I'm Not Too Fond of the Songs This Week

I have to say I wasn't too thrilled with this week's new entries to the Billboard Top 100 charts.

99. Drake Featuring T.I. & Swizz Beatz, Fancy
OK, well, it's a typical Hip Hop song. Good bounce, well produced, catchy chorus, but not much substance. I don’t really see this getting very far. It's good for the clubs though.


98. Blake Shelton, All About Tonight
This has been around a while on the Country charts. It's got a good solid driving beat, and the chorus is a real up lifter, and a good Country feeling. That said, I don’t think it's got the staying power compared to other Country songs. Maybe this'll have a few weeks.

97. Craig Morgan, This Ain't Nothin'
A soft Country ballad, telling a sad tale of family tragedies. Only Country music can get away with this. The music is very typical, and overall it's an average song, but the subject matter wants me to go get the tissue. This will have maybe a couple of weeks.


96. Rodney Atkins, Farmer's Daughter
There's quite a bit of Country music this week. This is another story of a man's life on the farm. I don’t get it. Maybe it's coz I'm a city boy. Anyway, the song is alright, but far from a Country great. It's been on the Country charts for a while, but on the Billboard Hot 100? Maybe a week or two on the charts.


95. Jaheim, Finding My Way Back
Combining a little Hip Hop and a lot of Rn'B, this is quite a good song. His voice is good and pulls you into the song. The chorus pushes the song really high. This get's two thumbs up from me. How will this do? Good question. I think this will climb but not too high.


93. The Dirty Heads Featuring Rome, Lay Me Down
I love the beat here. It's like a soft acoustic Rock mixed with Reggae. This song has a lot of potential, and I think it will do well. Not top 20, but well, and will hang around for a while. My favorite for the week.


91. Bobby Brackins Featuring Ray J, 143
I never got why Hip Hop artists always say their names in their songs. This song has got a strong Hip Hop beat, but isn't a strong Hip Hop song. It's just not interesting enough, and follows an already tired formula of song structure. I don’t think this will be here next week.


90. Soulja Boy Tell'em, Pretty Boy Swag
He's back, with ever repeating his name. Um, this song kind of drags, and I mean literally. It's like it's this heavy bag that he's trying to pull along the floor. It's bad, it's boring, how did this get into the Top 100??? I hope it's not here next week.


89. 3OH!3, Double Vision
These guys have been shelling out quite a few songs over the past months. I think this is one of the weaker songs, even with the good chorus. All that being said, it still has some potential, and I think this will climb.


81. Disturbed, Another Way To Die
It's not often that you get a hard Rock song on the Top 100. Now, while this song isn't a bad one for the Genre, the band has had much better. This will do well on the Rock charts, but I don’t see this here next week, even with its green message. If it is, it'll probably drop.


71. Drake Featuring Alicia Keys, Fireworks
These two have a great ability to provide us with a good strong solid song combining both Drake's Hip Hop and Alicia Keys' Rn'B.
So why did they give us this garbage? There's nothing here. He drones on in the verse, and she gives us a lower than average chorus. This will drop, IMO.


57. Drake, 9 AM In Dallas
He's given us a few songs this week. This one is better than the others. It's not bad for the Genre. It's a little monotonic, but the background music keeps it interesting. I don’t see too much of a future for the song, though. I think next week it will drop.


49. Drake Featuring Nicki Minaj, Up All Night
He's a busy man this week. I'm not sure what the marketing strategy is here. Anyway, This week's highest new entry is just another Hip Hop song that sounds like so many others. And nowhere near his best. This will drop next week.


So how did I do on last week's predictions?

Right:
Glee Cast – Like I said last week, the success of their songs on the charts didn’t usually make it more than one week.
Ne-Yo, Beautiful Monster – It's more or less stayed put, as I thought.
Christina Aguilera, Bionic – this was a bad song.
Shakira Featuring Freshlyground, Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) – it's still in season.

Wrong:
Justin Bieber Featuring Jaden Smith, Never Say Never – Although I never really said what I thought would happen with the song, I did think it would stay in a high place. It dropped to 65.

Undetermined:
OneRepublic, Secrets – I thought it would stay a little while longer, but it left the charts.
Train, If It's Love – It still has a while to go on my prediction, but it climbed 12 places.
Lil Jon Featuring 3OH!3, Hey – While I did predict a hit, it climbed only Eight places.

