Cheapthrills' Top 40 of 2018 - COMPLETED

**cheapthrills** · Fri March 1, 2019, 19:10

**cheapthrills** · Fri March 1, 2019, 19:11

**cheapthrills** · Sat March 2, 2019, 16:13

**cheapthrills** · Sat March 2, 2019, 16:14

**cheapthrills** · Sat March 2, 2019, 16:17

**crystalphoenix** · Sun March 3, 2019, 15:10

Originally posted by cheapthrills

I don't think that's a minority opinion re: Bloom. I prefer Bloom to My My My now myself. My My My benefited from being the first single, which usually helps because that's when I'm thirstiest for artists I like. Bloom is the better song.

Ah, I'm glad to hear that! I guess I just got that impression after seeing "My My My!" rank higher than "Bloom" on Jake's and Akini's countdowns too, but you make a great point about the lead-single-effect.

• I love that you're willing to highlight material that may be a year or more old, as long as it was "new" to you. I had that experience with older CHVRCHES albums (especially Every Open Eye) last year. The "polka" mention in your write-up piqued my interest, and "Whatchugot" really is a lot of catchy, flirty fun!
• I forgot that "Ocean" had such a strong run on your chart! There seems to be a fair amount of consensus around here regarding Martin's more recent collaborative singles over-shadowing his earlier EDM offerings like "Animals." Granted, "Animals" was the ONLY Martin single I knew before "In The Name Of Love" came along

Like you mentioned, "Ocean" really lives up to its title with the soothing, cleansing effect it has on listeners. Makes me feel like I'm just gently drifting along on open waters...
• Although I liked NTLTC well enough when it first dropped (and was definitely captivated by the video), I had a suspicion that it might wear off me fairly quickly...instead, its empowering, encouraging message kept me coming back to it time and time again throughout the year. It truly can lift you up when you need it.
• Ha, damn, "The One" really is like a time machine to 2002ish

The way she incorporates other numbers into the cliché of "The One" is pretty clever too: "I'm the one, you're chasin' 2, 3, 4, 5..."

**cheapthrills** · Mon March 4, 2019, 12:24

[MENTION=17613]phoenix98[/MENTION] - Thanks for your comments

I'm impressed you checked out the songs that were new for you! I used Whatchugot for FSC, and it did pretty well. Probably one of my favorite discoveries of 2018 - there was a three months were I was obsessed with her. I'm definitely awaiting her next release.

Ocean did kill it - I forgot it had a strong run too though

I was shocked it nearly finished in the top ten (it missed out by five points.) NTLTC was a grower for me as well, even though it got a high debut. It was unfortunately against some of the strongest competition it could have had.

I wish I could find the studio version of The One on youtube - despite making it to New Music Friday, I can't find anything on it!

**cheapthrills** · Mon March 4, 2019, 12:27

**cheapthrills** · Mon March 4, 2019, 12:30

**cheapthrills** · Tue March 5, 2019, 11:40

**cheapthrills** · Tue March 5, 2019, 11:42

**cheapthrills** · Tue March 5, 2019, 11:43

**cheapthrills** · Tue March 5, 2019, 11:45

This is my 7777th post!

Thanks to everyone who followed along.

**cheapthrills** · Tue March 5, 2019, 11:45

This concludes the countdown. Hope those of you followed found some songs you like.

**crystalphoenix** · Tue March 5, 2019, 15:45

Originally posted by cheapthrills

I wish I could find the studio version of The One on youtube - despite making it to New Music Friday, I can't find anything on it!

Ah, yeah, I've had that problem with some of my weekly No. 1's too (where the label yanks down any uploads of the studio version on YouTube, leaving only pitched/sped-up versions or live performances). That approach really doesn't make sense to me in the streaming-centric music market of 2019.

• Although I haven't gotten fully swept up in A Star Is Born hype myself, it's always satisfying to watch an artist you love succeed, and this project has been one HELL of a triumph for Gaga! "Shallow"s recent coronation on the Hot 100 was wonderful to behold (as much as I love Ari, five weeks was MORE than enough for "7 Rings," and it'll probably rebound anyway...)
• "Guatemala" was No. 1 when I first commented on your weekly chart, so seeing it here takes me back <3 Memories...
• I owe Akini's cheerleading for helping me see the light with "I Like That." It made a (very) modest No. 19 debut on my chart, but now stands as my second-most-played Dirty Computer track.
• "God Is A Woman" is similar to "This Is America" for me, in the sense that the video really fleshes out Ari's ideas and sends much clearer, impactful messages than the song manages on its own. Although GIAW didn't have the same replay value for me as many of her other hits, it was still awesome to watch it earn Ari a new level of respect among people who had previously dismissed her, and win over tons of new fans for her in 2018.
• Speaking of wining over tons of new fans, Janelle certainly did the trick with "Make Me Feel" (and the DC era in general) last year. Both the song itself and the video for MMF are pretty exceptional, and REALLY ignited my interest in her. Until Akini's chart encouraged me to check out "Cold War," I'd gotten the impression that Janelle might be a tad too experimental/avant-guard for me (based on what little I'd read about her and the Metropolis concept albums). As it turns out, she can concoct material that's plenty accessible, while still being genre-blending and thought-provoking. I'm incredibly charmed by and just generally in awe of her now (as an artist, and what I've come to learn about her as an individual too, especially as an activist).

Thanks for taking us on this magical musical journey through your 2018, cheapthrills!

**cheapthrills** · Wed March 6, 2019, 15:19

Originally posted by phoenix98

Ah, yeah, I've had that problem with some of my weekly No. 1's too (where the label yanks down any uploads of the studio version on YouTube, leaving only pitched/sped-up versions or live performances). That approach really doesn't make sense to me in the streaming-centric music market of 2019.

