I used to recap the Top 40 Charts here every week or so, then dropped out of the habit, mostly due to lack of material. Today, I feel the urge to comment on a few things...
- The Twitter revolution is on it's last legs, I feel. There are two songs in the American Top 40 with a hashtag in them (Mariah Carey's "#Beautiful" and will.i.am's "#thatPOWER"). Once the mainstream gets a hold something, it stops being cool.
- Robin Thicke looks like the mutant pompadoured offspring of Alan Thicke and Kirk Cameron. Creepy...
- Avril Lavigne's latest single is called "Here's to Never Growing Up". This sung by a pushing 30 faux-punker who is engaged to Chad Kroeger, favourite rock growler of balding 50s year old truck drivin' rockers everywhere!
- I'm quite surprised at Darius Rucker's reinvention as a country singer. He's miles away from his days in Hootie and the Blowfish and sounding great!
- Fall Out Boy are easily the most obnoxious band in existence right now. The only other band that is in contention is fun. and they're a very, very distant second.
Showing posts with label Top 40 Radio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top 40 Radio. Show all posts
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Friday, March 30, 2012
The problem with Cancon
I complain about Cancon laws a lot, but I'm glad we have laws that protect Canadian culture. The problem with the laws is the way they're implemented, which encourages laziness, especially in the commercial radio sector. I got another clear indication of this in the past few weeks.
One of the problems is that Canadian commercial radio rarely throws its weight behind a genuine Canadian artist. The only time this happens is when American radio picks up on a Canadian artist, then the Canadian stations really start pouring out the love for the artist. Admittedly, this can be hard to track just from listening to a Canadian commercial station. The proof in the pudding comes in the Top 40 Charts.
Two weeks ago, Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen cracked the Top 20 singles on Billboard, the American Top 40 singles charts. Before this, Jepsen was a token Canadian hovering in the low teens on the Canadian Top 40 singles charts. It's actually pretty rare for any Canadian artist to crack the Top 5 in Canada. I know this because I log both the US and Canadian charts each week as part of my job, and for the last year, I've been blogging about the Top 40 Canadian commercial charts on this very blog. Now, once the US charts got behind Jepsen and started playing her, the Canadian charts immediately responded, The week Jepsen cracked the US Top 20, Jepsen shot up to #3 on the Canadian charts. Before this, it had been at least a year and a half since a Canadian artist cracked the Top 5 in Canada.
Here is the reluctance of Canadian radio to play Canadian artists, and truly support them, laid out in black and white. It's very rare to see an truly Canadian grown artist get support on Canadian radio in the form of chart action. The last artist I can think of that we grew ourselves was Jann Arden. It usually takes US radio saying, "Hey, this is pretty good, we'll play it!" before we are able to say, "Hey, you know, this Canadian artist is pretty good! We'll play it too!". It's almost like commercial radio says, "We're not sure if we can support this Canadian act. Let's play some more American acts we know will work before we take a chance on this one." Why can't we say, "This is a great artist. Who cares if they're Canadian or not, we'll play them!"
One of the problems is that Canadian commercial radio rarely throws its weight behind a genuine Canadian artist. The only time this happens is when American radio picks up on a Canadian artist, then the Canadian stations really start pouring out the love for the artist. Admittedly, this can be hard to track just from listening to a Canadian commercial station. The proof in the pudding comes in the Top 40 Charts.
Two weeks ago, Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen cracked the Top 20 singles on Billboard, the American Top 40 singles charts. Before this, Jepsen was a token Canadian hovering in the low teens on the Canadian Top 40 singles charts. It's actually pretty rare for any Canadian artist to crack the Top 5 in Canada. I know this because I log both the US and Canadian charts each week as part of my job, and for the last year, I've been blogging about the Top 40 Canadian commercial charts on this very blog. Now, once the US charts got behind Jepsen and started playing her, the Canadian charts immediately responded, The week Jepsen cracked the US Top 20, Jepsen shot up to #3 on the Canadian charts. Before this, it had been at least a year and a half since a Canadian artist cracked the Top 5 in Canada.
