Well, here we are at the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day Weekend. I used to think my parents and grandparents were crazy for saying, “Summers go by so quickly!” But, they were 1000 percent correct, it moves so fast!
Let us take a look at some songs you should be listening to over this 3-day weekend.
Top 40/Hot AC
I will start in the usual spot with Top40/Hot AC.
Doja Cat / “Jealous Type” sounds like a sure-fire hit. Groove is cool, and the song has a good hook.
I’ll bring up again one I mentioned a few weeks back, cause the streams are really solid at almost 5.4 million this week. Katseye / “Gnarly.” Yes, it may be a record you daypart at Top 40 to start, but there is something to it that sticks with you!
The last one for this week to get your ears on, if they haven’t already, is a crossover from Country. Megan Moroney / “6 Months Later” is a smash with over 7 million streams this week, and early believers at Hot AC include Mix in Houston and Y98 in St. Louis.
I will also say, Hot AC missed a good one this summer with a song that performed strongly at Alternative and AAA. Role Model / “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” is a hit!
Rock
Let’s move into the ROCK world since I mentioned that Role Model song.
This week I am loving The Temper Trap / “Lucky Dimes,” it has such a cool bass line, the hook is catchy and worth your ears listening to it!
AAA
From the AAA space, I’m really liking Jesse Welles / “Wheel.” I love the hook on this song;some early believers include WXPN in Philadelphia and 93 XRT in Chicago.
Country
Let’s move to the COUNTRY format for this week. Hudson Westbrook / “Sober” with the lyric, “that sundress was spinning me out of my mind, turning me on one kiss at a time.” This is a good, slow groove song worth listening to!
Old Dominion / “Miss You Man” is a really good song and sounds like a radio hit to me, although you will need a clean version!
Another fun one to get your ears on is Jake Worthington / “It Ain’t The Whiskey.”
You should also be listening to Nikita Karmen / “Wildflowers On The Freeway.” I just love her voice, and it’s a catchy song.
Rhythmic
Moving into the RHYTHMIC world Trey Songz ft. feather,Nia/Ray / “Lit Again” is worth your ears.
Also liking Ayra Starr / “Hot Body” which has a really good groove and is getting nice love from “Jammin” in Boston and The Heat on Sirius XM!
One more this week from the Dance world is Myles Lloyd & Bunt / “Crazy” sounds like it could be a hit to me!
So, enjoy your Labor Day Weekend, and I’ll have more for you next week when we will be in September!
Boy, it moves fast!
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Jim Ryan is a Music Radio columnist for Barrett Media. In addition, he runs Jim Ryan Media LLC, a consulting company which assists major market radio brands and top talent including national radio personality Delilah. Prior to relaunching his consultancy in 2025, Jim spent 15 years with Audacy/CBS Radio, serving as SVP of Programming. Among his responsibilities included programming WNEW-FM and WCBS-FM. His career includes additional programming stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston. Jim was voted the #2 PD of 2024 in Barrett Media’s Top 20 series in the AC category. He can be reached by email at Jim@JimRyanMedia.com.
