Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - December 25, 2011


This video is a bit creepy... but the song's a hit.

Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of December 25, 2011.

This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Run For Your Life (2nd Week @ #1!)Matt Cardle1
2It Will RainBruno Mars2
3ParadiseColdplay3
4Someone Like YouAdele5
5The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi4
6In The DarkDev6
7MajorThe Asteroids Galaxy Tour8
8Show Me The WayThe Cranberries9
9Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)Foster The People10
10Big In Japan (Single Edit)Martin Solveig ft Dragonette & Idoling11
11Marry The NightLady GaGa12
12Pumped Up KicksFoster the People7
13Princess Of ChinaColdplay & Rihanna15
14Tainted LoveImelda May16
15SweeterGavin DeGraw17
16The WalkMayer Hawthorne19
17Hang It UpThe Ting Tings20
18We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna13
19Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan14
20Red Solo CupToby Keith--

CHART NOTES

Matt Cardle holds on to the #1 spot for a 2nd week in a row with "Run For Your Life." Fact is the top 3 records are the same this week as last week. Holding at #2 is Bruno Mars with "It Will Rain" and Coldplay at #3 with "Paradise".

Elsewhere in the top 20 most songs that moved up made only small steps up from the previous week. Songs that moved down, plummeted considerably (for a top 20 list). Those songs on a downward spiral include "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People down from #7 to #12; Rihanna's "We Found Love" down from #13 to #18 and "Mr. Saxobeat" by Alexandra Stan down from #14 to #19.

Only one song makes a debut to the top 20 this week... and this is "Red Solo Cup" by country artist Toby Keith coming in at #20. It's quite a funny song about a guy who bonds with a red plastic cup.

Former Number One Songs from 2011:

Paradise - Coldplay
Rope - Foo Fighters
Brighter Than The Sun - Colbie Caillat
Last Friday Night (TGIF) - Katy Perry
Tonight's the Kind of Night - Noah & the Whale
The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga
Sad Song - The Cars
Hello (Radio Edit) - Martin Solveig & Dragonette
Cement Slippers - Dengue Fever
Price Tag - Jessie J
Down By The Water - The Decemberists
Back to December - Taylor Swift
Grenade - Bruno Mars
We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup


HOLIDAY SHOWCASE EXTRA



A few days late and maybe a dollar short, but this video and song has turned out to be my favorite Christmas song of the 2011 holiday season. The recording featuring Caro Emerald has been layered upon an old Brooke Benton track, a holiday chestnut that has been largely unheard of in my opinion. This new version brings the song up to date and hopefully develops it into a future classic.

Happy Holidays!

Mel

Monday, December 19, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - December 18, 2011.



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of December 18, 2011.


This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Run For Your LifeMatt Cardle3
2It Will RainBruno Mars4
3ParadiseColdplay1
4The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi2
5Someone Like YouAdele6
6In The DarkDev5
7Pumped Up KicksFoster the People7
8MajorThe Asteroids Galaxy Tour10
9Show Me The WayThe Cranberries11
10Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)Foster The People12
11Big In Japan (Single Edit)Martin Solveig ft Dragonette & Idoling13
12Marry The NightLady GaGa14
13We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna8
14Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan9
15Princess Of ChinaColdplay & Rihanna16
16Tainted LoveImelda May19
17SweeterGavin DeGraw20
18BlackoutBreathe Carolina15
19The WalkMayer Hawthorne--
20Hang It UpThe Ting Tings--

CHART NOTES


After climbing the charts for the past 5 weeks, moving up several notches at the time, Matt Cardle breaks into the #1 slot with his chart debut single, "Run For Your Life". The song which moves up 2 spots from #3 to #1 is not a hit on American radio as far as I know. It is one of those songs that have struck a cord in places other than the U.S. so far. It is not listed on many charts except mine and a few others on personal chart boards. Matt should be an artist that gets more airplay. He's good.

Following Matt Cardle, is Hawaii born singer Bruno Mars, who also moves up 2 points from last week's #4 spot to #2 this week with his huge hit "It Will Rain". This song has already topped the iTunes and the Amazon.com sales charts. It's a good single and hopefully will be featured on his next album.

Moving into the top 5 we also find Adele, moving up a spot from #6 to #5 with her huge worldwide hit "Someone Like Me," which was a late arrival to this chart.

Obviously with the upward movement in the top 5, songs had to also move down... but not by too much this week.Coldplay has relinquished the top spot after spending 7 weeks there with their hit "Paradise". Right behind them is Zee Avi who peaked at #2 for the past 3 weeks with her still catchy "The Book of Morris Johnson" now at #4.

Two songs make their chart debut. They include Mayer Hawthorne's debut single "The Walk" at #19. It is a classic break-up song with an artistic but violent video. The clip may show up here. At number 20 we find The Ting Tings with their latest indie hit "Hang It Up". They hit the chart late last year with "Hands" and that peaked at #2. We'll see how far The Ting Tings will go with this one.

Former Number One Songs from 2011:


Paradise - Coldplay
Rope - Foo Fighters
Brighter Than The Sun - Colbie Caillat
Last Friday Night (TGIF) - Katy Perry
Tonight's the Kind of Night - Noah & the Whale
The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga
Sad Song - The Cars
Hello (Radio Edit) - Martin Solveig & Dragonette
Cement Slippers - Dengue Fever
Price Tag - Jessie J
Down By The Water - The Decemberists
Back to December - Taylor Swift
Grenade - Bruno Mars
We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup

VIDEO SHOWCASE: Matt Cardle


The latest single.... "Starlight"

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - December 11, 2011.


