The 2015 Taylor Top 50... Who Is Where and Why?

Wowsah, what a year in melodic music! Not so fast… that’s actually not praise. With singsong nursery rhyme one-line choruses and gimmick-filled hip-hop pervading the airwaves, 2015 proffered tough love. Last year, I discovered a hopeful muse—Ariana Grande—whose momentous melodies accompany effortless vocals that can be recreated live. This young lady delivered my No.1 single of 2014, “Love Me Harder,” f/The Weeknd. In 2015, I rewound and discovered her previous hits, which sustained me through the current pop tundra.

In 2015, Ariana Grande again leads the Taylor Top 50 countdown with her infectious dance hit “Break Free,” f/Zedd. She joins four other acts who have scored consecutive year-end No. 1’s on the TT50 since 1981: Sheena Easton, Celine Dion, Adele and Jon Secada.

There’s more to the story: Ariana owns an unprecedented SEVEN among the top 10 slots this year. While I respect her talent, she’s not yet a member of the historic pantheon commandeered by Sheena and Celine. Rather, her standing is a testament to how few competitors Ari had in 2015… Not to whine like the ole man I am, but I found many of 2015’s radio hits reminiscent of another era’s MC Hammer or Puff Daddy. In my book, “All About That Bass” is the millennial “Macarena.”

Back to Ariana, because with 12 titles in my top 50, she is certainly more than a “default.” Listen to her walloping soprano in the joyous “One Last Time,” alongside delicate accompaniment with Andrea Bocelli in “E Più Ti Penso” and commanding heartache in ballad “Just A Little Bit of Your Heart.” There ain’t nothing this 23yo can’t do.

My 2015 Best New Artist is Tori Kelly—Grammy-nominated for the same title—whose “Nobody Love” is No. 2, because I spun it nearly every damn day all year. She also places “Should’ve Been Us” at No. 24 and “Hollow” at No. 31. Tori’s stellar lead in a “Joy of Pepsi” commercial was so fun that it lands at No. 58.

Among other female vocalists, Adele roars in at No. 3 with the ubiquitous “Hello”—after back-to-back year-end No. 1’s: “Skyfall” in 2012 and “Set Fire to the Rain” in 2011. Jessie J returns with two hits: “Flashlight” and “Masterpiece,” after sharing No. 5 in 2014 with Ariana Grande via “Bang Bang.”

Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” would have been my No. 2 for the year, given the millions of times I played it… however, it already placed at No. 7 in 2014. Swiftie grazes this year’s countdown with “Style” at No. 44, “Wildest Dreams” at No. 53 and “New Romantics” at No. 59. And how about Mariah Carey making a return at No. 10 with a cut from 1997’s “Butterfly” that I heard on SiriusXM? ”Whenever You Call” is everything we used to love about the siren when she created beautiful melodies.

Nick Jonas is the highest-charting male solo act, with “Chains” at No. 11, which succeeds his 2014 No. 10 “Jealous.” And U.K. indie act Junior Turner returns for the third consecutive year with No. 12 “Guardian Angel.” Last year, this beloved and consistent singer/songwriter prevailed with a chart-trumping five top 50 hits, including No. 2 “Save Me.”

And hey, hey, Celine Dion is back after a two-year absence with her tear-inducing live AMA’s tribute to the Paris terrorist attacks. Her reading of Edith Piaf’s “Hymne a l'Amour” embodies all that makes Celine the most successful artist in TTT history. But you already knew that.

The worst of the year? Yeah you, Fetty Wap. Remember wildly popular novelties cum implosions Iggy Azalea and Kesha? Enjoy it, dude… quickly. And I still can't understand the appeal of Nicki Minaj or Meghan Trainor. On that note, 2015 is a wrap, cool cats. Thanks for reading!

Celine Dion Posts Two Best-Selling All-Time Female Songs In U.K. Top 10

Happy International Women's Day, whatever the hell that is (deemed an annual celebration of the

economic, political and social achievements of women's rights across the globe)... The U.K.'s OfficialCharts.com has shared the 40 best-selling singles from female singers—and Celine Dion is the only artist to have two songs among the top 10. Well-done, Brits!

