Twostepcubchart's Best of 2016: Part Two - #90 to #81...
Round two of this year's final recap of the biggest hits on my weekly music chart is up right now, as I count down the songs that went the highest and/or stuck around the longest on my list. You can check out part one in case you missed it by clicking here...
#90 - "Keep You In Mind" - Guordan Banks
from the single "Keep You In Mind" (2015)
Highest rank: #18 (two weeks)
Weeks on the chart: 18
Billboard Hot 100 peak: did not chart
Songwriter: Guordan Banks
This Philadelphia native provided this year's cruising anthem, with a fluid synth-bass providing the foundation for songwriter Banks' D'Angelo-esque falsetto in this song that topped the normally stodgy Adult R&B chart. We're still waiting on a proper album though, even though this was originally released in the summer of 2015.
Killer lyric: I see you 'round, but now I think its time to take some time off,
Oh baby that made you smile now,
I know that you been running for a while now...
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#89 - "Backroad Song" - Granger Smith
from the album Remington (2016)
Highest rank: #24 (three weeks)
Weeks on the chart (in 2016): 19 (spent two weeks in 2015)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #49
Songwriters: Granger Smith, Frank Rogers
A country singer who dabbles in comedy under the name Earl Dibbles, Jr., Smith landed his first hit after a score of independent releases with this car-commerical-ready ode to one of the "BINGO" points of current country music but being affable enough to not be grating. The chorus is pretty epic, though.
Killer lyric: I feel the wheels like a melody, like a radio dialing in strong...
#88 - "Wish I Knew You" - The Revivalists
from the album Men Amongst Mountains (2015)
Highest rank: #18 (one week)
Weeks on the chart: 18
Billboard Hot 100 peak: did not chart
Songwriters: The Revivalists (Andrew Stephen Campanelli, Zachary Feinberg, George Gekas, Michael Girardot, Robert Ingraham, David Shaw, Ed Williams
The second single from this New Orleans-based rock band had enough organic funk in it to shake some booties, and without sounding like they're straining to do it. The group topped the Adult Alternative chart with this charmer, as they took you back to school again in the video...
Killer lyric: I wish I knew you when I was young,
We could've got so high,
Now we're here it's been so long,
Two strangers in the bright lights...
#87 - "Under The Influence" - Elle King
from the album Love Stuff (2015)
Highest rank: #15 (one week)
Weeks on the chart: 15
Billboard Hot 100 peak: did not chart
Songwriters: Elle King, Dave Bassett
Ms. King goes on her own spy-movie fantasy in this slinky, sonically cinematic portrayal of an addiction to a bad, bad man. The second of her three stellar singles from her debut album.
Killer lyric: I'm sick of this condition,
Your kiss is my addiction,
I can tell you cast a spell that knows no moderation,
It's dangerous, the things we do...
#86 - "Rise" - Katy Perry
from the single "Rise" (2016)
Highest rank: #15 (two weeks)
Weeks on the chart: 16
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #11
Songwriters: Katy Perry, Max Martin, Ali Payami, Savan Kotecha
It's been an incredibly long four years since the release of Perry's last studio album, and instead of another massive product, Katy returned from a low-profile break to this single, which came out during both the Olympics and the Democratic National Convention, both of which used the song as a theme. Sadly, like Brazil and Hillary's campaign, somehow she was overpowered by shoddier music acts and keeping her out of the pop top-10 in America, though she did top the dance chart with the bangin' remixes of the tune.
Killer lyric: I'm beyond the archetype,
I won't just conform,
No matter how you shake my core,
'Cause my roots, they run deep, oh...
#85 - "Never Forget You" - Zara Larsson & MNEK
from the single "Never Forget You" (2015)
Highest rank: #8 (one week)
Weeks on the chart: 14
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #13
Songwriters: Uzoechi Emenike (MNEK), Zara Larsson, Arron Davey
Two notable newcomers, Swedish pop songstress Larsson and British singer/songwriter MNEK, pair up on this mainstream drum-and-bass approximation that brought the happy breakup to the dancefloor. Also check out Zara's totally fun "Lush Life" single which was huge all over Europe (it even would technically come in at #164 on my year-end).
Killer lyric: Funny how we both end happy but everything seems alright,
I wonder what will happen if we went back and put up a fight...
#84 - "Permission" - Ro James
from the album Eldorado (2016)
Highest rank: #27 (two weeks)
Weeks on the chart (in 2016): 20 (still charting)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: did not chart ("bubbled under" at #117)
Songwriters: Ronnie Tucker (Ro James), Kenneth Coby, Maurice Simmonds, Willie Hutch, Kourtney Lucas
The German-born soul singer took us back to the 90s with this booty-call offering that had the making of a great 2Pac overlay, albeit for a song that's basically an ask for some "backdoor entry". His aunt sang with Prince; the influence on this shows on this single that dominated Adult R&B radio this year.
Killer lyric: Now it's time for you to show me what it's hitting for,
Sip a little jack, maybe blow a little draw,
Love you from behind but I hate to see you go...
#83 - "Casual Party" - Band Of Horses
from the album Why Are You OK? (2016)
Highest rank: #17 (two weeks)
Weeks on the chart: 17
Billboard Hot 100 peak: did not chart
Songwriter: Ben Bridwell
The Grammy-nominated band returned after a four-year hiatus with a lush, yet personal album full of hidden emotions, like this cry for help wrapped in a disdainful take on superficial people. You can feel the desire to just run away. Can he and Alessia Cara find common ground?
Killer lyric: Since Ben got that he's a sociopath,
He's only playing games don't be distracted,
It's all or nothing, all or nothing,
So you really got something to lose...
#82 - "Little Bit Of You" - Chase Bryant
from the EP Chase Bryant (2014)
Highest rank: #20 (two weeks)
Weeks on the chart: 16
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #71
Songwriters: Chase Bryant, Derek George, Ashley Gorley
Chase, whose grandfather played with Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings, gets his big moment in the sun with his second straight top ten country hit that is his first to make my year-end list. A bit of two-steppin' heaven.
Killer lyric: I don't wanna be lonely with the stars all out,
Need you here to help me or I might lose count...
#81 - "Trip Switch" - Nothing But Thieves
from the album Nothing But Thieves (2015)
Highest rank: #13 (two weeks)
Weeks on the chart: 17
Billboard Hot 100 peak: did not chart
Songwriters: Joseph Brown, Dominic Craik, Conor Mason (Nothing But Thieves), Julian Emery, Jim Irvin
The British modern rock band took over this year where Aaron Bruno's AWOLnation left off, bringing a seductively funky vibe to this ominous rocker that topped the Alternative Rock chart.
Killer lyric: Gimme data 'cause I need a hit,
How I love stratospheric numbers,
Information, I've been craving it,
Gimme yours then gimme all the others...
That's all for tonight...I'll return tomorrow with a country hunk junkie (a "hunkie"?), blues rockers that found the fountain of youth, pyromaniac platinum-sellers, and more...
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