Chart Critiques: AT40 with Ryan Seacrest

[Josh Joel's Top 40]

This week is from October 24, 2009

Every now and then I will do one for say, about twice a month or so. This will be a run down on the progress of my taste for some of these tasteless songs or songs with taste. You catch my drift, so here it goes. if anyone has one of theirs please feel free to share! I want to know what you really think about today's so- called hit music. This is not a mockery either, but a true open and honest opinion on these "radio hits" orchestrated by the big wigs in the recording industry.

American Top 40 Weekend Of October 24th/25th 2009 (Mainstream)

From Los Angeles,CA
Hosted By Ryan Seacrest

Off the Chart:
#36 (28) 3Oh!3 Don't Trust Me" - Great example of electro pop there, it had to grow on me. I would like to hear a radio remix version of this that's no longer than 5 minutes.

#32 (15) Theory Of A Deadman "Not Meant To Be" - They are right it was not meant to be, for them to have Mainstream success. I respect them as rockers not pop rockers.

AT 40 Weekend Of October 24th/25th 2009
33 #40 (07) All American Rejects "I Wanna" - Not as good as their big hit that's back to back here.

40 #39 (41) All American Rejects "Give You Hell" - Love this song!

30 #38 (22) Sean Kingston "Fire Burning" - No. Just no.

37 #37 (02) I-Yaz "Replay" - Back to back is a protege' of Sean Kingston, now this is also hot as all get out! This ain't 1985, this will move up again, I can guarantee you that! It was this week's "Most Added"!

39 #36 (27) Pink "Please Don't Leave Me" - Please leave the countdown, this is crap! I prefer her follow-up, it's super hot!

38 #35 (36) Lady Gaga "Poker Face" - This is so good that it had to be sampled by Kid Cudi in "Make Her Say" which missed the top 40 her unfortunately.

-- #34 (01) Fabolous Feat The Dream "Throw It In The Bag" - Almost two years since his appearance in the 40. This isn't too bad, but he's had better such as "Young N (Holla Back)"

-- #33 (01) Pink "Funhouse" - Hot Kid N Play remake! Just kidding! This is hot and and it sounds much different from any of her songs that have charted. I like this and "God Is A DJ", both are her best songs for me.

31 #32 (21) Lady Gaga "LoveGame" - I have always loved the tempo different from her first two singles. This is one of best.


AT 40 Breakout: David Guetta Feat Akon "Sexy Chick" - Very Euro and definitely a huge hit record waiting to happen and it's likely that it will. I think they will promote the devil out of it because it has "Akon's" name on the label. So it's a win-win situation, you know.

29 #31 (31) The Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow" - No. Just no.

Optional Extra: Hinder "Lips Of An Angel" - I heard this on an Active Rock station first and this is hot!


27 #30 (26) Pitbull " I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" - Yeah baby, this makes me wanna go clubbin! I loved this from day one!

24 #29 (14) Drake "The Best I Ever Had" - All you haters, keep hatin' because this is another hot one and he's gettin' hotter and hotter with each hit record. He's looking for his third Urban #1 song!

35 #28 (02) Sean Kingston "Face Drop" - Two weeks ago this was a "Breakout" song and this is off the chain! I love the message behind this track! I have always looked past the appearance on folks especially now that I'm much more mature.

34 #27 (04) Cascada "Evacuate The Dance Floor" - Sounds like just about every other pop dance song. The vocals are incredibly awesome, too bad this song will soon be forgotten IMO.

26 #26 (04) 3Oh!3 Feat Katy Perry "Starstrukk" - This is quite disposable, the only thing I like about this song is Katy's performance.

19 #25 (10) Pitbull "Hotel Room Service" - Missed the top ten and it's falling mighty fast. This is another great party jam!

25 #24 (05) Colbie Caillat "Fallin For You" - No. Just no.

18 #23 (19) Daughtry "No Surprise" - It's listenable but they've had better.

21 #22 (24) Katy Perry "Waking Up in Vegas" - Nice and catchy, but I prefer all three of her other singles, well actually four if you include the non-radio hit "Ur So Gay".

Extra: Ester Dean Feat Chris Brown "Drop It Low" - No originality here. It's always a pleasure to hear Chris Brown sing.

28 #21 (03) Owl City "Fireflies" - Possibly the best song in this entire top 40 countdown, this should not be ignored, but you know radio....

Optional Extra: Rihanna "Unfaithful" - It's funny that she has mentioned "gun" in this hit record, but it's edited out for radio, but she says it several times in her newest comeback (if that) song "Russian Roulette". Now, will they edit that one out or have they? Hmm.

20 #20 (07) Michael Franti & Spearhead "Say Hey (I Love You)" - No. Just no.

23 #19 (07) Justin Bieber "One Time" - Good, but sort of a watered down version of R&B and Hip Hop.

17 #18 (07) Flo Rida "Be On You" - This is a little better than his well known songs due mostly because of Ne-Yo's vocals on the hooks.

16 #17 (03) The Black Eyed Peas "Meet Me Half Way" - I prefer Kenny Loggins' song with that title. This one is somewhat listenable because of Fergie's outstanding performance.

15 #16 (19) Keri Hilson Feat Ne-Yo And Kanye West "Knock You Down" - Not a huge fan of this one, but it's better than her big solo hit "Turning Me On".

22 #15 (05) Kelly Clarkson "Already Gone" - I do not like any of her songs except for "Because Of You" and that's about it. So I am going to have to say "no".

12 #14 (15) Cobra Starship Feat Leighton Meester "Good Girls Go Bad" - I thought for sure that this was going to #1, but I was wrong. Oh, well. I dug this song from the get-go.

14 #13 (15) The Fray "Never Say Never" - The vocal performance on this record is above average, at the same time this is too soft for me.

10 #12 (19) Jordin Sparks "Battlefield" - I prefer Pat Benatar's song with the word "battlefield" in the title, but I can't complain about this one.

13 #11 (05) Jay Z Feat Rihanna & Kanye West "Run This Show" - Nothing special, but this is a song that does NOT belong in my collection. I prefer his earlier songs such as "Ain't No Nigga", "Can't Knock The Hustle", "Izzo" and much more prior to this whole Beyonce & Rhianna thing.

Optional Extra: Shakira "She Wolf" - I usually do not like ANY of her songs, but this is too impressive. I love the whole 80s/pop/electro/Euro-pop new wave vibe! She actually performs on this quite nicely.

07 #10 (09) Mariah Carey "Obsessed" - I am tired of this song. Who cares Mariah? Get over it, woman, this is NOT a hit! It's just radio throwing that mess in our faces.

11 #09 (08) Beyonce "Sweet Dreams" - Can't go wrong with Beyonce's impressive vocals that made her successful in the first place, and this record isn't too bad either. I don't expect this to be a chart topper.

09 #08 (13) Boys Like Girls "Love Drunk" - I love the message here and that's a part of life, you know. I think I'm going to put this on my Ipod.

08 #07 (06) Lady Gaga "Papparazzi" - It could be a 4th #1 for her in a row! Now that will be a great way to remember the King Of Pop! You see, the Jackson 5 were the first act in history to get four of their first chart singles to reach #1 on the pop charts. This one here has a fighting chance or would it be a fight? This cut is hot off the chain!

05 #06 (17) The Black Eyed Peas " I Gotta Feeling" - No. Just no.

06 #05 (06) Jason Derulo "Whatcha Say" - I actually like this! I guess that whole auto-tune has taken it's toll.. It sounds like the guy really can sing without it, but I guess that's what a hand full of people want to hear at the moment.

03 #04 (16) Talor Swift "You Belong With Me" - MTV Award Winner? So what! This format more so is targeted to females and this too sappy for me. Next!

01 #03 (14) Kings Of Leon "Use Somebody" - They deserved a shot at #1 and they got, for only one week, better than none at all! Nice solid traditional mainstream rock track here.

Optional Extra: Snow Patrol "Chasing Cars" - You know, I did not like this at first, until it debuted on Rick Dees Hot AC Top 40 and I fell hard for this song. I just listened and I loved it ever since.

04 #02 (09) Miley Cyrus "Party In The USA" - This is her best yet! I guess that's why it's climbing to the runner up spot. I was skeptical at first because it was Miley Cyrus but this woman really threw a surprise at me!

02 #01 (10) Jay Sean Feat Lil Wayne "Down" - I really don't understand why this is soooo popular. This sounds just like every other watered down R&B/Hip Hop song. And he is the 1st British Solo Male Urban Artist to make it to #1 on the American Charts? I beg to differ my friend! But then again for being born in the UK, yes it's true. I guess a person like me would also cite Billy Ocean as being the first solo Male Urban Artist, but the guy was born in Trinidad. Jay Sean of Pakistani heritage was born in East London. I strongly believe that it is his physique that is part of what brought him to the top of the charts.

Next week look for debuts by possibly :

Britney Spears, David Guetta, Ester Dean, & Jesse McCartney.




Note: copy and paste was by a known poster in the Pulse Music forum. Thank you for the weekly updates if you are reading this!

[mkarns]

AT40: October 24, 2009:
(Last week; this week; number of weeks on)

DROPPERS:
#36 (28) 3Oh!3 "Don't Trust Me" (one of my favorite recent hits; spent a week at #1.)
#32 (15) Theory Of A Deadman "Not Meant To Be" (good medium tempoed debut hit for rock group.)

