Paulboard Top 30 | 04.12.24 | I just need a little air...

**crystalphoenix** · Wed January 6, 2021, 17:40

Originally posted by JSparksFan

Definitely a lot more commonalities this year compared to last year!

The ladies really came through to salvage 2020 (from a music standpoint, at least)

When the severity of COVID truly took hold in the spring, I thought 2020 would become the year of album postponments (or outright cancellations); instead, we found ourselves awash in good-to-GREAT offerings from a long list of big-name females, and some noteworthy newer/lesser-known talents too. The queens kept us fed, and I am SO grateful!

Originally posted by JSparksFan

I've bolded my faves and I doubt any of them would come as surprises to you. I suspected "August" might've fallen short when I looked at your most-played songs of 2020 a few days ago and saw "Rain on Me" at no. 1. I think you know how much I love "August", but even though I rooted against "Rain on Me" in Tansike's thread, I do like it; I just had certain expectations given my longstanding love for Gaga and my recent adoration of Ari, but they definitely delivered on the video end of things!

Phew. I thought you'd tear. me. APART. for letting "August" fall short

Although the precise positions didn't perfectly align, I'm still encouraged by the overlap of songs in our Year-End Top 2 (and across the whole Top 50). I'm also touched to know you peep my last.fm on occasion!

Originally posted by JSparksFan

The video for "STFU!" actually sold that song's case to me more than "Comme Des Garçons"'s, but fast forward to my YECs this year and "XS" finished no. 11, Sawayama no. 2, and Rina no. 5 so a pretty incredible year for the relative newbie and in large part thanks to you!

I think the "Comme Des Garçons" vid works well for the song, and got several repeat viewings from me throughout the year, but the "STFU!" vid definitely has more to offer and packs way more of a punch. Rina was easily my favorite discovery/"newcomer" of 2020, so it's massively exciting that she resonated with you in such a strong way too. Rina FTW!

Thanks again, Akini!

**cheapthrills** · Sun January 10, 2021, 14:09

Wow, I could have sworn I commented on your top fifty(one), but I guess it never posted, and now I don't remember what I wrote. I'm sure it was incredibly brilliant though

You have two songs - Midnight Sky and Kings and Queens that I have revisited because of your YEC and others - I don't really have a good reason for giving them short shrift the first time around - in Miley's case, it's probably just fatigue with her. But I do enjoy these songs now!

Obviously, I think your #1 is excellent - it would have been amazing to see August top both our charts but between, you, me, and Akini, maybe that would have been overkill

and I certainly don't mind her missing out to Gaga and Ari. Also pleased to see Stupid Love in your top ten as you know - I'll admit it's no longer my favorite track of the album, but I do enjoy it still, and I don't regret all my dance-pop thirst spins for her when it came out.

Also pleased to finally see another year-end where Break My Heart is the king of the Dua tracks - take that #30, Physical

I am amused by the lack of men - I think I count just Lauv and Marshmello and even then, both of them need a woman's help to make your list

Is Niall not a favorite of yours? For some reason, I thought he was, so I thought I might see his second single here (it didn't make my list either, tho.) (Oh wait, I see Bon Iver backing up Taylor too.)

Gosh, to Never Really Over bleeding into the 2020s!

**crystalphoenix** · Wed January 13, 2021, 18:15

Originally posted by cheapthrills

Wow, I could have sworn I commented on your top fifty(one), but I guess it never posted, and now I don't remember what I wrote. I'm sure it was incredibly brilliant though

Damn, NEWkmix strikes again

Huge "THANK YOU!" for taking the time to write up a whole 'nother post after that mishap!

Originally posted by cheapthrills

You have two songs - Midnight Sky and Kings and Queens that I have revisited because of your YEC and others - I don't really have a good reason for giving them short shrift the first time around - in Miley's case, it's probably just fatigue with her. But I do enjoy these songs now!