Adele's "Someone Like You" has become one of the top songs of 2011.

Coldplay Holds at #1 For 7th Consecutive Week

This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Paradise (7th Week @ #1!)Coldplay1
2The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi2
3Run For Your LifeMatt Cardle5
4It Will RainBruno Mars9
5In The DarkDev6
6Someone Like YouAdele8
7Pumped Up KicksFoster the People7
8We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna3
9Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan4
10MajorThe Asteroids Galaxy Tour13
11Show Me The WayThe Cranberries14
12Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)Foster The People15
13Big In Japan (Single Edit)Martin Solveig ft Dragonette & Idoling16
14Marry The NightLady GaGa17
15BlackoutBreathe Carolina10
16Princess Of ChinaColdplay & Rihanna20
17Don't Gotta Work It OutFitz & The Tantrums11
18What The Water Gave MeFlorence + The Machine12
19Tainted LoveImelda May--
20SweeterGavin DeGraw--

CHART NOTES

Coldplay holds on to #1 for a 7th consecutive week with their hit "Paradise". The single is the 2nd off their latest album Mylo Xyloto.

Zee Avi and "The Book of Morris Johnson" holds at #2 for a 3rd week. Matt Cardle moves up from #5 to #3 with his single "Run For Your Life".

Bruno Mars' track "It Will Rain" breaks into the top 5 at #4, moving up from last week's #9 position. Dev inches up a notch from #6 to #5 with "In the Dark".

Two tracks make their debut on the top 20 this week. They include the first ever from singer Imelda May, whose cover of the old Soft Cell hit "Tainted Love" chimes in at #19. Following her is Gavin DeGraw who debuts with the track "Sweeter" off the album of the same name at #20. His single "Not Over You" fell off this chart a week ago after peaking for a few weeks at #15.

VIDEO SHOWCASE EXTRAS



Sunday, December 4, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - December 4, 2011



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of December 4, 2011.


This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Paradise (6th Week @ #1!)Coldplay1
2The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi2
3We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna3
4Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan5
5Run For Your LifeMatt Cardle9
6In The DarkDev7
7Pumped Up KicksFoster the People8
8Someone Like YouAdele10
9It Will RainBruno Mars19
10BlackoutBreathe Carolina4
11Don't Gotta Work It OutFitz & The Tantrums12
12What The Water Gave MeFlorence + The Machine6
13MajorThe Asteroids Galaxy Tour15
14Show Me The WayThe Cranberries16
15Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)Foster The People17
16Big In Japan (Single Edit)Martin Solveig ft Dragonette & Idoling20
17Marry The NightLady GaGa--
18DominoJessie J11
19You Make Me FeelCobra Starship feat. Sabi13
20Princess Of ChinaColdplay & Rihanna--

CHART NOTES

Coldplay holds on to #1 for a 6th consecutive week with their hit "Paradise". The single is the 2nd off their albumMylo Xyloto, which I recently purchased and found to be very good. The album also contains their 3rd single, "Princess of China", featuring Rihanna. That track makes its debut this week at #20. So Coldplay and Rihanna have two songs in the top 20.

The other artist with 2 songs on the top 20 is Foster the People who's comeback hit "Pumped Up Kicks" rises to #7 this week from #8. "Pumped Up Kicks" spent several weeks on the chart earlier this year, peaked at #2 for a few weeks, and then dropped off. Five weeks ago it re-entered the chart and has worked its way steadily up. Also on the chart moving up from #17 to #15 is their track "Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)". That song was used recently in a Nissan car commercial... hence its new found popularity.

Rihanna is holding steady at #3 for another week with her smash hit "We Found Love". Holding at #2 for another week is Zee Avi and "The Book of Morris Johnson". Will any of these songs climb higher and into the #1 spot? Time will tell.

Big movers this week include Matt Cardle who's debut single "Run For Your Life" jumps from #9 to #5 this week.

The biggest gainer of the week is by Bruno Mars. His latest track "It Will Rain" bolts 10 points up from its debut of last week at #19 to #9 this week. Could be a real biggie for Hawaii born and raised Mars.

Two debut tracks this week include "Marry the Night" by Lady GaGa at #17 and the previously mentioned "Princess of China" by Coldplay and Rihanna at #20.

Dropoffs from the chart this week were "You And I" by Lady GaGa and "Not Over You" by Gavin DeGraw.

VIDEO SHOWCASE EXTRAS - COLDPLAY



Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - November 27, 2011



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of November 27, 2011

This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Paradise (5th Week @ #1!)Coldplay1
2The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi3
3We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna4
4BlackoutBreathe Carolina2
5Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan6
6What The Water Gave MeFlorence + The Machine5
7In The DarkDev10
8Pumped Up KicksFoster the People9
9Run For Your LifeMatt Cardle13
10Someone Like YouAdele14
11DominoJessie J11
12Don't Gotta Work It OutFitz & The Tantrums12
13You Make Me FeelCobra Starship feat. Sabi7
14You And ILady Gaga8
15MajorThe Asteroids Galaxy Tour17
16Show Me The WayThe Cranberries19
17Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)Foster The People20
18Not Over YouGavin DeGraw15
19It Will RainBruno Mars--
20Big In Japan (Single Edit)Martin Solveig ft Dragonette & Idoling--

CHART NOTES


Coldplay holds on to #1 for a 5th week in a row with their smash hit "Paradise". The song joins a growing list of #1 tracks that held on to the top spot for more than 4 weeks this year. They include the Foo Fighters' "Rope",Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" and Dengue Fever's "Cement Slippers". One of these songs will become the 2011 song of the year based on chart performance and longevity at the #1 position. That chart will be compiled by the end of the year.