And the battle is on:

33 #40 (07) All American Rejects "I Wanna" (good song that should have gone higher; maybe it was preempted by the next song on here.)

40 #39 (41) All American Rejects "Give You Hell" (this hit #1 in March and seven months later is still here? I like it, but sheesh, as this band said, “move along!”)

30 #38 (22) Sean Kingston "Fire Burning" (good propulsive dance track)

37 #37 (02) I-Yaz "Replay" (a bit annoying, but tolerable)

39 #36 (27) Pink "Please Don't Leave Me" (great mix of toughness and pleading)

38 #35 (36) Lady Gaga "Poker Face" (#1 for seven weeks in April and May, and still here six months later; good but enough already!)

-- #34 (01) Fabolous Feat The Dream "Throw It In The Bag" (wasn’t impressed on first listen, but maybe it’ll get better with time)

-- #33 (01) Pink "Funhouse" (should be another good size hit)

31 #32 (21) Lady Gaga "LoveGame" (my least favorite of her four hits so far; memorable metaphor (“disco stick”), but a little too repetitive.)

AT 40 Breakout: David Guetta Feat Akon "Sexy Chick" (Eurodance record that has been a massive hit overseas; wouldn’t be surprised to see similar results here.)

29 #31 (31) The Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow" (used to enjoy, or at least tolerate it; after months of overplay now it’s pretty much in the “No. Just no” file.)

Optional Extra: Hinder "Lips Of An Angel" (#1 hit in Nov. 2006; three years later I still like it.)

27 #30 (26) Pitbull " I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" (fun Latin-rap number)

24 #29 (14) Drake "The Best I Ever Had" (good slow jam)

35 #28 (02) Sean Kingston "Face Drop" (haven’t really gotten into it yet.)

34 #27 (04) Cascada "Evacuate The Dance Floor" (cool Eurodance hit from she who recast Rascal Flatts’ country-pop ballad “What Hurts the Most” in that style)

26 #26 (04) 3Oh!3 Feat Katy Perry "Starstrukk" (I like this, but I actually prefer the Katy-less original version, which has some raunchier lyrics.)

19 #25 (10) Pitbull "Hotel Room Service" (Speaking of raunchy lyrics, this song ain’t about food. Similar in style to Pitbull’s first hit, and enjoyable.)

25 #24 (05) Colbie Caillat "Fallin For You" (nice midtempo strummer, with more of a beat than her two previous hits.)

18 #23 (19) Daughtry "No Surprise" (aptly titled. Good but predictable midtempo rocker)

21 #22 (24) Katy Perry "Waking Up in Vegas" (great song and a former #1 that Katy herself got to introduce as such, when she guest-hosted.)

Extra: Ester Dean Feat Chris Brown "Drop It Low" (No. Just no.)

28 #21 (03) Owl City "Fireflies" (this one is moving up fast, from 39-28-21. I can’t get it out of my head, and apparently neither can many others.)

Optional Extra: Rihanna "Unfaithful" (nice, sparsely produced change of pace ballad)

20 #20 (07) Michael Franti & Spearhead "Say Hey (I Love You)" (Caribbean jump-up type song; quite catchy, almost but not quite to the point of annoying)

23 #19 (07) Justin Bieber "One Time" (hated this at first, but it’s growing on me.)

17 #18 (07) Flo Rida "Be On You" (slower than his earlier hits; Ne-Yo helps.)

16 #17 (03) The Black Eyed Peas "Meet Me Half Way" (this jumped 13 notches last week and now slips one. Probably just a pause, but are some people and stations getting BEP overload? This is OK but not great.)

15 #16 (19) Keri Hilson Feat Ne-Yo And Kanye West "Knock You Down" (decently sung, but a bit overreliant on the guest acts. Keri sounds to me more like a guest on a Kanye or Ne-Yo hit than the center of attention on hers.)

22 #15 (05) Kelly Clarkson "Already Gone" (good slowdown ballad after two similar sounding rock hits)

12 #14 (15) Cobra Starship Feat Leighton Meester "Good Girls Go Bad" (great dance rock number with the “Gossip Girl” star helping out; Meester was one of Ryan’s guest interviewees on this show.)

14 #13 (15) The Fray "Never Say Never" (lovely ballad that finally moves up again after four weeks stuck at 14.)

10 #12 (19) Jordin Sparks "Battlefield" (Pat Benatar did the same idea better.)

13 #11 (05) Jay Feat Rihanna & Kanye West "Run This Town" (good, though I keep thinking it’s a Rihanna solo/duet hit because her vocal seems most prominent.)

Optional Extra: Shakira "She Wolf" (sexy Latin/electro hit; this was on the countdown just a few weeks ago. Dropped from 11-12-16-28-off, mighty fast by current AT40 standards.)

07 #10 (09) Mariah Carey "Obsessed" (well sung, as you’d expect, but I’d like something a little more distinctive from her.)

11 #09 (08) Beyonce "Sweet Dreams" (my favorite of her “Sasha Fierce” hits.)

09 #08 (13) Boys Like Girls "Love Drunk" (one of my favorites in the countdown)

08 #07 (06) Lady Gaga "Paparazzi" (another winning dance hit, with a bit more minor key feel)

05 #06 (17) The Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" (another of the “I like(d) it but am now sick of it” line of hits.)

06 #05 (06) Jason Derulo "Whatcha Say" (not bad, but not anything particularly special)

03 #04 (16) Taylor Swift "You Belong With Me" (excellent song with a special pop/rock remix played on top 40 radio. Two weeks ago this was #1, and Ryan mentioned that Taylor is the first country artist to hit #1 twice in a year since Kenny Rogers in 1980, but you’d never know she’s a country star from listening to the version of this song played by AT40 and CHR radio.)

01 #03 (14) Kings Of Leon "Use Somebody" (slowish tempoed but intense rocker that got a well deserved week at #1. Incidentally, this and the Taylor Swift hit are the first back to back songs to spend one week at #1 on AT40 in a year and a half, and only the third such pair of the Ryan Seacrest/Mediabase era.)

Optional Extra: Snow Patrol "Chasing Cars" (atmospheric rock ballad that made good, dramatic use of a two note riff. Very well sung.)

04 #02 (09) Miley Cyrus "Party In The USA" (a true guilty pleasure. The sort of song you might unwittingly catch yourself singing or humming along to with headphones.)

02 #01 (10) Jay Sean Feat Lil Wayne "Down" (good, but somewhat routine. Lil’ Wayne spices it up a bit.)

[Josh Joel's Top 40]

AMERICAN TOP 40 - JANUARY 30, 2010
LW TW WKS Artist - Title
-- 40 (01) Ludacris featuring Shawnna - How Low - A rather catchy number there, but it still sounds like every other hip hop record out today.

-- 39 (01) OneRepublic - All The Right Moves - Nice little pop/rock ditty, but not as good as "Stop & Stare" and their hot one "Apologize".

-- 38 (01) Pitbull featuring Akon - Shut It Down - This man has made a name for himself at CHR now. I'm satisfied with that. He deserves and this is one of the reasons why.

-- 37 (01) The Script - Breakeven - You'd probably swear that this was John Legend. These guys are Irish and they could be on their way to achieving the same platinum status as U2.

28 36 (19) Colbie Caillat - Fallin' For You - This one is kinda a grower, I just have to be in that mood.

39 35 (03) Adam Lambert - Whataya Want From Me - I love this song. He has that Richard Marx kind of vibe going.

33 34 (09) Nickelback - Never Gonna Be Alone - I'm totally appalled that they lost at the Grammys again! This is OK, but not their best, I prefer their Active Rock smash that should have won that award called "Burn It To The Ground".

23 33 (30) The Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling - This OK, it's sort of clubby, and not my cup of tea.

34 32 (04) Daughtry - Life After You - Meh, not their absolute best.

Breakout: Uncle Kracker - Smile - This is a current Hot AC smash, but I don't see this doing much at CHR, I really don't.

37 31 (08) We The Kings - Heaven Can Wait - Nothing special, this may not go far.

Optional Extra: Britney Spears - Gimme More - Again, not her best, but it was quite a nice attempt to come back. Judging by this record, she just wasn't ready. Well that's all in the past, I sure dig "Womanizer"!

40 30 (02) Jason DeRulo - In My Head - No. Sounds too much like an Usher wanna-be.

26 29 (17) The Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway - This one is halfway decent all because of Fergie's vocals.

25 28 (30) Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me - No. Just no.

30 27 (04) Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake - Carry Out - Not bad, I prefer his current Urban radio hit "Tell Me Something" featuring Drake. Speaking of Drake..

22 26 (04) Drake, Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, and Eminem - Forever - I am gonna have to say "no" to this one.

Breakout: John Mayer - Heartbreak Warfare - One of his best songs in years, this may make the top 20 at CHR.

27 25 (04) Kris Allen - Live Like We're Dying - Strong vocals there, much better than the artificial sounding records dominating Pop radio.

19 24 (23) Miley Cyrus - Party In The U.S.A. - One of best songs to date, at the same time it can get annoying quite rapidly.

24 23 (13) Shinedown - If You Only Knew - Lyrically this is just phenomenal, but I just cannot get into this song otherwise.

