Pop Sweep: April 30, 2016...


I'm ready to kick off the first of this week's "music sweeps", checking out some of the notable songs making their way on to the official singles and radio charts in Billboard magazine. As usual, I'll start off on the pop side of things, then later move on to the newest in rock, R&B, country, and dance music...

On the "big" chart, Billboard's Hot 100, which combines tallies of internet streaming (like Spotify and YouTube), radio airplay from all formats, and sales (like Amazon MP3 and iTunes), Rihanna and Drake hold on to the top spot for a ninth week with "Work"...

Pitbull is back with a new single that samples heavily from an older classic, as his "Messin' Around" featuring Enrique Iglesias becomes the top new entry at #70. Its title and chorus is cribbed from REO Speedwagon's "Take It On The Run". It's the first track from his upcoming Climate Change album to make the top 100. Grade: D+


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British/Norwegian DJ/producer Alan Walker takes his international hit "Faded" to the pop chart at #91. The song has already topped the chart in France and Germany. Grade: B+



Jennifer Lopez just closed out the final season of American Idol as a judge (don't even ask me), but the exposure helps her new single "I Ain't Your Mama" land on the pop list at #92. Grade: D+


Jason Derulo is back at #96 with "If It Ain't Love". It had arrived on the Mainstream Top-40 radio chart a couple of weeks ago, and stands at #21 there this week. Grade: C-


And now on to the pop radio format charts...

On the Mainstream Top-40 radio panel, G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha spend a second week at #1 with "Me, Myself & I"...

Pink returns to the charts at #38 with this week's "Pop Pick of the Week", "Just Like Fire". It's taken from the upcoming Alice Through The Looking Glass film. Grade: C


R&B singer Jeremih slips in at #40 with "Oui", the third single from his Late Nights album. The first, "Don't Tell 'Em", made it all the way to #5 last year. Grade: C


Meanwhile, on the older-skewing Adult Top-40 format, Charlie Puth climbs to #1 for the first time with "One Call Away", while the aforementioned "Just Like Fire" from Pink leaps in at #27...

The punk band gone soft Goo Goo Dolls are back at #38 with "So Alive". Grade: C-


Lastly, on the Adult Contemporary, or "easy listening" radio chart, Adele's reign is ended at #1 as Shawn Mendes takes over with "Stitches"...

The winner of the last season of The Voice, Christian-pop singer Jordan Smith, ascends to #30 with "Stand In The Light". Grade: C


That's it for the first part of this week's 'sweeps'...I'll be back with the newest on rock radio...

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