Here is the reluctance of Canadian radio to play Canadian artists, and truly support them, laid out in black and white. It's very rare to see an truly Canadian grown artist get support on Canadian radio in the form of chart action. The last artist I can think of that we grew ourselves was Jann Arden. It usually takes US radio saying, "Hey, this is pretty good, we'll play it!" before we are able to say, "Hey, you know, this Canadian artist is pretty good! We'll play it too!". It's almost like commercial radio says, "We're not sure if we can support this Canadian act. Let's play some more American acts we know will work before we take a chance on this one." Why can't we say, "This is a great artist. Who cares if they're Canadian or not, we'll play them!"
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Cancon Round up for January 26, 2011
Cancon on the Canadian Top 40 Charts this week: Carly Rae Jepsen (top Canadian at #10), Victoria Duffield, Mia Martina, Marianas Trench, Hedley, Nickelcrap, Hedley (again), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Dru, Drake, Anjulie (11/40= 28%, still below the nationally legislated 35% for Cancon)
Notes: I've been doing the Cancon column on my blog for about a year now and never has the Top 40 quota for Canadian content met the 35% needed for Canadian broadcast radio. This is pretty telling about the will of Canadian broadcasters to air Canadian music. It's not like there's a shortage of it, more a lack of will of broadcasters to seek it out and play it. Moreover, it seems to be the same acts each week. A lot of the songs played over the past year spend more than 9 months on the Canadian charts.
The only thing of note on the Canadian charts this week is the Black Keys, lurking around the low 20s for the past few weeks. On the US charts, Adele gets her third #1 song from her second album, and electro-rockers Breathe Carolina get their first Top 40 single.
On a side note, does anyone else think that Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" sounds a lot like Cee-Lo's "Forget You"?
Notes: I've been doing the Cancon column on my blog for about a year now and never has the Top 40 quota for Canadian content met the 35% needed for Canadian broadcast radio. This is pretty telling about the will of Canadian broadcasters to air Canadian music. It's not like there's a shortage of it, more a lack of will of broadcasters to seek it out and play it. Moreover, it seems to be the same acts each week. A lot of the songs played over the past year spend more than 9 months on the Canadian charts.
The only thing of note on the Canadian charts this week is the Black Keys, lurking around the low 20s for the past few weeks. On the US charts, Adele gets her third #1 song from her second album, and electro-rockers Breathe Carolina get their first Top 40 single.
On a side note, does anyone else think that Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" sounds a lot like Cee-Lo's "Forget You"?
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Can Con Round Up for December 15, 2011
As usual, the erratic schedule of the Canadian Soundscan charts means there hasn't been a Canadian Top 40 posted in three weeks. Here's the latest
Cancon in the Top 40: Victoria Duffield (top Canuck at #8), Hedley, Nickelback, Anjulie, Mia Martina, Carly Rae Jepsen, Drake, Kristina Maria, Danny Fernandes, Craig Smart (10/40=25%, still well below the nationally mandated 35%)
Chart chat: Ugh, another Glee song in the Top 40 on the US Charts. These things usually show up for one week (the week the song is featured on Glee), then disappear. They are the epitome of the short attention span in music. Oh hay! A new Glee song. Oh wait, it sucks, what else is on? On the Canadian charts, we have the return of Bush to the charts for some reason, and the first single from the new Black Keys up at #26.
Cancon in the Top 40: Victoria Duffield (top Canuck at #8), Hedley, Nickelback, Anjulie, Mia Martina, Carly Rae Jepsen, Drake, Kristina Maria, Danny Fernandes, Craig Smart (10/40=25%, still well below the nationally mandated 35%)
Chart chat: Ugh, another Glee song in the Top 40 on the US Charts. These things usually show up for one week (the week the song is featured on Glee), then disappear. They are the epitome of the short attention span in music. Oh hay! A new Glee song. Oh wait, it sucks, what else is on? On the Canadian charts, we have the return of Bush to the charts for some reason, and the first single from the new Black Keys up at #26.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Cancon round up for November 18, 2011
Been a while since I did one of these, but, as usual, little has changed in the commercial radio world:
Cancon roundup: Hedley (Top Canuck at #8), Anjulie, Victoria Duffield, Nickelback, Kristina Maria, Craig Smart, Simple Plan, Drake, Jason Aldean (9/40=23%, well below the national law of 35%).
Chart notes: In the US Charts, it's Taylor Swift day, with three new singles debuting in the Top 40. In Canada, it's the same old artists. Jason Aldean checks in with the latest horrible song title, "Tattoos on This Town".