21 22 (04) Justin Bieber - One Less Lonely Girl - Once again the vocals are top notch, I just don't like the song.

20 21 (28) Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody - One of their best songs since they've emerged.

Optional Extra: Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't Lie - No. Just no.

17 20 (18) Cascada - Evacuate The Dancefloor - Yeah, this is a ghett down record!

29 19 (04) Lady GaGa featuring Beyoncé - Telephone - One good reason to turn off my phone, it's another ghett down jam!

15 18 (20) Lady GaGa - Paparazzi - Definitely a jam!

13 17 (22) Beyoncé - Sweet Dreams - This OK, but it's not the best, I wouldn't buy it.

31 16 (03) The Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be - Their best song, yet, well since "Where Is The Love" IMO. Now I know why it was chosen as their "promo" single before "Boom Boom". Good choice for an "official" 4th single, though.

09 15 (20) Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone - Meh, nothing special.

10 14 (24) Jay Sean featuring Lil' Wayne - Down - This is solid, but I's much rather listen to "Do Yo Remember".

11 13 (09) Taylor Swift - Fifteen - Great song because I felt that it was well penned and performed.

14 12 (11) Boys Like Girls featuring Taylor Swift - Two Is Better Than One - This country-pop styled number is a pleasure to listen to. I think they all harmonized quite pleasantly.

08 11 (14) Britney Spears - 3 - Eh, sounds like almost every other techno-pop song out there. Too bad it was not a #1 and I am not counting Rick Dees Top 40, either.

Optional Extra: Nickelback - If Today Was Your Last Day - One of their best!

18 10 (04) Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy - Hard - No. Just no.

16 09 (08) Orianthi - According To You - One of nine songs by foreign acts and this one is Australian. I absolutely dig the lyrics, not the song so much.

04 08 (17) Owl City - Fireflies - Possibly the best song in the 40 this week. I absolutely love it and it's a Hot AC AT40 #1 this week as well.

05 07 (20) Jason DeRulo - Whatcha Say - Rather catchy, this is probably the best we'll ever get from him at the moment.

12 06 (08) Jay Sean featuring Sean Paul and Lil' Jon - Do You Remember - Yes! Bring it on. I doubt that this will be another #1, but that's OK, it's still a huge jam.

07 05 (11) Jay-Z and Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind - No. Just no.

06 04 (14) David Guetta featuring Akon - Sexy Chick - It's top 5! And "mkrns" you were right. I wasn't expecting this to do much. After hearing this for a couple more weeks, I was convinced of this being a US smash.

01 03 (16) IYAZ - Replay - Catchy song, but not quite my cup of green tea.

Optional Extra: Pink - Sober - One of her best songs, this is excellent.

03 02 (12) Ke$ha - Tik Tok - This is actually a grower like fungus, you know. I may even put it on my IPOD. LOL.

02 01 (11) Lady GaGa - Bad Romance ** 1 week @ no. 1 ** - I normally don't do Lady Ga Ga but this is way catchy, ya just can't ignore it.

[Josh Joel's Top 40]

I'm back again after some weeks or so with another chart critique of this week's top 40 "Modern AT40" chart.


March 13-14, 2010

Off the Charts:
#39 (25) Lady Gaga "Paparazzi" - No big loss there, really. It became tolerable at the end .

#37 (06) Pitbull "Shut It Down" - Kinda a surprise failure for this rapper, he's had two huge hits. I thought that a third was always a charm. Too bad, this wasn't really my cup of tea.

#36 (28) Miley Cyrus "Party in the USA" - Former #1 AT40 smash exits the survey. I can see this song getting rather old now. Absolutely disposable.


40 #40 (02) Selena Gomez Feat the Scene "Naturally" - Modern dance still has a long ways to go to become a phenomenon the way it was in the 90s.

30 #39 (28) Beyonce "Sweet Dreams" - No. Just no.

-- #38 (01) Trey Songz Feat Fabolous "Say Aah" - Nice Urban club jam there! It's not his absolute best, but he IS the best R&B solo artist within the last year. This track climbed as high #2 on the Urban charts, I was hoping for #1, really.

28 #37 (20) Britney Spears "3" - This song also missed the top spot on AT40 but not on Rick Dees Top 40 or the Hot 100. It's an OK song, just not my favourite.

38 #36 (06) John Mayer "Heartbreak Warfare" - I really don't like this fake ass musician anymore, so I'm gonna say, no.

34 #35 (23) Black Eyed Peas "Meet Me Halfway" - I kinda dig this song just a little bit because of Fergie's ooohs and ahhs.

-- #34 (01) Taylor Swift "Today Was a Fairytale" - No.

32 #33 (37) Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" - No. Just no.

-- #32 (01) Rihanna "Rude Boy" - No. No. No.

Breakout: Taio Cruz Feat Ludacris "Break Your Heart" - Big hit in the UK but that doesn't impress me much. It seems that every other song sounds like another. The vocals are OK, I just hear a lack of originality. These US rappers are the ones that are helping these international artists break into the US mainstream charts. I wonder what's gonna happen with Jay Sean's 3rd single called "War" with no collaborators.

31 #31 (26) Kelly Clarkson "Already Gone" - She's a great singer and the most popular former American Idol contestant in the world! I just cannot get into this cleverly written song.

Optional Extra: Justin Timberlake Feat Timbaland "My Love" - This is OK, part of his string of #1s, but he's had better. I liked stuff from his debut LP rather than his follow-up.

23 #30 (10) Rihanna Feat. Young Jeezy "Hard" - Kinda catchy with a hip hop/R&B feel, but I never really liked this woman's work even before last year's fiasco. I'm feeling "SOS" and "Pon De Replay", though!

29 #29 (34) Kings Of Leon "Use Somebody" - One of a few decent songs in the top 40. I'm kinda tired of this song at the moment. They deserve just about every award in the rock category from MTV to the Grams.

26 #28 (24) Cascada "Evacuate The Dance Floor" - Oh yeah, it's time to ghett down and boogie!

35 #27 (02) Train "Hey, Soul Sister" - I did not like this record at all and now I'm feeling this like nobody's business! I love the acoustic guitar riffs!

27 #26 (07) Ludacris Feat Shawnna "How Low" - I cannot see this making the top 20 here, it's just not his best. To most people's standard he's looking great these days, nice and sophisticated.

22 #25 (23) Owl City "Fireflies" - I used to love this song. It's a former #1 on my personal chart and now the song is getting on my nerves.

33 #24 (03) New Boys Feat Ray J "Tie Me Down" - Nice R&B/Hip hop mid tempo jam as the biggest climber this week. I still think that Ray J still needs to get a life and focus on his career instead of "looking for love". One day it will come knocking on his door.

25 #23 (10) Daughtry "Life After You" - Meh, not their best, but it's tolerable. I just wouldn't turn the radio up on this one.

Breakout: B.O.B. "Nothin On You" - This sounds almost entirely poppy, I'm surprised that it's getting love on Urban radio at the moment. I can see this performing quite well on the Mainstream listings.

18 #22 (30) Jay Sean Feat Lil Wayne "Down" - Not bad, but not for me. I prefer his follow-up on which I will comment on later.

15 #21 (17) Jay Z Feat Alicia Keys "Empire State Of Mind" - Tolerable, but he's had much better. His new single which was Rick Dees Sure Shot is hot and it's titled "

Optional Extra: Kelly Clarkson "Since You Been Gone" - Classic song from the 2000s, but it's not for me.

24 #20 (07) OneRepublic "All the Right Moves" - One of a half dozen decent records on this week's survey. Ryan Tedder can throw down some of them vocals.

19 #19 (09) Adam Lambert "Whataya Want From Me" - I love this song and it's a non-mover? Not good. He deserves better.

14 #18 (26) Jason Derulo "Whatcha Say" - A rather catchy tune that shot all the way to number one. Very good! My comment for his new single, not so great.

17 #17 (07) The Script "Breakeven" - I still love this hot record, it's absolutely soulful.

21 #16 (04) Justin Bieber Feat Ludacris "Baby" - I must admit this is half way decent because I found his first two records to be rather annoying.

16 #15 (04) Ke$ha Feat 3Oh!3 "Blah Blah Blah" - No. She bugs me, period. Next!

13 #14 (10) Kris Allen "Live Like We're Dying" - Higher than Adam on the charts, this one is just alright. The vocal performance on this out of sight!

20 #13 (04) Lady Antebellum "Need You Now" - This song is at a well deserved position, it's headed for the top ten, it could be #1 in the future.

08 #12 (22) Iyaz "Replay" - Nice catchy little pop but watered down hip hop ditty.

07 #11 (14) Jay Sean Feat Sean Paul & Lil Jon "Do You Remember" - He only got as high as #5. Can't complain so much at least it was another top 5 US smash. This song absolutely rocks!

Optional Extra: Avril Lavigne "I'm With You" - Oh yeah! Hot ballad and one of three #1 hits from her in row. This was her final #1. She held the record during the decade for having the most #1 hits in a row in the 2000s by a female artist but of course our Lady Ga Ga smash that record to smithereens.

12 #10 (10) Timbaland Feat Justin Timberlake "Carry Out" - I prefer "Say Something", this just doesn't do it for me.

