Author: ProducerLunchbox

I used to do radio, now I dabble in writing. Here, I write about life, wrestling and waffles. Not necessarily in that order.

The Hit Songs of September 2023

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Ha! You thought we forgot to do this. And you’d be right. But we’re here now so let’s talk about September’s charts. They were an anomaly this month because first, they were actually pretty good top to bottom and second, they were dominated by the three albums that pretty much charted in their entirety. But by now you know how we felt about the month because you’ve heard the show and then… oh, you haven’t? Well let’s take care of that first and while you do that you can check out my full rankings for the month.

So really briefly, here’s what I do when I review the hot singles of the month. I listen to a song and immediately give it a 0-100 score. Then I listen to the song again, adjust that number and write some notes about it. Lather, rinse, repeat a few times and you get something that looks like this.

ArtistSongRatingNotes
Zach Bryan and Kacey MusgravesI Remember Everything83Feels closer to The Head and The Heart than the mainstream country charts. Kacey takes it to the next gear.
Rod WaveNostalgia81
Zach BryanFear and Friday’s80
Miley CyrusUsed To Be Young79A lot of nostalgia feels here. I know its a song of personal reflection, but there is a lot to relate to here.
Zach BryanEast Side of Sorrow79I feel like this song would have found its way into an episode of Scrubs if this record came out 10 years ago. That is in no way a bad thing,
Rod WaveBoyz Don’t Cry79
Olivia Rodrigoteenage dream77
Rod Wave ft. 21 SavageTurks & Caicos77
Rod WaveGreat Gatsby77
Zach BryanOvertime76There’s the more epic sound of a Mumford and Sons single
Olivia Rodrigolove is embarrasing76
(G)I-DLEI DO76
Zach Bryan ft. The War and TreatyHey Driver75Note to self: give The War and Treaty a good listen
Olivia Rodrigoall-american bitch75
Olivia Rodrigoballad of a homeschool girl75
Rod WaveCall Your Friends75
Zach Bryan ft. Sierra FerrellHoly Roller74
Olivia Rodrigolacy74
Zach BryanSmaller Acts73
Olivia Rodrigoget him back!73
Olivia Rodrigomaking the bed73
Olivia Rodrigological73
Rod WaveCome See Me73
Rod WaveLong Journey73
Zach BryanTourniquet72
Olivia Rodrigothe grudge72
Olivia Rodrigopretty isn’t pretty72
Drake & SZASlime You Out72
Paul RussellLil Boo Thang72Dumb but fun
Zach Bryan ft. The LumineersSpotless71
Zach BryanTicking71
Zach BryanEl Dorado71
Zach BryanSummertime’s Close70
Charli XCXSpeed Drive70
Kylie MinoguePadam Padam70Fine for what it is a dance track, but otherwise a sugary mess of layers upon layers of overproduction
Tate McRaegreedy69
Zach BryanFear and Friday’s (Poem)67
Timbaland, Nelly Furtado & Justin TimberlakeKeep Going Up67
Chris BrownSummer Too Hot66
Selena GomezSingle Soon62
Nicki MinajLast Time I Saw You60I can appreciate working outside one’s genre or expected output, but this is the first time I recall being bored by Nicki
Young Nudy ft. 21 SavagePeaches & Eggplants59Speaking of annoying, repetitive samples and pretty much nothing else
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee StallionBongos57It’s really only 2:55? It felt like a year and a half of that sample drilling into my brain

The Hit Songs of May 2023

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Hey, we’re doing this stuff again! If you’re here, it’s probably because you just listened to our May reviews episode and heard me mention that I posted my full singles list and notes on the website. And this time I really meant it. In case you haven’t me go into details of my top 3 and bottom 3 songs of the month, and Jay and Zack talk about their favorite albums of May, catch it here:

So really briefly, here’s what I do when I review the hot singles of the month. I listen to a song and immediately give it a 0-100 score. Then I listen to the song again, adjust that number and write some notes about it. Lather, rinse, repeat a few times and you get something that looks like this.

