Ethan's Top 10 - JENNIE/Dominic Fike (1) - Feb 28, 2025

 

Not Like Us finally grew on me a year later, Halsey actually made a banger for once and makes her second ever appearance on my charts since her feature on Calvin Harris' Stay With Me way back in 2022, and we have a massive 7 debut week.

https://www.crownnote.com/charts/zestpond/ethans-top-10-feb-28-2025

Exits:

• Tom Grennan - Shadowboxing (#3) (2 weeks at #1)
• Robin Schulz/CYRIL/Sam Martin - World Gone Wild (#4)
• R3HAB/Mufasa & Hypeman/RANI - Believe (Shooting Stars) (#6)
• ROSÉ - drinks or coffee (#7)
• Jack Harlow - Set You Free (#8)
• Lady Gaga - Abracadabra (#9)
• Yung Gravy/James Brown - SUPA GOOD!!! (#10)

Last week's #1 song: Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER (1 week at #1)

10: Benson Boone - Sorry I'm Here For Someone Else (Debut)

9: Steve Aoki/Trippie Redd/Jessica Baio/KABU - Radio (Debut)

8: Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us (Debut)

Throwback Pick: Superorganism - Everybody Wants To Be Famous (2018)

7: Hightide - Freefall (Debut)

6: Halsey - safeword (Debut)

Throwback Pick: System Of A Down - Chop Suey! (2001)

5: Go-Jo - Milkshake Man (Debut)

4: Flo Rida/Sage the Gemini - OMG (Debut)

Throwback Pick: Flo Rida/Sage the Gemini/Lookas - GDFR (2015)

3: Y.O.G.A./Kaylee Bell/Blake O'Connor - Down In Boots (+2)

2: Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER (-1) (1 week at #1)

1: JENNIE/Dominic Fike - Love Hangover (+1) (1 week at #1)

Bubbling Under:

• Jaxomy/Conor Maynard - She's So High
• Lizzo - Love in Real Life

Last year's top 5: 

1. BOYS LIKE GIRLS - MIRACLE (+1) (1/1 week at #1)
2. Jung Kook/USHER - Standing Next To You (+3) (1/4 weeks at #1)
3. Benson Boone - Beautiful Things (=)
4. Knox - Me, Myself & Your Eyes (+10)
5. Teddy Swims - The Door (-1)

Last year's debuts: 

• Selena Gomez - Love On (#8)
• Galantis/David Guetta/5 Seconds of Summer - Lighter (#13)
• Mitski - My Love Mine All Mine (#14)

Hits 1 Survey 2/22/25 - 3/8/25

 

Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet (??? - this hasn't received a spin in 2 days)

Selena Gomez/benny blanco/Gracie Abrams - Call Me When You Break Up [NEW]

Gigi Perez - Sailor Song

Teddy Swims - Guilty

Lady Gaga - Abracadabra

ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT.

ROSÉ - toxic till the end

The Weeknd/Playboi Carti - Timeless

Kendrick Lamar - squabble up

Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem

Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry

Tate McRae - Revolving door [NEW]

Myles Smith - Nice To Meet You (??? - this hasn't received a spin in 2 weeks)

Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club

Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER

Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down

Tyla - PUSH 2 START

Megan Moroney - Am I Okay?

The Weeknd - Cry For Me

Vella - All My Love

Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody

Knox - Pick Your Poison

Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion

LISA/Doja Cat/RAYE - Born Again

RAYE - Oscar Winning Tears.

Avery Anna - Mr. Predictable [NEW] (bruh why???????? - 20 week abyss song incoming)

Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile

Kendrick Lamar/SZA - luther

Tate McRae - Sports car

Sabrina Carpenter - Busy Woman [NEW]

The Marías - No One Noticed

Crash Adams - Optimist

Hayes Warner - Oh!

Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams

Shaboozey - Good News

Lola Young - Messy

SZA - BMF

Griff - last night's mascara

Gracie Abrams - That's So True

Pitbull/Bon Jovi - Now or Never [NEW] (it's about damn time!!!)

Off the survey:

Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER (it's about damn time!!!)

Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi

Chappell Roan (1) - Week of Feb 22, 2025

 

Hey guys! This was a fairly good week. We finally have a new #1 after APT was #1 for way too long, but the quality of songs on the countdown and especially hitbound is very quickly deteriorating. 

Before we get to this week's fresh 30, let's say goodbye to the songs leaving the countdown: 

• Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet [#22] {2w} PK: 22
• LISA - Moonlit Floor [#14] {16w} PK: 9

Last week's #1 song: ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [6 weeks at #1]

30. Tyla - PUSH 2 START [-3] {2w} PK: 27

29. Kendrick Lamar - squabble up [-1] {3w} PK: 28

28. Griff - last night's mascara [Debut] {1w} PK: 28

27. Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER [+3] {2w} PK: 27

26. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi [-6] {23w} PK: 18

25. Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion [+4] {4w} PK: 25

24. The Weeknd/Playboi Carti - Timeless [Reentry] {5w} PK: 24

23. Megan Moroney - Am I Okay? [+3] {5w} PK: 23

22. LISA/Doja Cat/RAYE - Born Again [+3] {2w} PK: 22

21. Gigi Perez - Sailor Song [-12] {16w} PK: 9

20. Kendrick Lamar/SZA - luther [-3] {12w} PK: 17

19. Tate McRae - Sports car [+4] {4w} PK: 19

18. The Weeknd - Cry For Me [+1] {3w} PK: 18

17. Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down [-2] {16w} PK: 12

16. RAYE - Oscar Winning Tears. [+2] {5w} PK: 16

15. Teddy Swims - Guilty [+9] {3w} PK: 15

14. ROSÉ - toxic till the end [+2] {2w} PK: 14

13. Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody [=] {17w} PK: 12

12. Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry [=] {11w} PK: 10

11. SZA - BMF [-1] {6w} PK: 10

10. Lola Young - Messy [+1] {6w} PK: 10

9. Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [+12] {3w} PK: 9

8. Shaboozey - Good News [-3] {14w} PK: 5

7. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER [+1] {38w} [3 weeks at #1]

6. Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams [+1] {10w} PK: 6

5. Gracie Abrams - That's So True [+1] {14w} PK: 4

4. Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem [=] {10w} PK: 3

3. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [-2] {18w} [6 weeks at #1]

2. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile [+1] {27w} [4 weeks at #1]

1. Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club [+1] {14w} [1 week at #1]

Debuts: 

Timeless Reentered. What's up with songs reentering the week after they leave? It makes no sense. 

After being in the abyss for a month, last night's mascara finally debuted. This has slightly grown on me since it first entered hitbound all the way back in November, but this is just extremely mid.

Countdown Extra: Alessia Cara - Nighttime Thing

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [+12]

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Gigi Perez - Sailor Song [-12]

Last year's #1 song: Dua Lipa - Houdini (4/8 weeks at #1)

Favorite song last year: Jason Derulo/Michael Bublé - Spicy Margarita

Least favorite song last year: Jack Harlow - Lovin On Me

Most missed song: Jack Harlow - WHATS POPPIN (2020)

Recommendation for Hits 1: Jack Harlow - Set You Free

5 Oldest Songs

1. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER {38w}
2. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile {27w}
3. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi {23w}
4. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. {18w}
5. Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody {17w}

Hitbound

Alex Warren - Ordinary [3]

Tate McRae - Revolving door [Debut]

Justice/Tame Impala - Neverender [3]

Selena Gomez/benny blanco/Gracie Abrams - Call Me When You Break Up [Debut]

Dove Cameron - Too Much [Debut]

Avery Anna - Mr. Predictable [Debut]

JENNIE/Doechii - ExtraL [Debut]

Alessi Rose - IKYK [6]

Addison Rae - High Fashion [2]

Brenn! - Franklin House [Debut]

Ashley Cooke/Joe Jonas - All I Forgot [Debut]

JISOO - Your Love [2]

flowerovlove - I've seen ur ex [2]

Alessia Cara - Nighttime Thing [2]

Nessa Barrett - LOVE LOOKS PRETTY ON YOU [2; 2nd time] [Reentry]

Shinedown - Three Six Five [2.5]

ROLE MODEL - Sally, When The Wine Runs Out [Debut]

For some ungodly reason, LOVE LOOKS PRETTY ON YOU is back. Ummmmmmm...why?!?!?!?

