Saturday, 31 January 2026

ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart Review: 2nd February

 So let's rip and tear into this week on the ARIA singles chart because yeah, we finally saw some real change in the top ten just not at number one where for yet another week, Olivia Dean's "Man I Need" ruled the roost, it's got streaming on board hard where it got boosted alongside its sales thanks to the impact of Triple J's Hottest 100 ( a common story for a lot of what we saw on the chart this week).

It held up over a new entry at number two...yep, it's "Aperture" by Harry Styles which had a strong start on sales and streaming but tumbled backwards during the week, we'll discuss why in the new entries a bit later. 

"Where is My Husband" by Raye held firm at number three while "So Easy (To Fall in Love)" by Olivia Dean rebounded two spots to number four. 

Songs like "The Fate of Ophelia" by Taylor Swift suffered a three place fall to number five as it did not benefit from placement on the Hottest 100, the same applies to "End of Beginning" by Djo which slipped two places to number six. 

"No Broke Boys" by Disco Lines and Tinashe climbed two spots to number seven thanks to it's placement in the top ten of the Hottest 100 while "Golden" by K-Pop Demon Hunters slumped three places to number eight.

"12 to 12" by Sombr got a two place rebound back into the top ten up to number nine. It's really obvious what made the Hottest 100 and what wasn't shortlisted or voted in just by what gained or lost this week)

Finally "Ordinary" by Alex Warren slipped three places to number ten and at this point, I have to kind of hope people are done with this song.

Losers

It was a rough week for EsDeeKid with "Phantom" featuring Rico Ace down ten to fifty while "4 Raws" slumped ten to thirty one. 

Luke Combs suffered continued losses with "Sleepless in a Hotel Room" slumping thirteen spots to forty four. 

Finally "Opalite" by Taylor Swift could do with a boost from a music video sometime soon because it's down seven to twenty two. 


Drop Outs

You won't find me complaining too hard about the drop outs this week because we finally saw the permanent exit of "Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone to the On Replay singles chart. Good fucking riddance.

Also gone are "Soda Pop" from K-Pop Demon Hunters and "Messy" by Lola Young, both have had very good runs on the chart...I'm fine with them both being gone.

The only one I am bit unhappy about is the exit of "Plastic Cigarette" by Zach Bryan

Gains

Again these big gains were fuelled by Hottest 100 so we had "Rein Me In" by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean up nine to break the top twenty at twenty! I am so happy to see this becoming a genuine hit.

"Victory Lap" by Fred, Again, Skepta and Plaqueboy Max up eleven spots to sixteen.


Re-Entries

Two returns this week with neither song being all that good, "Fame is a Gun" by Addison Rae back at thirty nine and "Dracula" by Tame Impala somehow back at twenty six.


New Entries

Two new entries this week, starting with...

24. "Dancing 2" by Keli Holiday

So Keli Holiday is actually just a psuedo name for Adam Hyde who is one half of Australian electronic duo Peking Duk with this song written about his unexpected connection and love...radio star Abbie Chatfield and yeah, I am going to lie I like it...A LOT, it's a song that just hits in all the right places even if I think there's some Gang of Youths "Angel in Real Time" vibes going here but it works to the song's favour because Holiday is absolutely selling the shit out of this song, he has found that connection and joy in his life and it's felt in the way the strings played high and happy singing the praises of love found. Pretty good song...hope it sticks around. 


2. "Aperture" by Harry Styles

So the big new single from Harry Styles, the first from his new album "Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally" (horribly clunky and honestly terrible album title) and I will admit some curiosity...I was hoping Harry would lean back into the more rock sound from his self titled debut but instead what we got was a electronic song that honestly is incredibly underwhelming in a number of ways, for one thing, where's a defiantly memorable melody to this, it's full of buzzy noises that just lead to nothing....what is Kid Harpoon doing on the production here? Then there's the writing which again, it's giving nothing memorable for me to grip onto or a reason to go back to this song.