The chart reveals that Cher's "Believe" tops them all, selling 1.79 million copies and spending seven weeks at No. 1 in 1998. Next in line is Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" from 1992. Below the video are the top 10:

 1. "Believe," Cher (1998)
 2. "I Will Always Love You," Whitney Houston (1992)
 3. "...Baby One More Time," Britney Spears (1999)
 4. "My Heart Will Go On," Celine Dion (1998)
 5. "Someone Like You," Adele (2011)
 6. "The Power of Love," Jennifer Rush (1985)
 7. "Wannabe," Spice Girls (1996)
 8. "Think Twice," Celine Dion (1994)
 9. "We Found Love," Rihanna f/Calvin Harris
10. "Never Ever," All Saints (1997)
11. "Call Me Maybe," Carly Rae Jepson (2012)
12. "Hallelujah," Alexandra Burke (2008)
13. "Price Tag," Jessie J (2011)
14. "Can't Get You Out of My Head," Kylie Minogue (2001)
15. "Saturday Night," Whigfield (1994)
16. "Torn," Natalie Imbruglia (1997)
17. "Poker Face," Lady Gaga (2009)
18. "2 Become 1," Spice Girls (1996)
19. "Only Girl In the World," Rihanna (2010)
20. "I Feel Love," Donna Summer (1977)

Taylor Top 10: 2012!

Will Sheena Easton Be Performing At The 2013 Oscars?

The upcoming 85th annual Oscar Awards ceremony is featuring a tribute to James Bond. It's a shoe-in that Adele will perform "Skyfall," but how about Sheena Easton, whose 1981 "For Your Eyes Only" was nominated for the award?

In 1982, Eon Productions co-founder Albert R. Broccoli received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, given to producers for their body of work. There was a "Moonraker"-themed Bond dance number presented as Sheena  sang "For Your Eyes Only." Other nominated Bond songs: Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die" and Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better."

Historically, The Academy has rarely considered the Bond movies award-worthy. Only “Goldfinger” (1964) and “Thunderball” (1965), have won trophies (for, uh, Sound Effects and Visual Effects).... Oh, how I hope! *

2012 Grammy Nominations!

Arghhhhh! It's one of my favorite events of the year... the announcement of the 2012 Grammy Award nominations... and one of The Smoking Nun's premiere opportunities to dish about the best of the year in music... and of course, more fun, the horrendous gaffes. Last year it was all about Adele, whom I supported wholeheartedly. This year, there's no clear leader in the quest to forever mark the best o' the past 12 months.

As a NARAS voter, I take particular interest in the annual expedition of helping select who wins... but as I've stated in the past, in recent years, it pains me that I'm more often voting against contenders rather than piling on kudos.

I mean, Nicki Minaj, critically acclaimed? Seriously? It's enough to wonder if the Grammy Awards more resemble the People's Choice Awards.

Stand by for my take on the best and worst... as soon as I can get a grip on my home office, post-renovation. Soon, no really. Meanwhile, read the major noms here. *

Adele's 'Skyfall': Among The Best James Bond Themes Ever

New mama Adele's stupendous new James Bond theme "Skyfall"—one of the best songs of 2012—apparently moved Mr. Bond, Daniel Craig, to tears. He tells Yahoo! Movies, "I cried. From the opening bars I knew immediately, then the voice kicked in and it was exactly what I'd wanted from the beginning. It just got better and better because it fit the movie. The more of the movie we made, the more it fit."

Director Sam Mendes, meanwhile, also heaped praise on Adele: "She came in very early before we started shooting and her main concern was, 'I write songs about myself, how can I make a 'Bond' song? My answer was,'Just write a personal song!' Carly Simon's 'Nobody Does it Better' was a love song."

"Skyfall" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with a 77-piece orchestra. Adele teamed with Paul Epworth, who co-wrote and produced her massive hit "Rolling In The Deep," which is also oozing with classic Bond instrumentation.