Well hitbound royally sucked this week. None of the debuts were that great and there's only 1 great song on hitbound right now. First up, Tate McRae released her new album So Close To What, and we have Revolving door. This is fine, I guess, but isn't nearly as good as Sports car.

Thankfully Selena Gomez replaced herself with a song that actually has a beat. She collabs with benny blanco and Gracie Abrams with Call Me When You Break Up. This is pretty fun and she and Gracie actually sound great together.

Welp Dove Cameron is back on Hits 1 after a year with Too Much. This is a fun little bop but very forgettable.

Oh joy, another Avery Anna song that's gonna spend 20 weeks in the abyss. Mr. Predictable like the rest of her music sucks and makes me want to go to sleep.

JENNIE and Doechii collab with ExtraL. It's funny, both these artists are #1 and #2 on my personal charts, so you think a collab between them would be great, right? Wrong! This is very mid and these 2 artists can do so much better than this.

Oh joy, we have 2 randos this week that we have to deal with. First up is someone named Brenn with Franklin House. Good god this sucks. This guy sounds alright, he sounds like a slightly better version of Noah Kahan, but this song is almost 5 minutes long and drags on way too long.

We have country star Ashley Cooke teaming up with Joe Jonas with All I Forgot. This is a fine but very forgettable country song, and the two of them sound pretty good together.

Well, we just had something happen that hasn't happened since 2022. Halfway through the week, Three Six Five got replaced by Sally, When The Wine Runs Out. The last time something like this happened was in 2022 when Anxiety by Coi Leray replaced Every Summertime by NIKI halfway through the week. As for Sally, When The Wine Runs Out, this is alright. This is pretty upbeat and is one of his better songs, but just like most the songs on hitbound this is very forgettable.

Exits:

• Selena Gomez/benny blanco - Scared Of Loving You [1]
• Anne-Marie - Don't Panic [1]
• Sabrina Carpenter - Busy Woman [1]
• Djo - Basic Being Basic [4]
• SZA - Take You Down [1]
• JENNIE/Dominic Fike - Love Hangover [3]
• Sam Smith - Love Is A Stillness [1]
• Kane Brown/Katelyn Brown - Body Talk [3]

Busy Woman finds itself in the abyss and will probably debut next week. Love Hangover deserved better. And I didn't care about any of the other songs.

2025 Total Dropouts: 37

Estimated total for 2025: 175 (+19)

Abyss

Pitbull/Bon Jovi - Now or Never

Sabrina Carpenter - Busy Woman

Eminem/Jelly Roll - Somebody Save Me

Hayes Warner - Oh!

Knox - Pick Your Poison

Koe Wetzel/Jessie Murph - High Road

Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us

Billie Eilish - WILDFLOWER

Vella - All My Love

Crash Adams - Optimist

The Marías - No One Noticed

Lady Gaga - Disease

Harry Styles - Daylight

last night's blurbs:

We lost Fat Juicy & Wet and Moonlit Floor. Moonlit Floor was starting to get very old so I'm glad it left. And just like I predicted, Fat Juicy & Wet did not last that long. It was a great song but it was already starting to fade on me.

Welp, BIRDS OF A FEATHER has beaten Before You Go's record of most weeks on the countdown in the 30 countdown song era. Congrats, I guess.

Thank the lord the weird boring lesbian song took a huge drop from the top 10.

Oh wow, nice to see Abracadabra making a huge jump into the top 10. Now let's just hope it doesn't pull another Disease... 

Pink Pony Club has gotten slightly annoying, but I'm still glad to see it at #1, especially when APT has been #1 for way too long. Also, this means Chappell Roan is now 3/3 on songs that have entered the countdown that have gone #1. The only other perfect #1 streak that I'm aware of is Daniel Powter when his one and only song on the countdown Bad Day went #1 back in 2006.

Now to talk about something I didn't want to discuss, but after this week I have to bring this up. Music lately has sucked this past year. There's only 5 great songs on the countdown, and only 1 kinda great song on hitbound. It's gotten so bad I had to reduce my personal charts from 25 songs to 15, then back down to 10. And even then, it's still hard to find 10 great songs that I like. Great music is hard to come by right now. Music is in a really weird state right now where nothing is terrible, but nothing is really that great either. I like to call it the rise of the "mid". I know Waffle and Hallett have brought this up before, and it even caused them to quit blogging the weekend countdown. But I don't plan on quitting making countdown posts anytime soon, and I'm certainly not gonna let a little "mid" music stop me. I always try to look at the positive things in life. Music may not be that great or interesting right now, but at least there aren't any songs that make me instantly want to vomit. I haven't even had an orange song on the countdown in almost a year. And Hits 1 seems to be getting better. These boring songs that enter hitbound thankfully aren't lasting long or entering the countdown, and countdown songs that start to get annoying seem to quickly leave too. So just try to hang in there, music will start to get better eventually.

That's all for now, see you all next week!

Poll of the week results:

Best HB Debut?

1. Anne-Marie - Don't Panic: 25 % (3 votes)
2. Sabrina Carpenter - Busy Woman: 25 % (3 votes)
3. JISOO - Your Love: 16.67 % (2 votes)
4. Addison Rae - High Fashion: 16.67 % (2 votes)
5. Selena Gomez/benny blanco - Scared Of Loving You: 8.33 % (1 vote)
6. SZA - Take You Down: 8.33 % (1 vote)

If the Countdown Was Still 45 Songs - Week of Feb 22, 2025

If the countdown was still 45 songs, based off airplay and my own personal opinion.

Before we get to this week's fresh 45, let's say goodbye to the songs leaving the countdown:

• Sabrina Carpenter - Taste [#43] {25w} [5 weeks at #1]
• Damiano David - Born With A Broken Heart [#33] {16w} PK: 14
• Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet [#22] {2w} PK: 22

Last week's #1 song: ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [6 weeks at #1]