Alexandra Stan breaks into the top 5 with her dance oriented hit "Mr. Saxobeat". The song moves up from #6 last week to #5 this week.

New in the top 10 are Matt Cardle and his hit "Run For Your Life" up from #13 to #9 and Adele's "Someone Like You" up from #14 to #10. Both a great pop singles, Adele's being a late arrival to the top 20.

The 2 debut tracks this week are by Bruno Mars and Martin Solveig. Mars is at #19 with "It Will Rain" while Solveig debuts at #20 with "Big in Japan". We'll see how these songs do over the next few weeks.

Former Number One Songs from 2011:

Rope - Foo Fighters
Brighter Than The Sun - Colbie Caillat
Last Friday Night (TGIF) - Katy Perry
Tonight's the Kind of Night - Noah & the Whale
The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga
Sad Song - The Cars
Hello (Radio Edit) - Martin Solveig & Dragonette
Cement Slippers - Dengue Fever
Price Tag - Jessie J
Down By The Water - The Decemberists
Back to December - Taylor Swift
Grenade - Bruno Mars
We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup

VIDEO EXTRAS - Zee Avi



Sunday, November 20, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - November 20, 2011.



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of November 20, 2011


This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Paradise (4th week @ #1!)Coldplay1
2BlackoutBreathe Carolina3
3The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi4
4We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna5
5What The Water Gave MeFlorence + The Machine6
6Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan7
7You Make Me FeelCobra Starship feat. Sabi8
8You And ILady GaGa2
9Pumped Up KicksFoster the People10
10In The DarkDev11
11DominoJessie J12
12Don't Gotta Work It OutFitz & The Tantrums13
13Run For Your LifeMatt Cardle18
14Someone Like YouAdele19
15Not Over YouGavin DeGraw15
16RopeFoo Fighters9
17MajorThe Asteroids Galaxy Tour20
18Good LifeOneRepublic14
19Show Me The WayThe Cranberries--
20Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)Foster The People--

CHART NOTES


Coldplay holds at the #1 spot with "Paradise" for the 4th week in a row.

In the top 5 we see incremental moves up one point each for the following songs: "Blackout" by Breathe Carolinafrom #3 to #2; "The Book of Morris Johnson" by Zee Avi up from #4 to #3; "We Found Love" by Rihanna up from #5 to #4; and "What the Water Gave Me" by Florence + the Machine up from #6 to #5.

The trend continues: Up one from #7 to #6 we find Alexandra Stan with "Mr. Saxobeat". Right behind her isCobra Starship feat. Sabi with "You Make Me Feel" up a point from #8 to #7.

Someone had to drop to accommodate these one point gains. That fell upon Lady GaGa whose "You and I" has apparently peaked at #2 for a few weeks before taking a 6 point fall this week down to #8.

Elsewhere: Big movers up this week include "Run For Your Life" by Matt Cardle up 5 from #18 to #13 and "Someone Like You" by Adele up from #19 to #14.

The two songs making a debut includes the apparent comeback hit by The Cranberries called "Show Me the Way" at #19 and Foster the People's "Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)" at #20. The latter was recently used in a Nissan Versa commercial. Foster the People also has "Pumped Up Kicks" moving up again from #10 to #9 this week.

BONUS VIDEOS



"Paradise" is still a great song that holds at #1 this week.



Caro Emerald is still enjoying great success in Europe.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - November 13, 2011



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of November 13, 2011.



This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Paradise (3rd Week @ #1!)Coldplay1
2You And ILady GaGa2
3BlackoutBreathe Carolina3
4The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi4
5We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna6
6What The Water Gave MeFlorence + The Machine7
7Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan8
8You Make Me FeelCobra Starship feat. Sabi10
9RopeFoo Fighters5
10Pumped Up KicksFoster the People13
11In The DarkDev18
12DominoJessie J15
13Don't Gotta Work It OutFitz & The Tantrums14
14Good LifeOneRepublic9
15Not Over YouGavin DeGraw17
16Only LoveAnggun12
17The Adventures Of Rain Dance MaggieRed Hot Chili Peppers11
18Run For Your LifeMatt Cardle--
19Someone Like YouAdele--
20MajorThe Asteroids Galaxy Tour--

CHART NOTES


nteresting notes about this week's chart: Positions 1 through 4 stay exactly the same as last week. No movement up or down. This means Coldplay's "Paradise" holds on to the #1 position for a 3rd consecutive week.

Old is In: First we got Foster the Peoples' "Pumped Up Kicks" gaining 3 positions moving up from #13 to #10 this week. The song spent several weeks on the Weekly Top 20 earlier this year, peaking at #2. Will a top 5 finish be in the works the 2nd time around?

Adele's "Someone Like You" which has been a chart staple for most of this past summer only now makes its debut on the Weekly Top 20 at #19 this week. Adele's last hit "Rolling In The Deep" charted earlier this year and peaked at #2 for a few weeks.

