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Part four of this week's 'music sweeps' has the latest hits on country radio as monitored by Billboard magazine... On their Country Airplay chart, Thomas Rhett spends an amazing sixth week at #1 with " Die A Happy Man ", the longest stay since 2007... Dierks Bentley returns all the way up at #29 with "Somewhere On A Beach", the first single from his forthcoming album Black ... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

We're at the "hump" of this week's music sweeps, sampling the songs making their way on to the Billboard charts, and this time up I'm serving up the latest hits on R&B radio... On the main R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart, Tory Lanez scores his first #1 hit with " Say It "... There's apparently no escaping Bieber fever as Justin's "Sorry", the #1 pop hit in America, crosses over to the R&B radio chart at #44. The last time he was on this chart was in 2012 with " Boyfriend ", peaking at #52... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

Round two of this week's "music sweeps" has the latest hits on rock radio as monitored by Billboard magazine... On their main Rock Airplay chart twenty-one pilots are on top for a fifth week with " Stressed Out "... Hard rock hitmakers 3 Doors Down return for the first time in three years with "In The Dark" at #42. It's the first single from their upcoming sixth studio album Us and The Night ... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

Time to catch up with my rundown of the new songs on the various charts in Billboard magazine , starting with the latest pop hits... On the "big" chart, Billboard 's Hot 100 , which combines tallies of sales (like iTunes and Amazon MP3), internet streaming (like Spotify and YouTube), and radio airplay from all genres, Justin Bieber holds at #1 for a third week with " Sorry "... Pop singer/songwriter Mike Posner returns with the highest debut of the week at #79 with "I Took A Pill In Ibiza". Back in 2010 Mike went to #6 on the chart with " Cooler Than Me ". This year-old track, remixed by the duo SeeB, has gone to #1 in Norway and top ten in a few European countries already... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

" Hands To Heaven " - Breathe from the album All That Jazz (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2 (two weeks)  Weeks in the Top-40: 16 Today's song of the day comes from the British "sophist-pop" band Breathe, who came together in London in the mid-80s, and released their first album in 1988. The first American single from the set, "Hands To Heaven", was a slow-paced vocal workout from lead singer David Glasper... "Hands To Heaven"  became Breathe's first American success, reaching the top-10 on the pop chart in August of 1988. The single peaked at the runner-up spot on Billboard 's Adult Contemporary (or "easy listening") radio chart. Internationally, the song went to #4 in their native UK, as their also did in Norway, and made the top ten in New Zealand and top-40 in Germany and Sweden. Up tomorrow: a rap duo breaks the sound barrier.

It's time to head across the Atlantic to check out the songs making their debut on the official singles chart in the UK this week, as Canadian singer Shawn Mendes racks up a second week at #1 with "Stitches"... Rihanna is back with the highest debut of the week at #13 with "Work", from her just-released album Anti ...(the clip is exclusive right now to Tidal).. Danish indie-pop band Lukas Graham sails in at #24 with "7 Years"... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

" Rush Hour " - Jane Wiedlin from the album Fur (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 10 Today's song of the day comes from Jane Wiedlin , who with Belinda Carlisle was a part of the all-female rock band the Go-Go's. While she was still with the group, she guested on the alt-band Sparks' " Cool Places ", which went to #49 on the American pop chart and #13 dance. After they broke up in 1984, Wiedlin released her self-titled first solo album the year after. But while Belinda's first, "Mad About You" reached the top-3, Jane's lead single " Blue Kiss " sputtered out at #77 (though it was her sole solo dance hit at #30). Three years later, she put out her second record, Fur . The first release from the disc, "Rush Hour", was written by Wiedlin with Peter Rafelson and produced by Stephen Hague (New Order), but sounded like it was taken off a Go-Go's album, which certainly helped it

Friday's here, and it's time to run down my top 100 tunes from the previous week. Adele reigns for an eighth week, while Sam Hunt (pictured above) climbs a pair of spots in the top ten. Former big hits from Emin, R. City/Adam Levine, Old Dominion, and Chris Cornell drop off my list, while songs from Grace/G-Eazy, JoJo, and the Zac Brown Band make the biggest jumps (moves of 10+ places highlighted in red ). This Week           Song/Artist (last week's position in parentheses) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Hello - Adele (1) 2. Stressed Out - twenty-one pilots (2) 3. Adventure of A Lifetime - Coldplay (3) 4. Stay A Little Longer - Brothers Osborne (5) 5. Here - Alessia Cara (6) 6. On My Mind - Ellie Goulding (4) 7. Break Up In A Small Town - Sam Hunt (9) 8. Hotline Bling - Drake (8) 9. Ex's & Oh's - Elle King (7) 10. Stand By You - Rachel Platten (10) 11. When We Were Young - Adele (18) 12.

