LAUV featuring JULIA MICHAELS, “There’s No Way” (Kobalt/AWAL/in2une)
8-T. PANIC! AT THE DISCO, “High Hopes” (Fueled By Ramen/RRP)
10-T. SILK CITY & DUA LIPA, “Electricity” (Columbia)
10-T. WHY DON’T WE, “8 Letters” (Signature Ent./Atlantic)

Check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages for more adds coverage and commentary.

ADD LIB — Brace For (CHR) Impact (October 2, 2018)

Welcome to Add Lib, your Tuesday report on POP! Goes The Charts that’s mad about CHR/Top 40 adds, based on the station data provided by Mediabase 24/7 and Add Board. This week: Shawn Mendes and Zedd go on a worldly adventure together, but their flight is full of passengers like Twenty One Pilots and Why Don’t We. Who safely lands at the top? Let’s add ’em up:

BIG IN “JAPAN”: “Lost In Japan” is not lost on a large number of pop programmers this week, as the new single by Mendes and its new remix by Zedd easily leads this week’s adds report at the Top 40 format. Eclipsing the triple-digit mark at 113 stations, it’s a leader on two lists this week, as the single also led the Hot AC report yesterday with a total of 22 stations. “Lost” had a strong entry at #37 on Sunday’s official update, thanks in part to hourly airplay at iHeartMedia outlets last Thursday upon the remix’s debut. At this point, it looks like the song will have some good upward movement at both formats by the end of this weekend.

The numbers drop off significantly from there, though it’s a solid week for the latest single from Twenty One Pilots, who fly onto the Top 40 report with “My Blood”, which is already well into the top ten on the Alternative survey. The track comes in with a third place finish, landing at 30 stations. Two years ago, the duo scored with a string of three big hits that all reached #1 or #2: “Stressed Out” (#1 for two weeks), “Ride” (#1 for one week) and the Suicide Squad cut “Heathens” (#2 for three weeks).

Get ready for a massive session next week with at least six impacting titles, including new tunes by Alessia Cara, Drake, Halsey and Khalid, among others.

MOST ADDED — THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
1. SHAWN MENDES & ZEDD, “Lost In Japan (Remix)” (Island/Republic)
2. ARIANA GRANDE, “Breathin” (Republic)
3. TWENTY ONE PILOTS, “My Blood” (Fueled By Ramen/EMG)
4. SILK CITY & DUA LIPA, “Electricity” (Columbia)
5. KANYE WEST & LIL PUMP, “I Love It” (G.O.O.D./Def Jam-Warner Bros.)
6. THE CHAINSMOKERS featuring KELSEA BALLERINI, “This Feeling” (Disruptor/Columbia)
7. LSD (LABRINTH/SIA/DIPLO), “Thunderclouds” (RECORDS/Columbia)
8. WHY DON’T WE, “8 Letters” (Signature Ent./Atlantic)
9. BAZZI featuring CAMILA CABELLO, “Beautiful” (APG/Atlantic)
10. TRAVIS SCOTT, “Sicko Mode” (Epic)

Check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages for more adds coverage and commentary.

RADIO REPORT: What’s Popping At Top 40 Radio This Week (October 1-2, 2018)

It’s time once again to analyze the airwaves and find out if your favorite new releases will be lighting up your local station’s playlist this week. Which tunes will climb to the top and which ones will hit a stop? Here are five singles impacting this week at the Top 40 format:

ODESZA featuring SASHA SLOAN – “Falls” (Counter/in2une)
Album: A Moment Apart (2018)
Past T40 History: Neither artist has charted at the format, but Sloan co-wrote “Never Be The Same”, a #1 song for Camila Cabello.

SHAWN MENDES & ZEDD – “Lost In Japan (Remix)” (Island/Republic)
Album: Shawn Mendes (2018)
Past T40 History: Following hourly airplay at iHeartMedia stations on Thursday, “Lost” has already leaped into the top 40 at #37.

THE CHAINSMOKERS featuring KELSEA BALLERINI – “This Feeling” (Disruptor/Columbia)
EP: Sick Boy… This Feeling (2018)
Past T40 History: The duo has entered the top 50 with four songs in 2018, including the Emily Warren-assisted hit “Side Effects”.