06 #09 (17) Boys Like Girls Feat Taylor Swift "Two Is Better Than One" - Hot country/pop flavoured song there, I had just fallen in love with this song a couple weeks ago. It really grew on me.
08 #08 (11) In My Head - Jason DeRülo - No. Just no.

10 #07 (10) BedRock - Young Money ft Lloyd - This is way poppy, it deserves top ten even on Rick Dees' messed up chart which is currently only #27.

09 #06 (09) Imma Be - Black Eyed Peas - As a rule of thumb I really cannot stand these guys especially after that retarded song "Boom Boom Boom Pow". BUT, this track is hot as all ghett out!

03 #05 (20) Sexy Chick - David Guetta ft Akon - After peaking at #3 they fall to #5. This one did a nice chart performance.

02 #04 (17) Bad Romance - Lady GaGa - Catchy song and I cannot help but enjoy this one. And no this is NOT a dude, so smash these silly ass rumours.

03 #03 (14) According to You - Orianthi - The lastest woman guitar player heads for that pole position, but according to Rick Dees it's the biggest Pop record in the land! And according to me this song is brilliant!

Extra Yeah! - Usher ft Lil Jon & Ludacris - I have to admit it's a nice club track and party jam, other than that, I just leave this alone.

01 #02 (18) TiK ToK - Ke$ha - This lady's song works on my last nerve sometimes, again it's infectious so it's sorta tolerable. I found myself jamming to this working late last night without even thinking about it, ya know.

05 #01 (10)Telephone - Lady GaGa ft Beyoncé - One of her best records, I'm absoluetly astounded that she achieved up to six #1 records in a row!

[mkarns]

Hmmm, in October "Sweet Dreams" was not too bad, and couldn't miss with Beyonce's vocals; in January it was OK but not the best, and now it's "No, Just no." Guess you got tired of it.

I'm with you on "I Gotta Feeling", which I liked when it was #1--six months ago. Geez, who is still requesting it? Such are the curiosities of no recurrent rules...

[mstgator]

Mar 17, 2010 23:28:11 GMT -5 mkarns said:

I'm with you on "I Gotta Feeling", which I liked when it was #1--six months ago. Geez, who is still requesting it?

People who only listen to the radio in 15 minute spurts, which is what Top 40 programmers are catering to these days. Hooray for my iPod...

[Josh Joel's Top 40]

Mar 18, 2010 18:21:35 GMT -5 mstgator said:

Mar 17, 2010 23:28:11 GMT -5 mkarns said:

I'm with you on "I Gotta Feeling", which I liked when it was #1--six months ago. Geez, who is still requesting it?

People who only listen to the radio in 15 minute spurts, which is what Top 40 programmers are catering to these days. Hooray for my iPod...

Exactly!

[Josh Joel's Top 40]

Hi, welcome to another chart critique, I'm Josh Joel with you on this very Memorial Day Weekend. Here's what I really think of today's current hit mix:



AMERICAN TOP 40 - MAY 29, 2010
LW TW WKS Artist - Title
-- 40 (01) Justin Bieber featuring Usher - Somebody To Love - Too techno, not really my cup of tea. Perhaps I'll like this in a month or two. When or if this makes the top ten, He's never had an AT40 top ten with all them hits he's put out. Sad, sad, sad...

39 39 (02) Mike Posner featuring Big Sean - Cooler Than Me - This hot track that I totally dig, though it seems annoying, will rise in a week or two. Forget about the votes, this is a smash whether one likes it or not.

36 38 (04) Timbaland featuring Katy Perry - If We Ever Meet Again - As I have mentioned about song #40, this is way too techno. He should stick with the urban stuff. It does "no thing" for me! Nothing!

30 37 (16) Young Money featuring Lloyd - BedRock - Quite catchy especially for them ringtones and stuff. But this will fade just as well. I think many people will just up and forget about this gem once it's time is really up, which is probably now. Lil Wayne mentions Michael Jackson while I mention Ralph Tresvant (Lead singer for New Edition), because that's exactly who Lloyd sounds like.

40 36 (02) Jamie Foxx featuring Justin Timberlake and T.I. - Winner - Wow, he's breaking at Pop first with this one. Well, it's probably because it's J.T. This record is decent without a whole lotta fireworks and all.

37 35 (02) Nickelback - This Afternoon - One of the best records in the top 40 this week, really. These group of Northerners give us a hot mix of rock meets country or vise versa. Very good!

-- 34 (01) Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg - California Gurls - I really don't get why this is also getting a lot of buzz at Hot AC. At the same time this is another hot song that most of us should be excited about as a "pop" listener. I think that the only problem is that it may not be remembered ten years from now as compared with songs like "Hot N Cold" & "I Kissed A Girl".

34 33 (41) Jay Sean featuring Lil' Wayne - Down - Will this break the 50 week mark. I just don't foresee this happening. I prefer "Do You Remember" which is one of my favourites. As for a 3rd single, I don't see that happening anytime soon. I feel like the record company is giving us the runaround. I thought that "War" was supposed to be his follow-up, but there are no add dates or promos let alone monitored spins as detected by Mediabase or BDS.

32 32 (33) IYAZ - Replay - Unfortunately he's headed for "one hit wonder" status. In my book it's an artist remembered only for one big hit and this is it. This may not go away for the next couple weeks or so. This is another ringtone banger for many. As for the song, it's catchy, but just not my forte'.

Extra: Boys Like Girls - Heart Heart Heartbreak - This part just scares me as if these boys may just miss the 40 altogether. Judging by it's performance on the main Mediabase chart, their chances of making it with this cut have increased by at least 75%. As for the song, I dig this just as well, they've certainly got my vote on it! Nice kinda fun little number there although there's a bit of auto-tune. A little bit doesn't hurt like sugar, too much can cause problems, you know.

33 31 (04) Shontelle - Impossible - I did not like "T Shirt" but this is one of her best songs to date as far as quality is concerned. I'm really really feeling this cut! If she keeps it going she'll probably be up there with Rihanna. And no, Rihanna is not one of my favourite singers, don't get it twisted, now.

Optional Extra: Beyoncé - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) - Oh, lord. Do we have to hear this overplayed record that should been...the clip of the year on MTV according to Kanye West? I mean it deserved the success it generated but too much is too much. You know, I smile when I hear this because one of our team members at my job does this dance each chance that he gets, it's freaking hilarious, from what I've heard.

27 30 (09) Lifehouse - Halfway Gone - They've had better, but this is just OK. I'm surprised that this did anything on CHR.

35 29 (03) Michael Bublé - Haven't Met You Yet - Now this is the Canadian's first CHR hit ever, I'm happy and proud. Yet this dude has also recorded better songs, really. I heard of him when he covered George Michael's "Kissing A Fool". It's going to take some time before I really get into this song, it just hasn't generated any fireworks for me yet.

28 28 (31) David Guetta featuring Akon - Sexy Chick - Nice little club jam, but it's time for it to disappear, I'm already burnt out on this one.

24 27 (28) Lady GaGa - Bad Romance - This was good while the good was good, you know. Now, it's also time for this one to disappear. I just don't like this song anymore. Talk about limerence there.

25 26 (20) Adam Lambert - Whataya Want From Me - Former #1 song on my personal chart and The Dream took over about a couple weeks ago with "Love King". Anyway, this is still obviously a hot song, I just wish it would have made the Big Ten on AT40. I also love his new hit record just as well "If I Had You", and it'd better break into the countdown!

Breakout: JLS - Everybody In Love - One of the best records I've heard so far this year, but unfortunately the chances of this making the 40 is basically slim to none. It's has already tumbled to #41 on the Mediabase chart.

23 25 (18) OneRepublic - All The Right Moves - I prefer the "rhythmic" remix of this. If it weren't for that hot mix, this song would be totally ignored by me.

16 24 (10) IYAZ - Solo - This is one of his better songs believe it or not. i prefer this one over "Replay", which is way too electro-pop millennium style for me. WTF does J.R. (the producer) just feel the need to trademark his name in just about every single record that he's produced, that's annoying. You never heard the Jam/Lewis or the Stock Aikten & Watermans do such a thing. So what's the deal?

18 23 (02) The Black Eyed Peas - Rock That Body - No. Just no.

26 22 (08) Kevin Rudolf featuring Birdman, Jay Sean, and Lil' Wayne - I Made It (Cash Money Heroes) - Not too bad, it's not "thunder n lightning" if you get my drift. The performances by Jay Sean is the only that stands out for me.

21 21 (20) The Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be - One of their best songs, it really should have been a #1 on AT40. I'm grateful that these guys finally secured a top ten hit on the Urban charts, they've never even had an Urban hit to begin with.

Optional Extra: The Killers - Somebody Told Me - Interesting lyrics but I just don't like any of their songs as a whole.

17 20 (29) Ke$ha - Tik Tok - I still really do not like this song, it's just as mindless as it can get. I have to admit it does have a strong hook.

22 19 (05) Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars - Billionaire - Excellent solid record for Travie, this is as original as you get these days. I love the lyrics and the concept of reggae meets modern pop/rock. Brilliant, really.

19 18 (07) Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber - Eenie Meenie - This would be an excellent track without that annoying new face Justin. He just bugs the devil out of me.

14 17 (05) Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight - Looks like this former pop diva is going in the wrong direction IMO. I really don't like this at all, it's just not her, you know.