" Hold On To The Nights " - Richard Marx from the album Richard Marx (1987) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 14 Today's song of the day comes from pop singer/songwriter Richard Marx , whose debut album had already spun off three straight top-5 pop hits with " Don't Mean Nothing ", " Should've Known Better ", and " Endless Summer Nights ". The fourth single from the record was the album's big ballad, "Hold On To The Nights". Written by Marx and produced by him with David Cole, it would go on to be the biggest success from the already successful album... "Hold On To The Nights" became Richard's first #1 hit in July of 1988. Susprisingly, the song only made it to #3 on Billboard 's Adult Contemporary (or "easy listening") chart. Internationally, it didn't get too much notice, only being a minor hit at #60 in the UK and #72 in Australia. (Click below

It's time to head Down Under to check out the songs making their debut on the official singles chart in Australia this week, as Justin Bieber's " Love Yourself " spends a seventh week on top... Sydney producer/musician Flume finally lands his first top ten hit here with "Never Be Like You" featuring Kai... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

" Tall Cool One " - Robert Plant from the album Now and Zen (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #25 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 7 Today's song of the day comes from Robert Plant , who had carved a respectable solo career after the dissolution of Led Zeppelin. He had already racked up a third solo top-40 hit with " Little By Little ". In 1988 Plant released his fourth solo album, Now and Zen . After the first radio single "Heaven Knows" topped the rock chart for six weeks, the next selection "Ship Of Fools" landed at #3 on the rock list and was a minor pop hit at #84. It was the third release from the record, "Tall Cool One", that got pop radio noticing. Of course sampling a whole slew of Led Zep songs in the mix, including former bandmate Jimmy Page redoing the "Whole Lotta Love" slide. Written by Plant with Phil Johnstone, it was his 'hardest' pop solo hit to date... "Tall Cool One" became

Here's the top ten hits in Germany this week, according to their official singles chart , as EFF (the collaboration between DJ Felix Jaehn and rapper Mark Forster) climb to #1 with "Stimme"... 1. " Stimme " - EFF (4) 2. " Stitches " - Shawn Mendes (3) 3. " Catch & Release (Deepend Remix) " - Matt Simons (1) 4. " Light It Up (Remix) " - Major Lazer featuring Nyla and Fuse ODG (5) 5. " Hello " - Adele (2) 6. " Love Yourself " - Justin Bieber (7) 7. " Geiles Leben " - Glasperlenspiel (6) 8. " Show Me Love " - Robin Schulz & J.U.D.G.E. (8) 9. " Sorry " - Justin Bieber (9) 10. "7 Years" - Lukas Graham (DEBUT) Danish band Lukas Graham, named for its lead singer, finally makes the top 10 with their single "7 Years" (I featured on this series two weeks ago), a personal fave of mine this year so far... (Click below to see the rest of the po

" Lost In You " - Rod Stewart from the album Out Of Order (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 9 Today's song of the day comes from Rod Stewart , who had carried through the 80s quite well, last landing another top-ten pop single with " Love Touch " from the movie Legal Eagles . Two years later, Rod released his 15th album Out Of Order , which turned out to be his strongest album of the decade. Produced by Stewart with Bernard Edwards of Chic and Andy Taylor of Duran Duran, and the latter helped write the first single with Rod, "Lost In You". With a hint of mandolin and faux pipes-like sounding guitars, the song rolls along like the old car in the video... "Lost In You" became Rod's ninth top-40 hit of the 80's in July of 1988. The single also climbed to #3 on Billboard 's Album Rock Tracks chart, his highest rank up to that point. Internationally, the song went to #14 in Ireland, and w

Here's the top ten hits in France, according to their official singles chart , as American singer/songwriter Matt Simons climbs to #1... 1. " Catch & Release (Deepend Remix) " - Matt Simons (2) 2. " Hundred Miles " - Yall featuring Gabriela Richardson (6) 3. " Hello " - Adele (4) 4. " Don't Worry " - Madcon featuring Ray Dalton (5) 5. " Blind " - Feder featuring Emmi (8) 6. " Tu Vas Me Manquer " - Maitre Gims (7) 7. "On Ecrit Sur Les Murs" - Kids United (DEBUT) 8. " Sorry " - Justin Bieber (10) 9. "Love Yourself" - Justin Bieber (DEBUT) 10. "No Me Mires Mas" - Kendji Girac featuring Soprano (DEBUT) The charity record "On Ecrit Sur Les Murs" ("We Write on the Walls") from Kids United, a group of six kids from immigrant families put together by UNICEF... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