At first I'm like "Miley fatigue in 2020? How?," but I'd forgotten just how much she released in 2019 despite not dropping a proper album that year: a 6-track EP, the Ashley O stuff, "Slide Away," "Don't Call Me Angel." Any rate, I'm extremely pleased and honored to have helped those two tracks enjoy a major resurgence with you now!

Originally posted by cheapthrills

Obviously, I think your #1 is excellent - it would have been amazing to see August top both our charts but between, you, me, and Akini, maybe that would have been overkill

and I certainly don't mind her missing out to Gaga and Ari. Also pleased to see Stupid Love in your top ten as you know - I'll admit it's no longer my favorite track of the album, but I do enjoy it still, and I don't regret all my dance-pop thirst spins for her when it came out.

Such synchronicity between all three of us would've been glorious, but I'm still pretty excited that it came as close as it did! I often feel out-of-touch with both the GP's preferences and even fan favorite selections, so watching all of us rally around "August" to the degree that we did was a rare treat.

Although other Chromatica offerings overshadowed "Stupid Love" as 2020 progressed, I was revisiting it amidst YEC hype and I think it would still rank in my Chromatica Top 5 after all. Even (nearly) a year later, it still supplies a satisfying endorphin rush.

Originally posted by cheapthrills

Also pleased to finally see another year-end where Break My Heart is the king of the Dua tracks - take that #30, Physical

I definitely see the appeal of "Physical," but "Break My Heart" is on another level of catchiness/replay-value for me.

Originally posted by cheapthrills

I am amused by the lack of men - I think I count just Lauv and Marshmello and even then, both of them need a woman's help to make your list

Is Niall not a favorite of yours? For some reason, I thought he was, so I thought I might see his second single here (it didn't make my list either, tho.) (Oh wait, I see Bon Iver backing up Taylor too.)

My tastes have always skewed toward Venus, but 2020 was probably the bleakest year yet for male acts on Paulboard

I think that's owed to streaming making it easier to check out full albums and uhLOT of my fave ladies dropping LPs (or at least B-side/rarity compilations) last year: Selena, Halsey, Dua, Meghan, Kesha, Rina, Gaga, Carly Rae, HAIM, Ellie, Tay x 2, Ava, Katy, Mariah, Ari, Kylie, Little Mix, Miley, and more! With that many top-tier women dropping 10+ new tracks each, there just wasn't much room left for the fellas.

Originally posted by cheapthrills

Gosh, to Never Really Over bleeding into the 2020s!

I REALLY love that one, and wish they'd had the sense to drop Smile sooner after its (decent) chart success.

Thanks again, CT!

**crystalphoenix** · Thu July 1, 2021, 15:00

Paulboard Mid-Year Update 2021

**JSparksFan** · Thu July 1, 2021, 17:00

**crystalphoenix** · Fri July 2, 2021, 16:10

Originally posted by JSparksFan

Many thanks for stopping by! I knew you'd approve of those TayTunes (and I knew you're definitely NOT a fan of "Test Drive," thanks to the Positions Survivor)

I'm a little surprised that none of RAYE's entries earned a spot in your quote, though! Is this another Caution situaton, where my faves on the album/EP are your least faves (and vice versa)? Granted, I'm pretty sure we both agreed on "Natalie Don't," but that was a 2020 hit for both of us. Aside from "Natalie Don't" and "Please Don't Touch," I didn't check out the rest of Euphoric Sad Songs until this January.

Thanks again, Akini!

**Phoenixx** · Sun July 4, 2021, 19:31

Without You

**crystalphoenix** · Thu July 8, 2021, 00:00

Originally posted by Phoenixx

Without You

Many thanks for stopping by! Admittedly, I didn't check out "Without You" until the Miley version dropped (I still haven't heard the original)

but it works so well as a duet. This style of music really suits Miley, and the balance between both artists across the song feels pretty perfect.

Thanks again, Phoenixx!

**cheapthrills** · Mon July 12, 2021, 18:05

Oh you snuck in an update when I wasn't looking!