15 16 (06) Jay-Z featuring Mr. Hudson - Young Forever - Seems to have peaked at #15 last week, but I think he'll rebound by next week if not the week after that. Good song, just don't try to sing please, Jay, Mr. Hudson is already doing it for you.

13 15 (21) Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake - Carry Out - No. Just no.

20 14 (08) La Roux - Bulletproof - This kinda reminds of Five Star each time I hear this. The lady that sings on this records sounds sort of like Denise Pearson of that group. Anyway this is another acceptable piece of work sort of an 80s synth feel, just not entirely my favourite, at this point.

-- 13 (01) B.o.B. featuring Hayley Williams - Airplanes - This is by one of only a few skilled rappers and I mean that. At least his songs make sense, this is brilliant. He deserves to stick around and phase all those phoney ass rappers out of the game, for real.

11 12 (21) Lady GaGa featuring Beyoncé - Telephone - Meh, this is OK. She's had a few better ones.

12 11 (13) Selena Gomez and The Scene - Naturally - No. Just no.

Optional Extra: Daft Punk - One More Time - Yes! Now this is the jam! A huge classic! "Around The World" is my favourite one from them, though. The latter should have charted at Pop back in 1998, I still have the CD single.

08 10 (15) Lady Antebellum - Need You Now - This is alright, I just wouldn't buy this.

07 09 (18) The Script - Breakeven - Brilliant song! they've already hit #1 on Hot AC, I may review that chart, later. Depends on how I feel, you know.

10 08 (06) Lady GaGa - Alejandro - One of her better songs with that Ace of Base kind of feel to it. I truly truly hope this becomes her 7th #1 hit in a row.

09 07 (06) Usher featuring Will.I.Am - OMG - he says that he's down two spots to #7 and he said "down" like twice. Not good, This is correct it is moving up. This song goes to show how techno .

06 06 (06) Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug - I wish that this chick would just go away, she annoys the fart out of me. I must admit though that this better than "Tik Tok". And please no #1, please.

05 05 (19) Jason Derulo - In My Head - No! Even the rhythmic remix can't fix a bad song, simple.

04 04 (13) Train - Hey, Soul Sister - Brilliant song! I still prefer their earlier songs such as "Calling All Angels" & "Drops Of Jupiter".

02 03 (12) Rihanna - Rude Boy - This had to grow on me, I heard this quite a bit now. Not bad for not listening to the radio that often. It has a real killa beat that makes ya wanna ghett down!

Optional Extra: Justin Timberlake featuring Clipse - Like I Love You - Good song, but he's had a hand full of better songs, trust me.

01 02 (11) B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars - Nothin' On You - Good song, but I like his rap skills and rhymes the most.

03 01 (11) Taio Cruz featuring Ludacris - Break Your Heart ** 1 week @ no. 1 ** - Oooh it's #1. So what, I'm still gonna say not no, but HECK NO!!!!

[Josh Joel's Top 40]

Hello again! It's been months, I was hoping there would be more chart critiques from others. I'll invite each and every one of you to critique or comment on this thread. Yes, yes, yes I know top 40 radio is has slowed down as far as consitently adding fresh new records to their playlist, well at least simultaneously anyway, but here we are. Let's make the best at what they're pushing in our faces shall we?

DROPOUT
27 OUT (12) Miranda Cosgrove - Kissin' U - Nice try, but it just wasn't doing much for many of us, was it? I didn't think so..
Chart Run: 33-33-26-26-25-23-23-21-19-18-22-27

33 40 (08) The Script - The Man Who Can't Be Moved - Yeah, they gave this one another try, but it just didn't work out as planned. So now they are down after weeks and weeks of struggling. I've always been fond of this record, actually. It's quite brilliant, really.

40 39 (02) Hot Chelle Rae - Bleed (New Peak) - Last week it debuted, this week they move a notch up to here. This is one of those quality songs that just gets overlooked by those other manufactured processed songs that are IMO just disposable like a plastic bottle.

35 38 (22) Shontelle - Impossible - OMG! Man, did I grow tired of this one. I'm glad it's going going and by next week it'll be gone. I'd take Rihanna over her any ole day.

37 37 (31) Train - Hey, Soul Sister - To me this was a surprise hit, not that it was bad, but quite unique for this format. HOT AC yes, but Top 40, never in my wildest dreams that it turn out to be this big. It's even an Ipod banger for millions and millions of us Americans!

38 36 (02) The Ready Set - Love like Woe (New Peak) - You know, I actually dig this song! I can play this for my workers and they'd have a ball. Say, is it just a one man band? I would have never guessed...

AT40 Breakout: Daughtry - September - How talented these guys are with a string of hits. This may somehow crack the top 40 one way or another. But I prefer many others by them.

28 35 (29) Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart (Remix featuring Ludacris) (3 weeks at #1) - Quite catchy, but not quite my cup of tea.

--- 34 (01) Cee Lo Green - f**k You ("Forget You" Clean Version) (New Peak) - This one should be a smash, it's a kind of in your face sort of song with some old school flavour even my parents would approve of bumpin but only the clean version. Gotta think about my nephews now.

29 33 (24) Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug (1 week at #1) - Brilliant guilty pleasure, this woman has grown on me. She is just one female that knows how to turn up the party!

26 32 (15) Drake - Find Your Love - *yawn* I'm feeling this no more! The dude doesn't have a bad singing voice either.

31 31 (06) Train - If It's Love - Eh, not as good as their big hit "Hey Soul Sister".

AT40 Optional Extra: Akon - Right Now (Na Na Na) (#9 in Feb '09) - I still think that this song is sort of brilliant.

30 30 (26) La Roux - Bulletproof - *yawn* Burned out on this one, big time. Next!

39 29 (02) Rihanna - Only Girl (In the World) (New Peak) - Nice club feel making this one of a few songs that I like by her.

34 28 (03) Justin Bieber - U Smile (New Peak) - Six chart singles and still no top ten yet. Will this one make it. I doubt it because this is weak IMO. It's still sounds like bubblegum pop over the top.

AT40 Breakout: Sean Kingston featuring Nicki Minaj - Letting Go (Dutty Love) - Hmm, quite catchy, not bad.

21 27 (14) Paramore - The Only Exception - The lyrics are phenomenal, but this song is working my nerves already for some reason.

32 26 (04) Jay Sean featuring Nicki Minaj - 2012 (It Ain't the End) - This song sounds pretty hot, but I'd really would like to see him release other singles that show a different side of him. Now what many "radio" audiences may expect are those uptempo ditties from this English when he has more to offer.

25 25 (08) Auburn featuring Iyaz - La La La - I thought that this would have been a bigger hit for this young lady from the Twin Cities (heyyy!!). I actually dig this record just as well. Gosh, I miss Mad TV already!

36 24 (02) Far East Movement featuring Cataracs & Dev - Like a G6 (New Peak) - Alright folks, turn your radio up, I mean, car radio up! That's if you have speakers that go boom! This is one of the best songs I've heard in months!

24 23 (08) John Mayer featuring Taylor Swift - Half of My Heart (New Peak) - No. Just no.

20 22 (16) Eminem - Not Afraid - Great song with the truth included. I'm kinda burned out on this one.

23 21 (24) Usher featuring will.i.am - OMG (2 weeks at #1) - One of his best songs to date up to par with the latest trends.

AT40 Optional Extra: Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (#1 in Nov '04) - One of her best performances, it's just not for me.

19 20 (23) Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars - Billionaire - This song is one of the best records we've heard this year. It may stick for another couple years, at the same time it's not really my cup of tea.

22 19 (05) Neon Trees - Animal (New Peak) - This is one of a very few crossover Alternative hits that we've had over the past couple of years. This one broke at Alternative then Hot AC and then finally at Pop. It's moving up quite nicely just as well. This is one of my favourite records.

12 18 (19) Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg - California Gurls (5 weeks at #1) - No. Just no.

AT40 Extra: Miranda Cosgrove - Kissin' U (#18 in Sep '10) - (already discussed)

17 17 (10) Adam Lambert - If I Had You - Here's another one of my favourite songs, too bad it's not top ten. Oh well, at least he's not a one hit wonder. I heard that he can put on an entertaining show, you know. What more can you ask for?

18 16 (09) OneRepublic - Secrets (New Peak) - This is OK, I prefer their other smash "All The Right Moves".

15 15 (05) Taylor Swift - Mine - Oh, boy another teeny bopper song. Puh! And you call this country? Yeah. Sure. Next!

14 14 (10) B.o.B featuring Rivers Cuomo - Magic - This may not make the top ten, but this is one of the best songs in the top 40 as I write this.

10 13 (16) Jason DeRülo - Ridin' Solo - Quite brilliant and catchy, I love it. I take this over his two number one hits any ole day!

16 12 (05) Nelly - Just a Dream (New Peak) - You know, I bought his last LP "Brass Knuckles" in which Nelly promised would "hit me hard". He never specified in which way and it wasn't good either. But this song here, is the best song he's put out in years, man!

11 11 (19) B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams - Airplanes (1 week at #1) - This is not too bad but I prefer his hit at #14 over this one.

AT40 Optional Extra: Hoobastank - The Reason (#1 in May/Jun/Jul '04) - Still a great song, it's a freaking classic!