TWENTY ONE PILOTS – “My Blood” (Fueled By Ramen/RRP)
Album: Trench (2018)
Past T40 History: Two years ago, the duo’s “Stressed Out” and “Ride” went to #1 here. “Jumpsuit” recently led the Alternative list.

WHY DON’T WE – “8 Letters” (Atlantic)
Album: 8 Letters (2018)
Past T40 History: After two minor top 40 singles with “Something Different” and “Trust Fund Baby”, the quintet is aiming higher.

Next week: Hot new songs from Drake, Khalid and Lauv are among the titles impacting at the format next Tuesday.

Which of these new songs would you like to see top the charts? Let me know!

Check out our Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify and Twitter pages!

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: Releases For The Week of August 31, 2018

Big bam Bloom.

What’ll be blooming at the usual sales and streaming services this Friday? Ah, we may have a hint. These are the notable digital and physical releases headed into the market this Friday:

TROYE SIVAN – Bloom (iTunes)
One of the higher debuts on next week’s album ranking should belong to Sivan’s new set, which features the mid-charting pop radio single “My My My!” from earlier this year. It also features a collaboration with Ariana Grande titled “Dance To This”. It’s likely to reach the top ten during its first week.

WHY DON’T WE – 8 Letters (iTunes)
This is the first album for the popular boy band, who have released a series of EPs in the past couple of years. Three of the cuts have been released prior to the album’s debut: the title track, “Hooked” and “Talk”. Though its data will be front-loaded, it’ll score a solid entry.

Notable albums out this week: Afrojack‘s Press Play (iTunes), Amos Lee‘s My New Moon (iTunes), Ayokay‘s In The Shape Of A Dream (iTunes), Blac Youngsta‘s F*ck Everybody 2 (iTunes), Bun B‘s Return Of The Trill (iTunes), Curren$y‘s Fire In The Clouds (iTunes), Lloyd‘s Tru (iTunes), Passenger‘s Runaway (iTunes), The Kooks‘s Let’s Go Sunshine (iTunes), The WLDLFE‘s I’m Not Worried Anymore (iTunes)

Notable EPs out this week: Benji Lewis‘s Together Apart (iTunes), HoodCelebrityy‘s Inna Real Life (iTunes), Josie Moon‘s Rose Tinted (iTunes)

New digital singles that you can buy this week include:
“90’s Country”, Walker Hayes (iTunes)
“2002 (Remix)”, Anne-Marie featuring Saweetie & Ms Banks (iTunes)
“Backwards”, Chris Jobe (iTunes)
“Body Talks”, The Struts featuring Kesha (iTunes)
“Brown Sugar”, Steven Tyler & Nuno Bettencourt (iTunes)
“Buss It”, Sage The Gemini featuring Chris Brown (iTunes)
“Chains”, Bruns (iTunes)
“Corner Love”, Lido featuring Unge Ferrari (iTunes)
“Correct”, MNEK (iTunes)
“Dancing (Mumbai Wedding)”, NONONO (iTunes)
“Deep Down”, Zhavia Ward (iTunes)
“Diamonds Are Invincible”, Michael Jackson x Mark Ronson (iTunes)
“Don’t Call Me”, Nevada featuring Loote (iTunes)
“Don’t Let Me Go”, Cody Simpson (iTunes)
“DTF”, The Game featuring YG, Ty Dolla $ign and Jeremih (iTunes)
“Glimpse”, Havana Brown featuring Rich The Kid (iTunes)
“Haha No One Can Hear You!”, Gallant (iTunes)
“I’m With You”, Hight featuring Hannah Jane Lewis (iTunes)
“Just Watch”, Luke Christopher (iTunes)
“LivWithoutU”, St. Paul & The Broken Bones (iTunes)
“Love Me (BYNON Remix)”, Forest Blakk (iTunes)
“Love No More”, Loud Luxury x Anders (iTunes)
“Love Wins”, Carrie Underwood (iTunes)
“Motions”, MAGIC! (iTunes)
“My Blood”, Twenty One Pilots (iTunes)
“Old News”, Mitch James (iTunes)
“One In A Million” / “You Don’t Wanna Know”, Hudson Taylor (iTunes)
“One Shot”, Mabel (iTunes)
“Prayers”, Good Charlotte (iTunes)
“Remedy”, Alesso (iTunes)
“Right On Time”, Ray J featuring Flo Rida, Brandy and Designer Doubt (iTunes)
“Rotation 112th (Remix)”, Jay Rock featuring Rich The Kid (iTunes)
“Say The Word”, Emily Vaughn featuring Lostboycrow (iTunes)
“Superhero”, Lauv (iTunes)
“The Dark Side”, Muse (iTunes)
“The Other Side”, Betty Who (iTunes)
“Yung And Bhad”, Bhad Bhabie featuring City Girls (iTunes)