45. Knox - Pick Your Poison [-1] {3w} PK: 34

44. Koe Wetzel/Jessie Murph - High Road [Debut] {1w} PK: 44

43. Vella - All My Love [-7] {5w} PK: 25

42. Gracie Abrams - Close To You [+3] {35w} PK: 2

41. Hayes Warner - Oh! [-7] {5w} PK: 29

40. Billie Eilish - WILDFLOWER [-2] {9w} PK: 14

39. Eminem/Jelly Roll - Somebody Save Me [Debut] {1w} PK: 39

38. Myles Smith - Stargazing [-7] {30w} PK: 4

37. Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us [Reentry] {6w} PK: 27

36. Benson Boone - Beautiful Things [-4] {47w} [2 weeks at #1]

35. Lady Gaga - Disease [+2] {17w} PK: 4

34. Dasha - Austin [+8] {48w} PK: 6

33. LISA - Moonlit Floor [-19] {17w} PK: 9

32. Post Malone/Morgan Wallen - I Had Some Help [+8] {41w} [3 weeks at #1]

31. Hozier - Too Sweet [+8] {47w} [6 weeks at #1]

30. Tyla - PUSH 2 START [-3] {2w} PK: 27

29. Kendrick Lamar - squabble up [-1] {3w} PK: 28

28. Griff - last night's mascara [+13] {5w} PK: 28

27. Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER [+3] {2w} PK: 27

26. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi [-6] {23w} PK: 18

25. Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion [+4] {4w} PK: 25

24. The Weeknd/Playboi Carti - Timeless [+11] {6w} PK: 24

23. Megan Moroney - Am I Okay? [+3] {5w} PK: 23

22. LISA/Doja Cat/RAYE - Born Again [+3] {2w} PK: 22

21. Gigi Perez - Sailor Song [-12] {16w} PK: 9

20. Kendrick Lamar/SZA - luther [-3] {12w} PK: 17

19. Tate McRae - Sports car [+4] {4w} PK: 19

18. The Weeknd - Cry For Me [+1] {3w} PK: 18

17. Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down [-2] {16w} PK: 12

16. RAYE - Oscar Winning Tears. [+2] {5w} PK: 16

15. Teddy Swims - Guilty [+9] {3w} PK: 15

14. ROSÉ - toxic till the end [+2] {2w} PK: 14

13. Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody [=] {17w} PK: 12

12. Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry [=] {11w} PK: 10

11. SZA - BMF [-1] {6w} PK: 10

10. Lola Young - Messy [+1] {6w} PK: 10

9. Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [+12] {3w} PK: 9

8. Shaboozey - Good News [-3] {14w} PK: 5

7. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER [+1] {38w} [3 weeks at #1]

6. Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams [+1] {10w} PK: 6

5. Gracie Abrams - That's So True [+1] {14w} PK: 4

4. Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem [=] {10w} PK: 3

3. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [-2] {18w} [6 weeks at #1]

2. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile [+1] {27w} [4 weeks at #1]

1. Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club [+1] {14w} [1 week at #1]

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Griff - last night's mascara [+13]

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: LISA - Moonlit Floor [-19] 

5 Oldest Songs

1. Dasha - Austin {48w}
2. Tie between Hozier - Too Sweet and Benson Boone - Beautiful Things {47w}
3. Post Malone/Morgan Wallen - I Had Some Help {41w}
4. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER {38w}
5. Gracie Abrams - Close To You {35w}

If An AI Decided The Countdown - Week Of Feb 22, 2025 (Final AI Post)

 

Hey guys! I've been thinking about this for a while, and unfortunately I've decided to discontinue these AI countdown prediction posts. They're not really that enjoyable to make, and I'm not gonna make posts that I don't enjoy doing. It's too frustrating trying to deal with this janky AI that keeps having random old songs reenter and have a bunch of huge drops and jumps that don't make sense. And plus I have to spend time fixing the formatting and adding my color code. So unfortunately, this will be the last AI countdown prediction post that I'm making.

If an AI decided the countdown, based off airplay and the latest AI reasoning model.

Exits:

• Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet [#22] {2w} PK: 22

Last week's #1 song: ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [6 weeks at #1]

30. Griff - last night's mascara [Debut] {1w} PK: 30

29. Kendrick Lamar - squabble up [-1] {3w} PK: 28

28. Tyla - PUSH 2 START [-1] {2w} PK: 27

27. Teddy Swims - Guilty [-3] {3w} PK: 24

26. RAYE - Oscar Winning Tears. [-8] {5w} PK: 18

25. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi [-5] {23w} PK: 18

24. Megan Moroney - Am I Okay? [+2] {5w} PK: 23

23. LISA - Moonlit Floor [-9] {17w} PK: 9

22. Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion [+7] {4w} PK: 22

21. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile [-18] {27w} [4 weeks at #1]

20. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER [-12] {38w} [3 weeks at #1]

19. Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry [-7] {11w} PK: 10

18. Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down [-3] {16w} PK: 12

17. Gigi Perez - Sailor Song [-8] {16w} PK: 9

16. LISA/Doja Cat/RAYE - Born Again [+9] {2w} PK: 16

15. Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody [-2] {17w} PK: 12

14. ROSÉ - toxic till the end [+2] {2w} PK: 14

13. Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER [+17] {2w} PK: 13

12. Kendrick Lamar/SZA - luther [+5] {12w} PK: 12

11. Shaboozey - Good News [-6] {14w} PK: 5

10. The Weeknd - Cry For Me [+9] {3w} PK: 10

9. Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams [-2] {10w} PK: 7

8. Tate McRae - Sports car [+15] {4w} PK: 8

7. Lola Young - Messy [+4] {6w} PK: 7

6. Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [+15] {3w} PK: 6

5. SZA - BMF [+5] {6w} PK: 5

4. Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club [-2] {14w} PK: 2

3. Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem [+1] {10w} PK: 3

2. Gracie Abrams - That's So True [+4] {14w} PK: 2

1. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [=] {18w} [7 weeks at #1]

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER [+17]

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile [-18]

AI's thoughts:

• last night's mascara debuts at #30. This song saw a significant airplay increase (+24 plays, from 27 to 51), propelling it into the chart despite being outside the top 30 last week at #36. Its fresh entry highlights its growing traction among listeners.
• Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet exits the chart after falling from #22 last week. It was not listed in the airplay update, suggesting a decline in airplay, which likely contributed to its exit.
• DOECHII - DENIAL IS A RIVER (+17, from #30 to #13): A +7 play boost (from 44 to 51) helps this song make one of the largest jumps, moving from the bottom of the chart last week to a solid mid-tier position.
• LISA - Born Again f/Doja Cat & RAYE (+9, from #25 to #16): The biggest airplay gain of the week (+27 plays, from 17 to 44) drives this collaboration upward, highlighting the artists' combined appeal.
• LADY GAGA & BRUNO MARS - Die With A Smile (-18, from #3 to #21): Despite a small airplay increase (+2 plays, from 38 to 40), its relatively low play count compared to others suggests a decline in other metrics (e.g., streaming or sales), leading to a sharp drop.

• BILLIE EILISH - BIRDS OF A FEATHER (-12, from #8 to #20): A modest airplay gain (+2 plays, from 38 to 40) wasn't enough to prevent a significant decline, likely due to competition from songs with larger airplay increases.
• ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT holds steady at #1 for its sixth week, demonstrating remarkable staying power with consistently high airplay (94 plays this week, down slightly from 95). Its dominance continues to define the chart.

My thoughts:

• I love that the AI keeps making last night's mascara want to debut, even though this is probably never gonna end up debuting on the real countdown.
• Fat Juicy & Wet is probably exiting since it only had 1 spin a day.
• Sports car and Abracadabra are not making massive +15 jumps into the top 10.
• I don't see That's So True jumping to #2, but I see APT holding onto #1 for another week.

Final prediction score:

• It correctly guessed Fat Juicy & Wet's exit and last night's mascara debut, but not at the correct spot, so it gets 1.5 points
• It correctly guessed Abracadabra making a massive jump into the top 10, but not the correct spot, so it gets half a point
• It did not get the biggest jump or drop correct
• It correctly guessed the positions for squabble up and toxic till the end, so it gets 2 points
• It did not get the #1 song correct

Final score: 4/30. Oof, that's worse than last week's score.