" When We Kiss " - Bardeux from the album Bold As Love (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #36 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 3 Today's song of the day comes from the duo Bardeux, who started out with Acacia Smith and Tarrie B. After releasing a 12" single " Three Time Lover ", Tarrie left and Jaz Teaney took over. Releasing their debut album Bold As Love in 1988, Acacia and Jaz scored a minor pop hit with the HI-NRG jam " Magic Carpet Ride " (#81). They followed it up with a slower and more seductive offering, "When We Kiss". Written by Acacia with producer Jon St. James (who worked with Stacey Q, whose influence you can definitely hear), the booty-call jam works at a pace not really for the dancefloor... "When We Kiss" became Bardeux's sole top-40 pop hit in June of 1988. After that, Acacia again herself needing a new partner, and Melanie Taylor joined for their second album Shangri La . While the kickin'

" Should I Say Yes " - Nu Shooz from the album Told U So (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #41 This week's "robbed hit" comes from the Portland, Oregon duo Nu Shooz , who took their debut hit " I Can't Wait " to the top of the pop, R&B, and dance charts in the summer of 1986, followed by the top-40 " Point Of No Return ". Two years later, the married pair of Valerie Day and John Smith released their second major-label album, Told U So , which was more laid-back soulful than their last. The first single, "Should I Say Yes", was a departure from the sound they were known for, with a sparse electro-beat reminiscent of the freestyle work of Stevie B... While "Should I Say Yes" climbed to #17 on Billboard 's R&B chart, the single stopped short at #41 on the pop Hot 100. It also was a minor hit in the Netherlands. The two attempted a more upbeat follow-up with " Are You Lookin' For Somebody Nu

" New Sensation " - INXS from the album Kick (1987) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 12 Today's song of the day is by the Australian rock band INXS , who broke huge in America with their sixth album Kick , and landed a #1 pop single with " Need You Tonight " along with a #2 follow-up in " Devil Inside ". The third single and in my opinion best of the bunch was the uptempo dance-rock track "New Sensation". Written by lead singer Michael Hutchence along with band keyboardist Andrew Farris, the song floats along the inescapable rhythm guitar bed until the sax kicks in on the chorus... "New Sensation" became the third straight top-ten pop hit in the U.S. for the band in July of 1988. The single also climbed to #8 on Billboard 's Rock radio chart (then called the "Album Rock Tracks"), while the extended version stopped short at #11 on the Dance Club Play list. Internationally, the re

" Under The Milky Way " - The Church from the album Starfish (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #24 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 5 Today's Song of the Day comes from the Australian modern rock band the Church , who came together in the beginning of the 1980's in Sydney. Led by singer and bassist Steve Kilbey, they released their debut album at the end of that year, and second single " The Unguarded Moment " landed them a top-40 hit in both Australia (#22) and New Zealand (#19). They had a second top-40 hit in their home country in 1982 with " Almost With You ". Both were produced by Bob Clearmountain, who translated his "big sound" he uses with the likes of Bryan Adams with the emo posturing of Kilbey's vocals. They muddled along for a little while, even landing on the albums chart in America, before being dropped by their local label and moving off to America. The result was their fifth album Starfish , a much moodier and

I'll wrap up this week's "music sweeps", checking out the songs making 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, Robin S. returns to #1 for the first time since 1997 with "Shout It Out Loud" with DJ Escape... The sole new entry but still worthy "Dance Pick of the Week" belongs to the band PHASES who land at #50 with "I'm In Love With My Life"... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

Part four of this week's "music sweeps" has the latest hits on country radio as monitored by Billboard magazine ... On their Country Airplay chart, Thomas Rhett's " Die A Happy Man " spends an amazing fifth week at #1... Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler continues to try to break into the country music market at #57 with "Red White & You". It follows " Love Is Your Name ", which made it to #33 on this chart... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

We're at the "hump" of today's "music sweeps", sampling the songs making their way onto the various radio and singles charts in Billboard magazine . This time out I'm serving up the latest R&B hits on the airwaves... On their R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart, Drake's "Hotline Bling" is on top for a fifteenth week... Hip-hop artist Bryson Tiller jumps in at #33 with "Exchange". His radio hit " Don't " is up at #4... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

Round two of this week's "music sweeps" is up, checking out the songs making their way on to the singles charts in Billboard magazine , and this time I've got the latest hits on rock radio... On the main Rock Airplay chart, twenty-one pilots stay at #1 for a fourth non-consecutive week with " Stressed Out "... ...as their new single "Ride" is the highest entry at #30... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

