Ethan's SiriusXM Hits 1 & Music Blog

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

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.

Monday, February 10, 2025

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!

Saturday, February 8, 2025

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

Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER {36w}
Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile {25w}
Sabrina Carpenter - Taste {24w}
Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi {21w}
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?

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

If the Countdown Was Still 45 Songs - Week of Feb 8, 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:

Teddy Swims - The Door [#45] {42w} PK: 3
Shaboozey - A Bar Song (Tipsy) [#41] {39w} [3 weeks at #1]
Tate McRae - It's ok I'm ok [#36] {20w} PK: 13
Alex Warren - Carry You Home [#32] {28w} PK: 8
Myles Smith - Nice To Meet You [#19] {4w} PK: 19

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

45. Charli XCX - Apple [-32] {26w} PK: 11

44. ROSÉ - toxic till the end [=] {3w} PK: 39

43. Lady Gaga - Disease [-4] {15w} PK: 4

42. Griff - last night's mascara [-8] {3w} PK: 34

41. Dasha - Austin [+1] {46w} PK: 6

40. Gracie Abrams - Close To You [-5] {33w} PK: 2

39. Marshmello/Kane Brown - Miles On It [-1] {36w} PK: 7

38. Post Malone/Morgan Wallen - I Had Some Help [+5] {39w} [3 weeks at #1]

37. Crash Adams - Optimist [=] {2w} PK: 37

36. Hozier - Too Sweet [+4] {45w} [6 weeks at #1]

35. Benson Boone - Beautiful Things [-2] {45w} [2 weeks at #1]

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

33. Vella - All My Love [-2] {3w} PK: 25

32. Myles Smith - Stargazing [-22] {28w} PK: 4

31. Teddy Swims - Guilty [-3] {2w} PK: 28