Cancon roundup: Hedley (Top Canuck at #8), Anjulie, Victoria Duffield, Nickelback, Kristina Maria, Craig Smart, Simple Plan, Drake, Jason Aldean (9/40=23%, well below the national law of 35%).
Chart notes: In the US Charts, it's Taylor Swift day, with three new singles debuting in the Top 40. In Canada, it's the same old artists. Jason Aldean checks in with the latest horrible song title, "Tattoos on This Town".
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Cancon Roundup for October 20, 2011
Cancon in this week's Canadian Top 40: Hedley (top Canadian at #8), Anjulie, Simple Plan, Marianas Trench, Kristina Maria, Mia Martinia, Alyssa Reid, Nickeblack, Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Drake, Craig Smart, Victoria Duffield (12/40=30%, still below the national law of 35% Cancon)
Notes: Nothing much of note on the charts this week. George Strait has a song called "Here for a Good Time", which I doubt is a cover of the Trooper song. And for those of you thinking what I am thinking with Kelly Clarkson:
And now, Kelly Clarkson with Mr. Know it All!
http://youtu.be/CuWhgyGWkgE
Notes: Nothing much of note on the charts this week. George Strait has a song called "Here for a Good Time", which I doubt is a cover of the Trooper song. And for those of you thinking what I am thinking with Kelly Clarkson:
And now, Kelly Clarkson with Mr. Know it All!
http://youtu.be/CuWhgyGWkgE
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Cancon Round Up for September 29, 2011
The Canadian charts have been updating about once every 3-4 weeks, thus the delays in these...
Cancon Roundup: Simple Plan (top Canuck at #10), Anjulie, Marianas Trench, Mia Martina, Martin Solveig and Dragonette, The New Cities, Kristina Maria, Drake, Alyssa Reid, Karl Wolf (9/40=23%, still well below the CRTC mandated 35%).
Random Thought: Does anyone else hope that the new Kelly Clarkson single "Mr. Know it All" is about Bullwinkle the Moose?
Cancon Roundup: Simple Plan (top Canuck at #10), Anjulie, Marianas Trench, Mia Martina, Martin Solveig and Dragonette, The New Cities, Kristina Maria, Drake, Alyssa Reid, Karl Wolf (9/40=23%, still well below the CRTC mandated 35%).
Random Thought: Does anyone else hope that the new Kelly Clarkson single "Mr. Know it All" is about Bullwinkle the Moose?
Friday, September 9, 2011
Cancon Roundup for September 8, 2011
This week's Cancon Roundup: Simple Plan (top Canadian at #8), Anjulie, The New Cities, Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Karl Wolf, Alyssa Reid, Marianas Trench, JRDN, These Kids Wear Crowns, Mia Martina, The Sheepdogs (11/40=28%, still below the national Cancon law)
Chart chat: Adele has her second #1 in the US with "Someone Like You". The Sheepdogs ride their Rolling Stone cover to fame with their first Top 40 Canadian single "I Don't Know". I actually like the Sheepdogs a bit. They have a classic rock sound (not something I'm a fan of), but also have a garage rock ethic that brings a grittiness to their work.
And now a rant that's been simmering for a while. I've been noticing how stagnant the Top 40 charts have been lately. Not to say that Top 40 radio hasn't usually been stagnant, but it seems more so lately. This rise of shitty, insufferable, "party party" frat-rock bands has really ticked me off lately. Bands like LMFAO, Foster the People, Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship and the like. It seems that Top 40 bands can be narrowed down to four main categories: 1) Your obnoxious frat-rockers 2) Rockers that try to act dangerous but are as safe as foam rubber (Nickelback, Maroon 5, OneRepublic, Marianas Trench) 3) Good looking guys with cowboy hats that forgot to shave this morning (Jason Aldean, Zac Brown, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton) and 4) R&B and rappers, who again try to act dangerous but are as lukewarm as bathwater (Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Britney Spears). The Canadian chart is just as bad for this, but there are a few less "country pop singers" and a few more "rockers"
Looking at both charts, here's a line up of artists that actually have artistic merit, IMO: Adele, Bruno Mars, Dragonette, Foo Fighters, The Sheepdogs. That's 5 out of 80 songs (some songs doubled up on the charts). That's pretty sad.