I really don't get why you'd have a song on New Music Friday not represented with at least a lyric video. It's just the strangest thing. The studio version is better than the live version. She does have a song called Lois Lane I enjoyed too though it didn't chart for me.

Originally posted by phoenix98

• Although I haven't gotten fully swept up in A Star Is Born hype myself, it's always satisfying to watch an artist you love succeed, and this project has been one HELL of a triumph for Gaga! "Shallow"s recent coronation on the Hot 100 was wonderful to behold (as much as I love Ari, five weeks was MORE than enough for "7 Rings," and it'll probably rebound anyway...)

I do think this is the last time we'll ever see Gaga at #1 unfortunately, so I'm really trying to enjoy seeing her at the top this week. I was so perched. I follow simmfierzig on twitter and he had the predicitions between the two quite close. And I was Team Gaga since Ari already had a nice long run with 7 Rings. But that OScar performance is iconic, and the song is clealry now one of the biggest song sin her canon - so deserved. I wish I could see her in Vegas, but the tickets are so damn expensive. I am going to the UK this spring and the tickets to the UK were about the same cost as a Gaga ticket.

Originally posted by phoenix98

• "Guatemala" was No. 1 when I first commented on your weekly chart, so seeing it here takes me back <3 Memories...[FONT=verdana]

Really? It wasn't during Make Me Feel's run? That's good. You would have gotten bored seeing it at the top for months on end.

Originally posted by phoenix98

• "God Is A Woman" is similar to "This Is America" for me, in the sense that the video really fleshes out Ari's ideas and sends much clearer, impactful messages than the song manages on its own. Although GIAW didn't have the same replay value for me as many of her other hits, it was still awesome to watch it earn Ari a new level of respect among people who had previously dismissed her, and win over tons of new fans for her in 2018.

I understand this - for me, her first singles on both these last two albums appear to be songs that continue to get the most play for me. Though GIAW got more play in 2018, it's faded. I still love the song and the amazing video. Speaking of which, Ari killed EVERY video last year - she better be up for a Video Vanguard award from MTV soon, even though people don't watch those awards much anymore.

Originally posted by phoenix98

Speaking of wining over tons of new fans, Janelle certainly did the trick with "Make Me Feel" (and the DC era in general) last year. Both the song itself and the video for MMF are pretty exceptional, and REALLY ignited my interest in her. Until Akini's chart encouraged me to check out "Cold War," I'd gotten the impression that Janelle might be a tad too experimental/avant-guard for me (based on what little I'd read about her and the Metropolis concept albums). As it turns out, she can concoct material that's plenty accessible, while still being genre-blending and thought-provoking. I'm incredibly charmed by and just generally in awe of her now (as an artist, and what I've come to learn about her as an individual too, especially as an activist).

I missed Janelle's very early work, but Cold War in 2010 was the song that got my attention. It wasn't until the Grammys the following year that I heard Tightrope, which I think was her first early hit. But the fact that she remained so under the radar really perplexed me - like why are people not here for Janelle? It was so satisfying to watch her break out last year, and with work that was so personal. For me, Dirty Computer is probably the album of the decade.

Speaking of which, it should be interesting to see the year-ends this year! Not only will there be best of 2019 countdowns, but best of decade countdowns!

Thank you again for commenting - it's always nice to have someone invested in your lists!

**JSparksFan** · Wed March 6, 2019, 18:13

"All the Stars" is a beautiful song, with an even more gorgeous video, and filmed for an even more phenomenal movie!

"High Horse" is quality country-pop. "Thank U, Next" has a fantastic message, and I love how it inspired so many hilarious memes. "I Like It" is overrated.

"Twice" is absolutely stunning. It's a classic Christina ballad, brimming with melodrama. I am one of the many who believes Bey should have been left off the "Perfect" remix.

"Pynk" is good. "Palo Santo" is gripping. "And I'm Leaving" was a solid discovery for me, too.

"Girls Like You" is completely unspectacular. "My My My!" was certainly a big awakening moment for Troye as an artist. Up to that point, it was the best thing he had done, then "Dance to This" came along and eclipsed it.

I think "This Is America" is a poor song. Totally agree with everything you wrote in the "Sanctify" write-up. "Sanctify" is my favourite Y&Y song, by the way. "Happier" is a big grower.

"Americans", to me, is the summation of the Dirty Computer messaging. I know I technically didn't give it a perfect rating, but I can't really find fault in it, and its lyrics do so much for me!

"Ocean" is good, but it's high here!

I feel like the GP preferred "All the Stars", but "Pray for Me" was firmly my Black Panther favourite early on. It is an anthem, an absolutely unapologetic, self-assured, blind-commitment-to-the-cause anthem.

"No Tears Left to Cry" grew on me a lot over the last two months. I don't think I was mentally ready for its message in 2018, but I'm completely embracing it now.

That bellow in "Shallow" is among Gaga's career highlights. "I Like That" is a big Dirty Computer highlight for me. Like you, it's my second-favourite track from the LP.

Interesting! Carly, Jake, you, and I have each ranked "God Is a Woman" #2 on our year-end charts! It's crazy how much so many folks adored it, but I don't think any UKMixer actually ranked it #1 on his or her year-end lists. Well, I have to say that you've covered the pivotal points in your write-up; I just need to add that I never really thought Ari was capable of such a stunner.

No other song could've been #1 here. "Make Me Feel" is to you what "Crystallize" is to Tansike, what "We Found Love" is to Paul, what "Titanium" is to Marc, and what "Breathin" is to me, so I get it.

Great countdown!

**cheapthrills** · Wed March 6, 2019, 19:32

So many notes on the songs, so I'll just comment back on a few. Thank you for all your comments