If Harry wants to make electronic music, can he actually work with producers who understand electronica? Maybe Calvin Harris or someone becauxe this song does not work for me whatsoever.

Yeah, easy worst of the week for "Aperture" by Harry Styles. Best of the week is easily going to "Dancing 2" by Keli Holiday. I hope "Aperture" does not stick around, that song is really disappointing coming from Harry. Next week...I suspect Noah Kahan but otherwise we could be in for a quiet week...oh wait...the Grammys are on on Monday afternoon.



Pretty Fly (For 1999): January 31st. How Do I Kiss Chocolate Salty Balls One More Time?

 So we have what might rank as one of the busiest weeks of 1999 so far with SEVEN new entries and a pile of movement on the chart which let's face it is always going to happen when there are seven new songs on the chart, 

Let's start with our top ten because at least the number one is stable for now that being "Believe" by Cher which is stable on sales right now and holding foirm against "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" by The Offspring at number two. 

"Jackie" by B.Z feat.Joanne climbed three spots to number three., this song's rebound has to be seen to be believed this pont. It got past "When You're Gone" by Bryan Adams and Mel C which held strong at nnumber four and "Goodbye" by Spice Girls down two spots to number five, it's chart run looks to be done at this point so we can probably expect to see this gracefully exit the top fifty over the weeks ahead.'

Much to my annoyance "No Matter What" by Boyzone is up one to number six and the amateur hour "Got the Feelin'" by Five is iup three to number seven...we really need the Backstreet Boys back.

It was a rough week for "Finally Found" by Honeyz as it stumbled three spots to number eight and it could stumble further because we do have a new entry at number nine courtesy of "Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins, I will talk about this song later but this has groundswell and traction behind it on sales so it could move toward the top spot over the weeks ahead.

What's going the other way is "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain which slipped two spots to number ten. 

Losers

"I'm Your Angel" is down nine spots to forty five for Celine Dion and R.Kelly...it's in desperate need of an angel to lift it back up the chart. 

"Horny '98" by Mousse T vs Hot 'n' Juicy has been well and truly satiated by it's chart run so it's down ten spots to forty two

Metallica's "Turn the Page" is starting to close the book on it's time in the top fifty as it utterly collapsed from twenty seven to forty one while 'Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" by Jay-Z slumped seven places to thirty eight.

"I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith got a thirteen place skid down to thirty seven while "Music Soounds Better with You" by Stardust slipped from twenty two to twenty nine

Ultimate Kaos stumbled twelve places to thirty two with "Anything You Want (I've Got It)" 


Re-Entries

Just the one new entry this week with "If You Buy this Record, Your Life will be Better" by The Tamperer feat. Maya back at forty because WHAT SHE GONNA LOOK LIKE WITH A CHIMNEY ON HER?

Gains

Two debuts from last week that got decent gains this week with "Have You Ever?" by Brandy rising from thirty nine to twenty six and "To You I Belong" by B*Wtched up ten to twenty five,, 


New Entries

Seven new entries this week, unfortunately beginning with...


49. "This Kiss" by Faith Hill

We're starting off the week with some country and why the hell not? That's at least what I thought until I heard this song which yeah okay, it sounds country enough in the instrumentation but dear god, what the hell is with these lyrics? She starts out going on how she doesn't want her heart broken on the first verse and this guy coming along and doting on her the next and then describing this guy's kiss as "centrifugal motion" which doesn't even begin to make sense in terms of 'love' or kissing. Second verse references an imaginary conversation between Snow White and Cinderella wbich would even have Walt Disney having fucking coniptions on the floor so no...this song is complete fucking ass not helped by how not lovestruck Faith Hill sounds.. Skip it!

