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.’
Next week I’m going to launch the next installment of my “keeping up with what the kids are listening to” series, in which I feature songs currently topping Billboard’s Hot 100.
I suspect I might be jumping the gun by posting Ariana Grande’s ‘Problem’ today. I don’t know where it sits on that chart (and I won’t cheat and look now) but based on the growing buzz, I’m guessing it’s pretty high.
Lately I’ve read a lot of praise of Ariana Grande’s new music, including frequent comparisons to her idol Mariah Carey. I get the sense that Grande, whom I know from her acting work on the Nickelodeon show Victorious, is on the verge of musical stardom.
I’m happy for her. She has great comic timing and delivery on the show, and has made enough of an impression to earn her own spin-off show, Sam & Cat, pairing her with iCarly alum Jennette McCurdy.
I have 7- and 11-year-old daughters, in case you’re wondering why I know any of this.
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