The 30 Day Music Challenge - Day 30 - A Song You Like Currently on the Billboard Hot 100

[penpusher]

We have come to the end of the 30 Day Music Challenge, and again, I'm altering this selection from the original... the challenge for today was supposed to be "Your Favorite Song This Time Last Year." I'm pretty sure that this time last year, songs were not on my mind in the least... except for Mussorgsky's "Night On Bald Mountain", which, I kid you not, really was playing in my head almost continually those first couple of months of 2017.

But now, in the wake of the Grammys and of the positive elements that seem to be on the rise in our society, plus the fact that we haven't, as yet, talked about what's happening now in music during this 30 day meme, all points to reasons why we should examine what's popular today and select a current song for this list!

Music is ever-changing, ever growing, constantly surprising and continually flowing. Even though the sounds of the songs on the current charts bear no resemblance to 1968 or 1988 or even 2008, there is still a thread that connects them together. If you can't find something you like during any era of music, that only means that you just aren't listening.

I have an easy job for this final pick. Or, really it's a difficult one in that there are a number of songs that I really love that are on the charts this week. But I'm making this selection for a few crucial reasons. First, it's a song focused on the concept of what is usually referred to as "Girl Power", taking back the strength in a relationship, rather than giving it all to the guy. That's a great and very timely message.

Second, the tune itself is so strong and unique, it really has an edge that makes it stand out; it is a tune that has that "earworm" quality that a lot of hits are all about. It has a great sound.

Third, the artist is breaking through, becoming a part of the mainstream from her native Great Britain for most of last year. You didn't hear her name during this week's Grammys, but I would be shocked if you wouldn't hear it at least a few times during next year's ceremony!

And finally, just to bring it back to NYC one final time during this Challenge, The performer is going to make her very first appearance as the musical guest on this Week's Saturday Night Live, hosted by Natalie Portman. You'll be able to see her for yourself when the show airs on NBC, Feburary Third, at 11:30 Eastern, 8:30 Pacific!

So, this massive list of songs, which started with something old, is ending with something new. I conclude the 30 Day Music Challenge with Dua Lipa - "New Rules"

Watch on YouTube

Comments

[staxxy]

I confess that my current fav from the top charts is actually Despacito, which I heard on my Spanish Language specific channel on Pandora and fell for before discovering that it is a) current, and b) possibly the most popular spanish language song ever internationally. Which surprised me not because it isn't a good song, but because I almost never like something THIS MUCH that is currently POPULAR with the masses. I am usually off in the shadows of left field. It was a pleasant surprise to see it performed on the Grammys.

I do like the song you have chosen, and make no mistake there. I am just saying that *my* pick from the charts is Despacito.

[penpusher]

"Despacito" was definitely one of the tracks I was choosing between, but since it lost the Grammy and since Ms Lipa is appearing on SNL this week, it seemed synergistic to make her track the one!

I invite you to do the 30 Day Music Challenge, and to use my version or change it up, like I did!

[staxxy]

I will make a note of all the days and have to circle back to it. There is no way I can keep up with it every day at the moment. :)

[penpusher]

The fun of it is to find some stories that make the songs relatable even more than the songs. Everything doesn't have to be personal, but the tales are more important than the songs, I think.

Of course, I blatantly cheated by changing the days, and you probably should add back the "Song You Play When You're Angry" day! But I'm glad you're considering trying it!

[staxxy]

yeah, the stories or the breakdown is a lot of why I want to take a lot of time with the challenge. And of course I am going to do the angry song day. But I just added it to the list making it a 31 day challenge instead. :D

[staxxy]

okay I have gone through and made a note of all 31 days so that I can work on them a little more slowly and then post them as I get to them.
:)

[penpusher]

There's no rule saying you have to do them all in a month or even on consecutive days, although maybe that's implied by the word "challenge?" Still, no points are deducted if you don't! Have fun with it and I look forward to listening to your selections!

[staxxy]

of course, but if I dont do them close to one another i am likely to forget or just lose track and I don't want that to happen.

Music is HUGE in my life and has been for most of it. I want to really dig into this meme, much like you have. <3

[penpusher]

I'm very much looking forward to listening to your tracks and hearing your stories!

[staxxy]

I started to sketch out a list of songs for numbers and I am probably going to spreading some of the questions out for a week of postings because there are so many answers for this. Like "song that describes you" - as I literally have several playlists that have been specifically put together as descriptions of me. I am considering poking the 8tracks site and answering some of these with playlists there - which necessitates learning how to upload my own lists from my own archives.

which also means I will be putting up playlists of songs that remind me of people. Which, for a lot of people, I conveniently already HAVE.

[penpusher]

Hm. This could have turned into "The 30 WEEK Music Challenge!"