I'm ready to kick off the first of today's "music sweeps", checking out the songs making the charts in Billboard magazine . As usual, we'll start 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 , Justin Bieber tops the chart for a second week with "Sorry"... After the death of David Bowie, the current single from his #1 album Blackstar , "Lazarus" lands his legacy the first top-40 pop hit in America since 1987's " Never Let Me Down ". Also two other of his tracks, " Space Oddity " and " Under Pressure ", re-enter the charts at #42 and #45 respectively. As for "Lazarus", it's an amazing piece of work; obviously this would never have had a shot at the top-40 save for the circumstances, but sadly it's good that it did happen, and this song should end up in the same rega

" Mercedes Boy " - Pebbles from the album Pebbles (1987) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2 (two weeks) Weeks in the Top-40: 11 Today's Song of the Day comes from dance-pop singer Perri " Pebbles " Reid, whose debut single " Girlfriend " landed her an out-of-the-box #1 R&B/top 5 pop hit. Her follow-up, the mid-tempo jam "Mercedes Boy", was written by the artist and produced by Charlie Wilson from the Gap Band. Seemingly comparing her privates to a luxury car, she's asking to be your Uber. Trying to grasp on to the then-hot "freestyle" genre, they slapped two "background singers" for her video... "Mercedes Boy" climbed to the runner-up spot on the American pop chart in July of 1988, while becoming her second in a row to hit #1 on Billboard 's R&B chart. The extended version also went to #2 on their Dance Club Play list. Internationally, the single just missed the top-40 at #42 in the UK, whi

It's time to cross the pond to check out the songs making their debut on the official singles chart in Britain this week, as Canadian singer Shawn Mendes scores his first #1 hit with " Stitches "... Mancunian rock band the 1975 land the highest-charting single of their career, as "The Sound" comes in at #15. It's now their fourth top-40 hit in the UK... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

It's time to run down my top 100 tunes from the previous week. Adele remains on top for a seventh week, while newcomer Alessia Cara (pictured above) climbs a pair of slots in the top ten. Songs from Disclosure/Lorde, JoJo, and Robin S/DJ Escape make the biggest jumps (moves of 10+ places highlighted in red ), while former big hits from The Weeknd and Coleman Hell drop off the list. Snowmaggedon 2016, commence! This Week             Song/Artist (last week's position in parentheses) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Hello - Adele (1) 2. Stressed Out - twenty-one pilots (2) 3. Adventure Of A Lifetime - Coldplay (4) 4. On My Mind - Ellie Goulding (3) 5. Stay A Little Longer - Brothers Osborne (5) 6. Here - Alessia Cara (8) 7. Ex's & Oh's - Elle King (7) 8. Hotline Bling - Drake (12) 9. Break Up In A Small Town - Sam Hunt (19) 10. Stand By You - Rachel Platten (14) 11. Burning House - Cam (6) 12

" Promise Me " - The Cover Girls from the album Show Me (1986) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #40 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 1 Today's song of the day comes from the freestyle trio the Cover Girls , whose debut album Show Me , after almost making the top-40 with the title track , then only nicked the top 100 with the follow-up "Spring Love". They finally cracked the American Top 40 in the winter of 1988 with " Because Of You ", with original member Sunshine Wright leaving to be replaced by Margo Urban. The fourth single from the set was the "ballad" of the album, "Promise Me". Written by the trio of Albert Cabrera and Tony Moran (aka the Latin Rascals) with Andy Tripoli, the song served as a break from the frenetic pace of the genre, and the background vocals set it up a notch... "Promise Me" slipped into the pop top-40 for a week in May of 1988. (Click below to see the rest of the post)

It's time to head Down Under to check out the songs making their debut on the official singles chart in Australia this week, as Justin Bieber's " Love Yourself " spends a sixth week at #1... British singer and X Factor UK finalist Fleur East lands on these shores at #25 with "Sax". Will it eventually make it to America? I certainly hope so... (Click below to see the rest of the post)

"Pour Some Sugar On Me" - Def Leppard from the album Hysteria (1987) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 15 Today's song of the day comes from the pop/metal band Def Leppard , whose Hysteria album had slowly and surely was picking up business, after first single "Women" sort of stiffed in America down at #80, then follow-up " Animal " made the top-20, and lastly, the title track from the set cracked the top ten, the first time for the group. The fourth single from the record was "Pour Some Sugar On Me", written by the band with producer Robert "Mutt" Lange. With a booming march-like chorus that Lange would later use to great effect with wife Shania Twain, the song became their best-known hit. Although in my neck of the woods there was whispering about it being about the "bubble" of the crack pipe... "Pour Some Sugar On Me" became Def Leppard's sixth top-40 pop hit, reach

