I’ve noticed a resurgence of the ska/reggae pop sound that was prevalent in the 90s.
Paramore’s hit ‘Ain’t It Fun’ could have been ripped from a No Doubt or Save Ferris album. Nico & Vinz’s ‘Am I Wrong?’ has a similar, though more laid-back, vibe.
Today’s SOTD, Billboard’s #15 for the week I sampled, is another example.
Here’s a perfect example of YouTube’s effect on the Billboard charts.
How does a live version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ wind up at #14 on the Hot 100 in 2014? Thanks to a viral video, of course.
High school junior Brett Nichols performed a dance routine to ‘Billie Jean’ in front of a packed gymnasium and footage of the performance spread across the web like wildfire.
In Billboard’s 13th spot is ‘Sing,’ a track by the hobbit-like Ed Sheeran.
This song is a significant departure for Sheeran, who was previously best-known for the sensitive acoustic ballad ‘The A-Team.’ ‘Sing’ sounds more like Maroon 5, with Sheeran himself handling the rap break.
The song, like half of past year’s hits, was co-written by Pharell Williams.
Until I located the video for today’s SOTD, I’d always assumed that Calvin Harris was black.
I made that assumption having never heard one of his own songs (that I know of) though I’m somewhat familiar with his collaborations with artists such as Rihanna. So I was surprised to see a pasty white Scottish guy singing this ode to a love as fleeting as the warmest season.
I’ve noticed a trend in the top Billboard songs, especially as we move into summer.
The big hits tend to either be hedonistic party anthems or touchy-feely motivational songs that could come right out of a self-help book.
As recent examples of the latter, think Pharell’s ‘Happy’ and Nico & Vinz’s ‘Am I Wrong?’ (both in the top ten) as well as today’s SOTD, Paramore’s ‘Ain’t It Fun.’
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