Beyond Radio is the place where music discovery and music nostalgia collide. It is your one-stop source for playlists, music charts, remembrances and recommendations. Our Podcast and music therapy playlists combine elements of nostalgia and discovery, while my blog entries reflect on our musical past through the lens of my personal charts from decades past. I weave a story that includes the connection between artists, chart facts and personal anecdotes that hopefully conjure a connection to the soundtrack of your own life. The current charts and playlists are updated monthly or bi-monthly (bi-weekly for the BR250) and are curated based on a passionate audience that produce their own personal charts weekly.
The UK indie band previews “Combat Sports”, their 4th album since 2011, with this upbeat rocker that was also #1 on the UK Alternative chart last week.
17 2 MGMT When You Die 558.63 2 5 15
The album “Little Dark Age” will be released on Feb. 9. Their last album in 2013 reached #14 in the U.S.
4 3 BROCKHAMPTON Boogie 557.12 3 5 13
The throwback Hip Hop track stays in the top 5 and moves up to #85 on the BR250. I see this as an infectious dance floor filler. It would be great to see this get more universal exposure.
9 4 DAVID GUETTA & AFROJACK f/ CHARLI XCX & FRENCH MONTANA Dirty Sexy Money 526.806 4 9 19
31 5 MARTIN GARRIX & DAVID GUETTA f/ JAMIE SCOTT & ROMY So Far Away 524.864 3 7 19
Guetta reaches the top 5 with 2 songs but so many artists all over these songs. “So Far Away” is seeing a big push in Europe, recently entering the Euro Airplay top 40.
109 6 CALUM SCOTT You Are The Reason 524.56 6 7 13
In 2015 Scott was a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent and his rendition of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” saw major international success in 2016. This ballad has some traction in Australia.
13 7 THE WOMBATS Turn 513.856 7 5 16
Also having a new album released on Feb. 9, this is the 2nd of 3 pre-released tracks from “Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life”. The 3rd, “Cheetah Tongue” is this week’s #7 on the UK Alternative airplay chart.
64 8 TOTO Alone 511.92 8 7 11
Feb. 9 is clearly a big day as the 42 year old band from L.A. releases a greatest hits package “40 Trips Around The Sun”. This lead track retains the jazz-rock elements of many of their previous songs and is co-written by original members David Paich and Steve Lukather among others. Another new tune “Spanish Sea” is currently #30 on the UK airplay chart and moves to #303 here.
3 9 NOTHING BUT THIEVES Particles 503.68 3 9 14
18 10 KATE VOEGELE Shoot This Arrow 500.75 10 7 10
This singer and actress who had a recurring role on “One Tree Hill” from 2008 and 2011, returned with a new album “Canyonlands” in December. As a part of the #MeToo movement, the song addresses specifically, harassment from the creator of that show.
22 11 SUNFLOWER BEAN I Was A Fool 495.54 11 9 11
A month after reaching #2 on the UK Alternative airplay chart this song just misses the top 10 here. Another release “Crisis Feet” debuts on that airplay chart this week.
29 12 DECLAN MCKENNA Why Do You Feel So Down 488.5 12 13 11
This is McKeena’s 2nd song from his debut to reach the UR top 15 and 4th to reach the BR250, peaking last week at #143.
116 13 DUA LIPA IDGAF (I Don’t Give A) 488.04 13 3 23
As she ascend to #1 on the Pop airplay chart in the U.S. this, the 7th single from her debut album in the UK, sits at #32 in airplay there.
21 14 GREEN DAY Back In The U.S.A. 485.616 14 9 16
The previously unreleased track from the recent greatest hits album has received very little attention on radio, not even reaching the Rock airplay top 50.
19 15 LILY ALLEN f/ GIGGS Trigger Bang 483.35 15 5 10
This song spends a 4th week on the BR250 and peaked at #125 last week.
11 16 TOM WALKER Leave A Light On 482.84 11 7 14
Both of these tracks address drug issues. Co-writer Steve Mac is also responsible for Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You”, Pink’s “What About Us?” and Clean Bandit’s “Symphony”. This is Walker’s 1st song to reach the UK singles chart.
312 17 SIMPLE MINDS Magic 481.71 17 1 16
Another band who have seen almost 40 years, their 1st album “Life In A Day” was released in March 1979. They have released 3 songs this month, this one on the poppier side, “The Signal And The Noise” more like their early 80’s new wave product and “Sense Of Discovery” a bit more ethereal, evoking the style of their 1989 album “Street Fighting Years”.
54 18 FIRST AID KIT Fireworks 480.7 18 7 14
The Swedish sister folk duo released the album “Ruins” on Jan. 19. It debuted at #3 in the UK and #1 in Sweden. Both this and the AAA airplay top 15 song “It’s A Shame” are in this week’s BR250.
1 19 SUFJAN STEVENS Tonya Harding 475.2 1(2) 5 10
More folk stylings here. Both this and “Mystery Of Love” peaked on the BR250 last week at #103 and #98 respectively.
10 20 KELLY CLARKSON Medicine 467.2 10 7 9
Another song that peaked on last week’s BR250, at #130. This sounded like the perfect follow up radio song after “Love So Soft” but it looks like it’s going to be the ballad “I Don’t Think About You”.
15 21 KESHA Learn To Let Go 465.56 5 21 15
148 22 KEALA SETTLE This Is Me 460.24 22 3 12
The soundtrack to “The Greatest Showman” is looking like a winner with 2 weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. This anthemic gospel-y ballad looks like the standout track and just won the Golden Globe for best song. It was also covered by Kesha in December showing off the vocal abilities she presented on “Praying”. Will radio jump on either, should be interesting to see.
12 23 YUNGBLUD I Love You, Will You Marry Me 459.7 12 11 9
16 24 CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG Deadly Valentine 451.44 5 15 12