These appeared on my won list this year:

15.) "SAVE YOUR TEARS (REMIX)" | The Weeknd ft. Ariana Grande | 129pts
10.) "WITHOUT YOU (MILEY CYRUS REMIX)" | The Kid LAROI ft. Miley Cyrus | 145pts
04.) "REGARDLESS" | RAYE ft. Rudimental | 172pts
03.) "34+35" | Ariana Grande | 184pts
01.) "WILLOW" | Taylor Swift | 233pts

So one each of your faves, haha - except Justin. IDK; I don't dislike the songs, I just don't seem to play them enough that they register with me.

As for Willow, it was also just ok, until the Dancing With remix was released and then I was

- No Body No Crime remains my favorite from that album though. 34/35 ended up being Ari's biggest hit from the album for me, even though I still think it's kind of juvenile, I can't ignore its bounce and energy. And I see we are still enjoying our RAYE obsession. I think I prefer Save Your Tears to Blinding Lights.

**crystalphoenix** · Wed July 14, 2021, 19:55

Originally posted by cheapthrills

So one each of your faves, haha - except Justin. IDK; I don't dislike the songs, I just don't seem to play them enough that they register with me.

Ha, fair. I enjoyed more of Justice than I expected, but it also benefitted from the fact that 2021 hasn't been nearly as packed with big-name album drops as 2020 (AKA fewer new albums vying for my attention/spins).

Originally posted by cheapthrills

As for Willow, it was also just ok, until the Dancing With remix was released and then I was

- No Body No Crime remains my favorite from that album though.

The original is generally my go-to version, but the Dancing Witch Remix is excellent too. I've been digging the recent "90's Trend Remix" as well. In any of those forms, "Willow" definitely outshines "Cardigan" for me (which didn't even make my Top 50 of 2020).

Originally posted by cheapthrills

34/35 ended up being Ari's biggest hit from the album for me, even though I still think it's kind of juvenile, I can't ignore its bounce and energy.

Same (and by a pretty major margin too)! Its unexpected longevity on the Hot 100 also kept it on my mind over the course of many months.

Originally posted by cheapthrills

And I see we are still enjoying our RAYE obsession.

Thanks to your chart, I really got into both "Please Don't Touch" and "Natalie Don't" last year, but I didn't explore the rest of Euphoric Sad Songs until this January. That mini-album is STACKED! It's a huge shame that her solo/lead artist singles generally don't do nearly as well on official charts as her collabos/guest appearances.

Originally posted by cheapthrills

I think I prefer Save Your Tears to Blinding Lights.

Same (and I'd probably agree even before the Ari version dropped). "Blinding Lights" is fine, but it never hooked me or had the massive replay value it seems to have for so many other people. It was such a relief that BL didn't cannibalize SYT's success the way it did to poor IYE.

Thanks again, CT!

**crystalphoenix** · Fri December 31, 2021, 17:30

Paulboard Top 50 of 2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

**JSparksFan** · Sun January 2, 2022, 03:18

**crystalphoenix** · Sun January 2, 2022, 21:45

Originally posted by JSparksFan

Another solid year! Glad to see my year-end top two songs in your top 30. Interesting that "Willow", with 313 points, would only have finished third in your 2020 year-end list, but it's the pick of the litter this year. Was 2021 a more competitive chart year for you, or a weaker one?

Many thanks for popping in here!

Good catch regarding the point total comparisons. It's interesting: I'd definitely say 2020 was the stronger year for music overall due to SO many album drops from favorite artists (Selena, Halsey, Meghan Trainor, Kesha, Allie X, Charli, Carly Rae, Gaga, Ellie, Tay x2, Mariah, Ava, Ari, Kylie, and more), but the threshold for reaching the Year-End Top 50 was actually higher this year (requiring 122 points to be No. 50 compared to last year's 109).