Lastly we still have The Foo Fighters' "Rope" hanging in the top 10. The former #1 single which was a hit earlier this year for most other charts, slides from #5 to #9 this week. Definitely on its way out, but still an older song which has already made its chart run elsewhere.

New: Two other singles debut on the Top 20. They include Matt Cardle's "Run For Your Life" coming in at #18 and the latest from The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, "Major" coming in at #20. AGT had a #1 hit in 2009 with "The Golden Age".

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - November 6, 2011




Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of November 6, 2011.



This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Paradise (2nd week @ #1!)Coldplay1
2You And ILady GaGa2
3BlackoutBreathe Carolina4
4The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi5
5RopeFoo Fighters3
6We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna11
7What The Water Gave MeFlorence + The Machine7
8Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan12
9Good LifeOneRepublic6
10You Make Me FeelCobra Starship feat. Sabi13
11The Adventures Of Rain Dance MaggieRed Hot Chili Peppers8
12Only LoveAnggun9
13Pumped Up KicksFoster the People19
14Don't Gotta Work It OutFitz & The Tantrums16
15DominoJessie J20
16We Owned The NightLady Antebellum10
17Not Over YouGavin DeGraw17
18In The DarkDev--
19DrownCarolina Liar14
20Mr. Know It AllKelly Clarkson15


CHART NOTES


Coldplay holds on to the #1 spot for a 2nd straight week with "Paradise". This is the 2nd single off their latest album Mylo Xyloto. They charted earlier this year with "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall." That track peaked at #2.

Speaking of number 2's, we find Lady GaGa holding at #2 for a 2nd week with her single "You And I". It has been a steady rise for this track over the weeks. Can the lady crack the #1 spot next week?

Rising in the top 10 we find "Blackout" by Breathe Carolina going up from #4 to #3, Zee Avi's "The Book of Morris Johnson" up another notch from #5 to #4 and Rihana making a 5 point jump from #11 to #6 with her latest hit, "We Found Love". Also jumping into the top 10 Alexandra Stan and her hit "Mr. Saxobeat", up from #12 to #8; and "You Make Me Feel" by Cobra Starship feat. Sabi moving up 3 from #13 to #10.

Lots of droppers this week including "Rope" by Foo Fighters going down from #3 to #5; "Good Life" byOneRepublic losing 3 from #6 to #9; "Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" by Red Hot Chili Peppers also losing 3, down from #8 to #11; Anggun's "Only Love" down from #9 to #12; and a big huge drop by Lady Antebellum as "We Owned the Night" drops from #10 to #16.

Biggest gainer? Last week's comeback record by Foster the People: "Pumped Up Kicks", a former #2 hit debut again last week at #19 -- moves up to #13 this week. Six point gain. 

Jessie J.'s "Domino" gains 5 moving from its debut at #20 to #15. Newest track to debut is by Dev. It's called "In the Dark" and comes in for the first time at #18.

Former Number One Songs from 2011:

Rope - Foo Fighters
Brighter Than The Sun - Colbie Caillat
Last Friday Night (TGIF) - Katy Perry
Tonight's the Kind of Night - Noah & the Whale
The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga
Sad Song - The Cars
Hello (Radio Edit) - Martin Solveig & Dragonette
Cement Slippers - Dengue Fever
Price Tag - Jessie J
Down By The Water - The Decemberists
Back to December - Taylor Swift
Grenade - Bruno Mars
We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup

Saturday, November 5, 2011

45 RPM Heaven - Grand Funk Railroad - We're An American Band

We're An American Band

Grand Funk Railroad's "We're An American Band" was a loud, perfect rock n roll record. It was so great that it became their first #1 hit single. In 1973 this record certainly caught my attention as top 40 radio stations picked up on this song all over the place. They had a huge following for their live arena shows and had several albums that feature many rock anthems including "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home," and "Inside Looking Out."

Many probably felt Grand Funk Railroad sold out with this highly commercial hit. Crass commercialism at its best signified the release of "We're An American Band." Capitol, Grand Funk's label probably felt so confident that this would be their breakthrough hit, issued the 45 on clear gold vinyl. It is one of the most beautiful looking records that I have in my collection.

Prior to the release of the "We're An American Band" single, Grand Funk did hit the charts with lower scoring records such as "Footstompin' Music," "Upsetter" and "Rock n Roll Soul".

Grand Funk Railroad followed "We're An American Band" with several more hit singles. These included "Walk Like A Man," "The Locomotion" which also went to #1, "Some Kind of Wonderful," "Shining On," and "Bad Time." They disbanded a few years after "Bad Time" charted.

The band has since regrouped with a new line-up in recent years.

Original post

AVAILABILITY: Widely available on various compilations as well as on Grand Funk Railroad's reissue of the "We're An American Band" album. CD and digital editions.

Grand Funk Railroad

"We're An American Band" b/w "Creepin'"
Produced by Todd Rundgren | Written by Don Brewer
Capitol | 3660 Stereo | Year of release: 1973

Monday, October 31, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - October 30, 2011.



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of October 30, 2011.