Chart chat: Adele has her second #1 in the US with "Someone Like You". The Sheepdogs ride their Rolling Stone cover to fame with their first Top 40 Canadian single "I Don't Know". I actually like the Sheepdogs a bit. They have a classic rock sound (not something I'm a fan of), but also have a garage rock ethic that brings a grittiness to their work.
And now a rant that's been simmering for a while. I've been noticing how stagnant the Top 40 charts have been lately. Not to say that Top 40 radio hasn't usually been stagnant, but it seems more so lately. This rise of shitty, insufferable, "party party" frat-rock bands has really ticked me off lately. Bands like LMFAO, Foster the People, Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship and the like. It seems that Top 40 bands can be narrowed down to four main categories: 1) Your obnoxious frat-rockers 2) Rockers that try to act dangerous but are as safe as foam rubber (Nickelback, Maroon 5, OneRepublic, Marianas Trench) 3) Good looking guys with cowboy hats that forgot to shave this morning (Jason Aldean, Zac Brown, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton) and 4) R&B and rappers, who again try to act dangerous but are as lukewarm as bathwater (Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Britney Spears). The Canadian chart is just as bad for this, but there are a few less "country pop singers" and a few more "rockers"
Looking at both charts, here's a line up of artists that actually have artistic merit, IMO: Adele, Bruno Mars, Dragonette, Foo Fighters, The Sheepdogs. That's 5 out of 80 songs (some songs doubled up on the charts). That's pretty sad.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Cancon Round Up for August 25, 2011
Alright, back at it. I was living out of a suitcase for a few days while my landlords fixed up my bathroom with new tile, but now I can get back to blogging about music no one cares about!
This week's Cancon round up: Simple Plan (peak Canadian act at #8), The New Cities, Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Anjulie, Karl Wolf, Alyssa Reid, JRDN, Fefe Dobson, These Kids Wear Crowns, Raghav (10/40=25%, still way belong the National mandated 35%)
Chart chat: Adele has officially become a Top 40/Mainstream artist with her second single entering the US Charts ("Someone Like You" at #34). You hipsters who championed her early career can now begin hating her work.
This week's Cancon round up: Simple Plan (peak Canadian act at #8), The New Cities, Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Anjulie, Karl Wolf, Alyssa Reid, JRDN, Fefe Dobson, These Kids Wear Crowns, Raghav (10/40=25%, still way belong the National mandated 35%)
Chart chat: Adele has officially become a Top 40/Mainstream artist with her second single entering the US Charts ("Someone Like You" at #34). You hipsters who championed her early career can now begin hating her work.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Cancon Round Up for August 11, 2011
Again late with the Canadian charts, but it's not like much changes on them anyway...
Cancon Roundup: Simple Plan (top Canadian at #7), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Karl Wolf, Anjulie, Alyssa Reid, Fefe Dobson, The New Cities, Raghav, JRDN, Down with Webster, These Kids Wear Crowns (11/40=28%, still below the needed 35%)
Chart talk: Boring charts lately, though the US chart is burning up the summer's buzz song, Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks", currently sitting at #13. Definitely a one hit wonder if I ever heard one.
Cancon Roundup: Simple Plan (top Canadian at #7), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Karl Wolf, Anjulie, Alyssa Reid, Fefe Dobson, The New Cities, Raghav, JRDN, Down with Webster, These Kids Wear Crowns (11/40=28%, still below the needed 35%)
Chart talk: Boring charts lately, though the US chart is burning up the summer's buzz song, Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks", currently sitting at #13. Definitely a one hit wonder if I ever heard one.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Cancon Round up for July 28, 2011
We finally have a new Canadian Top 40 Chart! Let's get to it!
Cancon Roundup: Simple Plan (at #7, the highest Canadian artist), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Karl Wolf, Fefe Dobson, Alyssa Reid, JRDN, Anjulie, Raghav, Kristina Maria, Down with Webster, The New Cities, These Kids Wear Crowns (12/40=30%, still under the nationally mandated 35% Cancon)
Chart Talk: With a month between this chart and the last Canadian chart, there are some new faces on the Top 40, which is good. Raghav, Anjulie and Down with Webster are at least homegrown talents, which proves promising. In the state, that insufferable "Party Rock Anthem" is at #1, but low in the Top 40 is the brand new Red Hot Chili Peppers, debuting at #38.
