Twostepcublog

Well, 2015 is coming to a close, and it's time for the final installment in my recap of the 100 biggest songs on my weekly music chart this year. If you'd like to catch up on the other nine parts, plus the bonus of the 25 that almost made it, you can click here . And away we goooooo... #10 - " Lean On " - Major Lazer & DJ Snake featuring MØ           from the album Peace Is The Mission (2015)           Highest rank: #3 (one week)           Weeks on the chart (so far in 2015): 33 [still charting]           Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4           Songwriters: Karen Ørsted [MØ], Thomas Pentz [Diplo], William Griachine [DJ Snake], Martin Bresso [Tchami], Philip Meckseper "Artisan Dance Music" had a banner year in 2015, and the biggest proof was the success of veteran alt-dance act Major Lazer, who landed an international smash with this trippy bouncer with south Asian influences by collaborating with dubstep Frenchman DJ Snake, and the vo

"Strange But True" - Times Two from the album X2 (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21 (two weeks) Weeks in the Top-40: 8 This year's final SOTD comes from the duo Times Two. Johnny Dollar and Shanti Jones hail from a northern California town just north of San Francisco, and they released their debut album X2 in 1988. Getting a prime spot opening for fellow teen-pop star Debbie Gibson on her debut tour, the pair's first single, "Strange But True", written by Jones with Gardner Cole, was a heavily-produced slice of hooks and beats disguised as a quirky love song... "Strange But True" became Times Two's first and only top-40 pop hit in May of 1988. The extended version climbed to #12 on Billboard 's Dance Club Play chart. They would follow it up with a bouncy take on Paul Simon's " Cecilia " (done by producer Jay King like Club Nouveau's "Lean On Me" remake), but petered out at #79. Two years later, th

We're almost to the end of my countdown of the 100 biggest songs on my weekly music chart for 2015. I've tallies the scores of every song that's appeared on my list week by week, and these have peaked the highest and stayed the longest. You can check out the rest of the countdown if you'd like, including the bonus "bubbling under" chart, by clicking here ... #20 - " I Bet My Life " - Imagine Dragons            from the album Smoke + Mirrors (2015)           Highest rank: #7 (three weeks)           Weeks on the chart (in 2015): 22 [spent three more weeks in 2014]           Billboard Hot 100 peak: #28           Songwriters: Imagine Dragons [Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman ] The first single from the modern rock band's sophomore effort may have not done the business that "Radioactive" or "Demons" did from their debut, but it places at a respectable mark on my year-end list. This askance

" Everything Your Heart Desires " - Daryl Hall and John Oates from the album Oooh Yeah! (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 11 Today's song of the day is by the most popular pop duo of the 1980's, Hall & Oates , who had racked up 18 top-40 hits in the first half of the decade, including five that went all the way to #1. After a live record with two of the Temptations found themselves with another hit with " The Way You Do The Things You Do/My Girl ", the pair took a break, with Hall releasing his second solo album and nabbing a top-5 pop hit on his own with " Dreamtime ", while Oates co-wrote the top ten hit from Australian rockers Icehouse, "Electric Blue". Switching labels to Arista Records, Hall and Oates came back in 1988 with a new record, Ooh Yeah! . The first single from the set, "Everything Your Heart Desires" (written by Hall), picked up where they left off, with a synth-drive

We're up to the eighth installment of my countdown of the 100 biggest songs on my personal weekly music chart this year. If you'd like to catch up, you can click over to check out part one , part two , part three , part four , part five , part six , part seven , and the bonus edition with the songs that almost made the cut... #30 - " Tear In My Heart " - twenty-one pilots           from the album Blurryface (2015)           Highest rank: #3 (one week)           Weeks on the chart: 20           Billboard Hot 100 peak: #82           Songwriter: Tyler Joseph The indie-pop/rock duo gets " lost in translation " and has their biggest year to date, with a #1 album and this, the #2 rock single. From going from a love song to a snark on the music business to a wish for proper civil project improvements, Tyler and Josh rewrite the "witty piano rock song" for this year. Killer lyrics: You fell asleep in my car I drove the whole time,  

" My Girl " - Suave' from the album I'm Your Playmate (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #20 (two weeks) Weeks in the Top-40: 7 Today's song of the day comes from R&B singer Waymond Anderson Jr, who recorded under the moniker Suave'. He released his debut album I'm Your Playmate in 1988, and the first single from the set was a cover of one of the most loved Motown singles of the 60s, the Temptations' "My Girl". Originally released in December of 1964 and written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White of the Miracles, the single marked the debut as a lead vocalist for David Ruffin, who would go on to be their greatest asset, landing the group their first #1 pop and R&B hit. (They also returned to the adult contemporary chart at #27 in 1992 due to its inclusion in the same-titled Macauley Culkin movie...) It took a lot of confidence to take on such a revered song, producer Dwayne Omarr drowned out his voice with a ton of new j