This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1ParadiseColdplay2
2You And ILady GaGa3
3RopeFoo Fighters1
4BlackoutBreathe Carolina6
5The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi7
6Good LifeOneRepublic4
7What The Water Gave MeFlorence + The Machine10
8The Adventures Of Rain Dance MaggieRed Hot Chili Peppers5
9Only LoveAnggun8
10We Owned The NightLady Antebellum11
11We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna17
12Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan16
13You Make Me FeelCobra Starship feat. Sabi13
14DrownCarolina Liar12
15Mr. Know It AllKelly Clarkson14
16Don't Gotta Work It OutFitz & The Tantrums15
17Not Over YouGavin DeGraw19
18WalkFoo Fighters9
19Pumped Up KicksFoster the PeopleRet
20DominoJessie JNew

CHART NOTES


After 6 weeks, the Foo Fighters have relinquished their hold on #1. Coldplay climbed up from #2 to #1 this week with their latest single "Paradise". The track comes from their latest album Mylo Xyloto, released on October 21.

Following close behind Coldplay is Lady GaGa, who's latest single, "You And I" also climbs a notch to #2 this week. As a result of these 2 moves, "Rope" by the Foo Fighters have dropped from #1 to #3.

Two new entries round out the top 5. They are "Blackout" by Breathe Carolina moving up from #6 to #4. Right behind them is Zee Avi who's track "The Book of Morris Johnson" also moves up 2 going from #7 to #5.

The biggest mover going up the chart this week is Rihanna. Her track "We Found Love" moves up 6 points from #17 to #11.

Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks" returns to the chart this week making its second debut of the year at #18. The song previously charted earlier this year, peaking at #2. How high will it go this time? Their last single, "Helena Beat" just dropped off the chart after peaking at #9 a few weeks ago.

Jessie J. returns to the chat with "Domino" at #20. She hit #1 early this year with "Price Tag".


FORMER #1 SONGS OF 2011

Rope - Foo Fighters

Brighter Than The Sun - Colbie Caillat
Last Friday Night (TGIF) - Katy Perry
Tonight's the Kind of Night - Noah & the Whale
The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga
Sad Song - The Cars
Hello (Radio Edit) - Martin Solveig & Dragonette
Cement Slippers - Dengue Fever
Price Tag - Jessie J
Down By The Water - The Decemberists
Back to December - Taylor Swift
Grenade - Bruno Mars
We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup

Sunday, October 30, 2011

The Sweet Marie - Stella's Candy Store

Stella's Candy Store

This post commences the 45 RPM Heaven series to this blog. 45 RPM Heaven is a section on my original website that showcases select 45 RPM records. By bringing this to my blog, I hope to extend this feature and showcase more 45s that I have in my collection.

First up: The Sweet Marie - Stella's Candy Store from 1972.

Sweet Marie was a rock group that became popular in Hawaii in 1970s with their initial release entitled "Remember Mary." I know almost nothing about this group except that I really loved their 3 single hits. Sweet Marie was a heavy rockin, guitar laden combo that featured a lead singer who sounded somewhat like Jimi Hendrix. This is most apparent in their debut hit "Remember Mary," as well as on this featured 45, "Stella's Candy Store."

The Sweet Marie's 2nd AlbumAll of the Sweet Marie's records were issued on the Yardbird label out of Woodland Hills, California. I know nothing about this company and doubt that they exist today.

"Stella's Candy Store" was released in 1972 and received heavy airplay in Hawaii. What attracted me to this single was the fact that it was issued on colored vinyl.... clear red. It looked cool and the song was great! "Stella" made it to the top 10 of many local radio station charts, but as far as I know, was a hit only in Hawaii. The song was #1 on KPUA radio in Hilo Hawaii. I remember seeing Sweet Marie once on a local TV show performing this song. They rocked!

This single was issued on clear red vinyl and I am the happy owner of 2 copies of this 45. I think it is a most excellent record. The B-side to "Stella" is a track called "Another Feeling" and is somewhat laid back in contrast to the loud "Stella."

CD Availability: The album from which "Stella's Candy Store" and "Stuck in Paradise" was issued, became available on compact disc for a time a few years ago. It was issued on an independent label called Gear Fab Records, catalog number GF-172. "Stuck in Paradise" is the title of the album. This was Sweet Marie's 2nd album. The CD has since gone out of print. May still be able to find at used CD stores and possibly eBay. Used copies may also be available on Amazon.com.

The Sweet Marie (vinyl 45s)


"Remember Mary" b/w "Don't You Understand?"
Yarbird YDB-70-1314, Released 1970

"Stuck in Paradise" b/w "Hortense The Hippie"
Yardbird No. 8015, Released 1971

"Stella's Candy Store" b/w "Another Feeling"
Yardbird YDB-72-1321, Released 1972

YouTube Audio Link (with album graphic)

Original Post @ 45 RPM Heaven

Graphic Images: Top is the 45 rpm record of "Stella's Candy Store" in red vinyl. Below that is Sweet Marie's 2nd album, "Stuck in Paradise" on which "Stella" is featured.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - October 23, 2011



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of October 23, 2011.



This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Rope (6th week @ #1!)Foo Fighters1
2ParadiseColdplay3
3You And ILady GaGa4
4Good LifeOneRepublic2
5The Adventures Of Rain Dance MaggieRed Hot Chili Peppers5
6BlackoutBreathe Carolina7
7The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi8
8Only LoveAnggun6
9WalkFoo Fighters10
10What The Water Gave MeFlorence + The Machine14
11We Owned The NightLady Antebellum12
12DrownCarolina Liar13
13You Make Me FeelCobra Starship feat. Sabi15
14Mr. Know It AllKelly Clarkson16
15Don't Gotta Work It OutFitz & The Tantrums17
16Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan18
17We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna20
18Helena BeatFoster the People9
19Not Over YouGavin DeGraw19
20Moves Like JaggerMaroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera11

CHART NOTES

The Foo Fighters hold on to the #1 spot for the 6th week in a row. "Rope" is now tied with Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (TGIF)" as the only #1 song to hold the top spot for this long this year. Can "Rope" hold for a 7th week to best Katy Perry? Check back next week.