The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 last week at No. 8. This week it dips to 13, while it's 19 on iTunes, and No. 2 in the U.K.

I have a feeling it's destined for U.S. chart-topping action once the movie hits theaters. I remember when Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" was first released and inched its way up the single chart—until the release of Titanic. The rest is history.

"Skyfall" ranks up with some of the best previous JB themes, including "For Your Eyes Only" from Sheena Easton, "Live and Let Die" from Paul McCartney & Wings, "A View To A Kill" from Duran Duran and "All Time High" from Rita Coolidge. *

Best Global Magazine Covers: October 2012

Our monthly look at magazine covers around the world reveals somewhat slim pickings for the beginning of fall 2012... Where are all the sexy guys? We do have David Beckham on Europe's Esquire, but really, can't we do better... while Colin Farrell—looking a bit overly airbrushed—casts an odd expression on Men's Health overseas (also appearing on Details). Adele continues to dazzle on Rolling Stone. And Brazil's edition of Billboard offers a fun mash-up of Lady Gaga and Madonna. On the cover of Elle, Britney Spears has never looked more comely.

The celeb that appears on more covers this month than any other: Blake Lively, who begins a new season of Gossip Girl, in addition to her recent nuptials with perpetually gorgeous Ryan Reynolds. Daniel Craig is runner-up, as promotional wheels start turning for upcoming bond flick Skyfall (whose kickass new theme is sung by Adele).

Looking ahead, here's hoping that as the WB's Arrow gains traction, we'll be seeing Stephen Amell begin to grace covers of Men's Health, Men's Fitness... and The Smoking Nun's roster of candidates for 2012's Sexiest Men Alive.

And speaking of, we certainly can't leave out the best mag cover of the month: William Levy's appearance on People En Espanol as its encore Sexiest Man of the Year. Oh, yes! *

Confirmed! Adele Will Sing James Bond Theme For 'Skyfall'

After rumors have been swirling for months, it's confirmed that Adele will perform the theme song for the next James Bond film Skyfall. Fantastic! Of course, that puts the Brit singer/songwriter in the lofty company of such acts as Sheena Easton, Shirley Bassey, Duran Duran, Madonna, Paul McCartney & Wings, a-ha, Tom Jones, Lulu and Rita Coolidge.

One thing's for sure. Even if Adele were to belch into a mic, she can't do worse than previous Bond flop "Another Way To Die" in 2008, from Alicia Keys and Jack White.

Directed by Sam Mendes, Skyfall will again star Daniel Craig, along with Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw, Ralph Fiennes, Ola Rapace, Albert Finney, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe. The 23rd Bond film opens in theaters November 9. *

Week In Music: The Summer Of Love... For Girl Power

Blazing temperatures aren’t the only thing heating up the summer of 2012. Consider this the season of Girl Power at CHR radio. As Carly Rae Jepsen’s ubiquitous uptempo anthem “Call Me Maybe” logs a sixth week atop the Singles Chart, four other solo female singers join her in the top 10. You’d have to go back to the beginning of the millennium—a la Britney, Christina and Jessica—to see as many pop princesses rallying in the higher reaches of the Billboard Hot 100.

Let’s call this the Summer of Love… for females. In addition to Jepsen’s debut release feat, singer/songwriter Adele sets yet another record with “21.” Her sophomore album spends a 73rd week inside the Billboard 200’s top 10, the longest run by any woman in history—trumping Alanis Morissette's 1995 “Jagged Little Pill.” And then there’s the fervent return of pop staple Pink.

As Jepsen's “Call Me Maybe” continues its command of the Hot 100 in its 21st week on the chart, the track earns its keep as the longest-running No. 1 for a female solo artist since Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep” logged seven weeks from May to July 2011. It also leads On-Demand Songs for a fifth week, and is No. 2 on Radio Songs, Pop Songs and Digital Songs (after leading the latter list for eight weeks). In addition, it tops the Summer Songs 2012 tally for a third week, which Radio-Info.com’s Sean Ross has been keeping tabs on.