Cancon Roundup: Simple Plan (at #7, the highest Canadian artist), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Karl Wolf, Fefe Dobson, Alyssa Reid, JRDN, Anjulie, Raghav, Kristina Maria, Down with Webster, The New Cities, These Kids Wear Crowns (12/40=30%, still under the nationally mandated 35% Cancon)
Chart Talk: With a month between this chart and the last Canadian chart, there are some new faces on the Top 40, which is good. Raghav, Anjulie and Down with Webster are at least homegrown talents, which proves promising. In the state, that insufferable "Party Rock Anthem" is at #1, but low in the Top 40 is the brand new Red Hot Chili Peppers, debuting at #38.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Cancon Round Up for June 23, 2011
Now that I don't have the NHL Playoffs distracting me, let's talk more about music shall we?
Cancon roundup for the Canadian Top 40 Charts: Martin Solveig and Dragonette (Top Canadians at #8), Fefe Dobson, Alyssa Reid, Kristina Maria, Simple Plan, Three Days Grace, Raghav, Karl Wolf, Girlicious (9/40=23%, still lower than the national Cancon mandated law of 35%)
Chart chat: Adele is still on top of both the US and Canadian charts, which is quite amazing. I'm more than a bit worried about over-exposure at this point. Jason Aldean is in the Top 10 in the States, sandwiched between Niki Minaj and Lady Gaga, further cementing that modern country stars are just pop singers with cowboy hats.
Cancon roundup for the Canadian Top 40 Charts: Martin Solveig and Dragonette (Top Canadians at #8), Fefe Dobson, Alyssa Reid, Kristina Maria, Simple Plan, Three Days Grace, Raghav, Karl Wolf, Girlicious (9/40=23%, still lower than the national Cancon mandated law of 35%)
Chart chat: Adele is still on top of both the US and Canadian charts, which is quite amazing. I'm more than a bit worried about over-exposure at this point. Jason Aldean is in the Top 10 in the States, sandwiched between Niki Minaj and Lady Gaga, further cementing that modern country stars are just pop singers with cowboy hats.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Good Ol' Cancon Round Up for June 9, 2011
Once again, the Canadian charts have been flaky about updating, so we skipped a couple of weeks...
This week's Cancon Roundup: Martin Solveig and Dragonette (Top Canadian at #9), Alyssa Reid, Kristina Maria, Fefe Dobson, Three Days Grace, Raghav, Shawn Desman, Simple Plan, Girlicious, Sara Evans (10/40=25%, still below the Cancon radio regs).
Chart chat: Adele is still on top of both the US and Canadian charts, which fills me with hope. I was talking to a friend last week and recounting the story I heard about Jann Arden, back when she was trying to break into the US radio market. The US label rep said she had a great voice and she'd do great in the State, that is, if she could drop about 40 pounds.
Last week, there were two American Idol singles on the US charts. This week, they've disappeared. I'm thinking that American Idol has begun to play itself out and that the stars they produce are merely flashes in the pan. Outside of Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry, no one who's come from the show has any staying power. Might be time to hang the whole thing up.
This week's Cancon Roundup: Martin Solveig and Dragonette (Top Canadian at #9), Alyssa Reid, Kristina Maria, Fefe Dobson, Three Days Grace, Raghav, Shawn Desman, Simple Plan, Girlicious, Sara Evans (10/40=25%, still below the Cancon radio regs).
Chart chat: Adele is still on top of both the US and Canadian charts, which fills me with hope. I was talking to a friend last week and recounting the story I heard about Jann Arden, back when she was trying to break into the US radio market. The US label rep said she had a great voice and she'd do great in the State, that is, if she could drop about 40 pounds.
Last week, there were two American Idol singles on the US charts. This week, they've disappeared. I'm thinking that American Idol has begun to play itself out and that the stars they produce are merely flashes in the pan. Outside of Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry, no one who's come from the show has any staying power. Might be time to hang the whole thing up.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Cancon Round Up for May 26, 2011
As I recover from my hospital trip, and as the Stanley Cup finals take up more of my attention, as well as keeping up with work, another sporadic update:
Cancon Round Up for May 26: Alyssa Reid (Top Canuck at #8), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Kristina Maria, Fefe Dobson, Three Days Grace, Raghav, Shawn Desman, Girlicious, JRDN (8/40=20%, still very low Cancon on the Canadian charts)
Chart talk: Nothing much going on in the Canadian charts, but Adele is still on top of the American charts, and now sits on top of the Canadian charts. The Lady Gaga hit machine has 5 singles currently on the US charts. And, as usual, the three Glee singles from last week have disappeared completely. Glee sucks.