Ethan's Top 10 - Doechii (1) - Feb 21, 2025

 

https://www.crownnote.com/charts/zestpond/ethans-top-10-feb-21-2025

Exits:

• Subtronics/Alison Wonderland - No One Does It Like (#8)
• Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet (#9)
• Vella - All My Love (#10)

Last week's #1 song: Tom Grennan - Shadowboxing (2 weeks at #1)

10: Yung Gravy/James Brown - SUPA GOOD!!! (-3)

9: Lady Gaga - Abracadabra (-3)

8: Jack Harlow - Set You Free (Debut)

Throwback Pick: Leslie Odom Jr. - Go Crazy (2019)

7: ROSÉ - drinks or coffee (Debut)

6: R3HAB/Mufasa & Hypeman/RANI - Believe (Shooting Stars) (-1)

Throwback Pick: Ralph Myerz And The Jack Herren Band - The Teacher (2006)

5: Y.O.G.A./Kaylee Bell/Blake O'Connor - Down In Boots (Debut)

4: Robin Schulz/CYRIL/Sam Martin - World Gone Wild (-1)

Throwback Pick: Sofi Tukker - Best Friend (2017)

3: Tom Grennan - Shadowboxing (-2) (2 weeks at #1)

2: JENNIE/Dominic Fike - Love Hangover (+2)

1: Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER (+1) (1 week at #1)

Bubbling Under:

• Flo Rida/Sage the Gemini - OMG
• Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us
• Games We Play - If I'm Honest

Last year's top 5: 

1. Jason Derulo/Michael Bublé - Spicy Margarita (+2) (1/1 week at #1)
2. BOYS LIKE GIRLS - MIRACLE (+2) (0/1 week at #1)
3. Benson Boone - Beautiful Things (+2)
4. Teddy Swims - The Door (+2)
5. Jung Kook/USHER - Standing Next To You (-4) (1/4 weeks at #1)

Last year's debuts: 

• Emei - Love Me Not (#10)
• Two Door Cinema Club - Sure Enough (#11)
• Breathe Carolina - DRAG ME DOWN (#12)
• Connor Price/ANAS - John Wick (#13)
• Knox - Me, Myself & Your Eyes (#14)

ROSÉ/Bruno Mars (6) - Week of Feb 15, 2025

 

Hey guys! Daniel created a Matrix channel for the Hits 1 community. It's similar to Discord, and anyone can join it. Here's the link: https://matrix.to/#/#hits-1-blogging-community:matrix.org

Before we get to this week's fresh 30, let's say goodbye to the songs leaving the countdown: 

• Hayes Warner - Oh! [#29] {3w} PK: 29
• The Weeknd/Playboi Carti - Timeless [#28] {4w} PK: 26
• Damiano David - Born With A Broken Heart [#15] {15w} PK: 14
• David Guetta/Alphaville/Ava Max - Forever Young [#11; 2nd time] {10w} PK: 11
• Sabrina Carpenter - Taste [#9] {24w} [5 weeks at #1]

Last week's #1 song: ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [5 weeks at #1]

30. Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER [Debut] {1w} PK: 30

29. Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion [-3] {3w} PK: 26

28. Kendrick Lamar - squabble up [+2] {2w} PK: 28

27. Tyla - PUSH 2 START [Debut] {1w} PK: 27

26. Megan Moroney - Am I Okay? [-3] {4w} PK: 23

25. LISA/Doja Cat/RAYE - Born Again [Debut] {1w} PK: 25

24. Teddy Swims - Guilty [Reentry] {2w} PK: 24

23. Tate McRae - Sports car [+4] {3w} PK: 23

22. Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet [+3] {2w} PK: 22

21. Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [+3] {2w} PK: 21

20. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi [-2] {22w} PK: 18

19. The Weeknd - Cry For Me [+1] {2w} PK: 19

18. RAYE - Oscar Winning Tears. [+3] {4w} PK: 18

17. Kendrick Lamar/SZA - luther [+5] {11w} PK: 17

16. ROSÉ - toxic till the end [Debut] {1w} PK: 16

15. Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down [-3] {15w} PK: 12

14. LISA - Moonlit Floor [-1] {16w} PK: 9

13. Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody [+6] {16w} PK: 12

12. Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry [-2] {10w} PK: 10

11. Lola Young - Messy [+3] {5w} PK: 11

10. SZA - BMF [+6] {5w} PK: 10

9. Gigi Perez - Sailor Song [+8] {15w} PK: 9

8. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER [-1] {37w} [3 weeks at #1]

7. Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams [+1] {9w} PK: 7

6. Gracie Abrams - That's So True [-1] {13w} PK: 4

5. Shaboozey - Good News [+1] {13w} PK: 5

4. Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem [=] {9w} PK: 3

3. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile [=] {26w} [4 weeks at #1]

2. Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club [=] {13w} PK: 2

1. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [=] {17w} [6 weeks at #1]

Debuts: 

Doechii makes her return to the countdown with DENIAL IS A RIVER since her feature on Katy Perry's I'M HIS, HE'S MINE, which ngl I already forgot existed even though it was only 3 months ago. This is really fun. The lyrics are hilarious, especially the breathing exercise at the end. And I really love the old school hip hop vibes. Hopefully this does well.

Tyla is back on the countdown after a year PUSH 2 START. This is fine, but very forgettable and isn't nearly as good as Water or Been Thinking.

We have the world's weirdest collab that somehow works debuting this week. LISA, Doja Cat, and RAYE collab on Born Again. This is pretty groovy and everyone sounds great, but this still feels slightly forgettable.

Nice to see Guilty back, and I'm not really sure why it left last week if it was just gonna reenter a week later.

After being in the abyss for a month, toxic till the end finally debuts. This is good but very mid, and isn't nearly as good as APT or even drinks or coffee.

Countdown Extra: Alessi Rose - IKYK

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Gigi Perez - Sailor Song [+8]

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Tie between Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion, Megan Moroney - Am I Okay?, and Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down [-3]

Last year's #1 song: Dua Lipa - Houdini (3/8 weeks at #1)

Favorite song last year: Jung Kook/USHER - Standing Next To You

Least favorite song last year: Jack Harlow - Lovin On Me

Most missed song: Ed Sheeran/Camila Cabello/Cardi B - South of the Border (2020)

Recommendation for Hits 1: Yung Gravy/James Brown - SUPA GOOD!!!

5 Oldest Songs

1. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER {37w}
2. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile {26w}
3. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi {22w}
4. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. {17w}
5. Tie between LISA - Moonlit Floor and Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody {16w}

Hitbound

Alessi Rose - IKYK [5]

Selena Gomez/benny blanco - Scared Of Loving You [Debut]

Shinedown - Three Six Five [2]

Anne-Marie - Don't Panic [Debut]

Sabrina Carpenter - Busy Woman [Debut]

Alex Warren - Ordinary [2]

flowerovlove - I've seen ur ex [Debut]

JISOO - Your Love [Debut]

Djo - Basic Being Basic [4]

SZA - Take You Down [Debut]

Alessia Cara - Nighttime Thing [Debut]

JENNIE/Dominic Fike - Love Hangover [3]

Sam Smith - Love Is A Stillness [Debut]

Addison Rae - High Fashion [Debut]

Kane Brown/Katelyn Brown - Body Talk [3]

Justice/Tame Impala - Neverender [2]

Selena Gomez is finally back with Scared Of Loving You after having that good but super forgettable song Love On last year that flopped so hard she canceled her new album. And yeah, this is quite bad. The production is super boring and nonexistent, and Selena does not sound great at all. This is even more boring than Lose You To Bore Me. If there's any positive, this isn't even 2 minutes long, so the torture thankfully doesn't last that long.

Anne-Marie is finally back after 2 years since Baby Don't Hurt Me with Don't Panic. This is quite fun, and Anne-Marie sounds great, despite the weird random effects they put on her voice.

Sabrina Carpenter is back with yet another song where I like it at first, Hits 1 overplays it, and I end up hating it. Busy Woman will end up being no exception. This is actually pretty fun. But this isn't going to be fun for long when it gets played every five minutes and it's at its 6 week in a row at #1.

flowerovlove who had the hitbound dropout BOYS last year is back with I've seen ur ex. I don't normally like basic girly pop like this, but this is really fun and she sounds great.

