Thursday, December 29, 2016

More Favorite Songs of 2016

I recently listed my Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2016. Just for clarification let me explain that those songs all had to meet the eligibility for that list by reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 during 2016. I happen to be one of those people that believes that "It's not a hit until it's a hit on Billboard". Just in case you don't know, in order to reach the top of the Billboard HOT 100, a song must get the most sales, streams and radio airplay for any given week.

There were lots of other songs that I loved in 2016 that failed to make the top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart. Here's a list of some of my other favorites in 2016. One thing that I can say about all of these songs is that it's a shame it didn't get more sales and airplay to do better on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart.

In the ideal world, great songs from Country, Pop, Dance and R and B would all find their way to the upper positions of the Billboard HOT 100.

Stronger Together - Jessica Sanchez: The anthem to celebrate the first woman President of the United States. Now I know something went wrong, but it's still an inspiring anthem.    

Perfect Illusion - Lady Gaga: The public can be so harsh. It's one of her best songs ever but she set the standard for herself so high that it's like nothing is ever going to be good enough again.    

Church Bells - Carrie Underwood: Another great story about a man who has done his woman wrong and paid the ultimate price. No one delivers better than Carrie.


Forever Country - Artists of Then, Now and Forever: In celebration of the 50th Annual CMA Awards the biggest in country music all came together to perform this outstanding slice of nostalgia. John Denver would have been very proud.  

You Should Be Here - Cole Swindell: This heartfelt ballad takes you on the emotional roller coaster every time you miss someone and wish they were enjoying a festive moment with you.   

We Went - Randy Houser: A high energy two step about some country bumpkins who steal from the rich and give to the poor and it turns into a hot pursuit police chase!   

Girl Next Door - Brandy Clark: A wonderful songwriter and performer who is sadly overlooked by the masses. Her breakthrough should be coming any day now with songs this good.    

Humble and Kind - Tim McGraw: Beautiful words to live by. Plain and simple, yet completely powerful. The CMT Video of the Year and the CMA Song of the Year.   

Move - Luke Bryan: This country boy is shaking it for us and it's always good!  

Infamous - Mariah Carey and Jussie Smollett: The legendary diva made an appearance on Empire and she performed this amazing song.

Top 10 Songs of 2016

The Top 10 songs of 2016!!
2016 has been a great year for fun pop songs getting into the upper portion of the Billboard HOT 100 Singles chart. Here's my Top 10 favorite songs of the year:

We Don't Talk Anymore - Selena Gomez with Charlie Puth

Selena is at her most likeable on this buoyant pop track. It's catchy and everything else you want to hear on repeat all year long. Perfect for dancing a west coast swing.     

Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande

The title track from her outstanding third album is continuing her streak of delivering catchy hooks, and powerhouse vocals, but this time there is a new level of maturity and sophistication. Perfect for dancing a Viennese waltz. 

Can't Stop The Feeling - Justin Timberlake

Justin is a master at following the pop music formula and delivering an across the board crowd pleasing dance party anthem. Fun for all ages!!! Perfect for dancing a hustle.   

Cheap Thrills - Sia

She's still hiding her face, but for another year she is serving up strong vocals on a great song. Perfect for Dancing a samba.    

Cake By The Ocean - DNCE

The Jonas Brothers never gave us a pop anthem that was this good. And who doesn't want to dance and eat cake by the ocean!!! Perfect for Dancing a hustle.     

24K Magic - Bruno Mars

Bruno has taken his pop music sensibility and paired it with the classic 80's funk sound of Rick James and Teena Marie. This is a retro jam that is refreshing to hear back on the airwaves.    

Side To Side - Ariana Grande

This girl is just working with the best songwriters and producers because everything she releases is better than what everyone else is doing. This time there is a reggae bounce to the groove and it is infectious.    

Send My Love - Adele

Admittedly this is my least favorite track on her album 25, but compared to the rubbish that other artists are releasing this is a true gem of amazing vocals and musicality.    

Closer - The Chainsmokers

Everything on the radio in 2016 sounded exactly like this song. While most of those other songs are tiresome drivel, this one rose above the rest and didn't totally suck.   

7 Years - Lukas Graham

It's a good song. Nice vocals. Lyrics that you can understand and that aren't stupid. The rest of the songs that came out this year were really bad. 

American Idol Grammy Nominations

The nominations for the 59th Grammy Awards have been announced and once again there were some Miss American Idol finalists who heard their names called.

The Season 1 Miss American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson is nominated for the Best Pop Solo Performance for her track Piece By Piece that she performed live this season when she was a guest judge. 

The Supreme Miss American Idol, Season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood, is up for Best Country Solo Performance for her track Church Bells.

The Season 3 Miss American Idol winner Fantasia is nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance for her track Sleeping With The One I Love. 

The winners will be announced on Sunday February 12th.

2016 Year End Charts

The #1 album on the Billboard charts for all of 2016 is 25 by Adele.

There was only one Miss American Idol finalist who made an impact on the 2016 year end charts. It's no surprise at it is The Supreme Miss American Idol, Season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood.  The latest release from Carrie Underwood, Storyteller, finishes out the year at #36. She also comes in strong ranking at #98 with her Greatest Hits: Decade #1.

Over on the Top Country Albums chart for 2016 Storyteller lands at #4 for the year while Greatest Hits: Decade #1 is at #25.  

The Top 5 singles for 2016 on the Billboard HOT 100 are: #1 Love Yourself by Justin Bieber, #2 Sorry by Justin Bieber, #3 One Dance by Drake, WizKid and Kyla, #4 Work by Rihanna and Drake and at #5 Stressed Out by 21 Pilots.

There weren't any Miss American Idol finalists who were able to make a showing on the 2016 Top Billboard HOT 100 hits of the year.

Over on the Billboard 2016 Top Artists of the Year chart the Supreme Miss American Idol, Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood, can be found at #29. If you only look at the Top Female Artists of 2016 she ends up at #9. And if we look at the Top Country Artists of 2016 Carrie Underwood comes in at #5.