Marron 5’s second song in the top 20, ‘Maps,’ sits at #18 of the Billboard chart. And at #19 is ‘Cool Kids’ by the L.A. pop band Echosmith.
When I first saw this chart entry, I wasn’t sure if the song was ‘Cool Kids’ and the band Echosmith or vice versa. I find that happening more and more often these days.
Billboard positions 14 through 16 are repeats: in order, ‘Rude‘ by MAGIC!, Sia’s ‘Chandelier‘ and Charli XCX’s ‘Boom Clap.’
At #17 is Ed Sheeran with ‘Don’t.’ Sheeran last reached the top 20 with the supremely catchy ‘Sing,’ which peaked at the 13th position. Will this song be able to top that one and perhaps advance into the top ten?
At lucky number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 is One Direction, with ‘Steal My Girl,’ a power pop ballad that shamelessly steals its opening piano riff from Journey’s ‘Faithfully.’
Or if you grew up in the 00s and not the 80s, you might think they shamelessly ripped off the opening riff of New Found Glory’s ‘It’s Not Your Fault,’ blissfully unaware that NFG ripped it off from Journey first.
British singer-songwriter Laura Marling was all of 20 years old when she recorded this stunning little song. And this was on her second album, the first having come out when she was 18.
A British Fiona Apple, perhaps? I don’t know anything about Marling except that I’ve stumbled upon a few of her songs and been blown away every time.
Here’s a track from Justin Timberlake’s debut solo album, Justified, released in 2002.
Like most of the album, the track was co-written by Timberlake, Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams. I believe this is the first time I’ve heard the song, and god willing, it will be the last.
This track solidifies my opinion that Timberlake is a better actor than a pop star. I know he went on to bigger and better things, but isn’t it all pretty much in this vein?
