Why Are So Many 2025 Follow-Ups Flops?

From 2024's breakout artists to long-successful Pop icons, 2025 has been a highly disappointing year for follow up hits. Why are so many songs from…

Sep 25 • 

Matt Bailey

An Announcement for my Radio Friends

After months of analyzing thousands of songs' streaming patterns, I'm debuting a new service to help you pick your market's biggest hits.

Sep 16 • 

Matt Bailey

Yes, Radio Still Makes Hits. Yes, in 2025. Here’s the Spotify Data to Prove it.

Big hits aren’t always big debuts. Sometimes a song takes time for fans to find it. Even in 2025, they’re finding those hits on the radio.

Sep 11 • 

Matt Bailey

1

August 2025

Why Swift's Showgirl Isn't Guaranteed to be a Smash

The songs that are big debuts on streaming aren't always the songs that become big hits, even if you're Taylor Swift.

Aug 28 • 

Matt Bailey

1

Aren’t You Sick of That Song?

Several big hits from 2024 are still Top 10 hits today in 2025. Do people simply not get tired of songs anymore?

Aug 14 • 

Matt Bailey

1

1

July 2025

Teens in The Top 10

How have our youngest Pop stars shaped hit music through the years? You might be surprised.

Jul 31 • 

Matt Bailey

Hot Hits Summer? More like Hot Hits Bummer

Despite reasons for optimism about the state of Pop music, listeners are playing this summer's hits a lot less often than they played last summer's…

Jul 17 • 

Matt Bailey

The "American" Top 10

There have been exactly 10 hits reach the Hot 100's Top 10 with "America" or "American" in the title. Those 10 hits give a surprisingly poignant picture…

Jul 3 • 

Matt Bailey

1

4

June 2025

Where the Hell are the Hits?

Alarmingly few mass-appeal Top 10 hits have emerged so far in 2025. How few? Arguably, only one.

Jun 19 • 

Matt Bailey

3

Five Ways Streaming has Structurally Changed Pop Music

From beginning to end, the very elements that have defined Pop songs for decades are changing. Why? To maximize the royalty payments you generate.

Jun 5 • 

Matt Bailey

3

3

May 2025

When the Adults Pick the Hits

Sometimes, the tastes of grown ups dominate the top of the Hot 100. They're usually not remembered as great years for pop music. One of those times is…

May 22 • 

Matt Bailey

2

1

Contrary to Popular Belief, Contemporary Music Still Rules

Fundamental changes in how we measure music consumption make older music suddenly look more popular. Why pundits are being irresponsible with their…

May 8 • 

Matt Bailey

1

1