JISOO is finally the last BLACKPINK member to have solo music on Hits 1 with Your Love. This is a fun but very basic little bop.

Can we please stop picking up on every single SZA song? She's way too overrated. Take You Down is not great at all. The production is somewhat decent, but SZA's monotone singing just makes me want to fall asleep.

I don't know why Hits 1 keeps trying to make Alessia Cara a thing again, she hasn't been relevant since 2017. Nighttime Thing is pretty fun and Alessia sounds great but this is very forgettable.

Well we have Scared Of Loving You part 2 debuting this week also. Sam Smith is back on Hits 1 after 2 years with Love Is A Stillness after having that strange song VULGAR that dropped out of hitbound in 2023. This is literally a carbon copy of Scared Of Loving You. The production is nonexistent, but at least Sam Smith sounds somewhat decent. And this isn't even 2 minutes long either, so the torture doesn't last long.

Well we have more Addison Rae this week because why not. High Fashion is slightly better than Diet Pepsi, but it's still just as forgettable.

Exits:

• Knox - Pick Your Poison [3]
• Ava Max - Lost Your Faith [1]
• Nessa Barrett - AMERICAN BEAUTY [1]
• Willow Avalon - Baby Blue [4]
• Lauren Spencer Smith - Pray [3]
• Morgan Wallen - I'm The Problem [2]

Pick Your Poison is in the abyss, and the rest I didn't give a crap about.

2025 Total Dropouts: 30

Estimated total for 2025: 156 (+12)

Abyss

Eminem/Jelly Roll - Somebody Save Me

Hayes Warner - Oh!

The Weeknd/Playboi Carti - Timeless

Knox - Pick Your Poison

Koe Wetzel/Jessie Murph - High Road

Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us

Billie Eilish - WILDFLOWER

Vella - All My Love

Crash Adams - Optimist

Griff - last night's mascara

The Marías - No One Noticed

Lady Gaga - Disease

Harry Styles - Daylight

Um, why is Somebody Save Me randomly back in the abyss again?

Push 2 Blurb:

We lost Oh, Timeless, Born With A Broken Heart, Forever Young (again), and Taste. Good riddance to Tase, one of the most annoying songs of 2024 that lasted way too long into 2025. Oh was great but was super forgettable. Born With A Broken Heart was getting very old. It's funny that both times Forever Young jumped to #11, it left the following week. And Timeless was super mid.

luther does not need to be jumping this much. 

That's So True, Love Somebody, and Am I Okay have gotten quite annoying and have been downgraded a tier.

Um, why in the actual hell is Sailor Song all the way in the top 10? We really don't need weird boring lesbian music doing well on the radio.

Why is Good News in the top 5? This is very forgettable and isn't nearly as good as A Bar Song.

Can Pink Pony Club just reach #1 already? APT has been #1 way too long.

That's all for now, see you all next week!

Poll of the week results:

Best HB Debut?

1. Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER: 42.86 % (6 votes)
2. Ava Max - Lost Your Faith: 21.43 % (3 votes)
3. Shinedown - Three Six Five: 14.29 % (2 votes)
4. Justice/Tame Impala - Neverender: 14.29 % (2 votes)
5. LISA/Doja Cat/RAYE - Born Again: 7.14 % (1 vote)

If the Countdown Was Still 45 Songs - Week of Feb 15, 2025

If the countdown was still 45 songs, based off airplay and my own personal opinion.

Before we get to this week's fresh 45, let's say goodbye to the songs leaving the countdown:

• Charli XCX - Apple [#45] {26w} PK: 11
• Marshmello/Kane Brown - Miles On It [#39] {36w} PK: 7
• Crash Adams - Optimist [#37] {2w} PK: 37
• David Guetta/Alphaville/Ava Max - Forever Young [#11; 2nd time] {10w} PK: 11

Last week's #1 song: ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [5 weeks at #1]

45. Gracie Abrams - Close To You [-5] {34w} PK: 2

44. Knox - Pick Your Poison [-10] {2w} PK: 34

43. Sabrina Carpenter - Taste [-34] {25w} [5 weeks at #1]

42. Dasha - Austin [-1] {47w} PK: 6

41. Griff - last night's mascara [+1] {4w} PK: 34

40. Post Malone/Morgan Wallen - I Had Some Help [-2] {40w} [3 weeks at #1]

39. Hozier - Too Sweet [-3] {46w} [6 weeks at #1]

38. Billie Eilish - WILDFLOWER [2nd Reentry] {8w} PK: 14

37. Lady Gaga - Disease [+6] {16w} PK: 4

36. Vella - All My Love [-3] {4w} PK: 25

35. The Weeknd/Playboi Carti - Timeless [-7] {5w} PK: 26

34. Hayes Warner - Oh! [-5] {4w} PK: 29

33. Damiano David - Born With A Broken Heart [-18] {16w} PK: 14

32. Benson Boone - Beautiful Things [+3] {46w} [2 weeks at #1]

31. Myles Smith - Stargazing [+1] {29w} PK: 4

30. Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER [Debut] {1w} PK: 30

29. Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion [-3] {3w} PK: 26

28. Kendrick Lamar - squabble up [+2] {2w} PK: 28

27. Tyla - PUSH 2 START [Debut] {1w} PK: 27

26. Megan Moroney - Am I Okay? [-3] {4w} PK: 23

25. LISA/Doja Cat/RAYE - Born Again [Debut] {1w} PK: 25

24. Teddy Swims - Guilty [+7] {3w} PK: 24

23. Tate McRae - Sports car [+4] {3w} PK: 23

22. Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet [+3] {2w} PK: 22

21. Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [+3] {2w} PK: 21

20. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi [-2] {22w} PK: 18

19. The Weeknd - Cry For Me [+1] {2w} PK: 19

18. RAYE - Oscar Winning Tears. [+3] {4w} PK: 18

17. Kendrick Lamar/SZA - luther [+5] {11w} PK: 17

16. ROSÉ - toxic till the end [+28] {4w} PK: 16

15. Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down [-3] {15w} PK: 12

14. LISA - Moonlit Floor [-1] {16w} PK: 9

13. Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody [+6] {16w} PK: 12

12. Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry [-2] {10w} PK: 10

11. Lola Young - Messy [+3] {5w} PK: 11

10. SZA - BMF [+6] {5w} PK: 10

9. Gigi Perez - Sailor Song [+8] {15w} PK: 9

8. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER [-1] {37w} [3 weeks at #1]

7. Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams [+1] {9w} PK: 7

6. Gracie Abrams - That's So True [-1] {13w} PK: 4

5. Shaboozey - Good News [+1] {13w} PK: 5

4. Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem [=] {9w} PK: 3

3. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile [=] {26w} [4 weeks at #1]

2. Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club [=] {13w} PK: 2

1. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [=] {17w} [6 weeks at #1]

Biggest Jump Of The Week: ROSÉ - toxic till the end [+28]

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Sabrina Carpenter - Taste [-34]

5 Oldest Songs

1. Dasha - Austin {47w}
2. Tie between Hozier - Too Sweet and Benson Boone - Beautiful Things {46w}
3. Post Malone/Morgan Wallen - I Had Some Help {40w}
4. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER {37w}
5. Gracie Abrams - Close To You {34w}

If An AI Decided The Countdown - Week Of Feb 15, 2025

 

If an AI decided the countdown, based off airplay and the latest AI reasoning model.