ArtistTitleScoreNotes
Lizzie McAlpineceilings83I definitely came back to this 3x before I felt like I could grade it. There’s a haunting beauty to its simplicity, even with its upbeat and rather sweet descriptions of being in love and finding someone worth spending time with. I should hate it but I can’t. There’s something in her voice that is enchanting, almost hypnotic here.
Lil Durk ft. J. ColeAll My Life81Were you expecting a grand, anthemic, inspirational track from Lil’ Durk? Me either, but this is a very pleasant surprise. And the more verses I hear from J. Cole, the more I like his work.
KaliArea Codes79A more believable sounding Bitch, Better Have My Money. I believe Kali in a way I couldn’t believe Rihanna. Her flow hits as hard as the deep but sparse bass, both are very impactful.
NFHAPPY77
Rita Ora ft. Fatboy SlimPraising You75Most danceable of the three 90’s techno re-works this month. I think it’s the best of the three too, keeps enough of the source material while creating a new piece around it, upbeat and fun
The Weeknd ft. FutureDouble Fantasy74A song as uncomfortable as the HBO series it soundtracks.
Miley CyrusJades73
Kim Petras ft. Nicki MinajAlone72Another single using a 90s dance/techno sample…Petras at least writes her own chorus.
Charlie Puth ft. Dan + ShayThat’s Not How This Works69The sounds coming out of these three’s mouths should drive me away, but I am hooked in by the writing, taking the formula they usually work in (especially Dan + Shay) and turning it on it’s head.
Fifty FiftyCupid69Doja Cat quickly got some soundalikes. Not a bad song persay, but someone should really tell this group to develop their own sound if they want to make it past their first single over here.
Lewis CapaldiWish You The Best69Back to yell-singing I see. He’s not as egregious here, almost like this is Someone You Loved Part 2, where he finally actually accepts that things are over. The angst is still overdriven in his voice but the writing is better, more thoughtful.
Corey KentWild As Her68Not quite boyfriend country, a song pining for a lost love so still very much in the country ouvre. Kent’s voice is rather thin and the backing vocals don’t make up for it. The guitars do go a ways towards that though.
Jordan DavisNext Thing You Know61I’m sure this is touching to those people who still feel feelings, but the country trend of writing first wedding dance songs as singles has way jumped the shark AFAIC. Next thing you know, your third album is released directly into the used CD bin.
David Guetta, Anne-Marie & Coi LeroiBaby Don’t Hurt Me60Rewriting, or actually adding verses can’t save this reworked Haddaway hit from being just as inane and annoying as the original.
Bailey ZimmermanReligiously59Gotta get that title in the chorus with a crowbar, eh? And why does your break down just sound like your nose is stuffed up?

FKA Bonus – Top 5 vocal jazz songs

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I said I had an extra list so here we go, Dan counting down his top 5 vocal jazz tracks of all time. What? Where did I say that? Oh, well right here on the latest episode of the worldwide podcast Fairly Kickass: The Podcast that was once described.

See, I did say I’d do this. Anyway, here we go.

#5 – Ella Fitzgerald – Someone to Watch Over Me

Ella Fitzgerald has to be a part of any list like this and for some reason, this was the first song of hers that I clearly remember so it holds this place in my brain. I’m sure you could make an argument that she has better but this is my list and I like her treatment of it.

#4 – Sarah Vaughan – Lullaby of Birdland

Vaughn’s voice is one of the silkiest every put to vinyl, but she is at her absolute best here. This entire record is simply phenomenal.

#3 – Nina Simone – Feeling Good

Yes of course the Michael Buble version is a cover. A cleaned up and sterilized cover. In Simone’s hands, this song written for a musical goes from a lighter track with a children’s chorus to an anthemic banger powered by big band horns and Simone’s enormous voice.

#2 – Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto – The Girl from Ipanema

You may find this and odd choice but this song has an incredible pedigree since it’s first recording back in 1964. In fact, it’s one of the most recorded songs of all time. I could say a lot about this song, but Adam Neely has a ton of far more interesting insight into this one. A lot of music nerditry and theory here, but well worth the watch.

Honorable Mentions

Billie Holiday – Strange Fruit (This is only on this part of the list because the guys put it on their and probably did it more justice than I could, so listen to them)

Etta James – At Last

Chet Baker – My Funny Valentine

#1 – Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington – It’s Don’t Mean A Think (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

This is simply one of the best compositions of all time from two of the most talented musicians to ever do it. Check out the entire Great Summit record.

The Hit Songs of December 2021

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While we didn’t do a full episode on the new music in December, I figured I’d still look at the charts and rank the best of what charted in the month. Which wasn’t much new music, there were a lot of Christmas tracks re-entering and we skip those.