Here we go, back to the countdown of the biggest songs on my weekly music chart for 2015. I've tallied the numbers each week, and this is what went the highest and stayed the longest this year. In case you're just getting here, you can click to check out part one , part two , part three , part four , part five , and part six , as well as my Boxing Day bonus of the 25 songs that just missed the list . And away we go as we enter the top-40.... #40 - " Blank Space " - Taylor Swift           from the album 1989 (2014)           Highest rank: #13 (two weeks)           Weeks on the chart (in 2015): 21 [was on for four weeks in 2014]           Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1           Songwriters: Taylor Swift, Max Martin, Shellback "The one where Taylor makes fun of her own image." The second single from Swift's 1989 pop departure begins with a "For Your Eyes Only" keyboard tag, then flows like a hip-hop track, as she revels in the crazy

" Yes " - Merry Clayton from the album Dirty Dancing (Original Soundtrack) (1987) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #45 This week's "robbed hit" comes from the soundtrack of the hit movie Dirty Dancing , which had already placed three songs into the pop top five in the U.S., with " Hungry Eyes " from Eric Carmen, " She's Like The Wind " by the movie's star Patrick Swayze, and the #1 duet " (I've Had) The Time Of My Life " from Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. It was looking like the set was going to be like Footloose from 1984, spinning off six top-40 hits. The fourth release from Dirty Dancing was from veteran soul singer Merry Clayton, who was most known for providing backup vocals for the Rolling Stones' classic album cut " Gimme Shelter " in 1969. Merry also released her own version of the song , which was a minor hit in 1970 at #73. Three years later, her single " Oh No, Not My Baby " climbe

" One More Try " - George Michael from the album Faith (1987) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1 (three weeks) Weeks in the Top-40: 14 Today's song of the day is by George Michael , whose first solo album after disbanding Wham!, Faith , had already scored a pair of #1 hits with " Father Figure " and the title track , as well as the #2 hit from Beverly Hills Cop II , " I Want Your Sex ". The fourth single released from the record was "One More Try", written and produced by the artist. With a slow pacing and church organ background (with minimal percussion), the song had the feel of a gospel hymn, with George professing his reluctance to getting into another romantic tangle. It's a no-go until the very end, when the titular "one more try" is offered... "One More Try" became the third #1 hit from Faith in May of 1988. The song also spent three weeks atop Billboard 's Adult Contemporary (or "easy listening

I'm ready to wrap up this week's 'music sweeps', sampling the songs making their way on to the charts in Billboard magazine , with the latest dance jams in the clubs and on the radio. On the DJ-polled Dance Club Play chart, Swedish DJ/producer Lucas Nord lands his first #1 hit with " Run On Love " featuring Tove Lo (it's her third chart-topper after "Talking Body" and "Heroes")... Ariana Grande takes the top debut at #42 with her former top 10 pop hit "Focus"... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

Part four of this week's "music sweeps" is up with the latest hits on country radio as monitored by Billboard magazine . On their Country Airplay chart, Thomas Rhett scores his fifth consecutive #1 hit single with " Die A Happy Man "... Cole Swindell rockets on to the chart up at #26 with "You Should Be Here", my " Country Pick of the Week ". It's the first single from his yet-to-be-named second album. His self-titled debut set landed two #1 and two #2 hits, and this new one pulls all the heartstrings, so the normally inflated debut put aside this has the best chance to follow them to become his biggest single yet... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

Carrying over from yesterday, we're at the "hump" of this week's 'music sweeps', checking out the songs making their way on to the various singles charts in Billboard magazine , and this time out I'm serving up the latest on R&B radio... On their main R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart, Drake remains on top for an eleventh week with "Hotline Bling"... Rapper Young Thug moves in at #43 with his latest, "Best Friend".  His first solo single "Stoner" reached #10... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

Hey guys and gals and to all in-between, I've been counting down the top 100 songs of the year on my weekly music chart for 2015 ( click here to catch up on it ), and in this weekend break I'll add a bonus, with the songs "bubbling under" the year-end list, the 25 that also ran, but where totally worthy. #125 - "Right Here, Right Now" - Giorgio Moroder featuring Kylie Minogue             from the album Deja Vu (2015)             Highest rank: #12 (two weeks)             Weeks on the chart: 11 The 75-year-old disco legend returned with a new album Santana-style this year, with guest vocalists like Sia, Britney Spears, and Charli XCX, but none captured the bliss of the Studio 54 time as this collaboration with Australia's princess. In a just world, this should've been a worldwide smash. (Click below to see the rest of the post)