13 10 (07) Flo Rida featuring David Guetta - Club Can't Handle Me (New Peak) - Are you sure that this guy is a rapper? Kinda reminds me of Snap, you know. At first they hit us with the rap smash "The Power" and then they went all techno on me with "Rhythm Is A Dancer". What was up with that?

09 09 (11) Maroon 5 - Misery - No. I'm just not into these guys.

06 08 (20) Mike Posner - Cooler than Me (Remix featuring Big Sean) - This is the original version the one that's one the mixtape. Anyway this is another hot one, hopefully this one will stick around as a "classic".

08 07 (09) Ke$ha - Take It Off (New Peak) - This track may not make it to #1, but it's quite enjoyable. It'll spice up my Friday or Saturday night!

05 06 (09) Usher featuring Pitbull - DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love (Remix) - Well deserving of this top ten position, it's a hot jam!

07 05 (07) Bruno Mars - Just the Way You Are (New Peak) - Something tells me that he's in denial and that he really is a habitual user. Sorry, but the recent headlines just bug the heck out of me. Why would you get involved in the first place after you've been told dozens of times, it's almost like playing Russian Roulette IMO. Anyway, this is an excellent performance, it deserves #1 on AT40.

04 04 (11) Eminem featuring Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie (2 weeks at #1) - Excellent lyrics and great song. I'm glad that it made the top ten on both Pop and Urban. This is his biggest Urban hit ever.

01 03 (12) Taio Cruz - Dynamite (4 weeks at #1) - No. Please go away.

AT40 Optional Extra: Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend (#1 in Jun '07) - No. Just no.

02 02 (16) Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull - I Like It - I'm afraid this Spanish heart throb will not get his first AT40 #1 with this one. Nice jam, though, it's catchy, can't complain just yet.

03 01 (07) Katy Perry - Teenage Dream (New Peak) (1 week at #1) - Cleverly written song and many say that this woman has no talent. I think that she can actually sing, but just not on Sesame Street!

[mkarns]

AMERICAN TOP 40 - OCTOBER 2, 2010 (week ending)
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest

LW TW (WI) ARTIST - SONG
33 40 (08) The Script - The Man Who Can't Be Moved--Good song that should have gone higher (#33 was its peak, after sitting for six weeks at #34. Somebody commented that maybe it should be called "The Song That Can't Be Moved.")

40 39 (02) Hot Chelle Rae - Bleed (New Peak)--sort of a grunge power ballad. Good, if not groundbreaking.

35 38 (22) Shontelle - Impossible--well sung, if a bit dramatic.

37 37 (31) Train - Hey, Soul Sister--great song that I'm still not tired of after 31 weeks on the chart.

38 36 (02) The Ready Set - Love like Woe (New Peak)--great song that I hope keeps moving up.

AT40 Breakout: Daughtry - September--OK, though I like their more rock oriented stuff better.

28 35 (29) Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart (Remix featuring Ludacris) (3 weeks at #1)--very good intermix of electro-pop and rap breaks.

--- 34 (01) Cee Lo Green - F*** You ("Forget You" Clean Version) (New Peak)--good solo entry by former Gnarls Barkley singer. Obviously was played and referred to under the radio title, "Forget You." (This must be a good season for pop culture profanity, as one of Ryan's interviewees this week was William Shatner, about his new sitcom "S*** My Dad Says.")

29 33 (24) Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug (1 week at #1)--very good, though it's kind of burnt out by now. I still like this a lot better than her newer song higher up the chart.

26 32 (15) Drake - Find Your Love--OK, if a bit overrated.

31 31 (06) Train - If It's Love--their second entry here, and even better than the first.

AT40 Optional Extra: Akon - Right Now (Na Na Na) (#9 in Feb '09)--OK, nothing more.

30 30 (26) La Roux - Bulletproof--1980s style electropop number, one of many such recent hits.

39 29 (02) Rihanna - Only Girl (In the World) (New Peak)--good uptempo song that we'll surely be hearing a lot more of in the upcoming months.

34 28 (03) Justin Bieber - U Smile (New Peak)--No. Just no.

AT40 Breakout: Sean Kingston featuring Nicki Minaj - Letting Go (Dutty Love)--wtf did this sound like again?

21 27 (14) Paramore - The Only Exception--great, quietly intense ballad from emo-rockers.

32 26 (04) Jay Sean featuring Nicki Minaj - 2012 (It Ain't the End)--I can't get into this one, though it's not awful. Not sure what the story is behind the date 2012 and "the end", but the song doesn't make much sense to me.

25 25 (08) Auburn featuring Iyaz - La La La--pretty meh. Neither bad nor great.

36 24 (02) Far East Movement featuring Cataracs & Dev - Like a G6 (New Peak)--dance number with a great beat, though it is a bit repetitive. Sounds better in clubs than on the radio IMO.

24 23 (08) John Mayer featuring Taylor Swift - Half of My Heart (New Peak)--I actually like this one; it has an easygoing but continuous beat and sounds a lot better than Mayer's sometimes whiny slower songs (such as its predecessor, "Heartbreak Warfare.") But with all due respect to Taylor Swift, I don't think singing about two audible lines of backup vocals merits a label co-credit.

20 22 (16) Eminem - Not Afraid--powerful, anthemic and cathartic number, as we'd expect from him.

23 21 (24) Usher featuring will.i.am - OMG (2 weeks at #1)--very good, though getting played out.

AT40 Optional Extra: Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (#1 in Nov '04)--great song that was the first of many hits from its titular album.

19 20 (23) Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars - Billionaire--excellent song.

22 19 (05) Neon Trees - Animal (New Peak)--one of my favorite songs in here.

12 18 (19) Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg - California Gurls (5 weeks at #1)--very good, very summer-oriented song which (now that it's October) seems to be at its sell-by date.

AT40 Extra: Miranda Cosgrove - Kissin' U (#18 in Sep '10)--dropped out of the top 40 this week (the only song to do so), making it a curious choice for an extra. It's OK, sort of a Hannah Montana-type song which you'd expect from someone famous for Nickelodeon sitcoms.

17 17 (10) Adam Lambert - If I Had You--one of my current favorites, as well.

18 16 (09) OneRepublic - Secrets (New Peak)--great song from band led by Ryan Tedder, who recently has had quite the golden songwriting touch, churning out hits for himself and many others.

15 15 (05) Taylor Swift - Mine--good, though except for the singer's track record this hardly sounds country, something that's been true of a lot of country-pop crossovers through the years.

14 14 (10) B.o.B featuring Rivers Cuomo - Magic--great song that sounds like what you'd expect from the artist listing, i.e. Weezer with rap interludes.

10 13 (16) Jason DeRülo - Ridin' Solo--OK, but I liked "In My Head" (originally called "In My Bed") better.

16 12 (05) Nelly - Just a Dream (New Peak)--very good return to form for him. Likely to be his first top 10 hit since 2006.

11 11 (19) B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams - Airplanes (1 week at #1)--another winner, with excellent guest vocals from Williams (Paramore's lead). B.o.B. chooses his collaborators well.

AT40 Optional Extra: Hoobastank - The Reason (#1 in May/Jun/Jul '04)--excellent song that I got a bit tired of then (it was #1 for 8 weeks), but is well worth hearing again.

13 10 (07) Flo Rida featuring David Guetta - Club Can't Handle Me (New Peak)--whether you call Flo Rida a rapper or not, he does better over samples and electro tracks (including from French techno master Guetta) than over pure hip-hop tracks. This is good, if not all that distinctive in the current marketplace.

09 09 (11) Maroon 5 - Misery--I like this, though I prefer "Wake Up Call" and their "Songs About Jane" hits (overplayed as they were.)

06 08 (20) Mike Posner - Cooler than Me (Remix featuring Big Sean)--took some time for me to get into this one, but ultimately I think it's great.

08 07 (09) Ke$ha - Take It Off (New Peak)--hot artist, but annoying song; reminds me of something chanted in the schoolyard in grade school.

05 06 (09) Usher featuring Pitbull - DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love (Remix)--excellent song.

07 05 (07) Bruno Mars - Just the Way You Are (New Peak)--good song that may ultimately hit #1 on AT40 (it's currently at #2 in the latest Mediabase update, behind "Teenage Dream.") We'll see where his legal/personal issues lead.

04 04 (11) Eminem featuring Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie (2 weeks at #1)--a great song that returned him to #1 for the first time in eight years (and to the top 10 in about five.)

01 03 (12) Taio Cruz - Dynamite (4 weeks at #1)--very good song, though after four weeks on top certainly it's easy to get tired of it.

AT40 Optional Extra: Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend (#1 in Jun '07)--good, though a bit bubblegummy sounding, especially for someone who wrote harder-edged, more mature sounding songs when she was younger.

02 02 (16) Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull - I Like It--it probably won't hit #1 (Katy Perry jumped over it this week), but it's still a great song. This is Enrique's second #2 AT40 hit, and miles better than the first (the 2001 sapfest "Hero", which gets an honorary "No. Just no.")

03 01 (07) Katy Perry - Teenage Dream (New Peak) (1 week at #1)--her two year hot streak continues with a fourth #1 (plus a #2). Yeah, her hit material is pretty lightweight, but she sings it very well, PBS flap aside.

Prediction for next week's show: October 9, 2010.