Also among the week’s top 10 singles, Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" rises 4-3, newcomer Brit Ellie Goulding’s pop-fueled “Lights” holds at 5, Rihanna's "Where Have You Been" is locked at No. 6—and entering the top 10 at No. 9 is the massive return of Pink.

And that’s where we focus for the rest of this week’s female-centric Week In Music. Pink—pardon me, she has returned to being known as P!nk—rockets into the top 10 on the Hot 100 with new single "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)," which catapults 58-9 in its second week on the chart. The break-up anthem flies 41-4 on Digital Songs, while CHR radio is actually ahead of the game this time: It rallies 56-23 on Radio Songs, with 39 million all-format audience impressions, according to Nielsen BDS.

“Blow Me” is the 32 year old’s 12th Hot 100 top 10, which began in 2000 with “There You Go.” Within the millennium, she has more top 10s than any other female act, other than Rihanna (22) and Beyonce (14). With the new single, she trumps both Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.

This is the first release from Pink's sixth studio album, “The Truth About Love,” due September 18. It’s been four years since her last studio album, 2008's "Funhouse,” which produced hits "So What," "Sober" and "Please Don't Leave Me." Her 2010 "Greatest Hits... So Far!!!," included No. 1 "Raise Your Glass" and No. 2 "Fuckin' Perfect.”

Already, “Blow Me” has reached No. 1 in Australia (her sixth)—where it debuted in the top spot—while it’s also top 10 in Canada and New Zealand. A worldwide tour will follow the album’s release this fall.

With women in charge, how fitting that the Spice Girls reunited last week for the first time since 2008 to announce the launch of “Viva Forever,” a jukebox theatrical musical packed with their 1990s’ hits. It opens this December in London. Girl power, indeed. *

Chart Tidbits: Adele's '21,' Pink's 'Blow Me,' Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Maybe'

As if Adele hasn’t broken enough records with sophomore set 21, she has re-set that standard once again. This week, with the album at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, it logs a 73rd week in the top 10... among its total of 73 weeks, meaning it has never dropped out of the 10 best-selling albums since its release more than a year ago.

That represents the longest run inside the top 10 on the album chart by a female artist in history. The previous record holder was Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill some 17 years ago(!), in 1995.

Meanwhile Pink's (pardon me: P!nk) new release "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)," which we favorably tipped Monday, roars into the top 10 on the singles chart, 58-9 in its second week. It's P!nk's 12th top 10 hit, after her first in 2000 with "There You Go." That puts her in third place among the most top 10s since the millennium, behind Rihanna (22) and Beyonce (14).

"Blow Me" is the first single from her sixth studio album The Truth About Love, due Sept. 18. On Digital Songs, the uptempo finger-snapper catapults 41-4 with 171,000 downloads sold, while radio (for once) is ahead of the curve, as it moves 54-23 on Radio Songs. Bravo!

And... the song that is becoming our favorite track of 2012 to date, Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe," holds at No. 1 for a sixth glorious week, proving once again what I have hammered home a thousand times on The Smoking Nun: Radio excels when it honors straight-ahead female pop music. *

Week In Music: As Carly Jae Jepsen Tops Singles, Dinosaurs Rule CDs

After eight weeks at the top of the singles chart, Gotye has been polite enough to step aside with his mammoth 2012 smash “Somebody That I Used To Know.” In its place, pop jewel “Call Me Maybe,” sashays to No. 1 on the Hot 100, in its 16th week on the chart.

“Maybe” is an across-the-board bona hit in the classic sense that pop chart watchers love to love. No gimmicks, no guest rappers, no manipulation via chart-tipping remixes or latent add-on “featured” acts.

Simply, it is a smash that has captivated pop culture at large—a wonderfully melodic sing-along seasonal song. For that reason, I, for one, couldn’t be happier. That’s not to take anything away from Gotye or the previous No. 1 before him, fun.’s “We Are Young,” because they, too, are anthemic songs with indelible choruses that will heard on radio years from now, prompting those “I remember when” moments. And that, friends, is what pop hits are supposed to be all about.