Elsewhere on the top 20, we see some or little movement and for the first time in many weeks, no new songs making a chart debut. The biggest mover is by Florence + the Machine and their latest single, "What the Water Gave Me" moving up 4 from #14 to #10 this week.

The biggest droppers this week are "Helena Beat" by Foster the People, down from #9 to #18 and "Moves Like Jagger" with Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera dropping from #11 to #20. These two songs will definitely be gone by the next chart tabulation. Both enjoyed a good chart run.

BONUS VIDEO




And now you can be Lady GaGa.... (just in time for Halloween?)

Friday, October 21, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - October 16, 2011



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of October 16, 2011.

This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Rope (5th week @ #1!)Foo Fighters1
2Good LifeOneRepublic2
3ParadiseColdplay8
4You And ILady GaGa5
5The Adventures Of Rain Dance MaggieRed Hot Chili Peppers3
6Only LoveAnggun4
7BlackoutBreathe Carolina7
8The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi10
9Helena BeatFoster the People9
10WalkFoo Fighters11
11Moves Like JaggerMaroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera6
12We Owned The NightLady Antebellum12
13DrownCarolina Liar14
14What The Water Gave MeFlorence + The Machine18
15You Make Me FeelCobra Starship feat. Sabi17
16Mr. Know It AllKelly Clarkson16
17Don't Gotta Work It OutFitz & The Tantrums19
18Mr. SaxobeatAlexandra Stan20
19Not Over YouGavin DeGraw--
20We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)Rihanna--

CHART NOTES


The Foo Fighters have joined a club of exclusive #1 chart phenoms. They hold the #1 spot for a 5th week in a row with their single "Rope", the first from the album Wasting Light. What puts the Foo Fighters in good company here is the fact that they belong to a growing group of artists who held the #1 spot for more than 4 weeks this year. Among the other artists who have held on to #1 for 5 weeks (or more) are Martin Solveig & Dragonette with "Hello" @ 5 weeks, Dengue Fever with "Cement Slippers" also at 5 weeks and Katy Perrywho held the top spot for 6 weeks this summer with "Last Friday Night (TGIF)."

The fact that so many artists have held on to the top spot this week has had a limiting effect on who spent time at #1 this year. We had several songs peak at #2 only to fall away in the next week. That may be the fate ofOneRepublic's "Good Life" which holds at #2 for a 2nd week.
Moving up 5 from #8 to #3 is Coldplay as their latest single "Paradise" nears the top the week their latest album Mylo Xyloto is set to be released. Will Coldplay knock the Foo Fighters out of #1? Come back next week.

Other movers this week include Zee Avi who inches up another 2 spots from #10 to #8 this week with "The Book Of Morris Johnson," a great single from her latest album Ghost. Moving up 4 points from #18 to #14 this week we find Florence + The Machine with "What the Water Gave Me."

Two songs making their debut on the top 20 include "Not Over You" by Gavin DeGraw at #19 and "We Found Love", a dance track by Rihanna at #20.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - October 9, 2011



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of October 9, 2011.

This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1 Rope (4th week @ #1!) Foo Fighters 1
2 Good Life OneRepublic 4
3 The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie Red Hot Chili Peppers 3
4 Only Love Anggun 2
5 You And I Lady GaGa 7
6 Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera 5
7 Blackout Breathe Carolina 9
8 Paradise Coldplay 11
9 Helena Beat Foster the People 10
10 The Book Of Morris Johnson Zee Avi 12
11 Walk Foo Fighters 14
12 We Owned The Night Lady Antebellum 13
13 Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) Katy Perry 8
14 Drown Carolina Liar 16
15 Brighter Than The Sun Colbie Caillat 6
16 Mr. Know It All Kelly Clarkson 19
17 You Make Me Feel Cobra Starship feat. Sabi 20
18 What The Water Gave Me Florence + The Machine --
19 Don't Gotta Work It Out Fitz & The Tantrums --
20 Mr. Saxobeat Alexandra Stan --

CHART NOTES

Up at the very top of the chart we find that "Rope" by the Foo Fighters has once again held on to #1 for a 4th week in a row. Rock rules. Furthermore, the follow-up single "Walk" moves up 3 points from #14 to #11.

OneRepublic moves up 2 from #4 to #2 with "Good Life". Will they go to #1?

Red Hot Chili Peppers' "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" hold at #3 for another week while Lady GaGa moves up 2 with "You And I" checking in at #5.

Three songs make their chart debut: At #18 we find Florence + the Machine with "What The Water Gave Me" at #18, Fitz & the Tantrums at #19 with "Don't Gotta Work It Out" and Alexandra Stan at #20 with the dance track "Mr. Saxobeat".

BONUS VIDEOS





Sunday, October 2, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - October 2, 2011



Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of October 2, 2011.