Next week: look out for new albums from Lauren Daigle, Paul McCartney and more. For Adam’s personal picks of the week, listen to the PGTC Friday Faves list on Spotify!

Highlights from Adam’s Top 40: March 4, 2018

“My” new #1!

DEBUTS
40. Echosmith – Over My Head
39. Lights – We Were Here
38. Taylor Swift – Delicate | HIGHEST DEBUT

TOP GAINERS
31. Janelle Monáe – Make Me Feel (38)
28. Rozzi – Never Over You (33)
23. Marshmello & Anne-Marie – Friends (29)
16. Lissie – Best Days (22)
11. Niall Horan – On The Loose (20) | BIGGEST MOVER
(see #10 below)

THIS WEEK’S TOP TEN
10. Kelly Clarkson – I Don’t Think About You (15) | PEAK: #10
09. Imagine Dragons – Whatever It Takes (07) | PEAK: #07
08. George Ezra – Paradise (10) | PEAK: #08
07. P!nk – Beautiful Trauma (05) | PEAK: #02
06. Jukebox The Ghost – Everybody’s Lonely (08) | PEAK: #06
05. Maroon 5 – Wait (06) | PEAK: #05
04. Bruno Mars & Cardi B – Finesse (04) | PEAK: #04
03. Calum Scott – You Are The Reason (02) | PEAK: #02
02. Kesha featuring The Dap-Kings Horns – Woman (01) | PEAK: #01 for six weeks
01. Troye Sivan – My My My! (03) | PEAK: #01 for one week | NEW #1

Top 10 Next In Line:
1. LANCO – Greatest Love Story (2)
2. Kylie Minogue – Dancing (3)
3. Phillip Phillips – Into The Wild (5)
4. Kim Petras – Heart To Break (10)
5. Craig David featuring Bastille – I Know You (4)
6. Bleachers – Alfie’s Song (Not So Typical Love Song) (7)
7. Arlissa & Jonas Blue – Hearts Ain’t Gonna Lie (9)
8. Coin – Growing Pains (8)
9. Bishop Briggs – White Flag (-)
10. Meghan Trainor – No Excuses (-)

In The Mix:
5 Seconds Of Summer – Want You Back
Andreas Moss featuring Melanie Pfirrman – Lonely
Barenaked Ladies – Lookin’ Up
Bon Jovi – When We Were Us
CHVRCHES – Get Out
Hailee Steinfeld & BloodPop – Capital Letters (new)
In Real Life – Tattoo (How ‘Bout You)
Lola Marsh – Wishing Girl
Nina Nesbitt – Somebody Special

Chart Notes:

• Congrats to Troye Sivan on his second #1 on my chart, “My My My!”, advancing from 3-1 this week. Sivan previously got to the top with 2016’s “Youth”, which had a three-week run that March. His sophomore album is due later this year. A big jump for Niall Horan‘s “On The Loose” puts him one spot away from his fourth solo top ten entry in a row. Moving from 20-11, it easily takes the title of this week’s Biggest Mover. Three new entries make this week’s top 40, with Taylor Swift‘s “Delicate” coming in the highest at #38. It’s the fourth chart single from her current album, reputation. Just below Swift’s latest release in the countdown, “We Were Here” (#39) by Lights and “Over My Head” (#40) by Echosmith also make their debuts. Will any of the three reach the top this spring? You’ll have to come back and see in the coming weeks.

(See my full chart on Crownnote)