"Say It Again" - Jermaine Stewart from the album Say It Again (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #27 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 5 Today's song of the day comes from singer/dancer Jermaine Stewart, who had the safe-sex booty-shaking anthem of 1986 with " We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off ". His follow-up single, " Jody " (dedicated to friend and fellow Soul Train alumnus Jody Watley), just missed the pop top-40, though it climbed into the dance top-10. In 1988, Jermaine issued his third solo album, Say It Again , produced by Andre Cymone (who did most of Jody Watley's debut album) and the team of Jerry Knight (of "Breakin'"'s Ollie and Jerry) and Aaron Zigman. Those last two produced the title track and first single from the set, which was written by R&B artist Bunny Sigler and Carol Davis. With a midtempo lite-reggae groove not unlike the later work of Boy George and Culture Club, the track was more for a

Hey folks, I'm a little late due to Christmas, but it's finally time to run down my top 100 tunes from the previous week. Adele holds tight at #1 for a third week, while country singer Cam (pictured above) leaps into the top ten. Songs from James Bay, Disturbed, and Dmitri Vegas & Like Mike with Ne-Yo make the biggest jumps (moves of 10+ places highlighted in red ), while former big hits from Audien, Hozier, NERVO, Jamie Lawson, Kenny Chesney, Major Lazer/DJ Snake, and Leona Lewis drop off the list. Whew! That holiday went quickly! This Week            Song/Artist (last week's position in parentheses) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Hello - Adele (1) 2. Stressed Out - twenty-one pilots (4) 3. S.O.B. - Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats (2) 4. Nothin' Like You - Dan + Shay (5) 5. Wildest Dreams - Taylor Swift (3) 6. Ex's & Oh's - Elle King (6) 7. Burning House

Round two of this week's "music sweeps" is up with the latest hits on rock radio as monitored by Billboard magazine. On their main Rock Airplay chart, the Cold War Kids spend a seventh non-consecutive week at #1 with " First "... British progressive-rock heroes Muse land at #45 with "Reapers", from their Drones album. The track moves up to #21 on the Mainstream Rock list. Name-checking the albums title and theme of being attacked in love, the harder-edged single rides on its wall of guitar noise... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

It's time to kick off the first of today's five "chart sweeps", checking out the songs making their debuts on the various singles and radio charts in Billboard magazine . As usual, I'll start out on the pop side of things, then later in the day move on to the latest in rock, R&B, country, and dance... 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 iTunes and Amazon MP3), Adele's " Hello " spends an eighth week on top, becoming the longest stay of her career.... The just-announced winner of the latest season of The Voice , Christian pastor and It's Pat cosplay winner Jordan Smith, places all three of his finals performances on to the Hot 100, with holiday classic "Mary Did You Know" becoming his second to make the top-40 at #24. Last week, his cover of Queen's " Somebody To Love " j

" Dreaming " - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark from the album The Best Of OMD (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #16 Weeks in the Top-40: 9 Today's Song of the Day comes from the new wave/electropop band OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark) , who had gone from cult faves in the early part of the 80s to pop hitmakers like on their 1986 single " (Forever) Live & Die ". After that album, their seventh, the group released their first greatest hits set, spanning the time between 1980 and 1988 when they placed twelve songs into the British top-40 (ironically, their biggest American success, the Pretty In Pink theme "If You Leave", missed the top-40 in the UK). Included on the compilation was a new offering, "Dreaming", it was written by band leaders Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys and produced by the group. With a "big" sound like their soundtrack hit, with lyrics about coming to the realization that their girl is a craz

We're passing the halfway mark on my countdown recap of the biggest songs on my weekly music chart for 2015. If you want to catch up with what I've already posted you can click for part one , part two , part three , part four , and part five . #50 - " Heartbeat Song " - Kelly Clarkson           from the album Piece By Piece (2015)           Highest rank: #14 (one week)           Weeks on the chart: 20           Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21           Songwriters: Mitch Allan, Jason Evigan, Kara DioGuardi, Audra Mae For the lead single from her lucky seventh studio album Piece By Piece , which is nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the upcoming Grammy Awards, Clarkson is at her best showing a strong man or woman overcoming the hurdle of a bad breakup and finding love again. With an inclusive video that tracks love overcoming heartbreak, the first American Idol proves she is the most relevant of the Idols in the pop realm. Killer lyric: Until t