Cancon Round Up for May 26: Alyssa Reid (Top Canuck at #8), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Kristina Maria, Fefe Dobson, Three Days Grace, Raghav, Shawn Desman, Girlicious, JRDN (8/40=20%, still very low Cancon on the Canadian charts)
Chart talk: Nothing much going on in the Canadian charts, but Adele is still on top of the American charts, and now sits on top of the Canadian charts. The Lady Gaga hit machine has 5 singles currently on the US charts. And, as usual, the three Glee singles from last week have disappeared completely. Glee sucks.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Cancon Round Up for May 19, 2011
As I continue my recovery from various injuries, updates will be sporadic...
Cancon on the Canadian Top 40 Roundup: Alyssa Reid (peak Cancon at #7), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Kristina Maria, Three Days Grace, Fefe Dobson, Shawn Desman, Raghav, Girlicious, JRDN (8/40=20%, one of the lowest Cancon figures yet!)
Chart talk: Adele scored her first American #1 last week and continues to hold on to it this week. I'm pretty happy for her, she has a great voice and is a wonderful talent. The Glee hits continue to plague the US Top 40, with version of "Rolling in the Deep" and "Friday" (for some weird reason...). Steven Tyler's first solo song "Feels So Good" debuts at #35 on the US Charts.
Cancon on the Canadian Top 40 Roundup: Alyssa Reid (peak Cancon at #7), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Kristina Maria, Three Days Grace, Fefe Dobson, Shawn Desman, Raghav, Girlicious, JRDN (8/40=20%, one of the lowest Cancon figures yet!)
Chart talk: Adele scored her first American #1 last week and continues to hold on to it this week. I'm pretty happy for her, she has a great voice and is a wonderful talent. The Glee hits continue to plague the US Top 40, with version of "Rolling in the Deep" and "Friday" (for some weird reason...). Steven Tyler's first solo song "Feels So Good" debuts at #35 on the US Charts.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Cancon Round Up for April 14, 2011
I haven't done one of these in a while because the Soundscan charts were not updated for a good month. Now that I have a new one, we can continue.
Cancon on the Top 40: Alyssa Reid (highest Canadian at #7), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, JRDN, Avril Lavigne, Three Days Grace, Kristina Maria, Shawn Desman, Fefe Dobson, These Kids Wear Crowns (9/40=234%, still below the legally required Cancon requirement)
Notes: The Black Keys have their first Canadian Top 40 single, with "Howlin' for You" checking in at #40. I also suggest that Wiz Khalifa do a Canadian version of his new song "Roll Up", called "Roll Up the Rim (to Win)".
Cancon on the Top 40: Alyssa Reid (highest Canadian at #7), Martin Solveig and Dragonette, JRDN, Avril Lavigne, Three Days Grace, Kristina Maria, Shawn Desman, Fefe Dobson, These Kids Wear Crowns (9/40=234%, still below the legally required Cancon requirement)
Notes: The Black Keys have their first Canadian Top 40 single, with "Howlin' for You" checking in at #40. I also suggest that Wiz Khalifa do a Canadian version of his new song "Roll Up", called "Roll Up the Rim (to Win)".
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Cancon Roundup for March 10, 2011
Cancon in the Canadian Top 40: Martin Solveig and Dragonette (peaking at #9), Alyssa Reid, Fefe Dobson, JRDN, Avril Lavigne, Shawn Desman, Three Days Grace, Neverest, These Kids Wear Crowns (9/40 = 23%, one of the lowest Cancon percentages yet!)
Notes: Lady Gaga is at the top of both the US and Canadian charts. I'm not sure what opinion I should have of Lady Gaga. I've been reading Johnny Rotten's autobiography and I have a strange mix of respect and disgust for him, much the same way I feel about Lady Gaga. Rotten's take on life is to do everything as an individual and screw anyone who doesn't like it. He refuses to conform because conformity means buying into the larger social and musical meme and drains your ability to be creative. I think Lady Gaga does the same thing, but she doesn't do it as a middle finger to the rest of the world, she does it to stay commercially relevant. No one would pay much more attention to her over, say, Britney Spears, since they play a very similar style of music. It's only the spectacle she creates that makes her more visible. One gets the sense that her image is one that's produced and not one that is genuine, unlike Johnny Rotten, which makes me think of her as less of an artist and more of a performers. That's fine and all, but it doesn't make her music more compelling.