"Willow" was also hurt a little by the fact that I chart remixes separately, and both the "Dancing Witch Version" and "90's Trend Remix" had strong enough chart runs on their own to each go Gold. If I only had the album version to turn to whenever I was in the mood for the song, it almost certainly would've racked up even more points. I (foolishly) didn't archive the point totals from every prior Year-End Countdown, but from the data I can access easily, "Willow"s 313 is at least higher than the 311 points that landed Kylie's "Stop Me From Falling" at No. 1 for 2018 and the 286 that got Tay's "Lover" to No. 1 for 2019.

Thanks again, Akini!

**JSparksFan** · Mon January 3, 2022, 04:22

Originally posted by crystalphoenix

Many thanks for popping in here!

Good catch regarding the point total comparisons. It's interesting: I'd definitely say 2020 was the stronger year for music overall due to SO many album drops from favorite artists (Selena, Halsey, Meghan Trainor, Kesha, Allie X, Charli, Carly Rae, Gaga, Ellie, Tay x2, Mariah, Ava, Ari, Kylie, and more), but the threshold for reaching the Year-End Top 50 was actually higher this year (requiring 122 points to be No. 50 compared to last year's 109).

"Willow" was also hurt a little by the fact that I chart remixes separately, and both the "Dancing Witch Version" and "90's Trend Remix" had strong enough chart runs on their own to each go Gold. If I only had the album version to turn to whenever I was in the mood for the song, it almost certainly would've racked up even more points. I (foolishly) didn't archive the point totals from every prior Year-End Countdown, but from the data I can access easily, "Willow"s 313 is at least higher than the 311 points that landed Kylie's "Stop Me From Falling" at No. 1 for 2018 and the 286 that got Tay's "Lover" to No. 1 for 2019.

Thanks again, Akini!

Interestingly enough, it felt like 2021 was the better year in music, but when I did a rank-by-rank CY/PY quality comparison, 2020 actually came out on top and I think it boils down to exactly what you pointed out - more established, experienced acts cranking out albums in 2020 than in 2021.

Noted on the remix versions. I always merge remixes, but I can understand the argument against doing so, too.

**crystalphoenix** · Fri February 11, 2022, 16:45

Paulboard Top 30
Chart Date: 02/11/22

• Attempting to post this more regularly again (though no promises about how long I'll manage to keep that up)

Charli successfully scores the first No. 1 of the Crash era (and her 8th overall). Tove's underwhelming new single put her older material on my mind, and I'm not sure what exactly got me thinking about The Vamps in 2022. Many thanks to anyone who takes the time to give this a look!

THIS WEEK | LAST WEEK | WEEKS ON | TITLE | ARTIST | PEAK | CERT

01 (03) 04 | "New Shapes" - Charli XCX ft. Christine And The Queens & Caroline Polachek | 1 (1) | [G]
02 (N-) 01 | "Where Are You Now" - Lost Frequencies ft. Calum Scott | 2 (1)
03 (01) 03 | "Shinigami Eyes" - Grimes | 1 (1)
04 (17) 03 | "Message In A Bottle (Taylor's Version) (Fat Max G Remix)" - Taylor Swift | 1 (1)
05 (13) 04 | "Love It When You Hate Me" - Avril Lavigne ft. blackbear | 2 (1) | [G]
06 (05) 10 | "Good Ones" - Charli XCX | 2 (1) | [P]
07 (11) 04 | "I'm Coming" - Tove Lo | 4 | [G]
08 (R-) 04 | "Sweettalk My Heart" - Tove Lo | 3 | [G]
09 (R-) 04 | "Can We Dance" - The Vamps | 1 (1) | [P]
10 (N-) 01 | "Watching You From A Distant Place" - Bob's Burgers Cast | 10
11 (R-) 09 | "Undo" - Naughty Boy ft. Calum Scott & Shenseea | 1 (2) | [P]
12 (06) 03 | "Crying On The Inside" - Little Boots | 2 (1)
13 (R-) 04 | "Wild Heart" - The Vamps | 3 | [G]
14 (04) 02 | "Beg For You" - Charli XCX ft. Rina Sawayama | 4
15 (N-) 01 | "New Moon" - MØ | 15
16 (10) 04 | "Player Of Games" - Grimes | 10
17 (N-) 01 | "That's The Way Love Goes" - Janet Jackson | 17
18 (R-) 07 | "Somebody To You" - The Vamps ft. Demi Lovato | 11 | [G]
19 (R-) 05 | "Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart)" - The Vamps | 4 | [G]
20 (23) 04 | "Sooner Or Later" - Years & Years | 6
21 (N-) 01 | "Because Of Love" - Janet Jackson | 21
22 (R-) 05 | "You Want This" - Janet Jackson | 14 | [P]
23 (07) 08 | "Bikini Porn" - Tove Lo | 7 | [G]
24 (R-) 15 | "ME!" - Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie | 1 (2) | [2xP]
25 (R-) 10 | "IDORU" - Grimes | 1 (2) | [P]
26 (20) 04 | "Sweet Talker" - Years & Years ft. Galantis | 7
27 (R-) 06 | "Lady Wood" - Tove Lo | 9 | [G]
28 (R-) 08 | "All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift | 1 (1) | [P]
29 (19) 03 | "Make It Out Alive" - Years & Years | 9
30 (22) 03 | "See You Again" - Years & Years | 10