World Cup

It's the World Cup again. But aside from a couple of songs, that has nothing to do with the charts.

98. OneRepublic, Secrets
I think OneRepublic are forever going to live in the shadow of their own hit Apologize. While this Pop song isn't bad, it doesn't have the energy of being a hit. I'm curious how this will do, but I don't give it too many weeks, and I don't think it will climb very high.


89. Train, If It's Love
I really like this one. It's got a good Rock-Pop vibe. But like OneRepublic, Train need to fill some big shoes from their other song Hey, Soul Sister. If It's Love does have potential, and is my favorite for this week, but I'm not sure it can climb too high. I think It'll break into the top 50.


84. Glee Cast, Bohemian Rhapsody
First off, if you've never heard the original, go listen to it, because that is more or less the definition of a classic Rock song. This version isn't bad, but it's basic mimicking of the original. I'll give this another week.
On a side note, the Muppets have a good version of the song too.


76. Glee Cast , To Sir With Love
Not much to say here. It's a cute version of the song. Obviously, it's not as good as the original. Not here next week.


70. Lil Jon Featuring 3OH!3, Hey
I have to say I really like the Dance intro. There's some great chemistry going here. It's catchy, it’s bouncy, it's groovy, it's a hit.


67. Ne-Yo, Beautiful Monster
The first thing that I thought was that he's had better. I think he's lost track a bit. This is just a plain Dance song, not worthy of Ne-Yo. Sorry. This might have a couple of weeks, but not more than that.


66. Christina Aguilera, Bionic
Like almost all the artists this week, Christina too gives a song that is far from her other much much better material. If it didn’t have her name on it, I don’t think anyone would look at this song. It’s bad. Please don’t be here next week.


58. Glee Cast, Any Way You Want It
I like the energy they give here. The song does it no matter who performs it, but they've really got it here. I enjoyed listening to it. Sadly, It won’t be here next week.


44. Shakira Featuring Freshlyground, Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)
I'm not a sports fan, so this is about as close as I'm going to get to the World Cup (It’s the official song). It's not bad. It gets your head bopping up and down. I think it'll stay in the top 50 for a few weeks.


43. Glee Cast, Over The Rainbow
I'd say this is more a cover of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version than the Garland version. Anyway, It's nice to listen to. It might have another week or so, but not more than that.


37. Glee Cast, Faithfully
Not a bad cover of the Journey song. It's performed quite well, and very emotionally. This might have a few weeks on the charts.


33. Justin Bieber Featuring Jaden Smith, Never Say Never
My biggest fears have come true. The 80's are back. The remake of the Karate Kid brings along a very 80's sounding Pop song, and this week's highest new entry. The song is catchy and will be a hit. I do need to say, Jaden Smith has a very loooooooong way to go to get to his dad's level as a rapper.


So how did I do last week?

Right:
Neon Trees, Animal – it's a nice song, but only climbed 7 places.
Glee – it's become pretty predictable that nearly all their songs drop out of the charts after only a week.
Billy Currington, Pretty Good At Drinkin' Beer – while only climbing 3 places, it's still here.
Drake Featuring Lil Wayne, Miss Me – It didn't have that staying power so it dropped 30 places.

Wrong:
Taio Cruz featuring Ke$ha, Dirty Picture – I'm quite surprised. I thought this would do well.
3OH!3, Déjà Vu – while I didn't think much of the song, I did think it would go up rather than leave the charts.
T.I. - Yeah Ya Know (Takers) – I thought this would be a hit. It dropped to 100.
T.I. Featuring Keri Hilson, Got Your Back – Another one I liked but miss-judged
Taio Cruz, Dynamite – not my week.

Undetermined:
V V Brown, Shark in the Water – while it did climb 14 places, it's yet to be a smash.
Nicki Minaj, Your Love – I really didn't like this song. Still, it climbed 25 places.

A Mixed Tape

There’s a new No.1. Katy Perry’s California Gurls has knocked Usher off the top. Not bad work for only a few weeks. Let’s see what’s new this week.

