Billboard’s #8 spot belongs to Sia and ‘Chandelier,’ still one of my favorite hit songs of the year so far. And the ninth spot gives us repeat appearances by two artists — Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.
‘Bang Bang’ is their collaboration with British singer Jessie J (of ‘Price Tag’ fame), who gets top billing here (the song will appear on her upcoming album).
In the seventh spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 is Ariana Grande’s latest single, ‘Break Free.’ Grande has had a song in the top ten for months now — quite a feat for the fourth lead in a Nickelodeon sitcom.
My appreciation for Grande’s previous hit, ‘Problem,’ is well-documented on this blog. It’s my vote for Song of the Summer after a summer that really didn’t produce a clear winner for that title. ‘Break Free’ is ok, but it’s no ‘Problem.’
In the 4th and 5th Billboard spots this week are two repeats — Sam Smith’s ‘Stay With Me‘ and Magic!’s ‘RUDE.’
Smith never managed to hit #1 with his sleepy love song, while ‘RUDE’ managed a few weeks at the top spot (and inspired a NY Post article suggesting it might be the worst #1 song in history).
At #6 is a new song from a familiar name on this chart, Iggy Azalea.
The top three songs on the Billboard chart right now are by women, and this is after unseating the likes of Iggy Azalea and Ariana Grande, who previously dominated the top positions.
I think it’s safe to say women rule the musical world.
Also interesting: Two of the top three songs in the land are celebrations of women with big asses. That must be a first.
It’s time for another visit to the Billboard Hot 100 to see what the kids are listening to these days. I’ve enjoyed these trips into unfamiliar territory, both for the boost to my pop culture literacy and the occasional discovery of a worthwhile tune.
At #1 right now is Taylor Swift’s new single, ‘Shake It Off.’ The song is one of her worst, but obviously that’s not limiting its sales potential.