Exits:

• Damiano David - Born With A Broken Heart [#15] {15w} PK: 14
• David Guetta/Alphaville/Ava Max - Forever Young [#11; 2nd time] {10w} PK: 11
• Sabrina Carpenter - Taste [#9] {24w} [5 weeks at #1]

Last week's #1 song: ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [5 weeks at #1]

30. Kendrick Lamar - squabble up [=] {2w} PK: 30

29. Hayes Warner - Oh! [=] {4w} PK: 29

28. The Weeknd/Playboi Carti - Timeless [=] {5w} PK: 26

27. Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet [-2] {2w} PK: 25

26. ROSÉ - toxic till the end [Debut] {1w} PK: 26

25. Megan Moroney - Am I Okay? [-2] {4w} PK: 23

24. Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody [-5] {16w} PK: 12

23. Myles Smith - Stargazing [2nd Reentry] {28w} PK: 4

22. Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion [+4] {3w} PK: 22

21. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile [-18] {26w} [4 weeks at #1]

20. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER [-13] {37w} [3 weeks at #1]

19. RAYE - Oscar Winning Tears. [+2] {4w} PK: 19

18. Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER [Debut] {1w} PK: 18

17. Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry [-7] {10w} PK: 10

16. Tate McRae - Sports car [+11] {3w} PK: 16

15. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi [+3] {22w} PK: 15

14. Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down [-2] {15w} PK: 12

13. Gigi Perez - Sailor Song [+4] {15w} PK: 11

12. Kendrick Lamar/SZA - luther [+10] {11w} PK: 12

11. The Weeknd - Cry For Me [+9] {2w} PK: 11

10. LISA - Moonlit Floor [+3] {16w} PK: 9

9. Lola Young - Messy [+5] {5w} PK: 9

8. Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [+16] {2w} PK: 8

7. SZA - BMF [+9] {5w} PK: 7

6. Shaboozey - Good News [=] {13w} PK: 6

5. Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams [+3] {9w} PK: 5

4. Gracie Abrams - That's So True [+1] {13w} PK: 4

3. Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem [+1] {9w} PK: 3

2. Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club [=] {13w} PK: 2

1. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [=] {17w} [6 weeks at #1]

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [+16]

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile [-18]

AI's thoughts:

• Top 2 Stability: The top 2 of ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. and Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club are predicted to remain unchanged at #1 and #2 respectively, despite slight airplay decreases. They still maintain the highest airplay.
• SZA's "BMF" Jumps: "BMF" by SZA is predicted for a significant jump into the top 10, fueled by a strong airplay increase.
• Notable Climbs: RAYE's "Oscar Winning Tears." and Marshmello/Jonas Brothers' "Slow Motion" are predicted to climb, reflecting positive airplay momentum. SZA's "BMF", Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra" and The Weeknd's "Cry For Me" are the most significant upward moves among newer tracks.
• Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and ROSÉ/Bruno Mars remain strong at the top, while some older hits are starting to decline. The influx of new music is creating a more competitive landscape in the chart.

My thoughts:

• There's no way DENIAL IS A RIVER will debut that high.
• Every week it always has some random old song reenter. This week it was Stargazing.
• The 3 exits will probably end up being correct since they were all off the survey.
• It might be a bit too early for Abracadabra to already be in the top 10.
• Die With A Smile and BIRDS OF A FEATHER wouldn't drop that hard. Hits 1 would just let them leave from the top 10.
• The top 5 looks pretty realistic.

Final prediction score:

• It got 3/5 exits correct 
• It got 2/5 debuts correct but not in the correct position, so it gets 2 half points for a total of 1 point
• It got the positions correct for Pink Pony Club and APT
• It did not get the correct biggest jump or biggest drop

Final score: 6/30 points. At least that's better than last week

Ethan's Top 10 - Tom Grennan (2) - Feb 14, 2025

 

https://www.crownnote.com/charts/zestpond/ethans-top-10-feb-14-2025

Exits:

• Kygo/OneRepublic - Chasing Paradise (#3) (1 week at #1)
• Tate McRae - Sports car (#4)
• Bowling for Soup - The Rock Show (#5)
• Porter Robinson - Cheerleader (#9; 2nd time) (1 week at #1)
• EMELINE - 99 boys (#10)

Last week's #1 song: Tom Grennan - Shadowboxing (1 week at #1)

10: Vella - All My Love (-8)

9: Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet (Debut)

8: Subtronics/Alison Wonderland - No One Does It Like (Debut)

Throwback Pick: Dua Lipa/Alison Wonderland - New Rules (Alison Wonderland Remix) (2017)

7: Yung Gravy/James Brown - SUPA GOOD!!! (Debut)

6: Lady Gaga - Abracadabra (Debut)

Throwback Pick: Dirty Heads/Train - Vacation (2021)

5: R3HAB/Mufasa & Hypeman/RANI - Believe (Shooting Stars) (+1)

4: JENNIE/Dominic Fike - Love Hangover (+4)

Throwback Pick: Camila Cabello/DaBaby - My Oh My (2020)

3: Robin Schulz/CYRIL/Sam Martin - World Gone Wild (+4)

2: Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER (Debut)

1: Tom Grennan - Shadowboxing (=) (2 weeks at #1)

Bubbling Under:

• Jack Harlow - Set You Free
• Alok/Kylie Minogue - last night i dreamt i fell in love
• ROSÉ - drinks or coffee

Last year's top 5: 

1. Jung Kook/USHER - Standing Next To You (+1) (1/4 weeks at #1)
2. Feature Records/Locksley/Cool Matt - Believe (+7)
3. Jason Derulo/Michael Bublé - Spicy Margarita (+8) (0/1 week at #1)
4. BOYS LIKE GIRLS - MIRACLE (+4) (0/1 week at #1)
5. Benson Boone - Beautiful Things (+2)

Last year's debuts: 

• Teddy Swims - The Door (#6)
• Conan Gray - Lonely Dancers (#7)
• The Veronicas - Here To Dance (#8)
• Jason Derulo/David Guetta - Down (#9)
• Breathe Carolina/Abi Flynn - Finally (#11)
• Flo Rida/Brian Kelley - Feels Right (I Love It) (#12)
• Glenn Morrison/Islove - Goodbye (#13)

Video - Maroon 5 US Pop Radio Fantasy Chart History

 

Chart history video for Maroon 5/Adam Levine/Kara's Flowers, if they weren't underrated, using chart data I made up.

Hits 1 Survey 2/8/25 - 2/22/25

 

Gigi Perez - Sailor Song

Teddy Swims - Guilty

ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT.

ROSÉ - toxic till the end

The Weeknd/Playboi Carti - Timeless

Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem

Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry

Myles Smith - Nice To Meet You

Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club

Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down

Megan Moroney - Am I Okay?

Vella - All My Love

Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody

Knox - Pick Your Poison

Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion

RAYE - Oscar Winning Tears.

Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile

LISA - Moonlit Floor

Kendrick Lamar/SZA - luther

Tate McRae - Sports car

The Marías - No One Noticed

Crash Adams - Optimist

Hayes Warner - Oh!

Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams

Shaboozey - Good News

Lola Young - Messy

SZA - BMF

Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi

Griff - last night's mascara

Gracie Abrams - That's So True

Kendrick Lamar - squabble up [NEW]

Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [NEW]

LISA/Doja Cat/RAYE - Born Again [NEW]

Tyla - PUSH 2 START [NEW]

The Weeknd - Cry For Me [NEW]

Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER [NEW]

Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet [NEW]

Koe Wetzel/Jessie Murph - High Road [NEW]

Off the survey:

Damiano David - Born With A Broken Heart

David Guetta/Alphaville/Ava Max - Forever Young

Sabrina Carpenter - Taste (it's about damn time!!!)