47. "I Don't Like The Drugs (But The Drugs Like Me)" by Marilyn Manson

I was dreading writing about this song mostly because of how controversial (that's putting it nicely) Marilyn Manson is and yeah this sounds like a weird ass semi pop concession of a song from Manson, this just sounds incredibly messy even coming from him. This doesn't work at all for me, it just sounds like more nightmare fuel to add to a bonfire somewhere. Next!

34. "Heartbeat" by Steps

The breakout group of 1998 are back on the charts out of the UK alongside Five with this being the latest single off their debut album which somehow got paired with a godawful cover of Bee Gees "Tragedy" which is a shame because this song is pretty damn good with some more restrained instrumentation that allows the girls vocals to shine here and it sounds good. I do wish the vocals were a bit louder in the mix but hey after the last two songs, I'll take this, good song. 

20. "...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears

One of a couple of new faces on the chart this week, this one coming from Britney Spears who is a teenager hailing from the state of Louisiana, USA with this song being her big break out single and holy hell, there is going to be something crook with the public if this song is not absolutely massive...a ridiculous catchy hook, instrumentation that actually supports Britney Spears rather than working against her and yeah that piano lick at the start...daaamn. As for the lyrics, well..it's pretty much a song where Britney just wants her ex boyfriend to call her one last time and just wanting a sign he'll return. 

Damn near great pop song, check this out!

19. "Chocolate Salty Balls" by Chef

So now we're getting characters from South Park netting charting hits on the singles chart with this one coming from the character Chef which is voiced by the late singer, songwriter, composer and actor Isaac Hayes and let's put this bluntly, this is NOT a song for children because this is as hilariously adult as it gets with Chef describing a recipe for 'chocolate salty balls' in the verses before he sings "Ooh...suck on my chocolate salty balls...just stick them in your mouth and suck 'em" which cracked me up, it also helps that the song has a pretty terrific funk groove and melody reminiscent of 70s funk. Damn good adult fun even if the novelty this may wear off. I'll suck on those balls any darn day!

13. "How Do i Deal?" by Jennifer Love Hewitt

So what I forgot to mention with Britney is that she she emerged from Disney, well...I say that because Jennifer Love Hewitt started out with Disney via Kids Incorporated before going on to appear on the hit TV show Party of Five and now she has this song for the soundtrack of the film "I Know what You Did Last Summer" and...I just love this song, its a pop rock banger where Hewitt is dealing with this ridiculously complicated relationship and yet she barely knows what she wants, how she feels or whether she can trust herself  when she's got not just him but everyone else telling her what she should do. Definitely check this one out.

9. "Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins

Ending off with a song from American newcomer Shawn Mullins and I am going to say this right off the bat, this song sounds weird coming from a guy given the subject material is about a woman who is tired of living the high life among the Hollywood elite and just wants a release and an espcape from all the glitz,glamour and pressure of being within those circles for awhile. I think this song would sound better coming from a woman than from a guy who isn't living within that realm and whose vocal delivery coming off as sleazy rather than actually telling the story. At least the guitar solo in the middle eight is decent.

That ends our week and the best and worst fall out easily with the worst going to 'This Kiss" by Faith Hill. Best is going to "...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears, it just beat out "How do I deal" by Jennifer Love Hewitt. 

Saturday, 24 January 2026

ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart Review: 26th January

Pretty standard week here with a bit of movement but for once it's nice to see some good songs getting boosts for a change and the charts don't feel anywhere near as stale as they did in 2025. Next week we have that new Harry Styles song and whatever impact the Hottest 100 has on the chart but let's focus on this week and begin with our top ten where a favourite for number one "Man I Need" by Olivia Dean remains at number one and will face a threat from Harry Styles next week given "Aperture" will have monstrous streaming and it already has sales. 

That means there is no possible way that "The Fate of Ophelia" by Taylor Swift can return to number one especially now that attention is being moved from this song to "Opalite" which was anointed as the second single from the album.