This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1Rope (3rd week @ #1!)Foo Fighters1
2Only LoveAnggun2
3The Adventures Of Rain Dance MaggieRed Hot Chili Peppers5
4Good LifeOneRepublic6
5Moves Like JaggerMaroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera3
6Brighter Than The SunColbie Caillat4
7You And ILady GaGa13
8Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)Katy Perry8
9BlackoutBreathe Carolina11
10Helena BeatFoster the People12
11ParadiseColdplay15
12The Book Of Morris JohnsonZee Avi14
13We Owned The NightLady Antebellum18
14WalkFoo Fighters16
15Young BloodThe Naked and Famous7
16DrownCarolina Liar20
17SkyscraperDemi Lovato9
18UkuDengue Fever10
19Mr. Know It AllKelly Clarkson--
20You Make Me FeelCobra Starship feat. Sabi--

CHART NOTES


Holding at #1 for a third week in the row, we find Foo Fighters there again with their smash hit "Rope" off the album Wasted Light. Also from the same album is "Walk" which moves up 2 from #16 to #14.

Two point movers in the top 5 include "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" by Red Hot Chili Peppers up from #5 to #3, "Good Life" by OneRepublic up from #6 to #4 and "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera moving down from #3 to #5. Holding at #2 for a 3rd week is Anggun and "Only Love".

Breaking into the top 10 we find Lady Gaga with her latest single "You and I" coming in at #7 up from #13. Up 2 points from #11 to #9 is "Blackout" by Breathe Carolina.

Two songs make their chart debut. They include "Mr. Know It All" by Kelly Clarkson at #19 and "You Make Me Feel" by Cobra Starship featuring Sabi at #20.

Will "Rope" hold on to #1 next week. Come back next Sunday to find out!

Former Number One Songs from 2011:

Brighter Than The Sun - Colbie Caillat
Last Friday Night (TGIF) - Katy Perry
Tonight's the Kind of Night - Noah & the Whale
The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga
Sad Song - The Cars
Hello (Radio Edit) - Martin Solveig & Dragonette
Cement Slippers - Dengue Fever
Price Tag - Jessie J
Down By The Water - The Decemberists
Back to December - Taylor Swift

BONUS VIDEOS






Enjoy the music. Have a great week!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20: September 18 and 25, 2011




Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of September 25, 2011.

This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1 Rope (2nd Week @ #1!) Foo Fighters 1
2 Only Love Anggun 2
3 Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera 4
4 Brighter Than The Sun Colbie Caillat 3
5 The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie Red Hot Chili Peppers 7
6 Good Life OneRepublic 10
7 Young Blood The Naked and Famous 8
8 Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) Katy Perry 5
9 Skyscraper Demi Lovato 9
10 Uku Dengue Fever 6
11 Blackout Breathe Carolina 12
12 Helena Beat Foster the People 14
13 You And I Lady GaGa 17
14 The Book Of Morris Johnson Zee Avi 15
15 Paradise Coldplay 20
16 Walk Foo Fighters 16
17 Boys & Girls Martin Solveig & Dragonette 11
18 We Owned The Night Lady Antebellum --
19 Hawaiian Air Friendly Fires 13
20 Drown Carolina Liar --

CHART NOTES

Foo Fighters stay at #1 for a second week in a row with "Rope". I am loving their album Wasting Light which came out earlier this year. Only got hold of it about 6 weeks ago. The album has grown on me to the fact that two tracks are featured on the top 20. The other one is "Walk" which holds at #16. Another great track from that album is "Dear Rosemary" which could be a future single.

Anggun holds at #2 with her hit "Only Love" while Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera moves back up from #4 to #3 with "Moves Like Jagger". Breaking into the top 5 we find Red Hot Chili Peppers with their latest single "The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie" coming in at #5 up from #7 of last week.

OneRepublic's "Good Life" moves up 4 from #10 to #6. Will probably be in the top 5 next week.

Lady Antebellum scores another country crossover hit with their latest "We Owned the Night" making its debut at #18. It's off their latest album Own the Night that also features their last single hit "Just a Kiss". The other debut song is "Drown" by Carolina Liar coming in at #20. They hit #1 back in 2009 with "I'm Not Over".






Mel's Weekly Top 20
Week of September 18, 2011

This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1 Rope Foo Fighters 2
2 Only Love Anggun 3
3 Brighter Than The Sun Colbie Caillat 1
4 Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera 4
5 Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) Katy Perry 5
6 Uku Dengue Fever 6
7 The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie Red Hot Chili Peppers 8
8 Young Blood The Naked and Famous 9
9 Skyscraper Demi Lovato 10
10 Good Life OneRepublic 15
11 Boys & Girls Martin Solveig & Dragonette 7
12 Blackout Breathe Carolina 13
13 Hawaiian Air Friendly Fires 14
14 Helena Beat Foster the People 16
15 The Book Of Morris Johnson Zee Avi 17
16 Walk Foo Fighters 18
17 You And I Lady GaGa 19
18 For The First Time The Script 11
19 Love You Like A Love Song Selena Gomez & The Scene 12
20 Paradise Coldplay --

CHART NOTES

The Foo Fighters top the chart this week with "Rope". The track which was released this past February and only showed up on my chart in August. It's taken from the Foo Fighters' latest album Wasting Light. This is probably the best rock song released this year. Great to see it at #1.

Following the Foo Fighters at #2 we find Anggun, an Indonesian born French singer whose real name is Anggun Cipta Sasmi. Her latest single "Only Love" is from her upcoming album Echoes, which may already be out in other countries. The single has been released in English, French and Indonesian languages. It's gone to #1 in Indonesia. "Only Love" moves up from #3 to #2 this week.

