Old Songs Young Folks Just Discovered

Mar 26 • Matt Bailey

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Yacht Rock: How Big is the Boat?

A specific sound of smooth soft rock from the late 70s and early 80s is suddenly popular again. It isn't what you think. Its newfound fans aren't who…

Mar 12 • Matt Bailey

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February 2026

The Hits Radio Ignored in 2025 (and the Stiffs they Played Instead)

The type of songs that are huge on streaming, but AWOL on Contemporary Hit Radio, have changed dramatically in recent years. Why ignoring these songs…

Feb 26 • Matt Bailey

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Bad Bunny Won Big

The artist some pundits suggested wasn't popular among enough of America just became the biggest halftime performer of all time.

Feb 12 • Matt Bailey

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Um Actually... Bad Bunny is a Big Freakin’ Deal

How does the star of this year's Super bowl halftime show stack up with other big-name artists? And why outrage about Puerto-Rican musicians at sports…

Feb 5 • Matt Bailey

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January 2026

No, Hip Hop Didn’t Die in 2025 (But it Did Lose its Dominance on Streaming in 2022)

When Hip hop fans used Spotify, Pop fans bought iTunes, and Country fans relied on radio, comparing genre popularity was tricky, even for Billboard. Why…

Jan 22 • Matt Bailey

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Did 2025’s Hits Sound Just Like 2024’s Hits? That’s Because They Were.

Only one of the Top 10 songs from 2025 was actually released in 2025. Why was it such a stagnantly lousy year for new music?

Jan 8 • Matt Bailey

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December 2025

In the Streaming Era, these 12 Christmas Classics are Disappearing

You’ve heard them forever. Many are still on your radio. As we move into the streaming era, however, these longtime staples no longer make the cut for…

Dec 18, 2025 • Matt Bailey

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We (Apparently) Need a Little Christmas Right This Very Minute

Americans started listening to more Christmas music earlier than ever before this year. Why America's growing stress and uncertainty has sent us seeking…

Dec 4, 2025 • Matt Bailey

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November 2025

Is Your Radio Station Serving Expired Hits?

Nov 20, 2025 • Matt Bailey

Billboard Has Had Enough of Your Teddy Swims

The Hot 100 Songs Chart has sweeping new rules that kick out older songs. You’d reasonably assume Streaming inspired this change. This time, you'd be…

Nov 6, 2025 • Matt Bailey

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October 2025

America's Halloween Playlist

As Halloween has become a bigger cultural event, it now has its own holiday cannon. Some of the songs that are now Halloween songs might surprise you.

Oct 23, 2025 • Matt Bailey

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