A Game of Leapfrog

“Shape Of You” leapfrogs over “Castle On The Hill” with 5 more adds and 130 points more than the former. Only 2 other songs in the top 14 gain points this week, “Road Less Traveled” and “Million Reasons”. The big move in the top 15 belongs to Sia’s “Move Your Body” up 38-15 and looking like another  top 10 for her. 3 other titles enter the top 25 led by the Jax Jones, whose song “You Don’t Know Me” is impacting in the UK and Australia. It is followed by Bastille’s “Blame”, up 28-21 and newcomer Starley moving 32-23. Her song “Call On Me” started gaining exposure in Australia and has since become a true international success.

Outside the top 25 big moves are seen by Arcade Fire (94-26), Jamiroquai (115-44) and Pat Benatar! (131-66) with her first single since 2003 (not counting her holiday song “One December Night” in 2015). The acoustic song builds nicely, a welcome return.

Of particular interest to me is Train’s single “Play That Song”. It rises 62-35, starting to see international airplay and still building in the U.S. Being a fan, I saw this as a weak song but could prove to be another “Hey Soul Sister”, creating relevance for a band many consider past their prime. Perhaps resurrecting childhood melodies is the trend of 2017, think “Rockabye”. “Drops Of Jupiter” was a transforming song for me, hugely popular when my mom passed and will be forever linked to her and my heart.