Rising three spots to number three this week is "Where is My Husband?" by Raye which really is just consistent across the board at this point, it pushed past "End of Beginning" by Djo to number four. "Golden" from K-Pop Demon Hunters to number five and "So Easy (To Fall In Love)" by Olivia Dean to number six. 

Former long running number one "Ordinary" by Alex Warren remained steady at number seven this week while "Raindance" by Dave and Tems gained two places to number eight, this song is gaining massive traction on streaming right now. 

Falling back one slot is "No Broke Boys" by Disco Lines and Tinashe to number nine, its basically still in the top ten on streaming fumes alone.

New to the top ten this week is "I Just Might" by Bruno Mars which climbed one spot to number ten and will hopefully continue to make upward progress in the weeks ahead...I really like that song. 

Losers.

As I somewhat expected "Sleepless in a Hotel Room" by Luke Combs was the biggest loser this week down ten spots to thirty one. 

"Chanel" by Tyla might be flaming out eatly down seven to thirty four while "Rit for Tat" by Tate McRae slipped eight to forty four and "Gabriela" by Katseye slumped eight to forty five. 


Drop Outs

Not really complaining about the drop outs this week despite them both being Australian with "Dracula" by Tame Impala and "Think About Us" by Sonny Fodera, D.O.D and Poppy Baskcomb taking their exits , 

Gains

I am mixed on our gains this week mostly because I am flabberghasted "Die on this Hill" by Sienna Spiro was the biggest gainer this week up ten spots to crack the top twenty at ninteen, the song actively gets worse with every single listen. 

Also "Sports Car" by Tate McRae up seven to thirtyb five because of course people have to have a slice of forgettable music on the chart, 

At least "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley got a six place boost up to twenty four which is good ro see. 



New Entries

Two new entries this week beginning with...


43. "Plastic Cigarette" by Zach Bryan

So I've not heard the new Zach Bryan album yet...finding room to hear a whole 25 track album is just not a thing right now for me but we do have the song that has picked up the most traction of anything from it and the fact it's this one and not "Bad News" came as something of a shock to me especially given the controversy around that particular song but hey, I'll take this song with it's sparse guitar and drums and Zac Bryan crooning about personal accountability and letting go of someone or something that was providing him with comfort, I take this...good song...it's better than...

20. "Stateside" by Pink Pantheress feat. Zara Larsson

I've honestly been surprised at how much Pink Pantheress has struggled to follow up the success of "Boy's a Liar" and so it wasn't a surprise to me that this song needed...Zara Larsson as a feature as Zara is experiencing something of a viral moment herself with "Lush Life" taking off and honestly I really do not like the weird ass thudding production that doesn't compliment either Pink Pantheress or Zara Larsson here and also this just sounds like left over Charli XCX during her brat era. Zara's version feels tacted on as hell as well. I'm skipping this.

It s also worst of the week with the best of the week go to ":Plastic Cigarette" by Zach Bryan


Pretty Fly (For 1999): January 24th. Have You Ever BelongTo Big Big Miami

So we have quite the crazy week here with a change at number one that has felt like it's been coming for awhile and a slew of new entries anyway let's start with the top ten where as I mentioned we do have a new number one with "Believe" by Cher taking the top spot, it finally got the better of sales and it was enough to push "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" by The Offspring back to number two.

"Goodbye" by the Spice Girls remains at number three but I question how long they'll stay there as the song is weakening and there's stronger songs behind it like "When You're Gone" by Bryan Adams and Mel C which climbed two spots to number four, it pushed Honeyz back one spot to number five with "Finally Found".

Rebounding five places to number six is "Jackie" by B.Z feat Joanne which I didn't think would happen. Also unfortunately rising is "No Matter What" by Boyzone which climbed one place to number seven even though the song is ass. 

"From This Moment On" by Shania Twain slipped one spot to number eight while "Crush" by Jennifer Paige finally looks to be on the way out down four spots to number nine and finally "Got the Feelin'" by Five tumbled one spot to number ten. 