Okay, off the soapbox and on to the stats: Jepsen spends a fourth week atop Digital Songs, reaping 3.3 million downloads to date. At radio, “Call Me Maybe” moves 4-2 with 117 million impressions among all formats—up 14%. It also reaches No. 1 at the top 40-focused Pop Songs airplay chart as Greatest Gainer, according to Nielsen BDS; and tops the YouTube and On-Demand Songs lists.

“Maybe” first spent four weeks at No. 1 in Jepsen’s native Canada in February; and logged a month at the top in the U.K. It becomes the best-selling U.S. hit so far this year by a lead female solo act, dethroning Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)." And finally, 26-year-old Jepsen is the first lead female to top the Hot 100 with a debut hit since January 2010, when Ke$ha’s sing-songy "TiK ToK" pulled the lever for nine weeks.

Jepsen is set to open for pal Justin Bieber on 47 dates of his North American "Believe" tour, which begins in September. By then, let’s hope she has a debut album out to maintain momentum.

Moving on, Gotye's fine "Somebody," featuring Kimbra—at No. 2 on the Hot 100—remains atop Radio Songs for a fourth week. It tops the 5 million mark this week—reaching the milestone faster than any song in digital history by 11 weeks. The previous holder: LMFAO's "Sexy And I Know It.”

Maroon 5's "Payphone," featuring Wiz Khalifa, holds at No. 3 for a fourth week; in its eight weeks on the chart, it has never dropped lower. Fun.'s six-week No. 1 "We Are Young," featuring Janelle Monae, also stays put, at 4. One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" is up 6-5, flipping slots with Nicki Minaj's "Starships," 5-6; while Flo Rida's "Wild Ones," featuring Sia, is stuck at 7.

Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been” is up 9-8—her 22nd Hot 100 top 10 hit. That now makes the singer the fifth bestselling female act in the chart’s 50-year history. One notch down is Katy Perry, catapulting 19-9 with “Wide Awake,” her 11th top 10 among six No. 1s. And at No. 10—on the cusp of his album release “Believe” June 19—is Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend.” His sophomore single from the album "All Around the World," featuring Ludacris, is the Hot 100's Hot Shot Debut at No. 22. It’s the Bieb’s second collaboration with the rapper: Their previous “Baby” reached No. 5 in 2010.

On the album side, the banner headline for the week reads: Adele’s “21” returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a 24th astonishing week. After last holding the title there March 17, Billboard’s Chart Beat columnist Gary Trust adds that "21" has never left the top 10 in its 68-week chart run, dropping only as low as No. 7 on Dec. 10, 2011.

It debuted at No. 1 on March 12, 2011. Overall sales are 9.34 million. Meanwhile, Adele’s 24-week reign equals the soundtracks to "Purple Rain" and "Saturday Night Fever," with only five albums ruling that chart for longer: Harry Belafonte, “South Pacific” and Fleetwood Mac (all with 31), Michael Jackson (37) and “West Side Story” (54).

Unless Justin Bieber has more power than God, “21” will likely become the No. 1 album of 2012—again—making it the first album to claim two consecutive years as the top-selling set in nearly 30 years, since Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in 1983 and 1984.

Adele sells only 2,000 more copies of the set that debuts at No. 2: country crooner Alan Jackson’s “Thirty Miles West.” This is his 12th top 10 album on the Billboard 200; and his 13th No. 1 on Country Albums, where it debuts at the peak.

At No. 3, things get mighty interesting on the Billboard 200. The Beach Boys score their highest-charting album since 1974 with "That's Why God Made the Radio." The album of all new material is part of a 50th anniversary celebration of the classic Cali group, and its 14th top 10. Paul Grein offers in his Yahoo! Music “Chart Watch” column that the Boys first charted in 1962, giving them a 49-year span of top five albums starting with “Surfin' U.S.A.” Only Frank Sinatra has had a longer span of top five albums: 62 years, from 1946 to 2008.