  1. SZA – I Hate U -A classic soul sound accentuated by SZA’s honey vocals, but the beauty of the music sugarcoats the fury of the lyrics.
  2. Juice WRLD & SUGA – Girl of My Dreams – There’s a lot of interesting concepts going on in this cut, but it doesn’t feel disjointed or scrambled because of that. 
  3. Chloe – Have Mercy – A slow burning sexual anthem with excellent vocals.
  4. Adele – To Be Loved – Adele and some piano chords. That’s all it needs to be good. 
  5. Adele – My Little Love – Soulful love song to her son, while confessing the insecurities of every parent. I love you, but I’m terrified I might accidentally kill you/send you to therapy for your entire adult life. 
  6. Juice WRLD – Burn – I like the dark, spacey, multi-layered production. Feels like a complete contradiction to the weight of Juice’s lyrics. 
  7. Adele – Oh My God – feels like a throwback to the alt-pop of like 8 years ago or so. I like that sound but the track on the whole doesn’t do anything special for me. 
  8. Adele – Can I Get It – simple and upbeat, but something just feels a little… flat. I can’t put my finger on it though. 
  9. Adele – I Drink Wine – I know this is getting all the rave reviews, but I feel like it’s really just a pedestrian self-reflective/motivational song
  10. Kodak Black – Super Gremlin – Relatable lyrics about a lost friendship but nothing much else here to separate it from a thousand other trap tracks. The really lazy beat doesn’t help its case. 
  11. GAYLE – abcdefu – not an awful break up/fuck you song but the first line of the chorus is so cringe that it brings the rest of the song down with it. Possibly the dumbest three seconds in pop of the year.
  12. Oliver Tree – Life Goes On – As unpleasant as the toxic relationship it described.
  13. Lil Durk ft. Morgan Wallen – Broadway Girls – The release rivalry/race/future lawsuit over this song is more interesting than the track itself. The hick hop (ugh) track gets the trap treatment and it’s… well, not much. I mean, I nothing this song. It’s not bad from a production standpoint, but it’s not particularly good either. I just can’t find many feelings on this one besides: bleh. 

The Hit Songs of the Summer

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It occurred to me that I have been derelict on getting my full rankings of the charting single out this summer, which is no good because how else are we supposed to name a song of the summer? Let’s remedy that now that we’re officially into autumn.

June

  1. Roddy Ricch – Late at Night
  2. BTS – Butter
  3. Olivial Rodrigo – brutal
  4. Riton X Nightcrawlers ft. Mufasa & Hypeman
  5. Sofia Carson – Fool’s Gold
  6. Megan Thee Stallion – Thot Shit
  7. Bad Bunny – Yonaguni
  8. Polo G & Lil Wayne – GANG GANG
  9. Jackson Wang – LMLY
  10. DJ Khalid ft. Post Malone, DaBaby, Lil Baby and Megan Thee Stallion
  11. Olivia Rodrigo – hope ur ok
  12. Polo G ft. Lil Durk & The Kid LAROI
  13. Migos – Avalanhe
  14. Anitta – Girl From Rio
  15. Olivia Rodrigo – traitor
  16. Doja Cat – Need To Know
  17. Olivia Rodrigo – favorite crime
  18. Migos ft. Drake – Having Our Way
  19. Olivia Rodrigo – 1 step forward, 3 steps back
  20. Olivia Rodrigo – enough for you
  21. Olivia Rodrigo – jealousy, jealousy
  22. Olivia Rodrigo – happier
  23. Dierk Bentley – Gone
  24. Marshmello and the Jonas Brothers – Leave Before You Love Me
  25. AJ Mitchell – STOP
  26. Chris Young and Kane Brown – Famous Friends
  27. Nessa Barrett ft. jxdn – la di die

July

  1. Dua Lipa – Love Again
  2. Doja Cat & The Weeknd – You Right
  3. Tyler, the Creator ft. Lil Uzi Vert & Pharrell Williams
  4. Tate McRaw and Khalid – working
  5. BTS – Permission to Dance
  6. Rauv Alejandro – Todo de Ti
  7. Tyler, the Creator ft Youngboy Never Broke Again & Ty Dolla Sign – WUSYANAME
  8. Normani ft. Cardi B – Wild Side
  9. Billie Eilish – NDA
  10. Maneskin – Beggin’
  11. Coldplay – Higher Power
  12. Dan + Shay – Glad You Exist
  13. Bella Porarch – Build A Bitch
  14. Jason Aldean – Blame It On You
  15. Doja Cat – Ain’t Shit
  16. Cheat Codes – Lean On Me
  17. BIA ft. Nicki Minaj – WHOLE LOTTA MONEY
  18. DaBaby – Ball if I Want To
  19. The Kid LAROI ft. Justin Bieber – STAY
  20. NF – JUST LIKE YOU
  21. Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
  22. Cole Swindell – Single Saturday Night
  23. Post Malone – Motley Crew
  24. Walker Hayes – Fancy Like
  25. Chase Rice ft. Florida Georgia Line – Drinkin’ Beer, Talkin’ God, Amen
  26. Aaron Lewis – Am I The Only One
August
  1. Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
  2. The Weeknd – Take My Breath
  3. Silk Sonic – Skate
  4. Lizzo ft. Cardi B – Rumors
  5. Kane Brown ft. Blackbear – Memory
  6. Pop Smoke ft. Dua Lipa – Demeanor
  7. Tones and I – Cloudy Day
  8. Tai Verdes – A-O-K
  9. Lainey Wilson – Things A Man Oughta Know
  10. TOMORROW X TOGETHER – Magic
  11. Aventura ft. Bad Bunny – Volvi
  12. Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood – If I Didn’t Love You
  13. Camilla Cabello – Don’t Go Yet
  14. Farruko – Pepas
  15. Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow – INDUSTRY BABY
  16. Luke Bryan – Waves
  17. Bazzi – I Like That
  18. WizKid ft. Justin Bieber and Tems – Essence
  19. Maroon 5 – Lost
And after all of that I am calling the song of the summer, which totally doesn’t line up with my rankings at the time but after hearing it a bunch the song for summer 2021 is…

Silk Sonic – Skate

You cannot deny this feel good jam. It should have risen a lot higher up the charts because this song is just too fun to be relegated to just the second single off the Silk Sonic record.