Losers

"Sway" by Bic Runga swayed down nine places to forty nine while "Viva Forever" by Spice Girls is on the way out of the top fifty down twelve to forty seven. 

Barenaked Ladies hilarious "One Week" dived ten spots to forty one while "Save The Day" by The Living End (more on them in the new entries) down seven to thirty seven, 

Biggest loser of the week was B*Witched with former chart topper "Rollercoaster" dipping down from thirteen to twenty nine. Stars on 52 took a nine slide to twenty one with their cover of "If You Could Read My Mind"


Gains

Hole continue to gain hard with "Celebrity Skin" being on the cusp of the top ten up nine to number eleven this week. 

The public have finally figured out "Doo Wop (That Thing)" is great so it's one of the biggest gains of the week up from thirty two to number sixteen. 

Ultimate Kao jumped seven to twenty with "Anything You Want (I've Got It)".


Re-Entries

Just one return with "Freak Me" by Another Level back at fifty.


New Entries

Five new entries beginning with

40. "Miami" by Will Smith

The latest single from Will Smith's album "Big Willie Style" with this song sampling The Whispers "And The Beat Goes On" which is a song that I really do not care for but anyway I do like how the sample is flipped and Will Smith has enough easy charisma to come up with a song that sounds like a tourist's utimate guide to life in Miami, Florida, it sounds like a heck load of fun. Honestly dig this a fair bit, check it out. 

39. "Have You Ever?" by Brandy

The second single from American singer Brandy's second album "Never Say Never" with this song being written in part by Diane Warren. Brandy does have a really nice vocal delivery on the song, it's somewhat understated at points but it does have a punch to it as she's asking if this other person has ever loved someone so much that they can't sleep at night however where the problem lies is the production which feels like it misses some swell and grandiosity to counter Brandy's somewhat more understated but emotional delivery. It's not bad but could be better.

35. "To You I Belong" by B*Witched

Irish girl group B*Witched begin 1999 with this song as the latest single from their smash debut album with this song being a bit of a step down from the heavy pop of "C'est La Vie" and "Rollercoaster" in that this one is a ballad where the girls sing that they'll only belong to this one guy no matter the weather or the situation hence ending the chorus with the song's title over some nice fiddle and strings. It's oretty, check it out if yiu are curious just don't go in expecting "Rollercoaster" vibes. 

34. "Big Big World" by Emilia

Ending off our string of female ballads with this song from Swedish singer Emilia and dear god, for a song that is going for Emilia being "a big big girl in a big big world" and her missing this guy a lot, this song just feels limp and pathetic as Emilia sings about being this big girl in a big world in this small small voice that drives me absolutely insane and it does feel liks she is convincing herself that she will be fine if hea leaves her over that limp piano. Ugh, can't stand this song. Moving on.  

12. "All Torn Down" by The Living End. 

Emding off the week with some Aussie punk from The Living End, this song is the third single from the band's self titled album and while I think there can be some criticism at how one note the prpduction can sound, I do like how it builds into the chorus and the guitar solo in the middle eight of the song was nice. As for the content, it's about the rapid development and building projects in the band's home city of Melbourne and how little regard was given to historic sites and parks so yeah this does hit hard. Good song, definitely worth checking out,


However best of the week is going to Will Smith for "Miami", I am giving worst of the week to "Big Big World"  by Emilia.


Tuesday, 20 January 2026

ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart Review: January 19th.

We have quite the interesting week here, four new entries as 2026 gets going in earnest but where it's not really getting going is in the top ten where for a ninth week, "Man I Need" by Olivia Dean sits pretty at number one. It's still a streaming behemoth and sales remain decent. Youtube really isn't much of a factor at this point.