And speaking of dinosaur acts, Neil Young’s "Americana" launches at No. 4. Again, Grein gives us the goods: It’s Young's 12th top 10 album (counting three albums with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) and his highest-charting since CSNY's hits compilation “So Far” in 1974.

The re-appearance of the Beach Boys and Neil Young makes Lionel Richie seem like a chart kid. His recent No. 1 album “Tuskegee” (which falls 10-16 this week) is the No. 2 bestseller so far this year, behind Adele. And there’s more: Launching at No. 12 is Joe Walsh with “Analog Man,” his sixth solo album to make the top 20. Walsh joined The Eagles in 1975, and first charted with the group’s 1976 “Hotel California.” Before that, as a member of The James Gang, he cracked the top 20 in 1970—giving him a chart life of some 42 years.

At No. 5, rapper Big K.R.I.T.’s  debut studio album "Live From the Underground," also opens at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and the Rap Albums tally. One Direction's former No. 1 "Up All Night" slips 4-6; last week’s No. 1 from John Mayer, "Born and Raised" falls to 7; rapper Curren$y debuts at 8 with "The Stoned Immaculate"; Carrie Underwood's "Blown Away" falls 3 to 9; and Brandi Carlile's "Bear Creek" is new at No. 10, her first top 10 set.

Coming up: Usher’s “Looking 4 Myself” looks like an easy bid for next week’s No. 1 debut. Meanwhile, all eyes are on the following week, when we tally the number of albums sold by enduring tween sensation Justin Bieber after “Believe” is issued this Tuesday. *

Melodic Music Rules Top 5 This Week, As 'Call Me Maybe' Hits No. 1

Nothing personal against Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know," but dude, after eights weeks, it was time to step aside from the summit of the Hot 100 singles chart. Congrats to Carly Rae Jepsen, whose effervescent 100% pure pop nugget "Call Me Maybe" at last gets its due, hitting the top this week. That makes three consecutive melodic songs in a row to reach No. 1 on the chart, along with fun.'s "We Are Young."

Gotye gently drops to No. 2, followed by giddy pop "Payphone" from Maroon 5 at No. 3, fun. at 3 and boy band One Direction's pop/rock "What Makes You Beautiful" rounding out the top 5.

And just adding fuel to a stellar chart week, Adele's "21" returns to No. 1 after sitting in the runner-up  position for several weeks. This marks her astonishing 24th week at the summit of The Billboard 200. Damn, girl.

Of course every time I think the tide is truly returning toward pop, Nicki Minaj ends up creating more damage (she's at 6). But for the moment, it's a joyous celebration of melodic music. *

Celine Dion Covers Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep'!

As Celine Dion returned to Las Vegas for the latest leg of her Casear's Palace residency, she added new material, including this killer version of Adele's "Rolling In the Deep." Man, does she nail the soulful signature of this indelible song.

My god, even the perpetually snarky Gawker.com has nuttin' but nice to say: "What I love about this is how well someone who is widely considered to be the antithesis of cool can slide back in and completely own something as culturally approved as the contemporary standard that is 'Rolling in the Deep'."

In addition, EW, which typically loathes anything without an overt hip factor, is also offering kudos: "Covering Adele: Just another reason Celine Dion is amazing. I’m shocked this cover took so long to happen. The two women’s vocals are so similar, and many of Adele’s tracks would feel right at home on Let’s Talk About Love or Falling Into You. I especially love the darker tone Dion adds to the chorus."

Jesus, when the hell did the rest of the world finally realize that Celine Dion is among the finest singers of our generation? Man, when I reviewed her at Billboard all through the 1990s, I always felt like I stood solitary in recognizing her as the most emotive, sincere vocalist of the era... while every other critic was ripping her to shreds. Nice that a decade later, uh, I was right all along. Better listen quick: This will likely be removed from YouTube any minute! *