Story Time - How a Misunderstanding Caused Me To Start Blogging (The Real Reason I Started Blogging)

 

Hey guys! I don't normally do these "story time" type of posts. I'm a very boring guy, with a very boring life, and I don't have very many interesting or funny stories about myself. But the story of how I created my blog is quite interesting and I've never actually shared this story with anyone before so this would be the first time I have shared this with anyone. I've always said the reason I started this blog was due to Beluga retiring. That is partly true, but the truth is a bit more complicated than that. With the 3 year anniversary of me creating this blog coming up, I decided now would be a good time to share this story. In this story you'll learn what got me interested in Hits 1, why I created this blog, and how a big misunderstanding caused me to start reviewing the weekend countdown. But before we begin I need to give some background info.

I first started listening to Hits 1 in the summer of 2016. I had a 3 month free trial of SiriusXM and Hits 1 became the soundtrack to my drives to my summer job at an amusement park, and I enjoyed listening to the weekend countdown on Saturdays. I remember Hits 1 played a special version of Cheap Thrills that said "C'mon turn Hits 1 on" which I thought was hilarious. At that time I had no idea how big the weekend countdown was and that there was an entire community of bloggers posting the weekend countdown every week. If I would have know that, who knows, I could have started this blog all the way back in 2016. But alas my free trial came to an end, and I was too broke to renew it, so I never listened to Hits 1 again for another 3 more years.

Fast forward 3 years to November 2019. I bought a new car that came with a 3 month free trial of SiriusXM. I enjoyed listening to Hits 1 and the weekend countdown again. During that time, I somehow stumbled onto Beluga's and Waffle's blogs, and realized that there was a community of bloggers that was blogging the countdown every week. Then I eventually stumbled onto Adrian's and CountdownRecap's old blogs, and enjoyed looking at what the countdown looked like all the way back in 2011. For 2 and a half years I was lurking on Beluga's and Waffle's blogs, enjoying their countdown posts and not commenting anything. 

Fast forward again to February 2022. I saw some videos on YouTube where someone made history videos for different artists on the Hot 100. And I thought it was cool, so I decided to make my own videos for artists on the weekend countdown. But getting the data for the charts was proving to be quite a hassle. It was getting tiring having to switch between 3 different people's blogs - CountdownRecap's, Adrian's, and Beluga's. So I thought of a brilliant idea. I would create a place where I could store all the weekend countdowns through all the years into one place so I wouldn't have to keep going back and forth. Since everyone else was using Blogger, I decided to make a blog for my eyes only where I could store all the weekend countdowns to make it easier to make those videos. So from February to May 2022, nobody but me knew of this blog's existence. I had no intention of reviewing the weekend countdown or anyone even seeing my blog.

Fast forward to May 14, 2022. Beluga announced his retirement from blogging, which saddened me and everyone else. I still had no intention of reviewing the weekend countdown or making my blog public any time soon. Then a week later on May 21, Trey released his countdown post. On that week, PGNL by Conor Maynard entered hitbound. I actually knew who he was and that he had 2 songs on the countdown back in 2012 because of all the research I did. On his post Trey said that he had no idea who Conor Maynard was, which kinda irritated me for some reason. How dare Trey not know this artist had a super obscure random song 10 years ago. So I decided to leave a comment on his blog. Now I normally don't leave comments, I had actually never left a comment before so it was my first one. I guess my need to always correct people overshadowed my shyness. I commented that Conor Maynard had a song on the countdown in 2012 called Vegas Girl. If you're interested you can find that comment here on this post https://treyshits1weelendcountdownblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/harry-styles2-week-of-may-21st-2022.html

I check back later and I see that Trey replied to my comment. He said welcome to the Hits 1 community, somehow found my blog on my profile, and said that he put my blog in his sidebar. And then panic rushed through me. I had no intentions of joining the Hits 1 community, nor did I want anyone seeing my blog. It was an eyesore with no proper layouts or formatting. I didn't really want to explain to him how I wasn't actually a new blogger and that my blog was for my own personal use. But then everyone was so excited that there was a new blogger after Beluga retired, and I didn't have the heart to tell them no. So I thought to myself "Welp, guess I have to start blogging the weekend countdown now!" 

I decided to just play it off. I left a comment on Beluga's post saying how much he was an inspiration to me, and that I decided to start blogging in his honor. Which was partly true. But it would have been too hard to explain the real reason I started blogging was due to a very big misunderstanding. On that day I released my very first countdown review. It's very bad, please don't read it https://zestpond.blogspot.com/2022/05/may-21-2022.html. 

And the rest is pretty much history. I've been blogging the weekend countdown every week since then (besides my 6 month mental health hiatus in late 2023/early 2024), and I've become the de facto leader of the Hits 1 community after Waffle and Trey retired from making countdown posts. 

I think that this all ended up being a blessing in disguise. I really wanted to start blogging, but I was too shy to say anything. I think the push from Trey finally gave me the courage to start blogging. I've come out of my shell a lot, and met some really great people in the blogging community. Just think, if Conor Maynard never released the song PGNL, I never would have commented on Trey's blog, and I never would have started making countdown posts, and I probably wouldn't even be here today. That is why PGNL will always hold a special place in my heart.

I guess the moral of the story is don't be afraid to start blogging. Don't be afraid that your writing is bad, or your formatting is bad, or that no one will read it. I thought all those things too. My writing was terrible, my formatting was so whack, and my posts barely scratched double digit views. But with enough practice and persistence I got better, and so will you. You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. I believe in you! Look who I am now. I went from being the least popular blogger who no one knew to the most popular. Anything is possible. 

Well that pretty much sums up my blogging story. Wow that ended up being a lot longer than I thought. I hope you guys enjoyed reading that and it wasn't too long. I really enjoyed writing this. I think it would be interesting if I made a post sometime about the history of Hits 1 blogging from 2011-today. It just depends if I have the energy/inspiration to make that kind of post. Until next time!

ROSÉ/Bruno Mars (5) - Week of Feb 8, 2025

 

Hey guys! Daniel created an ultimate rank for every #1 song on Mediabase since 1973, so I made a page for it on my blog. Check it out on my header or here: https://zestpond.blogspot.com/p/every-1-song-on-mediabase-since-1970.html

Before we get to this week's fresh 30, let's say goodbye to the songs leaving the countdown: 

• Teddy Swims - Guilty [#28] {1w} PK: 28
• Myles Smith - Nice To Meet You [#19] {2w} PK: 19
• Charli XCX - Apple [#13] {25w} PK: 11
• Myles Smith - Stargazing [#10; 2nd time] {27w} PK: 4

Last week's #1 song: ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [4 weeks at #1]

30. Kendrick Lamar - squabble up [Debut] {1w} PK: 30

29. Hayes Warner - Oh! [=] {3w} PK: 29

28. The Weeknd/Playboi Carti - Timeless [-2] {4w} PK: 26

27. Tate McRae - Sports car [=] {2w} PK: 27

26. Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion [+4] {2w} PK: 26

25. Sexyy Red/Bruno Mars - Fat Juicy & Wet [Debut] {1w} PK: 25

24. Lady Gaga - Abracadabra [Debut] {1w} PK: 24

23. Megan Moroney - Am I Okay? [=] {3w} PK: 23

22. Kendrick Lamar/SZA - luther [+2] {10w} PK: 22

21. RAYE - Oscar Winning Tears. [+4] {3w} PK: 21

20. The Weeknd - Cry For Me [Debut] {1w} PK: 20

19. Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody [-7] {15w} PK: 12

18. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi [+4] {21w} PK: 18

17. Gigi Perez - Sailor Song [-1] {14w} PK: 11

16. SZA - BMF [+4] {4w} PK: 16

15. Damiano David - Born With A Broken Heart [+2] {15w} PK: 14

14. Lola Young - Messy [+7] {4w} PK: 14

13. LISA - Moonlit Floor [+2] {15w} PK: 9

12. Alex Warren/Joe Jonas - Burning Down [+2] {14w} PK: 12

11. David Guetta/Alphaville/Ava Max - Forever Young [+7] {10w} PK: 11

10. Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry [+1] {9w} PK: 10

9. Sabrina Carpenter - Taste [=] {24w} [5 weeks at #1]

8. Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams [=] {8w} PK: 8

7. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER [=] {36w} [3 weeks at #1]

6. Shaboozey - Good News [=] {12w} PK: 6

5. Gracie Abrams - That's So True [-1] {12w} PK: 4

4. Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem [+1] {8w} PK: 3

3. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile [-1] {25w} [4 weeks at #1]

2. Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club [+1] {12w} PK: 2

1. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. [=] {16w} [5 weeks at #1]

Debuts: 

Kendrick Lamar brings his second song on the countdown with squabble up. This is a lot better than the snoozefest luther, but this song feels kinda annoying ngl.