"The Fate of Ophelia" by Taylor Swift is is hanging on at number two even as it's streaming and sales are falling away, it's being thratened by stronger songs around it more than posing a threat to our current number one, that threat is coming from "End Of Beginning" by Djo up one to number three, it's got streaming on side and it looks a strong player to take the number one. 

It finally pushed "Golden" by K-Pop Demon Hunters back one spot to number four, it's going to slowly move down which is a shame because I am sick to death of it. 

Hopefully it will mean "So Easy (To Fall in Love" by Olivia Dean can continue it's rise, it climbed two spots up to number five. Raye's "Where Is my Husband" fell back one place to number six and "Ordinary" by Alex Warren slipped back to number seven. 

"No Broke Boys" by Disco Lines and Tinashe remains at number eight and "12 to 12" by Sombr is glued to number nine for another week. 

Rising eight off it's debut to number ten is "Raindance" by Dave feat. Tems.


Losers

So a bunch of older hits lost ground big time this week which is nice to see so let's begin with "Soda Pop" from K-Pop Demon Hunters going flat down eleven to forty six. 

"Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter fnally going cold down twelve to forty five. "Manchild" by Sabrina Carpenter is giving up down thirteen to forty three. 

"APT" by Rose and Bruno Mars slumped twelve to thirty eight. 

Drop Outs

Glad to see "Internet Girl" by Katseye gone along with "Mystical Magaical" by Benson Boone and "What it Sounds" like from K-Pop Demon Hunters.Also taking it's exit is "I've Seen It" by Olivia Dean. 

Gains

Already mentioned "Raindance" by Dave and Tems entering the top ten but that wasn't the biggest gain of the week that belonged to "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley as it jumped sixteen places off it's debut to thirty while in great news "Rein Me In" by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean climbed nine spots to thirty one (My hope is that this song just rules 2026). 

The only other major gain is EsDeeKid's "4 Raws" bouncing up six spot to twenty two.

New Entries

Four new entries this week beginning with...

48. "Think About Us" by Sonny Fodera, D.O.D and Poppy Baskcomb

Yay for Australian artist in the top 50 for a change, its nice to see Sonny Fodera here and "Somedays" is still a terrific song that keeps getting better with every subsequent listen, I also say this because I don't think this song is as good as "Somedays" mostly because the production feels more jarring, blocky and leaves me feeling that the synthetic nature of the production takes away from the impact of the lyrics which is asking this other person that when he or she is touching another man or woman are they thinking about the relationship they have with the singer which reminds me way too much of that Morgan Wallen song "Think About Me" so...nooo. 

29. "Die on This Hill" by Sienna Spiro

Sienna Spiro is a British singer-songwriter that had a break out year in the UK in 2025, now she's landed her first song on the Australian charts and sadly I don't really care for this at at all, it's this sparse piano ballad where Spiro sings about her partner being stubborn and all "I don't give a fuck" but can't let the relationship go because "letting go would feel worse" which cannot be more of a god damn toxic ass sentiment, she KNOWS the relationship is not healthy but is staying in it for what reason? The sex is good? Yeah no...ew.  


19. "Sleepless in a Hotel Room" by Luke Combs

Just me or are the singles for this upcoming new album from Luke Combs been kind of a let down? "Back in the Saddle" was okay as was "Giving Her Away" and now we've got this and...yeah again, it's fine but it just kind of falls flat for me. Combs is alone on tour, unable to sleep and is missing his wife, it's a sweet sentiment but the issue here is that the production is missing something...it feels less homespun and cold (which I admit is probably the point given the subject matter of the song) but why does it feel like Combs voice has a filter on it? It sounds strange considering Combs has one of the best belting voices in country.


11. "I Just Might" by Bruno Mars

Finally, we have to deal with Bruno Mars first solo lead single since 2016. "I Just Might" is the lead single for Msrs new album "The Romantic" out late next month and while this does feel very safe coming from Bruno Mars, it does feel like a good bridge from the sound of Silk Sonic to whatever Bruno has in store on "The Romantic" and this is just pure silly pop fun that Bruno does best. The production is tight, funky and Bruno sounds like he is having a good time.