Here's the top ten hits in Germany, according to their official singles chart , as American singer/songwriter Matt Simons climbs to #1 with "Catch & Release"... 1. " Catch & Release (Deepend Remix) " - Matt Simons (2) 2. " Hello " - Adele (1) 3. " Stitches " - Shawn Mendes (4) 4. " Stimme " - EFF (6) 5. " Light It Up (Remix) " - Major Lazer featuring Nyla and Fuse ODG (9) 6. " Gieles Leben " - Glasperlenspiel (3) 7. " Love Yourself " - Justin Bieber (10) 8. " Show Me Love " - Robin Schulz & J.U.D.G.E. (5) 9. " Sorry " - Justin Bieber (7) 10. " Lush Life " - Zara Larsson (8) For the second week in a row, there are no new songs in the top ten, but entering the entire top 100 at #11 is Austrian music star DJ Ötzi, who teams up with Nik P. for "Geboren Um Dich Zu Lieben" ("Born To Love You"). The pair went all the way to #1 in

" Beds Are Burning " - Midnight Oil from the album Diesel And Dust (1987) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 9 Today's song of the day comes from the Australian rock band Midnight Oil , who came together in Sydney in the mid 70s, changing their name from The Farm after adding lead singer Peter Garrett. Releasing their self-titled debut album in 1978, they snuck on to their national singles chart at #100 with " Run By Night ". Heralded for their live act, their albums sold well, and they finally cracked the top-40 in 1980 with their EP Bird Noises . With a rawer sound and more incendiary lyrics than their more popular peers INXS and Icehouse, nevertheless their audience kept growing, and in 1982, they broke bigin their homeland, with album 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 and lead single " Power and the Passion " both reaching the top ten. A following EP Species Diseases was their first release to top the singles chart (In Austr

Here's the top ten songs in France this week, according to their official singles chart , as the death of David Bowie causes Adele's "Hello" to fall from #1 after eleven weeks... 1. "Space Oddity" - David Bowie (DEBUT) 2. " Catch & Release (Deepend Remix) " - Matt Simons (3) 3. "Life On Mars" - David Bowie (DEBUT) 4. " Hello " - Adele (1) 5. " Don't Worry " - Madcon featuring Ray Dalton (2) 6. " Hundred Miles " - Yall featuring Gabriela Richardson (6) 7. " Tu Vas Me Manquer " - Maitre Gims (8) 8. "Blind" - Feder featuring Emmi (DEBUT) 9. "Heroes" - David Bowie (DEBUT) 10. " Sorry " - Justin Bieber (4) David's "Space Oddity" rockets back up to the top of the chart this week. (Click below to see the rest of the post)

" Nothin' But A Good Time " - Poison from the album Open Up And Say Ahhh! (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6 (one week) Weeks in the Top-40: 11 Today's song of the day comes from the band Poison , who found themselves at the top of the "glam-metal" heap by the mid-80's. Their debut album, Look What The Cat Dragged In , landed them a top-10 pop hit off the bat with " Talk Dirty To Me ". After their follow-up " I Want Action " missed the top-40, they came back strong with the power-ballad " I Won't Forget You ". In 1988, the group released their second album Open Up And Say...Ahhh! , pretty much a copycat version of their first. The first single, like "Talk Dirty...", was the set's party anthem, "Nothin' But A Good Time". Written by the band and produced by Tom Werman (who had produced yesterday's SOTD act Cheap Trick), it was a no-brainer for their fans... "Nothin' Bu

" Take It While It's Hot " - Sweet Sensation from the album Take It While It's Hot (1988) Billboard Hot 100 peak: #57 This week's "robbed hit" comes from the freestyle vocal trio Sweet Sensation, hailing from New York City with lead singer Betty LeBron along with backup vocalists and sisters Margie and Mari Fernandez. Originally signed to Next Plateau Records (Salt N Pepa's label), the group released their first single, " Hooked On You " in 1986, which climbed to #64 on the pop chart (it later would become a top-40 hit). Their next single, " (Goodbye Baby) Victim Of Love ",  got the attention of DJs, and landed them on Billboard 's Dance Club Play chart at #44. After Atlantic Records' Atco imprint picked them up, those two songs were included on their 1988 debut album Take It While It's Hot . The title track, written by Joe Malloy, would be their next radio release, and was the first to rule radio in New Yor