100. Neon Trees, Animal
The Rock song itself isn’t bad. There are some definite inspirations from The Killers. The song has a good drive and is pretty catchy in the chorus. That said, I don’t see it getting very far in the Hot 100.

97. V V Brown, Shark in the Water
The intro is pretty cool and gets you to listen for more.
While this Pop song is pretty solid, and pretty catchy, it doesn’t have a lasting sort of power. I also don’t predict too much success for this song here in the charts.

96. Taio Cruz featuring Ke$ha, Dirty Picture
For a dance song, it’s not too bad at all. Catchy, good beat, dynamic, all the makings of a hit. This song will get far, it’s got me bouncing.

95. Glee Cast, It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.
The original is a classic and this is not, hehe. I didn’t see the episode, so I don’t know about the song connection, but listening to the song, it could have had more effort put into it. This probably won’t be here next week.

94. Little Big Town, Little White Church
This one’s been in the Country charts for a good while, and I’m glad it’s made it into the Hot 100. It’s got a great country beat, and they really gave a great performance here. Good stuff. I think this will still be here over the next few weeks, though I don’t think it’ll climb too high.

93. Glee Cast, Loser
The original Beck song was a huge hit when I was in high school, so hearing it brings some fond memories. They’ve done a good job here. They’ve managed to keep the song atmosphere. But like most Glee stuff, this probably won’t be here next week. Pity, because this is my favorite for the week.

87. Glee Cast, Tell Me Something Good
Not quite the original, but pretty good to listen to. They got the feel right.
Not here next week.

83. Billy Currington, Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer
It’s one of those Country songs that puts a smile on your face. While the word original doesn’t stick to the song style, it does to the lyrics.
It’ll stick around for a while, I hope.

79. Glee Cast, Another One Bites the Dust
Oooh, this is a bad attempt at covering a Queen song. Not sure why, but I didn’t like this. Made me want to get to the next song. I don’t want this to be in the charts next week.
 
75. 3OH!3, Déjà Vu
While so many of their other songs have been pretty good. This is actually a little disappointment. The whole song structure sounds a little like a sellout. Now, while I’m not too fond of the song, I think it might do well on the charts.

69. Glee Cast, Good Vibrations
They’ve taken the old 90’s hit, and tried to get the same sound and feel. I think they just missed. Why is this placed higher than the other of their songs this week? Yuck, me no like. Please don’t be here next week.

51. Nicki Minaj, Your Love
It starts off sampling Annie Lenox. Then goes into a very typical Hip-Hop Pop style song. But then the chorus really gets irritating. Just repeating the word Your Love over and over. Ouch my ears. The thing is, this might still be here next week. Please don’t.

44. T.I, Yeah Ya Know
It’s typical Hip-Hop, but in a good way. This will do pretty well.
Not really more to say.

38. T.I featuring Keri Hilson, Got Your Back
T.I’s giving us a double feature this week. This is much better than Yeah Ya Know. It’s bouncier, catchier and more deserving to be on the charts. Cherry on top, this will be here for a while.

26. Taio, Dynamite
The second new entry for Taio, and while it isn’t too bad. I have to say that his other song was better. This too has some lasting power to it, so It’ll stay up here for a while.

15. Drake featuring Lil Wayne, Miss Me
This week’s highest new entry. Very Hip Hoppy, very bouncy. The problem I felt with it is the song s seems to drone on and on and on. Well, I don’t make the rules, But I have feeling this might drop next week.

Ok, let’s see how my last week predictions came out.

Right:
Rick Ross featuring Ne-Yo, Super High – It wasn’t a very strong song, so it left the charts.
Lee Dewyze, The Boxer – It left the charts.
Glee Cast, Beth – yeah, that was obvious.
Crystal Bowersox, Up to the Mountain – There wasn’t much staying power.

Wrong:
Lee DeWyze & Crystal Bowersox, Falling Slowly - I thought this would go up, it went down.
Lee DeWyze, Hallelujah – I have a feeling it’s not going to stick around as long as I had hoped.
Lee DeWyze, Beautiful Day – I didn’t do very well on his predictions.

Undetermined:
J. Cole, Who Dat – I thought it might stay a couple more weeks, but not even that.
Cali Swag District, Teach Me how to Dougie – I didn’t like it, but still gave it a chance. It climbed 10 places.
Paramore, The Only Exception – it only climbed four places, but I’m not giving up on it yet.
Will Young, Leave Right Now – I gave the song another two week, but it left.