The Hit Songs of May 2021

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Ed. Note: I just realized that this month never got posted and it’s possible this post is incomplete. My apologies for the lateness, and for the next one…

Last month was pretty above average compared to the last few months. You’ll see a lot of J. Cole here because his entire The Off Season record charted the week it came out. So I think the best way to describe it would be: alright. Cole is at his technical best, and the songs all sound good, but there’s no real radio single here. All the tracks fell into the same decent to good area on my scale. A good listen but I dunno how often I’ll be revisiting it.

  1. Billie Eilish – Your Power

A heavy, minimalistic folksy ballad, the track is a sledgehammer blow against the powerful who punch down instead of up. And it is jarring and impactful with that simple production, letting Billie’s lyrics and wispy vocals with a touch of reverb just bounce around your head.

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The Hit Songs of April 2021

ProducerLunchbox1 Comment

If I thought March was a middle of the road month on the charts, man, was I in for a surprise just 30 days later. There were fewer new entries to the charts and I think it’s safe to say that its a month right in the middle. Nothing amazing, nothing so terrible that I wrote a page-long, obscenity-laden rant about it.

15. Mooski – Track Star

I can’t get past the mess that is the production here. There are like nine ideas being fleshed out all at once and none of them work together. I think the tempo changes several times, not to mention the fact that Mooski doesn’t bother sticking to any of them. Just a muddle of blah.

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The Hit Songs of March 2021

ProducerLunchbox1 Comment

You know how in several months in the past when the FKA has gotten together to do our monthly wrap-ups and the album guys are like “this month was a lot of meh” and I have been able to come back with “well actually, the charts gave us a lot of interesting stuff”? Yeah, that’s not how March went. There was some great stuff to hold it up, but the Hot 100 spent most of the month in the morass of mediocrity.

1 – Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open

Silk is right, good gawd. This song is a love letter to 70’s soul and R&B in all of the best ways, without any of the notes that are best left in the 70’s (see: The Floaters, Float On). Musically it is just tight. You will sit and listen and pick out the artists that influenced each bit of the track. The backing vocals just envelope you in sound, drawing you into the strings, drums and lead vocals. If this is the lead single, I cannot wait to hear the full record.

2 – Drake ft. Rick Ross – Lemon Pepper Freestyle

Is there another pair in the game that guarantee a sick track when they get together? Gold Roses, Money in the Grave, Free Spirit and now Lemon Pepper Freestyle. I’ve seen many fans say this is Drake’s best verse ever and it’s definitely up there. The sample grew on me fast and went from annoying to ethereal over just two spins.

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The Hit Songs of February 2021

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Another month on the charts that seemed to be running on fumes.

14. The Kid LAROI – Without You

Another break up song on this month’s list, LAROI comes off as a Justin Bieber clone that likes to curse. But at its core, this is an emo break up song in its most generic form. The song feels like it can’t get out of first gear until about 2 minutes in and there is finally more than an acoustic guitar and a whiny rapper. But even when some drums are finally added, the emotion just isn’t there. It’s a very bad sign when you’re singing a heart-wrenching break up song and it hits with the same emotion of Radio 4’s shipping forecast. The newsreader’s falsetto might be more impressive.

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The Hit Songs of January 2021

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It’s a new year and hopefully, we’ll get some new trends on the charts. However we start a new year pretty much the same way we ended the last one: with a lot of meh. There’s was a decent amount of good and really not too much bad. But there were a large band of tracks that debuted on the charts this month that were extremely medium. But there was a lot of them so let’s get to it, worst to first.

24. Ritt Momney – Put Your Records On

White indie rapper covers a pop song. Hmmm, haven’t heard that one. You couldn’t have heard the first verse of this one either since it sounds like someone singing in the shower. It feels more like an Ableton Live demo. Every vocal has multiple filters, the tempo gets played with. It really comes off as a dare track. Let’s see how many features we can cram into one cover song. Great exercise for producers, shit idea for a single that gets released to the public. But it’s apparently a huge hit in the Philippines, so what do I know?

23. All Time Low ft. blackbear – Monsters

Four or five years ago, this is a Fall Out Boy track. My songs know who to emulate in the dark…

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