It’s the most wonderful time of the year. New songs are coming out left and right from all your favorite artists, and MavRadio has got them all! Be sure to tune in to MavRadio.fm for your source of everything Top 100!
Getting our last countdown of 2016 underway with number 10, all I have to say is… I told ya so. The Weeknd, shortly after releasing his 2016 album Starboy, got yet another song on the Billboard’s Top 40. This song, “Party Monster”, is exactly what it sounds like – a raging song for chillin’ out at a party. Basically, what Abel wants is “a girl who really understands” and I guess to brag about himself being “good” and “great”. A bit repetitive, the coolest part of this song is Lana Del Rey’s silky voice being featured toward the end, putting us in a dream-like trance of being “paranoid”. As my prediction has already come true, I predict even further that another single from The Weeknd will be gracing our stereos soon.
Sure to make your hands clap on this countdown is number 9, “HandClap” by Fitz and the Tantrums. This Indie pop band introduces a fun, energetic song about being sure he “can make your hands clap”. This probably means applause – which this song deserves – as it builds in tempo and voracious dancing (on my end). *clap clap clap clap clap*
Coming in at number 8, Shawn Mendes is back at it again with the heart-rendering ballads, with his powerful song “Mercy”. Piano, guitar and vocals all meshed together, we can get a sense for Shawn’s urgency in telling his lover to have mercy on him. She’s unknowingly breaking his heart, and he cares too much about her for his own good, so really they need to part ways.
Slowing down to number 7, the slow jam that’s got us all falling in love with Keith’s voice, is his new song “Blue Ain’t Your Color”. He says, “blue looks good on the sky, looks good on that neon sign buzzin’ on the wall, but darlin’, it don’t match your eyes”, as he begs a girl looking sad in the bar to lighten up. She doesn’t need that guy and deserves to shine bright like the beautiful radiance she is. Much like Shawn Mendes’ “Treat You Better”, Keith Urban is reminding this girl of all he has to offer, while sweeping us up out of our seats and onto the dance floor to sway the night away.
Another song about recognizing radiance, lighting up at number 6 is “Fresh Eyes” by Andy Grammer. Originally thought to be a song about seeing his girlfriend or wife in a different light after dressing up, it’s actually been focused to be about the homeless in Los Angeles. The emotional music video focuses on several homeless people who get a makeover, get some food and some essentials, all the while showing their true beauty from within. Andy has made all the proceeds from this song to go toward the Union Rescue Mission. Located in downtown Los Angeles’s Skid Row, 1,100 people seek shelter there every night. Way to go Andy, for not only giving these homeless people a makeover, but for transforming this song into something very meaningful and charitable.
A Major Key to this countdown at number 5 is from… you guessed it… DJ Khaled. Featuring a boatload of artists, including Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Jeremih, Future, Rick Ross and August Alsina, “Do You Mind” is a lovey song about a girl belonging in a guy’s bed. The piano accompanies the soulful voice of Chris Brown during the chorus, and the numerous artists I listed above have their separate rap flows interspersing the catchy melody. This song is no old news though, as it’s been out since summer, but it is just now getting on the charts. I guess DJ Khaled figured out the Major Key for chart success.
Next on the countdown at number 4 is “In the Name of Love” by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha. As Martin takes the “future bass” genre with piano, bass and guitar, Bebe screams out the vocals with a resounding passion “all in the name of love”. This song talks about sacrifices and taking risks in love, as love is a dangerous game to play. All in all, this song is a wonderful, light summer anthem that is making its round on the charts as a fall/winter turn-up tune.
Once again, Drake is back on the charts at number 3, but this time with a single from his upcoming album More Life. This single, “Fake Love”, talks basically of “fake people showing fake love” to Drake. The interesting “Hotline Bling” rhythm sound-alike makes for a catchy, quirky song you’re sure to keep hearing until More Life makes its debut in the remaining days of 2016. Drake is really on a roll with giving us not only one hit-spewing album but probably TWO in ONE year!
Speaking of two, rolling in at number 2 on my countdown is “Bad Things” by rapper Machine Gun Kelly and singer Camila Cabello from Fifth Harmony. This pain-is-pleasure-type love song talks about loving someone no matter what they do or say, unconditionally, even if it’s complicated. The beginning of the song makes me think of the popular wedding theme as the bride is coming down the aisle, which sets the tone perfectly for the commitment these two artists seem to make. Not only to each other, but to our brains, do they commit as their intertwining voices can’t seem to get out of our heads!
Finally, coming to a complete standstill at number 1 on the Top Ten of December 2016 is “Black Beatles” by rap duo Rae Sremmurd, featuring Gucci Mane. This song has taken the social media world by storm by producing the “Mannequin Challenge”, where everyone freezes in positions that look like they’ve been frozen mid-action, and a camera person walks around panning the scene with “Black Beatles” playing in the background. This song has also produced several memes featuring the lyrics “that girl is a real crowd pleaser”. Nevertheless, this song has received mixed critical receptions, but pays tribute to The Beatles for “their ability to subvert expectations of the status quo” as quoted by Wikipedia. The echoing, dramatic sound of this song definitely goes against status quo of the rap world, and has got us all dramatically freezing in place for the chance to go viral.
This countdown brings 2016 to an epic close with a wide variety of songs that have been a blast to discuss. Again, be sure to tune in to MavRadio.fm as we play these songs along with all other Top 100 hits. Have a wonderful Winter Break and a happy New Year! 🙂