[GOLD] = 25+ total plays
[PLAT] = 50+ total plays

**cheapthrills** · Sun February 13, 2022, 02:45

I didn't realize you had posted a chart until I saw the Chart of Charts. I wish there was a way to physically tie you to UKMix so you could post your chart more often

I also like I can see what your chart was doing last week, and while I'm thrilled Grimes was #1 for you, I see it dropped this week

Oh well at least your post helped get Grimes her #1 on the Chart of Charts

I also am surprised that the New Shapes collab is doing better than Beg For You.

You don't like the new Tove Lo?

**JSparksFan** · Sun February 13, 2022, 18:33

So I'm seeing the impact of the Janet Jackson survivor and our "Me!" convo!

04 (17) 03 | "Message In A Bottle (Taylor's Version) (Fat Max G Remix)" - Taylor Swift | 1 (1)
06 (05) 10 | "Good Ones" - Charli XCX | 2 (1) | [P]
14 (04) 02 | "Beg For You" - Charli XCX ft. Rina Sawayama | 4
17 (N-) 01 | "That's The Way Love Goes" - Janet Jackson | 17
21 (N-) 01 | "Because Of Love" - Janet Jackson | 21
22 (R-) 05 | "You Want This" - Janet Jackson | 14 | [P]
24 (R-) 15 | "ME!" - Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie | 1 (2) | [2xP]
28 (R-) 08 | "All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift | 1 (1) | [P]

**crystalphoenix** · Wed February 16, 2022, 18:20

Originally posted by cheapthrills

I didn't realize you had posted a chart until I saw the Chart of Charts. I wish there was a way to physically tie you to UKMix so you could post your chart more often

Offering to tie me up now, eh?

"tie me up, tie me down..."

Originally posted by cheapthrills

I also like I can see what your chart was doing last week, and while I'm thrilled Grimes was #1 for you, I see it dropped this week

Oh well at least your post helped get Grimes her #1 on the Chart of Charts

Our timing was a smidge off, but it's still pretty exciting that "Shinigami Eyes" became our first shared No. 1 from Grimes ("We Appreciate Power" topped out at No. 10 here, but it had solid longevity and enough total plays for a Platinum cert, similar to what happened with Janet's "All For You" on your chart).

Originally posted by cheapthrills

I also am surprised that the New Shapes collab is doing better than Beg For You

Yeah, I really love both Charli and Rina (and "Cry For You"), so my expectations might've been too high. They're both so creative, I'm surprised they didn't do something more unexpected and innovative with the sample. It feels so similar to CFY that I might as well just re-visit that instead.

Originally posted by cheapthrills

You don't like the new Tove Lo?

Nah, it's been very in-one-ear-and-out-the-other for me, even after several tries. I haven't seen Euphoria at all, so maybe it'd make a bigger impact if I heard it in the context of the show?