[Josh Joel's Top 40]

Hello again this is my chart critique for the year 2011 all the way up to: February 19-20, 2011

-- 40 (01) Dev featuring The Cataracs - Bass Down Low - This is a bad ass song, too bad it's bound to have a short chart life here on AT40.

-- 39 (01) Plain White T's - Rhythm Of Love - Big Hot AC hit now crossing over to Pop. Not as huge as their big hit from a couple years ago, but I still think that they're a brilliant band.

30 38 (25) Neon Trees - Animal - Huge Alternative and Hot AC smash and a top ten Pop smash just as well. This is one of the best songs with that 80s vibe.

40 37 (02) Train - Marry Me - They've had better and this is obviously bigger on the Adult radio playlists.

37 36 (03) Waka Flocka Flame featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale - No Hands - This is a surprise IMO but it doesn't appear to go too far. A #1 smash on the Urban charts, but it seems that this artist can't even stay out of trouble, trouble seems to follow this guy. Why oh why and he's just beginning his fabou career!

36 35 (29) OneRepublic - Secrets - Vocals are just fantastic, but this song is not too impressive. I prefer others from them.

33 34 (27) Flo Rida featuring David Guetta - Club Can't Handle Me - This rapper (or whatever) just went "disco" on us. WTHay?! Anyway this is great song for the average CHR listener but for it's just the one I'll ignore.

35 33 (06) Linkin Park - Waiting For The End - Their songs back in 2002 - 2003 were just off the chain, but this record here sure isn't cutting it.

28 32 (17) Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj – Bottoms Up - I prefer much more of his ballads rather than his raunchy club jams especially the one's that "crossed over" to Pop. As I mentioned before "I Need A Girl" would have been a perfect crossover song.

29 31 (27) Katy Perry - Teenage Dream - 2010 has been her year and so may 2011. I really like most of her songs including this one.

Breakout: Rihanna - S&M - I really do not like this lady, but her dance recordings are just awesome I hope this one hits #1.

Optional Extra: Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars - Billionaire - I'm glad KDWB skipped this one after all it was an "option". Note: from now on (now that I have an HD radio) I will starting taping AT40 from my local station that I just mentioned even if and when they don't play all extras. For the song, "No. Just no"

26 30 (11) Sick Puppies - Maybe - Yes! These guys are freaking awesome, I loved their #1 Active Rock smash "You're Going Down"! This is their first "pop" hit, I wish it would have charted a little bit higher, though.

31 29 (06) Flo Rida featuring Akon - Who Dat Girl - Better than that song "Club Can't ..", but this may not get far either.

24 28 (22) Far*East Movement featuring The Cataracs and Dev - Like A G6 - Dev have their own tough smash back at #40, this is another hot one! It really should have hit #1 on AT40 because this song is just about everywhere.

Breakout: Ke$ha - Blow - This woman has truly grown on me, I guess she's not as dingy as her act is leading on. Life's too short and sometimes we've just gotta have fun, you know. I now have four of her songs on my IPOD including the ex-annoying song "Tik Tok". BTW, I'm gald that AT40 one more #1 song to her collection, I'll comment on that later.

25 27 (32) Taio Cruz - Dynamite - No. Just no.

38 26 (03) Christina Perri - Jar Of Hearts - You know, someone at my job was trying to call me a name and jokingly asked me if I liked this song. And guess what my reply was, "Yes"! This is by far the best song that I've heard so far this freaking year. It'd better reach number one on "pop" and definitely "Hot AC".

22 25 (19) Mike Posner - Please Don't Go - This college guy is just phenomenal and I mean it. His style is totally unique with an edge. Great song.

27 24 (02) Avril Lavigne - What The Hell - Sounds like her brand of music, but so far I'm not impressed.

19 23 (13) Edward Maya featuring Vika Jigulina - Stereo Love - One of the best techno pop songs within the last couple of months or so. I love the "accordion" sound.

21 22 (29) Usher featuring Pitbull - DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love - Hot pop club jam, say, what happened to that blazin R&B & Hip Hop stuff? Now, Usher wants to do another sub pop genre called "revolutionary pop"? Give me a break, guy.

32 21 (11) Cee-Lo Green - F**k You! (Forget You!) - No. Just no.

Optional Extra: Gwen Stefani featuring Akon - The Sweet Escape - KDWB skipped this one. Great song with that Motown flavour.

18 20 (27) Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are - This song is kinda "screechy", but his vocal performance is priceless at the same time.

23 19 (05) Wiz Khalifa - Black And Yellow - Even my 50 year old boss loves this song he sings this just about everyday and we just think it's totally hilarious. #1 Rhythmic smash.

20 18 (06) Usher - More - A bit techno but danceable, I can't complain.

10 17 (12) The Black Eyed Peas - The Time (The Dirty Bit) - These guys had a hard time entertaining fans during the "Superbowl Halftime" show. This song isn't their best, but it's worth a listen.

12 16 (22) Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World) - One of her best records, excellent song!

17 15 (07) Diddy-Dirty Money featuring Skylar Grey - Coming Home - Yep, this is definitely poppy, I prefer his Urban smash "Loving You No More".

14 14 (06) Taio Cruz featuring Travie McCoy - Higher - No!

16 13 (07) Pitbull featuring T-Pain - Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor) - Yes! Not too fond of T-Pain, but Pitbull puts all the bull aside and turns this mother out!

15 12 (07) Taylor Swift - Back To December - Nothing special, I just ignore this song and move on. I'm not a Taylor Swift fan.

11 11 (26) Nelly - Just A Dream - His best song in years! Well deserved #1.

Optional Extra: Mariah Carey - Obsessed - No!

13 10 (04) Pink - F**kin' Perfect (Perfect) - Great song with a message.

09 09 (07) Far*East Movement featuring Ryan Tedder - Rocketeer - These guys may be around for a while. They rock!

08 08 (10) Chris Brown - Yeah 3X - This may have charted higher if many will just forgive, forget and move on. They did at Urban, he's had two #1s there since that unfortunate incident back in 09'. Great song.

06 07 (17) Pink – Raise Your Glass - Great song, well deserved number one just as well.

07 06 (04) Britney Spears - Hold It Against Me - Hot 100 #1, now I'm just waiting for AT40. Brilliant song!

04 05 (14) Rihanna featuring Drake - What's My Name? - This song bugged me at first but not it's a pretty acceptable listen.

02 04 (15) Ke$ha – We R Who We R - Excellent pop club jam, love it! Her songs may be of idiocy but it's funnn!

05 03 (10) Enrique Iglesias featuring Ludacris and DJ Frank E - Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) - Brilliant just brilliant as can be. This has to hit #1! He's getting closer and closer with the spins.

Optional Extra: Daughtry - Home - Excellent song, one of their best!

03 02 (15) Katy Perry – Firework - This climbs back to #2? Anyway this is another one of her brilliant works.

01 01 (14) Bruno Mars - Grenade - Well written song, but still sort of annoying, I like this better than his other solo song.

Preditcions: Debut inside of the top 12 by Lady Ga Ga with "Born This Way".

[Josh Joel's Top 40]

September 3, 2011

It's been nearly a year since I posted a "modern" chart critique. OK, here it goes!

DROPPERS:
Avril Lavigne - Smile (from 37, 4 weeks on) - I'll comment later...

Jason Derülo - Don't Wanna Go Home (from 25, 11 weeks on) - Worst song from him, yet. Does this guy really have talent? I mean he has the makings of a "pop star", the dancing, image, but I have to question his vocal talent. He totally ripped off a great song from the under rated Robin S, it's called "Show Me Love". Not good. I'm glad that this crashed the way it did, I knew that it was going to happen sooner than later.

-- 40 (01) Andy Grammer - Keep Your Head Up - Brilliant and uplifting song that's already a big hit at Hot AC, hope it finds it place here at Pop.

40 39 (15) Martin Solveig and Dragonette - Hello - Someone told me that it was the stupidest song ever. I really don't give a rats tail because it's pretty darn hot and I saw that it was huge in Europe just as well. This song just won't go away, it peaked in the 20s over a month ago. About the song that's part of life, just because someone speaks to you doesn't necessarily mean that there's "fireworks," y'know.

-- 38 (01) Kelly Rowland featuring Lil' Wayne - Motivation - One of the best R&B hits of the year, I absolutely love this. I just wish that it could perform so much better than it is. This woman is clearly under rated. It's better than that Beyonce' song that's gaining in popularity.

38 37 (38) Enrique Iglesias featuring Ludacris and DJ Frank E - Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) - I wanted this to hit #1 so badly and it did so congratulations! One of the best pop tunes of 2011!

35 36 (39) Cee-Lo Green - F**k You! (Forget You!) - I'm not too sure if this song really deserved a "Grammy" but I love the fact that he felt so liberated in putting his real thoughts on wax without holding back. I'm not sure what inspired the writing of this song but it's remarkable. At the same time I find it hard to stomach this song especially when he wails in the middle of the song singing "why/why/I looooove you" it's so screechy.

36 35 (60) Taio Cruz - Dynamite - This just needs to go away, I mean, for real. He's only had two US hits basically and that really should tell you something. His third single which fell out long ago just flopped badly. I can't stand this artist as a recording artist and he uses way too much auto tone in his songs. Unimpressed.