Notes: Lady Gaga is at the top of both the US and Canadian charts. I'm not sure what opinion I should have of Lady Gaga. I've been reading Johnny Rotten's autobiography and I have a strange mix of respect and disgust for him, much the same way I feel about Lady Gaga. Rotten's take on life is to do everything as an individual and screw anyone who doesn't like it. He refuses to conform because conformity means buying into the larger social and musical meme and drains your ability to be creative. I think Lady Gaga does the same thing, but she doesn't do it as a middle finger to the rest of the world, she does it to stay commercially relevant. No one would pay much more attention to her over, say, Britney Spears, since they play a very similar style of music. It's only the spectacle she creates that makes her more visible. One gets the sense that her image is one that's produced and not one that is genuine, unlike Johnny Rotten, which makes me think of her as less of an artist and more of a performers. That's fine and all, but it doesn't make her music more compelling.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Cancon roundup for February 24, 2011
In this week's Top 40: Martin Solveig and Dragonette (Top Canadian act at #10), Fefe Dobson, Alyssa Reid, JRDN, Shawn Desman, Avril Lavigne, Neverest, Marianas Trench, Finger Eleven, Dean Brody (10/40= 25%, still below the mandatory Cancon level of 35%)
Chart bits: Grammy fallout is still on the American charts, with Lady Gaga's "Born this Way" at #1 and Cee Lo at #2, Justin Bieber at #8 and the first top 40 American single for Mumford and Sons at #27 with "The Cave". Adele also cracks the Top 40 at #26 with "Rolling in the Deep", which I'm happy to see, since she's got an amazing voice. Still no sign of Arcade Fire on either chart.
Chart bits: Grammy fallout is still on the American charts, with Lady Gaga's "Born this Way" at #1 and Cee Lo at #2, Justin Bieber at #8 and the first top 40 American single for Mumford and Sons at #27 with "The Cave". Adele also cracks the Top 40 at #26 with "Rolling in the Deep", which I'm happy to see, since she's got an amazing voice. Still no sign of Arcade Fire on either chart.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Canadian Top 40 Cancon Roundup for February 10, 2011
It's been a while since I've looked at the Canadian Top 40, but not much has changed. Let's recap, shall we?
Canadian artists in the Top 40: Fefe Dobson (peak artist at #6), Neverest, Marianas Trench, Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Avril Lavigne, Johnny Reid, Shawn Desman, JRDN, Finger Eleven, Alyssa Reid, Michael Buble, Nelly Furtado (12/40 = 30%, still below National Cancon levels).
Amusing thing: Does anyone else see Enrique Iglesias' "Tonight (I'm Loving You)" and want to add another "Tonight" behind it? Tonight I'm Loving You Tonight? Like Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight?
Canadian artists in the Top 40: Fefe Dobson (peak artist at #6), Neverest, Marianas Trench, Martin Solveig and Dragonette, Avril Lavigne, Johnny Reid, Shawn Desman, JRDN, Finger Eleven, Alyssa Reid, Michael Buble, Nelly Furtado (12/40 = 30%, still below National Cancon levels).
Amusing thing: Does anyone else see Enrique Iglesias' "Tonight (I'm Loving You)" and want to add another "Tonight" behind it? Tonight I'm Loving You Tonight? Like Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight?
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Canadian Top 40 Cancon Roundup for December 16, 2010
On the Top 40: Fefe Dobson (top Canadian at #9), Nelly Furtado, JRDN, Marianas Trench, Johnny Reid, My Darkest Days, Shawn Desman, Elise Estrada, Michael Buble, Neverest (10/40 = 25%, still below the 35% needed for Cancon regs)
Weirdness: Not much. Neverest in there with their first song. Neverest look and soundlike a douchey Nickelback clone, so you can ignore them for now.
Weirdness: Not much. Neverest in there with their first song. Neverest look and soundlike a douchey Nickelback clone, so you can ignore them for now.
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