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Song of the Day #5,836: ‘These Walls’ – Dua Lipa

Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…

The Ladies of 2024
#2 – Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism

One thing I didn’t have on my 2024 bingo card was Dua Lipa’s third album flopping. Following the string of hits on her last release, plus Barbie‘s ‘Dance the Night,’ I figured she was about to deliver a blockbuster.

To be fair, Radical Optimism did debut at #1 in the UK, and give her the best first week sales for a British artist in several years. And her #2 placement on the Billboard 200 topped that of 2020’s Future Nostalgia, which peaked at #3.

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Song of the Day #5,835: ‘Bye’ – Ariana Grande

Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…

The Ladies of 2024
#3 – Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine

This was the first album to drop of all the ones I’m featuring, and though it has faded from the conversation, it remains one of the year’s best new releases.

Ariana Grande’s seventh album is 35 minutes of pop heaven, and maybe the breeziest album ever inspired by a divorce.

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Song of the Day #5,834: ‘Tiempo Sin Verte’ – Shakira

Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…

The Ladies of 2024
#4 – Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran

A couple of weeks ago I declared that I’m not primarily a lyrics guy. Exhibit A would be my enduring affection for the Spanish-language output of Shakira.

I enjoy the Colombian singer-songwriter’s English-language work as well, but it definitely takes a back seat to the great work she has done in her native tongue.

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Song of the Day #5,833: ‘Birds of a Feather’ – Billie Eilish

Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…

The Ladies of 2024
#5 – Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft

At just 22 years old, Billie Eilish already has a slew of Grammys, two Oscars, and two best-selling albums. So what does one do as a follow-up to all that success?

Based on Eilish’s third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, the answer is whatever the hell she wants.

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Song of the Day #5,832: ‘A World Without Love’ – Peter and Gordon

On June 22, 1964, the #1 song in the U.S. was ‘A World Without Love,’ the first single by British duo Peter and Gordon. The song also reached #1 in their native UK.

This song was written by a 16-year-old Paul McCartney, and given to Peter Asher because Paul was dating his sister Jane. Paul apparently didn’t think the track was good enough for The Beatles, but its success for this previously unknown duo suggests it would have likely been another chart-topper for the Fab Four had they opted to record it.

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