Now perhaps one of the most surprising debuts of all time. I would never expect Hits 1 would put this in hitbound, let alone on the countdown. Sexyy Red and Bruno Mars collab with Fat Juicy & Wet. This is just so stupidly fun. The production slaps so hard, Sexyy Red and Bruno Mars both sound great together, and the lyrics are so dumb and hilarious. I don't see this song doing well, but who knows.

Well we just had something happen that hasn't happened since 2018. Lady Gaga's Abracadabra skipped hitbound entirely and debuted on release week. This has only happened to Shawn Mendes - In My Blood in 2018 and Maroon 5 - Cold in 2017 as far as I know (not counting Hayes Warner's Oh which debuted on release week but spent a week in hitbound while it was still unreleased). This is so much better than Disease. The glitch pop production is really fun and Lady Gaga sounds amazing as always.

Debuting all the way up to #20 is The Weeknd with Cry For Me. This is good but it's so insanely forgettable. I just finished listening to it and I couldn't tell you one single detail about the song.

Countdown Extra: JENNIE/Dominic Fike - Love Hangover

Biggest Jump Of The Week: Tie between Lola Young - Messy and David Guetta/Alphaville/Ava Max - Forever Young [+7]

Biggest DRRRRRRROP!!! Of The Week: Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody [-7]

Last year's #1 song: Dua Lipa - Houdini (2/8 weeks at #1)

Favorite song last year: AJR - Inertia

Least favorite song last year: Jack Harlow - Lovin On Me

Most missed song: Selena Gomez - Bad Liar (2017)

Recommendation for Hits 1: Robin Schulz/CYRIL/Sam Martin - World Gone Wild

5 Oldest Songs

1. Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER {36w}
2. Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile {25w}
3. Sabrina Carpenter - Taste {24w}
4. Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi {21w}
5. ROSÉ/Bruno Mars - APT. {16w}

There's a 20 week difference between the #1 and #5 oldest songs, that might be the biggest difference I have ever seen.

Hitbound

Djo - Basic Being Basic [3]

Doechii - DENIAL IS A RIVER [Debut]

Knox - Pick Your Poison [3]

Ava Max - Lost Your Faith [Debut]

LISA/Doja Cat/RAYE - Born Again [Debut]

Shinedown - Three Six Five [Debut]

Nessa Barrett - AMERICAN BEAUTY [Debut]

JENNIE/Dominic Fike - Love Hangover [2]

Kane Brown/Katelyn Brown - Body Talk [2]

Alessi Rose - IKYK [4]

Alex Warren - Ordinary [Debut]

Willow Avalon - Baby Blue [4]

Justice/Tame Impala - Neverender [Debut]

Tyla - PUSH 2 START [3; 2nd time] [Reentry]

Lauren Spencer Smith - Pray [3]

Morgan Wallen - I'm The Problem [2]

Doechii makes her return with DENIAL IS A RIVER. This slaps so hard and the lyrics are so hilarious. A song hasn't made me laugh this hard since MIND YOUR BUSINESS or Jiggle Jiggle.

Ava Basic Max is back with a song that's just as basic as the rest of her music is. Lost Your Faith is good, but like it feels so empty that I can't remember any part of the song 2 seconds after the song is over.

We have the weirdest collab since the Fantasy collab with Lauren Spencer Smith, GAYLE, and Em Beihold. LISA, Doja Cat, and RAYE collab with Born Again. None of these artists should work well together at all, but it kinda does? The production is kinda groovy, everyone sounds great, but this is just so forgettable.

Shinedown are back after that super forgettable song A Symptom Of Being Human last year, with a song that's slightly less forgettable I guess. Three Six Five is good I guess, but again this is so forgettable.

This is just getting comical at this point. Hits 1 is so desperate for Nessa Barrett to become a thing that they have to pick up on literally every single song that she releases. AMERICAN BEAUTY is probably the best song from AFTERCARE so far, but this is still extremely mid.

Great just what we needed, more Alex Bore-en. Ordinary is a great song...to fall asleep to. Other than that, this song has no other redeeming qualities.

French electronic music duo Justice and alt singer Tame Impala collab with Neverender. This is actually Justice's second appearance on Hits 1. They had a hit on the countdown way back in 2007 called D.A.N.C.E which was super fun, however this new song is anything but fun. This is actually quite boring and makes me want to take an afternoon nap.

Lastly PUSH 2 START reentered, because this super amazing mega ultra hit totally needed to reenter for no apparent reason.

Exits:

Crash Adams - Optimist [9]

Nessa Barrett - LOVE LOOKS PRETTY ON YOU [1]

Vella - All My Love [3]

Kesha - Dear Me [2]

TWICE/Megan Thee Stallion - Strategy [8]

Optimist and All My Love find themselves in the abyss, but All My Love was on the countdown so it's not a hitbound dropout. Strategy was fun. And good riddance to Dear Me and LOVE LOOKS PRETTY ON YOU which sucked.

2025 Total Dropouts: 25

Estimated total for 2025: 144 (+1)

Abyss

Koe Wetzel/Jessie Murph - High Road

Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us

Billie Eilish - WILDFLOWER

Teddy Swims - Guilty

Vella - All My Love

Crash Adams - Optimist

Griff - last night's mascara

ROSÉ - toxic till the end

The Marías - No One Noticed

Lady Gaga - Disease

Harry Styles - Daylight

Um, why is WILDFLOWER randomly in the abyss again? And why is High Road in the abyss also? And Not Like Us is probably in the abyss because of the super bowl.

Denial is a blurb:

We lost Guilty, Nice To Meet You, Apple, and Stargazing. Stargazing and Apple were very old and really needed to leave. And I'm not sure why Guilty and Nice To Meet You flopped so hard. Guilty is in the abyss and could come back, but Nice To Meet You seems to be completely purged. RIP I guess. Also I completely forgot this was Stargazing's second run on the countdown because it left and reentered the countdown all the way back in August.

This is just getting comical at this point that Diet Pepsi is the new Calm Down/Next To Me (by Emeli Sande). This has been here for 5 and a half months and has yet to see the top half of the countdown.

Forever Young is back at its #11 peak it hit all the way back in November.

Taste really needs to go away at this point. It's just wasting countdown space for better songs.

Gracious how long is APT gonna be #1? It's a great song, but we really need to let other songs hit #1.

That's all for now, see you all next week!

Poll of the week results:

Best Debut?

1. Tate McRae - Sports car: 53.85 % (7 votes)
2. Marshmello/Jonas Brothers - Slow Motion: 30.77 % (4 votes)
3. Teddy Swims - Guilty: 15.38 % (2 votes)