" Kiss And Tell " - Bryan Ferry from the albums Bête Noire (1987) and Bright Lights, Big City (Original Soundtrack) (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #31 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 3 Today's song of the day comes from British singer Bryan Ferry , who comes from the northern English town of Washington. As one of the founders of the art rock band Roxy Music in the early 1970s, Ferry reached the top-40 on the American pop chart in 1975 with the seminal track " Love Is The Drug ". Ferry also started his own solo recording career not long after, and bucking the norm, almost all of Roxy Music's works were written or co-written by the artists, while Bryan included a big chunk of covers for his solo work. In 1973, his version of " A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall " reached #10 on the British singles chart. Four years later, with his Let's Stick Together album, whose title track went to #1 in Australia and his highest-charting British hit at

We're approaching the halfway mark in my countdown of the 100 biggest songs on my weekly personal chart at this here bloggie. You can click over to catch up on part one , part two , part three , and part four as well in case you missed, and as before I've included links to the artists' websites, as well as to Amazon if you feel like buying the track or the album... #60 - "Like A Cowboy" - Randy Houser           from the album How Country Feels (2013)           Highest rank: #7 (two weeks)           Weeks on the chart (in 2015): 15 [was on for two weeks in 2014]           Billboard Hot 100 peak: #62           Songwriters: Randy Houser, Brice Long The fourth single from the country bear's How Country Feels album came with an epic 7 1/2 minute music video set in the wild, wild west. It also had his most soaring vocals, not sounding as hokey as could've been given another's hands. I guess this is what Toby Keith would be like if he didn&

" Wait " - White Lion from the album Pride (1987) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 11 Today's song of the day comes from the hard rock band White Lion , who came together in New York under Danish-born lead singer Mike Tramp and local boy and guitarist Vito Bratta. After releasing an album that hit the chart but didn't sell enough to keep the label around, the hard rock group with a glam-ish appearance switched over to Atlantic Records, where they recorded their second and breakthrough album, Pride . The first single from the set, "Wait", was released back in the summer of 1987, but it took months for radio to catch on, after MTV took a liking to the straight-forward metal "don't break up with me" song, written by Tramp and Bratta, and produced by Michael Waggener, guitarist for the seminal German metal band Accept... "Wait" became White Lion's first big hit, reaching the top ten on the Ame

I'm chugging along with my recap of the biggest songs on my weekly music chart on this here bloggie for 2015. I've tallied up the scores week by week, and have been running down my top 100 (on Christmas there'll be a bonus). You can click over to check out part one , part two , and part three as well. I've also included links to the artist's websites, as well as to Amazon to buy any of the music here. #70 - " From Eden " - Hozier           from the album Hozier (2014)           Highest rank: #9 (two weeks)           Weeks on the chart (in 2015): 14 [spent 5 more weeks in 2014]           Billboard Hot 100 peak: did not chart           Songwriter: Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Hozier)  Due attention was paid to the Irish singer/songwriter's chilling "Take Me To Church" video, but the follow-up, which take the Bonnie and Clyde story and adds a child to the mix, is even more of an emotional rollercoaster. Portraying the bond these peopl

" I Don't Want To Live Without You " - Foreigner from the album Inside Information (1987) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 11 Today's song of the day comes from the part-British, part-American rock band Foreigner , who by the mid-80's had softened their sound a tad and were able to stay up on the pop charts, with their sixth studio album Inside Information getting a good start with the top-ten pop and month-long #1 rock hit " Say You Will ". The second single from the album was the mid-tempo love ballad "I Don't Want To Live Without You", written by band guitarist/producer Mick Jones. With background vocals that remind me of 10cc on "I'm Not In Love", and barely a guitar in sight, this record ended their transformation from rock bad boys to soccer-mom stars. And the video took "Say You Will" a bit farther, with not a trace of any of the band members in it, but rather interspersed

It's time to pick back up on my recap of the biggest hits on my weekly chart from the past year. You can also check out what I've covered in part one ( click here ) and part two ( click here )... #80 - " Cool For The Summer " - Demi Lovato           from the album Confident (2015)           Highest rank: #7 (two weeks)           Weeks on the chart: 15           Billboard Hot 100 peak: #11           Songwriters: Demi Lovato, Max Martin, Alexander Kronlund, Savan Kotecha, Ali Payami It's been a year for pre-fab pop princesses to see a resurge, as records from Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and, yes, Nick Jonas brought them back to mainstream pop radio. Demi's "Cool For The Summer", a slice of Katy Perry-esque electro-pop that dabbled with bisexuality in the lyrics. However the noise around her singing shielded any questioning parents as their daughters (and some hip sons) danced along. Killer lyric: Take me down into your paradise