New to the top 10 this week is OneRepublic. Their latest single "Good Life" moves 5 points up from #15 to #10. It is taken from their 2009 album release Waking Up. They've only charted once here, going to #4 in 2009 with "All The Right Moves".

Only one song makes a debut to the chart this week. Coming in at #20 is the latest single from Coldplay. "Paradise" is the title of the track and it's the second release from their soon to be released new album Mylo Xyloto. Their last single "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" peaked at #2 for 3 weeks earlier this summer.


Former Number One Songs from 2011:

  • Brighter Than The Sun - Colbie Caillat
  • Last Friday Night (TGIF) - Katy Perry
  • Tonight's the Kind of Night - Noah & the Whale
  • The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga
  • Sad Song - The Cars
  • Hello (Radio Edit) - Martin Solveig & Dragonette
  • Cement Slippers - Dengue Fever
  • Price Tag - Jessie J
  • Down By The Water - The Decemberists
  • Back to December - Taylor Swift

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Mel's Weekly Top 20 - September 4 & 11, 2011.

Colbie Caillat - Brighter Than The Sun


Mel's Weekly Top 20 
Week of September 11, 2011.


This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1 Brighter Than The Sun (2nd week @ #1!) Colbie Caillat 1
2 Rope Foo Fighters 4
3 Only Love Anggun 5
4 Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera 2
5 Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) Katy Perry 3
6 Uku Dengue Fever 7
7 Boys & Girls Martin Solveig & Dragonette 6
8 The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie Red Hot Chili Peppers 10
9 Young Blood The Naked and Famous 11
10 Skyscraper Demi Lovato 12
11 For The First Time The Script 8
12 Love You Like A Love Song Selena Gomez & The Scene 9
13 Blackout Breathe Carolina 15
14 Hawaiian Air Friendly Fires 16
15 Good Life OneRepublic 17
16 Helena Beat Foster the People 18
17 The Book Of Morris Johnson Zee Avi 19
18 Walk Foo Fighters --
19 Yoü And I Lady GaGa --
20 If I Die Young The Band Perry 14

CHART NOTES

Colbie Caillat holds on to the #1 spot for a second consecutive week with her hit single "Brighter Than The Sun". It's the perfect summery kind of song as the season wanes into fall. Stills makes me feel bright and energetic.

Knocking on the pinnacle's door we find the Foo Fighters coming in there at #2 with "Rope". The single is off their latest album Wasting Light. The album has spawned two singles so far. "Rope" was released early this year but only made the chart about 4 weeks ago. The latest single "Walk" makes its debut at #18 this week. Foo Fighters score a double whammy here. Rock is not dead.

Following the Foo Fighters is Anggun who goes up 2 points from #5 of last week to #3 this week with her worldwide hit "Only Love". Great pop music from Asia... what more?

Breaking into the top 10 for the first time are The Naked and Famous with their single "Young Blood" (up from #11 to #9) and Demi Lovato at #10 with "Skyscraper". The single also moves up 2 points.

The second debut song to the chart this week is "You and I" by Lady Gaga off her latest album, Born This Way. The single checks in at #19.



Mel's Weekly Top 20 
Week of September 4, 2011. 

Zee Avi - The Book of Morris Johnson



This WeekTitleArtistLast Week
1 Brighter Than The Sun Colbie Caillat 2
2 Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera 3
3 Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) Katy Perry 1
4 Rope Foo Fighters 9
5 Only Love Anggun 10
6 Boys & Girls Martin Solveig & Dragonette 6
7 Uku Dengue Fever 7
8 For The First Time The Script 4
9 Love You Like A Love Song Selena Gomez & The Scene 5
10 The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie Red Hot Chili Peppers 11
11 Young Blood The Naked and Famous 12
12 Skyscraper Demi Lovato 13
13 Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall Coldplay 8
14 If I Die Young The Band Perry 15
15 Blackout Breathe Carolina 17
16 Hawaiian Air Friendly Fires 18
17 Good Life OneRepublic 20
18 Helena Beat Foster the People --
19 The Book Of Morris Johnson Zee Avi --
20 Party Rock Anthem LMFAO 14

CHART NOTES  

Colbie Caillat has the new #1 song of the week. It took several weeks for "Brighter Than The Sun" to reach #1. It's the second single off her album All of You. She most recently charted with the first single, "I Do". Both songs are bright and bubbly in the style that Caillat is most familiar with. Makes for great summer pop music.

Bolting into the top 5 this week we find The Foo Fighters moving up 5 points from #9 last week to #4 this week with "Rope". It's kind of a late arrival to this chart after being released earlier this year. The song has a great rock vibe to it and a cool video featuring just the band. Simple and effective.

Following the Foo Fighters this week into the top 5 is Anggun and her hit "Only Love". The song moves from #10 to #5 and is supposedly on an upcoming album to be released later this year. There are 2 versions of this song... one in English and I think the other is in Indonesian.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers finally break into the top 10 this week by moving up one point from #11 to #10 with their latest single "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie". This song came out before the release of their new album I'm With You which came out this past week.

Two songs make their chart debut. "Helena Beat" is the latest from Foster The People, an electronic dance song that follows on the success of their debut single "Pumped Up Kicks", which went to #2 on this chart. "Beat" makes its debut at #18 this week.

The other debut song is by Malaysian singer/songwriter Zee Avi. She's been around since at least 2007. Her first single, "The Book Of Morris Johnson" enters the chart at #19. You can view her video for that record above.