Thanks again, CT!

**crystalphoenix** · Wed February 16, 2022, 18:25

Originally posted by JSparksFan

So I'm seeing the impact of the Janet Jackson survivor and our "Me!" convo!

An extremely-sensible guess, but it was actually this ongoing blog about every Hot 100 No. 1 ever that put "That's The Way Love Goes" (and janet. in general) on my mind. Those articles are a really great mix of history/behind-the-scenes factoids and thoughtful reviews/breakdowns of the songs.

YOU are absolutely the reason for "ME!," though.

Thanks again, Akini!

**crystalphoenix** · Fri February 18, 2022, 16:45

Paulboard Top 30
Chart Date: 02/18/22

• Charli capitalizes on an uneventful week to secure her first multi-week-No. 1 since "Unlock It" back in 2017, while the rest of the chart is awash in random (re)entries from years (and decades) past.

THIS WEEK | LAST WEEK | WEEKS ON | TITLE | ARTIST | PEAK | CERT

01 (01) 05 | "New Shapes" - Charli XCX ft. Christine And The Queens & Caroline Polachek | 1 (2) | [P]
02 (14) 03 | "Beg For You" - Charli XCX ft. Rina Sawayama | 2 (1)
03 (04) 04 | "Message In A Bottle (Taylor's Version) (Fat Max G Remix)" - Taylor Swift | 1 (1) | [G]
04 (02) 02 | "Where Are You Now" - Lost Frequencies ft. Calum Scott | 2 (1)
05 (03) 04 | "Shinigami Eyes" - Grimes | 1 (1) | [G]
06 (R-) 11 | "Dreamlover" - Mariah Carey | 4 | [P]
07 (R-) 06 | "Feeling Of Falling" - Cheat Codes ft. Kim Petras | 2 (1) | [G]
08 (R-) 05 | "Good 4 U" - Olivia Rodrigo | 1 (1) | [G]
09 (R-) 05 | "We Don't Talk About Bruno" - Encanto Cast | 1 (1) | [G]
10 (06) 11 | "Good Ones" - Charli XCX | 2 (1) | [P]
11 (R-) 10 | "Unlock It" - Charli XCX ft. Kim Petras & Jay Park | 1 (2) | [P]
12 (N-) 01 | "She's All I Wanna Be" - Tate McRae | 12
13 (N-) 01 | "Where Did You Go?" - Jax Jones ft. MNEK | 13
14 (R-) 08 | "At Night (I Think About You)" - MNEK | 8 | [G]
15 (N-) 01 | "How Long" - Tove Lo | 15
16 (15) 02 | "New Moon" - MØ | 15
17 (R-) 04 | "Mr. Perfectly Fine (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift | 13
18 (R-) 05 | "Don't Start Now" - Dua Lipa | 17 | [G]
19 (R-) 16 | "Break My Heart" - Dua Lipa | 1 (2) | [2xP]
20 (N-) 01 | "Brad Pitt" - MØ | 20
21 (R-) 04 | "Tears" - Charli XCX ft. Caroline Polachek | 7 | [G]
22 (R-) 12 | "Levitating" - Dua Lipa | 3 | [P]
23 (R-) 03 | "Jacques" - Jax Jones ft. Tove Lo | 22
24 (N-) 01 | "Kindness" - MØ | 24
25 (20) 05 | "Sooner Or Later" - Years & Years | 6
26 (05) 05 | "Love It When You Hate Me" - Avril Lavigne ft. blackbear | 2 (1) | [G]
27 (N-) 01 | "Fill Me In" - Craig David | 27
28 (N-) 01 | "I Will Always Love You" - Dolly Parton | 28
29 (R-) 04 | "Crave" - Years & Years | 8 | [G]
30 (10) 02 | "Watching You From A Distant Place" - Bob's Burgers Cast | 10

[GOLD] = 25+ total plays
[PLAT] = 50+ total plays

Paulboard Top 30 | 04.12.24 | I just need a little air...

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