It's running away with the best of the week. Worst of the week goes to "Die on this Hill" by Sienna Spiro. 



Saturday, 17 January 2026

Pretty Fly (For 1999) 17th January. Hard Slide Life.

 So this week is somewhat quieter than usual but we did get a pile of movement in our top ten just not right at the very top where of course "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" by The Offspring continues to rule the number one spot on the chart but again the margins are really close because right behind it at number two is "Believe" by Cher, if things keep going "Believe" can take the top spot next week!.

What's not going to get close to top spot is "Goodbye" by Spice Girls despite the fact it climbed one spot to number three, it's not as strong on sales as the top two and it may well have peaked even as it surged past "Finally Found" by Honeyz down one to numnber four, it's also pretty much done and should gradually make its way out.

Remaining in their positions from last week are "Crush" by Jennifer Paige, "When You're Gone" by Bryan Adams feat. Mel C and "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain. 

Rising one spot to number eight is "No Matter What" by Boyzone because people love their sloppy boy group ballads, speaking of boy groups, Five's "Got the Feelin'" has rocketed into the top ten from it's debut of thirty five last week all the way to number nine..I will say it's catchy even if I think other parts of the song are amateur. 

Finally also arriving in the top ten is the pretty decent "A Little Bit" by Pandora which jumped four spots to wrap up the top ten at number four. 

Losers

Billie's "Girlfriend" is on the precipice of leaving the top fifty as it skidattled thirteen spots down to fifty. 

S.O.A.P's "Ladidi Ladida" continues to suffer losses down eleven to forty three. "Sway' by Bic Runga sayed down seven to forty. 

The Living End's "Save the Day" might need to start trying to save it's chart position as it crumpled eight to thirty.


Gains

So outside of Five's "Got the Feelin'" having that enormous gain into the top ten, *NSYNC continues to rise up the chart with "I Want You Back" as it climbed nine spots to fifteen.

Hole is putting on "Celebrity Skin" rather than shedding it as it climbed from forty nine to twenty four this week. 

Re- Entries

Two returns this week with "Second Solution" by The Living End back at forty nine while "Would You..." by Touch and Go came back at forty eight.


New Entries

Two new entries this woek, lets begin with...

45, "Slide" by Goo Goo Dolls

Time for the follow up to the Goo Goo Doll's massve smash hit from 1998 in 'Iris" (it's a fine song, it just doesn't grab me like it does to others) and I am probably going to get push back for saying this but I really like "Slide" more than "Iris", there's an intense energy coming from John Rzenik's vocals that really hits a chord with me and I like how the production has his vocals front and centre rather than buried behind the guitars and drums 

As for the content, it's fine too, the lyrics delve into a story from Rzenik's own childhood where a teenage girl gets pregnsnt and is forced to confront difficult life changing decisions...should she get an abortion or keep the child and get married which actually explains why Rzenik sounds so damn intense on this song. It's a great song, check it out. 

36. "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" by Jay-Z

We end the week with the chart debut of American rapper Jay-Z courtesy of a song that samples "It's a Hard Knock Life" from the musical "Annie' for the hook and I have to be honest here, I don't like how the sample sounds here with the kids voices mutilated to sound like chipmunks to the point I get annoyed with the song and have to turn it off which is a shame because it's a song where Jay-Z details his come up and all the set backs he has had just to get to the point of having a charting hit.

In other words, its not terrible but I am not coming back to it, it's the "worst" of the week.

"Slide" by the Goo Goo Dolls takes best of the week. 

Thursday, 15 January 2026

ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart Review: 12th January

 So 2026 is finally starting to gain some rhythm and with that new Bruno Mars single coming next week, we're about to see some movement at the top which is good because yet again...the very top of the chart remains unchanged with "Man I Need" by Olivia Dean remaining at number one for yet another week, 

It held strong on streaming over both "The Fate of Ophelia" by Taylor Swift at number and "Golden" from K-Pop Demon Hunters even though both are nowing pretty much done on streaming at this point. 

