Here we are, as Hits on The Horizon gets deeper into October. Leaves are turning colors in many places, and as I write this, people in Florida—where I live—are all buzzing that the temps may drop into the 60s for lows this weekend into next week! I know, first-world problems, right?
Let’s see if I can “scare” up some potential hits besides Taylor that your ears should be on if they aren’t already.
I’ll start in the Top 40/Hot AC space, as I normally do, with one that is just out today: David Guetta with Teddy Swims & Tones and I – “Gone, Gone, Gone.” I seriously believe Teddy can harmonize with anybody. Their two voices and Guetta’s beats make this one that should be on your radar for airplay sooner rather than later.
Here’s one for Hot AC specifically, where they can always use their own songs to champion and “rock” songs to balance the playlist. Be sure to get your ears on Daughtry – “Antidote,” which is getting some early support from 92.9 ZZU in Spokane, 98.7 The Coast in Atlantic City, and a handful of others.
One more for this week: Louis Tomlinson – “Lemonade.” The former One Direction member has scored a good one here with a catchy hook. Early believers include SiriusXM Hits 1, 106.1 BLI on Long Island, and 99.7 Now in San Francisco.
Let’s jump over to the rock world for some ear candy with potential this week. For Alt stations, a good one is Vance Joy – “Fascination in the Dark.” The hook is very catchy, and I love the saxophone part! Early radio love is coming from WTBV in Tampa and Alt Nation on SiriusXM.
Next one that caught my ear this week: The Black Keys – “Man on a Mission.” It has a great groove and is getting radio love so far from 93XRT in Chicago and KPND in Spokane.
A good one for the Active Rock stations is a song that’s been out a few months but I believe should be bigger at this point: Dorothy – “Bones.” Her voice is so good, and the song has a solid hook. Radio love is coming from a few notables including WMMR in Philadelphia, WDHA in Morristown, N.J., Octane on SiriusXM, and KKBA in Corpus Christi.
Let’s move to the country world, where Luke Combs – “15 Minutes” is a great record to get your ears on. It’s about a guy in prison who wants all the news from home he can get in a short amount of time—hence the title. The song is getting some early radio love from 103.3 Country KDF in Nashville.
Next up, Julia Cole – “Day Late and a Buck Short,” has a very catchy hook and did about 617K streams this week—another one that KDF in Nashville is playing, along with Music Choice Country.
Last one to be sure your ears get to hear: Kane Brown – “Unspoken.” With the lyrics, “When they lay me in that Georgia clay, that pinewood box is closin’, one thing they’ll know is I didn’t leave a word unspoken,” it sure sounds like a hit to me!
Let’s look at the rhythm world for this week with a couple of choices for your ears. Gunna ft. Wizkid – “Forever Be Mine” had 2.8 million streams this week, with the only radio love so far coming from 99 Jamz in Miami and Hot 107.5 in Detroit.
Mariah Carey – “In Your Feelings” is a cool song that deserves your consideration. The track had about 880K streams this week and is getting some radio support from WTLC in Indianapolis and WRNB in Philadelphia.
So, there you go—your ear candy suggestions for this week! Happy listening!
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.
