As we race towards Memorial Day and the unofficial beginning of Summer 2025, which is a big anticipation in many parts of the country, just not where I now live in Florida. We are thrilled the season is now over and the snowbirds have headed back north!
Let’s look at the potential hits this week.
From the Top 40/Hot AC world this week, here are a few choices I think are worth your attention.
Chappell Roan / “Red Wine Supernova.” Streams are about three million this week, down slightly, but the song is catchy. It’s great to hear Fitz and the Tantrums with a new one called “Man on the Moon” and NO, it’s not a remake of the R.E.M classic. Final pick this week is Jordan Frye / “Music.” There is no streaming story on this yet, but the hook is infectious.
Moving into the Country music space, the long-awaited release from Morgan Wallen is out today, and I’m sure there will be lots of exploring the 30-plus songs on that album, with many we have not heard yet!
Other choices besides Morgan for this week include a really cool song I’m really liking big time: Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney / “You Had To Be There.” It’s a fun, catchy duet with two of the format’s biggest stars. Scotty McCreery w/ Hootie & The Blowfish / “Bottle Rockets” sounds like a super summer smash that is very familiar to me!
LOCASH / “Wrong Hearts is something your ears should be on if they have not been. Last choice for this week, Blake Shelton / “Stay Country or Die Tryin’ on his latest album “For Recreational Use Only”.
Let’s go to the Rhythm and R&B space next.
This week, my choices include Tasha Cobbs Leonard / “Do It Anyway.” Another of my faves right now is Muni Long / “Superpowers.” Streams have been growing weekly to over 11 million currently. Last, but not least, choice this week Tyla / “Bliss.” A really cool groove and feel to this record.
Let’s explore the rock world for this week.
I can’t stop listening to Sleep Token / “Caramel.” It gets really heavy about three-quarters in, but is such a cool song, racking up another four million plus streams this week.
From the AAA world, and this is also getting love at Alt, Royal Otis / “Moody” the hook grabs you, “My girl’s a trip, when she’s Moody”! One last choice for you this week comes from 3 Days Grace/ “Apologies.” This song is so damn good!
Enjoy the selections, and keep your ears filled with great music always!
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Jim Ryan writes weekly columns on the Hot AC format and ‘Hits On Horizon’ for Barrett Media. He spent 22 years programming and developing brands for Sirius XM including The Pulse (Hot AC), the 80s on 8 with the Original MTV-VJ’s and numerous other artists driven channels. Jim has spent time on-air too with APD/MD experience on Long Island and the Jersey Shore and several years in Philadelphia at Y100, Max 95.7 and 102.9 WMGK. Currently, he hosts weekends and fill-in at WAVV/WINK in Ft. Myers, and Alpha Media’s Free Country Chicago and Star 96.7. He can be reached by email at jimryan0420@gmail.com.
