Billboard’s fifth spot features the first song I’ve already featured, The Chainsmoker’s ‘Don’t Let Me Down.’ Good song… even better than the one they put on the top of the charts this week.
So jumping to #6, we have our second appearance by Justin Bieber, who makes quite a living being featured on other people’s songs. This time it’s DJ Snake, known (to me, at least) for ‘Lean On‘ and ‘Turn Down for What.’
‘Cheap Thrills,’ the latest from Sia, lands at #4 this week. This song was initially written for inclusion on Rihanna’s Anti but didn’t make the cut. It found a home on This is Acting, a collection of songs Sia wrote for other artists, and wound up as a hit for her.
‘Cheap Thrills’ likely would have been a hit for Rihanna as well — it’s very radio friendly — but I don’t know how well it would have fit on Anti, which largely eschews this sort of party song.
Major Lazer sits at Billboard’s #3 this week with ‘Cold Water,’ featuring vocals by Justin Bieber and MØ.
The electronic band previously reached the top five with ‘Lean On,’ also featuring MØ. ‘Cold Water’ is a less interesting track than that one, but it’s pleasantly catchy, the latest example of the low-key island vibe that has dominated the charts over the past year.
In Billboard’s second spot is ‘Heathens’ , a track by twenty one pilots from the Suicide Squad soundtrack. This is one of two twenty one pilots songs on this week’s top ten.
This is the second twenty one pilots song I’ve featured, following ‘Stressed Out‘ from another Billboard round-up in March. Guess these guys are having a good year.
It’s time again for my quarterly look at “What the Kids are Listening To!” I will highlight the songs sitting at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 and decide whether or not I have faith in the future of humanity — or at least humanity’s taste in popular music.
Sitting at #1 this week, as it has for the past three, is ‘Closer,’ by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey. This is the first #1 song for both acts.
Meet Me In Montauk 