Breakout: Afrojack featuring Eva Simons - Take Over Control - Sounds like modern Euro pop there and there are brilliant records in that fashion, but this one does nothing for me.

32 34 (28) Ke$ha - Blow - Hot party jam for a weekend night like Saturday! She bugged the heck out of me over a year ago and now she's coming on strong. Go 'head with your bad self, woman!

39 33 (04) Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall - Huge alternative smash there and I love this song along with this band's recordings. One of the best exports from Scotland since Simple Minds.

34 32 (26) The Script - For The First Time - From Scotland we head over to Ireland. It's a catchy song and tells a great story but it's not as good as their other two US hits.

31 31 (28) Rihanna - S&M - Another catchy dance number there, she has 25 AT40 hits to her resume'. I prefer others from her.

Optional Extra: Paramore - Misery Business - I used to kinda dig this but now I just shake my head when I hear this.

30 30 (26) Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull - On The Floor - Great dance track and appropriate for the night life!

29 29 (04) The Black Eyed Peas - Don't Stop The Party - All these auto tunes is getting me down, but it's great for bumping and grinding.

22 28 (23) Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song - It took me a while to get into this cut and it's just hot. I hope he releases one more single soon, he's got that voice.

33 27 (05) Iyaz featuring Travie McCoy - Pretty Girls - One of his best records yet and it's much better than "Replay".

23 26 (23) Britney Spears - Till The World Ends - I generally ignore anything that comes from one of the newest members of the "30 club". This OK, it has a hook but it's not something that's timeless.

26 25 (03) Pitbull featuring Marc Anthony - Rain Over Me - Marc Anthony adds nothing to this song in fact he just ruins it for me. Otherwise this would be a decent song. Pitbull has got mad talent!

17 24 (19) Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On - I prefer his Urban hit with Trey Songz but this one is also decent.

27 23 (03) Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine - Stereo Hearts - These guys aren't my favourite performers but this song is pretty darn hot especially with Adam Levine singing the hooks.

16 22 (25) Katy Perry featuring Kanye West - E.T. (Futuristic Lover) - Yes! Another hot pop song of 2011. This is the single version and the LP version is still decent.

21 21 (07) Jennifer Lopez featuring Lil' Wayne - I'm Into You - Looks like she's grinding to a different beat and I can't complain. I don't see this however getting past #21, here.

Extra: Avril Lavigne - Smile - She was hot in 2002 and 2003, but now I just think that her songs are pure crap and this is no exception. If it slipped out why the heck is this an "extra"? I mean get over it, the song is over!

Optional Extra: Taylor Swift - Back To December - Yes it's a request, but I would have rather they wouldn't have played this. I listen to Shania Twain over her any ole' day. And I'm not done yet, wait until I review another "country crossover" hit!

18 20 (09) Chris Brown - She Ain't You - Y'know I love a lot what Chris Brown does but this song here is...once again pure crap! First of all, sampling a "sampled" song just isn't cool, in fact it's trifling. This needs to go away on both pop and soul! Next!

24 19 (03) Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks - Huge Alternative record there! This needs to go top ten on pop just as well, this song is absolutely brilliant as can be.

28 18 (02) Rihanna - Cheers (Drink To That) - Talk about samples man, this song is not any better. You know what, back in 2003 was when Avril Lavigne was at the top of her game when she performed "I'm With You". Now she's crap and this sampled song is crap just as well. Rihanna just ruined a great piece of music of some mindless crap! Not a happy camper.

Breakout: The Script - Nothing - This is one of their better songs, it may not be as soulful, but a lot of folks can relate to this cut.

15 17 (09) Beyoncé - Best Thing I Never Had - Oh, cry me a river, lady. It's #2 on Cannon's Urban countdown and I hope it misses #1. This song drives me up a wall! Next...please I beg of you!

14 16 (26) The Black Eyed Peas - Just Can't Get Enough - Well done Fergie! Great song!

19 15 (04) Cobra Starship featuring Sabi - You Make Me Feel... - Yes! Bring on beats, this is their best single yet! Love it! 100% better than that crap song "Good Girls Go Bad".

20 14 (04) Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger - I'm not huge fan of these guys but this is one of their best songs and it makes me wanna ghett on down and boogie!!

12 13 (11) David Guetta featuring Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj - Where Them Girls At - Meh, it's catchy with all of the superstars, but I've heard better.

13 12 (10) The Band Perry - If I Die Young - Absolutely not! Heck no! I'd take the Dixie Chicks over these ladies any ole' day!

11 11 (19) Adele - Rolling In The Deep - It's about time that this woman got some lovin' here in the USA, it was long overdue. You know what they say, "better late than never", right? I loved "Chasing Pavements", but this song just has me burnt out, it's hard to get into at the moment.

Optional Extra: Alicia Keys - No One - She's about to join the "30 club". I never liked this song, it's too sappy.

08 10 (13) Lady GaGa - The Edge Of Glory - A well deserved...non-number one. This song also bites!

09 09 (07) Lil' Wayne - How To Love _ Well, well, well isn't this song just about everywhere? #1 Urban and top 10 pop. So what, the song still sucks. A imitation of a "love song" just does not impress me and then he tries to sing it with some auto tune? No.

10 08 (06) Bad Meets Evil featuring Bruno Mars - Lighters - Bruno Mars just knows how to turn a song into a hit record, huh. Well, he's done it again! This track is mad hot!

06 07 (15) OneRepublic - Good Life - Thanks to Timbaland this band finally got the attention that they deserved and look at them now. This is yet another brilliant song of theirs! Keep it goin' fellas!

07 06 (16) Hot Chelle Rae - Tonight Tonight - Their debut single "Bleed" basically flopped, not sure if it made AT40 besides the Mediabase top 40, I sort of forgot. It was a "breakout" for a couple of weeks. Anyway, this song is brilliant. Love it!

03 05 (16) Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer - Give Me Everything - This is decent, but I prefer "Hey Baby".

04 04 (12) Nicki Minaj - Super Bass - Great multi-format move for Nicki, top ten on rhythmic, urban, and then here on AT40. I feel that she's had better and this one doesn't do anything for me.

05 03 (08) Britney Spears - I Wanna Go - It's currently #1 on "Rick Dees Weekly Top 40" and it just may hit that pole position here on AT40. Quite frankly, I couldn't care less....

Optional Extra: The Black Eyed Peas - Let's Get It Started - One of their most decent songs they've recorded in their early days.

02 02 (15) LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock - Party Rock Anthem - Former UK #1 there before it even made AT40 and it took a while for this to take off here in the USA. But, hey, better things come to those who wait! Decent song.

01 01 (11) Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) ** 3 weeks @ no. 1 ** - Lenny Pickett (of Tower Of Power) plays the sax on this one. Man, it seems likes it's been a while since I've heard instrumental breaks in hit songs. She is the first woman ever to score with five #1 Hot 100 hits from one single LP. Who knew?

[Ponderous Man]

Josh Joel, so what you're saying is that the majority of the songs on the countdown absolutely suck. That was a pretty useless critique.

[Josh Joel's Top 40]

Sept 6, 2011 16:44:58 GMT -5 Ponderous Man said:

Josh Joel, so what you're saying is that the majority of the songs on the countdown absolutely suck. That was a pretty useless critique.

Well, I only do these ever so often. I found 16/48 of these songs were repulsive for my taste as I stated at the very beginning for some it may change. I try to do these once a month, but here it's been nearly seven months since my last one, really. Thank you for reading. That's the way I view contemporary hit music, some are worth listening to, some of them are in the middle of the road, and then there are some that shouldn't even be the taxpayer's airwaves at all when we could hear better songs especially for that format. Back in the day there a bunch of CHRs in one market, now you're even lucky to have two. But then again some of us have a ton of options, don't we.. Say, Ipod, satellite radio, internet...

[jaxxalude]

Sept 6, 2011 16:44:58 GMT -5 Ponderous Man said:

Josh Joel, so what you're saying is that the majority of the songs on the countdown absolutely suck. That was a pretty useless critique.

For the love of me, I will never get this if-you-don't-have-anything-good-to-say-then-don't-say-it mentality when it comes to passing judgement on arts! You know, giving us reasons why we should NOT listen to anything can be just as helpful as a recommendation. If only because it might save the reader some precious time. Of course, in the end to each its own.

Sept 6, 2011 22:36:57 GMT -5 Josh Joel's Top 40 said:

That's the way I view contemporary hit music, some are worth listening to, some of them are in the middle of the road, and then there are some that shouldn't even be the taxpayer's airwaves at all when we could hear better songs especially for that format.

That's pretty much the way it's ever been, Josh. I know nostalgia might make us see things through rose-tinted glasses sometimes. But an objective analysis will let you find out that what you've just said pretty much applies to any era.

Sept 6, 2011 22:36:57 GMT -5 Josh Joel's Top 40 said:

Back in the day there a bunch of CHRs in one market, now you're even lucky to have two. But then again some of us have a ton of options, don't we.. Say, Ipod, satellite radio, internet...

In all reality, back in the day, there were probably only a bunch of real CHR's just as well in each market. There were a fair number of stations which would promote themselves as CHR's, when in fact would either be AC's, AOR's or some early iteration of what we all now know as Rhythmic. The only reason they'd be calling themselves Top 40 had two words: advertising dollars.