This means "End of Beginning" by Djo looks to be the competitor for number one as it jumped ten spots to number four and is one of the biggest gainers of the week, it's got a strong presence on streaming and really just needs another push to get it to number one. Now bare in mind, it's only on the chart because of going viral and will only chart for a further eight weeks so if it's going to get that number one, it had better make it's move soon. 

Rising one place to number five is "Where is my Husband?" by RAYE although that could be due to "Ordinary' by" Alex Warren finally weakening enough to slip two places to number six. 

The second of Olivia Dean's three songs in the top ten "So Easy (To Fall in Love)" remains steady at number seen while "No Broke Boys" by Disco Lines and Tinashe slumped three spots to number eight while Sombr's "12 to 12" slipped one to number nine.

Also down one is "Nice to Each Other" by Olvia Dean to number ten which rounds out our top ten. 

Losers

"Dracula" by Tame Impala finally looks to be on the way out down ten to forty seven while Tate McRae's "Tit for Tat" down ten to thirty eight while "Die with a Smile" slumped eight to thirty seven for Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. 

K-Pop Demon Hunters also took a hit with "Soda Pop" down nine to thirty five. . 

Drop Outs

So we lost four songs this week with K-Pop Demon Hunters seeing the exits of "Your Idol" and "How It's Done", they took "Bad Dreams" by Teddy Swims and "Too Sweet" by Hozier with them. 

Gains

So I mentioned Djo having the biggest gain the week up ten to number four but we also saw "Sports Car" by Tate McRae up eight to thirty six and "Baby Steps" by Olivia Dean also up eight to twenty five.

Re-Entries

Just one return which is "I've Seen It' by Olivia Dean at number fifty.

 New Entries

Three new entries this week, starting with...

46. "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley

I was not expecting to see tong here but I guess it's cross over was inevitable given how much it has blown up in the US with it being at number five at the Billboard Hot 100 but anyway Ella Langley is a American country artist who has seen some success in the US mostly due to collabs with fellow country artist Riley Green however this is Langley's big breakout hit that was in part co written and produced with fellow country stat Miranda Lambert and well...if neo traditional country found a way to break into the mainstream this is certainly the way to do it with a steel guitar driving song about a couple where she's from Tennessee and he is from Texas, they go and visit Texas and suddenly he realizes that his heart belongs in Texas and she realizes that she cannot deny him being where his heart belongs and that while she is heart broken, she understands that his first love is home which is in Texas. Damn good song, chec it out. 

45. "Internet Girl" by Katseye

Another round with Katseye and look...I still have pretty vehement dislike of "Gabriela" and I was dreading the release of this single and it turned out that going into this with a lot of trepidation might have been the best way to go because this wound up being akin to audio torture to listen to, it just sounds incredibly unpleasant from start to finish with the obnoxious delivery of "Haven't you heard? I'm the internet girl" to that overtly processed "Eat zucchini" which reminded me in the worst way of Onision's "I'm a Banana"! This is one of the worst songs I have heard in some time and I will be very glad when it leaves the charts. 

18. "Raindance" by Dave feat. Tems.

Look, I have a feeling this going to become a huge hit given it's rise on streaming and the subject matter so nothing I say here is going to matter even if I actually don't mind the song and think it's kind of sweet even with Dave brand name dropping on the first verse but the sentiments he expressed toward this girl are incredibly cute however the start of the show on this song is Tems, she sells that hook so hard that she made me believe that she is so desperately in love with this guy and when you combine it with the Afrobeat production...I get why people are liking this.

However it's not best of the week, that's going to "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley. Worst of the week allso no contest with that going to "Internet Girl" by Kateye.