American Idol Week

100. Rick Ross fetauring Ne-Yo, Super High
There’s a great funky, Hip Hop sound here, but the song itself isn’t that great. The groove catches you at first and you find yourself bouncing your head up and down with “yeah that’s cool” smile, but after a while, that wears off. I’m not sure how long will last long. Maybe a week?


93. J. Cole, Who Dat
Well, for Hip Hop, it’s not very original, neither musically nor lyrically. But there’s something to this song. The chorus is very catchy (who dat who dat). I don’t think the song has much staying power. The overall level of the songs stays pretty constant and not much dynamics. I’ll say this will have a few weeks in the charts.

91. Cali Swag District, Teach Me how to Dougie
The 50’s had the Twist. The 90’s had the Macarena. They are trying to bring us the Dougie. Well, it would help if they actually showed what it was in video clip, instead of cutting all the time. As for the song, it’s pretty boring. Also is this Hip Hop? Again we have a song which I don’t really like, but I have a feeling might do well.


90. Paramore, The Only Exception
I’ve admired this Rock band for a while. Hayley Williams, the little girl with the power of a tornado in her voice. The Only Exception is a very good song. While not their best, IMO, it’s a powerful tune and good lyrics. It has a lot of potential, and it is my favourite of the week. I’m going to predict this song will do well.


88. Lee Dewyze, The Boxer
The first new entry from the American Idol winner. His version of Simon and Garfunkel’s hit is pretty good for a live recording. I think, like glee songs, this is all more promotional stuff, so next week might not be here.


81. Will Young, Leave Right Now
Hmmmmm, OK, so? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a Pop nice song. He’s got a very nice voice, but there’s not much else. This might stick around for a bit longer, maybe two or three weeks.


72. Glee Cast, Beth
Here they do what they always do, but they’ve done a lot better in the past. On the other hand, they reminded me that I must listen to Kiss more often. The song is a classic, and they didn’t do it much justice. Next week, not here.


66. Lee DeWyze & Crystal Bowersox, Falling Slowly
It’s a lovely duet, and a good cover of the song. They have great energy together, and it really draws you in. This might do well. I’ll say it’ll get into the top 50.


57. Crystal Bowersox, Up to the Mountain
Now this girl’s got a fantastic voice, and she really deserved to get where she did on American Idol. Dare I say she should have won? Well, I guess that’s all a matter of taste. Here she does a good version of the song, though I don’t hink this will be here next week. If it is, then it will drop considerably.


44. Lee DeWyze, Hallelujah
A nice version of one of my all time favorite songs (though apparently I’m the only one who likes the leonard cohen version). I think it’s more the arrangements that make this version what it is. This should stick around for a while. Now everyone, altogether, sing in chorus… Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.


24. Lee DeWyze, Beautiful Day
This week’s highest new entry. Why is this higher than Hallelujah? It’s Ok, but not brilliant, and a far cry from the original U2 version. There’s a lot of energy here, and the song stays strong throughout, but still, the original has so much more. I don’t think this will be here next week.


OK, so let’s see last week’s predictions.

Right:
Gyptian, Hold You. It left the charts.
Zac Brown Band, Free. Well, even though it only climbed up 15 points. I’m pretty satisfied with my prediction.
Glee Cast, Safety Dance. It went away and thank God for that.
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare. I think this one was pretty obvious.
Glee Cast, Dream On. Nearly dropped out completely.

Wrong:
Glee Cast, Poker Face. I wasn’t even close. It shot up to No. 20
Glee Cast, Bad Romance. I got this one wrong too. It went up to No. 30
Muse, Neutron Star Collision. I’m not doing very well. I thought this would stick around, and it left.
3OH3!, Touchin On My. Not my week is it.

Undetermined:
Christina Aguilera Featuring Nicki Minaj, Woohoo. I didn’t think it was that good, but I thought it might do Ok. It left the charts.
Glee Cast, I Dreamed a Dream. While I did think it wouldn’t be in the charts. It did drop considerably to 96.
Miley Cyrus, Can't Be Tamed. It dropped down to 18. What does that say?