I can tell it’s been awhile since I’ve done one of these Billboard theme weeks because the first six songs on the chart are all new to the blog. It’s nice to see some fresh blood on the charts.
Rachel Platten finds herself in the #6 spot largely thanks to Taylor Swift, who has promoted Platten’s ‘Fight Song’ both online and in concert. Swift even invited Platten onstage to perform the anthemic track during a concert this summer.
The Random iTunes Fairy is aiming for a theme weekend, it seems. As with Nellie McKay, yesterday’s selection, Fleet Foxes are a band I abandoned years ago only to second-guess my decision.
The difference is that McKay has continued to record in the ensuing decade, while Fleet Foxes released one more album and have since unofficially split.
It’s been almost ten years since I last paid attention to Nellie McKay. Her 2006 album Pretty Little Head, on which today’s random SOTD appears, was an uneven follow-up to her delightful debut, Get Away From Me, and it removed any desire I had to stick with her.
In hindsight, that wasn’t very fair to Ms. McKay, who is undeniably talented at both songwriting and singing across multiple genres. Most people are allowed three strikes.
Rounding out Billboard’s top five is another track by The Weeknd, who’s having a hell of a week. The Canadian artist’s second studio album hits stores today and based on the success of its first three singles, it’s bound to be a blockbuster.
‘The Hills’ is another track, like ‘Can’t Feel My Face,’ that centers on drug use and relationships — Abel Tesfaye appears to be as infatuated with drugs as he is with women.
Crawling up Billboard’s Hot 100, reaching its peak position (so far) at #4, is Major Lazer’s ‘Lean On.’ My family was introduced to this track several months ago by the soft-spoken 13-year-old son of a friend.
Major Lazer (a trio currently made up of popular DJ Diplo along with lesser-known DJs Jillionaire and Walshy Fire) enlisted Danish singer MØ to handle lead vocals on this song. She also contributed Gwen Stefani-esque dance moves to the colorful video below.
Meet Me In Montauk 